I found this to be an enjoyable read, keeping me on my toes throughout. The storyline was written well and flowed seamlessly. I look forward to reading more by this author!

I’m finally catching up on so many reviews that I procrastinated on while at the height of the pandemic. I read The Paris Library well over a year and a half ago as an advanced reader ahead of its publication. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that as far as historical fiction goes, I’ll read anything that takes place in France during World War II. Being a bookworm and book blogger, it was an added bonus that it takes place predominantly in a library!

This novel is told from two perspectives in very different times and locations. The main character Odile had her dream job working at the American Library in Paris as rumors of impending war began to circulate in 1939 Paris. Years later, Lily is struggling to grow up after her mother becomes ill in 1983 Montana. Discovering a mutual love for language and books, Lily turns to her neighbor Odile, who also seemed to be in need of a friend. As they each tackle their individual struggles – one with the past and the other with the future – the two strike up an unwitting friendship and the story unravels through their shared reading.

Normally, when reading these kinds of books told in two times, I tend to gravitate more to the past where the details of the war efforts unfold. This was one of the first historical fiction books that I wasn’t rushing through one perspective to get back to the other because I loved them both so much. There was something so relatable about Lily that kept me by her side, feeling like her life was unfair right along with her and wanting to see her succeed despite all of the obstacles.

At the heart of The Paris Library is friendship. Odile met and befriended a host of characters while she worked at the library. The war came and forced people to not only take sides but also often be automatically labeled into a side based on their religion or nationality. This was where friendship and loyalties were truly tested and what haunts Odile for decades after.

I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction, but also to anyone looking for a story about friendship and loyalty in which decisions were not clear-cut and one small comment, even to someone trusted, can derail someone else’s entire life.

Janet Skeslien Charles is the author of The Paris Library. This is a wonderful entertaining novel. Though it takes place during the Holocaust and touches on that topic, but this book centers on the American Library in Paris during that time period. The book touches on the horrific happenings that were present in Paris as the Germans invaded France, but the story seems to be a plot about relationships, jealousy, regret, trust and hurt.

The plot centers around the library, where Odile is a new librarian who knows the Dewy Decimal system number for every title and subject. We follow her as she becomes a woman, her relationship to her parents and her twin brother, Remy. We watch her interact and learn as she interacts with the librarians who give her excellent advice. She also is developing a romantic relationship with Paul, a young policeman who works for her father. As she is going through everyday life the war is encroaching on their lives. Odile learns about what her father and Paul are doing thinking they have no choice. She also makes decisions about saving books and lives as she risks her life facing up to Germans as she makes her way around the streets of Paris. Many of the individual character's stories are based on real people who existed in the 1930s in Paris.

Then as a parallel plot line is 14 year old, Lily and her family living in Froid, Montana, next door to an older Odile. Lily reaches out to Odile asking to interview her for a school project. Her friendship with Lily does open the door to her past and causes her to reflect on and maybe see past events in a different light. In the end this is a beautiful story of the connection between generations and how they can help each other in many ways. Odile's life experiences and stories help Lily through her modern day controversies.

The Paris Library is an incredible story that will tug at your heart strings. The alternating timeline and multiple POVs were engaging and easy to follow and overall, the writing is just beautiful. I was drawn to Odile’s chapters and couldn’t get through them fast enough, I needed to know where her story would lead. I wasn’t super invested in Lily’s chapters, until the friendship developed between the two women, it was great to read. I adored all the characters introduced, each character brought so much to the story. This book broke my heart, and mended it, all at once. Highly recommend it.



Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking forward to this one - gorgeous cover!! Book is slow but interesting - abit wordy and again, slow, with librarian-speak which I normally wouldn't be dulled by but this book was quite a drag for me.

Why is it that good things, and specially good books, no matter how much one ration them in an attempt not to end it, always have an end?
The Paris Library is a beautiful and moving story based on true events that occurred during the Nazi occupation of Paris in World War II that chronicles the efforts of a group of brave librarians and book lovers from the American Library of Paris to save their books and keeping the library open in such difficult times, giving its subscribers (many of them Jews) hope and giving life with their actions to the French motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.
I challenge the readers of this book to get to the last page without shedding a single tear!

I love books about books. This was a beautifully written historical fiction book that toggles back and forth between past and present. The interconnected relationships between the characters unfolds in a mysterious way, and the overcoming obstacles for the characters was so relatable. I just loved this book.

The Paris Library is a beautiful historical fiction novel, told from two different POV's in two very different times. Book lovers will absolutely adore this novel, a story about library and book lovers, with their secrets and their lives all revolving around books and how they play a huge part in their lives. This is based on real events, so truly, is it not a must read for any library, book and historical fiction lover? I think so!

I loved Odile's character, both in 1939 and 1983. The story of her life was just incredible, as we lived it with her and as she recounted it to Lily. Lily and Odile had the most beautiful relationship - two people who just needed someone at the time and found one another. The Paris Library is a beautiful tale of the historical fiction WWII stories we love, but with a deeper connection with family, love, and friendship elements to make it an incredible story. I definitely recommend this to everyone, especially those who want to get into historical fiction but don't know where to start!

This book was engaging and I like the different timelines. Sometimes the different points of view got confusing if you weren't paying attention to the chapter titles, but I can see the reason the author did that. The ending wasn't my favorite part of the book either. Overall it was an alright book, but it won't be on my reread shelf.

Anothe WWII book, but I still learned something and it was an excellent read. I enjoyed the story.
There are many history novel out there but The Paris Library had a new element I had never read about before.

The Paris Library is another book I’ve recently read about WW II, but told from a different perspective than usual. It tells the story of librarians at the American Library in Paris and how they join the Resistance when Nazis march into France. Also, there is a storyline set in 1983 Montana and a teenager with a quiet, elderly neighbour and she sets out to unravel the woman’s mysterious past. I loved the dual timelines and did not find myself confused by them (some people do, but I love a good dual timeline). Both characters were equally enjoyable to read about.

This is more than just your typical Nazi-occupied France historical fiction. It has a strong characters, a driving plot (save the books!), and dual timelines (I'm a fan).

I loved this book. Books with two timelines and characters can sometimes be confusing, but this was nothing but enjoyable. It was such a interesting read as I've never read much about the American Library in Paris, so I loved the deep dive into a facet of history I'd never had a chance to learn about before.

This is a historical fiction that takes place during WWII in Paris, France. I have to say my feelings about this book is different from most peoples, but this is how I feel about the book. I really had high hopes for this book, and it let me down. The beginning (or first 40% of the book) was very slow moving and some parts I do not think needed to be in the book. I hated the first part of this book. I think after getting through the first 40% of the book made me just feel the last part of the book just ok. I have read a lot of historical fiction books that takes place in WWII, and this one was nothing special. I like a historical fiction book to really be hard hitting and touch my heart, and this one did not do that. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Atria Books) or author (Janet Skeslien Charles) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

This book is a celebration of books, libraries and the extraordinary efforts of the staff of the Paris Library to keep the institution open to its subscribers during WWII and the occupation of Paris. Soileau is the main character and you see her not only in Paris, but also in Montana, where she lives after marrying. You learn more about her through the interactions with Lily a lonely child. Truly a heartwarming read of heroism.

I had the privilege of reading an ARC of The Paris Library through Netgalley. I am a huge fan of historical fiction and The Paris Library did not disappoint. Odile, the protagonist, was an intriguing character and the dual timelines allow the reader to experience Paris in the 1940s and Montana in the 1980s. As an avid reader, I appreciated learning about the American Library in Paris.

While the story did start off slowly (I started it 2 or 3 times before finally finishing), the end is worth it! I love a story with dual timelines, especially in WWII, and library stories are my absolute favorite. Reminded me a little of The Paris Hours and The Lilac Girls.

As a librarian myself, one of my favorite things to read about is librarians. I have a special soft spot for books that present librarianship in different times or places. The Paris Library takes place during World War II, however, it follows two timelines. We follow Odile Souchet, a librarian at the American Library is Paris who is working during a very difficult time. We later meet her in the 1980s where she has relocated to Montana. In Paris, the library is under strict censorship, and Odile and the rest of the library staff must work to protect the library and save books. I enjoyed learning about the American Library in Paris and seeing how no matter the times, there will always be people that protect information, and people's rights to access it. It's also a reminder to treasure human life as the book's backdrop is World War II and the atrocities that took place during that period. Overall, a solid read.

Thank you Netgalley and LibroFM for my gifted copies. Unfortunately I didn't really care for this book. I found myself bored and ready for the book to just be over already. It was a little boring to me. With maybe a few interesting parts here and there.

Thank you to the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book. I apologize that it took me so long to complete, but unfortunately, the first 75% of the book was so boring, it took me a full year to get through it. I would read a chapter, then put the book down and read something else. I finally pushed myself to finish it this month and I'm glad I did. At around 75% of the book, I finally felt invested and interested in the story line. At that point I wanted to find out what happened. Overall, I thought the message was good, and the premise is good, I just wish it had gripped me more from the beginning.