The Librarian of Boone's Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About the Book:

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 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?

My Review:

I loved learning about the Works Progress Administration and how they instituted delivering books to the people in mountainous or rural areas who didn't have access to them. More importantly though I was truly impacted by the characters, each one struggling with their own issues in this Great Depression era. 

Addie who had every right to be angry with her circumstances shows such grace, love, and fortitude. Nanny Fay who definitely has a right to be bitter is a true reflection of what the Lord calls us to be in the face of adverse circumstances. Emmett who has done all he can to rise above his circumstances seems destined to end up where he started. And Bettina drove me crazy, but she struggles with a mean father who she can never please. Each of their lives intersect in a dynamic way that will never leave any of them the same. This story was woven beautifully as a tailor weaves a tapestry. While I felt the story slowed a bit in the middle, I found myself so glad I stayed until the end. Definitely on the recommended-to-read list!

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Waterbrook/Multnomah. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars