The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Publish Date: October 8, 2019

The Synopsis
Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.

The leader, and soon Alice’s greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who’s never asked a man’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.

What happens to them–and to the men they love–becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.

Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined to become a modern classic–a richly rewarding novel of women’s friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond.

My Thoughts
I've heard a lot of hype surrounding this book over that last 6 months and not the good type of hype.  I want to read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek to be able to compare the two, and had wanted to do so before reviewing this one, but figured a review shouldn't be about comparisons. So here goes...

I've been a fan of Jojo Moyes for some time and have read a number of her books - 7 to be exact.  When I read the synopsis for this book found, I found it quite out of the norm for her genre and setting.  To me it read more like a Kristin Hannah novel and seemed like something I would expect from her.  Even the cover artwork was not what I would expect from Jojo Moyes.  That being said, I did really enjoy the story and it was fascinating learning about a piece of history I knew nothing about.  I love books about strong female women, I love books about books and I especially love Little Women.  Not that my opinion of the novel had anything to do with my passion for Little Women, but I enjoyed that it was somewhat it's own "character".  

I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters, even the the men, because let's face it, what would a 1930's setting novel be without a cast of discouraging male characters for the females to prove wrong?  Am I right?  Overall, great message, great story all set against the beautiful backdrop of Kentucky. 

My Rating: ««««

The reviews made here are my personal opinion. I’m not being paid to review any of these books. I am by no means a professional book reviewer or editor.  I do this for the love of books. 

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Publisher: Algonquin Books
Publish Date: April 1, 2014
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 260
ISBN: 978 0670068241

On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World." A. J. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what that truly means.

A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward Fikry; from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.'s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.

And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, but large in weight. It's that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light; or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.'s world; or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn't see coming.

My Thoughts

"There ain't nobody in the world like book people."

This is a story that reminds me of all the reasons I love to read.  And if you don't like to read, read this book and THEN tell me you don't like to read.  Everything about this novel is so charming and quirky - it was instant love.  I couldn't put it down and read it in 2 sittings.  I loved A.J., my heart hurt for him and all the hardships that fell upon him.  People aren't jerks because they want to be, it's a way of masking pain.  And the journey A.J. went on to find true happiness was remarkable filled with humour along the way.  There wasn't a character I didn't love and they all did what a good character is supposed to do - serve a purpose to the story.

I originally rated this a 4 star and had to go back and give it 5 stars because its only once in awhile a book comes along that touches your soul, and those are the best books.

My Rating: «««««

Buy it Now!

The reviews made here are my personal opinion. I’m not being paid to review any of these books. I am by no means a professional book reviewer or editor.  I do this for the love of books.