Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This book was truly incredible. Never before have I read a book that touched so well on so many topics. love stories, the holocaust, as well advocacy and the importance of books, this book was amazing. read it!!!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’m always a sucker for historical fiction, especially World War II.
This book was difficult to read, as it jumped between three different timelines, within 10 years of each other. It was confusing to keep up with which year the author was writing about.
Strong emphasis on LGBTQ romance, which is not particularly my wheelhouse. I am not against it, but just not of interest to me.
This book was difficult to read, as it jumped between three different timelines, within 10 years of each other. It was confusing to keep up with which year the author was writing about.
Strong emphasis on LGBTQ romance, which is not particularly my wheelhouse. I am not against it, but just not of interest to me.
This was good, if a bit scarily pertinent to the times we live in now.
I'm not a huge fan of books with multiple timelines so 1/2 star taken off for that personal quibble.
I'm not a huge fan of books with multiple timelines so 1/2 star taken off for that personal quibble.
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s dark and depressing and parts are shocking but the stories are absorbing and must be told so we can learn from these events.
In May of 1932, thousands of books were burned in Berlin. Althena James from a small town in Maine was invited to Germany to write about the positive movements taking place by the Nazi Party. At first she was delighted with the celebrations in the streets and then as she learned more, she became horrified.
In 1944, Senator Robert A. Taft was sponsoring an amendment to censor books purchased by the Government for the soldiers overseas. Vic Childs was involved with the shipments of paperbacks to the troops fighting in the war. However, she needed to stop this censorship of some of America’s prized books.
In 1936, Hannah Brecht was in Paris handing out antifascist pamphlets in shops and organizations. It was her hope to change the way people were thinking.
Initially, my head was spinning with the characters and dates going back and forth. I was just engaged in one part and then it changed into another place and time. It’s like if someone was changing the TV channels back and forth. Yet, it started to come together when more details were disclosed and then the plot moved quickly with a satisfactory ending.
Nothing is said in the Author’s Notes about the current events of banned books in our country. However, the plot itself sends a powerful message to all of us.
My thanks to Brianna Labuskes, William Morrow & Company and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of February 21, 2023.
In May of 1932, thousands of books were burned in Berlin. Althena James from a small town in Maine was invited to Germany to write about the positive movements taking place by the Nazi Party. At first she was delighted with the celebrations in the streets and then as she learned more, she became horrified.
In 1944, Senator Robert A. Taft was sponsoring an amendment to censor books purchased by the Government for the soldiers overseas. Vic Childs was involved with the shipments of paperbacks to the troops fighting in the war. However, she needed to stop this censorship of some of America’s prized books.
In 1936, Hannah Brecht was in Paris handing out antifascist pamphlets in shops and organizations. It was her hope to change the way people were thinking.
Initially, my head was spinning with the characters and dates going back and forth. I was just engaged in one part and then it changed into another place and time. It’s like if someone was changing the TV channels back and forth. Yet, it started to come together when more details were disclosed and then the plot moved quickly with a satisfactory ending.
Nothing is said in the Author’s Notes about the current events of banned books in our country. However, the plot itself sends a powerful message to all of us.
My thanks to Brianna Labuskes, William Morrow & Company and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of February 21, 2023.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced