I loved this book. I read a lot of historical fiction and will put The Paris Library at the top of my list to recommend to my book loving friends. I particularly enjoyed reading about the two main characters and their parallel stories.

It was such a wonderful story! I have always loved Paris, and I am a librarian; so C'etait parfait (it was perfect)! I absolutely fell in love with Odile and her story as well as her friendship with Lily. It was so heartwarming and made me long for a neighbor like that. I am also a reader who has read an extensive amount of WWII literature, but I still managed to learn something new! I was able to peek into the American Library in Paris during the German occupation, and it was such a joy to see that the library did so much for the community just like it does today! My love of reading and the importance of literacy is what drove me to become a librarian, but the people are what make me stay! This story has so much to unpack, and I know it will be beloved by many just like myself!

For anyone who is a book lover, a book predominantly set in a library has to be interesting. This story takes place in The American Library in Paris and features Odile, a young Parisian woman, who loves books and has memorized the Dewey Decimal System. Her first job is in The American Library, and she loves all the staff and society members who frequent it.

This book has a split time frame. First with Odile in the 1930's and 40's working in the library during the onset of World War 2 and the takeover of Paris by the Germans. Then in the 1980's, Odile is living in Montana and becomes friends with a young girl next door, Lily, who narrates the 1980's story. Both Odile and Lily have endured loss and suffer from envy, jealousy, and frankness of speech which causes them to lose friends and find themselves in difficult situations. Their friends often played a role in both women's actions and reactions.

The supporting characters, especially those who frequented the American Library were a varied and unique group. The bonds they developed along with their love for books created a very close knit group that supported one another until World War 2 began. As many had to basically hide in their homes due to possible Nazi reprisals, those who could continue to work at the library soon found themselves sneaking books to them.

Something I learned and found frightening was about "crow letters." These were anonymous letters that were mailed to the police pointing fingers at people who were breaking Nazi rules and regulations. Often they led to Jews or undesirables being checked out and deported.

The mystery of how and why Odile left France and came to the United States is only revealed at the very end of the book which contained a multilayered plot and contained many factors that could just as well pertain to life in 2020.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

A WWIIbook with a different angle, will be enjoyed by many readers It is not often that a book of the 1940s in Paris continues to modern US

A teeny bit slow at times, but otherwise a phenomenal story of a small yet powerful resistance during WWII. Based on a true story, I fell in love with the characters and loved how the girl next door brought out the lonely soul who was living with the ghost of what she had done for all those years.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien is a wonderfully researched novel involving the American Library in Paris. Being a librarian myself I'm ashamed to say I was not familiar with this library! But my what an introduction. The novel is set in Paris from 1939-1944 during which was the occupation of Paris by the Nazis during WWII. It is also set in a more recent time frame of 1983-1989 in the United States.

In Paris we have Odelie having just gotten a job at the American Library. We are introduced to many marvelous characters who work there and those who are patrons. We see how much they care for each other and how much they mean to those who come there.

In the US (Montana I think) there is Lily, a high school student, who is neighbors with Odelie. Lily is quite curious and wants to get to know more about her neighbor, Odelie and what her life was like in Paris during the war.

During this back and forth between times the story of Odelie unfolds. Neither Odelie nor Lily come out unscathed but it is worth the journey.

The author's notes at the end are a must read with information about the actual people from the American Library during the occupation.

The story takes us to 1939 Paris where Odile is a Librarian in the American Library. It also take us to the 1980s with Lily who lives next door to the now widowed Odile in Montana. In 1939 when Odile is young and just starting out in her job we meet those who work with her and her boy friend. This is a real place and most of the people are people who really were in Paris at the time.
Eventually the city is taken over by the Nazis and the Jews are not allowed in the library. Lily knows nothing about this time for Odile and what was happening in her life. She is curious and sometimes snoopy Life was hard but some of it Odile brought on herself.
It is an interesting look at the American Library which was one of the ones allowed to stay open. So much going on for these two and I don't want to give any of it away. Just an enjoyable read.

I read a lot of historical fiction set during this war torn era. I like when there is a story in a different time period to help us better understand the character and to maybe add a little mystery. I loved the way this story was set up, introducing us to Lily and her lonely neighbor Odile in 1980's Montana. We see Odile as an adult and wonder what has brought her into this isolation and away from all of her family. The part of the story set in Paris in the late 1930's and early 1940's is heartbreaking as all WWII stories are, but I love that the theme of this story is Odile working at the American library and sharing these books even when she isn't supposed to. I also got quite a kick out of all of the fantastic books that were name dropped in this one. It would be a fun challenge to read all of the books mentioned in a year. At the end of the novel, the author talks about how some of these characters are based on real people, which makes the story even more compelling. I recmomend this book if you enjoy historical fiction, are a lover of classic books, or are a Francophile.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a memorable account of life during World War II in Paris after the German invasion. In 1939 Odile is thrilled to be hired at the American Library in Paris (ALP). Her love of the written word soon makes her an important and respected member of staff. As the German soldiers take control, the library is in danger of being closed permanently, like so many others. This is the story of how library staff coped with years of foreign dominance while serving their subscribers. They were years of hardship, fear, terror, prejudice and survival of the human spirit. But it was also a time of love, friendship and kindness. These are the heroic lives of the librarians during a terrible time. To this day, the American Library in Paris is still thriving, in part due to these courageous people. This is a well-researched and fascinating look at the dedication needed to stand against the Nazis and save an important and beloved library. The author worked at the ALP in 2010, which accounts for the atmospheric retelling. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A glimpse into a lesser known chapter of WWII history! Even in the midst of the war, the librarians of the American Library in Paris chose to make sure their subscribers received books, and they fueled a love of literature in spite of the Nazis’ intimidation. Stories can play such a powerful role in the lives of people, during wartime especially, and it is fascinating to think of how these books comforted and engaged people during such a dark time in history. The work of the librarian is priceless!

"The library is a bridge of books between cultures." The Paris Library provides a fictional yet historical account of Paris during WWII. Janet Skeslien Charles offers a new perspective of the brave men and women safeguarding the libraries' collections.

Putting themselves at risk, women like Bitsi, Odile, Miss Reeder and Margaret soldiered a different type of war. Their weapons, armed with knowledge and defense, that literature should be available to everyone. Charles chronicles Odile's story and how the war shaped her life.

Coming full circle, a knock at the door transports readers to Froid, Montana in 1983 where Lily confronts Odile seeking her support. Their friendship affords a lifeline for both characters. Odile is no longer alone and Lily receives solace during her mother's illness.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early read in exchange for an honest review. I was swept away by the story and transported to Paris during WWII. The author unlocks an unknown chapter during the war years and invites readers to 'check out' the courage exhibited by the libraries' staff.

Book lovers will delight in the literature references while historical fiction fans, in the disturbingly wonderful decade. While that time period is difficult to read, daring men and women like Odile, made a difference.

To close, Charles word's depicting why she wrote the novel stuck a cord and I wanted to let them speak for themselves. "The Paris Library to life also brings to light a cast of lively historical characters and a little-known chapter of World War II history: the story of the American librarian, Miss Reeder, who created the Soldiers’ Service to deliver books to servicemen, and who later faced the Nazi ‘Book Protector’ in order to keep her library open. She and her colleagues defied the Bibliotheksschutz by delivering books to Jewish readers after they were forbidden from entering the library."

Odilee knew the history of libraries and numbers. She has a interview at a library. Her brother Remy is busy being a writer.

The Paris Library is another addition to the WWII historical fiction canon. This one is an interesting take and one for the bibliophiles, as it takes place in a library. I appreciated the dual timeline and the fully-developed characters. Even in a saturated sphere, this one stands out.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

A well written story told with dual time lines. The characters were interesting and their desire to get books to readers during German occupation was phenomenal.
I enjoyed the story! Love the cover too!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

I've read a shelf full of books about Paris during the occupation. This is the first set in a library. The American Library of Paris to be exact. It is reassuring to see that books and Librarians are beacons of hope even during the darkest of times.

A love letter to libraries and those who love them, this book is a story of the American Library in Paris during the Second World War. The characters are richly drawn and you will soon find yourself in their shoes. A very good read.

When I saw this book come across my desk for review, I knew it was going to be an easy yes. The cover is elegant and inviting, not to mention the title promised a literary lovers dream setting.

I couldn’t wait to dive in and get caught up in the romanticism of Paris and a book that was sure to be an ode to book lovers everywhere.

Now that I think back, I don’t even think I read the summary of the book before saying yes—that was how sure I was that I wanted to read this book. One look and I knew. I should also add that my sister worked at the American Library in Paris and my mom and I went to visit her while she was there and it was an incredible place, so I knew this book was going to be something special.

Summary
Paris, 1939. Odile Souchet is obsessed with books and the Dewey Decimal System, which makes order out of chaos. She soon has it all – a handsome police officer beau, an English best friend, a beloved twin, and a job at the American Library in Paris, a thriving community of students, writers, diplomats, and book lovers. Yet when war is declared, there’s also a war on words.

Montana, 1983. Widowed and alone, Odile suffers the solitary confinement of small-town life. Though most adults are cowed by her, the neighbor girl will not let her be. Lily, a lonely teenager yearning to break free of Froid is obsessed by the older French woman who lives next door and wants to know her secrets.

As the two become friends, Odile sees herself in Lily – the same love of language, the same longings, the same lethal jealousy. The Paris Library’s dual narratives explore the relationships that make us who we are – family and friends, first loves and favorite authors – in the fairy tale setting of the City of Light. It also explores the geography of resentment, the consequences of unspeakable betrayal, and what happens when the people we count on for understanding and protection fail us.

The wit, empathy, and deep research that brings The Paris Library to life also brings to light a cast of lively historical characters and a little-known chapter of World War II history: the story of the American librarian, Miss Reeder, who created the Soldiers’ Service to deliver books to servicemen, and who later faced the Nazi ‘Book Protector’ in order to keep her library open. She and her colleagues defied the Bibliotheksschutz by delivering books to Jewish readers after they were forbidden from entering the library. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
One of the things that really worked for me in this one was the duel storylines. I love this approach in historical fiction because I think it keeps the reader moving along in the story, especially when the storylines are balanced. I really enjoyed both storylines, but I did think that the historical one was a little stronger which was fine by me because this is after all a historical fiction book.

The other thing that stood out for me in this book was the sense of something different. As many of you know, WWII historical fiction is a saturated setting and sometimes it’s difficult to find something ‘new’ in a sea of similar stories but this book manages to bring about a new and untold story. I loved how the author explored the role that the American Library played in the occupation of Paris. I had never really thought about how the occupation effected institutes like that so it was an interesting way to explore some parts of that time in history that I was less familiar with.

While I liked Odile, she was flawed which on one hand made her very real and relatable, but on the other hand, there were times in the book where I didn’t agree with her. But in the end I decided that the things I didn’t agree with made her more interesting for me, ultimately I liked her but I didn’t love her and that was ok because her story was strong and I felt satisfied with how things ended.

If you are a historical fiction lover then this book needs to be on your radar for summer reading. It was a unique story full of quirky library goodness and I loved relearning the Dewey Decimal system. I also think this would be a good book for book clubs as there is lots of things to discuss and could lead to a compelling discussion.

Book Info and Rating
Kindle Edition, 409 pages
Expected publication: February 2nd 2021 (first published February 2nd 2020)
ASIN B07Z45K1Q8
Free review copy provided by publisher, Atria, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: historical fiction, WWII

Dilemma was a librarian during WWII at the American Library in Paris. She took part in resistance efforts, keeping books safe and delivering books to the banned Jewish patrons. Jump to Froid, Montana in 1980. Odile is now a widow who had married a GI at the end of the war. She keeps to herself until her young neighbor Lily reaches out to her because her beloved mom is terminally ill and her father is withdrawn. Less than a year after her mom's death, her dad remarries. Lily is struggling with all the changes and continues a strong relationship with Odile.

The diverse and entertaining characters at the library with numerous literary references, the unfolding of Odile's story through her time with Lily, the healing and forgiveness that Lily and Odile both experience compellingly drive the emotional narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed this book in spite of my tears.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book!!! Library's are my haven... And to read this story and learn of the historical aspects of the war and this library surviving the atrocities? Wonderful!!!

“All good things come to an end, bad things to. “
What a fitting quote for our times.
This was such a warm, heartfelt novel. Highly recommend!