I loved Kate Thompson’s earlier book, The Little Wartime Library, but The Wartime Book Club was even better! 

(See my review of The Little Wartime Library here).

If you liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, you must read this inspirational tale.

The heaviness of occupied Jersey during WWII is permeated with hope. You find yourself rooting for the characters as they subversively fight the Nazis that are occupying their beloved Jersey. Grace, the librarian, does this by hosting a book club to boost morale and hiding banned books to keep them safe until after the occupation is over (such as Call of the Wild).

Here’s the setup:

“Inspired by true events, The Wartime Book Club is an unforgettable story of everyday bravery and resistance, full of romance, drama, and camaraderie and a tribute to the joy of reading and the power of books in our darkest hour.

The Isle of Jersey was once a warm and neighborly community, but in 1943, German soldiers patrol the cobbled streets, imposing a harsh rule.
 
Nazis have ordered Grace La Mottée, the island’s only librarian, to destroy books that threaten the new regime. Instead, she hides the stories away in secret. Along with her headstrong best friend, she wants to fight back. So she forms the Wartime Book Club: a lifeline, offering fearful islanders the joy and escapism of reading.
 
But as the occupation drags on, the women’s quiet acts of bravery become more perilous – and more important – than ever before. And when tensions turn to violence, they are forced to face the true, terrible cost of resistance . . .
 
Based on astonishing real events, The Wartime Book Club is a love letter to the power of books in the darkest of times – as well as a moving page-turner that brings to life the remarkable, untold story of an island at war.”

If you like reading WWII books with an unusual twist, or books about books, you will love this.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this for adults, due to sometimes graphic insinuations (although usually off the page). Being an HSP reader I appreciated that the graphic events happened off the page, but I also appreciate that they were included for historical accuracy.

Potentially a mature high-school student could read this (you know your child best).

I was so excited to receive an ARC! Thank you to the publisher 🙂 All opinions are mine.

The Wartime Book Club is now out in the world! Congrats, Kate!

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