The Keeper of Hidden Books is the story of Zofia living in Warsaw as it is invaded during WWII as Poland is invaded and the Warsaw Library system is being forced to destroy books.

I could not put this book down, following Zofia's journey as her country is invaded, her friends are under attack and everything is unknown. I love the way that Madeline Martin wove her story with history and from a new perspective. Reading about what was happening in the library system and books being banned. I highly recommend this book.

This is a book that I really wanted to love. It's historical fiction which is one of my favorite genres. It centers heavily on the censorship of books which is important to me and also extremely relevant at this moment. It also features the friendship between two women and I am here for all of the girls supporting girls type books. This should've been deep and emotional for me, but yet I felt a little detached from it. This felt like a narrative I've read before. There are. so many great books about saving books from the Nazis during WW2. If this was my first or second book on this subject, I think this would've made much more of an impact. Still a well-written book about an interesting moment in history.

The Nazis have invaded Poland and the people of Warsaw find that the books they long to read are no longer on the library’s shelves. Zofia and Janina are best friends and they love books. They volunteer at the library and are dismayed that classic novels are being taken away. Some library workers are hiding books to preserve them, but it is a dangerous enterprise.

Janina is Jewish and everything gets complicated when she and her family are sent to the ghetto. Zofia is determined to help, but doing so puts her in jeopardy. In the meantime, the attempts to preserve works of literature continues.

What makes this book so appealing is the shared love of books and the covert efforts to preserve them, despite the chaos and imminent threats. Book banning has always been an attempt to control others and keep information limited. Janina and Zofia are at the heart of the plot and their characters develop as the teens are faced with the life-altering challenges of ghetto existence and the Nazis threat. Yet the commitment to preserve and share banned reading material points to the importance of the freedom to read and the impact reading can have on one’s emotional well-being.

Martin used real events to base her book upon. She explains in her notes the details of the real hidden library and the heroic people who ran the clandestine enterprise as well as those who fought with the Polish Underground. The book is timely and will have tremendous appeal with lovers of history and of reading.
3.5*

While I originally attempted this book as n ebook and stopped, I tried again as an audio and thoroughly enjoyed it. A perspective of WWII in Poland and the fight to keep Hilter from destroying literature he deemed unacceptable. The Main character, Zophia plays an integral role in the underground fight to keep Poles having access to books during the Nazi occupation. While the historical subject matter is always heavy, this was a wonderful perspective of the many heros of that time.

I sadly can not get into this book. I’ve loved another of this author’s books… but this one isn’t hooking me like I wanted it to.

The Keeper of Hidden Books.

First, I love that this is based on a true story; highlighting the power o books to bring us together in even the darkest of times, the beauty of friendship and the heart of a people united.

Warsaw, Poland. The story starts early in WW2. Zofia and her Jewish best friend, Janina, have always found comfort in books and each other. As Hitler and the Nazi's dig deeper and take more from the people, both of those things would be challenged.

The one way that Zofia can find to resist the occupation and the brutality was to save the books Hitler was intent on banning and burning. History. Polish writers. Stories of hope. Biographies. Nothing was beyond the reach of the regime. As a librarian, Zofia was in a prime position to slowly and deliberately hide books away from the regime and still get the into the hands of the polish people. She even starts a clandestine book club.

Persecution and hardship digs deeper into Warsaw. First the jews are marked, then they are mocked and, eventually, they are placed in the ghetto and put on trains for "relocation." Zofia continues to find ways to help the Jews, her heart always looking ways to resist and to help her dear friend. Over the years of the war, this takes on various forms until, as liberation draws close, a full scale rebellion breaks out in the city. Zofia and her community fight, literally, to save each other and their culture - including literature - using every means possible.

This was both a tough read and a beautiful read. It took me a long time but I think part of that was because it was so heavy in its content. It covered the span of almost the entire WW2 and, at times, it felt almost as long. I think it probably could have been a tad shorter BUT in doing so, I think some of the reality of living under that kind of brutality for as long as the Polish people did might have been lost.

Martin has a way of writing friendships that feel deep and full of heart; Zofia and Janina was no exception. And then the ending. The last pages at the library had me in tears.

If you didn't believe in the importance and power of stories to bring hope and comfort, you will after reading this one.

With Martin's trademark eye for research and detail, readers will be swept into the world of occupied Poland as Zofia works tirelessly not just to save her country's literature but as a freedom fighter determined to take her country back.

Martin's love of literature shines through in every book and the importance of the freedom to read, to preserve culture and history and also be able to see oneself in the pages of a book makes a strong statement about today's censorship climate without being overbearing. Relationships - between families, friends, and even love - form the spine of this compelling story, and you'll find yourself cheering for Zofia and Janina in their victories as well as mourning their losses with them. Recommended!

This book started slow for me but sure picked up and got interesting. You can tell the author did a lot of research. I wanted to keep reading after it was over. There are so many books about the war, but not that many about Poland and this truly opened my eyes. I love how this author always has books in her stories.

3.5 This one took me a really long time to read and I can't pinpoint exactly why. I'm not sure if my attention span was just failing me or if the story itself was hard to follow but I just felt that there were quite a few times that I had to go back and reread to understand how the characters had advanced to that point. I found the research aspect to be very interesting, I've read a lot of WW2 novels but never one that focused so heavily on the lost books/libraries.

This was a great example of why censorship is bad. I enjoyed this book about lesser known part of WWII history. I don't know why Poland is left out of the books. I also enjoyed the fact that it focused more on friendship and less on romance

I was so excited to have gotten this review copy! It had so much potential, I just feel like to me, it was just average.

Admittedly, it took me longer to get to this book than I am proud of. As a mood reader, I have learned that if I attempt to read a book that I'm not in the mood for, I do not give the book and author their due. Having now read this book, I am very happy that I waited until I was in the mindset to truly sink into it.

This is one of the most powerful books I have read. The messages of human resiliency and the power of literature, in the face of sorrow and destruction, are deep and profound. I truly recommend this book, and hope that those who read it sink into it and give it the attention it deserves.

While the beginning was slower and I wasn't gripped, it slowly started to get under my skin. I found myself picking it up while I waited for my coffee to brew, in the grocery check-out line, and reading well past my bedtime. Looking back now, I believe my initial distance from the book was because Zofia's voice is perfectly paced with her age and life experiences, and I was not connecting as deeply with her at her younger age.

Overall, will likely be one of my top books of 2023.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Well, if a book is historical fiction set in WWII … and about books … then you have won me over! I enjoyed reading and learning about the Warsaw librarians who served during the German occupation in Poland. The beginning of the book was a little slow in getting me invested in the story. But once it had my attention, I was interested in following along until the end. This was a very original and different focus for the time period. I continue to be amazed at the lengths individuals went to during Hitler’s reign of terror to help those who were being persecuted. While smuggling books may seem insignificant, it took a lot of bravery and creativity to accomplish this. And the difference it made in the lives of those who were recipients was significant. While I have read much about the French Resistance, I was not as familiar with that of the Polish Resistance. Their dedication and courage are admirable. If you are a fan of WWII historical fiction books, then I strongly encourage you to pick this one up and get lost in the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I'm usually not a huge reader of historical fiction, but this one sparked my attention, and now I know why. Reading WW2 stories as a Jewish woman always hits me a little harder, and as a lover of stories and reading, I obviously fell in love with this story. Living through Zofia's life in Poland and experiencing the horrors of the war thru her eyes gave me an entire new perspective. Thank you for this story.

I think this book may have been written about me in another life. I really connected with Zofia and her struggles. This is a WWII book every book lover should read!

BOOK📖REVIEW

Book: The Keeper of Hidden Books
Author: Madeline Martin
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Print Length: 407 pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Warsaw Poland, 1939-1945

As the death count is rising to unbelievable high numbers Zofia must find a way to rescue her friend and save whatever books she can from destruction! She must find hiding places where they will remain invisible places and keep them hidden. They even start a secret book club. She and her best friend never give up their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed Polish ghetto.

But the closer Warsaw gets to freedom, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families. Furthermore, escape may not be possible for everyone. As the destruction, looting, and death surrounds them, can Zofia find a way to save her friend and save her culture and and its people using their largest arsenal - books!

All her life Zofia felt safe with her older brother and her best friend Janina. Plus getting lost in her beautiful books whose powerful page turning stories always swept her away and warmed her heart. Zofia, her friends, and family thought they were safe and beyond their reach from the Nazi occupation in Warsaw, Poland. However they were very much mistaken, as now the missiles were racing down on Warsaw, bombs were exploding, people were losing their homes and their lives! Zoflia's heart was breaking into a million pieces. Plus they were being looted and destroyed by the German regime watching their homeland being totally destroyed! It was every Pole’s most horrific nightmare!

It also shows how this small group of librarians start a book club and save banned books before Hitler bans and destroys them. Plus if Hitler and his spies find out what this group of librarians have done they will all be executed! Zofia is Polish and her best friend Janine is a Polish Jew. Furthermore Zofia’s elder brother has joined the war to fight without even saying (do widzenia) goodbye! This novel shows how Jews are targets and Warsaw is being occupied by the Nazis and being attacked by the Germans. Zofia is a Polish woman who risks everything to save the ones she loves. This is a book readers definitely don't want to miss. It is one of those rare books that readers will absolutely love!

Madeline Martin is one of my most favorite authors. Her research is absolutely brilliant. Definitely is my go to author and so happy for all her literary success. As she deserves it all. One of my favorite books of the year. Really no surprise there! I can't wait for her next The Booklovers Library, her next historical fiction novel as each one is a literary masterpiece!

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy for free from Hanover Square Press. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publishing company for the early read. I didn’t finish prior to release date, but I’m so glad I finished! Zofia and the other underground book smugglers were worth the time investment!

This is a World War II book at the German occupation of Warsaw, Poland. I learned a lot—the polish occupation isn’t an area of WWII history I’ve paid much attention to. This is a story of best friends, one a Jew. Like any WWII story, this will grip your heart. Not just because of the war and death all around, but the family ties that can never be separated and the confessions spoken in moments before loss.

The interesting plot of hiding books was eye opening too, since it’s all based on true people and events. The rebellion of saving the books that Hitler so badly wanted destroyed is something to cheer in.

I think MM helped readers feel like they could relate and empathize with those who lived during this huge black spot in the world’s history. I highly suggest this book to anyone looking for a good historical fiction or with any interest in WWII.

Where do you turn for comfort when the world is falling apart?

In the midst of the Nazi takeover of Warsaw, many people turned to books.

Zofia & her friend Janina were typical teenager best friends when their home was invaded, & though they did their best to stay together eventually Janina was forced into the ghetto because of her Jewish heritage. With everything around them in upheaval, the girls both find ways to fight back against the persecution they face: by hiding & distributing books. Books to keep hope alive, books about wars like the one they’re currently facing, books for children to be transported out of this hell & into a fairytale: books that are banned by Hitler.

This is a moving story about the Polish people & all that they endured during Warsaw’s lengthy occupation - and the many ways that they defied the Germans. Zofia & Janina’s friendship is amazing, & I loved how respectful Zofia was of Janina’s culture. The way that these brave women were able to hide books away & save them from the Nazi’s systematic destruction of their country was inspiring. The author provided details about the war that I’d never heard before, like how people would hastily scribble notes with their addresses on them during a roundup so hopefully someone would deliver the news that they’d been taken instead of leaving their families to wonder what had happened. I also never realized that members of youth groups like the Boy Scouts & Girl Guides used their skills to help with the resistance (they were so young, but they fought for their homeland anyway). Additionally, I loved the mention of Warsaw’s legendary mermaid, Syrenka.

Thank you to NetGalley & Hanover Square Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wowza what a fantastic read! There are parts of this story that are heartbreaking and it’s definitely not a light read but the story is beautifully written and so utterly compelling. What these characters did to save the books and history of Poland and people they loved was so brave and a story worth being told and being read. Great read!