The Blackout Book Club

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green follows four very different women on the Atlantic coast during World War 2. Avis becomes a reluctant librarian after her brother left for the war and put her in charge, while she has marital struggles – her husband is feeling useless because he can’t serve in the army due to asthma, and this gives a lot of tension. Then we have the very bubbly Ginny, who is trying to save money so she can go back to her beloved island once the war is over, Martina with her two children who are in hiding, and the old, slightly bitter and slightly eccentric lady Louise who owns the library itself (together with her cook and her ex-pilot turned gardener Freddy). Together, somehow, they have turned into a book club which Avis hosts in desperation to prevent the library from shutting down. She honestly doesn’t have a clue how to run one, though she does get better every meeting and learns a lot. I really really want to attend that book club because it is epic!

Amy Lynn Green’s first book wasn’t a hit for me, because of the letter format, which totally put me off though I could see its potential. I can say I appreciate this style so much more, in fact: I loved it! The writing is very fluid, there are hilarious sentences and comparisons, and I found myself giggling out loud a lot. I loved all four stories equally as they are woven together, which is also rare as usually you love one more. Finding out about Louise’s past makes you understand her so much more! I love the depth and themes woven into this book, and there are many as this is by no means a shallow book (even though Louise might say otherwise). The book club takes place during a dark time, and the friendships that are formed here will be comfort and healing. And I’m sure many readers are enamored with the book club meetings themselves. True to Amy’s style, those are penned in the form of minutes, and it makes them fast and at times hilarious to read with dry humor.

The finale was epic on all fronts, and although it was perfect, I do wish I could continue reading. Might I suggest spin offs for each character? Or maybe a continued book club for the new generation? I’m just not reading to say goodbye to these amazing characters. I give this book 5 stars.

I received an e-arc but this has not influenced my opinion.