I received a free ARC of The Paris Library from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

In this historical novel, founded on some real people and events, spanning between WWII Paris and 1980s America, Charles infuses the horrors of war with the beauties and strength of books and friendship. Odile is a young Frenchwoman who strays from the expected and becomes a librarian at the American Library In Paris. Here she finds what it means to be brave, what it means to love and be loved, and what it means to truly have and be a friend. Her parents; her twin brother, Remy; her fiance, Paul; her dear British friend, Margaret, and her mentors at the library are just some of the cast of characters that surround Odile during a precarious time. During the war, the American Library continued to serve its Jewish patrons despite restrictions placed by the Nazis. Odile and her fellow librarians find that books are solace for themselves and others so they struggle unceasingly to put the printed word in the hands of those who need it most. Odile faces searing disappointment when some of those most important to her fail to always be strong and her personal failures color her entire life.

In America, teenage Lily faces the death of her mother buts she finds unexpected comfort with her mysterious neighbor, Odile. How and why Odile gets from Paris to America is a slow exposing tale but well worth the read. What Odile has to teach Lily are lessons that are at the heart of what it means to be a daughter, a lover, and a friend.

The only problem I have with this book is the cover illustration. The image of a young woman seen only from the back with an iconic feature in the distance has been done so many times. Show a face already!

In many ways, this novel is a love story to libraries and librarians and the impact they can have on individuals. As a former librarian, I hope I made a difference, too.
#TheParisLibrary #NetGalley

A historical novel that is based on actual people, quiet heroes of the American Library in Paris. The setting travels between Paris during WWII and Montana in the 80's. The characters come to life in these pages and all the emotions of loss, friendships and betrayals and stoic heroism are portrayed in a restrained but effective manner. The Montana sections dealing with a coming-of-age of a young girl is treated tenderly. With many literary references and lovely prose that spoke to me so warmly, I would recommend this story for book lovers and blossoming book lovers.

**I received a complimentary copy of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

I love stories set during WW2 and also ones that go back and forth between the past and present and show multiple characters' storylines.

Possible Spoilers..
I have always loved books and reading, so the theme of this story appealed to me. Books are important and they do help people escape their lives and bring people together. I loved how the library was a place of refuge for so many during this difficult time period, especially knowing this was based on real people's lives and their stories, read the author's note at the end. I have always felt that same draw to books and bookstores are my happy place. The Paris Library reminded me in some ways of The Book Thief. It was interesting to see how some of the characters changed over the course of the war years, some in ways that I did not expect. Paul's actions surprised me; there were a few signs that this could happen, but it still seemed somewhat out of character for him. As well, I would have liked to see what would happen when Lily went to Paris; I want her to go and meet some of the people who might still be in Paris and maybe she could help Odile repair these relationships? There were a few things that I wanted to know how things would turn out; I'd read a sequel. How did Paul feel after Odile left, what happened with Aunt Caro, did Lily and Robby ever date, etc.

There were many great messages in this book; one was that you need to think before you speak because you can ruin lives and relationships if you don't think first. I liked how Odile's advice to Lily was based on lessons she had learned the hard way. There were many relationships that were affected by unkind words and actions throughout the book. As well, the way this novel explored identity and showed growth and change in the attitudes of Lily towards her stepmom, Odile towards Eugénie, and also Odile's decision to put Margaret's happiness first after hurting her so badly. I also liked how the book ended where it had started. Overall, I enjoyed seeing another thread of the WW2 history opened for me.

As a historical fiction lover, book and library lover, this book was 100% right up my alley.

Set in alternating timelines, Paris during WW2 and 1980's Texas, it tells the story of Odile (younger and older) and Lily, who meets Odile in her older age. I loved their personalities, and how they interacted with each other.

Anyone else that loves historical fiction and books needs to go read this.

Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this historical fiction. Thank you net valley for this ARC Which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. Since I started #bookstagram and discovering new genres, authors I have discovered that I absolutely love books that are poetic in nature. Where the references create vivid illustrations in my mind and are able to transport me into the story and be with the characters. The Paris Library is one of them.

The Paris Library takes place during 1939 during WWII, the Nazi occupation in Paris and 1983, Montana. Odile is a loyal, independent woman that lands a job at the American Library in Paris due to her love and knowledge of books. She has a twin brother, Remy, that enlists in the war and her father is a police constable that is required to follow orders, whether he likes them or not.

During the war, Odile finds love, finds herself willing to do whatever it takes to save the library, and by joining the Resistance. Odile does her part in helping to support the library and its readers, even those subscribers that were banned from entering the library. Her fellow librarians found a way to ensure that all readers, and even injured soldiers got their hands on reading material.

The story then fast forwards to 1983 where Lily, a high school student, lives next to a foreign neighbour which no one really knows about. All they know that she is from Paris. Curiosity gets the better of Lilly and when the opportunity for a school project presents itself, Lilly knocks on her neighbours door and asks for an interview.

From there, a beautiful friendship forms as Odile supports Lily and her family through the loss of her mother, her father remarrying and having stepsiblings. The friendship is important for both them as Lily, unknowingly has given Odile a sense of purpose and joy in her life.

I absolutely fell in love with the storytelling and the descriptions of events and characters. I loved how there were quotes from different books, placed throughout the story, each one relating to the events taking place. The story came to life through the pages and gave us a glimpse into the history of WWII though the eyes of the inhabitants of The American Library in Paris. There were many losses, much heartbreak and betrayal due to the war. Through the power of hope, of friendships and love, the survivors were given another chance at life.

Thank you @netgally and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!!

I really enjoyed reading this book and finished it in two sittings. The main character Odile is present in dual timelines. The past during World War 2 in Paris, and her present day life in Montana in the 1980s. Odile strikes a friendship with her teenage neighbor Lily. Majority of the Montana chapters are about stuggles that Lily is facing ... but in the end of the book ... readers find out just how important that first day they meet and begin their friendship.

Historical fiction and dual timelines are some of my favorite books. This is a wonderfully
written story about the American Library in Paris. Its a story of friendship, family, love, loss
and betrayal. I was also intrigued that this was an actual library in Paris and some of the characters were real during WWII.

This book is written in dual timelines, one in the late 30s and 40s and the other in the 80s. We follow Odile through her years working at the American Library in Paris. I'm a huge book lover, so this was my favorite part of the book. Reading about Odile's love of books. Odile has a romance with a man named Paul that I didn't really think was necessary, but it fit. I would have loved to read more about the books and Odile's love for them.

In the 80's, we follow Lily who is the older Odile's neighbor. For a schol project Lily decides to interview Odile. Odile usually keeps to herself so her agreement to participate in the interview was interesting in itself. Lily learns a lot about Odile and the library she once worked for. Everything changes when Lily and a friend are caught snooping through Odile's things

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this book did not disappoint. The author obviously did extensive research for this book. I found myself rushing through Lily's chapters to get back to the library and Odile.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a book lover this novel was a must read! A historical fiction with dual storylines set in the American Library in Paris during WW2.The story deals with friendship,betrayal and forgiveness. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review:

This evening I left behind the beautiful characters of “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles. I can say this is a book that I was sad to finish since I had to leave behind characters I felt such affinity and adoration for.

This book is interspersed with true events that occurred at The American Library of Paris during WWII. We meet Odile a new young librarian at the ALP. We are introduced to her twin brother Remy, her mother and her father who is a Police Commissioner in Paris. She is also surrounded by an amazingly wonderful cast of characters that bring the library to life. The Directress Miss Reeder, Boris the Senior Librarian who is one of many who work in the library that can attempt to find the answer’s to any questions presented to him by patrons of the library. Margaret, the wife of the French Ambassador and an Englishwomen. She becomes Odile’s dearest friend but is initially a lost soul in Paris until she finds Odile and the ALP. Professor Cohen who was an an author, teacher and a lover of knowledge and so many more characters that carry us into this world during the war.

Odile is shown in both the past and present. We meet Odile both in Paris and in Montana. We are also introduced to Lily, she is the young girl who is the daughter of her neighbor who becomes fascinated by Odile and her Parisian background. Lily gives Odile a new purpose in life and Odile does the same for Lily. Odile teaches her French and to love books. Lily teaches Odile to be more open to the world she lives in now. Odile’s past has caused her to be very secluded and afraid to engage with others.

Ms. Charles did extensive research for several years to create this book and to bring what truly happened to libraries during WWII which were considered a place for “enemy aliens” which compromised foreign subscribers who were often interned and Jewish subscribers who were not allowed to come to the library. Materials that were not cleared by the Nazi Regime were considered a reason for punishment which included death and possible placement in interment camps or concentration camps. The fear that books could influence us and make us truly perceive and develop ideations different from those that can be imposed by society.


I loved how Ms. Charles has the chapters written and named after the characters point of view at various periods of time. She did such extensive research that brought us is beyond admirable and gives us a true picture of libraries, books, people and the world during WWII. The novel is a most definite must read and I give this 5/5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley, Goodreads, and Simon & Schuster for an advanced readers copy of The Paris Library.
I went into this book expecting to be heartbroken over and over, but that is not what happened. I found the love of many characters during times of hardship. Many lessons were learned, relationships were tested, and many were saved by those they least expected. I was left feeling warm and fuzzy as I finished this story. A story about forgiveness in more than one fashion, I absolutely loved this.

From the author of Moonlight in Odessa comes this great historical fiction novel -- The Paris Library. If you enjoyed The Lilac Girls, you will love this one too!

The book tells the parallel stories of Odile Souchet, a young woman living in Paris and working in the American Library and Lily, a teen living in Montana in the early 1980s.

Odile enjoys the carefree idealism of youth, falling in love with a police officer who works for her father and observing the eclectic mix of people who frequent her most beloved place since childhood--the library. She is quickly forced to grow up and accept the harsh reality of a country in the throes of war, and she joins the Resistance in an attempt to save the library from Nazi invaders. She and other workers resolve to take the books to Jews banned from visiting the library.

Lily experiences the death of her mother and is trying to figure out her place in a family that suddenly seems foreign to her. She is forced to bear burdens that suddenly threaten to overtake her. Her one saving grace is a mysterious neighbor lady who helps her discover how to navigate a confusing time in life. However, Lily soon learns that her elderly friend is hiding secrets that will make Lily question their relationship.

Though set during World War II, this book is different from the many books that depict the German invasion and the spread of Nazi propaganda. Author Janet Skeslien Charles, having worked in the American Library in Paris, wrote her story based on the courageous librarians who protected books from Nazis while also delivering them to the Jews who were banned from visiting the library. As most historical fiction does, this book will compel you to know more about the lives of those depicted in her story. If you enjoyed The Lilac Girls, you will love The Paris Library! Highly recommend!

I liked the idea behind the story. The writing was lovely. I've read other books with two different time periods as part of the narrative. But with this story I felt like it was taking away from the story and not enhancing it. Would possibly consider reading other stories by this author of there's no time switching or not as much.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The reading completed, 4 blissful days of pure enjoyment... Good story, from start to finish, serious story lined with fine humour... My favourite city in the world, Paris, American Library, WWII, Jews, friendships, hardships, strong emotions, and many life situations that can't be watched as black or white... there is also a bit of grey... Only the true book lovers can understand passion for books and risks to save them

Based on the true story of the courageous librarians at the American Library in Paris who defied the Nazis to share their love of literature with their subscribers, this novel transcends the genre of historical fiction. By connecting the 1940s story to a second story about a young girl growing up in Montana in the 1980s, the author demands of the reader that they ask themselves not only what would they have done during World War II, but what can we do in the future to “ensure that libraries and learning are accessible to all and that we treat people with dignity and compassion. For as the library's director explains, "No other thing possesses that mystical faculty to make people see with other people's eyes. The library is a bridge of books between cultures."

And yet the 2021 budget put forward by the White House includes a proposal to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services and decrease funding for other library-eligible education programs. Our leaders would do well to remember the brave librarians who smuggled books to their Jewish subscribers. For they understood that “libraries are lungs. Books the fresh air breathed in to keep the heart beating, to keep the brain imagining, to keep hope alive.” As such, this is also a story about books. The author incorporates numerous passages from literary works, showing how books can inspire, teach, provide solace, and demand of us to think from the perspective of others. In these polarized times, this book’s message of compassion for others, appreciation for diversity, and the power of words for good and bad is much needed.

Highly recommend! One of those books that you will read and read again.

This is an excellent book set in Paris during World War 2. I had never heard of The American Library in Paris or read anything about Librarians sending packages of books to soldiers or delivering them to Jewish patrons after the Nazis forbid them from entering the library.
The story takes place in the late 1930’s and early 40’s in Paris and in the US 40 years later, when one of the main characters from the earlier period becomes involved with a neighboring family. The friendships that develop are life saving for both .
This book was well written. I enjoyed the development of the characters in the library and the relationship formed between the families in the US.

I'm not typically a huge fan of historical fiction, but I really enjoyed reading this account of librarians in Paris who helped save several titles from invading Nazi troops. This book had some fresh perspectives on aspects of the war that haven't necessarily been told before - namely, the role of the French in the battle and the conflict among some ally countries. The main character, Odile, is such a wonderful strong female character and I'm always HERE for strong female literary characters e(specially ones who love books as much as I do.) The only thing that kept this book a 4 star, rather than a 5 star for me, was the incorporation of the 1983 scenes. I understand the purpose of the scenes and watching the mystery of Odile's character unfold, I just didn't connect with the Montana story line...but maybe it's because I loved all of the Paris library scenes so much...I longed to go back to Paris every time the author shifted me to Montana. Thank you to Net Galley, Janet Skelsien Charles, and Atria Books for the advanced copy of this book. It was such a pleasure to read.

This book was a beautiful story! All librarians should read because the passion behind a library is evident in this book! An interwoven story of generations that heal each other. Truly a beautiful novel!

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and its characters and was enchanted by the novel's stories of family, friendship and life's biggest challenges. As a Francophile, and lover of Paris myself, I was enchanted by Charles's description of the city. She truly brings it to life and it was as if I was walking the cobblestone streets myself. This was my favorite part of the reading experience.

Lily was fascinating-- I adored her character and her growth. The relationships were strongly developed and flushed out perfectly. Also, the differing perspectives as a great touch too. That helped in the novel's structure and purpose.

I will recommend this book to everyone!

Oh how I loved this book! More like J’adore! Since I am a lover of books and words and libraries and a Francofile, this novel spoke to me. If you’ve ever been passionate about something, spoke without truly thinking, have regrets, have loved and been betrayed, then this novel will resound with you. The characters are well formed and they have such depth. The courageous librarians at the American Library in Paris will excite and motivate you to be and do better. Do not miss this splendid read! Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.