The Underground Library: three women trying to survive during the London Blitz

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is the story of three women during the London Blitz trying to survive and save their beloved library. When Juliet Lansdown comes to the Bethnal Green Library as the new deputy librarian, she realizes that the library needs a bit more life. Katie Upwood loves working at the library as she prepares to head to university. After learning that her beau was killed in action and growing strife in her family, she finds herself with a life-changing secret with no help and no options. Sofie Baumann is a young Jewish refugee who came to London on a domestic service visa in order to escape the horrors in her home country. She finds herself treated horribly and her only solace is the beloved books of the local library. When the library needs to go underground where the city’s residents are sheltering during the nightly bombings, Juliet, Katie and Sofie find a community that come together for the love of books and friendships that only grow stronger with each bomb dropped.

Based on the true story of the Bethnal Green Library and the London Blitz, Jennifer Ryan weaves a story of survival, friendships and courage in uncertain times. Despite a bit of weariness of World War II stories, I was captivated by the stories of these three women and the strength they find to endure the uncertainty of their futures. Their world is changing around them and, despite the social rules, they fight back against racism, gender biases and finding love in the most unlikely places. Ms Ryan also brings to life the horrors and uncertainties of the London Blitz. I felt as if I were there with the characters, huddled in the underground shelters as the bombs exploded above them and in the aftermath as they searched for survivors and dealt with the unfortunate loss of life. My heart broke as the character suffered and I cheered for them as they rose above their circumstances and survived. If you enjoy World War II stories, I highly recommend The Underground Library. 

The Underground Library is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook