The jack carr book club
july book of the month
Strangers in time
by david baldacci
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Calamity of Souls comes David Baldacci’s newest novel, set in London in 1944, about a bereaved bookshop owner and two teenagers scarred by the Second World War, and the healing and hope they find in one another.
Fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters is up to no good, but for a very good reason. Without parents, peerage, or merit, he steals what he needs, living day-to-day until he’s old enough to enlist to fight the Germans. After barely surviving the Blitz, Charlie knows there’s no telling when a falling bomb might end his life.
Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield has just returned to a nearly unrecognizable London. One of millions of children to have been evacuated to the countryside Molly has been away from her home for nearly five years. Her return, however, is not the homecoming she’d hoped for as she’s confronted by a devastating reality: neither of her parents are there.
Without guardians and stability, Charlie and Molly find an unexpected ally and protector in Ignatius Oliver, and solace at his bookshop, The Book Keep. Mourning the recent loss of his wife, Ignatius forms a kinship with both children, and in each other they rediscover the spirit of family each has lost.
But Charlie’s escapades in the city have not gone unnoticed, and someone’s been following Molly since she returned to London. And Ignatius is harboring his own secrets, which could have terrible consequences for all of them.
As bombs continue to bear down on the city, Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius learn that while the perils of war rage on, their coming together and trusting one another may be the only way for them to survive.
why i chose this book
“I chose Strangers in Time by David Baldacci as the July selection for the Jack Carr Book Club because it’s a powerful reminder that the battlefield isn’t always marked by trenches and uniforms—sometimes it’s a war for the soul, fought in the ruins of what once was home. Set against the backdrop of wartime London, Baldacci delivers a story that’s both haunting and redemptive. Through the eyes of two teenagers and a grieving bookseller, we see how loss, survival, and unexpected kinship can forge a bond stronger than blood. It’s a beautifully written novel about finding light in the darkest hours—a theme that resonates deeply with those who’ve endured, adapted, and kept going when the world around them fell apart.“
MEET the author
David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, “because every mom needs a break now and then.”)
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. The feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for young readers.
A lifelong Virginian, David received his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States. In 2008 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, more than 1 million new and gently used books have been collected and distributed through food banks to families in need.
David and his family live in Virginia.
Fact & Fiction Books
Fact & Fiction was founded by Barbara Theroux in 1986 and grew with the support of the Missoula community, moving to its current downtown location in 1998 and later expanding to the University of Montana campus. After weathering economic challenges and a change in ownership, longtime manager Mara Panich fulfilled her dream of owning the store, officially becoming the owner on April 1, 2021.
Order your copy of Strangers in Time by David Baldacci from this bookseller for 15% off!
*Discount available for a limited time.
Fact & Fiction
Fact & Fiction was founded by Barbara Theroux in 1986 and grew with the support of the Missoula community, moving to its current downtown location in 1998 and later expanding to the University of Montana campus. After weathering economic challenges and a change in ownership, longtime manager Mara Panich fulfilled her dream of owning the store, officially becoming the owner on April 1, 2021.
Order your copy of Strangers in Time by David Baldacci from this bookseller for 15% off!
