Genre Fiction
![Madeline Martin - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B00R8OGFN2.jpg)
The Keeper of Hidden Books: A Novel
*A USA TODAY Bestseller*
???????*A BookBub Pick for Best Historical Fiction of Summer 2023*
A heartwarming story about the power of books to bring us together, inspired by the true story of the underground library in WWII Warsaw, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
All her life, Zofia has found comfort in two things during times of hardship: books and her best friend, Janina. But no one could have imagined the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. As the bombs rain down and Hitler's forces loot and destroy the city, Zofia finds that now books are also in need of saving.
With the death count rising and persecution intensifying, Zofia jumps to action to save her friend and salvage whatever books she can from the wreckage, hiding them away, and even starting a clandestine book club. She and her dearest friend never surrender their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed ghetto.
But the closer Warsaw creeps toward liberation, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families – and escape may not be possible for everyone. As the destruction rages around them, Zofia must fight to save her friend and preserve her culture and community using the only weapon they have left - literature.
???????*A BookBub Pick for Best Historical Fiction of Summer 2023*
A heartwarming story about the power of books to bring us together, inspired by the true story of the underground library in WWII Warsaw, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
All her life, Zofia has found comfort in two things during times of hardship: books and her best friend, Janina. But no one could have imagined the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Warsaw. As the bombs rain down and Hitler's forces loot and destroy the city, Zofia finds that now books are also in need of saving.
With the death count rising and persecution intensifying, Zofia jumps to action to save her friend and salvage whatever books she can from the wreckage, hiding them away, and even starting a clandestine book club. She and her dearest friend never surrender their love of reading, even when Janina is forced into the newly formed ghetto.
But the closer Warsaw creeps toward liberation, the more dangerous life becomes for the women and their families – and escape may not be possible for everyone. As the destruction rages around them, Zofia must fight to save her friend and preserve her culture and community using the only weapon they have left - literature.
Editorial Reviews
"The Keeper of Hidden Books is a powerful and poignant tour de force chronicling the efforts of Warsaw's librarians and book-lovers to keep Poland's culture alive during the dark days of the German Occupation. Impeccably researched and beautifully written, The Keeper of Hidden Books reads as a love letter to family, friendship, and the power of literature to sustain, inspire, and endure."
–Bryn Turnbull, author of The Woman Before Wallis
"Intimate and immersive, Madeline Martin's The Keeper of Hidden Books is an expertly researched portrayal of the Nazi occupation of Warsaw, a tale of profound resilience and loyalty, and a powerful reminder of literature's ability to bind, inspire, encourage, and lend hope. Historical fiction readers will be transported and transfixed by this poignant, timely story."
–Gabriella Saab, author of Daughters of Victory
"The Keeper of Hidden Books is a timely novel based on the brave librarians of Warsaw during the German Occupation of WWII who risked their lives to save books and Polish culture from being erased from history. Madeline Martin's impeccable research leaps off every page in this powerfully absorbing story of resilience, enduring friendship and a love of literature and the arts. An inspiring novel you don't want to miss!"
–Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of Starring Adele Astaire
"The Keeper of Hidden Books shows us just why historical fiction is so relevant today – because it touches on universal themes that recur in every century throughout time. As more and more books are banned from our libraries and schools, Madeline Martin's novel gives us a much needed shot of inspiration and hope that stories will always win. Zofia's incredible bravery in doing whatever she can to save books and literature while the world is at war and despite the personal cost makes her a remarkable heroine for the ages. This is a stunning story for booklovers to sink into with all their heart and soul and be rewarded by the ultimate message – reading matters. Yes it does, and bravo to Madeline Martin for reminding us in this wonderful book." –Natasha Lester, New York Times
–Bryn Turnbull, author of The Woman Before Wallis
"Intimate and immersive, Madeline Martin's The Keeper of Hidden Books is an expertly researched portrayal of the Nazi occupation of Warsaw, a tale of profound resilience and loyalty, and a powerful reminder of literature's ability to bind, inspire, encourage, and lend hope. Historical fiction readers will be transported and transfixed by this poignant, timely story."
–Gabriella Saab, author of Daughters of Victory
"The Keeper of Hidden Books is a timely novel based on the brave librarians of Warsaw during the German Occupation of WWII who risked their lives to save books and Polish culture from being erased from history. Madeline Martin's impeccable research leaps off every page in this powerfully absorbing story of resilience, enduring friendship and a love of literature and the arts. An inspiring novel you don't want to miss!"
–Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of Starring Adele Astaire
"The Keeper of Hidden Books shows us just why historical fiction is so relevant today – because it touches on universal themes that recur in every century throughout time. As more and more books are banned from our libraries and schools, Madeline Martin's novel gives us a much needed shot of inspiration and hope that stories will always win. Zofia's incredible bravery in doing whatever she can to save books and literature while the world is at war and despite the personal cost makes her a remarkable heroine for the ages. This is a stunning story for booklovers to sink into with all their heart and soul and be rewarded by the ultimate message – reading matters. Yes it does, and bravo to Madeline Martin for reminding us in this wonderful book." –Natasha Lester, New York Times
Readers Top Reviews
Lesa Haney
In 1939, Germany, under the control of Hitler, invaded Poland. During their occupation, Hitler had his troops take over libraries and began banning books that did not align with his viewpoint deeming them "inappropriate" and destroying them. This story centers on a group of young people who form a Bandit Reading Club to begin reading books on Hitler's banned book list. As they come together to discuss the books, they begin to form a plan to save books by hiding them. As the Nazis close schools and set up ghettos for Jewish residents, these group of young people begin smuggling books out and setting up secret libraries, even running libraries out of suitcases. The author writes "This is how they would rebuild the beauty or Warsaw, through community, one book at at time in a city of readers with open hearts and learned minds." I enjoyed this book and learned a great deal. I did not know that Helen Keller was a banned author on Hitler's banned list. Nor did I know that the Girl and Boy Guides (predecessors to Girl and Boy Scouts in the US) played such an important role in the resistance movement during WWII. I do feel that the author's content was too broad in this book. This made it hard to follow at times. I do, however, feel this book is a timely read and will suggest it to others.
TracyJaneLesa Han
The summer of 1939 in Warsaw, Poland found best friends Zofia and Janina perfecting their first aid skills with the girl guides and preparing for a war that they didn’t believe would ever come to Warsaw. But the war did come and with it came pain, horror, and the loss of their freedoms, starting with the books they were allowed to read. They endured the occupation, believing they would be saved by the Allies, but as time passes, the hope of rescue begins to wane. But rather than lay down and comply, the indomitable spirit of the Polish people is ignited, and they fight back – in any way they can. For their part, Zofia and Janina who are working at the main Library, covertly start a book club choosing books that have been banned. Later as the list of books expands and their rights are reduced, the girls along with several friends, begin to hide banned books in an effort to save their culture from being erased by the Nazis. Sadly, Janina is fired from the library because she is Jewish, and then things get worse as Zofia and Janina are separated when Janina’s family is relegated to the ghetto. But they both continue to defy Hitler, and each continues to save books and train with the underground. For a very short time, they are occasionally able to secretly exchange letters, but then even that is taken from them, and it will be years before they learn of the fate of the other. During their time apart, the war escalates, and the true horror begins, yet through it all, Zofia doesn’t stop hiding books or trying to make a difference. Her losses will be enormous, and her faith will be tested, but she will never stop fighting to liberate Poland and reclaim the independence her forefathers died to give her. I usually exclusively read historical romance, but this author used to be a historical romance author and is such a gifted writer, that I happily make an exception to read whatever she writes. And to my surprise, this book did end up being a love story, maybe not in the traditional sense, but it is about the love of country, the love of friends, the love of family, and the love of books. This book is amazing, the writing, the research, the intermingling of true historical events with fictional events and characters is all spot on. It is a book that will make you think about all the things you might be taking for granted, and it will leave you in awe of the Polish people as well as a new respect for all the men and women who fought against Hitler and the Axis powers. I highly recommend this book but be prepared for an emotional read and keep the tissues handy. *I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Peggy HardmanSara
Hard not to fond yourself among the characters in this story. The timliness of this work cannot be understated since books and libraries are under attack in parts of the US today. Resistance to such must stay strong.
SIMATSUPeggy Hard
This work of historical fiction will give you chills. If you choose to read one book this year, this should be it. Madeline Martin has outdone herself with this masterpiece of literature. It follows the lives of several characters throughout the Nazi occupation of Poland. The author shows the depth of her research in the depiction of the suffering of both the Jews and Poles. There is much bravery and sacrifice by young and old alike. The plot flows and allows the reader to easily follow the events. This is a not to be missed book.
