#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | A REESE WITHERSPOON X HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK“A great narrative about personal strength and really captures how books bring communities together.” —Reese WitherspoonFrom the author of The Last Letter from Your Lover, now a major motion picture on Netflix, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of … their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond in Depression-era America
Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.
The leader, and soon Alice’s greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who’s never asked a man’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.
What happens to them–and to the men they love–becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity, and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.
Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined to become a modern classic–a richly rewarding novel of women’s friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond.more
The Giver of Stars is atmospheric, engaging, and touching. This historical fiction novel centers around a group of women who delivered books on horseback to people who lived in the remote mountains of Kentucky during the 1930’s. Jojo Moyes is a wonderful author and I highly recommend this book.
Diverting story that is pretty well written. However, it is predictable and some of the characters feel like they take forever to come to the realizations you saw building for 100 pages. So at times I found myself rushing through the read because parts were a bit dull. However, it is a nice easy, and as I mentioned earlier, diverting read.
I finished this book before Christmas and I’m still thinking about it 3+ weeks later. I loved not only the historical aspect about something I’d previously known nothing about, but the way the characters really came to life in this. I was rooting for them from the very beginning. I also say this as a very picky reader of historical fiction – I finished this in 2 days.
What an amazing group of women. Women on horseback brought library books, comics, recipes, an d Bible study guides to the poverty stricken in the hills of Kentucky. Combine their harrowing tales with a portrait of strong innovative women, a romantic story (or two) thrown in, and you have a wonderfully inspirational read. I love books but I don’t know that I could spend 14 hours a day, in freezing weather on horseback to deliver Little Women to anyone.
One of her best books yet.
Great book and wonderful story …. absolutely keeps your attention to the end. It’s a story about good in people so worth reading
This is a story of strong and determined women who bond over a project of bringing library books to poor hill people who can’t get to the library. The characters are all different but believable.
Thought this was a very informative read, I never realized these women actually existed. Great story about a chapter in American life that most of us never knew. Highly recommend!
Moyes isn’t the first writer to highlight pack horse librarians (see Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin) but she creates a compelling narrative around this fascinating piece of Americana. I loved the addition of oh-so-British Alice to the mountain mix. And the audio version is wonderful–Julia Whelan convinced me that she was MANY different characters. Well worth a listen or a read!
This was my first Jojo Moyes book and I was engrossed from page one. Moyes does a fantastic job of bringing pre-WW2 Kentucky to life. The story has many lovable elements – strong – but also vulnerable – female characters, books and censorship, social divides and expectations, themes of love and loss. I just really enjoyed the read!
Based on the true story of a group of women in the ‘30s in the back hills of Kentucky, who deliver books on horseback to underprivileged families. Very Good!!
This is a fabulous story about 5 woman who are mobile librarians in the 1930’s in the back woods of eastern Kentucky. They ride horses to deliver the reading material to isolated areas. They are part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s WPA program to bring literacy to poor sections of the country. The character development is superb along with the depiction of life for a woman in these times. The story touches on multiple societal ills. It is a story you will be unable to put down.
Very interesting story well written
Excellent story, well told and so different from anything I’ve read in the past. A must-read
book, I highly recommend it!
A fascinating insight into another time and place with characters who bring it to life.
It was very informative of the time period. It showed what true friends do.
Oh, how much did I love this book…let me count the ways.
1) it’s about LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS
2) it quotes so many wonderful book classics
3) it’s about 6 strong (kick-ass) women
4) it’s about friendship and love and the importance of literacy
I need more books like this in my life.
Love these Characters, especially independent Margery, a gun toting, horse riding librarian who is determined to bring knowledge to those who did not have access.
Absolutely loved this book of historical fiction about the Pack Horse Librarians in the Applichian Mountains.
These ladies were fierce individuals who were determined to deliver the libary books .
You will cheer this ladies on, you will love them, you will get to know them very well and admire them.
Of course there is always a character or two to hiss at !!
I hated the book to end and I will miss these ladies for a long time to come.
Touching and lovely with a quirky cast of characters and a glimpse into a way of life made so much better through the magic of reading books.