Kristina Anderson
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 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.
Betti Mace
Promise you won’t let their actions dictate your reactions - Miss West, library director For Addie Cowherd, life is made up of studying hard and working part-time at the library so that she can earn her degree. College is not available to everyone, and she knows how hard her adoptive parents are working to allow her this privilege. When their situation changes drastically, she must make her own way, so the job of packhorse librarian sounds like a gift from heaven. A different and unexpected world greets her when she arrives in Boone’s Hollow. Prejudice is rampant, money is scarce and it seems the only friend she has is the woman she boards with. Can she learn to keep her thoughts and feelings from showing on her face? Emmett Tharp, formerly of Boone’s Hollow, had graduated from college and is ready to find that job that does not require him to spend long hours in the dark, breathing in coal dust. tReturning to Boone’s Hollow is not part of that plan. The Lord, however, seems to have other plans for both Emmett and Addie. Will they be receptive to His will? This ARC was received through WaterBrook and Random House. The thoughts and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
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