The Blackout Book Club

Written by Amy Lynn Green

Narrated by Leah Horowitz

In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in smalltown Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she
invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn’t be more different—a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores.

As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they have more in common than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705074572

Amy Lynn Green

Amy Lynn Green (amygreenbooks.com) has always loved history and reading, and she enjoys speaking with book clubs, writing groups, and libraries all around the country. Her debut novel, Things We Didn't Say, was nominated for a 2021 Minnesota Book Award and won two Carol Awards. Things We Didn't Say and The Blackout Book Club received starred reviews from both Booklist and Library Journal. Amy and her family make their home in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reviews for The Blackout Book Club

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The setting of this story is off the coast of Maine, and we are at war, and with the men leaving, women start filling jobs and help keep this country running.We meet Avis as her brother is about to leave to fight, he begs her to keep his beloved Library going, and thus with inspiration and the threat of the closing, our book club is born.We meet a diverse group of people, yes, both men and woman, and what a wide range of topics the club picks for their reads. We soon are involved in the lives of four different women, all members of the book club, and when the last page was turned I wanted to continue being with them.There are some frightening happenings, and surprises about what is happening off the coast, and in their back yards. There is some closure, and secrets fall and doors close, while others open.A page turner, and I'll be looking for more by this author!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

[M. Malcolm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The blurb didn't captivate me but the reviews convinced me to try it. I'm glad I did.

[Ann Bush · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

the book was interesting and I enjoyed it, though it did seem to drag a bit toward the middle. It all tied up nicely for an enjoyable conclusion.

[Amanda Anson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I throughly enjoyed this refreshing character driven tale of forging friendships and finding the story you need right when you need it. Set in a fictional costal town in Maine, during WWII, the story follows four main women whose stories are told in third person POV as they navigate the uncharted waters of wartime life. Their lives couldn’t be more different from each other and yet they find themselves on common ground as they form the Blackout Book Club. The book club notes and discussions were especially fun to read and one of my favorite parts of the book.

The rich historical detail and interesting characters infuse the story with charm and realism! I loved seeing their growth and how they overcame their individual challenges as the book came to a close.

The narrator on this audio was fantastic.

[kimpotter-309059 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Blackout Book Club by Dana Amy Lynn Green is a stand-alone WWll novel; set in a small fictional town in Maine. After her brother goes off to war, Avis Montgomery takes over his job at the local library. Starting a book club seemed like a very good idea at the time. What started as a spur of the moment decision becomes a life-altering one. The different people who join the club find that they have more in common than they would have guessed. The struggles of everyday life are made bearable by the friendships made. What a lovely story! There was danger, romance, a plot twist and of course; Books! I really enjoyed this one!I received this book from the publisher for my honest review.

[tealadytoo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which follows the fortunes of a diverse group of people in a coastal Maine town during WWII who become involved in a somewhat eccentric book club. Each character's story is touching, and unlike many books with multiple interconnected storylines, none really seemed weaker than the others. I truly cared about all of them by the end, from the aloof, wealthy Louise, irrepressible Ginny, displaced mother Martina and wounded pilot-cum-gardener Freddy. An added bonus was that nearly every book the group chose to read was one I had read and enjoyed. Bravo, Ms. Green, for a fine story.I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Pureandprecious · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great character development, storyline and and light hearted-ness mixed with meaning.

[reedread · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such an engaging and intriguing historical novel! I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of the four main women in this story set in an American coastal village during WWII. The town library is the meeting place for the book club, and intertwines the lives of the villagers. Each character is well developed, and seems to be someone you know. Even the prickly characters become well-loved by the end of the book.The themes of secrets, fear, family, kindness and friendship are all well-explored by the situations presented in this novel. Historical details about wartime lend an interesting aspect that sets this book above many others of the genre.I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and look forward to many more by this author,