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Band of Sisters
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
31 posts | 16 read | 18 to read
A group of young women from Smith College risk their lives in France at the height of World War I in this sweeping novel based on a true story--a skillful blend of Call the Midwife and The Alice Network--from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig. A scholarship girl from Brooklyn, Kate Moran thought she found a place among Smith's Mayflower descendants, only to have her illusions dashed the summer after graduation. When charismatic alumna Betsy Rutherford delivers a rousing speech at the Smith College Club in April of 1917, looking for volunteers to help French civilians decimated by the German war machine, Kate is too busy earning her living to even think of taking up the call. But when her former best friend Emmeline Van Alden reaches out and begs her to take the place of a girl who had to drop out, Kate reluctantly agrees to join the new Smith College Relief Unit. Four months later, Kate and seventeen other Smithies, including two trailblazing female doctors, set sail for France. The volunteers are armed with money, supplies, and good intentions--all of which immediately go astray. The chateau that was to be their headquarters is a half-burnt ruin. The villagers they meet are in desperate straits: women and children huddling in damp cellars, their crops destroyed and their wells poisoned. Despite constant shelling from the Germans, French bureaucracy, and the threat of being ousted by the British army, the Smith volunteers bring welcome aid--and hope--to the region. But can they survive their own differences? As they cope with the hardships and terrors of the war, Kate and her colleagues find themselves navigating old rivalries and new betrayals which threaten the very existence of the Unit. With the Germans threatening to break through the lines, can the Smith Unit pull together and be truly a band of sisters?
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review
kissmehardy
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Pickpick

I should really get a copy of this book for myself. Willig has such a clear sense of place and character in this novel, and I love stories of women banding together and doing important things. Ten out of ten. #reread #historicalfiction

KristiAhlers She is one of my favorite authors. She is a total auto buy for me. 2y
kissmehardy @KristiAhlers This was my first Lauren Willig! Got any recs? 2y
KristiAhlers All of them lol. She has a new one coming out in April or May I can't remember and it was really good. Pink Carnation and the following in the series are really good. And the books such as Glass Ocean written by her, Karen White and Beatriz Williams are so good. I believe they have at least three books together. 2y
kissmehardy @KristiAhlers I need to look out for that new one - I remember the summary sounded interesting! And I'll check out some of her others in the mean time. 😊 2y
7 likes4 comments
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julieclair
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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🎶🎵 On the sixth day of #12BooksOf2022 my book log gave to me… my favorite book of June 2022!
@Andrew65

Andrew65 An excellent choice. 2y
25 likes1 comment
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rebbyj
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
Pickpick

Fun.

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megnews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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megnews I think these experiences will leave their mark and change them for the better. They aren‘t confined to societal expectations for women. They won‘t be satisfied with less than what they want to do in life. 2y
sblbooks I don't think they'll be content to sit at home sipping tea and going to balls after this experience. 2y
megnews @sblbooks agree! 2y
CoverToCoverGirl Definitely suffragettes in the making. I‘m with @sblbooks tea and fancy balls just wouldn‘t cut it. 2y
5 likes4 comments
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megnews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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sblbooks Maybe not Furious, but I can understand being upset. I don't think any really ever understood that what she did was wrong. I would say part generosity and part because she needed Kate there to help her. 2y
megnews @sblbooks I agree. I think Emmie needed her. I understood Kate‘s upset but it seemed she held a grudge a bit to long about it. 2y
sblbooks @megnews I agree Kate was very prideful about it she should have been more grateful. 2y
CoverToCoverGirl I thought Kate was more irate than the perceived offence merited. I always felt Emmie‘s heart was in the right place. 2y
3 likes4 comments
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megnews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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megnews I think some soldiers were very willing to help them because of their gender. But it also put them in the danger of assault that happens in times of war. Not to mention the danger of the war itself and being women they were not armed. No real way to defend themselves if needed. 2y
sblbooks @megnews Yes! It's also more challenging because people don't take them seriously at first. 2y
megnews @sblbooks very true 2y
CoverToCoverGirl I totally agree @megnews 2y
3 likes4 comments
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megnews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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sblbooks Yes, a working class immigrant background does still carry a stigma. An education helps but hard to get when you don't have the money to pay for school. There are a few that can get scholarships but not that many. 2y
megnews @sblbooks I agree. People still look at immigrants as undocumented, as not as smart maybe because of the language barriers, and the jobs they may take are looked down upon despite our need for those services. Education is helpful but not always the great equalizer we like to tout it to be. 2y
CoverToCoverGirl Again I agree! 2y
3 likes3 comments
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megnews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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megnews I think they made something of themselves apart from their mothers. I think it took more courage and also set them apart from their social classes in ways that will stay with them (for good imo) for their whole lives. 2y
3 likes1 comment
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megnews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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I think it was just the 3 of us this month. Sorry I ran into July for discussion. Haven‘t been able to keep up with life lately. Questions from readinggroupguides.com. The rest of the questions are marked with spoilers. #overbookedclub

sblbooks I think @CoverToCoverGirl read it as well. 2y
sblbooks I think a few of the girls would have joined up regardless of how tough it is. Of course there are some that would not have. I would not have been able to physically do that kind of work. 2y
megnews Oh I‘m sorry I missed @CoverToCoverGirl ! 2y
megnews @sblbooks I can‘t say I would have put myself in harms way like that. 2y
CoverToCoverGirl I think some would have gone regardless. Me, I‘m not adventurous so travelling overseas in the midst of a war, probably not. I would have volunteered to do my part from home. 2y
23 likes5 comments
review
megnews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Pickpick

Finished this a few days ago and forgot to post. This book did what great historical fiction does—taught me about a part of history I knew nothing about. I really enjoyed reading about these women who stepped out of their comfort zones and did what no one expected. I will post #overbookedclub discussion questions Friday or Saturday.

julieclair You are so right… great historical fiction teaches us about times/events we know little about. Almost all the books we have read this year have fallen into that category for me. I would be hard pressed to chose a favorite. Looking forward to our discussion! 2y
48 likes1 comment
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julieclair
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Pickpick

Amazing historical fiction, based very closely on the true story of a group of Smith College alumnae who volunteered as aid workers in France during World War I. Much of the material was drawn directly from actual letters (now in the Smith archives) sent home by the women to their families. These women did their best to care for the very old and very young folks devastated by the fighting in the Somme region. ⬇️

julieclair Their grit, ingenuity, bravery and dedication made me proud to be a woman, and an American. Excellent on audio, narrated by Julia Whalen, one of my favorite narrators. Can't wait for the #OverBookedClub discussion. Great choice, @megnews ! 👍 2y
kspenmoll I want to read this! 2y
julieclair @kspenmoll I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 2y
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julieclair @kspenmoll I wish I could mail it to you, but I listened to it on audio! 🤷 2y
kspenmoll @julieclair Sounds like I should look into audio 2y
julieclair @kspenmoll I really enjoy audio, because I can “read” when I‘m doing other things, like driving or housework. But of course there‘s nothing like holding a real book in your hands! 📚 2y
21 likes6 comments
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sblbooks
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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🌟🌟🌟🌟
A novel based on the true story of the Smith College relief unit. 18 female alumni go to help French civilians during World War 1. It started off slow, but I ended up really liking this one. #OverbookedClub @megnews

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LitsyEvents
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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repost for @megnews and sblbooks:

Next up for #OverBookedClub

SilversReviews Let me know how you like it….I couldn‘t get into it. 2y
37 likes2 comments
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megnews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Chrissyreadit Borrowed from library! Fingers crossed I get my reading act together 🤣 2y
CoverToCoverGirl Yes please! 2y
39 likes2 comments
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Sills
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Seventeen young alumnae known as Smith College Relief Unit were sent for reconstruction in France during WWI. The villagers are in dire conditions-those still alive. Half a year later the Germans fierce constant shelling threatened them to extreme survival. But these were American women albeit from high society "Band"ed sisters in arms determined to leave France better than they found it. Think sorority sisters on steroids-the best of the best!

21 likes2 stack adds
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SilverShanica
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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I am posting one book per day from my to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new - don‘t judge me I have a lot of books.
Join the fun if you want. This is day 210.
#bookstoread
#tbrpile
#bookstagram

3 likes1 stack add
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booksaremyfavorite
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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I am a huge fan of historical fiction. This one has to do with the women of Smith College heading off to the war. I enjoyed it.

11 likes1 stack add
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SaraHasClass
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Panpan

I like historical fiction that tells of an event "off the beaten path" of standard history. I was really excited to find this story, about a group of college women serving people living in war torn France during WWI. Instead it's about a group mostly socialite women battling insecurities from the past. Imitating the author I might say, "This book is rather dull, Miss Litsy, & I shan't recommend it. Now I must quite go & fix my unruly hairpins."

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Desiree.Reads
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Band of Sisters stands out in the crowd of 20th Century-based, historical war fiction. Excellently researched and solidly told, Sisters is chock-full of believable characters, each with their own personality, and from varying backgrounds.

For the full review, please pop on over to https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3795668010?book_show_action=false&from_rev...

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Reecaspieces
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Reecaspieces
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Pickpick

I listened to this in audible. I loved it! Check out my review. https://reecaspieces.com/2021/04/28/band-of-sisters-by-laura-willig-wmmorrowbook...

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seigakuFIGHTo
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
Pickpick

Such a lovely book! The focus on sisterhood and the growth of the women was wonderful. An easy read to get sucked into and hard to escape from at the end.

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kissmehardy
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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All the blurbs for this book made it sound a little too targeted to my tastes and they were RIGHT. Emmie, Kate, and Julia were so fun to follow, and I loved watching the Smith Unit come together to help their French villagers and become a real team. There were a couple of minor pacing things I personally didn't love, but otherwise, no complaints! #historicalfiction

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bookishkai
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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I‘ve been looking forward to this one! Even though it‘s about Smith and I‘m a Mount Holyoke alum, there is a universality about historically women‘s colleges that feels familiar. I like this already. And it seems not much has changed in regards to feelings about Harvard men!

Suet624 My mom went to Smith and my dad went to Harvard. :) 4y
bookishkai @Suet624 my dad was a Yale man. As was my grandfather, but my grandfather married my grandmother when he was 20 so there were no women‘s college hotties for him. And the worst men, according to tradition, were Dartmouth men! 4y
Suet624 That‘s right! I remember my parents talking about Dartmouth men. 4y
24 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Crazeedi
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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Yay! Net Galley approved this ebook! Cant wait to read
#netgalley

55 likes2 stack adds
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SilversReviews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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THANK YOU, @HarperCollins and @goodreads

My first Goodreads win. :)

@laurenwillig

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books_cats_art
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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I have so many others that need to be read first, but I couldn't help opening this ARC right now!

8 likes1 stack add
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SilversReviews
Band of Sisters | Lauren Willig
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COVER REVEAL!!

GORGEOUS!! CONGRATS!!

ON SALE: MARCH 2, 2021

@laurenwillig
@HarperCollins

42 likes1 stack add