A traveling librarian ventures into the mining towns of Kentucky on horseback—and learns to trust the One who truly pens her story—in this powerful novel from the best-selling author of A Silken Thread. During the Great Depression, city-dweller Addie Cowherd dreams of becoming a novelist and offering readers the escape that books had given her during her tragic childhood. When her father loses … When her father loses his job, she is forced to take the only employment she can find—delivering books on horseback to poor coal-mining families in the hills of Kentucky.
But turning a new page will be nearly impossible in Boone’s Hollow, where residents are steeped in superstitions and deeply suspicious of outsiders. Even local Emmett Tharp feels the sting of rejection after returning to the tiny mountain hamlet as the first in his family to graduate college. And as the crippled economy leaves many men jobless, he fears his degree won’t be worth much in a place where most men either work the coal mine or run moonshine.
As Addie also struggles to find her place, she’ll unearth the truth about a decades-old rivalry. But when someone sets out to sabotage the town’s library program, will the culprit chase Addie away or straight into the arms of the only person who can help her put a broken community back together?
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I have read many books by this author, and this one is so good. Set during the great depression in the 1930s, and how it changed so many lives.
For such a hard time in this countries history, most of the character’s here show such great faith and have upbeat outlook on life and a real love of God. With the little they have they are willing to share with those less fortunate.
Come travel the mountain trails of Kentucky, where most of these folks eke out a living working at the coal mines. With the decline in the economy President Roosevelt establishes the WPA, Work Projects Administration, and establishing a library on horseback to deliver to this remote hilly area.
You will quickly have some favorite characters, and some you really won’t care for, but, I found my opinions changing for some by the end!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Waterbrook, and was not required to give a positive review.
Thursday, August 27, 2020
The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow
Kim Vogel Sawyer delivered a wonderful book about determination, grit and perserverance. Addie took a job to assist her parents. She had to leave school and her family to accomplish this task. It wasn’t easy. She never experienced this kind of life before. She never expected that she would not be accepted. She was an outsider.
Addie was hard working and kind. She was someone you would like to have for a friend. She came to Kentucky to help her family. By the end of the book, her kindness and dedication impacted so many in Boone’s Hollow.
I suggest that Ms. Sawyer write a follow up book. I would love to re-visit the area and find out the rest of the story.
I received this ebook for free from WaterBrook & Multnomah to review.
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed, bestselling author with more than one million books in print in several different languages. Her titles have earned numerous accolades, including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence.
Kim lives with her retired military husband, Don, in central Kansas, where she continues to write gentle stories of hope. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters and her grandchildren.
The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow
THE LIBRARIAN OF BOONE’S HOLLOW
A traveling librarian ventures into the mining towns of Kentucky on horseback—and learns to trust the One who truly pens her story—in this powerful novel from the bestselling author of A Silken Thread.
During the Great Depression, city-dweller Addie Cowherd dreams of becoming a novelist and offering readers the escape that books had given her during her tragic childhood. When her father loses his job, she is forced to take the only employment she can find—delivering books on horseback to poor coal-mining families in the hills of Kentucky.
But turning a new page will be nearly impossible in Boone’s Hollow, where residents are steeped in superstitions and deeply suspicious of outsiders. Even local Emmett Tharp feels the sting of rejection after returning to the tiny mountain hamlet as the first in his family to graduate college. And as the crippled economy leaves many men jobless, he fears his degree won’t be worth much in a place where most men either work the coal mine or run moonshine.
As Addie also struggles to find her place, she’ll unearth the truth about a decades-old rivalry. But when someone sets out to sabotage the town’s library program, will the culprit chase Addie away or straight into the arms of the only person who can help her put a broken community back together?
I am a fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer and The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow did not disappoint. This is the story of Addie and Emmett, two people from different backgrounds working together to change lives. The story is based during the Great Depression. Addie loses her college enrollment because her father cannot continue to pay her tuition. She is determined to get a job to help pay her tuition and help her parents financially. The job she finds is delivering books on horseback to poor families in the mountains of Kentucky. On the other hand, Emmett graduates from school with a business degree but cannot find work so he has to return home. His home is Boone’s Hollow, Kentucky just down the road from Tuckett’s Pass, Kentucky. The people live, work and go to school together but do not associate together due to a long standing feud. When Addie comes to Boone’s Hollow to take her job she finds lodging with Nanny Fay, an elderly Tuckett’s Pass widow of a Cherokee Indian. This story shows a great deal of prejudice by people and how it can fester without cause. But it also shows the love of Christ for people. There are funny passages, and heartfelt passages. This book with make you laugh, cry, be angry, and be frustrated. Mrs. Sawyer has a way of reaching down and touching the heart, wringing it out, and making it feel new again! I loved this book!
I was graciously allowed to read this book by Netgalley and Waterbrook, they did not in any way influence my review!
This was one of the most beautiful “you and me” story I’ve read in a long while.
Addie had the rug pulled out from underneath her when she was called to the Dean’s office few weeks before she was to graduate from the university and reading this was so life altering. But I admired how she did not stay down, how she picked up herself and choose to believe God and forge a path for herself. She was such a brave and determined young lady to see the world she had to live in Boone’s Hollow change for good. I loved how she used her skills and God given talents to do good to others despite the way she was treated unfairly by them.
Her meeting with Emmett was nothing short of providence. I loved the gentleman that he was, treating everyone with grace and love.
Bettina made this book all the more enjoyable. She brought sass and humor in her own unique way to me while reading the book. I loved how Nanny Fay chose to cultivate her talents and strengths instead on focusing on her weaknesses like her father did.
Addie brought purpose, joy and influenced change into the lives of the residents of Boone’s Hollow and Tuckett’s Pass. She illustrated how love and living the Godly way can change people.
I recommend this book to everyone that loves a good story and especially to young adult girls of how they can use their talents for good and God’s glory.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
‘The Lord done real good when He crafted Miss Adelaide Cowherd.’
Kim Vogel Sawyer has written a book that goes way down deep and makes your heart smile. Based on the true stories of the packhorse librarians in Kentucky in the early twentieth century. Sawyer gives us a glimpse into the lives of the hill folk who are proud even though they are incredibly impoverished. She has created wonderfully memorable characters in Emmett, Addie and Nannie Fay, even Bettina. I was in tears near the ending. Filled me up. Highly recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.
You ever have that book that just falls in your hands at the perfect moment? Well, that was The Librarians of Boone’s Hollow for me. I love giving books five stars, but usually there’s just something in a book that knocks off a star for me–whether it is content, writing style, etc.
I honestly can’t think of giving this one any less than five stars. It was just so beautifully done. I have loved reading Kim Vogel Sawyer’s books for years now, and this is one of my favorites.
Maybe it’s because I just finished researching the packhorse librarians for my own book or maybe it’s because I’m a college student like Emmett and Addie. Or maybe it’s just that I needed a good, solid, steady read right now. Regardless, this book was totally the perfect fit.
I love all of the characters. Emmett wasn’t a perfect young man, but he was genuine. Addie was a total sweetheart. If she had a fault, it was perhaps in being a little too perfect at times. And then there was Bettina. Wow, that girl. She was one of the most unique characters and yet you couldn’t help but feel sorry for her and understand her reason behind her actions. Nanny Fae was a beautiful picture of someone following Jesus even when it was hard.
The Christian message flowed steadily throughout the entire book, which is a huge plus for me. Especially in this day and age, we can all use the reminder to be kind to people–to “kill them with kindness,” as Addie’s parents admonished her. That was such a lovely theme, and to have it backed with Scripture was beautiful.
The romance was perfect for me. It was simmering throughout the entire story, but wasn’t full of lustful wishes or thoughts. Rather, it was natural attraction in the flow of life. That, I can approve of. Those who wish for no romance might not want to read this, but honestly I would hand it to my 17 year-old sister without any qualms.
Reading this just left me satisfied and happy–which is a delightful feeling to have at the conclusion of a book.
*I received this from NetGalley and happily provided my honest review*
Kim Vogel Sawyer did a great job developing the setting here–she definitely made me feel like I was right there in Appalachia! The details were so vivid, from the daily way of life to the flora and fauna. With the variety of narrators (besides Addie and Emmett, Bettina, a local girl who wants to marry Emmett, and Nanny Fay, an older woman rejected by the community because they think she is a witch, both narrate parts of the story), readers get a look into life for lots of people in the community, from different walks of life, making for a very interesting read. Addie sometimes felt a little too perfect, but I did appreciate her faith and her commitment to kindness. I wish the romance had been a little more developed, but for those who want an interesting historical fiction novel with a hint of romance, this is a good choice.
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I had the distinct pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of Kim Vogel Sawyer’s new book, The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow that will release on September 15th. When I read that this book was about a traveling librarian in a coal mining town in Kentucky, I was intrigued.
What I found was a delightful story I didn’t want to put down and was sad to see come to an end. I love the way the author captured the vernacular, the feel of the area as well as the time period. It’s a book you’ll definitely want to read. Be sure to pick up a copy when it releases.
~ While I received a free copy, I was under no obligation to write a favorable review. (2020)
Another jewel from Kim Vogel Sawyer! Set in coal country in rural eastern Kentucky in 1936, this heartwarming, inspiring read combines jealousy, prejudice, ignorance, superstition, distrust, grudges, and abuse tempered with love, forgiveness, compassion, family bonds, and a little romance. This book caught my attention from the beginning and held it to the end. The plot flows at a steady pace with a few surprises here and there! The characters are engaging and believable. Although I enjoyed the main characters, Addie and Emmett, my favorite ones were Nanny Fay and Damarias with their strength, advice, and encouragement. I also loved the strong faith element that permeates the story especially how Addie lives out the Golden Rule. Ms. Sawyer’s research and descriptions of the historic WPA Packhorse Library Project and the people it helped, expressively reflect the spirit of the Great Depression Era. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched, well-crafted story and highly recommend it. I would love to see a sequel showcasing a spiritual journey and romance for Bettina.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.