The Librarian of Burned Books Book Review

A book about books? Say less. After learning about a historical fiction novel following three women whose lives intertwine in the early 1930s to mid-1940s, I knew I wanted to check it out. Once I learned that books themselves were part of the story, I knew I had to read it. The Librarian of Burned Books is the perfect read for historical fiction book lovers looking for an interesting look into WWII. 

Brianna Labuskes is the Washington Post bestselling author of five thrillers. For the first decade of her career, Brianna worked as a journalist for national news organizations covering politics and policy. You can find Brianna online at briannalabuskes.com. 

Berlin 1933. Following the success of her debut novel, American writer Althea James receives an invitation from Joseph Goebbels himself to participate in a culture exchange program in Germany. For a girl from a small town in Maine, 1933 Berlin seems to be sparklingly cosmopolitan, blossoming in the midst of a great change with the charismatic new chancellor at the helm. Then Althea meets a beautiful woman who promises to show her the real Berlin, and soon she's drawn into a group of resisters who make her question everything she knows about her hosts—and herself. Paris 1936. She may have escaped Berlin for Paris, but Hannah Brecht discovers the City of Light is no refuge from the anti-Semitism and Nazi sympathizers she thought she left behind. Heartbroken and tormented by the role she played in the betrayal that destroyed her family, Hannah throws herself into her work at the German Library of Burned Books. Through the quiet power of books, she believes she can help counter the tide of fascism she sees rising across Europe and atone for her mistakes. But when a dear friend decides actions will speak louder than words, Hannah must decide what stories she is willing to live—or die—for. New York 1944. Since her husband Edward was killed fighting the Nazis, Vivian Childs has been waging her own war: preventing a powerful senator's attempts to censor the Armed Service Editions, portable paperbacks that are shipped by the millions overseas. Viv knows just how much they mean to the men through the letters she receives—including the last one she got from Edward. She also knows the only way to win this battle is to counter the senator's propaganda with a story of her own—at the heart of which lies the reclusive and mysterious woman tending the American Library of Nazi-Banned Books in Brooklyn. As Viv unknowingly brings her censorship fight crashing into the secrets of the recent past, the fates of these three women will converge, changing all of them forever. 

What initially drew me to this story was the three female protagonists. Each placed separately throughout time, it seemed inevitable that their paths would collide, but what was less certain would be how they'd get there. Labuskes crafts these three women well, as each have their own distinct personalities, backgrounds, and desires. I personally loved Althea's story the most—a character originally blinded by the Nazis' "greatness," Althea has her rose-tinted glasses ripped off and has to learn how to live in this very real world. That's not to say Viv's and Hannah's stories weren't equally as compelling and relatable. All-in-all, these three women drove the story, and I kept flipping the page to figure out how their stories collided.

Of course, the bookish element of the story was also wonderful. Played up mostly in Viv's sections, Althea and Hannah also have their own important lessons about stories and books to share with readers as well. Althea is an author, Hannah is a librarian, and Viv is a champion of literature during the wartime efforts. Each have their own part to play in this war, regarding uplifting spirits, protecting knowledge, and spreading that knowledge. I love how distinct each of these women's roles are regarding books, and also how that crafts and overall universal narrative of the importance of literature. Book lovers will love how Labuskes uses words to champion words and stories—I definitely have some favorite quotes highlighted, and have a feeling they will be shared far and wide. 

I wish this had been a five-star read for me, but I'm quite satisfied with this read overall. I'm on an odd historical fiction bend at the moment (I can't remember if I'd ever read this many historical books in a row), and this one is clearly a winner to me out of all the ones I read. I couldn't help but feeling, though, that the whole time I was reading, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I kept waiting for something truly momentous and twisty to happen—and then, when the twist arrived, I didn't find it nearly as shocking or life-changing as I had thought. If you're looking for a cozier historical fiction read, then this one is definitely it. I just didn't feel like the stakes were as high as they could be. Either way, I'm certain that the book loving communities and historical fiction communities alike will delight in this one. 

You can find Brianna online at briannalabuskes.com. 

*This review can also be found on my Goodreads page*