The Giver of Stars: Reese's Book Club: A Novel

I am a former librarian, now a library school professor, and have long been fascinated by the women who in the 1930s-40s traveled on horseback to deliver books to customers who were too far from the library to be able to use it. They were the forerunners of today's bookmobile librarians, who do the same thing. These women were courageous, dedicated, and devoted to their profession and to their service. They went to towns and homes where no one else would go. They brought education, information, and entertainment to the people they served, including people that had mostly been forgotten about, discarded, or discriminated against. Moyes has done extensive research to create the story of one group of these women, who ran one of the first groups of librarians on horseback in the Appalachian Mountains. Her characters are well-rounded and realistic, appealing to the reader, who gets involved in their lives immediately. But they are not always well-liked by everyone in the communities they serve, and face those are hostile to their service and the people they deliver books to. They also faced physical hardships--the roads they travelled were impossible for anyone not on horseback, and even barely passable for those who were. As Moyes described these women, their lives together, their families, their loves and tragedies, their incredible strength and determination, I was so caught up in their stories, that I read slowly in parts, just because I wanted to enjoy every well chosen word and every well crafted scene. This is a book that you are likely to stay up all night with because you just cannot put it down. Moyes' other books are quality reading, but this one surpasses all others. Who would I recommend this to? Well, librarians of course! Especially to those librarians who are dealing with censorship, banning, hostility and harassment from their communities, and loss of their jobs if they do not knuckle under and purify their collections. Then I'd suggest it to people who want to know about the history of the Appalachian Mountains regions, and the people who lived there. And people who love romance novels who are outside the standard canon, mystery readers (I didn't figure out the central mystery until I finished the book and immediately went back to the first page to read it again! Then it all made sense!), women who like "woman's lit," book club groups who want something meaty to dig into for lengthy and deep discussions, history buffs who want a well researched view of a time and a place, fans of Moyes, and just about anyone who likes a well written story that echoes in their memory long after the book is finished. This one is the newest addition to my Top 10 of All Time List, and I'm betting some of you will feel exactly the same way. And no, it's always okay to go from the last page of a book to the first page, and start it all over again, cause it's so good. This title also joins my list of two that I also read front to back and front to back again. The first one was Linda Howard's "Mr. Perfect", a book you should never read in public if you have a laugh as loud as mine. The second was Lisa Gardner's "Perfect Husband," which wasn't so funny, but which has one of the most horrible villains I've ever read, and again, one that I didn't guess until Gardner revealed him. Two broken people work together, trying to heal both of them. Just remember, don't start Give of Stars when you have to get up early the next day--you'll certainly be dragging if you do--spoken from experience!

by Roses and Ink — written with roses, ink, and honest mistakes The Giver of Stars was a wonderful historical fiction novel that hooked me from the start. I was already drawn to the premise before I even opened the book, and once I began, I read it in a single day. Set in rural Kentucky during the late 1930s, the story follows the women of the Pack Horse Library — Eleanor Roosevelt’s initiative to bring books to people too far out or too isolated to reach traditional libraries. Moyes paints a vivid and respectful snapshot of that time and place, illuminating not just the mission of the traveling librarians but also the broader social landscape. While the library itself anchors the plot, the novel explores much more: the quiet courage of women, the weight of societal expectation, and the intersecting struggles of sexism, racism, and classism. The relationships between the women feel authentic, and the Kentucky setting comes alive through its rugged beauty and close-knit communities. Women’s friendships are written believably and respectfully, with each character contributing something vital to the story. I especially loved Beth — the fist-flying, cigarette-smoking firebrand whose mouthy charm and fearless spirit made her a joy to read. It was refreshing to see how a woman like her might have lived and fought to be herself in that era. Every woman adds depth to the narrative, and their relationships with the protagonist are distinct and beautifully drawn. There are two central female leads: Alice, through whose voice much of the story unfolds, and Margery, the seasoned leader who runs the library and knows every route and mountain pass by heart. Together, they embody the courage and conviction that define the novel — women who refuse to be limited by expectation or terrain. The central conflict of the story is believable and well thought out, and watching it unfold toward the end made the book impossible to put down. As I said, this was a one-day read for me — completely captivating from start to finish. It’s one of the best stories I’ve read in a while, and Moyes does an exceptional job with it. Kudos to her! That said, there were a few underlying storylines that leaned a little toward the Hallmark side — wrapped with ribbons and bows, perhaps softening what would have been harsher truths in 1930s rural America. The narrative dances right on the edge of neatening things too much but never fully crosses the line, keeping it an inescapable and emotionally satisfying read. If you enjoy women’s fiction or character-driven stories with a strong historical focal point, you’ll love this book. The Giver of Stars shines as both a love letter to books and to the women who risked hardship to share them.

I hated for it to end! I will miss these characters and reading about their lives. I enjoyed reading about so many characters with such good morals, finding their ways in life and the deep friendships between the women. This takes place in the 1940’s and though it really wasn’t that long ago, so many women’s lives have changed and improved so much we just cannot forget how women had to push forward through the cracks opening up for them to see the opportunities even small ones to improve their lives and in the case of these traveling librarians improved their lives of so many others through books, opening up the world to isolated people. Reading good books expands us all, doesn’t it. I am thankful for this great story and now I hope to find another great ones about this area and other places that open my eyes to other cultures and times. Such a satisfying read!

I picked up The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes after attending a life-long learning class where we discussed books about libraries. It caught my interest because I’ve always been drawn to stories that celebrate books and the impact they can have on people’s lives. I wasn’t disappointed. This book tells the story of a group of women in rural Kentucky who, during the Great Depression, deliver books on horseback to people in isolated areas. It’s based on real events surrounding the WPA's Packhorse Library Project. Moyes does a great job bringing the time and place to life. You can almost feel the rough mountain trails and the resistance these women face from those who aren't too fond of "educated" outsiders. But more than that, it’s a story about friendship, courage, and standing up for what you believe in—something that resonates regardless of the time period. The characters were what really made the story for me. Alice, an Englishwoman who feels trapped in her marriage, joins the library to find a sense of purpose. There’s also Margery, the strong, independent leader of the group. Their friendship and the way the women support each other through all kinds of challenges kept me hooked. I loved how each character grew in her own way. That said, I did feel like some parts of the story were a little predictable, and a few moments tied up a bit too neatly. But honestly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The themes of empowerment and the power of books to change lives made it a heartwarming read. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with strong female characters and a love of books, The Giver of Stars is worth checking out. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the role libraries have played in lifting communities, especially in tough times.

I loved reading this book. The characters were interesting and the relationships between the women and all they had to deal with for just living as a woman in the 1930’s was very interesting to read about. I feel as if we have not come super far in the last 80 years, but these women are brave and just trying to live life on their own terms- not the small Kentucky town they live in. I loved the images of Kentucky. Having only spent one night ever in Kentucky, I can say that it was very beautiful and I would love to see it again, for longer than a day this time, after reading this book. I loved learning about the packhorse library and I would have loved to have done something like that. I adore libraries so this subject was so appealing to me. I can’t imagine the hard work that must have gone into to doing that but it never fails to surprise me, a reader, how incredibly strong people’s passion for books and learning can disrupt and threaten small-minded thinking. I would like to have heard more about the lead character’s thoughts/reaction to America’s treatment of black people, things she would not have seen coming from England. Especially because the relationship with Sophia is so important and Alice, who comes from England, seems to accept that Sophia managed “colored library” without any questions. I know that England did not have segregation and I am always interested in what foreigners think of race relations in the US, especially during this time period when things were very segregated. This isn’t a criticism, I loved this book so much, but I was thinking about that a lot while I read.

I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read. The sex parts were a bit much after a while. The story held my interest.

One of the best stories I’ve read in a very long time. Would probably list it as one of my favorite books. And I read a lot probably 2 to 3 books a week And I don’t have a lot of favorites This was unbelievably wonderful Those characters will stay with me for a very long time if not forever

I loved this story. There are two main characters, Alice primarily, and Margery, and their character arcs are beautifully wrought. Alice is an English girl who moves to America with her new husband. She goes from English well-to-do strictures to living in a Kentucky coal mining town in the 1940s, and her husband is the son of the mine owner, a cruel man who rules his son's life. The son is handsome but something is wrong with him, something intolerable to a marriage. Out of sheer desperation and boredom, Alice bucks her FIL and takes a job riding books around for the WPA Pack Horse Library. This was actually a thing, which Jojo Moyes has created a lovely novel around. In a world where families kept to themselves, off in the mountains, miles from any school, likely with parents who were illiterate, this mobile library was the only hope for the literacy of some families. The library is mainly operated by Margery, the daughter of one of the town's worst families. Think Hatfields and McCoys. She's the only one left, and the only good one. She is a free spirit, and as the strongest character, constantly bucking the townspeople, she suffers the most. Having such a rough childhood, she is challenged to trust again, and to allow herself to be with the good man who loves her. The novel culminates in a horrible situation that reminded me of the uncivil discourse so common today, and that challenge pulls the women together. No spoilers, but the "singing scene" made me cry, it was so lovely. I went to YouTube to listen to the particular song. What a well-written novel! First, an intriguing setting, where we get to see our America in a post-Depression coal country town. Moyes describes the families and their struggles with such clarity you'd think she grew up there, yet it's a tribute to the research skills of this former journalist who grew up in the UK. She describes a cabin in a holler as if she'd lived in one--and we wonder how anyone survived them at all. Second, the characters are intricately drawn. I can see and remember them as individuals, whether they were good or bad people. Bennett, Fred, Kathleen, Jim Harlan and his girls, and the women who became Alice's dear friends: Margery, Kathleen, Izzy, Sophia (who is black, which adds to the richness of the story, because racism and bravery), Mrs. Brady, and Beth. In the hands of a lesser writer, this would be too many characters, but they're so well written, they all stand on their own and have their own character arcs or at least their own stories. What a treat. What a fine book. Very highly recommended!