Brianna Labuskes

Berlin 1933. Following the success of her debut novel, American writer Althea James receives an invitation from Joseph Goebbels himself to participate in a culture exchange program in Germany. For a girl from a small town in Maine, 1933 Berlin seems to be sparklingly cosmopolitan, blossoming in the midst of a great change with the charismatic new chancellor at the helm. Then Althea meets a beautiful woman who promises to show her the real Berlin, and soon she's drawn into a group of resisters who make her question everything she knows about her hosts--and herself.

Paris 1936. She may have escaped Berlin for Paris, but Hannah Brecht discovers the City of Light is no refuge from the anti-Semitism and Nazi sympathizers she thought she left behind. Heartbroken and tormented by the role she played in the betrayal that destroyed her family, Hannah throws herself into her work at the German Library of Burned Books. Through the quiet power of books, she believes she can help counter the tide of fascism she sees rising across Europe and atone for her mistakes. But when a dear friend decides actions will speak louder than words, Hannah must decide what stories she is willing to live--or die--for.

New York 1944. Since her husband Edward was killed fighting the Nazis, Vivian Childs has been waging her own war: preventing a powerful senator's attempts to censor the Armed Service Editions, portable paperbacks that are shipped by the millions to soldiers overseas. Viv knows just how much they mean to the men through the letters she receives--including the last one she got from Edward. She also knows the only way to win this battle is to counter the senator's propaganda with a story of her own--at the heart of which lies the reclusive and mysterious woman tending the American Library of Nazi-Banned Books in Brooklyn.

As Viv unknowingly brings her censorship fight crashing into the secrets of the recent past, the fates of these three women will converge, changing all of them forever.

Inspired by the true story of the Council of Books in Wartime--the WWII organization founded by booksellers, publishers, librarians, and authors to use books as "weapons in the war of ideas"--The Librarian of Burned Books is an unforgettable historical novel, a haunting love story, and a testament to the beauty, power, and goodness of the written word.… (altro)

Sinopsis editorial de «La guardiana de los libros quemados»:

Ambientada en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, «La guardiana de los libros quemados» es una inolvidable novela histórica sobre los destinos cruzados de tres mujeres que creen en el poder de los libros para superar los momentos más oscuros de la guerra.

Berlín, 1933. A raíz del éxito de su primera novela, la escritora americana Althea James es invitada por el mismísimo Joseph Goebbels a participar en un programa de intercambio cultural en Alemania. Allí conoce a una hermosa mujer que le promete enseñarle el autentico Berlín, y no tarda en sumarse a un grupo de resistentes que la llevan a cuestionarse todo lo que sabe sobre sus anfitriones... y sobre sí misma.

París, 1936. Aunque llegó a la Ciudad de la Luz huyendo de Berlín, Hannah Brecht pronto descubre que no está en un refugio contra el antisemitismo que pensaba haber dejado atrás. Desconsolada y atormentada por el papel que desempeñó en la traición que destruyó a su familia, Hannah se zambulle en su trabajo en la Biblioteca Alemana de Libros Quemados.

Nueva York, 1944. Desde que su marido Edward murió luchando contra los nazis, Vivian Childs ha estado librando su propia batalla: impidiendo los intentos de un poderoso senador de censurar las Ediciones de las Fuerzas Armadas, libros de bolsillo que se envían a millones de soldados destinados en el extranjero. Viv Sabe hasta qué punto son importantes para los soldados gracias a las cartas que recibe..., incluida la última que le escribió su marido.

Cuando Viv, sin saberlo, hace que su lucha contra la censura colisione con los secretos de pasado reciente, los destinos de estas tres mujeres confluyen..., y las tres cambiarán para siempre.… (altro)

The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes is Historical Fiction World War II and its aftermath. Set in a world of unspeakable evil that affects, influences, and destroys the characters' lives. A librarian works with the Monuments Men to return books to their owner and finds a heart wrenching love story.
A well researched and well written book with realistic characters. This book includes historical information with interesting details of Jewish thoughts and culture. I thought some threads of the story were not quite complete. I think this book is appropriate for adults due to certain subjects.
I thought it unnecessary to accept, agree with, or praise the era of debauchery prior to Nazi regime. Recently, I have noticed some authors feel the need to write approvingly of homosexual behavior. That said,the Nazi response to the immorality of that time was extremely depraved. It’s the old story of a country's downfall. Appropriately this book describes some of the consequences and punishment for the evil crimes committed. The authors' research and notes were informative.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars… (altro)

Dark times in Germany!

Gripping story about sisters who lived in Bonn just before WWII
Annalise the older loved to hike and party with her friends in a group called the Edelweiss Pirates. Later they took more and more subversive action against the ruling Nazi party
Christina, the younger sister liked to follow rules. She became a member of the Bund Deutscher Mädel, promoting young Aryan women who followed rules, who fit in, who presented the ideal woman who embraced her place in the social fabric.
Widowed Emmy Clarke is a librarian who’s sent to Berlin in 1946 to look through the acres of books seized by the Nazis. Many are valuable. The scope of looting by the Nazis is phenomenal. Here she meets Major Wesley Arnold, part of the Monuments Men team.
Emma chances upon a book on her first day that has an inscription, beginning “to Annelise” ending with Eitan.” Emmy senses a deeper story behind the inscription. Emmy is inspired to see if she can find out more about these people.
The story moves from one character’s viewpoint to another’s —Annelise and Christina, Both interspersed with Emmy’s search in 19476.
What it tells us is that not all people are the enemy and that when they stood together they might prevail. The story of the Aryan women married to Jews who protest against their husbands being detained and held in the Jewish community center on Rose Street, awaiting transportation, is harrowing and admirable.
Such a sensitive novel about evil times that aren’t as cut and dried as we would wish.
A superb read!

A William Morrow ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.… (altro)