The Paris Library has all the makings of a great book: an interesting batch of characters, captivating storytelling, and a plot line that keeps you addicted to turning the page. Time and time again while reading this I would think to myself, "Okay, just one more page!" I don't usually find myself reading historical fiction, but I am so glad I happened upon this one! SO GOOD! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

This was an exquisitely written book about the difficult choices we make in life and how we live with the aftermath of those choices.

Set in both World War II Paris amidst the Nazi regime and in early 1980s Montana, this story spans time and distance. It brings both worlds vibrantly to life and makes you feel as if you're living in both places, in both lives.

The two main characters, Odile and Lily, are decades apart in age but their thoughts and feelings are not so different. Odile has the wisdom of age and Lily the impulsivity of youth, but as we continue through the pages, we begin to see both how Odile became who she is and how Lily will become who she will one day be.

The other characters in the story are just as brilliantly drawn, each a full figure on their own. There are no secondary characters used solely as props without a full life of their own. And the author does a beautiful job of weaving all these lives together, showing us the different feelings, thoughts, and frustrations of them all and how they affect others around them.

I did feel the library, though well described and a central part of the story, didn't play quite the role I expected. The description of the book was that Odile joins the resistance with the only weapons she has (books), but I felt the library was more of a setting than truly showing Odile joining the resistance. I would have loved to have seen more about the library and how the characters, Odile and others, did more to help - I'm sure they did do more, I just didn't feel it was put on the page as much as I would have liked.

Overall, I loved this book. Beautifully written, highly descriptive, and with deep characters, it is one that will stick with me for a long time.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a book I really could not stop reading even while I tackled my day to day life. I kept grabbing my phone to read it on my Kindle app even while I was cooking. As a social studies teacher and forever obsessed historical fiction addict, this book is so captivating. I am not always fond of parallel story lines, and they are sometimes done too often with WWII stories, but this time around it worked masterfully.
I cried, I laughed and I decided I would buy the book paperback so it can sit among my other historical fiction treasures. Thank you Net Galley for letting me read this book. It is a gift to all readers.

Well researched and compelling historical fiction. In The Paris Library, Janet Skeslien Charles provides a unique perspective on occupied Paris during WWII, through the lens of the staff at the American Library in Paris. as the work to keep the library open and serve their patrons (including those persecuted by the Nazis) and send books to soldiers at the front. I like that Odile makes many mistakes and must live the the consequences. The framing story, set in Montana in the 1980s adds richness and complexity to the narrative.

solid 3.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy of this book.
Just when I think I've read enough of WW II books...another comes along that hs something different to offer. If you also feel that way...don't be afraid to pick this one up. While it does offer a view of the war, it is much more about the characters and how the war shapes them, then the actual war itself. It's a split time frame story. I'm sure you've read the summary - Odile who is in france at the time of the war and then in the 1980's where she meets Lily - a teenager next door. They become friends and Odile sees a lot of herself in Lily. Odile works at the American Library in Paris which is where the history comes in. Based on the true library , the librarian and the service she created to deliver books to servicemen and to Jewish clientele. Its a fascinating story and one you would not have know about without reading this book or doing some homework. There are awesome quotes in this book Great references to the dewey decimal system whenever Odile refers to a genre of books. I loved how Odile guided Lily through her teenage years and the experience of having a stepmother. My only wish was knowing more at the end. Did Lily every reconnect with Margaret? find out what happened to the rest of her family and friends? In any event, a good read!

I finished The Paris Library a few days ago, and I still can’t get it out of my head! It was THAT good! It’s based on the true WWII story of heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, and I loved every bit of it. As many of my favorite books do, this had alternate timelines. One follows Odile and her fellow librarians in Paris when the Nazis invade France. The other follows teenager Lily as she searches for adventure in her small Montana town only to be intrigued as she uncovers secrets about her neighbor. Odile was by far my favorite character, and I found myself wanting to skip Lily’s chapters to get back to Paris and Odile’s budding romance. Eventually, the timelines merged, unable to be broken. As you might imagine, I devoured this book and am still thinking about it! ❤️ Thank you Netgalley for my free copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review the e-ARC of The Paris Library.
This novel is a wonderful and well-written collaboration of history and fiction. set in two different time periods, it tells the story of Odile, a librarian at the American Library of Paris during WWII and Odile and Lilly, a teenager during the 1980’s.
I enjoyed the WWII time period the most. The author brought the librarians and the subscribers to the library to life. The power of books was at the forefront of this novel.
I had to stop in the middle of the story to research further the library,as it so peaked my interest.

The Paris Library was a very enlightening and intriguing read. I love the friendship that is built between Odile and Lily. They are completely kindred spirits and the support they offered each other was really admirable.
The parallel nature of the story between one time in Odile's life and another was interesting and I think the contrast of the two was a great way to format the story.
This book will pull at your heartstrings with its emotional scenes and captivating characters.
I feel like I learned so much about a different side of World War II from this story while still thoroughly enjoying the book.
Thank you to Netgalley, Atria books and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Charles weaves an engaging story that is set in World War II Paris and Montana in the 1980s. This is a book based on a true story of a library in Paris and the brave librarians who did their best to circulate and conserve books during the Nazi reign. Odile reckons with the changes at the library, young love, her brother serving his country, and an overbearing father. Add the German occupation, and Odile has everything on her plate including meager war time rations.

After the War Odile settles in Montana and befriends a young neighbor, Lily. Lily has her own set of struggles and her friendship with Odile sets both characters on a path of self discovery.

This well written tale will have you going for "just one more chapter" until the end.

Thanks to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and Janet Skeslein Charles for the ARC . I just finished this book and what can I say but Wow! At first I thought it started slow, but as I read, my emotions started to kick in. I was sad in parts, depressed in parts,( yes, I needed to put it down)., happy in parts and finally a tear at the epilogues end wound all my emotions together. I learned a lot from this story's acknowledgements So I know it was a great book ! 5 star

In Froid, Montana, Odile Gustafson, lives next door to Lily, a young 7th grade girl. Odile is not from Froid, as a matter of fact, she is from Paris, France. Lily and Odile become friends and as their relationship deepens, Odile’s amazing past is slowly revealed. Lily realizes that all is not how it seems both in Odile’s life and her own.

The story is told from Odile and Lily’s viewpoint. Slowly the truth emerges about Odile’s past and Lily learns many hard life lessons. The mixture of both perspectives keeps the tale interesting and moving. Each chapter leaves you turning pages to find out what happens next. This is one of my favorite writing styles.

There is a plethora of stories coming to the surface of amazing people and the part they played in World War II. This story is a perfect example. I highly recommend it. It mixes historical fiction with current family drama. You don’t want to miss it.

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Janet Skeslien Charles, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I truly had felt like I had totally burned out on WWII books. Thankfully, I decided to read this book and I am so glad that I did!! This book was based on the ALP (American Library - Paris) right before and during WWII as well as a timeline set in 1980's Montana. Both timelines were equally interesting and absorbing.

I love the storylines, but it was sad as all WWII books seem to be. This will probably be my last book in the genre for a while as I truly need to take a break. This genre has been most of what I have read for more than the last year. It is time to move onto another time period.

This is a DEFINITE RECOMMEND - most especially for historical fiction, WWII, and book lovers.

This author is new to me but I love historical fiction so I was happy to receive an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed the parallel stories throughout the whole book, the details of the library and of Paris during the war and the relationship between Odile and Lily set in the 1980's. There were a few plot twists along the way but it all came together perfectly in the end. Even though I liked the parallel timelines, this story could have solely focused on the timeline in Paris during WW II and have been just as strong.

The author did her research before writing this story and it definitely does show. It was a very enjoyable read.

Thank you to the Simon & Schuster, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I loved this book. Ms Charles did a beautiful job of weaving the past and present, and in providing nuances to the main characters. Such pleasure to read.

4.5

When I got this book, I actually didn't know about the American Library of Paris. I hadn't heard of it before, even though I've been to Paris. I was intrigued about the book taking place in a library during WWII, and it did not disappoint.

I loved that this book featured real people as well as fictional ones, and that a lot of the events actually happened. I had thought at first that the book was completely fictional, though the author does take some liberties and fills in certain events with her own imagining. After I finished it, I tried to find out more about some the people who were in the book that actually existed, such as Ms. Reeder and the Comtesse de Chambrun. I also enjoyed learning about another part of the war that I didn't know before. As one of the most important events in history, I am always trying to find out more than just the basic facts.

Odile was a great character. She was smart and strong, but at the same time she had insecurities and fallacies, which made her more human. There is one part where she is wondering what kind of people could let a war like this happen and turn a blind eye to those in need. Later on, she realizes we can all be those people, as she made a mistake that caused suffering to someone she cared about. We can say that we will act whenever we see something wrong happening, but we really don't know what we'll do until we're in that situation. And as much as people say they are brave and will do the right thing, when it comes time to act, they may very well turn a blind eye for any number of reasons. Odile had been trying to do her part in one regard, but had feigned ignorance in another. And while I didn't like the choices she made at times, I do think they fit with her character and the story, and made her more realistic.

The setting in the library was fantastic. I felt as if I were there. I had never seen pictures of the library before I read this, but I could imagine it pretty well. The library was a sanctuary for the characters; somewhere they could go to get away from the stress of the war and feel safe. I think libraries are that way even today. I enjoy going to my local library to pick up new books, and I love going to the older libraries around the city and just sitting inside and relaxing, because they are still a sanctuary where you can go and just be.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys WWII novels and libraries and good stories.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020




The Paris Library



You can tell that I must be longing to travel as here I am with another book set in Paris. Rather than a bookstore, this one revolves around the staff and patrons of the American Library of Paris and is informed by the author's time spent as program director at that formidable institution. Janet Skeslien Charles (https://www.jskesliencharles.com/behind-the-book) deftly blends the stories of her fictional characters with the actual employees who courageously held the library together, making sure it remained open and serving the public while Paris was under German occupation during World War II.

Librarians and book lovers will delight in the apt presentation of every day life in a general service library, the favorite patrons who consistently stake out their corners, the questions that are posed at a busy reference desk, and the politics of pleasing the Friends who donate time and money while standing firm on


policies. But besides offering up ample quotes from your favorite literature and touting the Dewey Decimal System, Charles tackles universal social issues and the pressing moral dilemmas of the time.

It's 1939 and Odile Souchet, a smart, well-read, ambitious young woman wants nothing more than to escape the prison of her old-fashioned family who expect her to marry and have babies by the time she is twenty. When she lands the position at the library she is ecstatic and we watch her blossom under the tutelage of Miss Reeder, the library's director. Years later Odile is living in Montana, mentoring Lily, another young woman who dreams of leaving the constraints of her small town and limited expectations.

How Odile morphs from passionate librarian, engaged to Paul an officer in the French Commissariat, to reclusive Montana widow is a story that I don't think you'll see coming. It is a tale of resistance, of librarians smuggling books to Jewish patrons who are no longer allowed in the building, of the verboten love affair between a British aristocrat and a German soldier, and of the best and worst of human nature during wartime in an occupied city. It is a novel about those who betray their ideals and those who find redemption in forgiveness. And it's a story about those who find solace in the written word. In other words, it has all the qualities we love for a lively book discussion. Look for it this winter - February 2021. This is a winner!

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. Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy. A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are.

As a retired librarian, I am always drawn to books about librarians and libraries, and this has it all. Based on a true story of the American Library in Paris during WWII, it was a book that held my interest so well that I finished it in two sittings! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and the chance to read this wonderful book. I highly recommend it.

Historical fiction books seem to be either a hit or a miss for me. I am very glad that The Paris Library landed in my hit column! The thought of a book about Paris, a library, and books not being an engaging read is unthinkable, but we all know that not every book works for every reader.
The story is told in two timelines. First when Odile worked in Paris for the American Library. The year was 1939 and the Nazi invasion changes everything. Fearful for the people being persecuted as well as being afraid for her family, friends, and beloved books, Odile does not travel an easy road.
The second timeline occurs in 1983 in Montana. Odile is now a widow whose life changes yet again when she connects with a teenager, Lily. A heartwarming tie grows between them, but their tale isn't all sunshine and roses. Secrets are revealed and mistakes will be made, but I always hoped everything would work out in the end. The characters as well as the descriptions of both times and places were vivid and oh so realistic.
An engaging and informative read and did I mention Paris, librarians, friendship, hardship, love, and books!

I loved this book! Rich characters based on real people, a ripping storyline, also based on real events—it was great! A story of friendship, young and old. I had not read anything by this author before but will definitely look for another of her works soon!

Just when I thought I might be done with the WWII historical fiction, I picked up The Paris Library.

The story is inspiring. The thought of enduring the war and occupation is valiant enough, but to quietly disregard restrictions, be part of the underground resistance and make a difference is heroic. The author’s research is evident, and it is perfectly blended into this work of fiction. While the start is a little slow, overall the book is very good. The story is told in a dual timeline and by multiple narrators. It highlights all the fears people held during the occupation, but it does so in a “WWII Lite” way.

I loved the characters. Odile makes so many mistakes-- to the point that some might think her an unlikable character. However, her mistakes mostly involve shades of grey, and she learns from each of them and punishes herself for all of them. In fact, most of the characters are flawed in some way, however, by the end of the book, readers learn of their struggles, qualities or actions that redeem them.

In present day, Lily, who lives next door to Odile, has lost her mother and must endure her father moving on. She is forced to accept not only a step-mother but also to help care for her half-siblings. It is through Lily’s friendship with Odile that we learn of both their struggles. Their symbiotic relationship provides each of them with things missing in their lives. They enrich one another’s lives.

The Paris Library is a beautiful story of choices, consequences, family, and friends. It is about loss, betrayal, and standing up for yourself and others.

#MustRead2020