The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
A special thanks to Atria and NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this title all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book focuses on two different timelines. In 1939 Odile Souchet works at the American library in Paris when the Nazis arrive. The staff work together to keep the library open so they can protect the books and deliver books to the Jewish patrons in secret.
The second timeline focuses on 1983 at a young girl name Lily living in Montana who strikes up an unlikely friendship with her French neighbor Odile. As Lily struggles to accept the passing of her mother Odile is there for her she teaches her French and they become true friends despite their age difference. Lilly learns a lot about how things were during the war for the Persians involved at the library. But when Lily and her best friend invade Odelie private letters trying to find out what happened to Odelie’s relationship during the occupation everything changes.
I really enjoyed the 1939 timeline. I felt like I was rushing through the Lily parts of the book to get back to the past. I really enjoyed learning about the American library in Paris and sent myself down a google rabbit hole to learn more!

Historical fiction based on true story’s is my favorite hf to read. As a book lover I consumed this book quickly. The two main characters I immediately became attached to and enjoyed not only their success but also their struggles. A beautiful book and love letter to libraries everywhere

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I found the audiobook through my local library and decided to listen to the book instead. I think the story it mostly okay, I just found it not very interesting. Nothing really happens. I have read many other books set during WWII that I just enjoyed more. I did enjoy the narrator's. The only one I didn't really care for was the voice for the 1980's time period. She sounds extremely stuffed up liked she had a head cold. Was kind of distracting. The other narrator's did a great job.

Janet Skeslien Charles was a new author for me and I enjoy historical fiction set in WWII very much. I The development of the story in Paris and Odile's story from becoming a Librarian to joining the Resistance were enjoyable. However, I had a little trouble though getting connected to the characters, and in particular to the more current timeline with Lily and Odile.. I tried listening to the audiobook for a bit to see if it helped, but that actually made the switches between timelines even more jolting.

While the writing was very well done, I struggled to finish this novel. But I know that it's well liked by a number of readers. I do recommend it and I'm grateful to Netgalley for the chance to read it.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction books set during WWII. And if it’s a dual timeline book, I’m excited to read it. This was a different viewpoint of the Nazi invasion of Paris. Seeing how people were banned from using the library because of their heritage was moving. The fact that many of the characters in the book were based on real life individuals was intriguing. You don’t experience the typical horrors of the death camps, but there is still an intense sense of loss that is part of their lives. This is a moving story that I strongly encourage you to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Unfortunately, The Paris Library does not stand out amongst a sea of WWII Historical Fiction that has come out lately. It was nice enough but I don't think portrayed the true horror and fear of the time period.

3.5 rounded to 4⭐

I loved Odile's loss of innocence and growing disillusionment in the face of the occupation, and her friendship with Lily later in life was really beautiful. But the plot lacked tension and it felt difficult to keep reading at times. The climax of the story was satisfying, but it meandered on its way there. I feel there were too many secondary characters and most of them offered very little to the story except requiring extra mental effort on the part of the reader to keep track of them all. Most disappointing for me was that the author didn't manage to capture the magic of libraries or the true sense of refuge the characters were presumably meant to have felt while they were there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

I was equally captivated with the story of a young French woman working at the American Library in Paris during WWII and the story of a teenage girl in the 1980s going through grief who decides she wants to know her neighbor. There were *so* many books and quotes, I already want to read the book again.

I love all books that have to do with WWII and because this was also about a library,.....well, sign me up!!

Unfortunately, it just wasn't the right book for me and did not keep my interest. Having said that, I would try another book by this author to give her a second chance.

I love WWII fiction and I love even more that this was inspired by a true story! Plus who doesn’t love when librarians are the heroes?

Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, this book is a must for any fan of historical fiction. You’ll walk away wishing you could keep reading.

This book is absolutely lovely! I tried reading it a couple months ago as it wasn't the right time for me. I am so glad I picked it up. I learned so much about the American Library in Paris that I knew nothing about. The characters were absolutely impressive, and I loved knowing so much of this was based in fact. That is one of my favorite things in histfic, when the plot is based in true life. Absolutely would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys histfic and wants to learn more about WWII in Paris.

I'm kicking myself for taking so long to read this one - I absolutely LOVED it. First, I love the author's personal connection with The American Library, and I love that it's based on a true story of real people and that some of the side characters actually ARE real people! I really loved both the story lines - I could have read an entire book about Lily too. Odile was such a great MC, I loved her strength and growth, but I also loved watching her make mistakes and act childish at times. She felt like a real person. For historical fiction, this book actually moved really quickly and I would consider it a pretty fast read. I bawled my eyes out at the end. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was my first time reading something by thus author. I’d recommended reading this book for people who are new to this genre.

This book was an interesting read. I really liked the main characters. It had some twists I did not expect. Definitely will be telling others they should read this!

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

This book was truly a love letter to books. I loved following a character where reading was her solace and all she wanted was to be a librarian. I don't think I'll get tired reading historical fiction books about WWII. Even when I think I know everything there is to know about that time period, I always learn something more. It was so great to read about the librarians in Paris and to see how they helped others during the war. It was also interesting to get a different perspective of WWII. I don't think I've ever read a World War II story set in Paris. It really taught me more.

This story had so many different characters. It was hard to keep track of everyone. Especially because each character had unique backgrounds. I felt like I needed to keep a character map to keep track of everyone. The pacing was a little slow for me. However, I did enjoy the two differing storylines and how they connected. In the end I felt like there were things unresolved that I would have loved to get closure for.

Didn't capture my attention and engagement. I'll hopefully try again in the future.
Didn't capture my attention and engagement. I'll hopefully try again in the future.

WW2 historical fiction + libraries sounds like my match made in heaven. I love that it was a unique WW2 storyline.

I love historical fiction and this book was an excellent fit for the genre, and it added new insight into history that I was not too familiar with: books and libraries at that time. I mean, 1939 Paris, a librarian name Odile Souchet, and what happened to both during the time of WWII was so fascinating. You wouldn’t think that a library would come under attack during a war, but think again. Getting books from a library is something that I take for granted and I’ve never considered the idea of being banned from a library simply due to my heritage. Multiple books were banned or even confiscated. Imagine having spies who narc on you for even attempting to obtain a book from a library. In this case, the American Library of Paris. Odile becomes one of the people who risk her own safety by taking books to people who are forbidden to go to the library.

Forward to 1983 Montana where the widowed Odile now lives. There she meets and strikes up a friendship with a young girl named Lily who loves to hear stories of Odile’s wartime events. Having two timelines made Odile’s history more interesting to me as she answered Lily’s many questions of a time that most of us can’t even imagine. Those who live on books and can’t imagine our livnig without reading daily will most definitely enjoy this book and reading about some true people in history.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A well written historical novel about the American Library in Paris during the WWII German occupation. Strong characters who you can’t help but feel their pain as they pursue their dedication in bringing library books to those at the Front and in hospitals under the watchful eyes of the Nazis.
You experience their full spectrum of emotions from passion to hatred as they try to work through their understanding of how their friends could align themselves with the Nazis. Thoroughly enjoyed the poetry of this writer and look forward to whatever new projects she may produce.

My thanks to #NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for allowing me to review an ARC of this wonderful novel.