The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin

July 22, 2023

The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin

Zofia and her best friend Janina live in Warsaw. While they are preparing for war, neither girl believes that war will come to their city. Zofia's happy place has always been books, and she loves her job at the Warsaw public library. But then the Nazis occupy the city, and their lives change in ways neither could have imagined. As a Jew, Janina and her family are forced to move to the Warsaw ghetto. When the Nazis begin to first confiscate and then destroy books, Zofia and her friends are determined to hide as many books as possible, even if it costs them their freedom or their lives. At the same time, they work to make sure that the citizens of Warsaw and the ghetto have access to books.

A tribute to literature, the power of books, and the ingenuity of the people of Warsaw and the Warsaw ghetto. People under the age of 40 frequently don't understand the power of books, having grown up with the Internet, cellphones, and cable TV.

Another book that makes me proud to be a librarian. If you enjoyed The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek, this title will appeal to you. People who love books will always find a way.

Librarians rock. Never forget it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

October 8, 2021

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

Grace Bennett and her bestie Viv move to London just before the start of World War II. While Viv gets a job at Harrod's, Grace doesn't have the necessary letter of recommendation. She gets a job at a musty old London bookstore with the understanding that if she works there for six months, the owner will give her the required letter. Although Grace isn't a reader, she sets to work cleaning and reorganizing the shop and is soon sucked into the spell of books, with the help of a patron named George. During the Blitz, Grace volunteers as an air raid warden, a job that many feel is unsuitable for a woman, and becomes known for reading aloud in the local tube station during air raids. When a bomb hits the street where the bookshop is located, the community comes together to save the store.

Based on a true story, this is a feel-good novel about World War II and the "keep calm and carry on" attitude of Londoners during the Blitz. The plot is predictable w giveith the expected romance, but that's okay. It gives a look at life during the Blitz without getting too graphic.

London tube station being used as an air raid shelter during World War II