This was a Book of the Month selection. I recommended this for my book club.
Not my favorite. I was hoping that this book, about women who provided books to poor Appalachian families during the depression, would explore the impact that books would have on readers.
It was more of a romance novel than historical fiction. While the characters are presented as early feminist pioneers, this is not how the story plays out. It was very disappointing!
Very predictable. 2.5 stars, generously rounded up. ( )

Well written, enjoyable read. ( )

Historical fiction based on the true story of the Pack Horse Library initiative — a Works Progress Administration project promoted by Eleanor Roosevelt project that ran during the ‘30s and ‘40s and sent an army of women out on mules and horses to deliver books in the remote, rural areas of the country. In this story, the characters travel into the remote Eastern Kentucky mountains to deliver books, recipes, magazines and a bit of conversation to the most isolated mountain residents. Interesting characters, entanglements, a greedy mine owner, a murder trial, and the court of public opinion are woven into this tale. I found the writing a little awkward in spots, but overall enjoyed it. ( )

Another great story. Really enjoyed.KIRKUS REVIEWWomen become horseback librarians in 1930s Kentucky and face challenges from the landscape, the weather, and the men around them.Alice thought marrying attractive American Bennett Van Cleve would be her ticket out of her stifling life in England. But when she and Bennett settle in Baileyville, Kentucky, she realizes that her life consists of nothing more than staying in their giant house all day and getting yelled at by his unpleasant father, who owns a coal mine. She?s just about to resign herself to a life of boredom when an opportunity presents itself in the form of a traveling horseback library�an initiative from Eleanor Roosevelt meant to counteract the devastating effects of the Depression by focusing on literacy and learning. Much to the dismay of her husband and father-in-law, Alice signs up and soon learns the ropes from the library?s leader, Margery. Margery doesn?t care what anyone thinks of her, rejects marriage, and would rather be on horseback than in a kitchen. And even though all this makes Margery a town pariah, Alice quickly grows to like her. Along with several other women (including one black woman, Sophia, whose employment causes controversy in a town that doesn?t believe black and white people should be allowed to use the same library), Margery and Alice supply magazines, Bible stories, and copies of books like Little Women to the largely poor residents who live in remote areas. Alice spends long days in terrible weather on horseback, but she finally feels happy in her new life in Kentucky, even as her marriage to Bennett is failing. But her powerful father-in-law doesn?t care for Alice?s job or Margery?s lifestyle, and he?ll stop at nothing to shut their library down. Basing her novel on the true story of the Pack Horse Library Project established by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, Moyes (Still Me, 2018, etc.) brings an often forgotten slice of history to life. She writes about Kentucky with lush descriptions of the landscape and tender respect for the townspeople, most of whom are poor, uneducated, and grateful for the chance to learn. Although Alice and Margery both have their own romances, the true power of the story is in the bonds between the women of the library. They may have different backgrounds, but their commitment to helping the people of Baileyville brings them together.A love letter to the power of books and friendship.

Fantastic story and well written. The beginning felt like a copy of the Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek, but the story spun off onto its own. I really loved the characters. ( )