This book started slow for me but sure picked up and got interesting. You can tell the author did a lot of research. I wanted to keep reading after it was over. There are so many books about the war, but not that many about Poland and this truly opened my eyes. I love how this author always has books in her stories.

3.5 This one took me a really long time to read and I can't pinpoint exactly why. I'm not sure if my attention span was just failing me or if the story itself was hard to follow but I just felt that there were quite a few times that I had to go back and reread to understand how the characters had advanced to that point. I found the research aspect to be very interesting, I've read a lot of WW2 novels but never one that focused so heavily on the lost books/libraries.

This was a great example of why censorship is bad. I enjoyed this book about lesser known part of WWII history. I don't know why Poland is left out of the books. I also enjoyed the fact that it focused more on friendship and less on romance

I was so excited to have gotten this review copy! It had so much potential, I just feel like to me, it was just average.

Admittedly, it took me longer to get to this book than I am proud of. As a mood reader, I have learned that if I attempt to read a book that I'm not in the mood for, I do not give the book and author their due. Having now read this book, I am very happy that I waited until I was in the mindset to truly sink into it.

This is one of the most powerful books I have read. The messages of human resiliency and the power of literature, in the face of sorrow and destruction, are deep and profound. I truly recommend this book, and hope that those who read it sink into it and give it the attention it deserves.

While the beginning was slower and I wasn't gripped, it slowly started to get under my skin. I found myself picking it up while I waited for my coffee to brew, in the grocery check-out line, and reading well past my bedtime. Looking back now, I believe my initial distance from the book was because Zofia's voice is perfectly paced with her age and life experiences, and I was not connecting as deeply with her at her younger age.

Overall, will likely be one of my top books of 2023.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Well, if a book is historical fiction set in WWII … and about books … then you have won me over! I enjoyed reading and learning about the Warsaw librarians who served during the German occupation in Poland. The beginning of the book was a little slow in getting me invested in the story. But once it had my attention, I was interested in following along until the end. This was a very original and different focus for the time period. I continue to be amazed at the lengths individuals went to during Hitler’s reign of terror to help those who were being persecuted. While smuggling books may seem insignificant, it took a lot of bravery and creativity to accomplish this. And the difference it made in the lives of those who were recipients was significant. While I have read much about the French Resistance, I was not as familiar with that of the Polish Resistance. Their dedication and courage are admirable. If you are a fan of WWII historical fiction books, then I strongly encourage you to pick this one up and get lost in the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I'm usually not a huge reader of historical fiction, but this one sparked my attention, and now I know why. Reading WW2 stories as a Jewish woman always hits me a little harder, and as a lover of stories and reading, I obviously fell in love with this story. Living through Zofia's life in Poland and experiencing the horrors of the war thru her eyes gave me an entire new perspective. Thank you for this story.

I think this book may have been written about me in another life. I really connected with Zofia and her struggles. This is a WWII book every book lover should read!

BOOK📖REVIEW

Book: The Keeper of Hidden Books
Author: Madeline Martin
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Print Length: 407 pages
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Warsaw Poland, 1939-1945

As the death count is rising to unbelievable high numbers Zofia must find a way to rescue her friend and save whatever books she can from destruction! She must find hiding places where they will remain invisible places and keep them hidden. They even start a secret book club. She and her best friend never give up their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed Polish ghetto.

But the closer Warsaw gets to freedom, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families. Furthermore, escape may not be possible for everyone. As the destruction, looting, and death surrounds them, can Zofia find a way to save her friend and save her culture and and its people using their largest arsenal - books!

All her life Zofia felt safe with her older brother and her best friend Janina. Plus getting lost in her beautiful books whose powerful page turning stories always swept her away and warmed her heart. Zofia, her friends, and family thought they were safe and beyond their reach from the Nazi occupation in Warsaw, Poland. However they were very much mistaken, as now the missiles were racing down on Warsaw, bombs were exploding, people were losing their homes and their lives! Zoflia's heart was breaking into a million pieces. Plus they were being looted and destroyed by the German regime watching their homeland being totally destroyed! It was every Pole’s most horrific nightmare!

It also shows how this small group of librarians start a book club and save banned books before Hitler bans and destroys them. Plus if Hitler and his spies find out what this group of librarians have done they will all be executed! Zofia is Polish and her best friend Janine is a Polish Jew. Furthermore Zofia’s elder brother has joined the war to fight without even saying (do widzenia) goodbye! This novel shows how Jews are targets and Warsaw is being occupied by the Nazis and being attacked by the Germans. Zofia is a Polish woman who risks everything to save the ones she loves. This is a book readers definitely don't want to miss. It is one of those rare books that readers will absolutely love!

Madeline Martin is one of my most favorite authors. Her research is absolutely brilliant. Definitely is my go to author and so happy for all her literary success. As she deserves it all. One of my favorite books of the year. Really no surprise there! I can't wait for her next The Booklovers Library, her next historical fiction novel as each one is a literary masterpiece!

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy for free from Hanover Square Press. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publishing company for the early read. I didn’t finish prior to release date, but I’m so glad I finished! Zofia and the other underground book smugglers were worth the time investment!

This is a World War II book at the German occupation of Warsaw, Poland. I learned a lot—the polish occupation isn’t an area of WWII history I’ve paid much attention to. This is a story of best friends, one a Jew. Like any WWII story, this will grip your heart. Not just because of the war and death all around, but the family ties that can never be separated and the confessions spoken in moments before loss.

The interesting plot of hiding books was eye opening too, since it’s all based on true people and events. The rebellion of saving the books that Hitler so badly wanted destroyed is something to cheer in.

I think MM helped readers feel like they could relate and empathize with those who lived during this huge black spot in the world’s history. I highly suggest this book to anyone looking for a good historical fiction or with any interest in WWII.

Where do you turn for comfort when the world is falling apart?

In the midst of the Nazi takeover of Warsaw, many people turned to books.

Zofia & her friend Janina were typical teenager best friends when their home was invaded, & though they did their best to stay together eventually Janina was forced into the ghetto because of her Jewish heritage. With everything around them in upheaval, the girls both find ways to fight back against the persecution they face: by hiding & distributing books. Books to keep hope alive, books about wars like the one they’re currently facing, books for children to be transported out of this hell & into a fairytale: books that are banned by Hitler.

This is a moving story about the Polish people & all that they endured during Warsaw’s lengthy occupation - and the many ways that they defied the Germans. Zofia & Janina’s friendship is amazing, & I loved how respectful Zofia was of Janina’s culture. The way that these brave women were able to hide books away & save them from the Nazi’s systematic destruction of their country was inspiring. The author provided details about the war that I’d never heard before, like how people would hastily scribble notes with their addresses on them during a roundup so hopefully someone would deliver the news that they’d been taken instead of leaving their families to wonder what had happened. I also never realized that members of youth groups like the Boy Scouts & Girl Guides used their skills to help with the resistance (they were so young, but they fought for their homeland anyway). Additionally, I loved the mention of Warsaw’s legendary mermaid, Syrenka.

Thank you to NetGalley & Hanover Square Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wowza what a fantastic read! There are parts of this story that are heartbreaking and it’s definitely not a light read but the story is beautifully written and so utterly compelling. What these characters did to save the books and history of Poland and people they loved was so brave and a story worth being told and being read. Great read!

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.