Burning books has always been a means for victors to control the cultures they defeat…a massacre–not of people, but of knowledge. Of the wealth of it. The preservation of it. But who decides what literature is good? Who decides what is to be censored, what is to be kept from our children, our impressionable, our easily swayed? The Church? The government?

Even the people could get so caught up in their own ideology that they forgot that the love of wisdom wasn't about being right. Each person deserves the right to decide for themself. If you're going to rail against injustice, then at least know what you what deserves your ire. Not that a few copies of books were burned, but that the people danced around the pyre.

Christian is a German director of the university library in addition to being a professor. He serves on the committee that compiled the list of banned books. At first he tries to argue for so many books, so many authors, but was it better to speak up and be permanently silenced or to work silently,” hidden among his enemies, saving books and saving people, too? Sometimes the very act of bravery that writing represented was the noose one put around one’s own neck…The words they hoped would liberate, educate, and empower could be used as evidence against them.

Corinne is a lover of contraband, raised by a woman who was one of the library’s most dedicated patrons. When this book-loving heroine/spymaster encounters the German bibliotheksschutz (library protector)/secret keeper, sparks fly. She wasn’t just falling in love with the German professor–she was falling in love with his son, and this was bound to end poorly. But my lips are sealed! Because spoiling what came next in a book was surely an unpardonable sin. Jesus had overlooked naming it as such, but that was only because novels hadn't been invented yet.

To Roseanna M. White for such a gorgeous and timely story, Thank you. Two little syllables that couldn’t begin to hold all the gratitude in your readers’ hearts!

The Collector of Burned Books is a Christian historical fiction and romance novel.

This book was set in Paris in 1940 during the first year of the German occupation during WWII. Our main character, Dr. Corinne Bastien is a professor of literature and philosophy at the Sorbonne. She has also befriended a group of German writers exiled from Germany who have established a library. A library filled with books on Germany's banned books list. Corinne meets Christian Bauer, a German sent to Paris to oversee the review and relocation of the books in Paris libraries. She quickly realizes that he is not whom he seems to be and may not agree with the ideals of the Party.

What follows is a story of freedom, love, loss, betrayal, and found family. While stories of WWII are often difficult to read because of the many horrors, I always feel inspired by the stories of those who resisted, those who came together and made a difference in whatever way they could.

The Collector of Burned Books is a reminder of what can be lost when we stop talking, stop allowing free will and free thought, stop having civil discourse and discussion, stop reading, and learning. What can happen when we ban books and only allow books that support one line of thought, one ideal. There were so many beautiful passages in this story. There are so many reminders of the importance of all of these things.

It wasn't as much about the books and the French resistance as I had expected it to be. But that was fine, because it was really such a beautiful story and it absolutely captivated me.

"The written word can build empires of tear them down."

A fascinating story with a compelling message, regardless of one's world-view. I as well as the main characters come from a christian worldview, and appreciated the faith thread woven through this story with it's strong theme espousing the freedom of allowing one to think, to explore different ideas, weighing these with their own worldview. "People don't just need to to be handed something to believe in- they must wrestle with it, against it, and for it before they can truly claim it is their own."

As a longtime fain of Roseanna White's books, I was tickled pink when I heard the title and read the description of this book. This is her first WWII era story. The idea of two professors fighting for the freedom of speech, the freedom of ideas, the freedom of the written word. One a German, one French.

I had no doubt there would be a sweet romance, with a swoony hero. But I was also attracted to the heroine, Corinne, full of a fighting spirit, for freedom of her countrymen, for those she loves. As she struggles to find her role in the fight for freedom, her path diverges into a thoroughly unexpected direction. Her initial encounters with Christian leave her full of contempt for a man who seeks to ban the books and hunt down their authors. But as she discovers the man behind the Nazi uniform, she realizes they are not so different. Their cause becomes united against those who threaten all she holds dear.

A must read for fans of historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Collector of Burned Books is a beautiful read by Roseanna M. White that captures a Book Lovers’ depth for words and the imaginary worlds they create and the ideas they inspire. In order to keep Nazi-occupied Paris influence at bay in 1940s France, everyone has their secrets in order to protect all the things that they hold dear and that make France special. This can be said of Corinne, a woman who is trying to protect France’s books at all cost so that everyone has the freedom to learn and formulate their own ideas about things. Corinne also uses the books to smuggle and receive information to those who need it most. Christian, a German forced to wear the Nazi uniform to protect all that Christian holds dear, has been giving the task of overseeing France’s books–keeping the ones that go with Nazi propaganda and burning all the ones that don’t. Christian, despite his uniform, has the same goal as Corinne and saving all of France’s books. When Christian and Corinne meet, their worlds collide and intertwine in ways they never thought possible, sending them on a rollercoaster ride of danger and intrigue, all in the name of Books and the Freedom of Ideas.

I absolutely love The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White from the very first beautiful page to it’s last! I love how Ms. White captured the essence of the quintessential Book Lover in the characters of Corinne and Christian. I especially love how Ms. White showed how books truly can and do transcend boundaries, as long as you have the Freedom to read them. I love the the layers of The Collector of Burned Books and how the book had many unexpected twist and turns that made the book hard to put down. The Collector of Burned Books was a very unique read for me in the World War Two Fiction genre, due to the subject matters that were brought out in the book. (Read The Collector of Burned Books for all the details!) I love how vividly painted and intertwined the storylines of Corinne and Christian were. I also love how some of the minor characters also crisscrossed Christian and Corinne’s respective storylines, showing the Reader that they were all in it together for the Greater Good despite what their title or uniform led you to believe about them. As a person with a disability, I love that disability was mentioned in the book and that the character of Felix was in the book. I love the stance that The Collector of Burned Books took not only on the importance of books and free thinking, but disability as well. I also love how the views were aligned with Christian values, illustrating the component of Free Will and how we are all Created in His Image. If you are looking for a book that is beautiful, unexpected, and shows how the Power of Words can change a society, I highly recommend The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White!

Have you read The Collector of Burned Books? What did you think of the book?

I would like to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me a copy of The Collector of Burned Books to review, as well as Roseanna M. White and Rachel for letting me review, be a part of The Collector of Burned Books Launch Team, and for providing me the information needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on my blog Leslie’s Library Escape, Amazon, and Goodreads.

“These students had it all wrong—backward. Books didn’t burn. Books ignited. They lit the burning in others. Not with paper and match. With ideas. But then, that was their very argument.”

This was such a gripping and powerful story. It’s definitely one of my favorite reads of 2025.

It takes place during WWIl, but it feels very relevant with today’s society and the banning of books. We may live in a different era, but a lot of the thinking and rationale is still the same.

“Banned. Burned. When a people stopped entertaining opposing ideas, when they condemned the different as evil, then it was a short step from closed-minded to violently oppressive.”

I loved the themes of the importance of books and the expression of thoughts and ideas in them, and the freedom to choose what you want to read. The author does a great job in helping you understand why the Nazis banned certain books and authors, and how they worked on the younger generation to help implement their propaganda.

She also skillfully takes you into 1940 Paris, how easily it fell to the Germans, and what life was like for Parisians during the Nazi occupation.

The Collector of Burned Books is a beautifully written book that is riveting, insightful, and very thought-provoking. It gave me a greater appreciation for the freedom to read what I want to read, and for the brave people that fought against such evil and oppression. I can’t recommend it enough.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanne M. White
5 Stars

This books was breathtaking for me! I loved it so much. I related to the characters and felt the passion Roseanna had with writing this story from the very first chapters. What made this story really shine was the interconnected characters, themes of freedom, faith and honesty.

Roseanne really shares a story with depth and the Catholic faith displayed was beautiful and authentic to the time and characters. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1940, we see a story of resistance, not just with weapons but with words.

We follow Corinne who is a young woman finding refuge and purpose in a secret library filled with banned books. Her love for truth and literature make her a fierce heroine and that really comes to light as we get to know her.

On the other side of the war is Christian Bauer, a German professor trapped working for the Nazi's, forced into a role he never wanted. He has quite the internal struggle and his rebellion is beautifully portrayed as he works from within to preserve what the regime wants to destroy and control.

I loved seeing Christian and Corinne together in this story - they had chemistry, connection - it was great.

My favorite excerpt from this book was towards the end:
"Read novels, because they will put you in someone else's skin. Read poetry, because it will give wings to your soul. Read science, because it will show you what's possible. Read politics, because it will teach you how strongly people care about how their fellow men are treated, wherever they stand on hat the best way is." ....."Read things you hate and things you love an things you never thought you'd understand. And never, never accept the excuse that you're not strong enough to handle it if you read something that offends you. You are. You're strong enough to be offended an then try to understand why. You're strong enough to grant that someone can be different and still be worthy of dignity. And if you aren't? Then read more, until you are."

Overall...I will be thinking about this book for a while. Absolutely amazing. Readers of historical fiction will love this. I love that it felt like a love letter to books also. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers, TLC Book Tours and Roseanna M. White for a complimentary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

That those only fighting against something never won. It was only when you had something to fight for that you stood a chance." - The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanne M White. This line in the novel I feel really fits this story of Corrine doing all that she can to save books and stories of those the Nazi's were intent of completely destroying from history. When the German's come to take over the Burned Book store, Corrine is fearful of what will happen next, although she is bound to still do what she can to protect as many of those banned books as possible. Christian who has come to take possession of the store, has his own hidden story and family secrets and often still cannot believe he has been given this position. A professor and lover of books, he knows the value of these and why the attempt to erase these writers and stories will never work. But when his work gets called into question he has now not only put himself in danger, but those he has come to trust and that includes Corrine. War doesn't usually come with second chances and so they must make some difficult decisions that they hope will hold and keep everyone safe until after the war. This was such a good read! I really didn't know about these banned book stores that were taken over. Thank you to the author and publisher for the complementary novel and to AustenProse tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

In the past eight months, I’ve read at least four World War II books set in France, and while each of them is unique, this book had one of the most unique elements I’ve found in most books set in that era. Through The Hiding Place, we get a little glimpse of some of Germany’s policies, but of the many other books I’ve read at the time, I don’t remember things like their determination to get rid of society’s “undesirables” coming through very often. I found that part of this story fascinating.

Plus, there’s the whole enemies-to-lovers trope in this book. I loved that!

Then, too, there is the bookish side of the story. With both main characters being professors of literature, there are lots of bookish conversations that go on, and even though I haven’t heard of many of the books discussed here, these characters’ love for philosophy and reading came through strongly. Here are two of my favorite quotes from the story:

“When society deliberately cultivated ignorance, they paid the price. Refuse to read anything that might be distasteful, and one soon lacked the ability to understand it.” — Christian

“ ‘No!’ Yes, she shouted it. Because spoiling what came next in a book was surely an unpardonable sin. Jesus had overlooked naming it as such, but that was only because novels hadn’t been invented yet, she was sure. ‘I’m only on chapter two—don’t you dare say a thing.’ ” — Corinne

I love Christian’s deeper thoughts at times (there was an extended passage I highlighted as well, dealing with reading and how books can challenge and change us in positive ways), and Corinne’s comparison of an unpardonable sin to spoilers? 100% spot-on!

If you enjoy historical romance with some grittier, faith-based content (the characters in this story are Catholic, and I appreciated getting that perspective, even if I’m not part of that faith group), I’d highly recommend you check out this book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and got the most delightful shock at one plot twist I did not see coming, even though I’ve been reading White’s books for years!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

“We’ll win, somehow. We’ll win this war. We’ll keep fighting, keep resisting, keep thinking and believing and praying—and someday, you’ll go back there and help rebuild. You just have to survive until someday, Christian.”

This story was absolutely fascinating and beautifully written. I was invested so much in the characters and even stayed up past midnight to finish, the stakes were so high at the end.

Christian has been forced into service in the German military and due to his academic knowledge, he’s tasked to oversee the banning of books in Paris during its occupation even if he doesn’t agree with it. He has more than one secret and I was impressed with his character. I loved that he portrayed how not every German during the war agreed with the agenda before them and how he represented the good.

Corrine is a Parisian who lives next door to the bookstore Christian has chosen as his headquarters and uses the banned books to pass information by those resisting German occupation and influence. Finding an unexpected kindred spirit in one another, they learn to trust and soon Corrine is not only falling for Christian but helping guard his most precious secret. What unfolds is a tale of bravery, heart, and hope.

I also loved how niche this was and that it’s not something I’d come across reading before which as an avid fan of WWII fiction, it’s always neat to learn more I didn’t know before. I was aware of burned and banned books, but I had no idea that the Germans applied that to the libraries in the countries and cities they occupied.

I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this book.

Roseanna M. White’s passion for words shines through in her first, solely 1940s novel. Brilliantly capturing the angst and struggle of 1940 Paris, the theme of this novel was aptly quoted by its author, “…freedom of thought is intrinsically linked to freedom”.

While the storyline speaks to a time when the misuse of supposed superiority and power to bully was used to force the citizens of Paris into submission to the Reich, the battle it unfolds is one of the mind, ideas and challenging opinions, both written and spoken. A timeless debate that should be valued and held dear in every generation, this warning stated in the book is paramount- “…those other thoughts had been rooted out. Banned. Burned. When a people stopped entertaining opposing ideas, when they condemned the different as evil, then it was a short step from closed-minded to violently oppressive.”

Make no mistake. This is also a beautifully written historical romance encompassing the love of books and the love of teaching them, woven within the inevitable strife of being on opposing sides of the war.

Corinne Bastien and Christian Bauer slowly navigate through unspoken secrets, excruciating grief, and, above all, unfaltering faith in God. Trust in each other is difficult to cultivate but once they open up, they realize that at its core, they are both trying to protect the same things.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.

Guys, this book. I don't know if there are words to describe it. It is eye opening, thought provoking, inspiring, challenging, and so much more. And if you think this historical novel has nothing to do with the world today, well I am going to politely tell you that you are wrong. Everything about this book is relevant today.

White opens your eyes to the world of books - the books that people "shouldn't" read. And don't we see that everywhere today? Ban this book and ban that book. People all over social media trying to determine what others should and should not read. Spoiler alert - we shouldn't be doing that! People should read whatever they want to read, even if it goes against our beliefs, our opinions, or whatever. We are in charge of what we read, and should let them be in charge of what they read. And isn't that the entire message of this book? What the certain political party during WWII tried to govern what people could and couldn't read. Honestly, my hope is that this opens our eyes to how big this issue is.

Now on top of this we have a sweet, slow building romance between Christian and Corinne that I just absolutely loved. And we can learn a lesson from them as well - don't judge a person by their looks, their outfit, etc... You have no idea what they truly believe, how they think, or anything of that nature. Corinne just assumed Christian was the enemy, until she got to know him. And shouldn't we do that as well?

The lessons we can learn from this book are extraordinary! And on top of that, the writing is exquisite, the plot is intriguing, the romance is sweet, and there's a few surprises along the way. This book had a different feel than White's other books, and honestly I was ok with that. I thought this was perhaps her best work! I highly recommend to historical fiction fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a treat for all types of readers this book is. The historical romance reader like myself? Oh my, yes. The lover of suspense? Yes! Also that reader looking for DEPTH- a story that causes you to think and ponder questions about philosophy, literature, mercy, injustice, depravity, the power of words… you get the picture. But what White does so well is that she doesn’t alienate any of those readers with the other aspects of the story. The blend she balances intertwines them so well that I found myself sighing over the romance in one breath and joining her on a deep thought the next, all while wondering how our characters will deal with the next twist!

Corinne and Christian are memorable and nuanced. Felix is an absolute delight. It took me a minute (well into the second half where it was super obvious, I’m embarrassed to say) before the lightbulb lit and I placed who Corinne’s uncle is in White’s universe, but once I did I squealed with delight. I think I just wasn’t expecting him, which made it all the sweeter.

I love historical fiction where I learn something. Check. I love stories that keep me on the edge of my seat. Check. I don’t always love to think deeply while reading for pleasure, but this story gently draws you into it, and I truly appreciated all the depth, insight, dialogue, and questions it made me ponder, as it would for any lover of words and books. And the romance was just icing on the cake, subtle enough for the non-romance reader but oh so sweet for those of us that cherish it.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.

The Collector of Burned Books is another winner from White, a master of historical Christian fiction. Set in Paris during WWII, Books shares the intertwined stories of Corinne and Christian, both professors in their respective countries and would-be librarians. But both characters have secrets that could lead to their deaths--and to the deaths of the ones they hold most dear. As Corinne and Christian slowly bond over their love of books, their true philosophies come into the light, and the two unexpectedly find themselves working together to keep their loved ones and a slew of books safe from destruction.

Books is definitely a book about books--the people who write them, the thoughts within them, the effects they have on the world. As an avid reader, I loved the clever ways that Corinne and Christian went about protecting books and using them to undermine the Nazis. I also loved the discussions on the importance of books in society and how their destruction could have significant impacts on a generation and their beliefs. Banning and destroying books is still an issue in today's society, and it's always interesting to read about how the most well-known instance of book banning changed the world, and not for the better.

As far as the characters, Corinne and Christian were fine. A bit bland, but sweet and clever and well-suited for each other. The romance was similarly straightforward, but what really shined were the friendships! I loved the multigenerational friendships and how people of different ages worked together and learned from one another as well as how it was those friendships that were typically the catalysts for the moments of suspense in the story. The plot had a few surprising twists, but the ending was a bit abrupt and didn't hit me emotionally the same way White's books typically do.

Nonetheless, Books is an exciting, beautifully-written story about book, unlikely friendships, and standing up for what's right.

As I’ve come to expect from Roseanna White this book was very well written. I deeply appreciated the character development and the secrets that were discovered along the way. I also noted how skillfully the author wove philosophical discussions into the heart of the story. The novel itself was captivating.

I’d never heard of a library in Paris for books that the German’s were burning during the war and I’m not entirely sure that I understood the logic behind Bauer’s role in relocating books that the party had already decried, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. In war I think there are a lot of things happening that I don’t understand the motive behind, so I was able to dig in to the narrative as it unfolded without wondering about the logic behind what was happening.

While I think the author excels at her series that build on networks of people this was an excellent stand alone novel (and it does nod its head to characters from other series as well, which is always a nice touch).

As a human, this book challenges how you see the world and what things would cause you to take a stand. As a reader, this is an excellent tale about the power of words and why they matter. As a lover of fiction this is a tale to whisk you away to another time and place. As a historical reader this book builds on an aspect of WWII that I’d personally not spent a lot of time considering. All in all, this book has much to offer and I recommend it.

I received a free digital copy of this book to review. In return I am giving you my honest opinion.

I absolutely adored The Collector of Burned Books! It’s one of those epic reads that’ll stay with me long after reading. It’s not only thought provoking & suspenseful, but a beautiful love story dedicated to the power of books, & freedom. It’s also a poignant enemies to more, forbidden romance that completely captured my heart. This must read story is definitely a new favorite from Roseanna M. White.

In 1940 Paris, books have suddenly become dangerous when Germany invades France. Professor Corinne Bastien is intelligent, fearless, witty, & a force to be reckoned with especially when her beloved Library of Burned Books is threatened & the books she’s hidden secrets in could be exposed. When a German professor’s sent to “relocate” the French library, she’s determined to save as many books deemed dangerous as she can. But there’s more to the professor than appears, & she suddenly finds herself having deep, meaningful discussions with him. But, can she trust him?

Though he protested the burning of books in Germany, Professor Christian Bauer’s been forced into uniform & sent to Paris by Goebbels to take care of the subversive books that have become a threat to the fatherland. Forced to walk a careful tightrope to protect those he loves, he does just enough to avoid suspicion while trying to preserve the very books he’s come to destroy. The beautiful woman who questions him at every turn sparks in him an attraction he thought long extinguished. But, can he trust her with his deepest secrets or will his convictions be turned against him?

I loved Corinne & Christian! Their love story was filled with twists & turns. The suspense is constant as they try to hide their growing feelings & activities involving the books from the Germans. Christian is such a kind, thoughtful man. I loved his willingness to do everything he can to protect friends, family, & Corinne.

This book definitely had me on pins & needles with every interaction between Christian & his superiors. He’s constantly under surveillance & must be so careful with every move he makes. I loved the message not only of the importance of the written word, but in listening & trying to understand the opinions of those we might disagree with. There were so many fantastic quotes that I found myself constantly underlining. I also appreciated discussions of imperfections & how unrealistic & inhumane views of perfection leads to death & tyranny.

It’s a brilliantly written story that I highly recommend. I also loved the tie in to the author’s Shadows Over England & Codebreakers series through the amazing character of Georges Piers. I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.

As a longtime fan of Roseanna’s books, I was uber excited when this book was announced. I am a huge fan of WW2 era stories and as awesome as Roseanna’s WW1 books are, I knew this one would not disappoint, and it did not! This is a well written story with the eye to detail that is always present in Roseanna’s stories. From the debate on banning books to fighting against everything the Nazi regime stood for and believed, this book is a powerful read and I can’t recommend it enough!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased my own copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this story! The plot, characters, and setting all hit the right notes for me. I enjoyed the glimpses into what life was like in Paris at this time in history as well as the quick glimpses into the male main character's time spent in Germany in the early days of Hitler's power. I really enjoyed that the plot was not predictable. I never felt like I knew what was coming, but not in a stressful or super-suspenseful way - just more of a real-life, getting to know new people and their story kind of way. I loved how so many secondary characters were richly developed - they are what really made this story for me! Cameos of characters from previous series from this author were an unexpected treat! I appreciated how the author explored the faith journeys of both main characters. Both are Catholic, and while I am not Catholic and in fact strongly disagreed with several things they did and said, I felt it was a historically accurate picture of how Catholic French and German people thought and behaved during WWII, and I'd rather read that than something I agree more with that is less historically accurate.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her launch team. Opinions expressed are my own.

If you could save one book from being burned, which book would you pick?

German expatriate authors gathered in Paris after Nazis started to burn books in Germany. They opened a library that has collected together all of the banned books on the Nazis list. When the Germans enter Paris, Christian Bauer, a former literature professor that has been drafted by the Nazis is sent to close the library of banned books and to relocate France’s other libraries. Once there he meets Corinne Bastien, a professor and patron of the library who has been using it to help to spread these forbidden ideas. What will happen to the library? Will Christian be able to protect the literature that he secretly loves? Will love blossom between the two?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I thought this was an interesting look into an aspect of WWII that I have always found disturbing, the burning of books and limitations put on the spreading of ideas.

• I enjoyed both the characters of Christian and Corinne. I loved their banter and witty conversations about literature.

• Everyone seems confused that Corinne is a professor. They think she looks younger than she is. The Nazis tell her she should be trying to get married and having children. They also say that this type of job should be left to the men. Unfortunately, this rhetoric seems prevalent still to this day.

• This novel expressed the importance of books and ideas. If you feel you need to suppress ideas and books in order to control people, what does that say about your ideology? We’ve seen a rise in book banning over the last few years in the United States and is concerning.

• This book did make me ponder, what would people do if this started to happen? If a politician told you that a book was “bad”, would you throw it away or burn it and go along with the crowd? Would you hide the book? Would you help keep the word alive? I have consistently been against book banning when it has unfortunately cropped up in my life.

• Christian was a complicated character. Further into the story, his motivations are revealed. Why would a man who loves the written word like him go along with the Nazis? He wants to help his friends, but he also has a much deeper and more personal reason.

• The ending of this book was perfect.

• There is a great authors note and discussion questions at the end of the novel. It was so interesting that there really was a library of burned books in Paris.

Overall, The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White was a thought-provoking historical fiction novel with an intriguing story and wonderful characters.

Book Source: Thank-you to @roseannamwhite @tyndalehouse @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White captured my attention with its haunting prologue. The strong opening set the stage for this potent story of truth, tension, literature, and hardship. I marked many quotes and found inspiration in the way that Corinne and Christian drew strength from their faith in God. It was a pleasure to watch their relationship evolve from strangers divided by nationality and war to a strong couple united in honesty and heart.

The Collector of Burned Books isn’t shy about its themes: the power of words, the correlation between banning books and the stripping of freedom, the necessity of reading widely, allowance for other viewpoints, and respect for those we disagree with. Whether stated outright by characters or woven into the plot, these ideas flowed from beginning to end of the story. Given our current social and political climate, these themes made the novel feel timely and important.

While The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White felt like a love letter to books, reading, and literature, it was not an easy read. The horrid realities of Nazi occupation were present: the terrible treatment of anyone considered “less than”, the warped ideology that people swallowed, the deception and lies, the culture of fear and mistrust. The author portrayed these elements realistically and, during heavier parts of the story, I could only read two or three chapters in a day.

The Collector of Burned Books is a book that simultaneously captivates with its characters while pushing readers to think about the connection between literature and freedom. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy WW2 historical fiction. Five stars for this sobering, timely, well-written story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

In 1940 Paris, Corinne Bastien is sad to lose access to the library which held books that were banned and inaccessible elsewhere. Christian Bauer is in Paris, a German conscripted against his will by the Nazis. He also loves books and believes books and ideas are worth fighting for. Somehow these two connect and form an unlikely friendship.

This is a beautifully told historical novel and a celebration of books and reading and literature. The friendship between these characters was compelling and the message about books was so strong and heartfelt. I love historical fiction and especially books set during World War II.

I recommend The Collector of Banned Books for other historical fiction readers. I look forward to future Roseanna M. White reads!