It was fascinating to learn about the American library and the Dewey decimal system. At the same time, it was truly heartbreaking to see what it was like to live in Paris during the occupation. I admired the brave librarians who continued to put their lives on the line every day, for the sake of books and their patrons. And the fact that it was based on true events and actual people, made it that much more captivating. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC for my honest review.

Books about books are my favorite type of reading so this book had me at the title! I also read a lot of WWII books so I knew I would really enjoy this story. Set in two timelines I enjoyed both stories equally but I adored the character Oldie and her most perfect job as a librarian and getting to spend everyday amongst stacks of books. What a dream!
Oldie works at the American Library in Paris and can't imagine her life without books. When the Nazis invade Paris they quickly lay down the law that no Jews are allowed books. Along with her fellow librarians they will find a way to get the books to those who treasure them the most even if it means they are putting themselves and their friends at risk. If you can't beat them, join them, Oldie joins the resistance and her weapon of choice is books, and the freedom to read to those who treasure it the most.
Lily lives in Montana and is an awkward teenager looking for something to do. When her elderly neighbor takes interest in her she has no idea just whats in store for her. Generations between them Lily quickly realizes the two have much in common and become fast friends. Secrets can't be hidden forever and Lily will learn a lot about her neighbor that will surprise her.

Odile is a young French woman who loves books and organizing them using the Dewey Decimal system. When she was a child, her favorite aunt took her to the American Library in Paris and fostered Odile's love for reading and desire to be a librarian. She accepts her dream job at the library in 1939 as the world is inching toward the outbreak of war. We meet the library's regular patrons (or "subscribers") through Odile's optimistic eyes and then see how the staff pulls together to keep their material available to as many people as possible through the hardships of the Nazi occupation.
Lily is an American tween in 1980s Montana who takes an interest in her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Gustafson, who is still seen as an outsider after nearly 40 years in the small community. She peppers her with questions about life in exotic-sounding Paris and soon comes to depend on this connection through her mother's illness and death and her father's remarriage.
The characters are a key component of this book. Odile's colleagues at the library are inspiring, her protective parents and fun-loving brother are sweet, and her quirky patrons offer comic relief. Lily's very different coming of age experience in rural Americana is full of emotions as she learns from the older Odile. Lessons of love and loss, loyalty and betrayal abound. My thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
Recommended

The Paris Library is a great book and Janet Skeslien Charles is a wonderful writer! The book is based on the true story of librarians working in Paris during WWII for the resistance and the fictionalized story was so engaging. Normally not a fan of dual timelines, but the parallel stories of WWII Paris and 1980s Montana are powerful - the combined stories are outstanding. The book also focuses on women supporting each other, which is awesome. Highly recommend!

This is a beautiful story based on true events and people at the American Library in Paris during WWII. The story starts in 1939 when a young woman, Odile Souchet, applies for her dream job at the Library. When war starts to affect the library, banning certain books and denying Jewish patrons access to the library, Odile and her fellow librarians do their best to serve their community amid the growing restrictions.
In the 1980s in Montana, young teenager Lily is struggling to fit in, dealing with her mother's illness and later her father's new relationship. She is curious about her reclusive neighbor, knowing only that she lived in Paris during the war. She uses a class project as an excuse to talk to Odile. At first reluctant, Odile and Lily grow closer over time with their shared love for books. Odile knows their are many life lessons she can teach Lily, but to do so she had to finally tell her secrets.
This book seems very well researched. I've read many books set in this time period, but none centered in the library, which made the story unique for me. I love how the friend relationship develops between Odile and Lily despite their age difference. I have fond memories of an elderly neighbor lady I befriended as a child and this story reminded me off that time in my life.
Thank you to Janet Skeslien Charles and Atria books for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

During WWII the American Library in Paris was kept open despite the occupation by the brave people who worked there. This beautiful book is based on the true story of the people who loved the library and loved literature so much they risked their lives to deliver books to Jews as well as send book to the soldiers when possible. It’s a lovely story about family, friends, love and books. It’s told in a dual timeline with the main character Odile in France 1934 and then a teenager, Lily, in Montana 1984. Odile is Lily’s neighbor and they develop a friendship. Before war comes to Paris Odile seems to have it all. A wonderful job as a librarian, a twin brother she adores and a handsome suitor named Paul. But with war things change and people reveal who they really are. I recommend this book to people who love historical fiction and those who love books about books. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc for an honest review.

This story was like anything I was expecting. From the very beginning to the end. Wow! Just wow. I might have a bit of issues in some parts where I felt like it slowed down a bit but then things starts being revealed and honestly it was a very good historical fiction. Odile and Lily, two different stories bounded together by destiny. I was a bit more invested in Lily’s story but don’t get me wrong, both were equally good.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a historical fiction novel that follows two timelines following Odile during World War II in Paris and Lily in Montana during 1983. In the first timeline, Odile is a liibrarian who begins working at the American Library in Paris when whisperings of another great war begin. In the later timeline, Odile is older and the neighbor to Lily a young girl who is struggling with the loss of her mother and other life changes as she grows closer to Odile.

This is a character-driven novel that explores the power of books and stories amongst the backdrop of war. I found it powerful how books were able to unite those of all backgrounds, even among the Allies and Nazis in the storyline. The first timeline was atmospheric and Odile was a wonderful character. The library was cozy and made me feel happy and hopeful especially learning how the main and side characters experienced books. However this book is heavy and claustrophobic due to the paranoia of war and the seeds of distrust as someone tries to target the workers at the library. It is important to note that this book was predominately focused on the World War II timeline with probably a third of the book on the later timeline. I was a bit more connected to the WWII timeline but as the book went on became more connected to Lily. However I think it may have been more powerful to open with the story of Odile and and Lily building a friendship and then telling the WWII in a linear manner. I did find the references to the Dewey Decimal system and the interspersed french lessons throughout the book to be charming! Overall I recommend this book for those who enjoy dual-timelines with a WWII plot and enjoy books about books!

Many thanks to the publisher Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Meet Odile and Lily, neighbors who become quick friends told in a multiple timeline and point of view story. The timelines switch between World War II Paris with Odile and 1983 Montana. Throughout the story, the reader is given an in-depth look of what the Paris Library and it's users went through during the war. This is a perspective I have not read about before and found it fascinating. I also enjoyed the relationship between Odile and Lily.

The Paris Library is historical fiction based on the true story of heroic librarians that kept the American Library in Paris open during WWII. It follows Odile a librarian at the library during WWII and Lily a teenager living in Montana during the 1980s.

This book was so engaging and I devoured it and stayed up late. I really felt for both Odile and Lily and loved the friendship they developed. Majority of the book follows Odile as France joins WWII and is occupied by Germany. It is an emotionally heavy read as Odile worries about her loved ones, subscribers to the library and the library.

One concept I really loved from the book, was the idea of your bookmate. A person that reads and loves the same books as you, your book soulmate. It made me miss the days when people used to sign out books on the little cards.

I also appreciated the extra information at the end about the employees of the library and where they ended up after the war. I really want to visit the American Library now the next time I go to Paris.

CW: Suicide Ideation, Abuse, Violence, Death, Child Abuse, Antisemitism

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books/Simon and Schuster for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is by far the finest historical fiction that I have read in recent years. Set in Paris during the early years of occupation, the library was under threat. Books were banned, stolen and hidden. Those who worked there and volunteers, readers and subscribers were going about normal lives when war tore relationships, friendships and families asunder. This is their story. Based on true events, this novel will resonate with historians and book club aficionados alike. It is worthy of discussion.

Odile’s dream comes true when she lands in her dream job as a librarian at the American Library in Paris (ALP). She has sort of an obsession with the Dewey Decimal System and likes to classify things that happen with those system numbers. Everything seems to be well: she has her dream job, new friends from her job and a boyfriend. But then WWII and Nazi occupation started and everything changes. In the 1980s Montana Lily has recently lost her mother and her father soon remarries. Missing her mother and feeling lonely, she befriends her reclusive, elderly neighbour. Fascinated by everything French, she uses her school assignment as a way to get to know her mysterious neighbour.

I don’t think I’ve read a fiction book where a library plays such a big role in the story. And it was interesting as I hadn’t heard of ALP before. We see how the library continued to deliver books to their Jewish subscribers since they could no longer use the library. The book is by no means action-packed but there were no dull moments. The book focuses heavily on the library and we don’t really see how the war affected the city under the occupation or the horrors of concentration camps or such.

I was surprised by how much I liked the 80s timeline. It gave glimpses that Lily’s stepmother might not have had an easy time as the “curator of the Brenda museum” as Lily at some point puts it. It was nice to see their relationship get better as time went on. Each library staff member were wonderful characters on their own right. I would have liked to know more about Buck and Marc as they were only mentioned a few times.

I really loved this book, and it was a bit different WWII book than usually. A book about books, libraries and the Dewey Decimal System. What’s not to like?

This is a terrific historical novel that weaves a tale between two different eras and locations: 1939-44 Paris and 1983-89 Montana. Odile, a French citizen, has just secured her dream job at the American Library in Paris in 1939. She loves the job, where she meets lots of interesting people, while dealing with her overprotective parents and her twin brother. Fast forward to 1983 Montana, where preteen Lily lives next door to mysterious Mrs. Gustafson, a French widow who is extremely private and rarely speaks to anyone. The story moves back and forth between these two threads, presenting a fascinating, well-written, character-driven novel. The author worked at the American Library and uses that first-hand knowledge to bring that world to vivid life. Loved it! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC.

Set in Paris during World War II, Odile has obtained her dream job as a librarian at the American library and will do everything in her power to protect it from the Nazis. As a member of the Resistance, she uses books as a way to stay connected with family and friends.

"Yes, this war had divided us, but a love of literature would reunite us."

Bonjour, and welcome to the Paris library which is really an American library located in France! Alternating between World War II in Paris and the 1980s in Montana, the author has created a fascinating cast of characters (some based on real people) and a beautiful, heartwarming, and hopeful story of family, friendship, and love. And, oh be still my heart because there are soooo many amazing book quotes too. This is one I won't soon forget, and I am left with a book hangover.

"I was skeptical about soul mates, but could believe in bookmates, two beings bound by a passion for reading."

"No other thing [besides books] possesses that mystical faculty to make people see with other people's eyes. The Library is a bridge of books between cultures."

"Libraries are lungs... Books the fresh air breathed in to keep the heart beating, to keep the brain imagining, to keep hope alive. Subscribers depend on us for news, for community. Soldiers need books, need to know their friends at the Library care."

"Professor Cohen proffered a novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder called The Long Winter... 'During a snowstorm, a pioneer family huddles together in their shack, unable to get warm. Pa begins to play the fiddle and tells his three daughters to dance. They giggle and prance, and this keeps them from freezing to death. Later, Pa must tend the livestock, or the animals will die. When he steps outside, he can't see six centimeters in front of him. He holds on to the clothesline to make it to the barn. Inside, Ma holds her breath, waiting... We can't see what's coming. All we can do is hold the line."

"Try to accept people for who they are, not who you want them to be."

Location: 1939 Paris, France and 1980s Froid, Montana

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Inspired by true events, The Paris Library follows a dual timeline. In 1939 Odile Souchet is working at the American Library in Paris during the Nazi occupation of France. Odile and the other librarians negotiate to keep the library open so they can protect the books. The librarians also organized shipments of books to servicemen during the war and made secret deliveries to Jewish patrons who were no longer allowed to enter the library.  In 1983, Lily, a lonely teenager living in Montana, befriends her mysterious and elderly neighbour and discovers they have a lot in common.

The Paris Library is about the power of books and the value of libraries and librarians in society. I would recommend this to all book lovers! Especially if you’re a fan of historical fiction. As with all wartime fiction, it’s heartbreaking to read about the realities of war and the horror people faced. I felt like this book was really well researched and for me, Odile’s timeline in Paris was more compelling. I wanted more of that story!

Janet Skeslien Charles' latest novel The Paris Library is a love story to books, their import, the capacity to change and save lives and their need to be kept safe and alive even in the darkest of times. The story is told in two different eras, wartime Paris and and the mid 1980's, featuring two women at different stages of their lives. The characters could have used a little more fleshing out, as they seemed a tad cartoony and flat in some spots, but the story and emotions the book carried more than made up for it. A perfect book for Book Clubs or for cold winter days.

I wanted to like this historical fiction more than I did. Set primarily in Paris during WW2, The Paris Library tells the story of Odile. Odile is a young French woman who loves books and gets a job at the American Library just before the occupation of Paris. "Breathing in the best smell in the world - a melange of the mossy scent of musty books and crisp newspaper pages - I felt as if I'd come home." (pg.10)

My favorite part of this book was reading about the activities of the staff during the war - sending donated books to soldiers and delivering books to Jewish subscribers no longer allowed in the library. The setting of The American Library in Paris is what attracted me to this book and I wish there was more about it in the story.

I did not connect with Odile (despite her love of books) and often felt that she was very immature. I didn't understand why she did some of the things she did (especially towards the end of the book).

The story has dual timelines - Paris during WW2 and Montana in the 80's. I think the book would have been better if the second timeline was scrapped and the story was told entirely in Paris during WW2.

Ultimately, I think the author missed out on the opportunity to tell a really interesting story about the American Library in Paris during WW2.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I had never read any accounts of the libraries or librarians during WWII. What a heartwarming, and yes, heartbreaking, story for this bookworm’s heart. I loved this story.

The dedication of these booklovers in the face of unimaginable fear was heroic. I am sure there are people, people who do not see the importance of saving books or risking your life to get a book to someone who has been banned from the library, would not agree. I believe that this story is an important piece of history.

I liked how the story is told in first person through different characters. Odile and Lily’s story is what brings us Odile’s whole story. I think both points of view are important.

I enjoyed the author’s note at the end explaining about the time period, characters, and the American Library in Paris.

I have already said that I loved this book. But it bears saying again. This will go down as one of my favorite pieces of historical fiction.

I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it to any fan of historical fiction, WWII fiction, and stories about libraries.

This novel is everything I love about WWII historical fiction! I've learned about yet another aspect of this time period I that wasn't touched on or even hinted at back in college when I was studying WWII history. I'm so glad I've had the opportunity to read this book.

A lovely, heart-warming tale that spanned a lifetime. Odile was brave, smart, kind, and most importantly human. She wasn't infallible, she made mistakes sometimes costly ones, but she learned and grew. Her relationship with Lily was beautiful and poignant. Lily's journey was heartfelt and sometimes raw.