The Librarian of Boone's Hollow

While the nation struggles to recover during the Great Depression, Addie must leave college just before the end of her junior year and find a job. At the same time, Emmett has just received a degree, but is learning that not many positions are open for a man with his education. Both end up in the small village of Boone's Hollow--Emmett to look for any work he can get in or near the village where he grew up, and Addie to start a job as a packhorse librarian for a program that aims both to give people jobs during this difficult time and to get books into the hands of poor families in the hills. Though they both have grand plans for their future, both must take whatever work they can find. The people who live in the area, though, hold a show more lot of prejudices that turn into trouble for both Addie and Emmett. Will bigotry and sabotage ruin both of their chances at making their own way?

There's a lot to try to put into the synopsis for this book, and I always prefer to keep it to one paragraph, so my blurb above doesn't do the book justice. And while for some books, having so much going on can lead to a convoluted story, it all worked together so well in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the plots that threaded together, the characters, and the ending to all of those different storylines.

One of the the things that I loved most about this book was that every victory was hard-fought. Nothing just happened because the author said so, characters and their reactions were real, and the outcomes were believable. I also liked that, though there was a romance sub-plot, everything didn't hinge around it, and obvious, over-done cliches weren't forced into the plot in order to make the romance "interesting." It was exact kind of subtle, sweet, clean romance that I love.

When I first realized that the story was going to be told from so many perspectives (4 total, if I'm remembering correctly), I thought it would start to bother me. But it never did, and the author did a great job of making each character's narration feel like that person. Yes, some were similar to each other, but I was never confused, and really, it was interesting to get the little extra perspective from a few of the smaller characters (comparatively).

By the end of this book, I was really caught up in the stories. The themes presented throughout culminated in one really touching scene that made my eyes a little misty. The faith portrayed was the perfect balance of being woven throughout the story without being so in-your-face. It's shown most in both of the main characters' mothers, as witnessed by their children, and I loved that. "Look for the blessings," "kill them with kindness," using love and kindness to drive away hatred, all of these things were infused in the words, and it's a lesson I learned right along with the characters. In case it's not obvious, I highly recommend this book to any fans of Christian and/or historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing me a copy of this book to review. show less

A while back, some polls were taken of Christian fiction readers. Many said their favorite fiction book of all time was Catherine Marshall’s Christy. Now we are blessed with several Christy-like books on the market. Certainly, the Appalachia of times gone by has a nostalgic pull for readers.
Kim Vogel Sawyer’s depiction of the Kentucky hills and her proud, but superstitious people will sate some of the longings to know these people who lived by their own code of honor. It wasn’t enough to live in the hills, one needed to be born and bred in the hills, know the neighbors from birth, and adhere to the superstitions.
In 1936, Addie Cowherd and Emmett Tharp, near strangers, and separate of each other, leave college in Lexington, KY, and show more attempt to make their respective homes in Boone’s Hollow (pronounced ”Holler” by the mountain folk). Emmett is rejected because of his outside education; Addie, for being a total stranger to an area where being a stranger ”like to as not” can get you shot on sight.
Sawyer shows us throughout the story what life in the mountains could be like. Superstitions run high, distrust of strangers is learned early, family feuds are fed for generations, and anyone stepping off the mountain is seen as a traitor.
Stills hide in the trees, feeding addiction, which then, in turn, feeds abuse, yet neighbors refuse to break the ”code of honor.”
I couldn’t believe that at the end of the story, Ms. Sawyer had me loving the person she had shown unlovable. That’s talent! And those are characters- who can forgive that mightily! So much to learn, more than even reading, from the people of ”Boone Holler.”
My two favorite characters (who like to be too shy to take a bow) would be Emmett’s mother, Damaris, and Nanny Fay. They just might could be the backbone of the mountain.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. I also bought my own copy, to be sure I didn’t miss it. All opinions are my own, and no positive review was required.
Notable Quotables:
“...yawning during a sermon is most certainly a sin.”
“Just ’cause nobody else knows you done somethin’ extra special don’t mean it ain’t special.”
”She’d cracked that mirror herself so her soul could escape if the mirror captured it, but she didn’t want to take no chances by looking at herself too long.” show less

Oh to read a Christian fiction book that actually didn't suck. Not that my latest forays have sucked you understand. But my thoughts on Kingsbury's latest efforts have been highly documented....or documented here on Goodreads anyway ;)

But seriously. I enjoyed this book from Kim Vogel Sawyer immensely. So much so I will try additional title by her. But I LOVED the storyline of Addie who goes to work as a horseback librarian in the mountains of Kentucky. A very backwoodsy community, Addie is thrown for a loop in Boone's Hollow. The prejudice of others, the suspicions they have towards individuals who are different from them, a community who has been hard hit by the Great Depression, illiteracy runs rampant. Addie is not prepared for the show more world she has walked into but it is a world that gains her heart.

The additional characters in the story are exceptional. You have Emmett who has returned to his hometown with a college degree and yet, is unable to use it. You have Bettina, a young woman from Boone's Hollow who is abused by her father, wants to court Emmett, and feels threatened by Addie. You have Nanny Fay, the woman who lives in the mountains and everyone believes she is a witch.....lives intersect in a way I did not fully anticipate (or didn't until I was given all the storyline).

Perhaps it is because this was historical fiction and NOT realistic fiction. Maybe that is why I liked it a lot. Perhaps it is because I am a librarian myself. I mean, come on, it bears many similarities to JoJo Moyes's "The Giver of Stars" (a book I REALLY enjoyed). Books such as this are bringing travelling librarians into the limelight. It is a part of history that I really enjoy hearing about due to the personal connection. I need to read about the WPA program during this time and other travelling librarians in other areas of the US. And that is what a book should do...it should make me want more....and not throw it across the room as other Christian fiction has made me do. show less

Kim Vogel Sawyer has such incredible talent for bringing stories to life and The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow is yet another novel where her talent shines. Set during the height of the Great Depression, the novel follows four characters that have four very unique personalities and perspectives, a very character-driven approach to the narrative that gives each player such depth. I love that we (the reader) get to experience four different perspectives, receiving narration from Addie, Emmett, Bettina, and Nanny Fay.

Out of all the characters Addie is hands down my favorite. She is the strong heroine that has a heart of gold, and is beautiful inside and out. Her continued perseverance and determination, despite her circumstances, are very show more motivating, as is her faith and overall outlook on life. Things haven't been easy for Addie in her young life, but she takes everything with such grace. It was truly a breath of fresh air to read such an authentic character, so much so that I put down the book feeling refreshed and motivated to follow Addie’s lead. I want to be Addie when I grow up!

Emmett is a genuinely sweet guy, and I enjoyed watching his relationship with Addie blossom throughout the story. One thing I really admired was that the focus wasn’t just on romance, but on building relationships, and helping each other, as well as the community.

The real treat was getting to see Nanny Fay and Bettina’s perspectives, each woman very unique from the other, giving a different flavor, yet at the same time giving balance to the narrative as a whole. Both Bettina and Nanny Fay are misunderstood, each in their own right, and I honestly don’t know how I would’ve felt about Bettina if I didn’t have her personal perspective to guide my emotions. She is definitely one of those characters that can be hard to love until you find out about her situation, and you switch from annoyance to pity.

The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow is a fascinating look into not only the economic effects of the Great Depression as a whole, but also on the Appalachian Mountain region and its hard working inhabitants. I love that we are learning more and more about the horseback librarians, and the WPA program. I think this was a genius idea from President Roosevelt that should be remembered.

Though I enjoyed The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow as a whole, I must say that the ending was a bit of a let down for me, even if it was a happy ending, but that is my only complaint in an otherwise flawless novel. You can feel such heart in the author’s writing, this story touching my soul in more ways than one, and I feel so honored that I was able to read it.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from WaterBrook & Multnomah through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less

I don't read a lot of this genre (Christian, historical, romance) but it's well-written and it was a fun, fast, summer read. The over-arching Christian message of "do good to them that hate you" is a reminder I needed. Historically, I learned about something new -- library programs to under-served populations during the depression. The romance was predictable but I enjoyed it.

Kim Vogel Sawyer’s newest book The Librarian of Boone's Hollow, portrays the juxtaposition of the depression era timeframe and the despair of the deep South in so very haunting a way. I was intrigued and fascinated with learning about this period of time in our nation’s history. Her writing pulls you into the story in a way that leaves you feeling as if you were there, too, experiencing everything the cast of characters experiences.

I have read many of Kim Vogel Sawyer’s books, but I think this is my favorite. The people are easy to love, and having lived the largest part of my life in the South, I can attest to the superstitions and old wives’ tales that used to run rampant (and in some areas still do) through its annals. Sawyer show more has done a wonderful job of capturing the desolation and isolation in the hills of Kentucky, and her superlative research shines throughout the story.

The Christian element runs compellingly through the book in the female protagonist, Addie Cowherd, who exemplifies her faith in steadfast, infallible ways. And, even though she is not accepted as she hoped she would be, she carries on, nonetheless. Sawyer’s ability to interweave convincing and effective scriptural truths without beating one over the head with it is much needed and refreshing.

I hated to leave Boone’s Hollow as each character became as real to me as possible. I would love to see a sequel to The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow.

I received The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow from Waterbrook through NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review. show less

The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a beautifully written historical novel. The author captured the time-period and locale. I felt that the author transported me into the hills of Kentucky where working in the coal mines was the main occupation. There are some great characters in this story. Addie Cowherd was fortunate when she was adopted by Fern and Penrose Cowherd. They raised her to be resilient and to rely on God. Emmett Tharp is proud to have completed high school and college. He is a hard worker and a gentleman. Nanny Fay was my favorite character. She had such a cheery attitude despite how she is treated and the hardships she endures. Nanny Fay was a woman of strong faith. It was fascinating learning about show more the Kentucky Pack Horse Project. Eleanor Roosevelt wanted to feed people minds. Women worked long hours transporting reading materials by horseback or mule to remote farms. The point-of-view switches between Addie, Emmett, Nanny Fay, and Bettina (a horseback librarian from Boone’s Hollow). The author captured the mountain vernacular spoken by Bettina and the other mountain folk. I like how the Christian message was present through the whole book. It is wonderful that we are reminded to be kind to others and despite how one may be treated to “kill them with kindness” (a phrase my mother used with me when I was growing up). I also liked the Scripture passages used in the book that supported the various messages. The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow was a joy to read. There are references to physical abuse in the story which, unfortunately, was common. I like that the romance was not at the forefront. Some wonderful classic books are mentioned in the story. My favorite phrase came from Addie who loved books and said, “nothing more magical or as satisfying as a book.” If you like to read Christian historical novels, then you should read The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow. The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow is a special Christian tale with beloved books, a stubborn steed, a persistent person, a missing manuscript, surprising superstitions, and a gracious God. show less