Fantastic five star read. Historical fiction with a dual timeline, books, and resistance during World War II. May made my best of the year list.

I have really enjoyed this title. I loved the perspectives of the two main characters, one through the eyes of a girl in the US who comes to know the main character and one through the eyes of a woman who finds a job in the American Library in Paris as war is drawing near (WW II). I loved reading about the numerous side characters in the book. This is truly a book for book lovers as the main character's appreciation of books and the library is so clear -the library is a kind of safe haven for her. This was an emotional book that really pulls you in to what is happening to the characters and during the different time periods. As well, it was a perspective on the Holocaust era that I don't always hear.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Library alternates between two timelines-that of Odile, a young French woman hoping to land a job at the esteemed American Library in Paris in 1939 and gain some independence from her parents and twin brother, and Lily, a young girl growing up in a small town in Montana, chafing at the confines of her ordinary life but curious about her elderly neighbor who seems to be harboring secrets from her past. In Odile's story, as the Germans get closer and the war comes to Paris, the library's employees, and loyal, quirky patrons must find a way to keep the books safe, even as they are urged to close and give in. In Lily's timeline, she experiences deep loss and grief as well as the usual teenage angst, and finds comfort in her friendship with Odile, but she also thinks Odile is hiding something from her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and especially liked Odile's use of Dewey decimal system numbers to describe her feelings and thoughts at times. I did not find Lily's story as interesting, but did like the hesitant friendship that eventually grew between her and Odile. This book is based on the real American Library in Paris and I appreciated learning about its history.

The Paris Library is a great book spanning from WWII to the 1980s. Two different women who come to understand each other through books. This book follows Odile and the excitement of becoming a librarian at the American Library in Paris and a young girl, Lily in Montana. The author expertly weaves the two time periods into a beautiful tapestry with books and reading the central theme of bringing people together in difficult times! Beautiful, wonderful, real characters and superb writing!

A very interesting historical novel that begins in 1939 in Paris. To a large extent the novel focuses on the American library in Paris, and what lengths the international staff -- French, Americans, Europeans, Russians, etc.--went to to preserve collections, protect staff, aid the Resistance, and come up with creative ways to keep operating and providing books to its subscribers (some who were "at risk,") and to soldiers in Paris during WWII with a parallel track in (alternating timeframes) of 1980s Montana. For those who love libraries and/or, books, you will not be disappointed. The novel is premised on real life events. Odile, one of the protagonists of this novel, is introduced as a young, willful, independent woman who is entranced by libraries and proficient in the Dewey decimal system before entering a career in the American library of Paris, and then later as a reclusive widow of an American in Montana. Lily is a young lonesome young woman in Montana who experienced her own painful loss of her mother at a young age and of her once stable family life. Her father engrossed himself in his work as a banker in the town and soon married and had more children. It’s a story of sacrifice, courage, betrayal, subterfuge, loss, family conflict, choices, struggles and triumphs, hope, friendship and the power of love for both Lily and Odile. Though of different generations, they both had challenges and many similarities. A powerful but lovely novel.

This book definitely brought history to life for me. It was very well written and I really got into the story and couldn't put it down. I loved the way the characters were written and to know that some of them were real people made the story that much better! I loved their courage on keeping the ALP open during the war. I can not wait for this book to be published. It's a must read for any history buff or just really anyone in general. It has romance, action, and mystery. I most definitely recommend it!

This was such an interesting, engrossing book. I loved the description of the American Library in Paris, its workers, its subscribers, and of course its secretary Olive, who, along with her colleagues, made sure that books were distributed to those who needed them (from prisoners of war to Jews) during WW2. In parallel, we follow the development of teenage Lily from Froid, Montana -who befriends Olive, who emigrated to the US at the end of the war-, who loves book and everything French.
The friendship between Lily and Olive is delightful and hopeful. Olive's story during WW2, from her innocence and naivety to the realization that her silence has consequences, is well developed and realistic. I loved going back and forth between Froid, MT and Paris during WW2.
This book kept me completely riveted and I really enjoyed it!

Loved this historical fiction novel based on the little known brave librarians who worked at The American Library in Paris (ALP) during the Nazi Occupation during WWII. The novel weaves together a love story for book lovers like Odile, the young librarian in Paris; a dramatic historical showcase of how the ALP librarians in Paris stood up to the Nazi "Book Protector"; and the coming-of-age story of young girl in Montana in the 1980's who loses her mother and finds an unexpected connection to the elderly Odile who now lives next door. Truly enjoyed both parallel stories - both the connection between young Lily and Odile, and even more so the powerful history of the ALP and how the staff defied orders to keep and even deliver books to subscribers/members during the war. A truly enjoyable and informative read - I highly recommend! Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this amazing story. I love reading historical romance, mystery basically anything. This book probably is one of my favorites, 2 different people with 2 stories that come together. Loved Odile and her journey, all of the love from being in the library and actually getting book recommendations ( found the books on Amazon) Everything that she ended up doing/giving up for a friend. Then she is there for Lily when she needs her most and a beautiful friendship blossoms.

Both stories were amazing. One of my most favorite books! thank you Netgalley. Definetly 5 stars on this one!!

This just wasn't my type of book. I don't normally read historical fiction, but the fact that this revolved around the library and was inspired by true events, I decided to give it a try. I found my eyes being unable to focus because of the somewhat long paragraphs, but that is no fault of the book. Just not my thing. I appreciate the opportunity however.

The Paris Library
By Janet Skeslien Charles
8/23/20
4*

Spoilers ahead!
My favorite genre is historical fiction, and I have read many, many books about World War II. This book, based on true events, provides the reader with a new point of view during the war, that of a group of librarians. The librarians were based in the American Library in Paris, and they kept the library open throughout most of the war. The story was also told by Lily, a lonely teenager in 1980s Montana, who struck up a friendship with her mysterious neighbor, Odile, one of the librarians. The book kept my interest; however, I would have liked more information about how the librarians helped the Jews, besides delivering books to their homes. Additionally, I was left wondering about Professor Cohen’s novel that was hidden – was that ever found?

The relationship between Lily and Odile rang true, and I loved the way they each needed and learned from the other. When Lily betrayed Odile’s confidence, I was cringing, and I was so relieved when their friendship was rekindled. I also really liked Paul and did not feel that his actions at the end of the book were consistent with his character. Though I understand why Odile confided in him, as we all need a confidant, the violence that mild mannered Paul committed and the anger that levelheaded Paul displayed seemed to come from nowhere.

The author worked at the American Library, and did a great job researching the story. I really enjoyed the writing style, especially the references to other books that were sprinkled throughout.

My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in any way.

I am drawn to WWII historical fiction. The Paris Library, set during the German occupation of Paris, is beautifully written, and unlike any other books I read. The Paris protagonist works in the American Library along with some very unique characters. The story tells of anger, conflict, love and danger. But it is more the story of Odile, and her her coworkers, the library patrons, family and love. and loss. Perhaps the greatest love of all, the library itself. The some what mismatched library staff bravely supports one another as they maintain the library while discreetly opposing the Nazis. The second POV is that of Lily, a young girl in an isolated Montana town. Adolescent angst pits Lily against her parents. She soon finds relief in her elderly neighbor, Odile. Ultimately, it is Odile who’s counsel to Lily moves her to see beyond anger and resentment. Gradually, Lily and the reader learn of Odile’s past and what took her from Paris to eastern Montana. Readers of this genre know there are stories beyond internment, death and resistance but never has a story been told as beautifully.as this. The migration between characters is effortless. The transition from the wartime Odile to her older self is so heartwarming g and believable.. The Paris Library is an engaging, heartwarming read!

Lovely book. I would love to go visit the American library now. Wonderful book for those who love historical fiction.

This was a beautiful book going between a small town girl who discovers her quite neighbor has quite the interesting past and a young Parisian who lives through the German occupation. You follow both main characters through some of the most troubling times in their lives and how coming together this unlikely due begins to heal each other’s past. Such a beautiful story of love, loss and the power of forgiveness. Definitely a WWII book you don’t want to miss!

I truly loved this book. It made me long for Paris and want to go revisit the American Library in Paris. I've always known the city was full of history, but it still amazes me when I learn something new. This book is for lovers of historical fiction, lovers of libraries, and lovers of hope.

I will admit, I love library stories and any historical fiction based during WWII. But this book just fell flat for me. I guess the main thing that bothered me was the two time periods. I think the story could have survived without the 1980s portion. That said, it still kept me engaged throughout. Thanks to Atria Books, through Net Galley, for the invitation to read an ARC of this novel.

This book was sweeping and so beautiful. The setting: Paris and a library, make for lovely and attention-grabbing historical fiction that is clearly well-researched. Prepare to be swept up between two different time periods.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Janet Skeslien Charles for an ARC of The Paris Library for my review. I love to read historical fiction in the WWII genre. This one was not a disappointment. The story finds Odile living in Paris with her family in the early years of WWII. While her brother leaves to serve during the war, Odile takes a job at the American Library in Paris against her parent’s wishes. There she meets wonderful characters that become very important to her and she finds herself “serving” during the war. During the second timeline of the story, 1983, Odile is now living next to a young family and befriends the daughter Lily. She teaches Lily French and becomes a very important person in Lily’s world. As the story unfolds, we discover how secrets can change us forever and how loss can take us in a direction we never saw coming.
I loved the character development and found myself thinking of them long after finishing the book. I enjoyed that the author included an author’s note that explained the research and the characters that were based on real people. I didn’t know about the library of Paris and the part it played in WWII. I enjoyed learning about it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Janet Skeslien Charles for the ARC of The pairs Library in return for my honest review.

The author did incredibly detailed research for this novel of the librarians that worked the Paris Library during WWII. The story immediately pulls you in as you experience the process and risks the librarians took to keep the library open and functioning at a high level during wartime. After completing the book I found out that the author actually worked at the American Library of Paris for a short period of time. This is so interesting to reflect back on the reading with the understanding that the descriptive details of the library were from her personal experience of working in the building.

The storyline provides a completely different view of what life was like for people during WWII than other historical novels. I learned so many new (to me) details about WWII.

I really enjoyed this novel. I feel this would be a perfect selection for a book club as there are many topics, issues, and reflecting on history that would be interesting to discuss.

The Paris Library brings to life the role the American Library in Paris had during WWII. I enjoyed learning about how Paris was during the war. There were also side stories that included the grey areas that occur during the war. We all like to imagine what we would have done or said if we had been alive during that time. This is yet another book that shows, we really don't know how we would have reacted if we had been there. There is not always a clear right or wrong.