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joni_0716 's review for:
The Librarian of Burned Books
by Brianna Labuskes
If you are a reader, love books, and/or believe that people have the right to choose what they want to read, you don't want to miss this book.
In my lifetime, there has never been an instance that I can remember of when I couldn't read a book, I wanted to read and the thought of that ever happening is very scary.
The backdrop of this story is told at two different timeframes. One is in Berlin and Paris during the 1930's, when it is decided to burn books considered anti-German or might undermine the Reich. The other timeframe is in New York City in the 1940s. where one of the main characters, Viv, is fighting against the possible restriction of the types of books that can be sent to Americans during WWII. Ironically, two of the other main characters, Hannah and Althea, who observed the book burnings, become major advocates for Viv's attempts to stop the censorship.
As with many books set during this time period, you see the best and the worst in people. People who will sell out their family, friends or even strangers, to be on the side of those they consider to be in power. You will also see those who stand up for what is right even if it isn't the popular opinion, or they have to suffer or sacrifice their own lives.
This book was very thought provoking and made me feel fortunate to live in a world where I can read what I want to read, when I want to read it. The one quote that stood out to me that really sums up the entire book was "how easily atrocities could happen when good people look away." This book reminded me of the importance of always standing up for what is right even when it isn't easy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest reviews. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
In my lifetime, there has never been an instance that I can remember of when I couldn't read a book, I wanted to read and the thought of that ever happening is very scary.
The backdrop of this story is told at two different timeframes. One is in Berlin and Paris during the 1930's, when it is decided to burn books considered anti-German or might undermine the Reich. The other timeframe is in New York City in the 1940s. where one of the main characters, Viv, is fighting against the possible restriction of the types of books that can be sent to Americans during WWII. Ironically, two of the other main characters, Hannah and Althea, who observed the book burnings, become major advocates for Viv's attempts to stop the censorship.
As with many books set during this time period, you see the best and the worst in people. People who will sell out their family, friends or even strangers, to be on the side of those they consider to be in power. You will also see those who stand up for what is right even if it isn't the popular opinion, or they have to suffer or sacrifice their own lives.
This book was very thought provoking and made me feel fortunate to live in a world where I can read what I want to read, when I want to read it. The one quote that stood out to me that really sums up the entire book was "how easily atrocities could happen when good people look away." This book reminded me of the importance of always standing up for what is right even when it isn't easy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest reviews. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.