Library of Forbidden Books

by Mario Escobar

In a world of burning books, one woman will risk everything to keep stories alive.

Berlin, 1933. The vibrant cultural heart of Germany is darkening under the shadow of the Nazi regime. For Helene Nathan, one of the first female librarians at a prestigious German library, the books she cherishes are no longer just sources of knowledge--they are targets. As the government begins its systematic purge of literature, compiling lists of "forbidden" works and orchestrating public book burnings, Helene realizes she cannot stand by as her world turns to ash.

Determined to resist the encroaching tyranny, Helene and her colleagues embark on a perilous mission of secretly collecting and hiding the very books slated for destruction. It's a dangerous act of defiance in a city where every neighbor could be an informant and the Gestapo are a constant, looming threat. Her quiet rebellion is especially complicated by the fact that Helene is half-Jewish, and Rudolf Kummer, a ruthless Nazi official, seemingly has a personal vendetta against her.

As the stakes escalate and friends and neighbors begin to disappear, Helene must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice. Her fight is not just for the pages she saves, but for the very soul of her country and the freedom to think.

Based on the heroic true stories of librarians who fought back, Library of Forbidden Books is a gripping tale of courage, the profound power of literature as resistance, and one woman's struggle to preserve humanity in the face of absolute evil.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, World War II, Audiobook, Books About Books, Adult Fiction

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2026

About the author

Mario Escobar Golderos has a degree in History, with an advanced studies diploma in Modern History. He has written numerous books and articles about the Inquisition, the Protestant Reformation, and religious sects. He is the executive director of an NGO and directs the magazine Nueva historia para el debate, in addition to being a contributing columnist in various publications. Passionate about history and its mysteries, Escobar has delved into the depths of church history, the different sectarian groups that have struggled therein, and the discovery and colonization of the Americas. He specializes in the lives of unorthodox Spaniards and Americans. Books

Autor Betseller con miles de libros vendidos en todo el mundo. Sus obras han sido traducidas al chino, japonés, inglés, ruso, portugués, danés, francés, italiano, checo, polaco, serbio, entre otros idiomas. Novelista, ensayista y conferenciante. Licenciado en Historia y Diplomado en Estudios Avanzados en la especialidad de Historia Moderna, ha escrito numerosos artículos y libros sobre la Inquisición, la Reforma Protestante y las sectas religiosas.

Publica asiduamente en las revistas Más Allá y National Geographic Historia

Apasionado por la historia y sus enigmas ha estudiado en produndidad la Historia de la Iglesia, los distintos grupos sectarios que han luchado en su seno, el descubrimiento y colonizacíón de América; especializándose en la vida de personajes heterodoxos españoles y americanos.

Su primera obra, Conspiración Maine 2006, fue un éxito. Le siguieron El mesías Ario (2007), El secreto de los Assassini (2008) y la Profecía de Aztlán (2009). Todas ellas parte de la saga protagonizada por Hércules Guzmán Fox, George Lincoln y Alicia Mantorella.

Su libro Francisco. El primer papa latinoamericano ha sido traducido a 12 idiomas, entre ellos el chino, inglés, francés, italiano, portugues, japonés, danés, etc.

Sol rojo sobre Hiroshima (2009) y El País de las lágrimas (2010) son sus obras más intimistas. También ha publicado ensayos como Martín Luther King (2006) e Historia de la Masonería en Estados Unidos (2009). Los doce legados de Steve Jobs (2012). La biografía del papa Francisco. El primer papa latinoamericano (2013). La Saga Ione (2013) o la Serie Apocalipsis (2012).Saga Misión Verne (2013)

www.marioescobar.es
http://www.amazon.com/Mario-Escobar/e...
http://www.sagamisionverne.es/

Reviews

[Christine Garrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a professional librarian who spent eighteen years working in libraries, I was already familiar with the Nazi book burnings that preceded World War II. The destruction of books was not incidental; it was part of a systematic campaign to suppress ideas, silence dissent, and control what people were permitted to think. Countless books were lost, along with many of the people who risked their lives to protect them. Library of Forbidden Books honors the courageous librarians and book lovers who understood that preserving literature could itself be an act of resistance.

Set in Berlin beginning in 1933, Mario Escobar’s historical novel follows Helene Nathan, a half-Jewish librarian who becomes a guardian of a secret collection containing books banned by the Nazi regime. As neighbors escape or simply disappear, possessing prohibited materials becomes increasingly dangerous. Helene knows that if the hidden library is discovered, far more than the books could perish.

Her situation is further complicated by her relationship with Derek, a military officer working within the German government. His position offers Helene a degree of protection and mobility, but it also makes her more visible to the very people who want her gone. Among them is Rudolf Kummer, a ruthless Nazi official whose terrifying lack of empathy reflects the regime’s treatment of human beings as objects to be classified, used, and discarded.

As the Nazis tighten their control, Helene’s efforts to protect forbidden books eventually lead to her imprisonment in a labor camp. Escobar does not shy away from the physical and psychological horrors she endures, including perpetually cold, flea-infested barracks and the gradual starvation that leaves her increasingly skeletal. Her friendship with a fellow prisoner who is a doctor offers some comfort, but it cannot shield her from the camp’s brutality.

Helene also experiences particularly traumatic forms of abuse during her imprisonment. Readers should approach this story knowing that it contains disturbing material connected to the Holocaust, persecution, imprisonment, starvation, and sexual and reproductive violence. Even as a seasoned reader of World War II fiction, I find that every individual story renews my sadness and anger over what occurred. The Holocaust remains one of history’s cruelest demonstrations of humanity’s capacity for evil, yet stories such as Helene’s also reveal its extraordinary resilience.

Inspired by the life of a real librarian and the true stories of those who resisted Nazi censorship, Library of Forbidden Books is clearly grounded in extensive historical research. Escobar illustrates why authoritarian governments so often target books: controlling access to ideas is one way of controlling people. For librarians and anyone who values intellectual freedom, Helene’s commitment to preserving threatened works carries particular weight.

Kathleen Gati gives the audiobook an emotionally compelling performance, capturing the characters’ fear, grief, courage, and determination while differentiating them through appropriate accents. My only difficulty with the audio had nothing to do with her narration. Because the names Helene and Lena sound so similar, I occasionally had trouble distinguishing between the two librarians while listening.

Library of Forbidden Books is a harrowing tribute to those who risked everything to preserve knowledge during one of history’s darkest periods. It reminds us that books are more than objects on shelves: They hold memories, challenge propaganda, and protect the freedom to think for ourselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for providing me with an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[L A · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In a world of burning books, one woman will risk everything to keep stories alive."
Based on the heroic nature of Helene Nathan, who was the first female librarian in a German library. So many amazing stories from WWII that focus on the strength and stamina of people. This book is no exception when the government begins its purge of literature and "forbidden" books. Helene and others worked around the clock to collect and hide books slated for destruction.
With the fluctuation of the Nazi regime, comes horror stories and survival skills. It never fails to amaze me what people will do when they believe in something. Knowledge is power and without it the government can stifle us. These characters were strong but not strong enough to fight off the regime. As people disappeared from their homes and the streets, it became more evident the need to hide books before history is lost forever.
The fear is real today considering how they can demand what books we can or cannot have in the library. Most people haven't read them to know what is inside these books.
A wonderful book and a reminder of how the past comes back to repeat itself. We must protect our right to read.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sheri | HawksNestReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC.
As soon as I saw the title and description, I knew this book was going to be for me…and it absolutely was. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and this story was so beautifully written.
Helene Nathan is a librarian in Germany during the rise of the Nazi regime, and she risks everything to save the books that are at risk of being burned. Her bravery and determination really stayed with me.
The audiobook, narrated by Kathleen Gati, made this experience even stronger. She brought so much emotion to the story. I gasped so many times listening to this- the atrocities people lived through were horrifying, and the narration brought the real history to life in a way that hit hard.
This is a powerful, emotional story based on the real librarians who fought back. I recommend it to any historical fiction fan.

[Erin · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

3.25 stars

Berlin 1933. For Helene Nathan and her fiancé, Dereck von Sholtz, it is supposed to be a time of celebration as the two prepare to wed. She is a librarian, and he is the personal assistant to a German General. But Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party cast a shadow over the young couple and all of Germany. Helene's resistance becomes a secret mission to protect forbidden titles that the Brownshirts want to round up and burn by creating a secret library. But a particular SS officer has his eye on Helene, and he will stop at nothing to stop her.

Those who have been my Goodreads friend for a few years now know WWII historical fiction used to be one of my most-read topics. Since the market is saturated with tales from this era, I have tended to read less and less about this period. But every once in a while, a title catches my eye. Library of Forbidden Books is focused on what gradually happened to the German people as the Nazi Party introduced more and more laws. Dereck is a member of the Prussian aristocracy, and Helene is half-Jewish; despite the worries of others around them, they form a marriage that is frowned upon by the state. Mario Escobar managed to convey how dangerous Helene's work was, as the laws make escape increasingly difficult.

On the other hand, the book’s events begin to accelerate at one point, especially during the war years, so I was shocked when the ending suddenly came to a halt. Although realistic, it left me feeling numb.

#LibraryofForbiddenBooks #NetGalley.
Publication Date 01/09/26
Goodreads Review 04/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for access to this title. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[William de_Rham · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a history, Mario Escobar’s “Library of Forbidden Books” sometimes succeeds. But as a novel, it often misses the mark.

The story Escobar seeks to tell—how the Nazis banned and burned books they deemed contrary to the teachings of Adolf Hitler and National Socialism—is an important one, especially now that the desire for censorship from certain quarters seems to be on the rise. To tell the tale, Escobar fictionalizes the life of Helene Nathan, the half-Jewish librarian who was the first woman to serve as the director of a Berlin public library. As Escobar tells us in his “Clarifications” at the end of the novel, the real Helene died by suicide in 1940 as the result of Nazi persecution.

Not so for Escobar’s fictional Helene, who passionately loves books. When it becomes apparent in 1933 that the Nazis mean to ban and burn volumes they find offensive—publications that Helene believes are crucial to German culture—she and her assistants spirit the books into hiding. Even though Helen is married to the adjutant for the army’s chief of staff, thereby affording her some protection, her Jewish roots and her liberal ideas and actions eventually cause her to be arrested and sent to a concentration camp as a political prisoner. Pregnancy and her husband’s intercession result in her release, but she again undertakes forbidden activities, this time causing her husband to be imprisoned and his family to take her children away. She never sees them again, and, once the war is over, she returns to rebuild the library destroyed by allied bombing with the books she and her colleagues hid back in the mid-1930’s.

So, an interesting plot. Unfortunately, I didn’t think the tale was told very well. A number of factors prevented me from becoming absorbed in what could have been an enthralling story.

First, I found the writing to be very expository. At times I thought I was reading a non-fiction essay or an op-ed piece as opposed to compelling fiction. Often didactic, it “told” much more than it “showed.”

Second, characters and settings were not all that well portrayed. I had trouble believing in the characters as real people. I never felt like I was in 1930’s Berlin under National Socialism. Yes, some of the components were there. But they didn’t “live and breathe,” at least, they didn’t for me. Plus, I thought some of the choices made by some of the characters were either not very believable, or not very well explained or justified. Often, those choices contradicted and undercut any sense of danger the author may have been trying to convey. And the portrayals of real historical figures such as Hitler, Goebbels, Himmler, and Heydrich were no more than thumbnail sketches.

Third, the wall between Escobar as author and his characters often seemed very thin, with Escobar often commenting—sometimes quite melodramatically—on what his characters are thinking and feeling.

It’s possible that something was lost in the process of translating this novel from Spanish to English. But time and time again, I found myself alienated from the story rather than engrossed in it.

On the positive side, Escobar does a good job setting forth the chronology of historic events involved in the story. Readers unfamiliar with pre-WWII Berlin under National Socialism may find this a good introduction to the period.

However, readers hoping for a well-integrated historical novel like Herman Wouk’s “The Winds of War”/”War and Remembrance” or the historical novels of Ken Follett or Leon Uris may find “Library of Forbidden Books” lacking.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Mario Escobar, and publisher Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.

[Linda Galella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the life of Helene Nathan, (one of the first female librarians in Berlin to hold a director’s role at a public library), Mario Escobar’s new book, LIBRARY OF FORBIDDEN BOOKS, is highly fictionalized but engaging and informative.

Helene and Derek are engaged. Even tho’ they are sure each other is the love of their life, things are not easy. Helene is half Jewish and Derek comes from Prussian royalty. His father is not happy. Marriage and children only make him less accommodating. Because Derek is assistant to an high ranking Nazi official, his family is not harassed…for a while, anyway.

As director of the local library, Helene and friends, ( both workers in the library), start to make plans to save the Forbidden Books - anything the Nazi’s find doesn’t support their cause or was written by Jewish Authors. When Helene doesn’t back down from a Nazi officer who used to be a library employee, he makes gutting her library and ruining her life a priority. Her short lived security, provided by Derek’s position and his family’s standing with the Third Reich, is over and the Nathan family is subjected to all the horrors of the holocaust.

Escobar creates a fictional storyline that follows the creation of a Forbidden Books library. Helene and her friends are courageous, determined and willing to do anything, even the seemingly impossible. What she employs to guarantee the survival of Forbidden Books is astonishing; even fire won’t be able to destroy these books!

Escobar begins the book by adding this quote to his dedication: *“That was but a prelude; where they burn books, they will end up burning people too.” This quote is on a memorial plaque at the site of the May 10, 1933 book burning in Berlin.”

The book is broken up into three large sections and an Epilogue: PART 1: BOOKS THAT BURN PART II: THE MORINGEN LIBRARY PART III: THE LIVING LIBRARY. Prior to the start of Chapter 1, Escobar writes his Author’s Note where this quote from a Hitler contemporary sets the stage: “The philosopher Eric Voegelin, a contemporary of Hitler, interpreted twentieth-century populist movements as substitutes for institutionalized belief systems and called them “political religions.” He asserted that the great theorists, who erased the concepts of God and the world, failed to eliminate the problems that human beings cause merely by existing, and that when God is no longer in the equation, human beings fashion new secular gods.“

After finishing the narrative, be sure to read the Clarifications From History. It will be sobering. Additionally, there is a Timeline that ends the book, for those who want to follow the major events during the years that coincide with the storyline.

Chapters are short and the story is easy to read; fast paced with engaging all the emotions a reader can experience. Well developed characters, a plot line that supports historical events, honest dialogue without expletives and a light faith thread are hallmarks of this excellent book. Escobar is masterful at Historical, and meaningful Fiction. Readers can find
significant applications to contemporary history; a powerful reason to read this genre.

Recommended for those who read: WW2 history, Historical Fiction, light war stories, German war history,
Holocaust Fictionalizations, Character driven stories and more📚

I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC via Kindle with thanks to the publisher and author.

[Marialyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

How far would you go to save a book? Would you be brave enough to risk your life over saving books that had been condemned?

In this story, blending some facts with fiction, Mario Escobar introduces us to Helene Nathan, a half Jewish woman who worked at the Neukölln, a library, with a dedication and zeal that endeavored to bring books to the working class, while also recognizing the importance or bringing literature to the young.Becoming the first woman to a leadership position in her library, she expanded it, and made reading an acquiring books a goal for others.

Mr Escobar fictionalized her story but did not lose any of the relevance that Helene had. In his telling, Helene married and had children. She fought and hid, along with others, books that were banned while a Nazi SS man longed for her downfall. He successfully portrayed the courage and determination of many who were forced to live under Hitler's reign where both speech, freedom, and the ability to think for yourself was met with punishment and deceit.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar looks at WWII differently than most novels on this subject. We are introduced to the beginning of the Nazi party before Hitler is elected. The characters are shaped and rounded before the persecution begins. They are ordinary people going about their ordinary lives. Then the escalation of abuse and power by the Nazi regime takes hold and doesn't stop until the end of the book.

Helene, who is half Jewish, marries an Aryan man Derek who is Prussian and in the army. Their lives are both tormented and saved by this fact.

I loved that Helene was the first women Librarian in Germany. She is a strong and well rounded character that takes her love of books seriously.
There are so many things I can't mention due to spoilers; but the forbidden library that is created gives a beacon of hope to the book burnings and censorship that took place.

This is a sad and heartbreaking book that relives all the atrocities of WWII. The ending was a surprise.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Library of Forbidden Books, by Mario Escobar, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Its Germany during the war, when Hitler reigned. Such a dark and depressing time in history. This was good read, but very slow moving.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1933-1945 Berlin

Novel inspired by female librarians that took risks to preserve the beauty of written pages during WWII.

Helene Nathan loved her role as librarian. She fell in love with a German soldier before Hitler rose to power. She was already a target because of her gender, but added to that was Jewish heritage on one side of her family. Once Helene and Derek married she had some degree of protection. Helene and other book lovers worked together to save what they could of banned books. They knew they couldn't save them all, but to salvage a few was worth the risk.

My favorite part of the novel was the courage and strength Helene showed during her journey. In particular when her world looked bleak, isolated and without hope, Helene was still a bright light for others.

There were a couple of aspects that didn't seem realistic, but overall, Library of Forbidden Books is an engaging novel and one I'd recommend to other fans of historical fiction.

My gratitude to publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of the novel. All opinions expressed are my own and was not required to post a review.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Top Three Reasons Why You Should Read This Book:

1. I love anything set in this time frame, especially those that are big on historical facts, settings, and the need to educate as well as entertain, and this story does all of that.

2. A Setting that is as breathtaking as it is terrifying in its realism.

3. History that will pull you in and leave you thinking about it long after you have finished the story. I love reading about this time period and even though I knew books were banned and burned, I never once really stopped to contemplate what happened to the libraries and the librarians inside, trying to protect it all. This one made me think in ways I had before.


*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

[linda hole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg the author did it again the book shredded my heart to pieces. I loved the Main characters their strength and resillience. I cried for Whiat they Went theough, i laughed with them when life was a little easier. I am just scared that theae things will happen again. Thank you to netgalley.com for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more proof that there are always stories of strength and resilience and heartache still to be told from World War II. Library of Forbidden Books tells the story of Helene Nathan, a young female librarian (which was a job mainly given to men at the time) in Berlin prior to the start of World War II as Hitler's rise to power began. While Helene Nathan was a real librarian whom the author chose to base his story on, this story is in fact a complete work of fiction, which the author does state in his author's notes at the end of the book. However, I went through the entire book without that knowledge and wished it had been made clearer at the beginning of the book rather than the end (yes, it does "a novel" on the cover, but I read a digital ARC without a copy of the cover to the ebook). After learning this after finishing the book, several situations and the timeline of the book started to make more sense. The way bad things would happen, by one ending and another one beginning, to Helene and her family and friends didn't flow and just felt like moving from one plot point to the next. While the book was still well written, it just didn't quite feel like it could all be true, so learning that it was fiction made much more sense.

The author also mentions he took the same strong creative literary liberties with other actual historical political German figures (Kummer, von Blomberg, and Rommel are a couple) in the story, putting them in entirely fictional situations and circumstances and actions (marriage, life, death, places, times, etc.) to fit with his story.

Escobar starts this story with Hitler's book burning in the early 1930s and how he also banned all Jewish books, as well as books by other authors which he felt were against his Nazi platform, to portray another way in which some German citizens who didn't follow Hitler's Nazi ideals and anti-semitism worked to try to fight against that mentality and hatred, which he even portrays through Helene's neighbors' desire to take her children to raise them in a "good Aryan family," to further the Aryan bloodline and Nazi beliefs. I kept thinking of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade during the descriptions of the book burning "parties" and hadn't realized that those took place before World War II while Hitler was still rising to his full power and terror. I also didn't realize that he had started concentration camps (which everyone was told were work camps for criminals) in the 1930s well before the war started as well.

Overall, an enjoyable read with a strong message and examples of friendship, love, hope, and determination, as well as the importance of the written word and books and how they fuel the soul and also help preserve stories and more for generations and the importance of having in our lives.

Content: Descriptions of concentration camps, murder, Nazi hatred, abuse.

***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.***

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library of Forbidden Books was a beautifully written and compelling historical fiction story about the power of books, courage, and standing up against oppression. I really enjoyed Helene’s character and her determination to protect the books that were being targeted by the Nazi regime.

The setting of Berlin in 1933 was incredibly well done, and I loved how the story highlighted the important role that librarians and literature played during such a terrifying time in history. The danger felt very real, and I found myself anxious for Helene and those around her as the story progressed.

I especially loved the message that books can preserve ideas, history, and freedom even when people try to silence them. A powerful story of bravery, resistance, and the importance of protecting knowledge. 📚❤️

A great choice for historical fiction readers, especially anyone who loves stories about books and librarians!

[Naori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This advance reader’s copy is courtesy of NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this advanced reader copy of Mario Escobar’s The Library of Forbidden Books in an exchange for an honest review. My words are my own.

I have read a lot of books set in WWII era Germany in which human cruelty and mass devastation are prevalent; this book is the first to truly focus on life. Dedicated to re-earthing the story of librarian Heléne Nathan, Escobar carefully reconstruncts her relentless efforts to save inumerous books from being destroyed. Unlike novels that start in the height of WWII, the author’s positioning of this text in the early 1930’s allows us to see the myriad powers battling to sublimate knowledge prior to Hitler’s rise. Although she was pressured relentlessly to purge her library of texts thats aligned with communism and nationalism, Nathan maintained that a library is not only a neutral space but an uncensored one; she shelved books by philosophers of all political schools of thought, regardless of the rise and fall of the national temperature.

One of the most painful moments in the novel is the 1933 book burning in Berlin, , where Heléne watches as hundreds of books, many of them hers, are burned by a predominately young Nazi crowd. The famous Nazi figurehead Goebbels encourages the youth saying, “we won’t allow the pen to keep poisoning our culture. We want the sword of the German spirit to guide the destiny of our people “(80). For the Germans, burning books was a symbol of relinquishing the decadent past of Berlin, one that privileged knowledge over violence As this unraveling of the previous era begins, it only inspires Heléne and her fellow librarians to try even more fervently to save books.

After repeated trials in her personal life, imprisonment and the impending seizure of a growing library of texts, Heléne comes to a a revolutionary conclusion. The only way to completely ensure that the books survive a war is to create a Living Library. While I don’t want to expand on this as it would reveal the plot to potential readers, Heléne sacrifices familial and personal safety in order to ensure that rare literature, philosophy, secular and sacred texts live on. During a clandestine dinner with Heléne the writer Zweig tells her, “in these times existing is, in and of itself, an act of rebellion.” Heléne Nathan did far more that simply that.

As readers ourselves, I can’t imagine a more organic impulse than to protect a book. Most of us know the reflex of seeing water spilled near a favorite text and leaping into action - walking out in the rain and covering your books before yourself. Heléne Nathan and her fellow librarians had that same reflex in a time when, if they had ignored it, many books would have ceased to exist. As Escobar writes, “being a human being means knowing how to choose between complacency and action”. I am exceedingly thankful to know of the actions this woman and her accomplices took to sustain the very things that as readers we all know to be life-giving. I would recommend this book to all fans of literature alike.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This was the first time I ever read Mario Escobar's work, and I was very excited, especially since I'm a huge WWII fan and particularly interested in the book burning/banning, having greatly enjoyed Roseanna M. White's The Collector of Burned Books last year. Unfortunately, I quickly discovered this specific book is not my cup of tea. I found the writing very dry and much too "tell-y" rather than "show-y," though I did appreciate learning more the women's prison.

Content: various bits of language; the protagonists apparently live together before marriage & the FMC mentions "making love all night."

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

[Wildrose Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Library of Forbidden Books” by Mario Escobar
📘 Format: Digital Book
📚 Pub Date: 09.01.26
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

“Library of Forbidden Books” by Mario Escobar is a heartbreaking and deeply touching story about Helene Nathan, a character based on the real person named Helene Nathan, who was the first female Director at a Public Library in Berlin.

Set in Berlin, “Library of Forbidden Books” tells the story of people caught in the aftermath of Hitler’s rise to power; and highlights how many good people struggled to survive during those years, before, during and after the war.

This novel explores the history of books and public libraries as Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany. The efforts made by the Nazis to completely eradicate books on any subject matter that they deemed offensive or harmful to society were extensive.

It must have taken extreme courage by anyone who made attempts to safeguard books against complete destruction by the regime.

As an avid reader, I am brought to tears thinking about the profound sacrifice of many in the past to preserve and protect books, and ultimately our history. It is both inspiring and humbling.

Eloquently written in the acknowledgments of this book it says “May this novel serve to denounce the persecution of literature—as well as ideas and free thinking—throughout history.” Indeed, this novel will definitely be successful in that endeavour.

I highly recommend “Library of Forbidden Books”, and I know that I will be contemplating this story for a long, long time. This book will make an excellent Book Club Selection and group discussion.

Thank you to Mario Escobar, NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Fiction for the Advance Review Copy. All opinions are my own.

#LibraryOfForbiddenBooks
#MarioEscobar
#NetGalley
#ThomasNelsonFiction

[marialetto.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐ ⊹ 0 🌶️ ⊹ 304 📖

⁀➴ Overall: If you’re looking for an interesting story about a librarian protecting books during the book burnings of WWII, look no further!

⋆⟢ Tropes + Vibes:
🤍 protecting books
📚 set in Germany
🤍 librarian MC
📚 resilience + hope
🖤 check cw

⁀➴ Bookish Breakdown:
This book tells the story of a librarian who did everything she could to protect books and knowledge. It is a historical fiction book, so the author definitely adds additional details to the story.

With the additional details added, the author is able to tell not just the story of librarian Helene Nathan, but other stories about the camps, how people were treated, how Berlin was fairing, and the progression of the Party’s rise to power and how people changed as the Party gained more power.

It’s a difficult time of human history to read about. There are a lot of scenes that tell the sad and painful stories of how people were mistreated. Amidst this heaviness, you see some accounts of people having hope. Hope for a brighter future. Hope for a positive outcome despite the darkness they were living through. You see human resilience at its finest through Helene.

I thought that the stories of Helene and those around her were well told. Having studied this time period extensively, many details were familiar to me, but it was so different to read them as a firsthand account rather than from a textbook.

I also appreciated that there were timelines and details that explained where the story deviated from real life scenarios.

Thank you to Mario Escobar and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar is a World War II novel about the Nazi’s burning of books. I remember a scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where they burned the books, and I wanted to know how others could burn some information without care in the world. I wanted this book to be that story. The character of Helene is difficult to read at times, but the story takes place over the span of 15 years, so it moves quickly. I think it could have narrowed down to a few years and still had an impactful story. Right now, it reads more like Helene’s journal that someone got their hands upon and tried to make into a novel. Yes, the climactic moment revolves around the Nazi’s soldiers and their mistreatment of Jews and others, but I wanted more of an overarching issue instead of what was already known. Overall, Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar was not one of my favorite novels by him. The story covered too much time and felt incomplete.

I received a complimentary copy of Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar was a moving and heartbreaking story that reminded me why I love historical fiction, especially when it introduces me to people and acts of courage I knew little about.

Set in Berlin beginning in 1933, the story followed Helene Nathan, a librarian who watched in horror as the Nazis began banning and burning books they considered dangerous. Helene, who was half-Jewish, understood that her own life was becoming increasingly precarious, yet she risked everything to secretly save and hide forbidden books. Her situation became even more dangerous when Nazi official Rudolf Kummer seemed determined to target her.

I became very invested in Helene, not only because of her bravery but because of the personal losses she faced, her fears, and the difficult choices she faced. Her love and marriage to a German soldier added another emotional layer to the story as the world around them became increasingly frightening. I kept wondering how much one person could risk before the cost became too great.

What touched me most was the idea that protecting books could be an act of resistance. Helene understood that destroying books was also an attempt to destroy ideas, memories, and the freedom to think for oneself. Knowing the novel was inspired by librarians who actually resisted Nazi censorship made her story even more meaningful to me.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kathleen Gati, whose performance brought warmth and emotion to Helene’s story. There were heartbreaking moments that were difficult to hear, but there were also moments of courage and hope that stayed with me.

This was a powerful story about books, bravery, sacrifice, love, and the importance of preserving knowledge even in the darkest times. I finished it feeling both saddened by what Helene endured and inspired by the courage of those who refused to remain silent.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio, and Mario Escobar for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction steeped in history and I am a sucker for stories surrounding books and libraries. Library of Forbidden Books highlights the men and women who risked their lives to protect banned books and what it cost them.

It’s Berlin 1933, and the Nazi regime has begun its systematic purge of literature, compiling lists of “forbidden” works and executing public book burnings. Helene is a half-Jewish librarian who, along with others, attempt to hide forbidden books right under the Nazi’s noses. Rudolf Kummer, a ruthless Nazi official, seems to have a personal vendetta against her and seeks to find these books and send her away.

I liked Helene, who is strong-willed, and most of our time is spent with her. She was married to a German officer when the book burning began. Fellow librarian workers, Lena and Klaus help her hide the books, but there is very little development of secondary characters and I think it would have enhanced the story. Maybe this is because Helene was based on the real librarian?

The story was intense as Helene finds herself in a work camp and expecting her first child. The author gives us a clear picture of not only what happened to these books but also the lengths some went to preserve them, from risking their lives to hide them to memorizing them.

The story includes an epilogue, but be warned it’s not necessarily a happy one. It is perhaps a more factual one and reflects the cost these people endured to protect culture and books.

This review originally published at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
The calm before the storm…
Helene and Derick are two young adults who are deeply in love. They enjoy making plans for their future together, dreaming of married life and children. Derick’s father wasn’t exactly pleased with his son for taking up with a “half-Jew”, but tolerates the relationship. In Berlin, Germany in 1932, it’s not yet a problem for Jews and Gentiles to marry.
Helene’s job as a librarian gives her great pleasure, especially when she can put beloved books into the hands of children and the downtrodden. Germany is still stinging from the repercussions of the Great War, and from economic depression, so reading is a privilege that everyone can share in.
Until…
Adolf Hitler is made Chancellor of Germany in 1933.
The Nazi Party inevitably takes control of the government.
Jews and other “ undesirables” are persecuted.
Aryans and Jews are forbidden to marry.
The Nazis carry out a campaign of destroying books that they consider “indecent”, making raids on libraries and holding public book-burning rallies.

Helene and some other brave Germans are determined to prevent the total destruction of the precious tomes, by any means necessary, and at great risk to themselves and their families…

* I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library of Forbidden Books is a World War II novel that traces the rise and fall of the Nazi party in Germany through the life of one brave librarian, determined to protect the books that Hitler and ilk would see eradicated from the zeitgeist. Our librarian in question, Helene Nathan, was a real person, one of Germany’s first female librarians. The majority of her story as presented through Library of Forbidden Books is fictional supposition, but it spawns from that kernel of truth.

In this book, we see the slow takeover of Helene’s beloved Berlin by the Nazis. Spanning from the early 1930s to 1945, the novel drops in on Helene and her fellow librarians periodically as the Third Reich slowly enmeshes itself into the German government and follows their attempts to preserve whatever forbidden books they can over the course of the war that follows. Along the way we witness a lot of tragedy and—thankfully—a few triumphs.

The prose here was often simplistic, with dialogue that occasionally felt too modern in syntax for the time and place of our setting. But I’m not sure how much of that was a craft decision on Escobar’s part and how much is the result of being a novel in translation. I also felt Escobar’s agenda in the storytelling, that he wanted us to see how bad things could be and how we need to stand strong against any whispers of censorship, book banning, and other forms of literary suppression. I completely agree with the message, but I wish he had let his story speak for itself instead of being quite so heavy-handed. Even still, there were shining moments in the writing where lovely ideas were beautifully stated.

I’m always a fan of literary references, especially in a story about books and librarians. In particular, Escobar frequently mentioned Austrian author Stefan Zweig. He’s been on my TBR for a while, but his prevalence here intrigued me enough to bump him higher up the list. Another work frequently mentioned was Goethe’s Faust, which I’ve also been meaning to read for years.

While I’m glad to have read Library of Forbidden Books, it not a story I can really see myself returning to. For one thing, I’m not typically a fan of World War II fiction, though I made an exception here as books were involved. Also, as this is a war novel, I knew going in that I would find heartbreak on these pages, but I had hoped for a somewhat happier ending. I didn’t feel that the prose could quite convincingly carry the heaviness we were given instead.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started the audiobook of this one, I thought it was non-fiction. It turns out to be historical fiction based on true stories of librarians who fought back in Germany during the rise of The Third Reich. The novel focuses on Helene Nathan. She is a librarian at a prestigious German library in Berlin. She is also half-Jewish. How her and her colleagues managed to hide scores of books, that have been targeted by the Nazis, risking imprisonment or worse, is the heart of this story. It is a story of courage and resistance. The writing is solid and engaging. Thanks to NetGalley for supplying me with a DRC.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This novel is based off the life of a real person who fought to protect and preserve books that were being threatened to be burned by the Nazis during WW2, Helene Nathan! Helene and her library co-workers work together to save as many books on the Nazis’ “forbidden books” list what are to be burned. They end up being stored for a while right under the Nazis’ noses. But as WW2 becomes more dangerous, Helene’s life becomes endangered as well. Kummer, one of the Nazi officers, has it out for her and will stop at nothing to get her arrested. This inspiring novel comes out September 1, 2026! For anyone who loves a good historical fiction and has a great love and respect for books – you won’t want to miss this!
Even though most of the characters are fictional, I appreciate this story of their heroism so much, and what one woman and her colleagues were willing to risk to keep the books safe!

[Abby Melchers | lifegivinglibrary · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

2.5 stars

The premise of this book captured my interest- I love historical fiction set in the time of WWII and the Nazi Regime as it is both captivating and heartbreaking. I've read a few books about censorship during this time, particularly about the banning and burning of books, so this wasn't a new topic for me. I was looking forward to reading this book, but it really fell flat for me.

The reason I didn't enjoy reading this isn't because its subject matter isn't interesting. As I mentioned above, I tend to be captivated by this time period and become fully immersed in its history. Library of Forbidden Books, however, lacked the depth needed to keep my interest. Until about the halfway mark, I seriously considered setting it down. While the events happening in Germany at the time were devastating, I never felt emotionally connected to the characters.

Each chapter begins on a new date in history, but the timeline moved forward so quickly, I felt as if there was no room for character development, and as a result I struggled to form a connection with even Helene, the heroine of the story.

The second half of the book was stronger, and it did become more engaging as it went on. I do think this book is eye-opening to some of the atrocities of concentration camps before their evolution into death and extermination camps later in the Nazi regime. This section of the book was the most impactful for me, and I appreciated its historical insight.

If you are looking for a book that focuses on the history of 1930s-1940s Germany, you may enjoy this one. However, if you're like me and prefer historical fiction with rich character development, this may not be a good fit.

I did appreciate that this is a clean book with no language or sexual content, so from that perspective, I feel comfortable recommending it. However, there are many other WWII books that deliver a more emotionally compelling reading experience.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read books about the Nazis burning books and how people attempted to keep their books safe during the Nazi takeover. I didn't know how meticulous this book-burning operation was. Another thing that fascinated me was how librarians preserved large volumes of fiction and nonfiction literature.

I liked how the author puts readers right in the heart of the rescue mission, as they try to outwit the enemy. I felt sorry for ordinary individuals who wanted to hide their valuable books for future generations. The problem was the fact that they were running out of locations to hide these books.

If you haven't read this author's works, I highly recommend them, particularly this one. You'll quickly become engrossed in the action, rooting for the book Saviers and hoping they're not caught. The author holds a master's degree in contemporary history; his enthusiasm for history and its mysteries is evident throughout this narrative.

I requested an ARC copy of this book for my honest review.

[ManOfLaBook.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more reviews, Margin Notes on The Real Dr. Helene Nathan, and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

The Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar is another World War II novel centering on the perceived danger books held on the Third Reich. Mr. Escobar is a best-selling author and historian

Helene Nathan, a half-Jewish librarian is one of the first women in Germany to rise to be a prominent librarian in a public library. Helene is engaged to a Christian officer in the German army in 1933 when National Socialism’s rise to power begins.

Helene witnesses the attacks against Jews, intellectualism and the burning of books. She takes matters into her own hand, and with a select group of dedicated colleagues attempts to save precious, and some irreplaceable volumes.

Mr. Escobar’s books are ones I’m usually on the lookout for. I enjoyed many of his books previously and the weaving of history in fictional narrative makes them an enjoyable learning experience.

The Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar (translated by Gretchen Abernathy) captures the idea that destroying books is an attempt to destroy history, memory, and education to get a compliant populace. Preserving uncensored knowledge is an act of defiance in this context, and especially in that time.

The book spends a lot of time in the 1930s, capturing fear, neighborly betrayals and censorship all moving in blitzkrieg speeds. These government sponsored acts reshaped the lives of everyday Germans a long time before any bullets were fired.

Like the author’s other books, the historical detail and timeline are accurate and add a lot of background and context to the fictional narrative.

The book not long and hence moves quickly through historical events which other books spend more words on. This allows Mr. Escobar to include some important perspectives such as political maneuvering and yet allows Helene’s story to be at the center of it.

As a bibliophile, this book was not only thought-provoking, but also inspirational. It’s a reminder that we must protect free thought, and an homage to the unsung heroes that are all around us.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helene Nathan is an inspirational character. One of the first female librarians at a German library in the 1930s, she was half-Jewish and engaged to be married to a German Army Officer.

You can imagine some of the challenges she faced as the Nazis started burning "banned" books, which was just the start of things getting really difficult for her. The book covers banned books, the holocaust, displacement and the heartbreaking reality of a mixed marriage in Nazi Germany. Helene is one of the strongest characters I have encountered, as she rails against the actions of the government.

I had this book for a while before I was ready to read it as I knew some of the horrors that would be included. Despite the topic, it's an easy read with heartwarming moments. It has hope but is set against a heartbreaking tragedy as most books set in that era tend to be.

Thanks to Mario Escobar, Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

While the topic is interesting, I’m afraid the execution was a bit flawed. Plot holes and abrupt endings made this one difficult to digest, however there are many themes about humanity and censorship that redeem this novel.

To be published 9/1/26