The Booklover’s Library

Written by Madeline Martin
Review by Tom Vallar

Emma Taylor’s life has revolved around keeping her daughter Olivia safe. Her father had raised her as a single parent until his bookshop and their home above it burned to the ground and he perished. Her widow’s pension is stretched when rationing begins in 1939 in Nottingham, England, but strictures prevent her from seeking work. If Emma agrees to pass Olivia off as her sister, the manageress of a lending library will permit her a job shelving books and helping patrons. This forces Olivia to become a latchkey child with increasing dependence on their landlady.

Emma is a natural at leading patrons with fee-based memberships to new books to occupy their time, though those patrons are a quirky lot. When the bombing comes closer to home, Emma must come to grips that Olivia is safer away from her, which breaks her heart. Communicating through letters, Emma encourages Olivia to turn to some favorite stories she enjoyed growing up with her father. While studying has never been Olivia’s strong suit, she finds comfort in that connection and picturing herself as Anne of Green Gables.

Martin’s talent shines as she develops characters both lovable and devilish amid the early days of WWII England. She was able to research at a functioning lending library in Nottingham and, as in her other novels, depictions of the devastating effects of war on everyday people ring true. The tension ratchets up as the bombs fall, and the bonds of mother and daughter against the world are strengthened with their renewed love of reading and Emma’s ability to trust others. This is a feel-good story for book-lovers of all ages.