I really did enjoy this book and want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity. The duel timeline was different and I did get confused while reading so I did rereading to make sure where I was, but it was fine. The story was well written but I think I had much more expectations that it also felt off for me. I learned more about an event that I didn’t even know about and it will help someone if they want to learn about this topic. Love the cover!!

I feel so bad... Despite the great premise, I just can't get into the story!

I really don't want to discourage anyone to read it. Odile, the main character, is a book lover and it was very interesting to read about the Dewey system. The storyline in the present seems to have broken the magic of the wonderful first chapter...

Thanks so much to the author, Netgalley and Atria books for the ARC.

“Libraries are lungs... books the fresh air breathed in to keep the heart beating, to keep the brain imagining, to keep hope alive.”

I love historical fiction and libraries, so I had (unrealistic?) high hopes for this book. While I enjoyed the book, the parts I loved didn’t make up for the parts that I didn’t.

I believe that libraries are a cornerstone of any community, so I loved the story focused on the role the American Library in Paris played in daily life during WWII. I appreciated that the cast of staff, volunteers, and subscribers (patrons) were based on real people. The Dewey decimal references throughout were a fun addition.

But both the pacing and structure felt stilted. This story is told in a dual timeline, 1940’s Paris and 1980’s Montana. I usually enjoy this structure, but it didn’t work for me this time. It just felt a bit discombobulated. The pacing simultaneously felt too slow and too fast. The beginning was a bit slow and then the ending was abrupt. I don’t need things wrapped up in a bow, but there were too many unanswered questions and relationships that deserved a more concrete conclusion.

Unfortunately I did not finish this book. I stopped at 30%. The premise was very interesting to me but the pace and writing seemed off. I was very excited to learn more about the American library in Paris but the story wasn't for me. I appreciate the chance to read this book prior to its release!

The author's agenda in writing this book was to bring awareness to the heroes at the American Library in Paris during WW2 and she does just that. I have read many books during this time period and I did not know about this. The author really shows what it was like for Parisians during this time, what they knew was happening and what was hidden from them. Not only does she highlight the heroes who worked in the library but she also shares what was learned during that time and how it's shared with a future generation with Lily. Odile in the 1980s is so closed off until Lily invades her space. There relationship blossoms into something really special.

@rubibooksday

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles ☆☆☆.5⠀
This books takes place in dual timelines: Paris 1939 and Montana 1983. Although we get a glimpse of what was going on in Paris in WWII, the main focus is in the librarians from the American Library and the comfort books give to people. I did enjoy how the story in this familiar setting focused on something different, it was easy to read and the characters were interesting. However, I did feel the story was rushed, more development was needed, and although I did enjoy the Montana storyline I could have done without it and just have the whole book focused on the American Library and its members.⠀
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As a historical fiction lover, I have the impression that I have been reading the same story in many historical fiction titles.
"The Paris Library" is different: with realistic and memorable characters, Charles delivers, through dual timeline and compelling writing, a beautiful story of human spirit, bravery, forgiveness and friendship. Based on true story, this book is perfect for all book lovers - you will get emotional and invested in these characters' story.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to review this fine book.

This book takes place in two different time eras. Odile is working at the American Public Library in Paris in 1939. It is a difficult time in Paris, as WWII has started and the Nazis are beginning to occupy their communities. She is in love with a police officer, her family and her library and its subscribers. Odile and her coworkers put their lives on the line to protect their books and their subscribers.
We also see an older Odile in Froid, Montana in the early 1980's. She is carrying many secrets of her past until she befriends a young Lily, who lives next door. Their friendship grows as they both need someone to lean on. Odile teaches Lily French and they teach each other how to love and be loved in return.

This book was a wonderful story of how librarians helped out during WWII. So many books were lost during the war. To see the librarians risk their lives to protect is wonderful, as well as, sad.

I got lost in the words of this story. Janet Skeslien Charles is an excellent story writer who captured me from the beginning. I look forward to reading more by her in the future!

NetGalley ARC | If you love books about libraries and librarians, this one is for you. Set in WW2 in Paris, watch as the librarians at The American Library in Paris join the French Resistance in their own bookish way.

While I didn't love Lily's sub-story set in Montana, I fully devoured Odile's devotion to the library during WW2. Based on a true story, you'll love these strong women, powerful gaggle of friends and co-workers, and feminist-flair. I championed the messaging about being the best version of yourself, too.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Read our complete review here on The Uncorked Librarian: https://www.theuncorkedlibrarian.com/february-2021-book-releases/

The story of Odile and Lilly spanning two different time periods, the past and what appears to be the current. The story focuses on the importance of libraries and books especially during trying times. I can relate to the idea of the importance of books and the escape they provide. The importance of great literature, stories and themes of books that help people to live through difficult times and give voice to feelings and times. Odile, a young lady looking for independence and the ability to provide for herself prior to the WW2. Lily, a young child moving into the high school years. Loss Odile loses her twin brother as a prisoner of war, and Lily loses her mother and friend during a critical time in her life. Friendship between younger and older people and the gentle guidance it can provide is a wonderful subtheme in the book.. The experience of the established American Library in Paris amidst the background of the Nazi occupation during WW2. It follows the experiences of the young, ambitious librarian, Odile Souchet, with the library supporting its subscribers, including Jews, and soldiers. The Library is not left untouched by the occupation, a target for the Nazis. The story covers Odile's wartime experiences, such as those with her family, she is close to her brother, Remy, who has joined the war efforts, her worries for him, hoping that he will return safe and sound. There are the many wide ranging and disparate subscribers, the staff and volunteers, the joys of seeing the right book find the right reader at the right time. Odile has a romantic relationship with Paul, a policeman, as she finds herself willing to do whatever it takes to save the library, joining the Resistance in its myriad forms. Never was the power of books and reading so desperately needed, in the bleakest, dangerous, hardest and darkest of times, and all the horrors that it entailed. We follow what happens with Odile, her colleagues and friends, trying to save lives and the library, the below the radar deliveries to Jews, going expressly against Nazi orders. There are challenges, obstacles, deception and the shock of betrayal. In 1983 in Montana, teenage high school student, Lily, has recently suffered the loss of her mother, whilst her father has remarried. Grief stricken, lonely and struggling to fit in, Lily becomes close to her elderly French neighbor, Odile, and interviews for a school project. Odile sees that she has much in common with Lily, their relationship culminating in the surprising revelation of a past secret that connects them. I really enjoyed the book as I enjoy historical fiction but also because of my love for books and the way they help the reader to find peace in difficult times. I would recommend this book as it covers so many themes and the plot is still relevant today.

Thank you NetGalley, The Author Janet Skeslien Charles and the publisherAtria Books for the opportunity of the ARC for an honest review. This book will stay with me for a long time.

I absolutely couldn’t wait to read this book. Historical fiction based around WWII is one of my favorites. I couldn’t put this book down and thoroughly enjoyed it.

When Lily uses a school project to fund out about her mysterious French neighbor both of their lives change. Odile helps Lily through family challenges and Lily helps Odile come to terms with her past. Odile and her love of books led her to work in the American Library in Paris during WWII and Nazi occupation. Odile and her book obsession lead her to help keep the library open and their readers in books but she is very naive and not fully informed about the horror going on around her. It was an interesting novel and I enjoyed the present and past stories being told. This was another interesting story about Paris during the war however it did not go that deep into what was really going on in Paris which I thought was a bit odd since the main character had a relationship with two police officers carrying out some unsavory tasks. I did find it interesting to see a glimpse in to this English speaking community brought together by their love of books. Thanks NetGalley for a review copy of this novel!

I have read many books in this era and I have to say that this one is probably one of my favorites. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing and how she made the story alive. I also love books about libraries and this didn’t disappoint. Having two different perspectives from two different times was one of my favorite types of read and the author made it flow so well. Highly recommend!

It has been a long time since I stayed up all night to finish a book!

Based on real events and people, this story genuinely captures what it is to live. I personally love when the protagonist has flaws. Odile is very much human and makes mistakes. We watch her succeed, we watch her fail those around her. Then, we watch as she mentors Lily and gives her the key to succeed in life as Odile did not.

This story encapsulates so many emotions! There was not a single page in which I was bored!


I will say that, while the split POV was necessary to the plot, having random POVs with Margaret and Paul etc seemed random.

**I received an advance copy of The Paris Library for my honest review**

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a great historical fiction story based on the people that keep the American Library of Paris (ALP) open during the Nazi occupation in World War II. The story centers around a young Parisian, Odile, who gets a job at the ALP just before the war. As events unfold, we are introduced to a cast of characters that represent the various book lovers that frequented the ALP and worked to keep books available to those in Paris and sent books to soldiers throughout Europe during the war. While Odile is the main protagonist, the story does offer various characters and viewpoints living through the Nazi occupation.
I’ve read a lot of historical fiction books and World War II is my favorite time period. Many books mention censorship, confiscation, or book burning, and I know many academics in Europe were rounded up and sent to camps but I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that centered around or even talked about the libraries or the librarians that kept books in the hands of patrons. I felt the characters were believable and I liked the idea of the library fighting to stay open despite the harrowing circumstances. If you like historical fiction, this is another great read.

The Paris Library is a book about Odile Souchet who has just begun her dream job working at the American Library in Paris. Threats of war are looming in Paris and the library does everything possible to stay open. Moving books to safety, hand delivering books to subscribers and just keeping the importance of books in the forefront. There are a lot of very strong secondary characters that are based on actual people and in the author notes we find out what happens to them after the war.

A second timeline centers around a teenager named Lily who lives in a small town in Montana. She decides to interview her neighbor for a school project and that is how she meets Odile Gustafson. She starts taking French lessons and eventually the truth comes out about her past

This story really shows a lot about friendships especially during very difficult times and also about forgiveness. I highly recommend this book!

Odile lands her dream job at the American Library in Paris right on the eve of the German invasion of France. As she is settling into her new job, she must adapt to the needs of war. The war is difficult for Odile and her family in many ways, but she finds hope in a new romance. Flash forward to Montana 1983, Lily is a lonely teenager who takes an interest in her elderly neighbor. The more she finds out, the more she becomes obsessed with finding out the truth about her past.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Any book that is set in France during World War II automatically holds my interest. The thing I enjoyed the most was the wide variety of characters. Everyone had their own backstory, and although they were all from different backgrounds, the war brought them all together. I also liked all of the literary references and Dewey decimal numbers peppered throughout. However, there were a couple of things that kept me from giving the book more stars. First, I thought that the Montana storyline could have been omitted altogether; for me, it didn't bring anything to the story. I was much more interested in the Paris storyline and felt that things could have been a bit more fleshed out. The other thing that kept me from giving the book a better review was the ending. I felt that Odile and Margaret deserved a better ending after everything they went through.

Paris plus a library would be enough to hook me into a book. Add a WWII historical fiction and you have the equation for my perfect book. I liked the book. I didn't love it. I struggled with the dual timeline because I prefer a more balanced timeline and I struggled with the Montana timeline. It just didn't captivate me as much as Paris. At times I felt like the book would never end and at others I felt like there wasn't enough book. Montana was a 3 star, Paris was a 5 star, overall it's a 4 star read for me.

The Paris Library is a beautiful story about war and friendship. It is emotionally driven, and transports the readers to Paris in the 1940s. The diverse, hilarious cast of characters represent all if us and when books become all they have to fight tyranny there's no hesitation. I love historical fiction based on true stories and this one spoke to my heart. The Paris Library will continue to make you swoon over books, and make your heart ache as you see the librarians doing everything in their power to continue giving people books during a tough time! Highly recommended.

I loved this book! Odile begins working at the American Library in Paris right as WW2 is starting and the story follows her story of working in the library, and fighting to keep it open, during the war. Fast forwards to the 1980's we also follow Lily's story of family troubles and her unlikely friendship with her hostile neighbor, Odile.

The story is different from any WW2 book I've read, however it hit just as hard. While it does focus on the families war struggles, the real focus is on the work Odile does at the library and the friendships she made along the way.

I absolutely loved the ending, however, I wish there was a little bit more closure with Odile's story, I felt was slightly rushed at the end.