The characters are the highlight of this delightful book. Clara, a war widow, had every reason to be bitter. She disregards her ‘imposed upon’ obligations and her losses and channels her energy into providing equal opportunity books to everyone in the secret community. Ruby has a big heart and puts others before herself, desperately wanting to hide her inner unhappiness and loss. You’ll be in awe of the sense of community the author creates and come to love many of the library patrons. The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson is a wonderful WWII-era historical fiction saga that is based on true events and is so gripping and unique, that I can guarantee nothing else will keep your attention while you are immersed into this book. Metal triple bunks sleeping up to 5,000 people stretched three-quarters of a mile up the eastbound tunnel. There was a shelter theatre, which hosted opera and ballet, a cafe, doctor’s quarters and a creche, which enabled women to go out to work. But here’s the best part: there was a library, too!

Author Kate Thompson’s 5-star historical fiction focuses on the pioneering efforts of two women who effectively transformed the lives of wartime Londoners. Based on the real history of the Bethnal Green Library, Thompson’s book reveals that although COVID and The Blitz are both very different, the effect on reading has been the same. Books, in both cases, were “a key weapon in the fight for morale.” The Blitz revealed the need to have equal access to reading material and the stigma of reading for relaxation lifted. Covid revealed the need for equal access to information via the internet. We may not have had the bibliobus that the East Enders had, but our community had a book bicycle that travelled between communities to the shut-ins. I’ll never forget the first time I re-entered the library after the restrictions were lifted. The protocols were worth every effort. The narrations were split between Clara and Ruby. Clara stands up to injustice – particularly when it comes to lending out what have been deemed ‘restricted’ books.

Libraries in converted shops, in village halls, in mobile vans, are common enough. But libraries in Tube shelters are something new under the sun,” Stanley wrote with pride. It is, perhaps, the least pretentious branch library yet built. Fifteen feet square, it is mere sentry box of a place. We could have done with more room but the powers that be did not see eye-to-eye with us.” I loved the feeling this book gave me. The fact that this community, this love of books realty did exist and really did make a difference, was a wonderful thing to discover. I really can’t thank the author enough for finding this story and for being curious enough to write about it, and in this way. Kate I could hug you as I’m sure the people from this novel would too. BookTrail locations in The Little Wartime Library Well, the book club belter, as I've called it, is made up of three key ingredients. Gin, gin and gin. I'm joking. There is a bit of orange cordial in it', she said, winking as she topped Pat up. 'But I don't like to go too heavy handed on the cordial'.

The story touches on the Occupation of Jersey. While fleeting, this is an intense part of the book. There are a variety of stories and people to empathise with throughout. An over riding theme of men being the rulers and women the lesser species is prevalent and necessary to the story as it was the way of the times. In September 1940 after a bomb damaged their local library branch, librarian Clara Button and Ruby Munroe created the country’s only underground library in the unfinished Bethnal Green tube station, 78 feet below ground - the only place where the bombs couldn’t be heard. Their aim was to offer solace and foster a joy of reading amongst the East Enders.Great book and I learned a great deal, especially about the tragedy that happened at Bethnal Green in 1943. I did a bit of reading up on it, and I love the memorial that was created to honour those who lost their lives. Kate Thompson has conducted a range of historical research to magnify the events, time period and finer moments of this wartime novel. With a hearty author’s note, a select bibliography, a segment on the true story of the Bethnal Green Library and the fight to save it, along with a ‘Read for Victory’ bonus piece, I appreciated all the extra flourishes contained in this text. As a bibliophile I was moved by the various librarian quotes integrated into the chapter openings. So, there is more than just a moving narrative to enjoy when readers select The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson! The Little War Time Library is such a touching and heart-wrenching story based on true events. I think the fact it is based on true events adds even more emotion and real emotion to this book. This novel is a must for anyone who likes books set in this era and would like a glimpse into the lives and resilience of ordinary people in this harrowing time.