Two follow-up Books about Brave ‘book women’
The Librarian of Burned Books author, Brianna Labuskes, has written a new book entitled The Lost Book of Bonn. The new book is also about a librarian. The story begins when the Library of Congress sends Emmy Clarke to Germany to rescue literature that the Nazis had practically destroyed during World War II. Once in Germany and while going through discarded books, Clarke discovers a book whose title page has a handwritten message: “To Annelise, my brave Edelweiss Pirate.” The librarian cannot rest until she tracks down the original owner of the book. While doing so, she uncovers an incredible story of brave women who stood up to the Nazis.
Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, by Janet Skeslien Charles, is not really a follow up book, but it is about another librarian named Jessie Carson. An historical fiction based on Carson’s contributions to libraries in France, the ‘Miss Morgan’ of the book is Anne Morgan, a millionarie who founded the American Committee for Devastated France after World War I. In beckyonbooks, Instagram blog, Becky Peace summarizes the book, which has a second story line about a young writer who devotes years of research to unearth the contributions of Jessie Carson, the librarian who had been totally overlooked. Peace goes on to say “In addition to the fascinating story, there is a fine author’s note with history and photos. This is a book about the magic of books and the power of women. I recommend it.”
Hi Frances, love your blog.
I recently discovered a southern author that I had never heard of before. She was mentioned in a book that I was reading and I looked her up, even though it was not a complimentary mention. Her name is Flannery O’Connor. I went to the library and got the one book in the library written by her, I live up north in the summer, and am reading it now. It is very different than most southern authors. It is not a typical southern book and I have never heard of her before. Just wondering your thoughts on Flannery O’Connor’s books.
Hi Norma. I’m so happy you like the blog.
Flannery O’Connor is mainly a short story writer. I haven’t read either of her books, but I have read several of her short stories. I hate to say this, but her work is not something I would read for pleasure. She uses religious symbolism and bizarre characters to develop very complex themes. Literature professors teach her work. It’s the sort of work one needs to talk about after reading.
She is well known because she is considered an excellent writer. She wrote at a time when few women were recognized for their writing talent. Her work is known as Southern Gothic.