I absolutely loved this book. This is like a gift to book lovers and Paris lovers. It evoked so many emotions in me while reading. Such a beautifully written book!

I loved and savored everything about this book.

The story begins in 1939 in Paris with young Odile Souchet who has a deep love of libraries, and the Dewey Decimal system. She is interviewing for a job at the American Library in Paris, and after she starts working in the library we are introduced to so many wonderful characters that are her family, friends as well as regular "subscribers" and staff of the library. I loved them all. Obviously very different settings and circumstances, but Odile reminded me so much of Anne of Green Gables, in her innocent observations, imagination and strong convictions.

Fast forward to 1983, and we have no idea yet how Odile came to be living alone in Montana, only that Lily, a young girl that lives next door, becomes fascinated with her and forces her way into Odile's life.

The story goes back and forth between Odile's youth during the German occupation of Paris in WWII and her life in Montana in the 80s, and all the beautifully written relationships that shaped her past and present life.

Although Odile is a fictional character, the author's notes at the end of the book reveal that Miss Reeder, an American librarian and Director of the Paris Library during the German occupation in WWII, was a real life hero who created the Soldiers’ Service to deliver books to servicemen, and later to Jewish patrons after they were forbidden by the Bibliotheksschutz from entering the library.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I am a big fan of World War II fiction, but sometimes it's hard to find a new aspect about the war that hasn't already been written about. The Paris Library, by Janet Skeslien Charles, is based on the role that staff from The American Library in Paris played during the war. Books and reading played an important role in boosting morale, providing a sense of normalcy but also an escape for a brief time from dark times. Staff continued to help not only their regular "subscribers" but also delivered books to Jewish citizens at great risk to themselves, and to soldiers, whether on the field or injured an in hospital.

The Paris part of the story revolves around Odile, a young librarian, and her family and fellow staff at the American Library in Paris. The other part of the story takes place in America, and revolves around the struggles of a young girl named Lily. Odile is older now, and is Lily's next door neighbour. Together they forge a bond that helps them both heal and survive life's tough moments.

I thought this book was excellent. I was invested in the characters and the author made them seem real, by revealing their faults as wells as their strengths. As a fellow librarian myself, I also loved the references to the Dewey Decimal System, and now want to read the books the staff recommended to their subscribers. #TheParisLibrary #NetGalley

To say that The Paris Library is the story of ordinary people who defied the Nazis and continued to ensure that literary works were available to their subscribers would be a simplistic understatement.

As war becomes a reality in France, Odile Souchet and her family each play a part in the war effort. Her twin brother does his part by enlisting, and Odile a young, strong willed woman who defies her father, is hired to work in the periodical section of the American Library in Paris. And so begins this saga. The reader is introduced to characters who actually worked at the library and are an integral part of its existence. You may think that the central character is Odile but it is in fact the Library. The library is the one mainstay which links all of the characters together. As the story itself unfolds, love is found, lives changed, treachery abounds, but the library remains the beacon to which all characters congregate.
Written in the form of two different timelines, 1980’ s and 1940’s, Odile’s story unfolds through her words and also through the eyes of a young neighbour girl who she befriends. In a real sense the young girl needs Odile as much as Odile needs to tell her story. Each is saved by the other.

I loved this novel! I loved the story itself, the literary references peppered throughout, and the uniqueness of its setting. I have read countless novels set during this era but have yet to encounter a setting such as this. There is however a moral dilemma which haunts Odile and has been asked many times throughout history...What would you do? What is your moral compass? What are you willing to sacrifice?

The Paris Library deserves a place on your bookshelf.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected pub date: Feb. 2. 2021
It’s 1939 and Paris is on the brink of way. Odile Souchet lands her dream job at the American Library, and spends the days among its patrons and her true loves; books. However, things change quickly when her twin brother, Remy, joins the war effort and soon, the library itself is under attack as the Nazis frequently raid the library, destroying or taking away the “unapproved” books. Odile now spends her days hiding the most beloved tomes, and carrying novels to Jews who have been banned from accessing the library.
In 1983 in Montana, Lily is a teenager dealing with the recent death of her mother, her father’s remarriage, and the small-town gossip that invades her every day high school life. Desperate for attention, she befriends the eccentric neighbour next door, a French ex-pat named Odile. Lily soon becomes infatuated with Odile’s life during the way, but she knows Odile has secrets she is keeping from everyone.
The importance of books during times of strife seems to be a common theme in a lot of the books I have read this year. From “The Giver of Stars” to “The Little Bookshop in Paris”, many authors are trying to reconnect readers with the importance of books, beyond the simple enjoyment one experiences. Books form communities, link kindred spirits, and spread knowledge and information. In fact, they are indeed so powerful that in many eras throughout history, they have been banned and/or burned, and many people have been denied access. It is books like these that I find so important, especially in the world we live in today.
Odile is a great character, trying to find her independence as a war wages around her. She manages her love of books and her romantic love with Paul, a policeman, desperately hoping her brother Remy will return safely from the war. Lily also struggles with grief, loss and unrequited love, and she forms a deep connection with Odile through their shared love of literature. The ending of the novel touches on how things can change in an instant, how decisions can alter the course of our lives, and how simply reaching out to others can have a greater impact than we can imagine.
Well-written and well-researched, “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles is a powerful story about the love of books, the tragedies of war, and the incredible power of the human spirit.
Books connect us, books save us, books allow us to escape. In the times we live in today, it is more important than ever that we remember this.

High marks for this historical fiction by Janet Skeslien Charles features some interesting information about the true story of the American Library in Paris.

The Paris Library is a well written and engaging novel based on real events during WWII in Paris. It is an incredible story of hope and resilience, getting lost in the power of a book regardless of what’s going on in the outside world, and the idea that books keep hope alive during trying times. I highly recommend this book.

There is not enough positives that I can say about this book. While I’ve read many books about WW2 and France, I’ve never read a book that starts before the occupation and continues through the entire world war, without being all about concentration camps. It really gave a picture into the day to day life of the Parisians and the struggle just to stay alive, and the resulting guilt that followed. I really loved this story and all the angles the author took with it.

I really enjoyed this book and how everything played out. I love books written during WW2 and this one didn't disappoint. It looked at a slightly different part of the war and I enjoyed how it moved back and forth through time as the story was told.

Well written. I'd read this author's work again

I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction about the Nazi reign in France lately, but this one had a unique storyline that I enjoyed.
The Paris library is a story centred around Odile who worked at the American library in Paris before and during the war. What I liked about this book was that it really humanized regular citizens throughout the war and really showcases real struggles that they had. Odile faces many different types of struggles such as sending her families only rations for the week to her brother at war, delivering books from the library to Jewish people, determining what she can and can’t say to her police officer father and fiancé. The list goes on. This book has a major twist at the end that will definitely stir up some emotions. If you like historical fiction, you’ll definitely like this one! 4/5⭐️

Thank you to Atria books & Net galley for the advanced reader copy. This title is released June 2nd 2020!

A view of the war through the eyes of the library and those who love it. Such a tender story, written in the sweet words that any reader will enjoy.
The story of a library - who it brought together, who and what it tore apart. How the importance of the written word, the spoken and unspoken word tie people together.
A wonderful read that is sure to reach your heart.

This book was beautiful, and I keep finding myself saying that more and more about historical fiction. I really don't know why I don't read more of it. I have definitely given this book a five stars, as I usually do with historical fiction. I understand that during World War II it was incredibly difficult for the majority of people to live. No matter what nationality you were to be honest.

This story is about Odile's experiences in World War II. Where she worked at the Paris Library, and her and her colleagues did anything and everything they could to stay open and arrange for people to continue to get the books they wanted to read. To give them some sort of ray of sunshine during a horrendous time for them. Unfortunately, for Lily, she also is going through hardship in her teenage years and gets to befriend Odile.

Without spoiling too much, it's Lily and Odile's friendship that is so precious. That Odile helps Lily learn from the mistakes she, Odile, as a young woman made. In hopes to help Lily not make the same tragic decisions in her life that brought Odile into America to begin with.

As a great lover of books and libraries I found this story delightful, except of course, the fact that much of the story is set in WWII and details some of the atrocities that occur.. it is more about the courage and determination to keep the Paris Library open and to make sure every one had access to books. When the Jews and alien foreigners were banned from the library, the staff set out to deliver books to them despite the risk of jail or worse if caught.
I enjoyed the author’s way of developing the story ....a young girl named Lily had to do a class project and she chose to interview her neighbour Odile. Odile had lived in the small town for many years but she had always kept to herself, nobody knew anything about her. Lily was determined to discover why she was such a loner.....did she have a secret? The relationship that developed between Oldie and Lily is marvellous. You can guess that Oldie was part of the Paris Library’s staff. Her story is amazing and very much worth reading about. I highly recommend this book.

I wanted to love this book but it was just alright for me, I loved the story of the Paris Library and its role during WWII. The characters in the library were all very vivid and real and Odile’s story was heartbreaking. It was the modern day parts of the book that just had me a bit bored. I found it hard to get through. It did all come together in the end but getting there was a bit of a push.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the advanced copy.

This is my first read from Janet Skeslien Charles and I was not disappointed. She had me from the start. I love stories from the World Wars and this one was based on a true story about the American Library in Paris during WW2.. That is what attracted me to it. Odile's character was a joy to follow. So deep, so caring and I really fell in love with her. As it moves from WW2 to present day Montana, her character remains true to form. We are introduced to some lovely friends and co-workers in Paris trying their best to keep the library open during the war as they join the resistance and keep all their readers supplied. Her present day Montana has its share of moving characters too. Heartache and love. Betrayal. It has it all. Such a lovely storyline and characters. I'm looking forward to reading more from Janet!

The Paris Library is a wonderful story based on true life during World War 2.

This strong cast of characters due their utmost to keep the American Library open while at the same time hiding books to save them from the Nazi's and making sure those that have been banned are getting books delivered to them at their own risk.

The book is full of characters that love books , have their own demons that they are dealing with . It is a book of friendship, courage , love .

The book is also told from the prospective of years later when Odile , one of the main strengths for THe Paris Library , her story continues and you get more insight.

Loved this book, well written, the pages fly

You will cheer them on, you will cry with them and you will laugh with them .

Please take time to read the author's notes at the end of the book.

Thanks to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Canada for this informative and wonderful read.

From the debonair streets of Paris in 1939 to the dusty roads of farming town Froid, Montana in 1983, this story grabs you and won’t let go. The Paris Library is “based on the true World War II story of the American Library in Paris.”

Everything seems to be coming together for Odile Souchet. She lands her dream job working at the American Library in Paris, finally meets a beau whom she adores, and finds the library to be a source of community and friendship. Then World War II breaks out. Her twin brother, Remy, goes to the front lines, and the world changes. Nazis march in. The library is forced to keep Jewish subscribers out. Food becomes scarce. Odile and the other librarians risk their freedom and even their lives to carry books to their Jewish subscribers. And with only a few decisions made by herself and others, Odile’s world falls apart.

Nearly forty years later in Froid, Montana, Odile lives a solitary life and hides from her haunting past. Then her thirteen-year-old neighbor, Lily, walks through her door. “I’m writing a report on you. I mean, on your country.” So begins an unexpected friendship. Lily asks Odile to teach her French. Odile helps Lily through a difficult season in her life. But underlying everything are memories of betrayal. Secrets. Regrets. How far will Odile go to protect herself? Will Lily’s meddling destroy not one life, but two?

The Paris Library was compelling from the beginning. The main characters, so different from each other, insinuated themselves into my heart and wouldn’t let go. I could hardly put this book down. Highly recommended and unique, The Paris Library tells us an important story about war and about ourselves.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Words have power. Books are fountains of knowledge that offer solace and comfort in hard times, a way to escape the madness of wartime, if only for a little while. The American Library in Paris becomes a sanctuary for its subscribers during the German occupation in World War II.

Odile, a young catholic has just graduated from library studies and landed a job at the American Library in Paris. Her fathers constant matchmaking Sunday lunches have finally paid dividends and she finds herself in love with a young police officer. Surrounded by loved ones and supported by her twin brother Remy it seems she has the world at her feet. Then war is declared. Young men enlist and the Library and its subscribers discuss and argue political and events while Odile fears for her brother at the front.

Odile, now a widower in 1983, is living in isolation in the very small town of Froid, Montana (a far cry from Paris!). Overcome with loneliness and forever grieving the loss of her son, husband and so many others, finds an unlikely friend in her inquisitive young neighbour Lily, whose curiosity of Odile forces her to relive the events of the war eventually leading to her migration to the United States.

During the occupation Odile and her fellow librarians kept the library going during the occupation. Staying open, protecting the library’s collection (including banned material), sending books to soldiers, and even delivering to Jewish subscribers who are prohibited from using the library and other resources under German law. Putting their life at risk to allow this small comfort the librarian workers are unsung heroes during this perilous time.

Despite the unity and passion of library staff and it’s volunteers this group is not left untouched by the wars events. Odile is crushed by the news that her brother is injured and is now a prisoner of war on German soil, her fiancé Paul is forced to arrest Jewish families against his will, Odile’s best friend (a married woman!) takes up with a Nazi soldier, and the Library director is forced to return to the United States leaving the fate of Odiles sanctuary unknown.

Based on true events this is a beautifully told story of how the smallest acts of resistance brought joy to those in need and the heartbreak and loss experienced by many during World War II.

I really enjoyed reading this. While the war is well trod in historical fiction the author managed to bring a fresh perspective. The main character Odile - a very independent woman for her time - has the right amount of passion and courage to be believable. I also respect that her ending wasn’t entirely happy. I also loved Lily and the way the author managed to draw parallels between her life and Odiles. Very well done!

The cast of diverse but likeable characters in this WWII story reminds me very much of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. What brings this motley group together is the American Library in Paris. It's their refuge.

Odile desperately wants to work at the library. She's memorized most of the Dewey Decimal System and even thinks in Dewey! Quite frankly, she doesn't need the job because her father is a good provider but books are in her blood. She soon adopts the "regulars" as her family and feels more at home at the library than with her own family, except for her brother Remy. However, their idyllic life is about to be shattered beyond recognition with the arrival of the Nazis, especially Odile whose youth and inexperience will prove to be her greatest challenge.

The story alternates between WWII Paris and Montana in the 1980's. Odile has retreated into herself but a young teenage neighbour girl has decided that Odile needs to start living again. She wants French lessons. Odile recognizes a younger version of herself in Lily and the two form a bond that will prove to be invaluable to them both.

A WWII account that is different from the rest.

This is a good one! I highly recommend it for fans of World War II historical fiction and historical romance. It is well written with lots of detailed characters.