'The Girls of Atomic City': a bestselling WWII tale

'Girls,' by Denise Kiernan, continues to hold steady on bestseller lists more than a year after its initial publication.

The book “The Girls of Atomic City” by Denise Kiernan has become the little bestseller that could, with its paperback version experiencing strong sales more than a year after “Girls” was published.

“Girls,” which was first released in March 2013, follows several women who lived and worked in the city of Oak Ridge, Tenn. during World War II. Residents of the government town worked at various tasks to create the atomic bomb, including enriching uranium, but almost no one knew what it was they were working on and those who talked too much about their job or speculated about the town’s mission were quickly removed, 

The paperback version of “Girls” was published this past March and has held steady on the IndieBound bestseller list almost every week since. On the most current list, the book came in at number nine in the Trade Paperback Nonfiction category.

Amazon put the book on its list of the 100 best titles of 2013 and Library Journal called the book “compelling,” writing that the author “capably captures the spirit of women's wartime opportunities and their sacrifices in what is ultimately a captivating narrative.” 

Meanwhile, Kirkus Reviews called “Girls” “a fresh take on the secret city built in the mountains of Tennessee… an inspiring account of how people can respond with their best when called upon.”