I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION, Thomas Nelson. I am a longtime reader of any books that discuss World War II. I was drawn to this book as it had a unique point of view of a small town librarian who tried to support her town, Saint-Malo during WW2 by giving them books. The unthinkable happens when the Nazi's start to destroy books they deem unworthy (something that is currently happening in Florida by their tyrant of a governor). I adored this book.

THE LIBRARIAN OF SANT-MALO by MARIO ESCOBAR tells the really moving story of courageous people in Saint-Malo during WW11 who stood up against the Nazi invaders and French fascists while lives were being lost, atrocities, especially against the Jews, were taking place, hunger was rife and their town was being blown up around them.
Antoine and Jocelyn were married in Saint-Malo on the first of September 1939, the same day Hitler invaded Poland leading to the second world war. Very quickly their lives are turned upside down, first of all by Jocelyn's illness and then by Antoine's deployment. This couple's poignant love story and love of books and reading is inspirational, and so is the strength and commitment shown by Jocelyn and her friends who resist the enemy placing themselves in great danger.
It is a book about the power of love and also of words as we see Jocelyn's determination to save the irreplaceable books in the library where she works. The author expresses Jocelyn's emotions extremely well as she writes her story to the author, Marcel Zola. Although Jocelyn was brought up in a Huguenot family as a protestant, she is quite confused in her opinion of God and tries to work out His part in the tragedy she is living through.
There is so much in this very well written novel, based on true stories, some real people and the history of WW11 that I found it most inspirational and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I have read many of the author's books. They are incredible. Incredible sounds like such a lame word to use to describe the author's books though, they are just that great and I highly recommend all of them.
World War II historical fiction inspired by true events. Many of the characters are also based on actual people just with the names changed.
There are thousands of WWII books, and this is one of them but no matter how many I read I find deep satisfaction in them because I love history and always learn something new about this subject as each book seems to cover a different angle of the war and it's going on's.
Saint-Malo, France: August 1939: With her husband away at war against the Germans, French wife Jocelyn is meticulously dedicated to her position as a librarian in her town of Saint-Malo. She encourages others to find comfort in the books as their librarian when they're not in shelters as the bombs rain down.
As with all wars there is a madman in charge, Hitler who commands his puppets to do his dirty work. They feel so powerful abusing commoners and kidnapping the Jews. They think nothing of abusing women and children. There really are a lot of heartbreaking scenes in the book, but it's all based on fact and is something we should never forget as we honor those who gave their lives in one way or another during the war or just helping others out around them.
Librarian Joycelyn writes letters of her life to an author of her ordinary life before and after the Nazi occupation so though she may not escape the terror her letters will, and others may know how she fought for all and the importance of her library.
It also broke my heart to read of the brutality she faces many times over by the Nazis as she tries to protect the books banned by the Germans. These books faced being ripped up, bombing and fire.
The author really brings these troubling times to life as we see terror but also so much bravery despite knowing what they would face. Excellent!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.