How exciting to find a work of historical fiction set in Paris and dealing with WWII that brings something new to light. The focus of this story is the American Library in Paris and a young woman librarian named Odile who is hired to begin working in Periodicals in February of 1939.

The Director of the library is a brilliant American woman named Miss Reeder who says she believes in the power of books and in the library to make knowledge available to all. As war closes in on their city and the Germans crack down on what books are permitted and who is allowed to read them, the librarians find ways to get books into the hands of people who so desperately want them: 'Books (are) the fresh air breathed in to keep the heart beating, to keep the brain imagining, to keep hope alive.' In challenging times such as we are currently facing, this resonated with me as so true.

'You're nothing without principles. Nowhere without ideals. No one without courage.' But who can stand in judgment of other people for their mistakes in desperate times? Is there room for forgiveness, compassion, understanding in our hearts? Odile with her youthful lack of life experience, struggles with these concepts. Perhaps most importantly, she may need to forgive herself.

But there are actually two stories here--the second set in Montana in the 1980s where a young girl named Lily becomes fascinated with her elderly neighbor, a widow living alone. How did the elegant Frenchwoman end up here? As they become friends, can Odile help Lily avoid making similar mistakes in her life? She often tells her friend to put herself in other's shoes--or as the French say, in their skin.

Both stories were quite nice but I felt the second storyline was not really necessary and was rather a distraction from what I was really interested in reading about--that is, what was going on at the library in Paris! I disliked the choices Odile makes and the mess she creates. Did she live up to the ideals she found in her favorite books? Very close to a 5-star read if not for these details.

I received an arc of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions. Many thanks for the opportunity!

WWII Historical Fiction is by far my favorite genre and this one did not disappoint. This story is told in dual timelines. I have read many a book that tries to make this work, some work well and some, well, not so much. This one works!

We get to follow our protag, Odile, from 1939 Paris at the American Library, where she is a librarian to 1983 Montana where we meet a lonely teenage girl, Lily. The story moves along at a wonderful pace and kept me engaged through the end.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in February 2021.

The Paris Library is a novel about relationships that take place in two settings -- in Paris during WWII and in rural Montana during the 1980's. The novel follows the main character, Odile, from her first job at the American Library in Paris alternating with her life in Montana. She is a strong-willed young woman who is brave and smart enough to pursue a job she loves and to find a fiancé who allows her to be herself.






This book is based on the true story of the American Library in Paris which was a gathering place for international and local intellectuals. When the Nazi’s took over Paris, Jewish patrons were no longer allowed to access the library. Several brave librarians, including Odile, delivered books to their Jewish patrons at their homes putting themselves in danger.

Later in life, Odile becomes a neighbor to a troubled girl in Montana who knows nothing of Odile's past life. Odile’s attention and friendship helps this young girl through a challenging time and it gives Odile something important to do once again.

The cast of characters at the Library are very interesting and were based on real people. I enjoyed this portion of the book the most, although at times I found the actions of the characters predictable. It’s a sweet story with historical significance covering topics such as courage against fascism, overcoming grief, and the power of books.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for my review..

Another book that takes place during World War II. I feel as though this season I have been reading World War II books or romance! With two storylines occurring in the same book and the reader knows very early on how they are connected, this felt a little different from the other World War II books I have read recently.

In 1939, Odile Souchet is a young woman who wants a career, specifically a career in a library and the American library because they use the Dewey decimal system which she is in awe of this way of organizing books. In the current storyline, it is 1983 and Lily is living on Montana and after some things happen in her own home she finds solace in her elderly neighbor and learning about French and her past.

I really loved Odile's story and the pursuit of keeping a library and the written word alive even with the outside world literally crumbling. These librarians and what they did for their communities was so great to read, truly uplifting. I wanted to cheer them on while reading what they were doing to keep reading alive!

I liked Lily. She was an interesting young woman to follow as she was going through a very big growth spurt. This growth was spawned by a traumatic event, but to see her journey was refreshing to see her hit speed bumps and learn from them.

I enjoyed this book, but clearly liked one storyline over the other and was glad that the 1939 storyline took up more of the book real estate and was more of the focus.

I adored this novel, set in occupied Paris during WW2. Book lovers will find themselves reflected in the portrayal of The Paris Library's characters and their love of books. We see first how the novels within the library comfort them with the world on the brink of war and then as war finds its way to their doorsteps they share the books they love with those imprisoned and those who are singled out by the Nazis.

This book is emotionally driven, and while it's clear readers have been transported to the Paris of the 1940s, it's the authors presentation of her characters' hopes and fears that capture the readers' hearts and truly transport them to Paris. The diverse, hilarious cast of characters represent all if us and when books become all they have to fight tyranny there's no hesitation.

Janet Skeslien Charles uses the actions of the American Library in Paris's head librarian and her staff as the foundation for The Paris Library, introducing fictional characters to tell her story. I love historical fiction based on true stories and this one spoke to my heart.

A great cross between the past and the present while tying into World War II, this time in Paris. I loved the plot, the character development, and the premise behind what the author was trying to accomplish in their storytelling.

As an avid reader of historical fiction and someone who worked in libraries for several years, I was so excited to receive an early copy of this book. I’ll admit that the functioning of libraries during Nazi occupation of Paris was not something I had even known was possible, I had assumed all libraries were shut down, which many were. However, this group of librarians and “subscribers” (we say “patrons”) kept theirs open, even smuggling books to Jews who were no longer welcome due to the Nazi’s orders.

Though this story has two main characters in perspective timelines, at the heart of this story is Odile. She is a young Parisian woman who values independence and despite her parents’ protests, applies to work at the American Library in Paris. There she finds a second family of likeminded people who have no tolerance for hatred (any anti Semitism gets you escorted to the door and asked not to come back). She helps deliver books to those without access, keeps the library doors open, and protects books from being destroyed. She is also in love with Paul, a French policeman, who I disliked throughout most of the book and by the end, despised.

The second timeline, beginning in 1983 in Montana, follows Lily, a young girl who is Odile’s neighbor. Lily seeks Odile out and a friendship is born as Lily discovers a love of all things French. Odile helps her navigate through losses and different stages of her life and gradually reveals details of her own past.

While I enjoyed this book, I do feel that the synopsis was a bit misleading. While the librarians do deliver books to Jews at their own risk and keep the doors open, that really is just a background for Odile’s story, not the focus. The “resistance” mentioned is present, but not plot. Something else that bothered me were the casual, demeaning words thrown around about women who slept with Nazi officers, most presumably to stay alive and feed their families. “Slut” was used over and over again. And while it is clear that Odile’s character grows and her understanding of this changes, it still left a bad taste in my mouth.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and read it fairly quickly, although I wish it was more about the resistance and less about Odile and Paul. Also, the ending seemed a bit unclear as we find out what ultimately happened with the two of them. I don’t mind if things aren’t wrapped up perfectly, but there were a few things that could’ve benefitted from further clarification.

(I will also add that it was definitely not as graphic as some of the WWII fiction I’ve read and mentioned only briefly concentration camps and other atrocities.)

Odile Souchet has landed her dream job at the American Library in Paris just before it is taken over by the Nazi occupation. As the city she calls home changes rapidly, it is up to her and her fellow librarians to keep the library going, even hand delivering books to those patrons who are Jewish and in hiding.

Lily lives in rural Montana where circumstances within her family cause her to seek solitude elsewhere – with her reclusive neighbor Odile. In Odile, Lily finds acceptance and calm, and a library of books that help soothe her pain and angst.

I really wanted to love this book given it is historical fiction and was about a library, but struggled with it. Odile is the more interesting character, but she becomes so grouchy and takes offense so often it is hard to understand her. Lily grows on one a little, but wasn't particularly interesting and felt unnecessary to the story. I focused on the history which was interesting and gave me a snippet of the time. There is a lot said about the Library of Paris itself inside and the patrons are well drawn as well - each with their own quirky personalities that I really enjoyed, but given it takes place in Paris I was surprised not have very much described of the city.

Overall, it was not badly written, but just not strongly written enough to grab me with a lot of sub-plots thrown in that I think took away from character development. I did however learn about the library during the occupation which was interesting.

My thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I know my review is way overdue, but I loved this book. My favorite genre is historial fiction. Anything WWII related I’m always excited to read and well let me just say that The Paris Library did not disappoint. I loved this one. It’s a story of friendship, family, loss, but above all it’s a story of courage. You will feel so much for the characters. I definitely laughed and cried with them. The characters were very well developed and I loved all the vivid descriptions and traveling back in time with was the best part. As heartbreaking as it was, if you’re into history fiction this one is a must read.

Thank you so much Atria Books | Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

I read The Paris Library, by Janet Skeslien Charles at the request of the publisher, Atria Books, a branch of Simon and Schuster, in exchange for an honest review. Based on the true story of several librarians at the American Library in Paris, it tells the fictional story of Odile Souchet, a young woman who, against her father’s wishes, takes a job as a librarian.

The librarians participated in the French Resistance in ways I never realized. Against the “rules” of the German occupiers, they smuggled books to Jewish people who were no longer allowed to enter the library. They also smuggled books to Allies who had been taken as prisoners of war, and protected valuable documents and rare books from being destroyed.

Although harassed and threatened by the Gestapo, the head librarian, Dorothy Reeder, an American ex-pat, was determined to keep the library open to the public, despite the Germans’ threats. At the end of the book, information is provided on what happened to Ms. Reeder, and the other real librarians after the war, and how they carried on their work.

The story follows Odile, who married an American serviceman after the war, and moved to the small town of Froid, Montana, and is told in alternating time frames of Odile’s life in Paris, and her time as a widow in Montana.

As Odile discussed books with the other characters, I was reminded of many books I have always wanted to read, but somehow never found the time. She gave me a list of books to seek out for my own reading pleasure and education.

The Paris Library, is an important book for history lovers and book lovers alike. It certainly added to my understanding of the personal experiences of everyday people when war arrives on their doorsteps. There are some atrocities described, but not graphically. There is love, betrayal, friendship, family, teenage angst, and lots of history. This is another book you have to read.

What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?

Very little: one redundancy, a few missing commas, and a few split infinitives.

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

This is one of those stories that stays with you, long after you've finished. I couldn't help falling in love with the characters, with their world, as sad as it was at times. Much like Odile and Margaret, I feel like I found a home at The American Library in Paris. This is a story of books and libraries, family and friendship, impossibly hard times and impossible decisions.

I have loved Paris from the moment I stepped foot in the city. Charles seemed to bring that lovely city to life effortlessly. I haven't been to all the spots Odile and her friends frequented but I recognized enough to feel like I was walking the streets with her.

It was a pleasure to watch all the characters grow and change. They were beautifully unique and clearly had their own personalities. The relationship between Odile and Lily was like a slow-blooming flower and I enjoyed every moment of it. My only real criticism is that I found the few chapters from other perspectives (not Odile or Lily) to be rather unnecessary. I would've preferred them to not be there at all, or to have more chapters from other perspectives. The randomness of it was a little jarring.

Libraries and librarians are wonderful and seem to be sadly underappreciated these days. I will be forever grateful that Janet Skeslien Charles took the time to tell this story. From what I understand, there are many true details woven throughout this narrative. The courage of Miss Reeder, the determination of the Countess, the quiet strength of Boris, they deserve to have their stories told. Thank you for giving them a voice.

I will recommend this book to everyone!

Called the “war bride” by the ladies who gather after mass, Odile is seventh-grade Lily’s neighbor, and not very ‘bride like’ at all to Lily’s way of thinking. Not particularly friendly or outgoing, Lily is insatiably curious about her – and wants to know more. Making her own purpose for visiting with Odile, Lily soon finds everything about her fascinating: from her refusal to discuss her past (unlike everyone in town), her self-sufficiency, her clothing and even her ‘Frenchness’.

Odile ran from Paris just after the war, marrying a GI she met at the American Hospital in Paris, leaving behind her family, friends, beloved library and much more. Shamed by her reckless tongue and the loss of so many, she’s lived a life of penance: a belt from a former friend, letters of vitriol, cut off from all friends of her time in Paris, but following news of them as closely as possible. Having lost both her husband and son, she’s got little to look forward to until Lily and her family need her.

Told in two alternating points of view: Odile and Lily, over two different six to seven year spans, the past history of Odile is revealed as we see Lily struggle with many of the same issues: growing up and finding your way is not really all that different –only places and circumstances are. While revealing the work done in Paris during the Occupation, and the staff and volunteers at the American Library of Paris managed to keep the doors open, arranged secret deliveries to those newly vilified under German rule, and shared strength, worry and struggles. As Lily is experiencing the loss of her mother, her father’s remarriage, struggles with a bully at school and her best friend’s moving forward in popularity and life experience without her: Lily is learning lessons from Odile in French, as well as life. Not only is the story impeccably researched, but both Lily and Odile, even in their most horrible moments, are clearly drawn and depicted, and connection with them both on an emotional level is easy. Discovering yet another group of dedicated people: Parisiennes and not, educated, determined and defending the library and her books was a treat – and reminded me of the Monuments Men who recovered stolen treasures. From family to personal struggles, shames, mistakes and guilts: the grief, anger and actions are clearly depicted, and even more clearly understandable, if not quite justified. I whipped through this book in a few short hours, lingering over passages, the insertions of Dewey Decimal references and creation for books, classics and others, that simply made my fingers want to dance through a card catalog again. History buff, fan of friendships across generations, or simply a book lover – this story strikes many chords and was a favorite read for all that and more.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aIC/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I really enjoyed this historical novel. First it takes place at the American Library in Paris. Ollie gets her dream job as a Periodical Librarian there. She quickly makes life long friends and they join together to save as many precious books from the Nazi looters. As their cherished Jewish patrons are forced into home seclusion she and others risk their lives to deliver books to them. Slowly they disappear and Ollie turns to her Police chief father for answers. This novel has harrowing situations that are fraught with betrayal. A marvelous coming into adulthood, where our choices are our own. Thanks to Netgallery and Astra books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I received a digital advance readers’ copy of The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles from the publisher (Atria Books) in exchange for an honest review. The Paris Library is scheduled for release on February 2, 2021.

The Paris Library is a dual-time novel. We start in the 1980s, following teenage Lily in Montana as she begins to interact with her elderly neighbor in an attempt to escape the difficulties her family is facing. The elderly neighbor turns out to be Odile, who we follow back in time to Paris in 1939. In 1939, Odile was a young lady, trying to balance her desire for a career in the library with the expectations of her family that she settle down.

Odile’s story is really the focus of the novel. While it is framed by the more modern events, the bulk of our time is spent in the past, living through the war with Odile. Like Odile, we get to know the patrons of the library, and feel for them as some are chased first out of the library, then into labor camps or worse. As a result of all the time spent with Odile, we get to know her fairly well.

The modern Montana story is less well-developed. Transported in time, Odile feels flat. This may be because not enough time was spent in this part of the story for us to get to know any of the characters. I wasn’t even confident in Lily’s age until the end of the novel. While I’m sure Charles gave us that information early in the novel, we spent so much time away from her that she never solidified for me.

Since Lily and her family remain unclear, Odile’s responses to them don’t seem to resonate. I am used to stories that follow a dual timeline to have features that are shared in the two times. I struggled to find that with this novel. While Odile and Lily were both facing personal troubles and hardships, they did not seem to echo each other. In the end, I felt like we didn’t need Lily and her story. It felt like an unnecessary layer that took time away from the primary story.

Like many novels set during war, The Paris Library opened up a window to a sliver of the big story that I was unfamiliar with, the determination of libraries to remain open and serve all patrons. I do wish the novel had kept the focus there, however, rather than trying to frame it in a more modern tale.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!  Yet thinking about a review revealed how complex the themes are, just as the Dewey Decimal System is (which is referenced quite often in the book).

Let’s begin with the library itself, 082 General Collections in English.  The American Library in Paris is Europe’s largest English-language lending library, which began as a means to supply American troops with reading material during World War I.  The library’s motto:

atrum post bellum, ex libris lux
after the darkness of war, the light of books

After the war, the library continued as a lending library for American expatriates, some of whom you may recognize (Edith Wharton. Ernest Hemingway, Thornton Wilder, Stephen Vincent Benét).

During World War II and the German occupation, the library’s directoress, Dorothy Reeder, was determined that the library would not close.  The windows were covered with paper, the library stocked up on gas masks, and French Jews who were no longer able to visit the library had books delivered to their homes.  While Reeder insisted her staff return to their homes for safety, she continued to man the library along with a handful of staff.  While other libraries were closed, the library remained “an open window on the free world.”

On to the next Dewey Decimal category, 302 Social Interaction.  One of the main storytellers is Odile, a young librarian who finds a great mentor in Dorothy Reeder.  Reeder's guidance allows Odile to learn her own life lessons by searching her heart.  Odile begins her story during World War II, detailing how within the library’s walls friendships are formed, romance blossoms, everyday people become heroes and some show the darkness in their hearts.

We now meet teen-aged Lily, Odile’s neighbor in Froid, Montana, during the 1980’s.  Lily is also a bibliophile, and while the two don’t get along at first, their relationship will profoundly change both of them.  Over the years, alone and together, the two will face life’s greatest challenges such as grief, loneliness, jealousy, deception and betrayal, as well as finding courage to do the right thing.  Just as Reeder had guided Odile many years before, Odile will guide Lily to search her heart, bringing us to Dewey's 126 The Self. 

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The book’s themes are complex, yet the stories are told effortlessly.  While much of the backdrop is World War II, the book’s focus is really on relationships.  I enjoyed every minute of reading.

This was the most beautiful historical fiction I’ve read in a while. Not only did it inspire me to research more on the American Library in Paris, but Odile’s character is well-developed across the time hops.

Emotions run high as WWII develops across the novel, spiraling everyday Parisian life into the wartime zone. Odile is faced with challenge regarding family, love, friendship, morals, and bravery. How do the choices she make impact the future?

I highly recommend this book to everyone who adores historical fiction. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

An excellent, engaging read. One I will be recommending to many. I thought the writing was fantastic, and I look forward to reading more books by this author. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a very well written story based on true events. This story brings “a little-known chapter of WWII history: the story of the American librarian, Miss Reeder, who created the Soldiers’ Service to deliver books to servicemen, and who went up against the enemy in order to keep her library open. She and her colleagues defied the rules of the German occupation by delivering books to Jewish readers after they were forbidden from entering the library.

Ms. Charles has created this novel in parallel stories: one story in Paris during WWII (1939) and the second in Montana in the eighties. The main character Odile Gustafson has just started working as a librarian at the American Library. When Europe enters the war against Germany, requests for magazines and books from soldiers pour in. The library and all of it’s librarians dedicate themselves to fulfilling this need.

This story is a captivating and enlightening. The story is about Paris, The American Library, WWII, Jews, loss, love, friendships, hardships, family, courage, strong emotions, and many life altering situations that are very deep. The answers to these situations are presented in a way that there is no black and white answers. Therefore, the reader can decide for themselves.

I believe the part of the wonderment of this book, at least for me, is that book lovers will understand the librarians passion for books and their risks to save them. You will find yourself laughing, crying and yes, you will feel anger. The characters are well developed. The settings are so well created that you can see the Library, Paris and Montana. Well Done. I can’t wait to see what you do next.

I would like to thank the publisher, the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Library was such a different book, and a unique perspective on life during World War 2. I liked the differing times, Montana in the 1980s and the time during the war in Paris. The American Library in Paris was such a wonderful character on its own, and I could feel myself there. Odile was such a wonderful character, and I loved that I got to follow her life, and I immensely enjoyed her friendship with Lily. Such a wonderful, exciting, heartwarming book.

4 out of 5 stars for The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

WOW! This is the first word that came to mind after reading this beautiful book. It became such an obsession, I immediately had to read it again. This story consumed me. I loved how the writing pulled me into Odile's world and I didn't want to leave her. Her character was so relatable even though the story took place in a time period way before my time. This was my grandparents' generation and I couldn't help but wonder if their story was similar to Odile's. This book deserves all the stars and more.