The Air Raid Book Club

A Novel

By: Annie Lyons

Narrated by: Jilly Bond

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett comes a heartwarming story of found family, love, and making connections through books set against the bombing of London during WWII.

London, 1938: The bookstore just doesn’t feel the same to Gertie Bingham ever since the death of her beloved husband Harry. Bingham Books was a dream they shared together, and without Harry, Gertie wonders if it’s time to take her faithful old lab, Hemingway, and retire to the seaside. But fate has other plans for Gertie.

In Germany, Hitler is on the rise, and Jewish families are making the heart-wrenching decision to send their children away from the growing turmoil. After a nudge from her dear friend Charles, Gertie decides to take in one of these refugees, a headstrong teenage girl named Hedy. Willful and fearless, Hedy reminds Gertie of herself at the same age, and shows her that she can’t give up just yet. With the terrible threat of war on the horizon, the world needs people like Gertie Bingham and her bookshop.

When the Blitz begins and bombs whistle overhead, Gertie and Hedy come up with the idea to start an air raid book club. Together with neighbors and bookstore customers, they hold lively discussions of everything from Winnie the Pooh to Wuthering Heights. After all, a good book can do wonders to bolster people’s spirits, even in the most trying times.

But even the best book can only provide a temporary escape, and as the tragic reality of the war hits home, the book club faces unimaginable losses. They will need all the strength of their stories and the bonds they’ve formed to see them through to brighter days.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming, all at once 

This really is a beautiful, well written story. The characters are rich and unique. They offer so much dimension to this story. The book grabs your heart, and takes you along a ride, the ups and downs of those making their way through very hard times, in both the tribulations and the triumphs. Expect both laughter and tears, but most of all it’ll have you seeking out your favorite bookshop in no time.

A Wonderful Life Affirming Book

I have looked forward for months to the release of this book and have been richly rewarded for the patient wait. I did not think Annie Lyons could trump the story telling triumph of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett but I was wrong. Once again the reader is introduced to a cast of quirky, diverse and richly human characters who again remind us that it is our relationships that matter the most. The story of Gertie and Hedy is unforgettable as they repetitively save each other. The Air Raid Book Club community shows an inspiring spirit of resilience and determination in the face of an existential threat. As a piece of historical fiction this book is a nuanced Holocaust remembrance and a tribute to members of The Greatest Generation. I cannot think of a better book to require entering students at American colleges and universities to read. Jilly Bond is a skilled narrator and her accents bring all the characters to life. I now plan to order a hard copy edition so I can enjoy this book in print.

Heartrending

An exploration of the very best we can be in the midst of horror. How I wish it did not apply to the times we live. Alas it does on so many levels.

Just a great all around book.

Really enjoyed listening to this book. Characters reminded me of people I have known who lived through WW11.

What a journey!

This novel drew me in as if I was there, wonderful story! the narrator was fantastic also. I felt like I knew the characters, it was funny, sad, warm and not disappointing. I can't wait to take another journey with this author.