This week’s review is The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. One of my favorite ways to rest is by curling up with a good book. Like movies and music, all genres appeal to me, and I give all books a chance to be ‘heard’!
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The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
The Giver of Stars left me nearly speechless throughout the story and at its conclusion. I absolutely could not put this book down – rising an hour before my alarm in anticipation of what was to come. There are few books I think would be made into a movie, and this is one I truly hope makes it to the big screen.
Update: I discovered Universal Pictures has the rights to this book to be adapted into a film with ‘Mama Mia’ director Ol Parker.
The story JoJo Moyes weaves of a group of women that made the impossible possible is truly courageous and inspiring. Moyes’ story is based on the true story of the WPS Pack Horse Library in Kentucky. It takes place during the Depression-era, during a time where women were expected to stay home raising children and managing the home. So you can imagine the shock of the town as six women – Marge, Alice, Beth, Izzy, Sophia, and Kathleen – come together to provide books through a traveling library to the families of their hometown of Baileyville nestled in the mountains of Kentucky.
An unlikely friendship is formed between the vastly different women through their individual struggles and, collectively, as they face the town’s skeptical attitude towards the distribution of literacy to families. Slowly, their work is noticed and trust is built between the librarians and the women, children, and even men receiving the books.
Just as the hope is being restored in their town, the spring slowly melts away the winter snow revealing a body on an isolated ridge. Alice’s father-in-law, a bitter and hateful man, accuses one of the librarians with the murder and she is swiftly arrested.
I won’t spoil the ending, but I encourage you to read this story of loyalty, perseverance, and determination of six heroines overcoming adversity and injustice to forge a friendship that lasts a lifetime. There were a few emotional parts, so grab a box of tissues while you read.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
“What I’m Reading: Jojo Moyes”
Book of the Month Club
I enjoyed books so much that I joined the Book of the Month Club to continue receiving the latest and greatest books via mail. Some of the books are exclusive to BOTM club members a month prior to their official publishing date! Each month I’m excited about the monthly selections, and it’s tough to select just one. (And when I can’t decide on one, I can add additional books for a small add-on charge and – as always – shipping is included in the monthly membership fee.) Can’t find one you want? That’s okay, too! Skip a month, pocket the credit to spend next month, and you won’t be charged for that current month.
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Book Ratings and Reviews
Each book I review is based on my opinion. My book rating is simple: love, like or dislike. I like the simplicity of it. This does not mean you will agree with the review or love/like/dislike the book, too. There’s a quote that says, “No two persons ever read the same book” by Edmund Wilson, and it’s quite true!
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