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heidirgorecki 's review for:
The Librarian of Burned Books
by Brianna Labuskes
So many amazing thoughts and truths about the importance of books and reading, about not censoring things you don’t agree with, and how the little things are what make a difference. Loved the point of “redemption had never lived in a single moment. It lived in a thousand of them.” The overarching thread in the book was that we tend to think life is made up most importantly of big noticeable impacts, but it’s the small shifts and seemingly insignificant actions that move the ship to change course.
Overall, I was conflicted on the book but ultimately the good parts were so good, I gave it 4 stars. Some content I was not a fan of and the first half was a bit slow and harder to get into. The 3 characters each with different timelines was a lot and didn’t give you enough time to really get invested or develop the characters. I don’t feel like the majority of the 1936 storyline with Hannah was really necessary and was just too much outside of the end. I also didn’t care for Hannah’s character. She was bitter, mean at times, lacked humility and angry (understandably), even before all hell broke loose in Berlin.
I really liked Viv and the 1944 timeline a lot. The ASE system was fascinating. But her character and timeline was the most interesting, relatable and able to be invested in, to me.
There were so many amazing concepts about books and the importance of them, the dangers of censorship and hidden agendas, and how the small things are what make the lasting impacts in our decisions and ourselves as well as history itself. Also loved all the points of how important reading is and finding books you like, not just what you’re “supposed” to like or what sounds superior. All of that really swayed the book higher for me and overtook what I didn’t care for.
On a lesser note, it seems a little of a misnomer in the title - it wasn’t really about the Librarian of Burned Books, but her and 2 other women equally. I guess it brings attention to the concept but seemed a little off target.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy of this book. All options are mine.
Overall, I was conflicted on the book but ultimately the good parts were so good, I gave it 4 stars. Some content I was not a fan of and the first half was a bit slow and harder to get into. The 3 characters each with different timelines was a lot and didn’t give you enough time to really get invested or develop the characters. I don’t feel like the majority of the 1936 storyline with Hannah was really necessary and was just too much outside of the end. I also didn’t care for Hannah’s character. She was bitter, mean at times, lacked humility and angry (understandably), even before all hell broke loose in Berlin.
I really liked Viv and the 1944 timeline a lot. The ASE system was fascinating. But her character and timeline was the most interesting, relatable and able to be invested in, to me.
There were so many amazing concepts about books and the importance of them, the dangers of censorship and hidden agendas, and how the small things are what make the lasting impacts in our decisions and ourselves as well as history itself. Also loved all the points of how important reading is and finding books you like, not just what you’re “supposed” to like or what sounds superior. All of that really swayed the book higher for me and overtook what I didn’t care for.
On a lesser note, it seems a little of a misnomer in the title - it wasn’t really about the Librarian of Burned Books, but her and 2 other women equally. I guess it brings attention to the concept but seemed a little off target.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy of this book. All options are mine.