I had high hopes for this one, then time got away from me and I was unable to read it priro to publication date. Regardless, it did not live up to the hype in my own mind. I struggled with some of the characters and getting invested. The author hints at some topics in the current timeline that I thought woudl be explored more but then they just fizzled out which was a bit of a disappointment, such as Odile's visit to see a fiend, or goig back to Paris to reunite with some of her library friends/patrons. And the bullying of Lily by Tara Ivers, it goes on and on then just nothing? I woudl have liked to see something more I guess. Also, during the war, is she that educated to run a library but then also so sheltered she did not realize what was happening to all the Jewish people around her? Their apartments etc? The concept of the Library and saving books (first editions, etc.) from the Nazi's is intriguing and I would like to have heard more of that. Overall the story and concept were there, it was developed too slow for me. I am glad that Lily saved Odile and they formed a strong bond.

***I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

This ranks as one of my favorite reads in 2022…I had to keep reading and basically ignored all household chores to get it done! Librarians fighting against German-occupied Paris…how much better can it get? Told in a dual timeline, this narrative embodies the power of words and knowledge, and dare I say, the importance of reading. I loved all of the book titles mentioned in this book - so many great books!

The Paris Review by Janet Skeslien Charles is the story of Odile, a young woman in the 1940s who works for the American Library in Paris. This book follows her as the library remains open through WWII. We also follow Lily, an adolescent girl in Montana with a mysterious French neighbor…It took me a bit to get into this book. By the middle it hooked me and I couldn’t put it down. However I’m sad to say that the ending had me very confused, it felt abrupt. I was anticipating this read quite a lot and the ending had me wanting more.

This book ticks off so many things on my list! Dualing timelines? Check! Paris? Check! Libraries?! check check check! I highly recommend this book.

A story told in both in 1939 France and 1983 Montana. A riveting tale of the lengths people took to protect their freedoms during World War II. Perfect for World War II fiction fanatics and biliophiliacs.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I tried reading it twice, but just couldn't get into it either time. I absolutely adore libraries, and books about books--and can see why this was so popular with other readers--but I find the writing style just wasn't for me. It was very difficult to feel immersed in the story, which is a shame. (I'll still give this 3 stars, as there was nothing terribly wrong with the story--it's more of a "me, not you" situation!)

I have tried multiple times to get into this book but for some reason I just can't. I'm sure its just me because it has glowing reviews. I thank you for the opportunity to read and review it - unfortunately this one was a DNF for me.

Fascinating story based on the librarians at the American Library in Paris during WW2. And their commitment to keep the library open and deliver books to their Jewish friends during the occupation of Paris ..

This was an absolutely beautiful read. I love historical fiction books that feels like you are actually transported to the time period and this book did that 100%! The multiple story lines/multiple time lines were done so seamlessly and I was equally interested in all of them. If you are a fan of WWII novels I highly recommend this one. I am so looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Set during World War II in France and the 1980s in Montana, The Paris Library is about friendship, family, forgiveness and the power of books to bring hope. It’s about a woman during the war who works in The American Library in Paris, the people from different backgrounds that work at the library, and how they all resist the occupation by continuing to get books to the people who need them. In the 80s, a young girl befriends her neighbor who arrived in Montana after the war and no one knows much about her. While this is a WWII story and there are hard things in the book, it is full of hope and it is inspired by the true courageous acts of the librarians at The America Library.

This was another wonderful WWII novel! Highly recommend! I really enjoyed the dual timeline. I really enjoyed this, definitely recommend!

Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of The Paris Library! {partner}

I can't tell you how badly I wanted to love this book. It seemingly had everything that I needed in a historical fiction - library setting, dual perspectives, dual timeline and a little bit of mystery. But, for whatever reason, I could not get into this book. I was constantly confused on which character perspective I was reading and what all the connections were. It's one of those that I think I needed to be in the right mood to read, but obviously this was not the right one. I may circle back and try it again (maybe on audio) but for the time being, I'm going to set this one down and pick up something else.

Dual timeline novels that bridge the distant past with the more recent past or the present are so effective for helping students understand historic events. Students can get a better sense of the past, the emotions of people during crisis, and the very things that make us human. Recommend.

The Paris Library highlights a little known story set in World War II, which is why I chose to read it. Odile is a Paris native, whose dream has been to become a librarian at the American Library. Odile finds a home there, with its quirky staff and patrons, as the world changes around her. I really enjoyed this look at Paris during the Occupation and the ways in which life in Paris changed when the Nazis took over. However, I didn't like the dual timeline format. It was jarring to be in occupied France, then thrown into 1980s Montana. I liked the writing, but I think the story would have been better without that aspect.

It was an interesting for the dual timelines. However, it was just too long with lulling plot points that caused me to put the book down and revisit often.

I enjoyed this book it was set in the time of Hitler but showed a different side and it wasn't too dark or heavy like a lot of the Hitler books are. Then later you meet her again and see her helping her neighbor go through some things.

I absolutely adore reading books that are about books. I was expecting this book to be a little sad due to the setting of the story but that wasn't the case, I was left feeling very content.

Another book that was in my list of most anticipated reads for this year, The Paris Library is deserving of both lists as well. I have always loved books that have something to do with books, and when you add in the fact that this is WWII historical fiction with dual timelines and based on true stories, that seals the deal for me. While I loved the historical timeline set in Paris during WWII way more than the one set about 40 years later in Montana, overall, the obvious love of books and the passion to share that love shines throughout the book, and kept me reading to the end.

Source: NetGalley eARC

Historical fiction is one of my preferred genres to read because not only I get immersed in history but I also learn a lot about the period covered in the book that I'm reading, this book was definitely up there in this category.
I had no idea the history about the American Library in Paris or the role that it and the librarians that worked there, played, as part of the resistance during WWII.
I enjoyed reading the dual time presented in the book but especially loved the main character Odile, both as a young woman in Paris during the was years and as a mature woman in Montana. Odile loves books libraries, so much so that she has memorized the Dewey Decimal System, applying it not only to books but to people and events happening in her life.
The author did a lot of research in order to write this book and it shows in the flowing of the writing and how it grabs your attention from beginning to end.

This book was a recommendation and I’m very glad I read it. This author cannot miss and I can’t wait to read more in the future.