The Booklover's Library

Madeline Martin's book, The Booklover's Library, is a must-read! It takes place during WWII in Nottingham, England. In the beginning of the book, Emma is a widowed, single mother raising her seven-year-old daughter Olivia. Despite the survivors benefits from her late husband's death, Emma barely makes ends meet.

Slowly, Emma is forced to sell possessions she holds dear. As a child, Emma never had the opportunity to know her mother, as she died when she was a baby. As a result of an unfortunate fire in their bookshop, Emma's father died.

A unique opportunity unfolds when Emma is utterly distraught, unsure of how else she will provide for herself and Olivia. Despite the marriage bar that extended to widows with children, Emma is secretly allowed to obtain employment at the Booklover's Lending Library. Every aspect of life will be changed by this change encounter and opportunity. It will be a challenge to keep Olivia safe while her mother is away at work because she is so young.

The Nazis have invaded London. As a result of the war threat in England, Olivia is evacuated to the countryside. On three separate occasions, Olivia would be sent away. Emma soon established close relationships with those in her tenement house, as well as co-workers and library patrons due to being separated from her daughter. When Emma was without Olivia during these months, she remained busy making recommendations to patrons at the lending library. Emma also enrolled in the WVS (Woman's Volunteer Service) to further the war effort at home.

This book is filled with love, loss, twists, turns, and happy endings.