We Must Not Think of Ourselves: A Novel By Lauren Grodstein (2023)

The Today Show's Jenna Bush Hager selects a poignant historical novel, "We Must Not Think of Ourselves," inspired by the clandestine efforts to preserve the lives and stories of Jewish residents in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Praised by People as "gripping, emotional, and against all odds, hopeful," this masterpiece by Lauren Grodstein unveils the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

In 1940 Warsaw Ghetto, Adam Paskow becomes a prisoner, approached to join secret archivists preserving the truth. Through testimonies, including his flatmate Sala Wiskoff's, the novel paints a vivid picture of endurance, revealing childhoods, daydreams, passions, and fears. As Adam and Sala navigate the confines of their love amidst confinement, their connection becomes a lifeline.

Grodstein's storytelling prowess, hailed by Madeline Miller as "profound, gripping, urgent, and beautiful," unfolds a narrative where impossible choices become inevitable. The looming question—whom can Adam save, and at what cost—intensifies the emotional depth of the tale. The novel draws inspiration from the real-life Oneg Shabbat project, delving into the lives of those on the edge with immediacy and heart.

"We Must Not Think of Ourselves" is a piercing exploration of love, determination, and sacrifice, offering readers a profound glimpse into a historical chapter marked by resilience and the indomitable human spirit. 📚❤️