The Booklover's LibraryThe Booklover's Library
What it's about
In Nottingham during the Second World War, Emma Taylor, a widow, needs a job to support her young daughter, Olivia, but the rules bar widows with children from most work. She persuades the manageress of the Boots Booklover's Library to hire her, and the books and readers there help mother and daughter through the war.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist. It's a warm, uplifting wartime novel.
You'll love it if you liked
The Keeper of Hidden Books
The Secret Book Society
The Paris LibraryGood to know
It's gentle and hopeful.
By the numbers
- Readers30 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller12 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
On our reserve shelf: it's well reviewed, but isn't currently a prize winner, a lifetime bestseller or a book everyone's talking about, so we don't rank it. We check again every month, and it can still turn up in your 50 once you've read most of our ranked books.
Why it made the list
Reads as
Epic
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Quick answers
Is The Booklover's Library worth reading?
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist. Its Must-Read Score is 54.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Booklover's Library about?
In Nottingham during the Second World War, Emma Taylor, a widow, needs a job to support her young daughter, Olivia, but the rules bar widows with children from most work. She persuades the manageress of the Boots Booklover's Library to hire her, and the books and readers there help mother and daughter through the war.
How long does it take to read The Booklover's Library?
About 10 hours (400 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Booklover's Library?
If you liked it, try The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin, The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin or The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles.