THE LIBRARIAN OF BURNED BOOKS by Brianna Labuskes follows three women over the course of the Nazis rise to power: Althea, a bright young author who is invited to Berlin by Joseph Goebbels in 1933, Hannah, a brave Jewish woman who flees persecution and works with the German Library of Burned Books in 1936, and Viv, a war widow in New York City who is trying to prevent censor of the Armed Service Editions of books sent to soldiers in 1944. The fates of these women eventually converge, as they continue their fight to protect the written word.

I was SO excited to get my hands on this new book from my agency sibling! Brianna Labuskes is already a crazy talented thriller writer, but this is her first venture into historical fiction—and she absolutely hit it out of the park! This is definitely a novel for bookworms, writers, and librarians, highlighting the importance of storytelling and the written word in human lives. It’s rare to see a book in which three timelines are executed so well. Viv, Althea, and Hannah, all bring very different points of view of the war to the story, but are linked by their shared love of books. It’s easy to see how much careful research went into writing this story, and some of the more tense scenes had my heart pounding. Some of my favorite scenes were those that showed the vibrant night life of Berlin in the 30s. And I must mention there are multiple romances(!), one of which is the most beautiful sapphic love story.

This was an especially harrowing read because of how the book burnings of the 1930s mirror what is still happening today in Florida schools and across the US. It emphasizes the importance of preserving written history, and shows how quickly fascism can take hold of a population when not addressed.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the early copy.

The Librarian of Burned Books follows three women in three separate timelines. Vivian Childs lives in NYC in 1944 and is trying her best to provide reading material for soldiers fighting overseas but has to overcome new rules censoring the books she and her foundation can provide. Hannah Brecht lives in Paris in 1936, having fled Berlin after the Nazi party gains control and her brother is arrested for his actions against them. She finds Paris is not much better than Berlin and is struggling to find a place for herself and waiting for news about her brother. Althea James is in Berlin in 1933 at the invitation of Goebbels himself. She is part of a program that the Nazi party is funding to bring ethnic talented Germans back to the country to live for 6 months and her debut novel has gained some notoriety. This new world is exciting and she can't help but get caught up in the celebrations as the party makes strides in gaining control while she is there.
This was the first time I've ready anything by Brianna Labuskes and it was an amazing book. The writing is excellent and I was drawn into all three storylines right away. The story could have been told chronologically as all three women are intertwined with each other but having each timeline escalate in synch like they do kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. Althea is so innocent and naive and her maturity and growth during her time in Berlin was immense. Her introduction to Berlin cabarets and nightlife by her friend Dev was fun and I loved seeing her wanting to try all the new things while also experiencing the growth of the Nazi party in the background. Hannah's time in Paris highlights how quickly public sentiment can change as she starts to see the same behavior in the Parisian people that caused her to leave her beloved Berlin. She and her best friend Otto grapple with a new normal and an uncertain future. Vivian is just trying to keep up spirits of soldiers, understanding the importance of this after letters from her own husband. When her husband is killed in the war her intent grows and she knows the censorship of the books is nothing more than a grown man's attempts to assert his own authority. Her research at the Library of Burned books and tentative friendship with its mysterious librarian show her how small acts can turn into so much more.
The way all three storylines paint a picture of the evolution of public sentiment and actions is scary. I think there's a huge lesson here to be learned, especially now as we hear about further censorship of books and what people deem inappropriate for our schools and libraries. I loved how much historical fact and nuance was woven throughout this book. It must have been difficult job to line up everything fact and fiction throughout this story and Labuskes' work is excellent. The final chapters here are wonderful and I savored them as much as I could while still itching to get to the end. I am not one to highlight things in my books but I highlighted more than a few memorable passages here and I feel a reread will bring about even more. I loved how I felt each of the timelines escalated together, leaving me on the edge of my seat, no matter the chapter or character perspective, it really added to the story in my opinion and was much better told this way rather than in chronological order. This was a great book I'd highly recommend to anyone who likes to read, especially those who like historical fiction.

I liked the concept that these three women believed that the power of books would overcome the dark days of war. Althea James, an American writer, is invited by Goebbels to participate in a culture exchange program in Germany. She finds herself in Berlin in 1932. She soon finds herself drawn into a group of resisters. Althea was realistically portrayed as she was, at first, swept up in the excitement of a new Chancellor and was blind to what the Nazis were doing. Paris 1936 finds Hannah Brecht, who escaped to France from Germany, filled with guilt over her role in the destruction of her family. She throws herself into her work at the German Library of Burned Books. But she can’t escape the antisemitism she thought she left behind. She finds herself clashing with Althea and tells her “There is no such thing as good Nazi literature.” Hannah too is drawn into the resistance group. The third woman is Viv, in 1943-44 NYC, who stands up to a Senator who wants to curtail the Council of Books in Wartime from using taxpayers’ money from sending the troops books that “lightly veil political propaganda.” Viv sees it as censoring. Viv knows just how important these books are to the troops. This is personal for her as her husband was killed fighting the Nazis.

When these three women come together, secrets are exposed, and lives are changed.

I had never heard of the Council of Books in Wartime. This was an organization that was founded in WWII by booksellers, publishers, librarians, and authors to use books as "weapons in the war of ideas." The Council was responsible for shipping millions of books each month to soldiers serving overseas. Many of what we know as our classics were reprinted as slim Armed Services Editions for the troops.

I don’t think I am spoiling anything if I share this quote: “…learned that books were sacred, even the ones she didn’t agree with or enjoy.”

I received an advance e-galley from William Morrow through NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Three women, Viv, Hannah and Althea, three different timelines. Viv is trying to save the program that sends books to the soldiers overseas during WWII that President Taft just ended. Based on the Council of Books in Wartime.

An interesting story full of twists, turns, fun characters and overall a book I would consider reading time and time again.

This is my first book by Brianna Labuskes but it won't be the last!

What I loved:
1. The quote: “An attack on books, on rationality, on knowledge isn’t a tempest in a teacup, but rather a canary singing loud and clear in a coal mine.”
2. Learning about the Armed Services Editions - really interesting.
3. The journey of the three women.

What I wished was different:
1. That the three timelines were chronological....I had to keep flipping back to see where I was in time and how it connected together. All comes together in the end but interrupted the flow for me.


Publishes on February 21!

Huge thanks to Net Galley and William Morrow for this ARC!

“an attack on books, on rationality, on knowledge isn’t a tempest in a teacup, but rather a canary singing loud and clear in a coal mine.” So much of this book set in WWII resonates with life today. Banning books to try to ban a culture or identity. I loved this book! Historical fiction but a bit different than the ways I’ve heard of WWII before. The author delves into the beginnings of Hitler’s rise to power, his brainwashing, censorship, and attacks on Jewish people and homosexuals. It was told through 3 narrators and was just written so well. Did I say I love this book? Publishes on February 21! Huge thanks to Net Galley and William Morrow for this ARC!

While so very intrigued by the summary of this story, I didn't find it lived up to the expectation. My biggest problem with this particular story was not the storyline itself but how very confusing it was to switch between narratives/time periods. I've read many books that have done this, but this one I felt lost and I couldn't always tell whose story I was in -- I think this could be helped with more distinct storylines. Ultimately, I didn't ever feel connected to the characters.

Beautiful story offering a glimpse into the different stages of life of 3 women - all eventually becoming connected by their love of books.

1933 - Althea is a small town girl from Maine who finds herself in awe of Berlin. Her naivety allowing her to be immersed into the excitement of the beginning of Nazi Germany - a spell eventually broken.

1936, Paris - Hannah is handing out anti-fascist pamphlets. After witnessing the violence of the Nazi’s in Berlin she is hoping to bring to light the dangers if Nazism through the power of ideas.

1944 - Viv has just learned her husband has died fighting in the war. His last letter reveals how much reading Oliver Twist meant to him. Viv vows to take on Robert Taft who is trying to censor the books available to soldiers overseas.

The dangers of censorship becomes the common thread that links all 3 women together. Their love for the written word and the freedom to share ideas is what eventually propels them into each others lives.

4.5 Stars for me. It was an easy going read. Slow to get into but about a quarter of the way in I was hooked.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for ARC.

"The Librarian of Burned Books" is a heart wrenching story of good and evil. In this story good finally triumphs but not without sacrifice, pain, and suffering. So many layers of intrigue and danger take the reader on a race through World War II and the dangers faced by the book lovers who resisted the Nazi theory that no book was a good book. Anyone who loves books and appreciates their places in our lives will love "The Librarian of Burned Books".

If you are a reader, love books, and/or believe that people have the right to choose what they want to read, you don't want to miss this book.

In my lifetime, there has never been an instance that I can remember of when I couldn't read a book, I wanted to read and the thought of that ever happening is very scary.

The backdrop of this story is told at two different timeframes. One is in Berlin and Paris during the 1930's, when it is decided to burn books considered anti-German or might undermine the Reich. The other timeframe is in New York City in the 1940s. where one of the main characters, Viv, is fighting against the possible restriction of the types of books that can be sent to Americans during WWII. Ironically, two of the other main characters, Hannah and Althea, who observed the book burnings, become major advocates for Viv's attempts to stop the censorship.

As with many books set during this time period, you see the best and the worst in people. People who will sell out their family, friends or even strangers, to be on the side of those they consider to be in power. You will also see those who stand up for what is right even if it isn't the popular opinion, or they have to suffer or sacrifice their own lives.

This book was very thought provoking and made me feel fortunate to live in a world where I can read what I want to read, when I want to read it. The one quote that stood out to me that really sums up the entire book was "how easily atrocities could happen when good people look away." This book reminded me of the importance of always standing up for what is right even when it isn't easy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest reviews. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

A book everyone needs to read in today's world of hate, name calling and censorship of ideas! This story of 3 women who experienced World War II from different backgrounds, countries and perspectives yet end up sharing the same ideals brings into focus what allowed Hitler's rise to power and could happen again if we do not all take a stand for freedom. A must read!

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and when you factor in that this one was about books, I knew I had to read it when I saw it offered as an Advanced Reader Copy.

At first, I found it hard to keep straight which women were involved in the 3 storylines, taking place in 3 different cities at 3 different periods of time. The abrupt transitions left my head spinning, and I almost quit reading about 1/3 of the way through! Then, as we learned more and more and the story came together, I couldn't wait to see how it ended.

Throughout the book, I couldn't help but reflect on the similarities to the censorship and book bans currently happening in the United States. And hoping there are enough people paying attention, so that history doesn't repeat itself.

Thank you to Book Club Girl, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the electronic ARC for review.

4 bookish stars

Another WWII historical fiction read! I always learn something from books like these and I keep finding new ones to read. This one was based on a real organization, the Council of Books in Wartime. “The WWII organization founded by booksellers, publishers, librarians, and authors to use books as "weapons in the war of ideas".

This one has three storylines, each featuring a strong female character. We meet Althea, an American writer, as she travels to Germany as part of an exchange program. She’s in Berlin in 1933 and things are heating up politically. At first, she is sympathetic to her German hosts until she sees the much darker side of their actions.

Then we meet Hannah in Paris a few years later. She’s German, trying to escape the war. However, Paris isn’t far enough away and the darkness creeps into her life there as well. She loves books and works at the German Library of Burned Books.

And finally, there is Vivian in New York in 1944. She recently lost her husband at war and a senator is threatening her program to send books to the men at war in Europe. She mounts a campaign to keep the program going, organizing a big event to get public sentiment on her side. The fight against censorship is unfortunately still an issue today.

The three women’s stories and lives interconnect, they are all trying to make a difference in a world that is in upheaval. I did enjoy this one, but I did struggle a bit to keep the timelines straight, three timelines are a lot to keep organized! It did come together for me in the later parts of the book.

This was a decent book. Not my cup of tea but others may enjoy it. I may have to read it again at a later time to really enjoy it.

The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes

Althea James is thrilled to participate in a culture exchange program in Germany after she is invited by Joseph Goebbels. But that thrill dies once she escapes her handler and gets to see what is really going on in Berlin. There is the nightmarish feeling of being in a pleasant dream only for that dream to become an unbelievable and very real nightmare.

Hannah Brecht has escaped Germany and persecution but finds that Paris is no safe haven. Her work at the German Library of Burned Books is a way to keep living despite having lost everything dear to her back in Germany. But she isn't going to be fading into the background and she once again is in the midst of the turmoil.

Since Vivian Childs' husband was killed in the fighting overseas she has thrown herself into the work of providing Armed Service Editions to millions of soldiers overseas. Thanks to all the letters she gets from the men that the books reach, she knows that she has brought reading to many people who had never considered the power of books in one's life. Now she has to fight a powerful politician who is gutting the program.

Three countries, three timelines, and three women, this story tells of the events that move the women to take the stands they take and how they eventually come together to make lasting change. I enjoyed the story but I do think I would have enjoyed it more if the three timelines were presented in chronological other rather than interspersing the three timelines over and over. I appreciate getting to learn about the Armed Service Editions, something I wasn't aware of before reading this story. I should have paid more attention to the title of this story because I had thought this would be more about books but instead, true to the title, the story is more about the librarian and those who surround her through the years. Overall, 3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars.

Thank you to William Morrow/William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for this ARC.

Early this morning before the rush of my day began, I made time to finish reading my ARC of The Librarian of Burned Books. There seems to be a new trend around books about books set in WWII. I don’t mind a bit! In fact there are two being released on the same day Feb 21! This one focuses on 3 main characters whose lives intertwine first in Berlin, then Paris and finally New York City. These women believe in the power of books and stories to overcome the darkness of war and censorship. It’s certainly a captivating read!

My thanks to William Morrow and Net Galley for the chance to review this arc.

Althea in Berlin 1933, Hannah in Paris 1936, Vivian in NY, 1944. Three different women linked by one common thread, the love of books and censorship in times of war. I enjoyed this because of my own passion for books and seeing that love reflected in these 3 strong women. My only negative comment is the confusion of the jumping back and forth between time lines.

It’s dark and depressing and parts are shocking but the stories are absorbing and must be told so we can learn from these events.

In May of 1932, thousands of books were burned in Berlin. Althena James from a small town in Maine was invited to Germany to write about the positive movements taking place by the Nazi Party. At first she was delighted with the celebrations in the streets and then as she learned more, she became horrified.

In 1944, Senator Robert A. Taft was sponsoring an amendment to censor books purchased by the Government for the soldiers overseas. Vic Childs was involved with the shipments of paperbacks to the troops fighting in the war. However, she needed to stop this censorship of some of America’s prized books.

In 1936, Hannah Brecht was in Paris handing out antifascist pamphlets in shops and organizations. It was her hope to change the way people were thinking.

Initially, my head was spinning with the characters and dates going back and forth. I was just engaged in one part and then it changed into another place and time. It’s like if someone was changing the TV channels back and forth. Yet, it started to come together when more details were disclosed and then the plot moved quickly with a satisfactory ending.

Nothing is said in the Author’s Notes about the current events of banned books in our country. However, the plot itself sends a powerful message to all of us.

My thanks to Brianna Labuskes, William Morrow & Company and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of February 21, 2023.

I’m not a huge fan of historical novels unless they involve libraries or WWII. This checked my boxes. , I enjoyed the three women's stories and how they intertwine. Mystery, love, and bravery abound. Gran your copy today.