I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley, though all thoughts are my own.

I am always drawn to books that feature libraries or bookstores, and this sounded like my kind of book.

This was told mostly in the viewpoint of Odile, who was a young French woman who talks of her time during the late 1930s to the mid 1940s when her country was occupied by Germany.

The other main viewpoint is Lilly from about 1983 to 1988 who has spent her whole life in Montana, tragically loses her mother as a teenager and finds herself drawn to her neighbor Odile who quickly becomes someone she enjoys spending time with.

I enjoyed both of these characters who each had their own hardships, realized the importance of owning up to their mistakes, and navigating uncertain times.

I also enjoyed scenes in the American Library of Paris, particularly many of the patrons and the books consumed. My heart hurt for many of the patrons who weren't allowed to visit the Library when the Nazis stepped in to control not only who could visit but what kind of material could be distributed.

My heart hurt for so many of the victims mentioned being targeted by the Nazis and how so many people were pitted against each other while France was forcefully occupied.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author in the future.

Trigger warnings: occupied France, war, death of family, antisemitism, mention of interment camps, violence, abuse, cheating, unlawful arrests

Based upon the American Library in Paris and the real people who worked there, The Paris Library is the story of how the library remained open during WWII and the importance of books. It was told in dual timelines: WWII Paris and 1980’s Montana. Odile works at the library during the war. She has a love of books, the written word, and serving the library patrons. The library was subject to book censorship. Over time, Jewish patrons were banned from using the library. The librarians took risks to continue to serve their Jewish patrons. Forty years later in Montana, a young girl, Lily, befriends her elderly neighbor, Odile. The two share a love of reading and books and a friendship develops.

This is a well-researched work of historical fiction. I loved reading Odile’s story and her experiences during the war. The 1980’s timeline didn’t interest me as much, but I didn’t dislike it. It is a well-written poignant story of courage, friendship, love, and the importance of the written word.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Library was a slow burn for me, but I ended up really appreciating the story. I liked the dual timelines and how they tied together, and the setting...especially during WWII Paris...was rich and well-researched. The book touches on the power of books, loyalty, and quiet acts of resistance, which I found moving. Some of the emotional beats didn’t land as hard as I hoped, but overall it was thoughtful and quietly compelling. A good pick if you enjoy historical fiction with strong women at the center.

I think I may be to blame here because, as guilty as I sound, I've somewhat tired of WW2 Historical Fiction, not because it isn't important--IT IS--but because there is soooo much more history (often covered up or simply including untold stories) that we all deserve to hear. Though I am a lover of books, this beautiful story left me wanting--the plot dragged even though the historical accuracies and characters were well received.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. I apologize for the delay in sharing my review. You can find my review on my Instagram account @shhi_iamreading. Here’s the link: https://www.instagram.com/shh_iamreading

This book opened my eyes to what women during WWII went through in order to protect books! This was an emotional read that really swept me away. I always love books that have dual timelines and this book wove them together seamlessly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Dual timelines that ultimately connect. Lovable characters. WWII drama. Heroism. Patriotism. Bravery. This book has it all. Odile works at a library that is threatened to close when the Nazis occupied Paris. Everyone is watched and the fear of doing something wrong or getting in trouble lingers.

50 years later, Lily is enamored by her elderly neighbor. They share the love of books and language and indulge in many visits together. Lily and her neighbor share a really special friendship and bond that is beautiful as the story continues. the ending wrapped up so nicely and this left me very satisfied.

Ah. This was so refreshing. I instantly fell in love with Odile and her story. I relate to her and her love of books and the written word. This is a story of love, loss, family, fear, and courage during WWII when the Nazis occupied Paris. The crew working at the library were a host of eclectic characters and they were all lovable. I instantly delved into their lives like I was living it in real time.

This was so, so good. A lot of life lessons learned in this one.

A terrific book about the power of literature and friendship during the war. Amazing characters. Simply enchanting.

We are living in a current climate where the government wants to censor what we are reading. A lot of people, myself included, have started to see the parallels in this sort of censorship and the censorship that was happening at the hands of the Nazis during WW2. Set primarily in Paris during WW2, The Paris Library offers a look at the workers of the American Library in Paris. When they are faced with hardships in their work and personal lives, the love of the library and books is what brings them together. They fight to ensure the written work does not get censored by the opposing regimen. In a more present-day setting in the U.S. we see one of those workers, Odile, as an older woman now, and her young teenage neighbor as they form a friendship. Although there is a lot of WW2 historical fiction available, I found The Paris Library to stand out for many ways. Having a new setting outside of Germany of the book and a love letter to readers as well. I wish this book wasn't as timely as it is, but like in the book we have to fight for what is right no matter the costs.

I finally recently read this book which has been sitting unread on my Kindle for a long time. This is historical fiction, telling the story of French (and foreigners) who lived in Paris and visited or worked at the American Library during World War II when it was under Nazi occupation. There is also this other storyline of a young teenager Lily in 1983 in Montana, and how they interweave was interesting.

As a result of the dual storylines, there are a lot of characters in the book which did make it tricky at times. I would suggest reading it on a Kindle so you can use their x-ray feature to remember who people are, or keep a list on paper nearby. It is definitely plot driven, and actually is based on a true story. It was pretty cool to read at the end who is a real person, and what happened to them. Overall, this was an interesting look at a rough time in history - a time period that included the Holocaust but wasn’t a main part of it. I liked some characters more than others, but the ones I liked I really adored. I wasn’t ready to let them go at the end, and would definitely suggest this one if you haven’t picked it up in the past almost 4 years. Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the digital copy of it!

The 1939 story, split from its successor, would get four stars and at least a little more love from me. I really, really, really did not like the Montana 1983 part. At all.

My principal issue was with the motivating incident. I did not believe for a second that the response of moving to the ass-end of nowhere much was the kind of response someone as emotionally intelligent, as resourceful and resilient, as Odile would come up with. As a result, I disinvested in the entire proceedings. That's fatal to a good read.

However, I think the Romance of It All will carry lots of readers right over that hurdle, so I still say it's worth a gift card.

Was a little heavy at times but otherwise great read. Would definitely recommend it to others interested in historical fiction.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a beautifully woven tale that blends historical fiction with personal growth. Set against the backdrop of World War II, it follows the lives of librarians at the American Library in Paris and the power of books to connect people even in the darkest times. The alternating timelines between the 1940s and 1980s add depth, revealing how past choices resonate in the present. The characters are compelling, and the love of literature shines throughout the story. A must-read for anyone who enjoys books about courage, friendship, and the enduring impact of libraries.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a historical fiction novel that takes place in two different time periods: Paris during WWII and Montana in the 1980s. In 1939 Odile is a young woman going against social norms and her parents’ expectations by getting a job at an American library in Paris. Little does she know that the Nazis will soon be invading Paris, threatening everything important to her. In 1983 we get to know Lily, a young girl in Montana whose solitary elderly neighbour Odile helps her and her family in a time of great need.

I always appreciate a book based on real events, and the author’s notes were well worth reading. When the Nazis invaded Paris, the American Library of Paris stayed open but was subject to book censorship, as well as certain patrons barred from entry due to their Jewish heritage. Obviously the war brought much greater horrors to Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis, and losing basic rights like being able to patronize a library was only the beginning. Still, when I think about the hope and escape that books have brought me in my darkest times, I can understand that the librarians were willing to put themselves at risk in order to bring books to their Jewish patrons.

While I enjoyed the story, Odile’s relationships with others felt a little shallow, as we were mostly told about them, rather than being a part of their development. At one point, another character was declared her ‘best friend’, and I felt like I had missed something, as it seemingly came out of nowhere. The romance felt like an unnecessary distraction also. I think adding more depth to these relationships would have pulled me in and given the story a much greater emotional impact.

Many thanks to Atria Books for an egalley of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
Rating: ★★★☆☆

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles was an intriguing read, though it didn’t fully captivate me. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel explores the power of books and the resilience of the human spirit through the lens of a Parisian library. Charles weaves together the stories of two women—Odile, a librarian during the war, and Lily, a teenager in 1980s Montana—who are connected through their love for literature.

The historical detail and portrayal of wartime Paris were well-researched and vividly depicted, offering a glimpse into a turbulent period of history. However, while the premise was compelling, I found the pacing uneven at times, with some parts of the narrative feeling rushed while others dragged. The characters were well-developed, yet I struggled to fully connect with their journeys, which affected my overall engagement with the story.

In summary, The Paris Library is a poignant tale that highlights the enduring power of books and their ability to provide solace during challenging times. While it didn’t entirely resonate with me, readers interested in World War II historical fiction and stories of resilience may find it worth exploring.

Janet has a delightful read in this book. This story is about a widow and how she forms a friendship with a lonely and beautiful young lady in a library in Paris. I'm a librarian by trade and love all stories that have anything to do with libraries. Found another author in historical fiction with Janet Charles. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this story.

dynamic, beautiful, and informative! i didn't know about this library or its librarian until i read this book. i'm glad I did though, it was such a fun adventure!

The two stories felt fairly balanced. I was a little more drawn to the "modern" day one (with Lily in it) but overall, it worked pretty well.

I loved the aspect of the library and how Odile's world was so carefully built (only for it to come crashing down).

The pacing of the book felt a bit slow...and yet it was the kind of slow that I enjoyed. I loved the details, the attention to various aspects of the 1900s and the whole immersion experience.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a perfect fit for readers who adore historical fiction, romance, and stories of courage and resilience, particularly those who appreciate the themes of family, friendship, and the transformative power of literature, as well as fans of authors like Kristin Hannah and Paula McLain.

I saw "librarians" in the description and quick-clicked before I realized it was a war novel. I should have known better- this was definitely a case of it's me, not you. I just don't love WW1 and WW2 time periods for novels, but if I DID- this would have been a winner.