Thank you to the publisher and Janet Skeslisen Charles for the opportunity to read The Paris Library via NetGalley!
The Paris Library was absolutely wonderful! I greatly enjoyed that both Lily and Odile are flawed characters, but still leave a positive impression. I also appreciated that while Odile appeared flawless in the present day timeline, she was not, but had learned from her mistakes.
When I read dual timeline stories, I generally enjoy the historical timeline more, and that was the case with The Paris Library. I felt Odile's passion for books, but her passion for those she worked with was what drew me to her storyline. She deals with success, friendship, anger, jealousy, and loss and left me rooting for her even when she struggled to make the "right" decision. I think this story really shows the reader that you never truly know how you would react in a situation like Odile's, even when you have the best of intentions and want to help those around you.

The Paris Library is a fantastic book!

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I like reading historical fiction centered around World War II, so when I read this book’s description of course I was interested. And it helped that it was a storyline I hadn’t read before.

It took a little bit of time to get into the book, but once I got to the halfway point, it was hard to put down. I’m pretty sure there was a reason behind that slow build. It was interesting to see how the characters changed based on the impact the war had on them.

I’d definitely recommend this for others who like historical fiction.

I enjoyed this book so much. Any lover of literature will love this story of a library, it’s patrons, volunteers and books during the occupation in Paris.

“Books the fresh air breathed in to keep the heart beating, to keep the brain imagining, to keep hope alive”.

This ended up being a bit of a disappointment for me. My favorite parts of this were overshadowed by the things I didn’t like.

I loved the story centering around books and of their importance in peoples lives. They should always be accessible and protected. I loved the Dewey decimal references throughout and thought it was a wonderful touch.

However, the writing seemed stilted, in that I never felt a deep connection with the characters. The past story was much more interesting than the more present day one, but I still felt like I was outside looking in rather than a part of it. Margaret’s story’s ending just didn’t fit and the fact that Odile never questioned and was ultimately surprised by her Dad or boyfriends ‘policing’? This seemed way too naive for someone walking the streets of Paris day in and day out. Also, who was Lucienne? How did Oriole know her and why after so many years did she want to visit her? Little unexplained things like this drive me crazy. Why include it?

Anywho, this had great potential it just ended up falling short for me. 3.5 stars.

A dual timeline between wartime Paris and Montana in the '80s and the woman who straddled both continents to fight oppression. Odile loves books and all she wants is a job in the American Library in Paris. From memorizing the Dewey decimal system to learning English she is totally prepared for the job but when the Nazis take over Paris her work is just beginning. While she will do anything to protect her friends and fellow library workers it is difficult to know who to trust. Fast forward to Montana where Odile has lived for many years and she befriends a young girl next door with dreams of getting out of the small town. This story of heroic actions on behalf of the staff at the American Library which stayed open the entire time is fascinating and like many books written lately highlights the work done behind the scenes by ordinary citizens. I would have been happy with just that story but Odile and her later life is an added bonus. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Such a great and fresh take on historical war fiction! Absolutely loved it! The back and forth of the timeline gave the book its fast paced nature of always wanting to read more to find out what happened next in the story. The characters were well written. Definitely would recommend!

Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together. The story is written over two time periods--the first being during the war in Paris and the second being almost 40 years later. Odile is the main character with a secondary role by a young girl Lilly in Montana. As you read both stories, you have the feeling that there is going to be more than a casual intertwining of the two stories. But the author does keep you waiting a while as she introduces you to Lilly and her family.

The book is very intense as the author paints a picture of the American Library during the war. I did not know of the existence of the American Library. Each time someone left the library to deliver the books to their Jewish patrons, I held my breath until the books were delivered and the deliverer was safely away. We in the US can hardly know what danger existed during the war in France. Or knew that brother could turn against brother and neighbor against neighbor which the author made you truly feel in this book.

My major complaint is that because of some things this author did, I will not be able to recommend the book to many of my friends. She used the Lords name in vain once and has a very descriptive bedroom scene. Neither of these things added to the value of the book and my Christian fiends would not appreciate me recommending a book that contained them. Other than that, it is a book I would have liked to encourage a lot of my friends to read. I would like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for my copy of the book. The comments are my own.

Lately, there has been a plethora of WWII historical fiction featuring the role of women, particularly those in the Resistance. I have begun to tire of them, which is sad, given that the historical importance of women has been overlooked until recently. This book is refreshing.

As a lover of libraries and Paris, the title caught my attention. This is based on a true story. It tells of the courage of the library staff at The American Library in Paris who fought to keep the library open and accessible to everyone during WWII. It is set in two time periods and both are interesting. I love a book that teaches me something new, and this book does just that.

I have found a new author to follow.

5-stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a great rememberance of World War II librarians. The love of libraries and books shines through, especially during a very difficult time.

This dual timeline novel follow Odile, a young librarian working at the American Library in Paris during World War II. The war leads Odile to uncharted occupational territory, as the library staff aims to smuggle books to banned readers and soldiers. In 1983 Montana, Lily experiences tragedy, as well as typical teenage growing pains. Brightening her days is her elderly French neighbor with a mysterious past.⁣
•⁣
I love a book about reading and libraries, and I quickly connected to this story. Odile’s love of books came through from the first chapter and she (and her fellow librarians) felt like a kindred spirit in that regard. I really enjoyed the book’s exploration of the value of reading, both as a source of solace and as a way to walk in other people’s shoes (or skin, in French.) And the literary references sprinkled throughout the story were so fun.⁣
•⁣
Beyond the bookish elements, “The Paris Library” was a well-written and interesting twist on a WWII story. It dealt with tragedy, betrayal, and complicated relationships, yet also left me feeling hopeful. I was more interested in the WWII timeline, and the ending felt a bit rushed to me, but these are minor quibbles. I’ve read lots of WWII-era historical fiction books, and this one stands out. If you’re a fan of this genre like me, be sure to place your pre-orders and library holds now!⁣
•⁣
P.S. Don’t miss the author’s note—I felt so connected to many of the characters that reading about the real-life events was really special.⁣

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Atria Books for sending me an e-ARC of this book for my honest review.

WWII is a popular time period to follow in historical fiction books. Though reading a lot of books set in that time period, I am still very interested in it and love being transported to that time. Unfortunately, I did not connect with this particular story as much as I hoped. For me, the characters weren't all that compelling. Odile and Lily had the seeds of interesting characters, but I felt disconnected from them and the story as a whole. For me, a lot happened in the story and many scenes were short, almost TOO short. I felt like things were just listed as happening but we didn't delve into the moment or what the characters were feeling. Some parts read like "this happened. Then this. She was sad. This happened." While short scenes and time jumps can help quicken the pace, sometimes its needed to slow things down to savor the moment. For example, when Eleanor was introduced it was like she saw her, met her, she and the father were engaged, she had a baby, then another baby. We didn't get to see any of it. And I wish I had.

Though I mentioned both Odile and Lily could have been more interesting to me, I felt conflicted. Odile was more interesting to me, but I also felt her POV chapters were slower to get through. I actually think Remy would've been a better character to follow. Lily could've been developed more because she appeared a bit more shallow than Odette and like she was watching things happen around her instead of actually experiencing them.

All in all, I am sad I didn't connect with the characters or story as much as I hoped.

The Paris Library is a Historical Fiction novel following two interwoven character timelines: Odile in Paris during WWII and Lily in Montana during the 1980s. Odile is a young, ambitious librarian who is trying to find herself while also becoming helpful to the Resistance in Paris. Lily is a teenager in small town Montana who befriends her elderly neighbor and becomes engrossed with her neighbor's past life.

This novel was beautifully written and I enjoyed the various character perspectives throughout it. I also loved reading the author's note at the end, finding out how true to history she kept the Paris events and characters.

This book was rich in history and emotions and life lessons. It is a beautifully written historical novel about the courageous employees of the American Libary in Paris. The story is set in two time periods - World War II period, and the 19803; and set in two locations - Paris and Montana.

Odile Souchet has her dream job as a librarian at the American Library in Paris. She is in love with a young police officer, has many friends at the library, and a family who loves her. When the Nazis march on Paris, Odile could lose everything she loves, including the library!

In Montana, Lily has a mysterious, elderly next door neighbor who everyone wonders about. She is kind of a recluse. Lily becomes friends with the neighbor and they are united in a love of books. Lily begins to uncover some of the neighbor's past and many disturbing secrets are revealed.

This book is a lot of things: historical fiction, a coming of age novel, a love story, betrayal, life lessons; al wrapped up in a beautifully written package. I loved it!

Thanks to Atria Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I really enjoyed reading about the American Library in Paris during WWII. Even though I read a lot of historical fiction, I have never stopped to think about how the war affected a library and its people. I really enjoyed Odile's story and her friendship with Margaret, her love for her twin brother, and her first love Paul. Please make sure to read the Author's note after you finished the book!

Thanks to Janet Skeslien Charles, Simon and Schuster, and Netgalley for the ARC.

The Paris Library is an excellent example of historical fiction. The book brings to readers a non well - known fact of important role of the American Library with its brave, engaged and compassionate staff in occupied Paris, during WWII.
Set in two different time periods, The Paris Library is a well-written and engaging read. The book follows the experiences of Odile Souchet French young employee of the American Library during the occupation and in the 1980s in Montana, where Odile’s life path crossed with Lily's, an high school student.
It was a delightful read.

4.5 shining stars rounded down for a story of love, betrayal, sadness, courage and coming of age, all wrapped up in one book. This book is based on actual events in Paris during WWII. The American Library in Paris remained open during the German occupation. Heroic librarians did deliver books to Jewish subscribers as depicted in the book.
The book opens with Odile Souchet applying for a job at the American Library in Paris. It is February, 1939. She is hired for the job of her dreams. She loves books and has memorized the Dewey Decimal system. Odile's father is a Paris Police supervisor and brings to Sunday dinners a procession of prospective suitors, until Paul, who wins her heart. But then war comes and Odile's brother Remy joins the army.
The book is told in two time frames: Paris, from 1939-1944 and Froid, Montana, US, from 1983 to 1984. In 1983 Odile is now the widow of Buck Gustafson, a American soldier that she met in Paris. Young Lily is a lonely teenager looking for something beyond the boredom of living in a remote small town in Montana. She decides to interview Mrs. Gustafson for a school report.
This begins a friendship that teaches Lily the French language and so much more about life, love and friendship.
My wife read this book before me also thoroughly enjoyed it.
Odile's father: "Like the turkey Maman trussed and sprinkled with parsley, Papa presented each one on a platter: 'Marc has never missed a day of work, not even when he had the flu."
Odile on love; "I had learned that love was not patient, love was not kind. Love was conditional. The people closest to you could turn their backs on you, saying goodbye for something that seemed like nothing. You could only depend on yourself."
Thanks to Atria Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

Such a well done historical fiction! As always, I love when historical fiction features strong females and it’s a bonus when the story showcases a part of history that’s not often talked about, and this book does both! The portrayal of the American Library in Paris & how the librarians and staff members defied the rules and continued to deliver books to their Jewish subscribers who couldn’t access the library was just beautiful and so insightful. The librarians were so brave!

I loved the dual timelines & the multiple POVs. Odile was an extremely likeable character and Lily’s coming of age story was powerful. The duo made such a dynamic pair and their friendship was special and very enjoyable & unique to read about.

This was such a beautifully written book. The prose was so fluid and lovely. That's the thing I think that I'll remember the most about The Paris Library. Janet Skeslien Charles is an author I will be keeping an eye out for in the future.

As a librarian, I also really loved the library aspects of the story. This historical elements were also so interesting and kept me invested in the story. While Lily wasn't the most intriguing character to me, I really loved Odile and her storyline.

I'm usually hesitant to pick up books set during WWII because I feel like I've read so many set in this time period that it can often feel like deja vu whenever I read one of these books. However, there was enough going on in this story that it felt very new and original and I'm glad I decided to pick it up.

It's possible that books about WWII and librarians are two of my favorite topics. Put them together, and you've found my dream genre. The heroic staff of the American Library in Paris keep the library running during the war-- providing a haven for book lovers who can visit, and secretly delivering books to those who can't. When the war ends, librarian Odile Souchet, should be celebrating-- marrying her police officer beau and patting herself on the back for a job well done. Instead, she realizes that a careless word she spoke is responsible for the greatest betrayal. 

Fast forward to 1983 in Montana. Reeling from the loss of her mother, she befriends her mysterious elderly neighbor. Through their time together, they discover they share so many similarities-- both for good and bad. Can Lily learn from her neighbor's mistakes?

Fascinating story of a young woman who loved books recognizing the importance of the Library and her determination to save it in challenging times.