Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Always a painful read but frightening in new ways to read this in 2025. Finished the book two days after what would have been her birthday and mourning her loss again. A remarkable young lady with such thoughts and dreams... May her memory be a blessing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, War
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Antisemitism, Deportation
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Wow. I feel so many things from this book that I don't know how to think about them. But what I do know is that Anne was one of the countless beautiful people who suffered an unspeakable fate that should not be imagined, never mind sentenced to condemnation by the identity they were born with. Racism and antisemitism were huge issues aside from war and inflation in the 1940s across the globe, as we all know, and in context Anne was the same age as MLK Jr. There is a possibility that if she survived she could have still been alive in old age right now. Something that seems so distant yet less than a century ago.
Back in eighth grade, about six years ago, we spent the year studying in depth both world wars, the Renaissance, and primarily the Holocaust. When we weren’t reading autobiographies, watching films and documentaries filled with all the gruesome details, and writing essays as if we were journalists present at the events, which we felt like, given the constant information, visuals, and descriptions from as many sources as possible. The atmosphere felt heavy and depressed when you walked to our floor during this time. Our teacher broke down in tears by the end and couldn’t continue her lesson. She told us she could only imagine all of us in the same situation—innocent, just like her ancestors were during the Holocaust, which she was forced to teach year after year. I was 14, Anne Frank’s age while studying it, and I remember how heavy it weighed on my heart, as it still does. I have immense empathy for all the Jewish people who suffered during those days, and I often imagine myself in their place when I hear stories of war and their suffering.
I used to weep bitterly, and though I shed no tears finally reading Anne's story, as I assumed I would have by now but never did for school, I feel this sense of dissonant grief and deep thoughtfulness with history.
Her last letter was filled with reflection of self, and one I related to deeply, so I was surprised to come to the end abruptly. I knew she died by the end though not knowing the tragic end in its mighty dissarray of good people. For a book modest about the details of suffering and indignation of opinion, the end account of the history was frank, devastating, and nearly shocking after spending days with Anne's entries.
It began to feel like having a warm drink listening to a good friend, especially by the end. I can't believe they were discovered only days after her last letter, which was filled with hope and internal reflection on a very deep level.
I'm not sure I've ever read a raw and real reflection before, which I understood so perfectly in my own life when we were the same age, and I had no words to express it.
Everything that happened is beyond unacceptable that anyone could be willing to even begin to the trains, never mind all else that happened. I feel horrible for Otto Frank who must have lived with survivor's guilt being the only remaining Secret Annex member. He fought so hard to protect his family only to lose them two months before the war was over.
Enough of that, as someone who keeps a diary of drastic life changes and inward reflection, I related so much to Anne especially as she grew and saw life very close to the way I do without the boy issues but the self worth questions and abilities of life left to be lived in stories. We are quite different especially in reflection to the girl she was at 13-15 compared to who I was at that time, and though also at 15 I went into quarantine in a place I call the witness protection house where I lived for a year hardly leaving the house for anything in fear of the pandemic, and though not being persecuted, left with the memory of wars and topics of school of such interests thrust upon us with nothing to do but dream and reflect of such things in such detail it was as if remembering memories that belonged to another life of mine, left alone with myself, a girl stripped of all but a mask I wore before exiled from my old life just before the pandemic where I lost loved ones and my childhood home before moving and being stuck in an unsafe neighborhood and strange home. So, in many ways, I understood her better than many young girls could imagine.
I hope she knows how her diary has affected the world or that someone in Heaven has told her. But at any rate, it has impacted the world and helped change it for the better.
I am overall glad I finally brought myself to read it. Yes it was slow and hard to read in parts, as I was interested in the plot of her life and balancing the innerworkings of her mind, character development and reflections of self, while also brefluy forgetting the lingering knowledge of the end hoping for light for as many innocent people who were born into their religion, and persecuted for their life's sake.
I hate that it took such extreme times to demonstrate why it was wrong and that such things are evil, neglecting all virtue and the semblance of all that is meant to be.
I would rather wish in school we read her diary as required reading in place of Night by Ellie Weasle, since his was an in-depth narrative of his whole experience as a jew in the camps who barely survived each grotesque fate that really can be experienced without death itself. Incredibly, he lived through any of it, but it was blunt, where Anne was polite and sheltered for a lot of her time, writing in her diary in contrast until the end. Concepts are very different than experience.
That being said, with her experience, these are my favorite quotes from the girl who wished to wear her heart on her sleeve with the same simple pleasures I adore which many neglect until stripped of all but the desire and dream of them:
"The best remedy for those afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be, and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature, as long as this exists. It certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.
Oh, who knows, perhaps it won't be long before I can share this overwhelming feeling of bliss with someone who feels the same way I do about it.
Yours, Anne.
A thought:
We miss so much here, so very much and for so long now: I miss it too, just as you do. I'm not talking about outward things: for we are looked after in that way; no, I mean the inward things. Like you, I long for freedom and fresh air, but I believe now that we have ample compensation for our privations. I realized this quite suddenly when I sat in front of the front window this morning. I mean inward compensation.
When I looked outside right into the deapth of nature and God, then I was happy, really happy. And Peter, so long as I have that happiness here, the joy in nature, health and a lot more besides, all the while one has that, one can always recapture happiness.
Riches can all be lost, but that happiness in your own heart can only be veiled, and it will still bring you happiness again, as long as you live. As long as you can look fearlessly up into the heavens, as long as you know that you are pure within, and that you will still find happiness."
And:
"My advice is: Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture in yourself and in God. Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy!
I don't see how Mummy's idea can be right,
*(Comparing others suffering to be greater than one's own.) *
because then how are you supposed to behave if you go through the misery yourself? Then you are lost. On the contrary, I've found that there is always some beauty left- in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself, these can all help you. Look at these things, then you find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance.
And whoever is happy, will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery.
Yours, Anne."
I also learned such lessons in my own life, and I wish we could have given each other solace in the times forming these realizations of ourselves.
Many may find Mrs. Franks vs. Anne's opinions rival greatly, especially considering their fates at the end of her story. But her story goes beyond a lifetime to effect all of us who take the time to listen. And that is beautiful.
This is an important book to read, and not to forget the lessons of those who came before us to help guide us into the future.
Amazingly, Anne was just a few years younger than my grandparents who had very different experiences in the war.
Most people wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they were thrust into circumstances similar to the Franks' and then had to throw away phones and other traceable devices of modern life to hide and hope to survive. Stark contrasts with people pleasing off social media and staying in touch from a distance, even to ourselves at times. I can't imagine it for others!
I recommend this book to those searching for a better understanding of people, the human condition, hope in the face of hopelessness, and history.
Back in eighth grade, about six years ago, we spent the year studying in depth both world wars, the Renaissance, and primarily the Holocaust. When we weren’t reading autobiographies, watching films and documentaries filled with all the gruesome details, and writing essays as if we were journalists present at the events, which we felt like, given the constant information, visuals, and descriptions from as many sources as possible. The atmosphere felt heavy and depressed when you walked to our floor during this time. Our teacher broke down in tears by the end and couldn’t continue her lesson. She told us she could only imagine all of us in the same situation—innocent, just like her ancestors were during the Holocaust, which she was forced to teach year after year. I was 14, Anne Frank’s age while studying it, and I remember how heavy it weighed on my heart, as it still does. I have immense empathy for all the Jewish people who suffered during those days, and I often imagine myself in their place when I hear stories of war and their suffering.
I used to weep bitterly, and though I shed no tears finally reading Anne's story, as I assumed I would have by now but never did for school, I feel this sense of dissonant grief and deep thoughtfulness with history.
Her last letter was filled with reflection of self, and one I related to deeply, so I was surprised to come to the end abruptly. I knew she died by the end though not knowing the tragic end in its mighty dissarray of good people. For a book modest about the details of suffering and indignation of opinion, the end account of the history was frank, devastating, and nearly shocking after spending days with Anne's entries.
It began to feel like having a warm drink listening to a good friend, especially by the end. I can't believe they were discovered only days after her last letter, which was filled with hope and internal reflection on a very deep level.
I'm not sure I've ever read a raw and real reflection before, which I understood so perfectly in my own life when we were the same age, and I had no words to express it.
Everything that happened is beyond unacceptable that anyone could be willing to even begin to the trains, never mind all else that happened. I feel horrible for Otto Frank who must have lived with survivor's guilt being the only remaining Secret Annex member. He fought so hard to protect his family only to lose them two months before the war was over.
Enough of that, as someone who keeps a diary of drastic life changes and inward reflection, I related so much to Anne especially as she grew and saw life very close to the way I do without the boy issues but the self worth questions and abilities of life left to be lived in stories. We are quite different especially in reflection to the girl she was at 13-15 compared to who I was at that time, and though also at 15 I went into quarantine in a place I call the witness protection house where I lived for a year hardly leaving the house for anything in fear of the pandemic, and though not being persecuted, left with the memory of wars and topics of school of such interests thrust upon us with nothing to do but dream and reflect of such things in such detail it was as if remembering memories that belonged to another life of mine, left alone with myself, a girl stripped of all but a mask I wore before exiled from my old life just before the pandemic where I lost loved ones and my childhood home before moving and being stuck in an unsafe neighborhood and strange home. So, in many ways, I understood her better than many young girls could imagine.
I hope she knows how her diary has affected the world or that someone in Heaven has told her. But at any rate, it has impacted the world and helped change it for the better.
I am overall glad I finally brought myself to read it. Yes it was slow and hard to read in parts, as I was interested in the plot of her life and balancing the innerworkings of her mind, character development and reflections of self, while also brefluy forgetting the lingering knowledge of the end hoping for light for as many innocent people who were born into their religion, and persecuted for their life's sake.
I hate that it took such extreme times to demonstrate why it was wrong and that such things are evil, neglecting all virtue and the semblance of all that is meant to be.
I would rather wish in school we read her diary as required reading in place of Night by Ellie Weasle, since his was an in-depth narrative of his whole experience as a jew in the camps who barely survived each grotesque fate that really can be experienced without death itself. Incredibly, he lived through any of it, but it was blunt, where Anne was polite and sheltered for a lot of her time, writing in her diary in contrast until the end. Concepts are very different than experience.
That being said, with her experience, these are my favorite quotes from the girl who wished to wear her heart on her sleeve with the same simple pleasures I adore which many neglect until stripped of all but the desire and dream of them:
"The best remedy for those afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be, and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature, as long as this exists. It certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.
Oh, who knows, perhaps it won't be long before I can share this overwhelming feeling of bliss with someone who feels the same way I do about it.
Yours, Anne.
A thought:
We miss so much here, so very much and for so long now: I miss it too, just as you do. I'm not talking about outward things: for we are looked after in that way; no, I mean the inward things. Like you, I long for freedom and fresh air, but I believe now that we have ample compensation for our privations. I realized this quite suddenly when I sat in front of the front window this morning. I mean inward compensation.
When I looked outside right into the deapth of nature and God, then I was happy, really happy. And Peter, so long as I have that happiness here, the joy in nature, health and a lot more besides, all the while one has that, one can always recapture happiness.
Riches can all be lost, but that happiness in your own heart can only be veiled, and it will still bring you happiness again, as long as you live. As long as you can look fearlessly up into the heavens, as long as you know that you are pure within, and that you will still find happiness."
And:
"My advice is: Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture in yourself and in God. Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy!
I don't see how Mummy's idea can be right,
*(Comparing others suffering to be greater than one's own.) *
because then how are you supposed to behave if you go through the misery yourself? Then you are lost. On the contrary, I've found that there is always some beauty left- in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself, these can all help you. Look at these things, then you find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance.
And whoever is happy, will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery.
Yours, Anne."
I also learned such lessons in my own life, and I wish we could have given each other solace in the times forming these realizations of ourselves.
Many may find Mrs. Franks vs. Anne's opinions rival greatly, especially considering their fates at the end of her story. But her story goes beyond a lifetime to effect all of us who take the time to listen. And that is beautiful.
This is an important book to read, and not to forget the lessons of those who came before us to help guide us into the future.
Amazingly, Anne was just a few years younger than my grandparents who had very different experiences in the war.
Most people wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they were thrust into circumstances similar to the Franks' and then had to throw away phones and other traceable devices of modern life to hide and hope to survive. Stark contrasts with people pleasing off social media and staying in touch from a distance, even to ourselves at times. I can't imagine it for others!
I recommend this book to those searching for a better understanding of people, the human condition, hope in the face of hopelessness, and history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Excrement, Alcohol, Classism
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
I found the book quite impactful and harrowing. However, I do feel a bit conflicted on her diary having been published, as it is rather clear she did not plan for that to happen. I understand that is often the case with diaries, but since it was her father who published it I have always felt a bit uneasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, War
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
I am glad I read this. I wanted to learn about Anne and her situation. What happened to her was disgusting. Reading her diary, she seemed like an intelligent and loving person. It was hard to get through at times, as she wrote about mundane things a lot. It wasn’t completely what I expected, but I learned a lot. However, I wouldn’t read it again. RIP Anne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Murder
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Genocide, Antisemitism, War, Deportation
Moderate: Death, Police brutality, Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Excrement, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Hate crime, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Genocide, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Abandonment
Minor: Racism, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content