The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes

4.01 AVERAGE

mari_goldz's profile picture

mari_goldz's review

4.5
adventurous challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
rmarcin's profile picture

rmarcin's review

5.0
I loved this book as it is so relevant to our world today. Sadly, people are not learning from the past, but perhaps by reading this book, they may understand better how people are marginalized by a dictator who controls the books, the arts, the media, and the culture. 
This book follows a woman in NYC, Vivian Childs, who wants to send books to the soldiers in WWII, but is met with resistance from a senator. As she seeks to gain support for her cause, she meets a librarian, Hannah Brech, who had lived in Germany during the early years of Hitler, but fled to Paris and then NYC.  Finally, there is American author Althea James who is invited to participate in a cultural exchange program in Germany.  These 3 women tell a powerful story of the importance of books and fighting for what is right. 
ashmacmc's profile picture

ashmacmc's review against another edition

4.75
adventurous hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
I absolutely loved this book. It started a little slow and I wasn’t sure where it was heading so it took me a bit to get fully invested (hence it not quite being a 5 star read) but once I did it was excellent. The use of quotes in it was also beautiful. One of the best historical fictions I’ve read in a long time possibly ever. It was a beautiful testament to the importance of literature and education, particularly in the fight against fascism. 
« When life itself seems lunatic who knows where madness lies »

idasandqvist's review against another edition

4.25
reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

alyrau's review

4.0
Loved the different perspectives of WWII. The parts I never considered, especially how life went on after the war.

v_hankins's review against another edition

3.5
emotional hopeful informative medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
hulahips91's profile picture

hulahips91's review against another edition

4.0
Read this not realizing just how timely this book was set against the US Presidential elections of 2024. Given the sad reality, I will keep this book in mind as we wake up against the tide.

ev3ntyr's review

5.0
emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

sarah_e_t's review against another edition

5.0
dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
I really enjoyed this book and it feels quite relevant in our time of censorship. 

bountyhunter80's review against another edition

4.0
emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced