The Librarian of Boone's Hollow

 

GIVEAWAY

SAWYER, KIM VOGEL

THE LIBRARIAN OF BOONE'S HOLLOW

A traveling librarian ventures into the mining towns of Kentucky on horseback and rediscover her passions in this powerful novel from the best-selling author of A Silken Thread.

During the Great Depression, Addie Cowherd dreams of being a novelist and offering readers the escape that books gave her during her tragic childhood. When her adoptive father loses his job, she is forced to leave college and take the only employment she can find -- delivering books on horseback to poor coal mining families in the hills of Kentucky.

The small community of Boone's Hollow is suspicious of outsiders and steeped in superstitions that leave Addie feeling rejected and indignant. Although she finds an unexpected friend in an elderly outcast, the other horseback librarians scorn her determination to befriend Nanny Fay.

Emmett Tharp grew up in the tiny mountain hamlet where most men either work in the coal mine or run moonshine. He's the first in the community to earn a college degree, and he has big dreams, but witnesses the Depression robbing many young men of their future.

Then someone sets out to sabotage the library program, going so far as to destroy Addie's novel in progress. Will the saboteur chase Addie and the other librarians away, or will knowledge emerge victorious over prejudice? Is Emmett the local ally that Addie needs -- and might their friendship lead to something more?

Inspired by the real WPA program that sent librarians on horseback to deliver books to hill families in Kentucky, Kim Vogel Sawyer immersed herself in Appalachian history to tell this captivating story.

My Review:

Kim Vogel Sawyer always casts her storytelling spell on me by the end of the first page. I feel all the tension in me unravel as I sink deeper into my chair and breathe in the essence of story in it's purist form. I become totally oblivious to my world as I immerse myself in a fictional one. And, oh my, but The Librarian of Boone's Hollow held me in swoony delight right to the end.

First off, love the Depression Era time period. I'm not sure why I am so drawn to this type of story -- maybe because the desperation of the times sharpens both the good and bad in humanity. Maybe because the simplicity of the era tugs at a yearning deep inside of me. Or maybe because the warmth of hearth and home portrayed in the TV series The Waltons has forever skewed my perception of the 1930s. :-) 

And -- hellllloooo -- a book about librarians on horseback?! Full of quotes about the wonders books can bring. The hope. The encouragement. The possibilities. Truly a bibliophile's dream!

Then there's the richly layered plot full of complex characters to love (and hate!) I felt everything right along with them thanks to Sawyer's wordsmithing magic.

And, yes, there is a faith thread, though I'd call it more of an inspirational immersion which brings so much depth to an already moving read. Redemption and grace come alive through these characters' stories.

The kind of novel you want to take your time with so you can savor the experience.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for either a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the The Librarian of Boone's Hollow, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 31 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!