3.5 rounded to 4⭐

I loved Odile's loss of innocence and growing disillusionment in the face of the occupation, and her friendship with Lily later in life was really beautiful. But the plot lacked tension and it felt difficult to keep reading at times. The climax of the story was satisfying, but it meandered on its way there. I feel there were too many secondary characters and most of them offered very little to the story except requiring extra mental effort on the part of the reader to keep track of them all. Most disappointing for me was that the author didn't manage to capture the magic of libraries or the true sense of refuge the characters were presumably meant to have felt while they were there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

I was equally captivated with the story of a young French woman working at the American Library in Paris during WWII and the story of a teenage girl in the 1980s going through grief who decides she wants to know her neighbor. There were *so* many books and quotes, I already want to read the book again.

I love all books that have to do with WWII and because this was also about a library,.....well, sign me up!!

Unfortunately, it just wasn't the right book for me and did not keep my interest. Having said that, I would try another book by this author to give her a second chance.

I love WWII fiction and I love even more that this was inspired by a true story! Plus who doesn’t love when librarians are the heroes?

Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, this book is a must for any fan of historical fiction. You’ll walk away wishing you could keep reading.

This book is absolutely lovely! I tried reading it a couple months ago as it wasn't the right time for me. I am so glad I picked it up. I learned so much about the American Library in Paris that I knew nothing about. The characters were absolutely impressive, and I loved knowing so much of this was based in fact. That is one of my favorite things in histfic, when the plot is based in true life. Absolutely would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys histfic and wants to learn more about WWII in Paris.

I'm kicking myself for taking so long to read this one - I absolutely LOVED it. First, I love the author's personal connection with The American Library, and I love that it's based on a true story of real people and that some of the side characters actually ARE real people! I really loved both the story lines - I could have read an entire book about Lily too. Odile was such a great MC, I loved her strength and growth, but I also loved watching her make mistakes and act childish at times. She felt like a real person. For historical fiction, this book actually moved really quickly and I would consider it a pretty fast read. I bawled my eyes out at the end. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was my first time reading something by thus author. I’d recommended reading this book for people who are new to this genre.

This book was an interesting read. I really liked the main characters. It had some twists I did not expect. Definitely will be telling others they should read this!

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

This book was truly a love letter to books. I loved following a character where reading was her solace and all she wanted was to be a librarian. I don't think I'll get tired reading historical fiction books about WWII. Even when I think I know everything there is to know about that time period, I always learn something more. It was so great to read about the librarians in Paris and to see how they helped others during the war. It was also interesting to get a different perspective of WWII. I don't think I've ever read a World War II story set in Paris. It really taught me more.

This story had so many different characters. It was hard to keep track of everyone. Especially because each character had unique backgrounds. I felt like I needed to keep a character map to keep track of everyone. The pacing was a little slow for me. However, I did enjoy the two differing storylines and how they connected. In the end I felt like there were things unresolved that I would have loved to get closure for.

Didn't capture my attention and engagement. I'll hopefully try again in the future.
Didn't capture my attention and engagement. I'll hopefully try again in the future.

WW2 historical fiction + libraries sounds like my match made in heaven. I love that it was a unique WW2 storyline.

I love historical fiction and this book was an excellent fit for the genre, and it added new insight into history that I was not too familiar with: books and libraries at that time. I mean, 1939 Paris, a librarian name Odile Souchet, and what happened to both during the time of WWII was so fascinating. You wouldn’t think that a library would come under attack during a war, but think again. Getting books from a library is something that I take for granted and I’ve never considered the idea of being banned from a library simply due to my heritage. Multiple books were banned or even confiscated. Imagine having spies who narc on you for even attempting to obtain a book from a library. In this case, the American Library of Paris. Odile becomes one of the people who risk her own safety by taking books to people who are forbidden to go to the library.

Forward to 1983 Montana where the widowed Odile now lives. There she meets and strikes up a friendship with a young girl named Lily who loves to hear stories of Odile’s wartime events. Having two timelines made Odile’s history more interesting to me as she answered Lily’s many questions of a time that most of us can’t even imagine. Those who live on books and can’t imagine our livnig without reading daily will most definitely enjoy this book and reading about some true people in history.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A well written historical novel about the American Library in Paris during the WWII German occupation. Strong characters who you can’t help but feel their pain as they pursue their dedication in bringing library books to those at the Front and in hospitals under the watchful eyes of the Nazis.
You experience their full spectrum of emotions from passion to hatred as they try to work through their understanding of how their friends could align themselves with the Nazis. Thoroughly enjoyed the poetry of this writer and look forward to whatever new projects she may produce.

My thanks to #NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for allowing me to review an ARC of this wonderful novel.

Great historical fiction! I loved the story about the librarian (Odile) who continued as the Paris librarian throughout the occupation. I also liked that many of the characters were based on real people who lived in that time. It's a slower book, especially with the addition of a modern-time teenager Lily who interviews her neighbor (Odile). I think the premise was interesting, but that storyline did not really add anything to the overall story. Overall, I enjoyed the story and skimmed through the teenager's story anxious to get back to the primary story which I saw as Odile's time as the librarian during the occupation.

Based upon real individuals working at the American Library in Paris during World War II, this historical fiction title will have your emotions running the gamut. Having been burned out recently with historical fiction, I reluctantly decided to pick this one up, but did not regret doing so upon finishing it. This story didn't candy coat, but also didn't conceal the humanity that could still be found in events that are drenched in unimaginable cruelty and darkness.

This story has an alternate timeline of Odile, a young Parisian just starting her first job at the American Library in 1943 Paris, and of Lily, a young American dealing with grief and growing up in 1983 Montana. These timelines will intertwine and reveal that the relationships we have with one another can be the core of our spirit and salvation amongst the shifting tides of our life. The characters are realistic, relatable, and truly bring the story across beautifully. Considering this tale is about a dark time in history, World War II, it's expected to have hard moments, but the author does a great job of showing you the hope of humanity while also not belittling our knowledge of the real world by having everything wrapped up in a bow at the end as if it's a fairy tale.

I don't want to give too much else away or else I might spoil it. I give this book a four out of five stars. It was a great historical fiction read. A dramatic look into the lives of French civilians during German occupation in World War II and how even the smallest decisions in the actions of their daily lives could have dire consequences in their survival and of others. Sometimes we tend to skim over all of the civilians during this time who had to literally live 24/7 in this historical event for years and years. If you are a fan of historical fiction or enjoy reading books that are rooted in the history of real people or institutions, I'm sure you'll like this one.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this title.

I loved this book. I listened to the audio version and it captured my attention Immediately..

This story is told in alternating timelines - during the war in Paris and the 1980s in Montana. I loved the storyline of how the librarians protected stories and worked to preserve access to books throughout the dark times.

The 1980s timeline where an unlikely friendship grew between an elderly widow and her teenage neighbor was so sweet too.

Definitely read the author's notes!

It was really a given that I'd love this book because intergenerational stories or stories where we follow several timelines are among my favorite reads. This book is beautiful and sad and lovely and all the things! The value of learning from human beings and the power of the written word are both on display in this novel. Everyone who has ever had an elderly neighbor or befriended someone who wasn't in their generation will look back fondly on their experience after they read this one!

Wow! I have so much love for this book. The writing was top-notch, the story (especially for this Francophile librarian) was captivating, the characters popped to life from the pages.

There are so many books that are set during World War II, and so many set in Paris, but THE PARIS LIBRARY was unlike anything I'd read before. The book serves as a reminder that the definition of hero is quite broad. There were many unsung heroes (and heroines) doing extraordinary things and making extraordinary sacrifices, but the story of these librarians and their patrons (based on real people and situations) is thoroughly unique and enlightening. Bien fait, Janet Skeslien Charles. Magnifique!

I highly recommend this informative and engaging book that will sweep you into another world. THE PARIS LIBRARY sheds light on courageous people during horrible times and will remind readers of events that are not to be forgotten. Buy the gorgeous hardcover copy, like I did. (I also have it on audio and look forward to a re-read with my ears this time.)

This book has everything I love to read about...libraries, Paris, WWII, love. The two timelines are woven together perfectly. Absolutely fabulous. This is my first book by Janet Skeslien Charles and now I will need to check out her backlist.

I liked the storyline of this book. A librarian in Paris during WWII dealing with the Nazis trying to ban books and Jewish people from getting access to books. Overall though, I was left underwhelmed. I never really felt a connection to the characters. I didn't really see the point of the more current timeline when Odile was living in Montana. I almost would have rather had the whole book in the Paris timeline. So this one was just ok. The writing was beautiful and descriptive. I just wanted more from the characters.