Travel through time with historical fiction books about books. These captivating stories transport us to different eras, blending the magic of storytelling with historical settings. From medieval manuscripts to secret libraries, each book unfolds a unique narrative that celebrates the timeless allure of books.

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong

This novel delves into sacrifice, courage, and the quest for honor in the lives of two women. Set in 1918, Emmaline Balakin, a shy book lover, steps out of her comfort zone to become a volunteer librarian in France during World War I. Amid challenges and her involvement in a secret book club for censored books, a romance unfolds, requiring more courage than she ever imagined.

Set in 1976, Kathleen Carre is determined to prove her worth as she joins the first coed class at the United States Naval Academy. Facing resistance and personal tragedy, Kathleen must trust others and navigate a hidden secret that could jeopardize her future. 

The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

Hu Lian and her fellow students from Minghua University flee for safety during the Japanese bombing in 1937 China. Their challenging trek of a thousand miles, marked by hunger and the constant threat of aerial attacks, transforms into a mission to safeguard the Library of Legends, a 500-year-old collection of myths and folklore. Lian was reluctant to form relations with others because of her family history. Strong ties were created among students with the shared mission of protecting the library. 

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The Weight Of Ink by Rachel Kadish

"The Weight Of Ink" unfolds in two timelines in London - the 1660s and the early 21st century. It narrates the interlinked stories of two brilliant women: Ester Velasquez, an immigrant permitted to scribe for a blind rabbi just before the plague, and Helen Watt, an ailing historian with a deep love for Jewish history. 

Helen, assisted by the charming Aaron Levy, seeks to identify the scribe of newly discovered 17th-century Jewish documents. The story delves into the choices and sacrifices these women must make across centuries to reconcile matters of the heart and mind. This novel has won a National Jewish Book Award and became a USA Today bestseller. 

The Bookbinder by Pip Williams

It is 1914; with men away at war, women like Peggy and Maude in Britain step up to keep things running. The twin sisters work in a bindery at Oxford University Press, folding pages and binding books. Peggy, ambitious and curious, dreams of reading the books she binds, looking up to the female students of Oxford's Somerville College who have access to libraries. Maude is content with her current life. 

When refugees from war-torn Belgium arrive, it brings changes to Oxford and the sisters' lives. Peggy starts to envision a different future, but her love for a Belgian soldier and the responsibilities it brings might complicate her path. 

The Liar's Dictionary by Eley Williams

Peter Winceworth, a man in the Victorian era working on a dictionary, decides to be creative by adding made-up entries called mountweazels. These made-up words become a mystery for Mallory, a young intern in the present day, as she uncovers them during the digitization process. Alongside this, Mallory deals with a threatening caller. The tale connects the lives of these two characters a hundred years apart, touching on themes of individuality, creativity, and the unpredictable twists of life. 

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