All the stars
What a story
Brilliantly written
Characters are fascinating
There really was a library underground at Bethnal Green during the war
I think this novel is going to be big in 2022 as it certainly deserves to be. I need a film of this book now. It won't be as good as the one in my head but still....

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.


This is such a beautiful, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and inspirational book on so many different levels.

I absolutely loved the story of the underground community and learning more about the heart of soul of this community: the library, its Librarian, and its people.

The author’s passion and respect for the institution of the Public Library rings throughout this gem. I have always supported, visited, and championed our local public library system. It is vital, it is necessary, and it is amazing. The author’s similar feelings are evident with her research, quotes, and her story.

But this book is so much more than that. I do not think enough of this review can do it justice. Clara, Billy, and Ruby are such stunning characters. They are patriots, courageous, passionate, realistic, imperfect, and are excellent in this story.

This is a story about love, loss, forgiveness, acceptance, sacrifice, the importance of the human bond, having faith in oneself, finding your place and purpose in life. There was mystery, suspense, history, and of course so much about the amazing institution of the Library. This takes us into the heart and soul of what it means to be a part of something bigger than oneself.

I loved learning about the community underground at Bethnal Green in London. This takes place mainly in 1944, but the author provides a wonderful backdrop and also future for these beloved characters.

I highly recommend this book and have to say it is one of my favorites this year for certain.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Hodder & Stoughton for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/17/22.

I opened this book and fell into Bethnal Green in London in 1944. Widowed Clara Button is the local librarian but the library has been bombed so she decides to move it to the underground shelter where thousands of local people are living and sleeping. It has become a village in its own right with a theatre, a nurses station,shops, bunk beds and now a library.

Clara caters for everyone even if the just want a heat or to upload their problems. There are bedtime stories for all the children and even help with their reading if they want it.

There's opposition from the head of libraries, a stuffy man who thinks women should not be encouraged to read books or if they have to it should be the classics. Clara and her assistant Ruby are horrified at his attitude and provide all sorts of risky reading material to give the women something to escape into.

Wow! There are so many sub stories in this book as the women do their best to survive. They are often in impossible situations especially trying to juggle feeding their families and household violence from men who think women need a few bruises to keep them in their place.

I didn't know that people actually lived in the underground. It brings it home to you how lucky we all are today that we don't have to suffered the way these people did. Strong women who suffer heartache and loss at every turn and yet have a resilience inside them for survival.

No one tells these stories of wartime London as well as Kate Thompson. She interviews hundreds of people to get the background for her stories which she then weaves her imagination into.

I laughed, I held my breathe, I smiled and I had a jolly good cry at the end.

A big round of applause goes to Kate for definitely one of the best books I've read this year

A gripping heart-wrenching page turner.
A book from this fabulous author that I couldn't wait to start that tells the story of Librarian young widow Clara Button. It's 1944 and the world is still at war in East London, the underground library in the disused Bethnal green tube station is thriving and an escape from the bombs used by children and adults, along with her best friend and assistant Ruby Munroe this is her remarkable story. they are known as the book fairy godmothers. Even Petey the Parrot makes himself right at home with some corky comments to the members of the public that make you giggle. Clara gets acquainted with Billy Clarke will romance bloom for them both? but he keeps holding back from Clara as we read on.
This book is so delightful, I love reading it and it will pull at your heart strings with wonderful tales from the children and adult readers as they escape into this wonderful place of books, A library ticket and a lot of love is all that's needed to see them through.
It has absolutely got the big star ratings from me and left me a contented Booklover, well done to the author for her work and research that has been wrote with love.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC. what a brilliant author. If you like Family saga based in wartime you will love this book

Wow, what a magnificent book. I loved this from the first page!
The book centres around an underground community during ww2 with a doctors, theatre and a library. Ruby and Clara are just fantastic characters and their story is so uplifting and enlightening.
This is definitely a number one feel good book
Can’t recommend high enough

The Little Wartime Library by the Mate Thompson

London, 1944.
Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While the world remains at war, in East London Clara has created the country's only underground library, built over the tracks in the disused Bethnal Green tube station. Down here a secret community thrives: with thousands of bunk beds, a nursery, a café and a theatre offering shelter, solace and escape from the bombs that fall above.
Along with her glamorous best friend and library assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures the library is the beating heart of life underground. But as the war drags on, the women's determination to remain strong in the face of adversity is tested to the limits when it seems it may come at the price of keeping those closest to them alive.
A wonder of a read. Charming , captivating , heartbreaking and I loved it. Such a beautiful plot for a historical war time novel . The characters were enchanting , yet strong and feisty when up against it , showing the grit and determination of the time.