The Little Wartime Library: A gripping, heart-wrenching WW2 page-turner based on real events

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In September 1940 after a bomb damaged their local library branch, librarian Clara Button and Ruby Munroe created the country’s only underground library in the unfinished Bethnal Green tube station, 78 feet below ground - the only place where the bombs couldn’t be heard.

I loved learning about the subterranean community and found the Author’s Notes at the end of the book extremely informative. Clara and Ruby must come together to battle the enemies from within to keep their little library open.While the world above remains at war, here in East London, the country's only underground library, built over the tracks in the disused Bethnal Green tube station is open for business. However of course at the end of the day it is only a fictitious story and this perhaps have a happy ending focusing on the main characters achieving their aims; Clara to become a mother and gain a family, Ruby to gain adventures, independence and self worth and the library to see its way through the war and become a place for people to escape their reality and find comfort in books.

The Little Wartime Library is wonderful story, about the struggles and triumphs of Clara, Ruby, and the books cast of delightful and inspiring characters.Clara’s a trained librarian and Ruby isn't your typical assistant, between them they make a great team and devise ingenious ways of lending out as many books as they can.

I received a copy of The Little Wartime Library in exchange for an honest review, Kate Thompson’s book is outstanding, and five big stars from me. There is to be found, at the underground station of Bethnal Green something truly remarkable - the country’s only underground library, which was created by Librarian, Clara Button, after the original library above ground was destroyed in the bombings. Most of the men in this story have a Gaston-like attitude that women shouldn't be reading books and getting ideas. Half way through it, I am loving it and have already bought a book written by the same author, also set in war time which I’m sure I will enjoy just as much.During the war, Bethnal Green Library was destroyed and the tube station became an underground library and safe haven for all in Londons East End. It leaves you with a sense of the hardship many people faced after losing their homes and the importance of friendship and businesses going the extra mile to help communities through tough times. The history of World War Two is full of surprises, mostly tales of unspeakable deprivation, sacrifice and bloodshed, but just occasionally, magic. The Little Wartime Library, is a book framed by author’s message and notes as well as modern-day prologue and epilogue. This novel is inspired by real life events that took place at Bethnal Green during WWII and saw the half-finished tube station turned into a fully-functioning subterranean community sleeping up to five thousand and served by an astonishing array of facilities including a library.