Name: The Giver of Stars
Rating: 4.134433962264151 (212 reviews)
ISBN: 9780399562488

Jojo Moyes

In Depression-era America, five extraordinary women embark on a remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond. Based on a true story rooted in America's past, The Giver of Stars is a richly rewarding novel of women's friendship, of true love, and of what happens when people reach beyond their grasp.

The Giver of Stars

My GOD men. If you know, you know. One very specific man in this book to be precise. Whilst I was enjoying this book, the rage it made me feel for the women kinda grounded me more in reality and left me escaping less. Which is the sign of a well written book, but I think I wanted to escape a little more. I did really enjoy reading about the librarians and their journey and how they defied the crappy men. 

Beth Bartholomew

Melissa Palmer

A good historical fiction read.....about horseback riding female librarians. I recommend.

Meghan Navoy

A nice light and easy read, and overall just okay book. At first I wasn't sure if I was even going to finish it because the beginning was pretty cheesy, but then I became more interested in where the story was going. There's a somewhat unexpected plot twist near the end that keeps things interesting. I did enjoy the anti capitalist, pro labor and pro union undertones throughout the book. I was hoping the romance aspect of the book would be between Margery and Alice but sadly it was very traditional. Overall an enjoyable book to read while in the bath that is very surface level.

Rachel Kanyid

Not really my typical style of book,as I don't really care for "westerns" or historical fiction in the late 1800's-early 1900s, but the writing was beautiful. The story was very engaging, though a little slow for me to get into.

Liz B

Really enjoyed the world building and character development. In some ways pieces of it felt very predictable, but I still really enjoyed that.

The themes of women supporting women, society back in the day, the pace of this book, the shock ends to chapters, explanation of human connection to environment.. all incredible. only complaint is it takes a while to pick up the pace

Chit

Cheri McElroy

Beautifully written, this story set in rural Kentucky in the 1930s, captured my heart, It was filled with strong female characters, intrigue, and a beautiful rural setting. I especially loved the basis in the fact of The Packhorse Librarians, and reading a book set in my home state. Highly recommended.

Shan

When I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. 

I don't usually read historical fiction, but I devoured this book. I love Jojo Moyes and this nook! With plot twists, characters development, and obstacle, this feministic story about women starting a traveling library in 30s is eye-opening to the way libraries began in the states.

Alex Flagg

A great story of unlikely friends and their journey to create better lives for their neighbors and themselves. Loved the character development in this book- I really started to love some of them and hate some of them! This was an easy book to get through and I wish someone would make this into a movie. The ending was tied together well to satisfy all my questions

Celeste Richardson

Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up.

I was so hesitant to pick up this book. I’ve only read one other book by Moyes, Me Before You, and was absolutely infuriated by it. Not because it was a bad book, mind you; on the contrary, it was incredibly compelling and introduced some characters for whom I came to care deeply. But I felt so emotionally manipulated by the ending that I seriously considered burning my copy. I didn’t, because I consider book burning akin to sacrilege, but in my opinion the ending that Moyes chose to go with felt like it was chosen not because it served the plot, but because it was shocking and memorable. I hated it with my entire being. I don’t believe myself to be a reader who demands happy endings, but the final scenes of Me Before You felt like a right hook when I was expecting a warm handshake or something of the sort. 
“… some things are a gift, even if you don't get to keep them.” 
Because I had such a visceral reaction to the one book I’ve read by Moyes, I assumed I would just stay as far away from her work in the future as possible. However, I didn’t anticipate how intrigued I would be by the synopsis of her newest book, The Giver of Stars. I’m a sucker for any story involving characters trying their hardest to get books into the hands of others. I also adore stories set in the backwater locales of my nation, and seeing those who are used to more cosmopolitan surroundings adapt to such a vastly different lifestyle. Rugged, harsh beauty is always compelling, as are female characters who buck societal norms and walk their own path, while forming friendships with other likeminded women and encouraging them to find that same freedom. Based on the synopsis of this book, I would find all of the aforementioned and more within its covers. Despite my traumatic experience with Me Before You, I decided to give Moyes another shot. And I’m so very glad I did. The Giver of Stars was beautiful and funny and moving and more. I loved every page.
“Just a little homesick,” Alice answered. It was the truth, she thought. She just wasn’t sure she had yet been to the place she was homesick for.”
Alice is a British woman who jumped too quickly at the opportunity to start a life away from her judgmental family and married the first pretty face she met. Her husband, the son of a wealthy mine owner in Kentucky, is not everything she hoped he would be, and the feeling seems to be mutual. When a pack horse library is started in the area and requests women who are willing to ride long distances to deliver books to those far from civilization, Alice volunteers immediately. And in this instance, it’s the best decision she has ever made. She finds herself when she dons the mantel of librarian, and accrues a motley group of true friends among her fellow female librarians and others in the far reaches of this community. She and the other librarians face many trials and hardships, but the support they give each other along the way keeps them going. 
“A certain kind of man looked at God’s own land, she thought, as she drew closer, and instead of beauty and wonder, all he saw was dollar signs.” 
I won’t get into the plot, or even how I felt about the ending. What I will say is that I never felt emotionally manipulated. Every circumstance rang true, and felt like a reasonable plot development instead of a twist included to merely shock readers. Perhaps I judged Moyes too harshly for Me Before You. I found her work in The Giver of Stars to be deep and resonant, while also maintaining fun and friendship in the light of real hardship. While not every decision made sense, and a multitude of problems could have been solved far more quickly if people would just communicate with one another, I didn’t feel like I had been played at any point in the novel. 
“There is always a way out of a situation. Might be ugly. Might leave you feeling like the earth had gone and shifted under your feet. But there is always a way around.” 
The Giver of Stars felt hopeful even in the darkest of times, which is what Me Before You was missing in my opinion. I really loved it, and I’ll be happy to read more of Moyes’ work if it follows a similar path. It was a wonderful book that I happily recommend to anyone looking for a little romance in a plot that’s not devoid of depth.

You can find  this review and more at Novel Notions.

Clara Moore

An emotion-fueled journey about strong female packhorse librarians. It was a rollercoaster written with beautiful prose. I was transported into rural Kentucky and felt like I was delivering books on horseback.

Fatiema 

This was such a beautiful book about friendship, courage, womanhood, and love. From start to finish, I was taken in by the story and the description of the small Kentucky county it was set in. 
You couldn't help but to root for Alice and Margery every step of the way. I was so so pleased that everyone had their happy endings.

The only thing I would have liked is if we maybe could have had more spent more time on Bennett's character and better understood him and why he acted in the way he did (although a reason was suggested by one of the characters, but it would have been nice if it were confirmed)

Sarah Ryan

A fantastic historical drama set in the US Depression era in Kentucky that draws on real life events. Throughout the plot the author shows just how important books can be in challenging and changing people as she tells the story of the unique women behind the Horseback Librarians of Kentucky.

LOSE YOURSELF IN THE SPELLBINDING STORY OF LOVE, COMMUNITY AND THE POWER OF READING: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER & REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK FROM THE AUTHOR OF ME BEFORE YOU THE GREATEST LOVE STORY IS THE ONE YOU LEAST EXPECT . . . Alice Wright doesn't love her new American husband. Nor her domineering father-in-law or the judgmental townsfolk of Baileyville, Kentucky. Stifled and misunderstood, she yearns for escape and finds it in defiant Margery O'Hare and the sisterhood bringing books to the isolated and vulnerable. But when her father-in-law and the town turn against them, Alice fears the freedom, friendship and the new love she's found will be lost . . . 'A beguiling tale of unlikely love. The most appealing thing is Moyes' wonderful way with romance. Delightful' The Times 'Beautiful, special . . . with characters so real they feel like dear friends. I loved it and didn't want it to end!' Liane Moriarty 'Inspiring and wildly romantic' Daily Mail, Books of the Year 'Her best book yet. It's a romance - but about female friends, the outdoors and the magic of reading' Grazia 'Epic' David Nicholls, bestselling author of One Day

Fall in love with the enchanting Sunday Times bestseller from the author of Me Before You

Charmaine

A book of strength, love, hardships, and the everlasting bond of friendship. 💛💛💛

The Giver of Stars

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