The Blackout Book Club

By: Amy Lynn Green

Narrated by: Leah Horowitz

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn't be more different—a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they have more in common than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

©2022 Amy Lynn Green (P)2022 Recorded Books

A book about a book club - a novel idea

The Blackout Book Club
By Amy Lynn Green

Avis Montgomery has never been a recreational reader, her reading has always leaned toward the educational - magazines that help her be the perfect housewife. But she is now the head librarian of Derby, Maine, taking her brother Anthony's position when he signed up to serve in Europe. And in an effort to save the library, she impulsively announces a new book club - the Blackout Book Club.

Soon the Blackout Book Club grows into something more than Avis ever expected - friendship. And as the daily struggles and hardships of life and a world in turmoil continue, this could be the very lifeline they all need.

The story is told through the perspectives of the various founding members of the book club. I especially loved the "minutes" taken during the meetings. It added more depth to the characters who were relating how the meeting went through their perspective. I also found it intriguing how several of the characters seemed to be hiding something, but we are kept in the dark just what is being hidden. But other characters we learn what they are hiding almost from the beginning. Now I need to read some of the books that the Blackout Book Club read - some of them sounded interesting.

I think this would be an excellent book club selection given the title and the various books mentioned.

I was provided a copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

I did purchase this book in audio format and the narration by Leah Horowitz is excellent. She presents the story well and the various characters are for the most part easily identifiable. The story moves along well, I played it back 1.35 times as I listen along with my reading.

Book Club Read

I enjoyed this book, from start to finish. The different story lines were very interesting.

Wow - Loved This!

Good grief, I adored this story. I got this on a bit of a whim because I live in Maine and was interested that it was set here in WWII. I was worried it would be cheesy/overly preachy but instead it was a lovely story of humans coming together in a difficult time and building community. It was heart warming and thought provoking - and I learned a lot I didn’t know about the home front in my home state during WWII. I love a story with multiple perspectives and the narrator did them all justice. HIGHLY recommend!

Good but predictable

Was a good listen but was pretty predictable. Read it for bookclub and liked it.

Heartwarming book!

I loved this book! It made me remember stories that my mother and aunt told me about, when so many men where gone to war and women stepped up to keep the country and economy going. It was a different time in history. As a woman I can’t imagine, putting on lipstick to run the vacuum in case my husband came home. But I love the community and how people come together to support one another, despite their differences in status or culture. That is something we all need to strive for even today. Wonderful book!