If you love books you will absolutely love this story. Warsaw, Poland was taken over in WWII and many books were destroyed or taken out of circulation because of new rules. A brave group fought to protect the books and keep people, especially children, reading. The author includes a note at the end of the book explaining what is fact and what is fiction. I loved this as I’ve not heard about this part of WWII. I’m so glad this story is being told and that books can help so many people.

This was a heavy read for me. I usually enjoy a WW II historical fiction (especially when books are involved) but this one was hard for me to get through. I enjoyed the MCs and the history but the storyline was too violent for my taste. I wasn’t really expecting that after reading Martin’s The Last Bookshop.

Initially, I thought - not another WWII book! But by the 25% mark, I was hooked. This historical novel showed how books bonded people together and was truly a tribute to the power of books, and the strength of friendship.
The main characters were Zophia (a physician's daughter) and Janina (a Jewish girl and her best friend). The book showed how they treasured books, and how they saved each other during the war, as well as saving their families, their friends and of course, books. I liked the way they worked with other library employees to remove all the banned books from the shelves, and then his them and started a small library where people could check them out.
This author described the realities of war and the grittiness of daily life for the residents of Warsaw. She also wrote graphically about the destruction of "The Paris of Eastern Europe" and the injustices that the Nazis imposed on all the Poles, and especially the Jewish population.
The characters were fully fleshed out and the reader became privy to their thoughts, feelings, and fears, and felt their resilience and struggle through their daily lives.
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. the opinions expressed are my own. I highly recommend this book.

the way books bonded an entire community of people during a difficult period in history was just heartwarming. As someone who has always been a book lover, I completely resonated with the characters in the story and their love of books, and the lengths they would go to save them from being destroyed. In the end, it was about so much more than just saving books, it was about saving each other and saving themselves. The books held the community together while they fought for their country. When everything around them was destroyed, their relationships with each and books was unaltered. I loved the message of this story. I learned so much about Polish history as well and found myself constantly googling things to learn more about what Poland endured. Truly a living book that makes you ask yourself what would you have done if it was your books, your family and friends, your country.

5 🌟s

The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin is a gloriously written fictional, yet well researched, historical account of Warsaw during the Nazi invasion of WWII.

There were so many characters, but each one of them was necessary to build the story regardless of the size of their role. Each character unveiled a unique perspective to such a tragic time in our world’s history. The friendship between Zofia and Janina weaves a story that is beautifully sorrowful, yet simultaneously hopeful. Both Zofia’s and Janina’s character development were moving reminders of how those faced with devastation and injustice stood for those they loved and chose bravery instead of compliance. They are a celebration of the hidden heroes of that time.

This is a story filled with rich characters, poignant reminders, and has left me reflecting the horrifying truths in which this story is based. What a lovely read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher . Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

How far would you go to save a book? Martin's characters will risk everything to preserve not only their Polish history, but to save what they can of Hitler's banned books. Secreting books to hidden locations, away from the Nazi's watchful eyes, Poland suffers greatly during the war from both the east and the west. However, the secret books provide the hope and reprieve from the devastation that is desperately needed in war-torn Warsaw. Bringing together friends across all walks of life, Martin describes the desperation felt by those in the midst of the war to save what they can of the written word.

The Keeper of Hidden Books is a heart wrenching, heartwarming, and emotional story set in Poland during World War 2. Martin did an incredible job of transporting the reader to the realities of what living daily life is like during war which made this book even more brutal to read. It is based on a true story of what actually was happening in Warsaw and how incredibly brave the people who risked their lives for books were.

Zofia, our main character, gets a job at the library during the start of the war along with her Jewish best friend, Janina. We follow these characters through the many years of war and the devastating things that happen to them. This book showcases the tension of a war torn city with a fenced and policed ghetto that the Jewish people are forced into. My heart broke over and over again at all the injustice the characters faced but I was also inspired by the tenacity of the human spirit. So many people of all ages kept fighting in whatever small ways they could and it was beautiful to read about.

I also couldn’t help comparing how purity culture in America is pushing (and sadly succeeding in some places) the banning of books that “they” deem undesirable to the list of books that was constantly being handed down by Hitler of books that needed to be destroyed. Zofia and her friends sacrificed so much to preserve the books because it is so important that we have these works. Whether it be for cultural reasons, societal critiques, showcasing humanity or simply for the pleasure of reading them. Books are incredibly important to society and humanness. Which Martin brilliantly showed over and over again in this story.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. There are so many elements incorporated in this story that I truly think everyone will find something they connect with. Martin brought me to tears over and over again with her hauntingly beautiful story. The Keeper of Hidden Books is a worthy story in its own right but then when you realize it is based in a devastating reality it turns into a magnificent homage to so many brave and wonderful souls who did the best they could in a situation they didn’t deserve to be in.

Triumphant story of a young girl determined to help save not only books, but her friends and town during the ravages of war. Zofia is easy to root for as she experiences the atrocities that are forced upon her family and friends. The joy they find in keeping hidden books that were destined for destruction shines through as well as the heartbreak of losing everything, but willing to do all possible to keep going.. At times not an easy book to read, but well worth the time.

I love that this novel was based on the efforts of the Warsaw librarians during WW2. Martin meticulously researched for this novel and the details are rich.

Hitler was known for many horrible things, and I was aware of his reign stealing art, but I knew little about him getting rid of literature or books in Warsaw. Books should be preserved and I strongly feel we should not ban books. This is such a hot topic right now!

When a group form a book club their purpose is to read the banned books that Hitler did not want. I loved this novel so much as an educator as well as an avid reader. Sad to hear that over 15 million books were stolen or burned in Poland, but happy to know there were people trying to preserve them.

Martin always does her research and therefore her author notes are a MUST READ!

The Keeper of Hidden books is my first read by Madeline Martin. It was a little bit of a slower start. I was unsure if I was going to like it, but it then drew me in. This was a great read!

This was an amazing historical story. It was true to the time it was set in and was a great read. This would be one I would recommend and read again!

The Keeper of Hidden Books is fascinating, heartbreaking and one that you won't soon forget. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this author writes it perfectly.

Warsaw’s underground librarians during the Nazi occupation is a harrowing time as both younger and older people worked diligently to save banned books. I was on edge as they figured out a way to protect history under the noses of those trying equally hard to confiscate and destroy the reading material.
There is a strong unbreakable bond between Zofia and Janina, my heart broke for both girls as they face lifechanging circumstances and danger. I was so distraught when Janina, her family and countless others were forced into the newly formed ghetto. The cruelty was the point to punish the Jewish population as they were placed away from the rest of the population.

On a somewhat brighter note, the clandestine book club was delightful albeit dangerous. This novel is truly an emotional and memorable one. Please get a copy as soon as possible.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. Opinions are my own.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. With so many places currently banning books, this was very timely. Loved that it mentioned titles and added a few to my reading list.

I have to admit, I broke my personal ban on WWII books to read this one. And I might not regret it. Of course it was the books that drew me in, and they always do.

In Warsaw, Poland, the Germans surely can never take such an amazing and powerful city, until they do. As the Germans start dictating what books are allowed to be available for lending, the librarians and library employees bravely start hiding the banned books and declaring them lost before the Germans 'relocate' them, which of course actually means burning them. Even before the occupation, Zofia and her friends have been purposely reading books banned by Hitler, and they try to keep their secret book club going without being noticed by the enemy troops, who are now running their library.

I loved the friendship between the original book club members, and those they add when their common interest is keeping the library materials so they can thrive again once the Germans are gone. Of course Zofia and her best friend Janina will always be best friends, but Zofia knows that she has no concept of the injustices Janina experiences as being relocated and then forced to stay in the Jewish ghetto with her parents.

This book earned 4 out of 5 stars from me. I loved the different efforts by the close friend group and library employees to keep offering the escape that is reading for the citizens of Poland and even in the Jewish ghetto. The story wasn't just about Zofia and her work with the library, but the secret library branch that stayed open only to those who knew its secret, and Janina trying to share books in the ghetto. I'd recommend this book to not only those who enjoy WWII stories (who must be a lot of people, as it's a very popular genre), but also to those who appreciate the power of books.

Inspired by an actual hidden library in Warsaw, Poland during WWII, Madeline Martin writes a beautiful book about 2 friends who are dedicated to saving their community, friends, family and books. Books help keep people going through the dark days on war and so the girls hide books from the Nazis in order to save them. This is a book about courage in dark times and the importance of books in our culture.

The Keeper of Hidden Books - Madeline Martin
Zofia and her best friend Janina take comfort in books, their bookclub, and take great pride in their jobs at the library.
As the Nazi's occupy Warsaw, their world is turned upside down.
Janina and her family are forced into the ghetto, and Zofia finds herself wanting to do her part. As the Nazi's take over every aspect of their life, and Hitler's list of banned books come out, Zofia and her co-workers are desperate to find a way to save the books and Zofia becomes an integral part of that. She saves whatever she can, hiding them away, and lending them to those in need.
As her country fights for their freedom, Zofia joins the fight to help save her friends, her family, and her beloved books.
I'm a sucker for a good historical fiction that is based during World War II. This one resonated with me because of Zofia's determination to preserve what history she could through saving the books, and the need to protect her friends and family. She was a character that showed resilience and strength and I genuinely enjoyed her journey. If you're on the hunt for a book that will open your eyes to some history, while giving you a story that will tug at your heart strings, The Keeper of Hidden Books is it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5! This one came out August 1st. Make sure you grab your copy!
Thank you Netgalley for the amazing ARC!

4.25 stars

"There was a power in literature. Brilliant and undeniable. Books inspired free thought and empathy, an overall understanding and acceptance of everyone. In the pages of books that were burned and banned and ripped apart for pulping, Zofia had found herself. These were the parts of her that were human and strong and loving, parts that understood the lives she had never led."

Madeline Martin's "The Keeper of Hidden Books" tells the story of Warsaw's librarians during the German occupation of Poland in WWII. While not actually following the lives of real people, the characters were based off of real historical figures and their efforts in the fight for Poland's freedom.

Our main girl, Zofia, (beautiful name, by the way) was 17-year-old Polish girl when the Nazis invaded in 1938. Her and her best friend, Janina, both began working at Warsaw's libraries after an incident at school involving Janina being Jewish and all. I really appreciated the deeper meaning that Martin wove throughout every aspect of this story, and the value of education was one of them. Without school, Zofia began to attend a secret, underground school which began her journey in the book-smuggling business.

Along with the other members of Zofia and Janina's "Anti-Hitler Book Club" (renamed Bandit Book Club for obvious reasons), Zofia began smuggling banned books out of Warsaw's libraries to save them from destruction. Each day, more and more books were banned and thrown into the fire to prevent the spread of the ideas found inside, sparking this underground movement. The people of Warsaw found comfort and meaning in books and they were a powerful force in the spread of ideas. Once Janina was sent off to the ghetto with her family, Zofia began to take greater action by joining Poland's Gray Ranks and smuggling Jews out of the ghettos into safe houses and later fighting in the underground army for Poland's independence.

This book was so fascinating to me because there were so many modern-world parallels and I think that a lot of people can resonate with Zofia because of the value she finds in literature. In a world of so much WWII fiction (which I love), this was a really original and necessary story told with such beautiful and emotional writing.

The only thing that was a bit off for me was the pacing. Sometimes, there would be abrupt and extreme time jumps (the highest being 16 months) which I thought could have been smoothed out some. I understand why there needed to be these big jumps in order to incorporate the main points of the story, but they were a little harsh at times. I also thought that the beginning was a little slow but I was gripped by the 30% mark.

The Keeper of Hidden Books was such a good read and I would absolutely recommend to anyone who is a fan of WWII fiction. Especially in the context of our world today, Madeline Martin's message is necesary and urgent. 4.25 stars.

I love historical fiction and I love books (obviously!) so I knew I had to read this book. I also really enjoy reading stories about people that were heroes in different ways during the war. Martin wrote a beautiful story about resilience and strength in a time that should have crumbled most.

The story follows Zofia as she literally grows up as the war is kicking off, almost forced into being an adult. She becomes this fierce protector of books and all things good. I love Zofia's personality in this. I cannot necessarily relate because I've never even come close to being in a situation like her, but I can relate to her fierceness and her ability to just set aside her feelings and do a job that needs done no matter how scared she is. She takes life by the horns and just does what needs done. I find her personality refreshing and this story to be so hopeful as you watch her do the things she does and just survive.

Martin has written a beautiful story that shows us the side of the war we don't usually see much of. I love reading about unsung heroes and the little things that people did that made a huge difference. That is such a strong message for that time. I will definitely be checking out more from Martin in the future.

I absolutely loved this story!! I love stories of strong women seeing injustices in the world and doing something about it!!

Wow - just an incredible story about the power of books during WWII. The characters in this story were inspiring in the way they resisted the Nazis. One person can make a difference as long as they are brave, strong and persistent.

The characters in this story loved and treasured books. During WWII in Poland people were just trying to stay alive and avoid the Nazis.. Yet these wonderful characters worked hard and risked their lives hiding and caring for books. Then to top it off, they shared books with people that were desperate to escape into a great book when times were so hard. What heroes!!!

I really enjoyed the history of Poland and the details about Warsaw. I did not realize that the Germans did not like Polish people in general. I learned so much about the Warsaw ghetto that I did not know. It is heartbreaking to think about all of the hardships of the Polish people. Hitler destroyed books, art, historical artifacts but not these brave and strong people.