The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin, 400 p.

"Ava thought her job as a librarian at the Library of Congress would mean a quiet, routine existence. But an unexpected offer from the US military has brought her to Lisbon with a new mission: posing as a librarian while working undercover as a spy gathering intelligence.

Meanwhile, in occupied France, Elaine has begun an apprenticeship at a printing press run by members of the Resistance. It’s a job usually reserved for men, but in the war, those rules have been forgotten. Yet she knows that the Nazis are searching for the press and its printer in order to silence them. As the battle in Europe rages, Ava and Elaine find themselves connecting through coded messages and discovering hope in the face of war."--Goodreads blurb

Librarians? Spies? WWII fiction? Some of my favorite things! I liked the stories told from different viewpoints and the real feeling you got of the different countries during the war. In that horrible time, it seems like Lisbon would have been one of the better places to be, but we also heard about the horrible conditions in France. This was a great story. 

 

Until I Met You by Tari Faris

Until I Met You by Tari Faris 347 pages Libby Kingsley dreams of a new life and a new library for the charming town of Heritage, Michigan. Things get complicated when her big ideas threaten Austin William's blueprints and his plan to leave town unattached. I enjoyed reading this Christian Romance about a librarian!! I had never read this author before, but I was very impressed. I will be reading more by this author. I also didn't realize this was book 2 in a series, but it didn't take away from the story at all.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, 388 p.

"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.
    Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined to become a modern classic–a richly rewarding novel of women’s friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond."--Amazon

I really loved this book. It's the first book I've read by this acclaimed author, and it was beautifully written and engaging. The characters were all dynamic and the storyline was funny, sad, and heartfelt. 
 

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes-390 pages

A wonderful fictional account of a factual group of women who delivered books sponsored by the WPA in the 1930's.  Quite a cast of characters who hold their own in all kinds of situations.  Strong bonds of love and friendship are what keeps the packhorse librarians going.  I had a difficult time getting in to it, but once I did I could not wait to see how the author wrapped up all the different story lines.  A very enjoyable read that gives you insight into how people lived in the mountains of Kentucky after the depression.

Bibliovores by Bill Barnes

Bibliovores: An Unshelved Collection by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum - 120 pages

Another great collection of Unshelved comics featuring the Mallville Public Library and its workers.  I really enjoyed reading this comics and would suggest them to anyone working in a public library.

Library Mascot Cage Fight by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum

Library Mascot Cage Match by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum - 120 pages
Book Club by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum - 120 pages

The adventures at Mallville Public Library continue for librarians Mel, Dewey, Tamara, Colleen, and Buddy the Beaver.

Two more collections of the Unshelved comics.  I'm enjoying reading these comics.

Reads Well With Others: An Unshelved Collection by Gene Ambaum & Bill Barnes

Reads Well With Others: An Unshelved Collection by Gene Ambaum & Bill Barnes - 119 pages

Another collection of Unshelved comics.  I'm really enjoying reading these.  A definite must read for anyone working in a library.

Large Print by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum

Large Print: An Unshelved Collection by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum - 128 pages

The librarians of the Mallville Library are back.  Dewey, Mel, Colleen, and Tamara share there experiences as librarians and dealing with the public.

I really like this comic and enjoyed reading this collection.

What Would Dewey Do? An Unshelved Collection by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum

What Would Dewey Do? An Unshelved Collection by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum - 129 pages

This is a collection of the library themed comic strip Unshelved.  I would highly recommend this comic for anyone working in a library.

The Librarian and the Spy by Susan Mann

The Librarian and the Spy by Susan Mann, 320 pages

I could not resist the title of this book.  Any book having to do with a librarian and taking place in a library makes me want to read it.  This was a very light fun romance to read.  Quinn Ellington is a reference librarian just dying for something more exciting.  Then, James Lockwood walks in and sweeps her off her feet.  With more money then he knows what to do with, James offers her an opportunity of a lifetime to help him decode where secret arms are hidden.  He buys her time from the library director and takes her on a romantic whirlwind adventure that leads them to London and Quinn finding out James' true identity.

Library on Wheels by Sharlee Glenn

Library on Wheels by Sharlee Glenn, 51 pages

This was such an inspiring story about Mary Lemist Titcomb who started the first bookmobile, even before there were motorized cars.  Mary was sent to school at the time when most women studied to become nurses or teachers.  After she finished her higher education she went on to try and become a librarian after starting out as an apprentice.  She worked her way up to head of a library.  She began to wonder how she could get more books out in the hands of farmers who lived quite a distance from the library.  Therefore, she came up with the idea of the first book mobile.  I was surprised to learn how many miles the bookmobile covered and that each family was allowed to check out thirty books.  This was a very fascinating read for all ages.

I Work at a Public Library by Gina Sheridan

I Work at a Public Library by Gina Sheridan, 157 pages

As someone who works in a public library, I can really appreciate Gina Sheridan's stories.  Although, I can see some employees of the public library refraining from reading this, as they experience a lot of these moments on a daily basis.  I think it would be neat if all the patrons would read this book and see what it is really like to stand behind any desk at the public library. What it all boils down to is we are all here to help the patrons.  This book shared some very humorous stories.  I like how Gina had the chapters divided based on the Dewey Decimal System.  Some especially funny tidbits occur on page 41, questionable book titles, for example, The Hungry Games, and page 74 What is "Whiffy?"  Read the book to find out more.  I Work at a Public Library was a very quick and funny read!!

The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli

The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli, 148 pages

The Library Card is divided into four short stories.  Each story is about a different kid.  Each kid finds a blue library card that changes their individual lives forever. Mongoose finds a blue library card, and it opens his life to a world of knowledge.  Brenda gives up watching TV and discovers the mysterious world of the library.  Sonseray really needs the library card for his mere existence.  Finally, the bookmobile makes major life changes for April. This book was published in 1997 which makes it a little dated and the stories are mysterious, but the cool thing was to see how library cards can make a difference in a kid's life.

The History Of The Library by Barbara A. Somervill

The History of the Library by Barbara A. Somervill, 32 pages

Scott and Dan are going on a scavenger hunt in the library.  5000 years ago there were no books.  Early libraries collected public information. Around 530 B.C., Greeks developed libraries for people to read and do research. Probably, one of the most famous libraries was the great Alexandria Library.  Around 47 B.C., Caesar burnt that library.  The Chinese get the credit for inventing paper and and printing around 730.  In the middle ages, private libraries became popular.  In 1731, Ben Franklin, founded a lending library.  In 1800, the Library of Congress was started.  In 1876, the country saw free public libraries.  In 1876, Melvil Dewey introduced the Dewey Decimal Classification System.  Nowadays, the future of the library is moving towards technology.  Are we ready for the library of the future?

The Unbound by Victoria Schwab

The Unbound by Victoria Schwab  357 pages

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. MacKenzie bishop, a Keeper tasked with with stopping violent Histories from waking up and escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to a History named Owen this past summer. Now she finds herself haunted by Owen--he makes appearances in her nightmares and she begins seeing him everywhere, even while awake. Mackenzie knows she sent Owen into a void from which there is no return. So why does he seem so real? Meanwhile, Mackenzie begins her junior year at Hyde Prep. Being new is hard enough without spotting Owen at every turn. Mackenzie soon learns that fellow Keeper Wesley Ayers also attends Hyde. When Mac confides in Wes, he seems more concerned about Mac's sanity than the possiblity of Owen's escape.

Check It Out! The Book About Libraries by Gail Gibbons

Check It Out!  The Book About Libraries by Gail Gibbons, 32 pages

This was a very informative book about the history of libraries.  The word library comes from the Latin word for book-liber.  There are public libraries and school libraries.  You can use a catalog to find books. Librarians are always ready to help you.  The library is a great place to learn new things and enjoy reading!

Check It Out! Reading, Finding, Helping by Patricia Hubbell

Check It Out! Reading, Finding, Helping by Patricia Hubbell - 32 pages

This is one of the better informational books about librarians.  First of all it is illustrated with drawings instead of photos that would be very quickly outdated.  The librarian doesn't look like she is from the 1950's and the activities that the librarian does in the book is still done by librarian's today.  Overall -- pretty good.

Dewey's Nine Lives BY: Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

Dewey's Nine Lives by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter 306 pages
I didn't give this book much hope when I first saw it, because how much more can you say about one cat. Curiosity won out and luckily I gave it a try and I thought this was a great follow-up to the original story Dewey the Library Cat. which I really enjoyed.
I thought it was a great idea for the author to tell the stories about nine other cat lives, who's owners were inspired to share with the author after reading or hearing about Dewey.  I believe it speaks well of this librarian and her co-author to bring these wonderful stories to life for all to enjoy.

Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck

Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck - 145 pages

Everything changed for PeeWee when the tornado came through town.  Four college students who came to see the damage end up sharing the job of town librarian.  Two of them in particular have a profound effect on PeeWee and her brother Jake.  They help PeeWee admit to the world that she is actually a girl and help Jake to compete in the county fair's automobile race.
The only other books by Richard Peck I have read are the Blossom Culp series from the 1980s.  This book is completely different from what I thought it would be.  The writing was much better in this book.  And as this book is a historical fiction it doesn't get the dated feel that the other series has.  I enjoyed the dynamic between the librarians, PeeWee and Jake.  I also even enjoyed all the car description that was included in the book.  A great book for all to read!