Heavily fictionalize account of Helene Nathan, a female librarian in 1930's Berlin. While not a happy story, it was interesting to see the progression of events in Germany before and during WWII.

This story is both powerful and poignant, blending history and emotion in a way that lingers long after the final page.

The themes are handled with care and depth, making it not only engaging but meaningful.

The writing is elegant and immersive, drawing you fully into the world and its characters.

A truly impactful read that will stay with you.

An absolutely heart wrenching account of a young librarian’s life during the rise and fall of Hitler in Berlin. It follows Helene Nathan, who is half Jewish, as she marries the love of her life who is a soldier. As the Nazi’s grew stronger, so did their hatred for the Jewish people. No one was safe, including Helene. Her main purpose was to protect the books which came at a price for her and so many others who would do anything to save these important pieces of history. The peril and devastation she and her family endured will haunt me as I continue to think about this amazingly told story.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

Loved this book and also love reading books by this author Mario Escobar thanks netgalley for giving me an early copy of this great book.
Helene was half Jewish in Berlin 1933 she loved her future husband Derek and her books and was determined to stop the Nazis burning all the classics by even putting her life at risk,
They got married Derek was an officer in the German army a d he told Helene to be careful as she was hiding books, but the Germans found out and she was sent to a camp where she found out she was pregnant.
Derek fought very hard to find her which he did after a long time and Helene and her baby came home.
But she could not stop trying to hind her beloved books which put her in an awful lot of danger yet again.

This is an amazing true story of a very brave lady who saved many books
Read it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read Library of Forbidden Books. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This is a beautiful story of how vital and important books are. The courage and heart shown in dark times is a lesson for us, especially in these times. This is a book you do not want to miss.

The Library of Forbidden Books is a quiet but unsettling historical novel that explores the power of literature under oppression. Set in Nazi-occupied Europe, the story follows a young woman whose connection to books—first as a source of comfort, then as a form of resistance—draws her into a hidden world where words themselves are treated as dangerous contraband.
What makes this novel compelling isn’t just its premise, but its restraint. Escobar avoids turning the story into a high-action tale of rebellion. Instead, he focuses on the slow, suffocating atmosphere of censorship and fear. The danger feels constant, not because something dramatic is always happening, but because something could happen at any moment. That tension gives weight to even the smallest acts—sharing a poem, hiding a book, choosing to read when it would be safer not to.
The protagonist is written with a kind of deliberate simplicity. She isn’t a larger-than-life hero, and that’s precisely the point. Her courage builds gradually, almost reluctantly, shaped by the people around her and the ideas she encounters. Escobar uses her journey to show how resistance often begins quietly, with curiosity and empathy rather than defiance.
The novel’s strongest theme is the idea that stories preserve identity. Books in this world are not just objects; they are memory, culture, and freedom all at once. By criminalizing them, the regime attempts to erase individuality itself. That concept is not new in historical fiction, but Escobar handles it with sincerity rather than heavy symbolism, allowing the reader to feel its significance without being overwhelmed by it.
At times, the pacing can feel uneven. Certain sections linger in introspection while others move quickly through moments that might have benefited from more depth. Additionally, some of the emotional beats lean toward the familiar, especially for readers well-versed in World War II narratives. Still, the novel’s focus on literature as resistance gives it a distinct identity within the genre.
Overall, The Library of Forbidden Books is a reflective, accessible story about the quiet bravery required to protect ideas in a world determined to silence them. It’s not the loudest or most complex historical novel, but its message—that words matter, and that preserving them can be an act of defiance—lands with lasting impact.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Although a dark in Germany history Senor Escobar has written a wonderful story of the mission of a few to save literature from the fires of the Nazi's. The characters are relatable and the descriptions tangible. As a novel it shows what many would not like to admit to happening but also serves as a warning to what could be repeated in the future.


Recibí una copia gratuita de este libro. Las opiniones expresadas en esta reseña son completamente mías.
Aunque es una etapa oscura en la historia de Alemania, el señor Escobar ha escrito una historia maravillosa sobre la misión de unos pocos para salvar la literatura de las llamas de los nazis. Los personajes son cercanos y las descripciones tangibles. Como novela, muestra lo que muchos no quisieran admitir que ocurrió, pero también sirve como una advertencia de lo que podría repetirse en el futuro.

This was an ARC through NetGalley all options are my own.
This was a very timely book as it discusses book banning and burning by the Nazi party leading up to WW2. With all the book banning now it resonated with me more than in previous years.
It also showcases how important librarians are to society.
This is a suspenseful story and you do root for the main characters.
The lead character Helene Nathan is loosely based on a historical figure. Her real life was more tragic than this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. A must read for historical fiction fans. This book had me feeling a range of emotions. I enjoyed reading about the way things were leading to Hitler's reign. This is a reread for me. The love between Helene and Derek is so strong against all odds.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. My favorite genre is historical fiction & I have read many books but none like this one with books practically being the main character of the book. Helene was a library director who did not let the fear of Nazi Germany make her stop loving books. She lived a very tragic life as did most people during this time. Helene took many risks involving books. The ending of this book broke me.

This is a story of a librarian living in Berlin during the 30s that sees how the Nazis are banning and burning books and wants to set up a secret library to hide the classics that she knows and loves. Helene is half Jewish and married to a German officer who does not support the Nazis. They suffer heartache along the way, but are determined to build this library. This is a story of love, determination, and a look into how all of the Germans did not believe or support what was happening to their country.

Set in Berlin in 1933, Mario Escobar shines a strong light onto the beginning of the book bans in Germany, before Hitler was even known worldwide. Meet Helene Nathan. She's a librarian at a super famous German library. She's really concerned about the way important works by philosophers and authors are being labelled as "unsuitable" for the German population. She was sad to see books being taken and destroyed, so she decided to join a network of like-minded people. They were on a mission to save these books from destruction and create a "library" of books that had been banned. It's such a shame that Helene is half-Jewish, as that also puts her life in great danger. She's worried that a member of the rising German army will find out about her background while she's dating him. This book is based on several true stories of German librarians standing against the regime and hiding books as a way of preserving culture and history.

Thank you to the incomparable Mario Escobar and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the generous opportunity to read this book free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

#MarioEscobar #Libraryofforbiddenbooks #libraryninja📚

This was my first book by Mario Escobar, but I do have a few of his other books on my tbr pile.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It moves along at a good pace and has very well fleshed out characters, some of who I came to care for very deeply.

I love books and cannot fathom how people could bring themselves to burn them, and then commit such atrocities on other people. What a terrible time that was in history, a time which I hope we never live to see again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Pre WWII in Berlin, the government begins to take away the books from libraries. This is a story of a librarian fighting to keep them. Well researched. Highly recommend.

Library of Forbidden Books is an engaging historical novel set in 1930s Berlin during the rise of Nazi rule. Personally, any book based on Nazi and the regime is a must-read one. I have read other books by the author and could not wait to read this.

The story follows Helene Nathan, a librarian who bravely works to save books that are being banned and destroyed. I enjoyed learning about this little-known part of history and admired Helene's courage in standing up for what she believed in. The story is easy to follow, emotional, and filled with moments of tension as danger closes in around her. Yes, this is a touching story about the importance of books, knowledge, and the people who fight to protect them. Destroying the books reminded me Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Many thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. Over the years, I’ve read numerous World War II stories and how many sought to protect books from the Nazis. This book describes the human element and the efforts librarians took to ensure the perpetuity of the written page. The ending wasn’t tied up the way I’d hoped, but this is often how it goes with stories about this dark time period. I was somewhat surprised to learn more about the main character as described in the author’s notes, but I’ll leave that part to the reader. I think this book will be well received by the reading audience.

In 1933 Berlin, Germany is darkening under the shadow of the Nazi regime. For Helene Nathan, one of the first female librarians at a prestigious German library, the books she cherishes are no longer just sources of knowledge--they are targets. As the government begins its systematic purge of literature, compiling lists of "forbidden" works and orchestrating public book burnings, Helene realizes she cannot stand by as her world turns to ash. Determined to resist the encroaching tyranny, Helene and her colleagues embark to secretly collect and hide the very books slated for destruction. It's a dangerous act of defiance in a city where every neighbor could be an informant and the Gestapo are a constant, looming threat. Her quiet rebellion is especially complicated by the fact that Helene is half-Jewish, and Rudolf Kummer, a ruthless Nazi official, seemingly has a personal vendetta against her. Her fight is not just for the pages she saves, but for the very soul of her country and the freedom to think.

I discovered Mario Escobar several years ago, and I have tried to read everything he writes in his though provoking style. Based on the heroic true stories of librarians who fought back, This is a gripping tale of courage, the power of literature as resistance, and one woman's struggle to preserve humanity in the face of absolute evil. The author's descriptions are so vivid that I can picture myself in Helene's world, and as a retired librarian, I can empathize with what she feels and know the power of literature. Thank you to NetGalley and the publiher for offering this new book by an amazing author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Mario Escobar for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mario Escobar once again demonstrates his talent for bringing overlooked moments of history to life in Library of Forbidden Books. Set in Berlin during the rise of Nazi Germany, the novel follows Helene Nathan, a courageous librarian determined to preserve literature targeted for destruction by the Nazi regime. Inspired by true events surrounding the infamous book burnings of the 1930s, the story serves as both a historical novel and a tribute to the enduring power of books.

Escobar excels at creating an atmosphere filled with tension and uncertainty. From the opening chapters, readers experience the growing fear as censorship spreads and intellectual freedom is stripped away. The historical setting is well researched, making it easy to become immersed in the political and social climate of pre-war Germany. While many World War II novels focus on military conflict or concentration camps, this story offers a refreshing perspective by highlighting librarians, educators, and ordinary citizens who quietly resisted through the preservation of knowledge. This unique focus distinguishes the novel from others in the genre.

Helene is a compelling protagonist whose love of literature drives her extraordinary courage. Her determination to protect banned books illustrates that resistance is not always dramatic; sometimes it begins with preserving ideas and refusing to allow history or culture to be erased. The supporting characters add emotional depth, illustrating the difficult choices individuals faced as fear and propaganda infiltrated everyday life.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its central theme: books possess the power to preserve truth, challenge oppression, and inspire hope. Escobar reminds readers that authoritarian regimes often target literature because ideas themselves are powerful. The symbolism of librarians safeguarding knowledge becomes a powerful metaphor for protecting freedom, education, and human dignity.

Although the pacing slows slightly in the middle of the novel, the emotional impact remains strong throughout. Some readers may wish for more nuanced development of secondary characters, but the compelling historical backdrop and meaningful message more than compensate for these minor shortcomings.

Overall, Library of Forbidden Books is a moving and thought-provoking work of historical fiction that will resonate with readers who enjoy stories about courage, resilience, and the transformative power of literature. Fans of historical fiction centered on books, libraries, and quiet acts of resistance will find much to appreciate in this novel. I would highly recommend it to readers of World War II fiction and to anyone who believes that preserving knowledge is one of humanity's greatest acts of hope.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Enjoyable fast ready that had a lot of twists and turns. The Golds and Silvers have been friends and neighbors forever. When a tragic accident occurs, it leave them questioning each other and how well they thought they they knew one another.

Library of Forbidden Books written by Mario Escobar. This book takes place in the city of Berlin in 1933. The cultural heart of Germany has become ruined. Helene Nathan, one of the first female librarians, is now a target of the Nazis. The government is stealing any book that they dont like for any reason. Helene and friends decide to hide all of the forbidden banned books. This act of resistance will change her life forever. The gestapo now considers her and anyone around her as a traitor and time for escape has run out. Based on the true stories of librarians who fought back, Library of Forbidden Books tells their stories.
#campnetgalley

"The Library of Forbidden Books" started off slow for me, and then the tension picked up considerably as the story progressed. It shows a different side of resistance in Germany, one centered on keeping banned books safe rather than the more familiar forms of resistance we usually read about.

What I appreciated most was how the book got me thinking beyond its own pages (it left me wondering just how much literature has been lost to history, quietly destroyed or forgotten, with no one left to tell us what we're missing). That's the kind of lingering question that makes a book worth reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson publishing for allowing me to read this eARC. I am voluntarily giving my own thoughts and opinions on this amazing book.

I love a well documented historical fiction novel and especially in the setting of World War II and the atrocities committed against the people of Germany as Hitler rose to power.

This story centers around a young half-Jew who was a librarian in Berlin. As the Nazis became more and more in control, the great works of literature were in grave danger and Helene Nathan is determined at all costs to keep them safe.

Mario Escobar showed us the horror of the work camps, the brutality of the Gestapo and the strength and courage of those willing to fight for the freedom of the German people.

The book was emotional on so many levels for me. The writing was excellent and the author notes and timeline at the end and beginning were very insightful. The characters of Derek, Helene, Lena, Klaus, and Gabor were fictional characters based on real lives and that’s what made this book so special. There were many characters who were actually members in Hitler’s regime and made this extremely historical. I would like to read more by this author at some point whether fiction or nonfiction as his research was impeccable.

Again thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this fabulous book.

Super powerful. I knew going into this after reading the description that I was going to love this one.

I really appreciated the historical timeline regarding the evolution of the Nazi regime from the 1920’s through 1940’s. After reading historical WWII novel this was the first to present what life was like in Berlin for Germans living there during this timeline.
The story focus’ is on a real life female Librarian who worked tirelessly with other librarian's to save as many books destroyed by the Nazi’s as they worked to change the culture. The characterizations of her person life were fiction. Still a very interesting read.

This is beautifully written and I learned a lot of new facts. Perfect for people who like narrative nonfiction. I continue to be amazed by the lengths that people went through to protect intellectual freedom.

Thank you to NetGallery and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

In a world where a regime is determined to rewrite history and silence the truth, this novel is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of books and those willing to protect them. The librarians’ quiet courage in preserving the written word is matched only by the emotional weight of the personal lives and loved ones they sacrifice along the way. Blending suspense, heartbreak, and hope, the author creates a moving story that celebrates resilience and the belief that even in the darkest times, knowledge and truth are worth fighting for.

What an informative book about a time in history that most choose not to recall. I knew nothing about this lady Helene Nathan before reading this. I think all librarians are important and so are the books that are in our world. Reading the epilogue, I was disappointed to discover that she did not actually have the husband and children depicted in this book. And she actually died before this ended. It was still a wonderful story tho.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the treat of reading an advanced reader copy of this book.

Books of all kinds are to be cherished, however instead Librarian Helene is faced with the horror of her books being targeted by The Nazis in 1933. Helene, her friends and fellow colleagues make it their responsibility to collect the prized editions and keep them safe from the detestation of being burned.

What makes this book even more interesting is that Helene is Jewish and her husband is a German officer who is non sympathetic to the Nazi regime and their philosophies. Their story of love, understanding and cooperation and determination is magical and amazing.

I read this book in a single setting and loved it more than my words can convey. The story comes a little close to paralleling the horrible book banning that is occurring in this lifetime. It is, however, very important and should be read by all. .

This book is beautifully written and emotionally absorbing I just wanted more. The detail is given and I was in awe. It makes me happy to read how important one of my favourite things books are. I can relate and understand because I couldn't live without books. It is more than just that though the turmoil and hardships are hard hitting.

I thought this was a beautifully written historical novel. The setting and historical details really brought the story to life without slowing it down. It was emotional at times but also hopeful, and I found myself really caring about the characters. The story highlights the importance of books, courage, and resilience during difficult times. It wasn’t a fast-paced read, but it didn’t need to be. It left a lasting impression, and I enjoyed learning while being completely invested in the story.

This is a good book and I couldn’t put it down .
I like the history in the book and I highly recommend it.
I will be reading more of this authors books in the future .
I love how this is a clean book too
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for my copy