I was a bit shocked by how much I enjoyed The Lost Book of Boon. I ended up reading it in something like four or five train commutes. It just flew by. The narrative takes place in three times--before World War II, during, and after. It pulls in subjects like Kristallnacht, the Rosenstrasse protest (a much under-discussed piece of history), and the Monuments Men. I found the multiple timelines so much more effective and compelling than I usually do--largely because they were all written with equal care and, happily, there was no present-day timeline with a lost letter or a trunk in the attic (thank god). This is a great read and I highly recommend it to all historical fiction lovers.

In 1946, Emmy Clarke arrives in a postwar Germany to search through the massive collection of books stolen by the Nazis. In her first day, she discovers a slim volume of poetry and a handwritten dedication on the title page, “To Annelise, my brave Edelweiss Pirate." After reading that, Emmy knows she’ll do whatever she can to find out what happened to the book’s owners and—hopefully—return it to them.

Emmy’s search for the book’s owner leads Emmy to two sisters, a betrayal, and a fierce protest in Berlin against Nazi acts during the height of the war. As Emmy faces the ghosts of her past, she wonders if she’s just chasing after more ghosts with this project. Instead, she finds love and forgiveness—during the war and after.

Brianna Labuskes’ latest historical novel takes an interesting approach to the themes of romantic love, sisterly love, the terrible things that happen during war, and ultimately forgiveness.

Despite Emmy being the driving force behind the whole story, I found myself the least interested in her chapters. She came across terribly bland and frankly I never forgave her for whining that the U.S. Army didn’t issue trousers to women because by 1946, they had several styles of trousers that could be—and were—issued to women. However, because of her circumstances, she would be wearing a version of her dress uniform which included a skirt. This is yet another example of pushing 21st century assumptions and opinions on characters set in the past and frankly I’m exhausted by it.

The sisters Anneliese and Christina Fischer, whom we learn about in flashbacks, were considerably more compelling. They both had their virtues (thought it took a bit for us to discover Christina’s) and both had their faults, which significantly affected their lives. Their chapters were the most interesting, and Christina’s were truly the best since the reader got to witness her trying so hard to be good and brave during the war, and fighting her natural instincts to turn tail and run.

There was a great deal of fascinating history tidbits scattered through the book. I verified some—I work in the history field and cover WWII as a part of my job and am often suspicious of how authors and directors adjust history to suit their stories—and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actual sayings or events. It added an air of authenticity to the historical fiction and I appreciated all the research Labuskes put in.

“The Lost Book of Bonn” was a bittersweet story set in Germany before, during, and after World War II. It shared the perspectives of three women who had very different experiences in the country during different time periods. Each woman overcame adversity and dealt with personal flaws, and their lives eventually managed to intersect. It doesn’t have a happy ending, for no story about World War II Germany could be truly happy, but it is a satisfying ending.

The plot centers around three women: Annalise, her sister Christine, and Emmy. Emmy, an American assigned to the discovery, documentation, and return of books confiscated by Nazis from Jewish families, vows to find Annelise and Eitan and return to them a copy of a book of poems by Rilke.
I think what surprised me is how the plot twisted and turned toward the end of the story. Then, the novel deviates from the usual tragic ending to one of happiness for all. I find that refreshing in books about World War II. I also like this story because it offers a glimpse into life in Germany from 1936 to 1946 as seen from the young people inside Hitler’s Youth and a group of resisters. It shows how events change the direction of individuals’ lives as well as how simple acts of bravery, like a women’s protest, can have such an impact. Most novels about World War II usually concentrate on battles or people fleeing to escape imprisonment or death. The fact that this novel takes a different approach makes it worth reading.

What a story! The story unfolds in flashbacks between 1946 and 1938 centered around the monument men and the work done postwar to return books/art to their owners and the beginnings of WW2 in German when the laws were changing and the eradication began.
The focus is on sisters and their story as their navigate Germany changing under Hitler and Emmy who is sent to Germany in 1946 tasked with sorting through the spoils of war. One book sparks Emmy's interest and she makes it her mission to find the owner thus moving the narrative along.
This novel focuses on the Edelweiss Pirates and the often overlooked Rosenstrasse protest, the only protest in Germany against mass deportation of Jews.
This one gives you all the emotions with enough historical events. A must read for historical fiction fans.

I received an advanced readers copy of this through NetGalley, although, the opinions are all my own.

The story opens in a warehouse at the end of WWII, where groups like the monuments men are trying to return artifacts, collections artwork books to the Jewish communities displaced from the recent war. A lone book with and inscription that leads Emmy to retrace it's steps to find out it's backstory. The actual story you're ready is told from 3 overlapping perspectives and different times.

Annelise and Christina are sisters and their stories take place in 36 and 43 and then Emmy's story in 46. It's the 2 sisters and who they are and how they grow as people and the relationship together, and how one Jewish man impacted their lives.

Mostly, I liked it- i was involved all they way until the resolution. And then it felt a little forced for me- how did he know what happened in 45?! So mostly I liked it

Finished this book and was so entranced by the idea of a large warehouse full of plundered book collections!
I've read several books by this author, so I was also looking forward to her usual style of writing.
I will say that I felt the book fell a little short of being compelling - I loved the story of the sisters and their belief battle - it was very believable from someone that has a sister. But I didn't feel the depth of the love story that the lost book was related to. I felt that there were 4 competing storylines, all interesting, but all crammed in and none complete, so I was disappointed - I felt everything was just missing something.

I was also very disappointed that we didn't get more information about Annaliese's death. All we heard about this main character was that she died - did she get captured? Was it a natural death? Did she go to a camp? It was a one sentence, throw away ending on who the poetry book in the title of this novel was ABOUT.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. I look forward to more books by this author.

In the last couple of years I’ve really gotten into reading historical fiction books, so when I came across this beauty I knew it would be good. I find it hard to keep characters straight when it’s being told between characters like this book. That didn’t stop me from reading it. Going into this book I knew the Holocaust was going to be mentioned, as when Emmy goes to Germany when Hitler is just starting to round up all the Jewish people to send them to concentration camps. The details of people in the streets really gets you, but what lengths people went to just to get information really stood out to me so that spies wouldn’t find out what you were up to. The people who rebelled were treated badly and most had to hide their true nature during Hitler’s reign. I myself have always wondered what happened to all the things that the Nazi’s stole and this made me see that the books (as well as other items) should be passed down to the next generation just as this book will to those who love history.

The List Book of Bonn centers on Emmy, an American working with the Monuments Men to return stolen books to their rightful owners after WWII and two German sisters, Christina and Annelise.

Christina follows conventions and joins the Hitler Youth while Annelise becomes a member of the Edelweiss Pirates, a resistance group. Having picked opposing sides, there is tension and trouble between the sisters.

The story alternates between the three women’s perspectives and corresponding timelines. This could prove challenging or confusing for some readers, but it didn’t bother me.

I love learning about lesser known historical events and groups and Brianna Labuskes has done a wonderful job with that in this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins Publishing for providing an early copy of The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes

Pre-war 1938, war year 1943, and post-war year 1946 are the multiple backdrops that unravel the complex and harrowing story of two sisters who appear to be on opposite sides of the growing conflict in Germany. Each sister holds her cards close, and many misunderstandings and wrongful actions are the direct results.

Annelise is the carefree older sister who comes alive in the forestry surrounding Bonn, Germany. Here she will become a part of the "Edelweiss Pirates", a group of young people determined to avoid membership in the Hitler Youth Movement. Annelise will come into contact with a young Jewish man, Eitan, who will change her life and give her a reason to continue her resistance to the Nazi propaganda. A poetry book that Annelise and Eitan share will be the catalyst that another young woman, Emmy, will discover among thousands of confiscated books by the Nazis as she attempts after the war to return the book to their rightful owners.

Christina is the younger sister who conforms to every fragment of the good German female. She joins a group that upholds the Nazi beliefs. But is there something else that Christina keeps hidden?

When a group of protesting women fight to have their Jewish husbands released from prison in Bonn, the two sisters along with many other German women will come to know the risks in defying the ruling regime. Their persistence will force the Nazis to ultimately release the men with the horrifying realization that they may be rounded up once again.

The story unfolds in 1938, 1943 and 1946 as love, betrayal and resignation drive the characters to become what they must in order to survive the war and move on.

Author Brianna Labuskes has written of little-known events of World War II in Germany that will have a lasting impact on the readers of this fascinating historical fiction novel.

An interesting, multi generation connection made through a single book story. I enjoyed learning about the resistance groups within Berlin during WWII. The multiple narrators s worked well and felt mostly authentic.

I am giving 4 stars because I am frustrated that every new historical fiction novel lately has some LGBT characters placed. While this did work with the proposed narrative, I would have appreciated knowing beforehand.

The Lost Book of Bonn is another interesting view of a different aspect of WWII. The story is engaging but could have been much improved without the constant jumping between several timelines and character perspectives. Definitely a great read for WWII romance and aftermath aficionados.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Mortow for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book tells the story of three women during and after WWII. Sisters Christina and Annelise take very different paths during the war. Christina, the youngest, joins the Hitler Youth groups that are expected of the youth at the time. Her sister, Annelise joins the rebellious group the Edelweiss Pirates who work against the Nazis. These differences of course cause problems between the sisters as they lead different paths.
After the war, Emmy from the US Library of Congress is sent to Germany to help the Monument Men return Nazi looted books and material to their rightful owners. She comes across a small book that has an inscription to an Edelweiss Pirate from the man who loved her. Emmy decides that she will personally find the owner of the lost book and learn the story of its owner.
Each chapter is told by the point of view of one of these three women. The character development of each character is very good. This was a real page turner and the material is different than other WWII books I have read. It was interesting to read about the works of the Monument Men and how books were looted and returned to their owners or their country. I highly recommend it to historical fiction readers.

This is the story of 3 different women’s lives during World War II. Through their stories readers get to experience different stages of the War.

Young, adventurous Annelise represents the youthful naïveté - the beginning stages of war. Her experience shows the attitude or many Germans at the time - no matter on what side. She believes in the good of people and naively believes her small acts of resistance can help save a nation.

Christina’s experience is similar to the sentiment of the middle part of the war. The Nazi ideology is crumbling but Germans fear that they are in so deep that things cannot be changed although there are signs of hope and small resistances. While Christina feels disillusioned by the Nazis she is finding ways to effect change.

Emmy Clarke’s experience helps readers feel the heavy effects of the war. Through her we feel the human loss and the endless hope that some victims of war may have found happiness.

I loved this book. It was a quick read for me. I love the way in which Labuskes chose to approach the timeline of each story. The story feels more complete because it is being told from the 3 different perspectives.

Thank you NetGalley & Williams Morrow for the ARC

While looking for my next WWII fix, I was happily granted this ARC to read. I downloaded it and began the page. I did not stop reading until I turned the last page. This was an extraordinary story of courage and love that began with a single inscription found by a librarian as she works alongside the infamous Monuments Men. Intrigued? You should be. I could not put this book down and as the pages flew by I was drawn deeper and deeper into this cleverly layered story. I don't want to give too much away, so all I will say is this: do yourself a favor and buy this book. You won't be able to stop reading until the very end. If I could give it 100 stars I would!

Post WWII is such a fascinating time and I’m always excited when a book explores it. The Lost Book of Bonn toggles between three timelines, 1938 Bonn Germany, 1943 Berlin Germany and 1946 Berlin and explores the power of resistance in the face of fierce opposition and the near unbreakable bonds of human connection in the face of atrocities. While it was historical fiction story elements were based on real groups and events and it was eye opening, particularly when reflecting on the current state of national and world events.

What struck me was the Nazis use of alienation, and creation of otherness to stoke fear and hatred to gain and maintain power. Of course, this has come up in numerous other books but for some reason it really stood out here. It may be that it is centered in this story due the character arc of one of the main protagonist. At the start she is a participant in Hitler’s youth program while her older sister is a budding resistance fighter. Her changing reality and insight provide a view I hadn’t come across before.

I found myself highlighting many passages in this book as they ring as true today as then. The banning of books and the slow erosion of the rights of certain groups feels like we have forgotten the power of and the lasting consequences of them.

Needless to say this was a read I’m glad I picked up. Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow books for my DRC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5 stars
Very compelling historical fiction.
The author paints a vivid picture of what life was like in Germany after Hitler came into power. His “promises” made German citizens hopeful for the future, eager to have their children involved in Hitler Youth activities, and very willing to look the other way when Jews and other “different” people were persecuted. There were some brave youths who preferred to think for themselves, however, and chose to push against the spouted Nazi ideology. Their acts of resistance were small and prank-like, at first. But as the madness spread throughout their beloved country, these young people took bold stands and did their best to create havoc, often performing dangerous acts of defiance, which put them at great risk…
I would have given this a higher rating, but the jumping between different timelines did get confusing. Still, very much worth the read for historical fiction lovers.

This was a good book and helped me learn about parts of the war I didn’t know about . The story was expertly woven and very believable. Overall it was a good book .
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for letting me review this book

Very good! I love the intertwining stories of the 3 women. I feel like I learned about parts of the war I wasn’t aware of: the pirates, the book warehouse, the protest, the preferential treatment of Jewish men married to Aryan women. I loved the mystery of what happened to Annelise and Eitan. I loved that both sisters had love stories. This was well written and very engaging. I would highly recommend!

I’ve enjoyed this author’s previous work. Her historical fiction and mystery novels have been amazing. And I’m happy to say her upcoming title was just as great!
The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes was phenomenal. I really enjoyed this story. I love how the reader is able to really get to know the characters and be drawn into the story. The characters are likable, and their storylines evolve throughout the book.
Labuskes weaves a beautifully written story that will draw readers in and captivate the soul.

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

The Lost Book of Bonn
By Brianna Labuskes
March 19, 2024
William Morrow and Company
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I highly recommend this book to fans of The Rose Code and The Librarian Spy. I love books about books and this one is great!
On Emmy’s first day of work she finds a poetry collection by Rilke, and on the title page is a handwritten dedication. She instantly becomes interested and determined to find what happened?..
5 stars