I love books about book clubs. Amy Lynn Green created a group of interesting characters. Let's start with Avis. Her brother is leaving his job at the library to go overseas and join the fight. He wants her to take his place in the library. Avis feels unsuited for the position, but she agrees to do it to please her brother. I imagine that she must have felt rather overwhelmed.

Ginny and her family own a home on Long Island. They are forced to move when the government takes the land for war purposes. She dreams of getting their home back and takes on a job at the factory with the goal of getting their home back after the war.

Martina is a woman who is trying to start over. She is an Italian-American woman with two kids and her main dream is to live quietly where her husband cannot find her or her children.

Louise is a very unhappy woman. She wants to shut down the library and repurpose it for the war effort. Avis does not support this idea. She invents a bookclub hoping to buy time: The Blackout Book Club.

All these ladies come together and forge a unique friendship while sharing different viewpoints about the book selections. It's a good book and well worth the read ( )

Wow! What a fantastic book! I enjoyed the setting of Derby, Maine! The stories of Avis, Ginny, Louise and Martina are exceptional! How they all become intertwined with each other because of a shared interest- a book club! Martina is my favorite(it was hard to choose). She is so strong. Loyal and dedicated to her family. She's a force to be reckoned with.
My favorite quote is - " But what I learned from my mother is that giving and receiving love is the greatest risk and the greatest joy. Sometimes at the same time."
I enjoyed the history in the book. U boat sightings and women working for the war effort. A definite must read! ( )

There was a lot in this book to take in. I have read a lot of WWII books, but not too many on the home front. Besides the reading of books, all the characters had their own stories they were living out on the Maine coast. We even have a glimpse of the past of the library owner. Instead of a discussion of each of the books the group read, there was just a report and fortunately no spoilers as far as can tell. ( )

Set in small-town Maine during WWII, The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green is a creative and well-written story of friendships that can form during times of hardship and between very diverse individuals. When Avis Montgomery fills in for her head librarian brother as he heads off to war, she invents a book club to prevent the library from closing. The story is told mainly from four different individual views—four ladies that are very dissimilar but find friendship and camaraderie through their interactions.

I enjoyed finding more about this particular slice of history on the coast of Maine. I had a bit of difficulty getting into the story at first but soon became immersed in it. The author painted a vivid picture of some of the difficulties that U. S. citizens encountered during the war. The book club notes were a fun and humorous addition to the story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own. ( )

From the very first page I loved this feel-good book about books, told from the points of view of four women. It’s a different take on the blackout requirements of World War II as the story is situated in the United States. So while there are no bombings, the war is still a strong although faraway influence in this small town in Maine.

Much of the story takes place in the local library, and books play a large part in advancing the plot. As author Lynn Austin says, the novel “illustrates the power of books to unite and encourage us in trying times.”

This is a heartwarming story of growing friendships, secrets of the past and present, a little bit of romance, and how books can be influential, comforting, and encouraging - just like friends.

This is a novel of friendships, families, secrets, and hope. It’s now on my list of favorites and I highly recommend. ( )