During WWII the American Library in Paris was kept open despite the occupation by the brave people who worked there. This beautiful book is based on the true story of the people who loved the library and loved literature so much they risked their lives to deliver books to Jews as well as send book to the soldiers when possible. It’s a lovely story about family, friends, love and books. It’s told in a dual timeline with the main character Odile in France 1934 and then a teenager, Lily, in Montana 1984. Odile is Lily’s neighbor and they develop a friendship. Before war comes to Paris Odile seems to have it all. A wonderful job as a librarian, a twin brother she adores and a handsome suitor named Paul. But with war things change and people reveal who they really are. I recommend this book to people who love historical fiction and those who love books about books. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc for an honest review.

This story was like anything I was expecting. From the very beginning to the end. Wow! Just wow. I might have a bit of issues in some parts where I felt like it slowed down a bit but then things starts being revealed and honestly it was a very good historical fiction. Odile and Lily, two different stories bounded together by destiny. I was a bit more invested in Lily’s story but don’t get me wrong, both were equally good.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a historical fiction novel that follows two timelines following Odile during World War II in Paris and Lily in Montana during 1983. In the first timeline, Odile is a liibrarian who begins working at the American Library in Paris when whisperings of another great war begin. In the later timeline, Odile is older and the neighbor to Lily a young girl who is struggling with the loss of her mother and other life changes as she grows closer to Odile.

This is a character-driven novel that explores the power of books and stories amongst the backdrop of war. I found it powerful how books were able to unite those of all backgrounds, even among the Allies and Nazis in the storyline. The first timeline was atmospheric and Odile was a wonderful character. The library was cozy and made me feel happy and hopeful especially learning how the main and side characters experienced books. However this book is heavy and claustrophobic due to the paranoia of war and the seeds of distrust as someone tries to target the workers at the library. It is important to note that this book was predominately focused on the World War II timeline with probably a third of the book on the later timeline. I was a bit more connected to the WWII timeline but as the book went on became more connected to Lily. However I think it may have been more powerful to open with the story of Odile and and Lily building a friendship and then telling the WWII in a linear manner. I did find the references to the Dewey Decimal system and the interspersed french lessons throughout the book to be charming! Overall I recommend this book for those who enjoy dual-timelines with a WWII plot and enjoy books about books!

Many thanks to the publisher Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Meet Odile and Lily, neighbors who become quick friends told in a multiple timeline and point of view story. The timelines switch between World War II Paris with Odile and 1983 Montana. Throughout the story, the reader is given an in-depth look of what the Paris Library and it's users went through during the war. This is a perspective I have not read about before and found it fascinating. I also enjoyed the relationship between Odile and Lily.

The Paris Library is historical fiction based on the true story of heroic librarians that kept the American Library in Paris open during WWII. It follows Odile a librarian at the library during WWII and Lily a teenager living in Montana during the 1980s.

This book was so engaging and I devoured it and stayed up late. I really felt for both Odile and Lily and loved the friendship they developed. Majority of the book follows Odile as France joins WWII and is occupied by Germany. It is an emotionally heavy read as Odile worries about her loved ones, subscribers to the library and the library.

One concept I really loved from the book, was the idea of your bookmate. A person that reads and loves the same books as you, your book soulmate. It made me miss the days when people used to sign out books on the little cards.

I also appreciated the extra information at the end about the employees of the library and where they ended up after the war. I really want to visit the American Library now the next time I go to Paris.

CW: Suicide Ideation, Abuse, Violence, Death, Child Abuse, Antisemitism

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books/Simon and Schuster for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is by far the finest historical fiction that I have read in recent years. Set in Paris during the early years of occupation, the library was under threat. Books were banned, stolen and hidden. Those who worked there and volunteers, readers and subscribers were going about normal lives when war tore relationships, friendships and families asunder. This is their story. Based on true events, this novel will resonate with historians and book club aficionados alike. It is worthy of discussion.

Odile’s dream comes true when she lands in her dream job as a librarian at the American Library in Paris (ALP). She has sort of an obsession with the Dewey Decimal System and likes to classify things that happen with those system numbers. Everything seems to be well: she has her dream job, new friends from her job and a boyfriend. But then WWII and Nazi occupation started and everything changes. In the 1980s Montana Lily has recently lost her mother and her father soon remarries. Missing her mother and feeling lonely, she befriends her reclusive, elderly neighbour. Fascinated by everything French, she uses her school assignment as a way to get to know her mysterious neighbour.

I don’t think I’ve read a fiction book where a library plays such a big role in the story. And it was interesting as I hadn’t heard of ALP before. We see how the library continued to deliver books to their Jewish subscribers since they could no longer use the library. The book is by no means action-packed but there were no dull moments. The book focuses heavily on the library and we don’t really see how the war affected the city under the occupation or the horrors of concentration camps or such.

I was surprised by how much I liked the 80s timeline. It gave glimpses that Lily’s stepmother might not have had an easy time as the “curator of the Brenda museum” as Lily at some point puts it. It was nice to see their relationship get better as time went on. Each library staff member were wonderful characters on their own right. I would have liked to know more about Buck and Marc as they were only mentioned a few times.

I really loved this book, and it was a bit different WWII book than usually. A book about books, libraries and the Dewey Decimal System. What’s not to like?

This is a terrific historical novel that weaves a tale between two different eras and locations: 1939-44 Paris and 1983-89 Montana. Odile, a French citizen, has just secured her dream job at the American Library in Paris in 1939. She loves the job, where she meets lots of interesting people, while dealing with her overprotective parents and her twin brother. Fast forward to 1983 Montana, where preteen Lily lives next door to mysterious Mrs. Gustafson, a French widow who is extremely private and rarely speaks to anyone. The story moves back and forth between these two threads, presenting a fascinating, well-written, character-driven novel. The author worked at the American Library and uses that first-hand knowledge to bring that world to vivid life. Loved it! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC.

Set in Paris during World War II, Odile has obtained her dream job as a librarian at the American library and will do everything in her power to protect it from the Nazis. As a member of the Resistance, she uses books as a way to stay connected with family and friends.

"Yes, this war had divided us, but a love of literature would reunite us."

Bonjour, and welcome to the Paris library which is really an American library located in France! Alternating between World War II in Paris and the 1980s in Montana, the author has created a fascinating cast of characters (some based on real people) and a beautiful, heartwarming, and hopeful story of family, friendship, and love. And, oh be still my heart because there are soooo many amazing book quotes too. This is one I won't soon forget, and I am left with a book hangover.

"I was skeptical about soul mates, but could believe in bookmates, two beings bound by a passion for reading."

"No other thing [besides books] possesses that mystical faculty to make people see with other people's eyes. The Library is a bridge of books between cultures."

"Libraries are lungs... Books the fresh air breathed in to keep the heart beating, to keep the brain imagining, to keep hope alive. Subscribers depend on us for news, for community. Soldiers need books, need to know their friends at the Library care."

"Professor Cohen proffered a novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder called The Long Winter... 'During a snowstorm, a pioneer family huddles together in their shack, unable to get warm. Pa begins to play the fiddle and tells his three daughters to dance. They giggle and prance, and this keeps them from freezing to death. Later, Pa must tend the livestock, or the animals will die. When he steps outside, he can't see six centimeters in front of him. He holds on to the clothesline to make it to the barn. Inside, Ma holds her breath, waiting... We can't see what's coming. All we can do is hold the line."

"Try to accept people for who they are, not who you want them to be."

Location: 1939 Paris, France and 1980s Froid, Montana

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Inspired by true events, The Paris Library follows a dual timeline. In 1939 Odile Souchet is working at the American Library in Paris during the Nazi occupation of France. Odile and the other librarians negotiate to keep the library open so they can protect the books. The librarians also organized shipments of books to servicemen during the war and made secret deliveries to Jewish patrons who were no longer allowed to enter the library.  In 1983, Lily, a lonely teenager living in Montana, befriends her mysterious and elderly neighbour and discovers they have a lot in common.

The Paris Library is about the power of books and the value of libraries and librarians in society. I would recommend this to all book lovers! Especially if you’re a fan of historical fiction. As with all wartime fiction, it’s heartbreaking to read about the realities of war and the horror people faced. I felt like this book was really well researched and for me, Odile’s timeline in Paris was more compelling. I wanted more of that story!

Janet Skeslien Charles' latest novel The Paris Library is a love story to books, their import, the capacity to change and save lives and their need to be kept safe and alive even in the darkest of times. The story is told in two different eras, wartime Paris and and the mid 1980's, featuring two women at different stages of their lives. The characters could have used a little more fleshing out, as they seemed a tad cartoony and flat in some spots, but the story and emotions the book carried more than made up for it. A perfect book for Book Clubs or for cold winter days.

I wanted to like this historical fiction more than I did. Set primarily in Paris during WW2, The Paris Library tells the story of Odile. Odile is a young French woman who loves books and gets a job at the American Library just before the occupation of Paris. "Breathing in the best smell in the world - a melange of the mossy scent of musty books and crisp newspaper pages - I felt as if I'd come home." (pg.10)

My favorite part of this book was reading about the activities of the staff during the war - sending donated books to soldiers and delivering books to Jewish subscribers no longer allowed in the library. The setting of The American Library in Paris is what attracted me to this book and I wish there was more about it in the story.

I did not connect with Odile (despite her love of books) and often felt that she was very immature. I didn't understand why she did some of the things she did (especially towards the end of the book).

The story has dual timelines - Paris during WW2 and Montana in the 80's. I think the book would have been better if the second timeline was scrapped and the story was told entirely in Paris during WW2.

Ultimately, I think the author missed out on the opportunity to tell a really interesting story about the American Library in Paris during WW2.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I had never read any accounts of the libraries or librarians during WWII. What a heartwarming, and yes, heartbreaking, story for this bookworm’s heart. I loved this story.

The dedication of these booklovers in the face of unimaginable fear was heroic. I am sure there are people, people who do not see the importance of saving books or risking your life to get a book to someone who has been banned from the library, would not agree. I believe that this story is an important piece of history.

I liked how the story is told in first person through different characters. Odile and Lily’s story is what brings us Odile’s whole story. I think both points of view are important.

I enjoyed the author’s note at the end explaining about the time period, characters, and the American Library in Paris.

I have already said that I loved this book. But it bears saying again. This will go down as one of my favorite pieces of historical fiction.

I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it to any fan of historical fiction, WWII fiction, and stories about libraries.

This novel is everything I love about WWII historical fiction! I've learned about yet another aspect of this time period I that wasn't touched on or even hinted at back in college when I was studying WWII history. I'm so glad I've had the opportunity to read this book.

A lovely, heart-warming tale that spanned a lifetime. Odile was brave, smart, kind, and most importantly human. She wasn't infallible, she made mistakes sometimes costly ones, but she learned and grew. Her relationship with Lily was beautiful and poignant. Lily's journey was heartfelt and sometimes raw.

BOOK REVIEW: The Paris Library - Janet Skeslien Charles
Publication Date: February 9th 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction / Based on a True Story
Rating: ★★★★★

I would like to start off by saying thank you to @Netgalley and @atriabooks for gifting me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Also I’m a little confused about the publication date... NetGalley and Goodreads both say it comes out today but a lot of people on here were saying it came out last week? So I’m lost. But happy (maybe belated) publication day to this amazing book!!

The Paris Library is based of the true story of The American Library in Paris during the Second World War. It’s cast is full of amazing people who risked their safety to ensure everyone in the city, Jewish or not, Parisian or not, had access to literature and the information they needed.

This was such an incredible book. If I hadn’t had work it would have for sure been a one sitting read.

The story jumps back and forth between 1940’s Paris where we follow our heroin Odile Souchet, and 1980’s Montana where we’re introduced to Odile’s lonely, teenage neighbour, who takes an interest in her.

This book was so beautifully written and I loved all the book and author references throughout. The story was engaging and really drew you in. I felt like I was roaming the streets of 1940’s Paris. I also especially loved the fact that a lot of the characters were real people who worked at the library during the war.

The Paris Library is by far my favourite book so far in 2021 and any historical fiction fan/book lover won’t be able to put it down! If I ever make it to Paris I will definitely be popping into the library to browse 🥰

This was a beautifully written story about love, friendship and family that takes place in two different timelines. The first follows a French woman named Odile who works at the American Library in Paris and we are following her life during the early parts of WWII. The second story line is from a 13 year old named Lily who lives next door to Odile in Montana in the 1980's. I loved both sides of this story and was eager to keep reading to find out how Odile went from Paris in the 1940's to living in the US in the 1980's. I really enjoyed the parts that took place in the Library and the cast of characters that work and visit the library. If you love great stories about family and friendship as well as WWII then I highly recommend checking this one out! Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for my gifted copy!

France. 1939:
Odile Souchet, has the world at her feet. A close knit (although often stoic) family, the freedom of youth and her dream job as librarian at the American Library in Paris.

From the first day, Odile encounters a plethora of work colleagues and patrons alike who rather quickly become a part of her life and her heart. That is, until the war begins.

As the Germany begin to Occupy France, Odile and her peers put their passion for books and human kindness at the forefront.

Friendships are made and broken. Love is gained and lost. Trust is given, deceit is received.
The pains of war making and breaking her heart repeatedly.

Montana. 1980:
Odile Gustafson, lives a quiet lifestyle finding solace in tending to her garden and attending mass on Sundays. In time, Lily, the inquisitive schoolgirl next door, inadvertently reshapes Odile’s reclusiveness into an open and blossoming friendship.

In both timelines, one question prevails: Are the secrets you keep to save others… or yourself?

A beautiful blend of historical fiction with a coming of age tale. What could be better than that?
One that is based on a true story and real people? Check that box too

In truth, I wish two things for this book; for it to be an international bestseller and to then be turned into a movie. Yes, it’s that good.

Bravo Janet Skeslien Charles, you have penned a masterpiece.

Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this gem.

The Paris Library is focused on the American Library in Paris during WWII. The narrative is written from several points of view and follows two different timelines: one set during WWII in Paris and the other in mid-1980s in Froid, Montana. What I like the most about the book is the atmosphere of a library and the multitude of literary references and quotes. In a way, it is a book about and for readers and library lovers. I also really appreciated the nuanced way the novel takes to what people living in France during WWII knew and did not know about the Nazis and their activities, and how the Nazi occupation slowly permeated every facet of Parisians' lives. The book also does a great job examining how the war affects the characters whose life in one way or another revolves around the library: someone is forced to flee just because of their nationality, someone else is openly targeted by the new regime because of their religion, ethnicity or possible connections. Others - shockingly - use the new circumstances to channel their pent up hatred and jealousy into writing anonymous reports to the Gestapo.

The thing that did not work very well for me is the second timeline based in the 80s in Froid, MN. I was not sure why the author had that parallel story. Yes, we see Odile, the librarian who worked at the ALP during WWII, now as an old woman living in the US. However, that storyline was not really connected thematically with the overall message of the book, at least for me, and I kept wondering why we even needed it. Most of the narrative is set during WWII in Paris, but then once in a while we are transported into the 80s and look at Odile through the eyes of a teenage girl. That storyline is not really focused on Odile, she is more of a side-character, which makes me question the need for this parallel story even more.

In terms of characters, there are many of them in the book. We don't really get to know any of them very closely. Most of them are just sketches, we get the outlines of their stories. We learn the most about Odile, and I have to say, she is a very frustrating character. For someone who is a voracious reader, she is awfully naïve and impulsive. She also unexpectedly freezes in some situations, but acts completely rashly in others. I can't say I liked her.

Overall, it was an interesting novel but I am not sure it presents anything unique about the time-period or perspective. I would say that as a reader, I enjoyed the setting and the literary references. Also, as someone who studied French, I appreciated the peppering of French phrases throughout. Overall, an ok read. 3 out of 5 stars.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris who were steadfast to keep the library open during the Paris Occupation. The story is told between two timelines with young Odile Souchet in 1939
Paris and Lily in 1983 Montana. In 1939, Odile Souchet is young and ambitious with the world at her feet with a handsome beau and her dream job at the American Library. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she worked so hard for, together with her fellow librarians, they use the best weapons they have: books. In 1983, Lily is a lonely teenager who is looking for adventures beyond her small-town. She befriends the solitary, elderly neighbor, Mrs. Gustafson, who no one seems to know. Her story is the only secret in a town where everyone knew every secret. As Lily learns about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that the stories of love, loss, longings and jealousy are tales as old as time.
Books have always had a big impact on my life. They were my friends, my confidantes and relaxation in times of stress. To many people libraries are quiet, boring places where you’re forced to go when you need to do a school project. To me, it was a place of great adventures, The Paris Library takes that place of adventures and makes it the center of heroism and quiet rebellion. It is a story of romance, friendship, family and the power of literature to bridge the divide between us. The Paris Library is a beautiful story about life, love and war surrounding the librarians of the American Library. My favorite statement from the book’s description says it all, “The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places.” Between Odile’s story and Lily’s story, we can see and learn that the times may be different but the reactions, the emotions and the consequences to the actions are the same. We can certainly learn from the past. I highly recommend The Paris Library.

The Paris Library is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook