The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 388

Publisher - Penguin

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

From the author of Me Before You, set in Depression-era America, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond.

Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.

The leader, and soon Alice’s greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who’s never asked a man’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.

What happens to them–and to the men they love–becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.



My Review

Is it no secret I love Moyes ability to tell stories, I have read all of her books (I think) and not met one I didn't like. Set in Kentucky America, money is tight, women's priorities is the husband, home and of course knowing their place. Alice has come from England to marry her beloved Benedict, thinking she is leaving one dull existence to an exciting new one in America. Not realising she is trading like for like and bound to be disappointed. Benedict lives in his overbearing fathers shadow, the family have money and Alice better know her place. Margery is one of the most outspoken in the town, not loved and has a dodgy family history. Margery with the help of Alice and a small band of ladies are helping families with books, magazines and reading materials. The mobile library will be a godsend to some and an aberration to others, leading to an incident that will change everything for them all.

Based around a true story, the Packhorse librarians where something I had never heard of and absolutely love. A band of women, travelling around their community, up the hills, to get reading materials to families, connecting a community in ways no one would have foresaw.

It is a tale of friendship, love, abuse, greed with a mix of racism, misogyny, human endangerment with the focus on making money even if it costs humans life or limb. A mixed bag, some scenes uncomfortable, because of the era women were felt to know their place and we have some plucky characters in the book and who doesn't love a strong woman or two. Loved Moyes books and this one was no different, 4.5/5 for me, very much looking forward to the next and I will be looking into the history of the Packhorse Librarians.

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Gothic night at Waterstones

So on a pretty cold October night we headed down to Waterstones for a wee gothic night. Three authors, one I had heard of, who hasn't heard of the fabulous Michael J Malone :D Anthony O'Neill and Charles McGarry.





Not my best photograph but some of these I had taken with my mobile. The books all had a wee reading from each author.


Anthony O'Neill read from Dr Jekyll and Mr Seek.





Charles McGarry read from his book "The Ghost of Helen Addison".





And Michael J Malone reading from his book "House of Spines".





All of our authors were interviewed by the lovely Sharon B from Chapter In My Life, if you aren't familiar with her blog please check it out.


There were drinks provided free of charge, wine, water and soft drinks, we partook in a wee orange juice, I was working the next evening and never have a tipple of any kind if on the next day.





For the event I wore my Christopher Lee Dracula T shirt I picked up when I was at Liverpool horrorcon & my wee chain I got from one of the stalls, do you recognise which movie she is from?








When I was leaving these fabulous bookmarks caught my eye, I didn't buy them that night but went back for them a few days later. Stainless steel British Writers, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and William Shakespeare. You know I love a bookmark so couldn't resist.

A lovely Saturday

It isn't often I blog anything other than reviews and giveaways, maybe an odd interview with an author. However, yesterday was such a great day I thought I would share some of it with you guys.

The weather, in typical Scottish style went from sunny to rainy intermittently, however it was so nice I took the opportunity to fire it up and read outside.

You really do have to enjoy the little things in life and I can honestly say, reading outside by and open fire is most definitely one of them.

I haven't received book post with more than one book in ages due to taking time out for study and my coursework. I recently amended my review tab as my course is nearing the end and I will be able to start accepting reviews again. These two beauts came through, Lisa Gardner I have read before I am sure and Melissa Bailey is a new one for me and it is always nice to find a new author.

We went a walk to try and spot some deers however youngsters were out with motorbikes so we had no chance, however I got some beautiful pictures of the skyline at the top of the hill.

We sat out so long the daylight went and I sat and read by firelight, it was honestly one of the nicest things I have experienced in a while. Just so peaceful and the kitty even joined us once or twice throughout the day. This wee fishbowl is left over from a party we attended last weekend. I loathe the colour pink and have ordered purple balls however, it did look pretty nice on the outside table to the opposite side of the fire.