This was an excellent book about a little known piece of history during WWII and the American Library in Paris. I love libraries and Paris and WWII books so this one was right up my alley. It was even more enjoyable knowing it was based on a true story. I also really liked the more modern storyline woven throughout. Each setting and story was interesting by itself but together they made the book all the better. I highly recommend this book! Thanks to Netgalley for the early manuscript in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of The Paris Library.

Odile loves everything that a library can be with its hidden treasures, books and misfit regulars debating in its halls. Before her job interview at the American Library she memorized the Dewey decimal system and uses it all the time even in her own thoughts. She has it along with the job of her dreams she has started falling in love with a local police officer, that is until Germany begins to occupy Paris and make drastic changes. Her twin brother has decided to join the resistance and has gone off to war. Her Jewish subscribers have been band from coming to the library. Her and her library compatriots bond together to try and save their library and friendship in the bitter face of hatred and betrayal. The second portion of the novel is set in the 1980's and focuses on Lily a disruptive teenager dealing with her mothers death and a new step family. She seeks solace at the home of her recluse neighbor, Odile.

I really enjoyed Odile's story revolving around the great library that survived the German occupation of Paris. The novel portrays an interesting version of a Parisian trying to survive during the war. The friendships she makes and the ultimate betrayals that they face is moving and profound even years later. The Lily portions of the novel felt disjointed and unnecessary. Other then Odile's character I did not find much connection between Lily and the younger librarian. This was an interesting historical read and definitely worth checking out.

We meet Odile Souchet in two stages of life, first in 1939 in Paris, where she has just accepted her dream job at the the American Library in Paris and again in 1980s Montana where a lonely girl named Lily wonders what brought her unusual neighbor to her tiny country town all the way from France. Young Odile is emotional and impetuous and entirely unprepared for the years of war and occupation that soon overtake her beloved Paris. Even as she clings to normalcy at the library, where she befriends a rich and quirky cast of characters, her world is changing. Determined to keep providing books to soldiers and Parisians alike, the staff of the library bands together to stay open, daring even to deliver books to their Jewish subscribers who have been ordered by the occupying Nazis not to enter.

As the war wears on, Odile finds that she doesn't know anyone as well as she thought she did, including herself. Slowly Odile's eyes are opened to the cold realities of the wartime world even as her blinders to her own privilege fall away. Unfortunately, when stubborn, outspoken Odile, causes irreparable harm with just a few thoughtless words, her life takes on an unexpected trajectory.

In more modern day Montana, Lily endures a tragedy at home and takes refuge in her newfound friendship with the town's outsider, Odile. Together the two will finish the learning the same lessons that Odile began to learn in wartime Paris. Together they'll learn the power of forgiveness and what it means to truly put yourself in someone else's shoes.

Admittedly, I've been a little tired of the dual narrative historical fiction with a modern day perspective thrown in, but I warmed to it over the course of the book. What's remarkable about this plot device in The Paris Library is that the modern day perspective really pulls its own weight and doesn't become an interlude to hurry away from to get back to the historical story. Lily is an honest, genuine character and her budding friendship with and curiosity about Odile provides a generous framework for the historical story.

Charles beautifully brings to life her Paris Library characters who are based on the real people who heroically kept the library open through the years of the occupation. She excellently captures their comradery and the magic of the place Odile loves so much. Odile herself is a bewilderingly naive character that it took me a little work to like, but as the story proceeds, her coming of age, while slow, is ultimately believable.

The Paris Library should satisfy World War II fiction lovers and book lovers alike.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a lovely dual timeline historical novel focused on Odile a young woman in Paris in 1939 and Lily a young teen in Montana in the 1980’s who lives next door to the widowed war bride Odile. This is one of those books that makes me want to go read more about a real place – in this case the American Library in Paris. There were also nice literary references – not too much but just right. The novel has great characters that seem real and stayed with me. I liked that the modern setting was in the eighties, not present day. The story ties up almost all loose ends up (I wondered what happened to Odile’s son but maybe I missed that). The ending is good but the storyline for both characters felt a little off, like it wasn’t quite perfect -- but to be honest that really makes it seem more like real life where endings aren’t always perfectly happy and totally neat and tidy. I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book on Net Galley, all opinions are my own.

Heroes are found in the quietest of places

This book is based on the true story of the American Library in Paris. This library was a gathering place for everyone international and local. It was a happy place for everyone until the Nazi's came and changed everything. When the Jewish patron's were no longer allowed to access the library the brave librarians delivered books to them putting themselves in personal danger to do so.

The main character is Odile a young librarian. She has a loving family, a job she loves, a best friend, her boyfriend Paul and her whole life in front of her. That is until one slip of the tongue causes her to lose everything.

The characters in this chapter of the book are realistic, funny, and fitting to their parts. From the girls Odile and her friend Margaret, the two older gentlemen that come every day to read the papers and argue with each other over politics to the director Mrs. Reeder that mentor's the girls.

Fast forward to 1983 a town in Montana and a young girl Lily. When her mother dies and she gets a new stepmother she is lost. When her best friend finds a boyfriend and spends more time with him she is hurt and jealous . She is overwhelmed at home, her stepmother is busy with her younger brothers and her father is always at work. She turns to her neighbor a senior lady who happens to be Odile. She doesn't know about Odile's past life and the secret she carries with her.

This is a story of brave librarians, of cruel Nazi's , romance and heartbreak. It is also a story of love and redemption.

I very much enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Janet Skeslien Charles, Atria Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Here is my review as posted on GoodReads (I am unable to review on Amazon at this time).

I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked, not loved it (I really, really wanted to love it). It was good, but not great.

Here's what I liked:
I enjoyed that this was a different take on a WWII novel. The book is based on actual events and people involved with The American Library in Paris during WWII. I was able to learn a little about a part of the war I knew nothing about. I really enjoyed the characters of the ALP - those that worked there, that volunteered, and the subscribers. The book was really more about them - primarily those that worked there and the risks they took to care for not only their subscribers but also soldiers. I wish more of the book had focused on this. The idea of the story was something I really would have enjoyed if it had been better delivered. I will definitely visit the Library on my next visit to Paris.

Here's what I struggled with:
1. It started off very slow. Like really slow. I was almost 30% into the book before the plot began. I thought about giving up many times before I got to that point. At other times it moved too quickly. Conversations suddenly ended, events over before they began. It was hard to follow sometimes. Many times I would think, "Wait, what just happened?"
2. It was often hard to like the main character, Odile, especially in the 1940s storyline. She was immature and naive and seemed to be oblivious to the seriousness of the events happening around her. I liked her much better in the 1980s storyline. I imagine she saw her younger self in Lily. That said, I didn't really love the second storyline with Lily in the 1980s. I spent most of those chapters feeling like I was reading a different book and wondering why it was included. In Chapter 47 I found out why, and it was good, but there are only 48 chapters. Still, I think the story would have been better without that storyline.
3. I would have liked more at the end, less at the beginning. Like I said, I was 30% into the book before anything really happened. At the end, I wanted more. I felt it ended suddenly, especially Odile's story. Did she write that letter in 1989? So many questions left where she's concerned, but I won't spoil it by mentioning them here.

Overall, I liked it. It was good, not great. If you choose to read it, persevere through the first 6 or 7 chapters to get to a decent story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Atria Books for the advanced copy.

Paris, 1939. Odile Souchet is obsessed with books and the Dewey Decimal System. She soon has it all – a handsome police officer beau, an English best friend, a beloved twin, and a job at the American Library in Paris. Yet when war is declared, there's also a war on words.
Montana, 1983. Widowed and alone, Odile suffers the solitary confinement of small-town life. Yet Lily, a lonely teenager who yearns to break free of Froid, wants to know the secrets of the older French woman and will not let Odile alone. As the two become friends, Odile sees herself in Lily – the same love of language, the same longings, the same lethal jealousy.
"The Paris Library" features dual narratives. The book explores the relationships that make us who we are, the geography of resentment, the consequences of unspeakable betrayal, and what happens when the people we count on for understanding and protection fail us.
The wit, empathy, and deep research that brings "The Paris Library" to life also brings to light a cast of lively historical characters and a little-known chapter of World War II history, And that's what I like best about this book. It's based on a true story and real people who had to navigate a new normal.
I laughed and cried as I read this book. The humanity of the characters touched me.
As I read, I felt like I was enveloped by a comfortable friend. I did not want this book to end!

I seriously cannot get enough of WWII historical fiction books with two time frames. They are, by far, my favorite genre and style to read. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles was a wonderful glimpse into a little-known dimension of WWII: morale and bookish wartime activities for servicemen. In Paris of 1939, Odile created a service to deliver books to servicemen and deffy Nazi orders. In Montana of 1983, her story comes out to teenage Lily as she does a school project.

This book was based on real events and people, which made it even more extraordinary. Charles’s writing was captivating throughout the incredible story she was able to tell - I didn’t want to put the book down once I started reading! I also loved the French language that was sprinkled throughout the book.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @atria books for the eARC of The Paris Library in exchange for an honest review.

Set in Paris shortly before the German occupation during WWII, courageous Odile is a Parisian who works as a librarian for the American Library in Paris. A compelling historical fiction novel, The Paris Library tells the story of the difference a library and their staff can make in so many lives. Emotionally intense and dramatic, this heartwarming story will stay with you after the final page.

3.5; rounding up.

Setting: The American Library in Paris and how it's staff kept up with its library functions--facing threats of closure--during and after WWII. A cast of many, but focusing on Odile Souchet and her family/circle. A dual timeline--which I quite like--past in Paris [mostly 1939--but through 1944] and then in Froid, Montana, 1983. [Less of the story was set in Froid--which was fine, though it was a lovely and necessary part of the novel]

in the Author's Notes, Charles says the characters are based on actual people and events [with some elements changed] and that she wanted to share this chapter of history and a love of literature. In this regard, a true success. The characters were well drawn.

In Montana--Odile now widowed and alone [story question: how did she get there? --A slow reveal] meets Lily, a lonely teenager she befriends. As the story unwinds, it explores relationships, settings, resentment, consequences, betrayal, forgiveness, transgressions, and more.

Well researched [and as a former staffer of the Library of Congress, loved all the references to that institution] and well-written, However, I had a very few disconnects with some of the mushy language ub scenes betweeb Oddile and Paul--a pet peeve.

So what did i like? Historical fiction, The writing. The setting. The cast of characters. The plot,

At first I wondered, Miss Reeder--a play on reader? But notes revealed she was an actual person!

A few phrases I liked:

"Soup teaches patience..."

"At dinner, we barely s[poke--the news anchor, our constant companion did the talking."

"...subtracted his own guilt, and hypothesized how he could divide the attention"

and more.

Recommend, but not a rave.

Being a teenager sucks. I certainly wasn’t fond of it. Like Lily, one of the protagonists of Janet Skeslien Charles’ novel The Paris Library, I was annoyed by my friends, irritated by well-meant advice from adults, and couldn’t wait to be grown up and independent. Lily and I even grew up in the intermountain west in towns that people leave in droves. The similarities end there because Lily is a massive francophile who lost her mother at a critical age. Thankfully, Lily has Odile Souchet to guide her through the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. She provides Lily with desperately needed perspective in that she can provide real examples of the consequences of jealousy, petty revenge, and all of our ugly little emotions—because Odile came of age during a world war, when the stakes were a lot higher than a broken heart.

The Paris Library flips back and forth from World War II to the mid-1980s. Lily’s narrative, set in the 80s, shows Lily growing close to Odile through impromptu French lessons and some substitute mothering. Her friendship with Odile helps Lily find her self-confidence while contending with loss, an absent father, and a surprisingly fertile stepmother who is a scant ten years older than Lily. The other narrative, Odile’s, is based on the author’s own interest and curiosity in the American Library in Paris. The library and some of its real-life staff form part of the cast of The Paris Library.

I’m not going to lie. Odile’s story was more interesting to me than Lily’s. In 1939, Odile lived a charmed life in Paris. Sure, her parents were overbearing and her father keeps bringing home potential suitors from the police station (he’s a commissaire), but her library degree and love of reading help her achieve her dream job at the American Library. She even manages to meet a cute young policeman who helps her stand up to her very traditional father. Even the War, at least during the first few months, doesn’t really touch Odile. When France is occupied and Paris fills up with Nazis, Odile does her small bit to fight back: she helps deliver books to library patrons who are no longer allowed to go into public spaces such as Jewish people and foreigners from countries the Nazis are at war with.

It’s only in the last third or so of The Paris Library that my big question–how on earth did a Parisienne end up in rural Montana?—started to be answered. Lily commits a big sin. She snoops around in Odile’s things while she is away, and discovers old letters that Lily immediately misinterprets. And thus, lessons are (eventually) learned about forgiveness and how to avoid impulsive bad ideas.

I found a few missteps in The Paris Library, but they’re just small things about being a librarian. I only saw them because I work in a library and with librarians all the time (see note). Otherwise, I found this book to be a solid tale about very human people who, for whatever reason, have to learn that there are costs to be paid when we act in the heat of the moment. Odile pays a very high price. Lily gets off lightly in comparison. Because of its characters and subject matter, I think The Paris Library would be fantastic reading for parents of teenage daughters who don’t mind stepping into the perspective of a teenager and a very young woman for 400 pages. This book is a very good reminder of just how much it sucks to be a teenager.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, for review consideration.

Author Janet Skeslien Charles worked at the American Library in Paris as a project manager. While working there, she learned about the Library’s operations during World War II from her colleagues. Their stories about the dedication of the library staff and its valuable service inspired her novel.

This beautifully written story alternates between the lives of two main characters. Odile Souchet worked as a librarian at the American Library in Paris during World War II. After the war, Odile moved to a small Montana town with her new husband. There, Odile befriends her young neighbor, Lily, an impulsive teen who yearns to leave her small town for the excitement of bigger cities. Odile becomes a mentor to Lily, in whom she sees parallels to her own youth.

It’s hard to put this book down as Odile’s life story slowly unfolds! Ms. Charles combines fact with fiction as she incorporates some of the real Paris Library employees into the story. With a real sense of time and place, it’s a story of love, relationships, family, and sacrifice, as well as a love of reading and libraries. It’s an unforgettable story that would appeal to readers of historical fiction - don’t pass this one up!

Thank you to Net Galley, Atria Books, Simon & Schuster, and author Janet Skeslian Charles for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this unforgettable novel.

It has been a while since a historical fiction novel has kept me 100% engaged throughout the entire story. The character development and story telling in the one is magnificent. It started of strong and the pace was fast and fierce. Odile, you are a gem of a character and I loved your story.

Thanks to Atria books, I got to read The Paris Library well ahead of release day. This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I found it a rewarding read. Based on a true story, The Paris Library is set in 1983 Montana but goes back in time to tell of The American Library in Paris in 1939. A time when the desire was to keep the library open and to make sure both civilians and soldiers could have access to books. While told in dual timelines, Odile’s timeline in 1939 gets more of the story than Lily because her story ties into the present.

The book is well-researched, and it spoke of the naivety of those that lived a rather sheltered life. Odile didn’t fully understand what was going on in her backyard. While she considered herself close to her brother, she was more consumed with her first job than his concerns with Hitler. It was when she finally found the truth that she realized the repercussions of some of her actions. This tied into Lily, who made an unwise decision that hurts Odile, as it brings back the wrongs Odile committed during her youth.

This had a bit of a slow start for me, but I think that’s just because of the overall pacing of the book. Everyone that worked at the library had unique personalities and a role to play in Odile’s life. I liked the dual timelines and thought this was well-written. Overall, an enjoyable read.

As always with historical fiction, I love learning a new aspect of live that I wasn't aware of before. In that respect, The Paris Library does not disappoint. The story itself is quite interesting as we learn how Odile become involved in the library and what kind of services they provided and helped during the war. I feel like the story was a bit slow in developing and I wasn't quite sure which main theme the author was trying to develop the most. I really liked the story Lilly brought, but it took away a little from the war story. Overall it was really good and being able to learn a little more about WW2 pushes it to a 4.5 star in my mind

This was a bit different from my usual reading fare and I really enjoyed it! The story was thoughtful and well researched and I liked the way the characters developed. Recommended!

The Paris Library is a historical novel that begins in 1939 Paris. Odile Souchet is a young woman who has the opportunity to work at the American Library in Paris. She loves her job as a librarian, meets wonderful book friends, and falls in love with a handsome young policeman. When World War II begins her life changes. Odile becomes involved in Resistance, along with several of her librarian friends. There are twists and betrayals and her life changes dramatically. Much later, in the 1980's, Odile is seen living in a quiet town in Montana. She befriends the lonely teenage girl living next door, and their lives intersect and change.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction and especially am interested in the 1940's. The library setting was another strong impetus.

I absolutely loved this novel -- it is my favorite read so far this year. The American Library in Paris was a fascinating setting. Although Odile is a fictional character, the two directors of the library and several events in the book were based on fact. I felt like applauding several times at the courage of these librarians who found ways to supply books to American servicemen overseas and to Jewish readers who were no longer permitted in libraries. Their quiet strength and bravery was truly inspiring.

The descriptions in this book were beautifully written. I took delight in the talk about books and libraries, and know that other readers will enjoy this aspect of The Paris Library as well. For instance:

“'Your books are lucky,' I said, eyeing her shelves. 'They have an exact place they should be. They know who they’re next to. I wish I had a Dewey Decimal number.'

'I used to wonder what my number would be if I had one. We could create our own.'

This spurred a conversation. Should we be in literature or nonfiction? Should Odile’s number be French or American, and was there a French American number? Could we share the same number so we’d always be together? We added 813 (American), 840 (French), and 302.34 (friendship), and created our shelf of 1955.34-worthy books. Some favorites were Le Petit Prince, Little Women, The Secret Garden, Candide, The Long Winter, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Their Eyes Were Watching God. When we finished, I felt like no matter what happened, I’d always have a place with Odile." (Kindle location 2309).

The references to the Dewy Decimel system throughout were especially charming, as Odile often thinks of situations and feelings in terms of books.

I was initially less interested in the story of Lily, Odile's neighbor in 1980's Montana, but Lily plays an important part in the revelation of some important secrets that happened long ago in wartime Paris. It also was interesting to have the unique experience -- rare in books -- of seeing the protagonist years after the heart of the story's timeline.

I loved the warmth and humanity of this book, the themes of friendship and the elasticity of families (families of birth and families we choose with loved ones).

I truly cannot recommend this exceptional book highly enough. Readers of historical fiction , anyone interested in 1940's fiction (and history), people who love reading about books and libraries will all especially enjoy The Paris Library.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks for the opportunity to read and review this lovely story #TheParisLibrary
Pub date 02/02/2021
At first I wasn't sure if this book was going to capture my attention. The story is set in two eras-1939 to 1944 Paris and 1983 to 1989 Montana.
Odile has been volunteering at the American Library of Paris and has finally been employed by the directoress, Miss Reeder(an American citizen). I love that Odile thinks of things in terms of the Dewey Decimal Classification. What a unique part of this book! As the war becomes imminent, Miss Reeder is determined to keep it open. The characters that work there and the subscribers who use the library all have wonderful personalities.
Fast forward to 1980s Montana, where 12 year old Lily lives next door to reclusive Odile. Lily is determined to befriend her, and when Lily's mom falls I'll, Odile opens her door and heart to Lily.
The story flows between Odile's life at the library and Lily's life in Montana. Their friendship grows as Odile teaches Lily French.Through Odile's life and her mistakes, Lily learns valuable lessons.
What's great about this story is that much of the library's story is based in fact. Reeder fought to save the collections and send books to the soldiers at the front.
There is the love story of Odile and Paul that gives the book depth and grace and substance. And her friendship with Margaret will make you cry.
You will not be sorry if you read this beautiful book. I highly recommend

This is a book for anyone who loves reading. It is like a love story to books that is woven into a WWII historical fiction novel.

I highlighted so much and I hate that I cannot share it with you since we don't know if it will be in the final copy.

I loved all the characters and the story line but the books take center stage. It is a reminder of why we love books and why they are so important. How one book can make the lonely feel loved or give the broken-hearted hope.

It also about the magic of libraries. And how books bring people together. I have said that the first place I'm going after all of this is the library. It's the only place I miss and I'm longing for it like a lost friend.

I loved the part about having a "bookmate" I think us book lovers all have that one friend who love the same books and share the passion of reading. I talk to mine almost daily about the books we are reading. Or we will be like "I just read this book and it's soo good!" So the other automatically puts it on their tbr.

If you're a reader this book will give you all the feels.

Now, the ending, omg, it broke my heart in two! Paul! Maragret 😭That's all I'm going to say, just read it. And I really enjoyed Lilly's story as well! I need someone to talk to about this book!

The Paris Library shared much of how Paris was during the Nazi invasion. The highlight however was that it was set in the American Library in Paris and the struggles they went through to keep it open. The staff continually put themselves at risk as they secreted books to their Jewish patrons, The library was a family of many and the characters were all endearing. I'm not sure the book needed to be written in two timelines. It easily could've been Odile's story throughout. When we jumped into Lily's current story, I was irritated. There are so many amazing quotes about reading, books and libraries! Loved that. Links coming soon.