Jojo Moyes' The Giver of Stars is more than just a historical novel—it's a love letter to books, resilience, and female camaraderie. Set in Depression-era Kentucky, the story follows the Packhorse Librarians, a group of women delivering books to remote communities. As someone who adores books about books, this premise instantly hooked me.

The characters are the soul of this story. Alice, the disillusioned English bride, and Margery, the fiercely independent leader, feel like real people. Their friendship—and the way they rally around each other—is deeply moving. I found myself cheering for them during their uphill battles (literally and figuratively). Moyes’ vivid descriptions of the Appalachian trails made me feel the saddle soreness and the crisp mountain air.

That said, the pacing stumbles midway. Around the 2/3 mark, the plot drags like a tired mule before abruptly shifting into a courtroom drama. While the finale reignites the momentum, tighter editing could’ve spared readers the sluggish middle. Also, a few plot twists feel overly tidy—like a happily-ever-after stamped on a complex era.

Still, the book’s triumphs outweigh its flaws. The themes—literacy as liberation, women defying societal limits—resonate powerfully today. As a former librarian, I especially appreciated the nods to censorship battles (timely, given current debates). Pro tip: Don’t start this before bed—you’ll binge-read until dawn.

Verdict? 4.5/5 stars. Perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing or anyone who believes books can change lives. Just brace for the emotional hangover.