The Keeper of Hidden Books , by Madeline Martin, is WWII historical fiction novel about the brave fight to save books and libraries during the German occupation of Poland. With more and more books being banned from schools and libraries in this country, you can’t help but pause and take note of this intriguing story.

Well researched and beautifully written, this WWII novel presents the story from a unique angle. This is one you will not be able to put down.

An enriching tale of a young woman’s bravery and conviction, and the vital importance of preserving and defending literature and culture against a tyranny bent on destroying them. In today's society everyone should read this book.

For the love of books! Madeline Martin’s latest is an ode to books, friendship and family, all of which provide vital sustenance as the characters struggle to survive in Warsaw, Poland during World War II. The Keeper of Hidden Books has a strong sense of place, transporting the reader to Warsaw and extolling its culture, architecture and history while revealing the horrific atrocities of wartime. Libraries featured serve not only as sources for stories but are precious archives, community meeting places, refuges and shelter. And the primary and many secondary characters are quite well developed, likable and relatable, rendering this tale a rather emotional journey.

Highly recommended to fans of Madeline Martin, Pam Jenoff, Kristin Harmel and Martha Hall Kelly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press / HarperCollins for the complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

I loved this book! Set in Warsaw during World War II, the story tells the struggles that the Jews and non-Jews went through during that time. While heartbreaking at times, Martin manages to tell a story of hope through love and friendship.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were engaged and the story-telling kept my attention. It was a slow start but a third of the way through, I was hooked and followed each characters storyline easily.

Having previously traveled to Warsaw and toured the ghettos, I could picture the events and atrocities the author laid out in her story. Zofia was a strong female lead written with intentional voice and tone.

I would recommend this book for anyone looking to learn more about Poland between WW1 and WW2, leading up to their freedom from the Soviet Union in 1989.

The Keeper of Hidden Books is a somber story that takes place in WWII Nazi-occupied Poland. The lives of Zofie, her family and her friends are completely upended when they are forced to live under Nazi rule.

A young woman at the beginning of the occupation, Zofie did not even get to finish school before they were closed. She goes to work at the Warsaw public library where she witnesses Hitler’s draconian book censorship. Her father is arrested for unknown reasons. And her best friend Janina is forced into a Jewish ghetto. She witnesses terrible cruelty, death, lack of food, and ever increasing tyranny from Poland’s occupiers.

Through it all, Zofie turns to her friends and to books. She works to save as many of the Hitler-banned books as she can and secretly lends books to fellow book lovers. Books are one of the things Zofie and her friends can rely on to unite them and to bring a little light to a grim life.

This book is full of historical detail, including real people, landmarks and pivotal events of WWII. Also included are references to the terrible things that the Nazi’s did to the Jews and to the Poles. Life under occupation is very hard and there is little that brings enjoyment. That made this book difficult to enjoy at times. However, having read this author many times, I knew it would be worth the effort. Madeline Martin’s The Last Bookshop in London and The Librarian Spy are both equally great historical novels that take place during WWII and if you like The Keeper of Hidden Books, I think you will like the other two also.

The book banning aspect of the story is quite relevant. As a librarian, I am very aware of current efforts to censor what people have access to in school and public libraries. History tells us that the good guys do not ban books. I hope this book gets into the hands of some of those people who have not yet learned history’s lesson.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

I love a historical fiction and this one I feel really had everything: yes, of course there were innumerable tragic (traumatic) losses of beloved characters, but much like our protagonist reflects many years after World War II has ended, it is not a thousand deaths that gives her a story to write, it is living a thousand lives. Some of the incredible elements contained in this novel include: the power of people to stand up and resist and do the right thing; true BFFs who are there for each other for keeps; a slow burn, truly sweet love story that leaves us wanting more; sassy old lady librarians; an enigmatic author; complex mother-daughter dynamics; reflections on the innate power of literature to support people through the most traumatic times of their lives; and of course, the pluckiest heroine we could ever want in Zofia. Additionally, I learned a lot about the Nazi occupation of Warsaw and really appreciated the author’s note at the end giving more detail! This was a great, sad, but ultimately beautiful and hopeful read about the strength of good people even in the face of pure evil and the cruelty of war and genocide.

This book packs a punch. It is set in Warsaw, Poland during WWII. It is full of hope, heartbreak, determination, love and everything in between. I loved the characters. They are so complex and full of life. This book reminds us all of the importance of literature in our lives. Two of my favorite quotes from the book are:
"Good books were like amazing sunsets or awe inspiring landscapes, better enjoyed with someone else. "
"There was power in literature. Brilliant and undeniable."
I would highly recommend this book.

I love reading historical fiction, especially when based on real people and events. Madeline Martin has written a wonderful story that has relatable characters and a story that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. It is also apparent that Martin has researched her material well. Thanks #NetGalley

Rated 4.5 ⭐️

"I have died a thousand deaths, but that did not define me. Instead, I lived a thousand lives and it is for that reason that I now have told our story."

Wow.... this book gives you such a strong sense of the power of friendship and Books. This book brought tears to my eyes for an unexpected reason. This reason, the way people feel so strongly about what Books, novels, and stories can do for a person. The way the author has put those feelings into words on these pages completely touched my heart and it was like my thoughts and feelings were written on these pages way more beautifully than I could ever put into words myself.

I have no idea why anyone could put Books on a ban list. There are so many books of so many topics, if it's not for you just pass by it, but let others who would enjoy them read them. It's not for you to judge.

"The dire importance of their Bandit Book Club struck her anew. And why Hitler so feared the books he banned. There was power in literature. Brilliant and undeniable. Books inspired free thought and empathy, an overall understanding and acceptance of everyone."..... Powerful

The friendship between Zofia and Janina is so precious and heart-warming. I loved this. Even with budding romance happening for both of them at some point in the book and all the tragedies and loss, they still focused on their love and respect for each other, and their love of books. Never letting their differences tear them apart. True Soulmates.

Thank you to Netgalley, Madeline Martin and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a free Ebook copy of The Keeper of Hidden Books. This review is 100% my own opinion.

4.5⭐

Meticulously researched and beautifully penned, The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin is a remarkable work of historical fiction. Set in Warsaw, Poland between 1939 and 1945, the story is presented from the first-person –perspective of Zofia Nowak, a young girl, a year away from completing her secondary education in 1939 as she lives through the German occupation of Poland. This a story of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, survival and the power of literature in fostering hope and inspiring courage and selflessness in difficult times.

Zofia’s world revolves around her family, her best friend Janina and her love for books. As WWII rages on, she and her friends start a book club they refer to as the “anti-Hitler” book club (later christened “The Bandit Book Club”) where they read and discuss books that have been banned by the Nazi regime. Zofia and Janina also volunteer at the Warsaw library – a place that becomes a sanctuary for those who lose their home due to the devastation in the aftermath of the bombings and those who find solace in the pages of a book. Zofia’s older brother leaves in the middle of the night to fight in the war, her father is arrested and she and her mother lose their home. Zofia bears witness to the horrors of war – air raids and destruction of their beloved city, persecution of Jews and banning, confiscation and destruction of books not approved by the regime. When Janina and her family along with other Jewish families are moved into a Jewish ghetto and the Nazis begin to take over the libraries and reading rooms around the city, Zofia and her friends take it upon themselves to help as many people as they can, save books from being pulped and develop an underground library system, finding ways for readers to access the books they want.

The narrative continues through WWII as the situation in Poland worsens and Zofia and her friends take on a larger role in the Resistance. With elegant prose, compelling characters and masterful storytelling, the author skillfully combines fact and fiction to give us a heart-wrenching, informative and incredibly moving story. I enjoyed the literary references and emotions these books evoke in the hearts and minds of young readers. The brilliantly penned Author’s Note not only provides the historical context for the story but also gives us a glimpse into the real people, resistance movements and the true events that inspired this novel including Intelligenzaktion and genocide, The Polish Underground State and Home Army, the Warsaw Uprising and the people who risked their lives to save the books they loved.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I knew that this book would be emotional due to the treatment of the Polish people in general and the Jewish population specifically. The friendship between Zofia, Janina and, briefly Maria, really shows how people stuck together to help each other survive. The relationship nation Zofia and her mother was an example of the opposite. It was painful to read. However, their resilience was also wonderful to read about.

But this was an extremely hard book to read because it also seems to reflect the current censorship of books that are being banned across the United States. The descriptions of the books being removed from the libraries and book store to be destroyed was so realistic I felt like I was there. So much knowledge lost forever. We cannot allow that to happen again.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. My review is voluntary and honest. I highly recommend this book. Just keep tissue handy.

This book was such a great mixture of WW2 historical fiction and love of books!
Set in Poland just as Germany takes over, this book follows Zofia and Janina, both who do everything in their power to fight in the resistance. Zofia also works for a library and part of her job is to destroy the books banned by Hitler. Instead of doing this completely, she saves duplicates in a hidden library for safekeeping, so these books won’t be lost forever.
As always during wartime, there is so much loss. But this book leaves you with hope as well.

I loved, loved, loved The Keeper of the Hidden Books by Madeline Martin. It’s the story of two friends, Zofia and Janina, who live in Warsaw, Poland. The Nazi occupation finds them split apart. Zofia is working at the library while Janina’s family is forced to move into the Jewish Ghetto. As the Germans try to crush the Polish people, the girls fight back with books while undergoing suffering in their own families. I appreciate NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Keeper of Hidden Books is an amazing story of truly heroic women during WWII during the fall of, and Nazi occupation of, Warsaw, Poland. This historical novel, based on real people's experiences, introduces us to a number of characters whom we grow to care about as we read their thoughts about what is happening to themselves, their loved ones, their city, and their country. The actions they take to protect and care for each other as well as their communities are inspiring and show enormous amounts of courage during desperate times. Even as a book lover, and former library employee, I never thought about what happened to libraries during World War II. From book banning, book burning, to bombs falling, we see the danger to the core of Polish culture under Hitler's reign and what happened to their libraries. I'm thankful for The Keeper of Hidden Books for opening my eyes to this part of history and to the real heroes who saved books at the risk of losing their own lives. Beyond the emphasis of books and libraries we also get a very realistic picture of everday Poles, their Jewish citizens, and the determined members of the Polish resistance and what they lived though during those years.

Another win from Madeline Martin. The story chronicles Warsaw in World War II and the emergence of an underground library. Zofia and Janina are friends in Warsaw during Hitler's invasion; traditionally, Zofia has always relied on books and Janina when times were hard for her. In the wake of Hitler's troops destroying the city, Zofia decides she needs to save books. She also works to save her friend from Hitler's regime, as well. Throughout all the terrible things happening during Hitler's occupation, the two women continue to remain strong in friendship and in their readerly pursuits.

This book was ripe with tons of research (but then again, this author always does a ton of research for her books), and I appreciated that a lot. A lot of work went into the book, and it is definitely recommended for its interesting storyline and end work product. If you like historical fiction (great details on the Polish culture) that somehow weaves in contemporary issues (book banning), you'll love this and I guarantee be persuaded to pick up more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin is a thrilling novel set during World War II. In Nazi-occupied Warsaw, Zofia discovers that books are in need of saving. After destruction from the war, she strives to save her friend and salvage whatever books she can from the wreckage. They hide them away and start a book club. She and her dearest friend never surrender their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed ghetto.

Martin does a wonderful job creating an inspirational story of bravery and courage during World War II. The Keeper of Hidden Books had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 4 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The Germans invaded Warsaw - something no one thought would happen.

No one was safe, and neither were the books.

Zofia and her family were safe until her father, a physician, was arrested for just being there.

Zofia worked in the library where they were ordered to take all the books off the shelves that the Germans deemed inappropriate.

Zofia wanted to do something to resist and found a group called The Gray Ranks, an underground resistance group of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, that worked with the Polish Underground.

Zofia had previously belonged to the Girl Guides so it was a difficult but easy decision to join.

Besides joining this resistance group, Zofia helped hide books from the new German librarian who had taken over for the librarian who was fired.

She did have to worry about not letting her Jewish friend Janina found out about the group because if she were arrested, it would be bad if she knew about the group.

We follow Zofia and Janina as they and the citizens of Poland live under the German occupation.

Zofia is a character you will love. She saves books and people.

Another marvelously researched gem by Madeleine Martin focusing on the love of books, enduring hardships, friendship, and family.

Be sure to read the author’s notes.

This book was given to be by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

A vivid description of Poland and particularly Warsaw from the time of Nazi occupation during WWII. It is the dedication and lover of books that enabled people to momentarily escape into a beloved book or secretly reading banned books as dictated by the Nazis. Yes, you will need tissues to finish this book and ponder the implications found in this historical fiction. Books that were secretly hidden in forgotten warehouse; personal libraries, whether a huge collection or a well-worn single copy; and books carried in suitcases and distributed in the ghetto. Young people fighting the Nazis if only to create disturbances or actual combat for several months to finish the occupation and restore the flag of Poland. The author, Madeline Martin, truly had her writing style centered on the plight of Poland. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trades Publishing for an ARC; the review is my honest opinion.

All her life, Zofia has found comfort in two things during times of hardship: books and her best friend, Janina. But no one could have imagined the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. As the bombs rain down and Hitler’s forces loot and destroy the city, Zofia finds that now books are also in need of saving. With the death count rising and persecution intensifying, Zofia jumps to action to save her friend and salvage whatever books she can from the wreckage, hiding them away, and even starting a clandestine book club. As the destruction rages around them, Zofia must fight to save her friend and preserve her culture and community using the only weapon they have left - literature.
Another powerful read from the author, the research is amazing, the characters are so well portrayed & the pace is good. It’s moving, it's poignant, it’s emotional & I highly recommend it as once started I found it extremely hard to put down
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read