I have been to Paris, but I didn’t know the American Library in Paris existed. The story centers around the life of a young girl, Odile. She loves books and her dream is to be a librarian at the American Library. The story alternates between present day Odile living in the USA and young Odile in Paris working in the library during WW2. In Paris, she has her parents, brother, friends from the library including her best friend Margaret and her beau Paul. In present day, she lives in her deceased husband’s home town. She is known to be reclusive until a young girl, Lilly, brings her out.
The details of WW2 in this book are perfect. Many times with books set during WW2, the details are gory. Not here. Just the right amount of information about the horrors by the Nazis are included. The coming of age story of Lilly is so realistic.

The Paris Library is a story of two people: a middle aged widow and a teenage girl, and how their lives intersect. The flashbacks to Paris during the war are exciting and very believable. As the story unfolds, I could not wait for all the questions to be answered.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I loved the characters in this book as well as their overall dynamic. I found myself invested in their stories and what happened to them. The pacing was immersive and I would recommend this to my students who enjoy reading. It's positive and enjoyable with a great story.

Janet S.Charles,wrote this wonderful historical story of two different time in history. From 1940's to 1980's,two different stories,two different people but they merge together. Saving the library in Paris as the Nazis take over Paris to the famous dewy decimal system,to saving books. The characters in this fantastic story are one to believe that as you read they come to life. Both stories flow together where you funny get confused at all. See what these two people can teach each other. Well researched you can tell time was spent on getting the facts correct to write about it in this wonderful told story. You begin to know the characters and feel as if you are watching this story unfold right in front of you! Grab some tissues,you will need them,I did.. When you do finish you will be so sorry it's over. Go into the two different worlds but remain only in one. When I finished I have more respect for our libraries and why some people will go to the ends of the earth to protect books. It's a wonderful read and will leave you with a very blessed feeling for all who did this for all of us readers. Received this from Net Gallery!

I am a lover of historical fiction and this tale of Odile, the American Library in Paris and the despair of WW2 does not disappoint. Janet seamlessly weaves the tale of Odile and her journey at the American Library at the beginning of the War with clever facts about the Dewey Decimal System and great works of American Literature. I was hooked from the beginning and loved the entire novel, especially as it is from the viewpoint of a strong and determined, English-speaking French woman! I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster/Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I found this book to be a wonderful historical fiction an engaging read that I think many people who've enjoyed Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See or Kristin Hannah's Nightingale would enjoy this book. The back & forth from the 1940's to 1980s was well done and not confusing at all. The best part of this book was the library setting and all of the quirky characters who inhabited the day to day setting. If you enjoy reading about books & libraries please don't let this one pass you by.

Lovely WWII story about a librarian who joins the resistance and eventually emigrates to America and mentors a young neighbor.

I really, really wanted to love this book. I literally read half of it, and at 48% I did not finish. I'm not sure what happened, I couldn't put it down during the first half. I loved the characters and thought they were well-developed. I'm honestly not sure how I lost interest halfway through. I will definitely read more of this author, and possibly try to pick this one up again later.

I know The Paris Library is on many of my book friends' TBR lists. This novel seems made for book lovers. And that is true.

I'm an avid historical fiction lover, it is mostly all I read. The Paris library kept me entertained, and it was a good book overall; just not a favourite for me. I do have to say, this takes quite a lot, so it is nothing against the book per se. So, for this review, I'm going to focus on what, for me personally, I felt was missing.

There are many mixed reviews on it, I feel. Many loved it, but many also felt it was just okay. I did enjoy the story, it was engaging and interesting and obviously well researched. However, I felt many parts of it slow, or when you wanted more, it went too fast, but isn't that how it usually is? I enjoyed all the characters, for the most part. I would have like more detail on the main characters and the draw back on secondary characters, for more room and focus on the important ones. I felt there were a lot of story lines going on and sometimes the main one got diluted and/or lost in the others. As with many historical fiction novels, there is a dual timeline. However, for this one, I did not understand the point of the "current day" one. It didn't feel connected other than Lily getting to know Odile. I also felt that big parts of the story were missing and it was big enough that it was work in itself, when I feel it could have been filled in. Additionally, I felt the ending was rushed and didn't necessarily conclude the story, again a bit of the guess work piece.

Overall, it was enjoyable, but definitely not the best book I've read so far this year. I would recommend it though to book lovers and those who want to try historical fiction.

I liked the concept of the story and the writing was good, but I kept waiting for something to happen. The ending fell flat for me.

A story told in two separate timeframes – 1939 and 1983, and in two very different places – Paris, France and Froid, Montana, from the perspectives of two different women – Odile Souchet whose story spans the two timeframes, and her young neighbor Lily, who is at the age where bodies are beginning to change and the interest in boys and girls are front and center of many of her classmates. While her friends are busy with boys, Lily feels excluded and befriends her neighbor, eventually taking French lessons from her. When Lily’s mother dies, and her father remarries quickly, Lily takes refuge in the acceptance she finds in Odile, and treasures the moments she spends with Odile learning to speak French.

In 1939 Paris, Odile’s life is very different, her father is a banker, and they live a comfortable life, money isn’t prominently displayed, but it isn’t a worry, either. Her father brings home several men for family dinners over time, hoping to find her a suitable husband who will be able to provide for her as he has. Odile, on the other hand, wants more than anything to work at the American Paris Library, applies for a job there, and is soon after hired. It isn’t long before Odile’s brother Remy enlists, the German Occupation of Paris begins, and the atmosphere of Paris and the library changes. Tensions build, and restrictions are put in place by the Germans, but Odile and the other librarians have already set in motion measures to protect some of the more treasured books. When Jews are no longer allowed to check books out from the library, Odile and friends, at great risk to themselves, bring the books to them. Meanwhile, Odile’s father has managed to bring home another potential suitor, and this time something clicks.

I loved the occasional quotes from classics inserted throughout, as one would float through Odile’s thoughts periodically. I loved the relationship between Odile and Lily, their relationship reminded me so much of my relationship with my godmother, who lived next door and was really more like a mother to me. I loved how the author portrayed these librarians, basing this story on the real librarians who lived through these years, and actually did defy the Nazis by making sure all had access to literature through their underground book-lending service. Some of the Parisians were happy to be rid of those deemed ‘undesirables’ by the Nazis, which seems relevant these days, but the main focus of this story was on the library, the books, the beauty of literature, and the hope it offers even in dark times.


Pub Date: 02 Feb 2021

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Atria Books via NetGalley

Historical fiction isn’t my usual genre of choice but I was interested in this story about librarians. I enjoyed the alternating stories/timelines between Lily and Odile. It was a very cute story, although a little too lengthy in my opinion. Historical fiction lovers will eat this one up!

The Paris Library...a wonderful historical fiction. The Nazi's are entering Paris and the staff have to learn how to save the library and the books. Odile, the main character, takes us into the world saving the books, of family, friendship, war, betrayal, being judgemental and life lessons. Odile knows alot about books, however, she has a lot to learn about people. I enjoyed this story and it is always wonderful to learn something new. The American Library in Paris is still open today. It has been lending books for 100 years.

I was lucky to receive this ARC from Net Galley. I love historical fiction from WW2 era. This book did not disappoint and kept my attention. I love the main character Odile, a very complex character!

Set in WWII Paris, and 1980’s Montana, The Paris Library tells the story of Odile, a librarian at The American Library of Paris. We learn her story, and how she persevered through the war.
We also meet Lily, a small town girl in Montana, who is learning to love herself, and the French language, along the way.
I really enjoyed this book, the story was really cute.

Intriguing! I enjoyed this historical fiction novel based on the true story of librarians in Paris who risked their lives to help save books from destruction during WWII. This book is intriguing and keeps readers' attention in part by oscillating between 2 time periods with an interconnected story. One story focuses on Odile's experiences working as a librarian during WWII and Lily's experiences growing up in Montana in the 1980s. As intrigue builds especially in Odile's story, the book is hard to put down at times.

The writing seemed a little disjointed or stilted at times. Overall, though, this was an enjoyable read that shed light on an interesting aspect of WWII that many do not seem to know about.

I would recommend this book especially for lovers of WWII historical fiction.

Note: I received this book in exchange from the publisher for an honest review.

Interesting subject that comes from the heart and captivates the reader. I love when offers offer a unique perspective.

With the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, we have been inundated with historic fiction about the war. This book provides another view of the WWII from the perspective of a librarian at the American Library in Paris, The story revolves back and forth between her life in the 1940s with her life in Montana in the 1980s. I was particularly intrigued about learning about Odile's life through her relationship with her teenage neighbor. I would highly recommend this well written, engaging book. As a librarian, I particularly loved how Odile defined her emotions and events using the Dewey Decimal classification.

The Paris Library is one my favorite books this year! Usually when there are storylines set in two different eras, I’ll find myself more interested in one than the other, but no so with this book! I loved both the stories of both Odile and Lily, and I think you’ll love them too!