Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book. If you are a book addict this book may be for you. It told a very interesting story of The American Library in Paris during World War II. This is the first story I have seen that focused on occupied Paris during the war and really delved into how it impacted those that lived there. It took me a little bit of time to actually understand and enjoy the other point of view of the story set in the 1980s. By the end it made perfect sense, however that was the one part of the story that I did not really enjoy most of the way through reading this book. I felt like I was getting through those chapters in order for me to get back to the part of the story I was really interested in. However I overall really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it.

When Odile joins the American Library in Paris, she is both shocked and dismayed when the Nazi's invade. Along with the rest of the staff, she does everything she can to keep the library open and to deliver books to patrons who can no longer visit the library. Odile's story alternates with the story of Lily in Montana during the 1980's. Lily, a pre-teen, befriends her lonesome neighbor Odile and slowly unravels her story.

Although I enjoyed Odile's story, I felt that Lily's voice was too young. The contrast between their points of view was a bit jolting and a bit off-putting. Perhaps the author could have used an older teenager, or left off Lily's point of view altogether. I was also annoyed that Lily's story received closure but Odile's story did not. Because of these criticisms, what could have been a great book was a bust.

As a librarian and book lover, I found this historical novel to be an educational and wonderful depiction of the American Library in Paris. Centered on the life of Odile, a librarian working there during World War II, it is a glimpse into the role the library played to help its citizens keep hope alive during the darkest of times.
The library continues to be a beacon of light today for all.

The Paris Library is a dual timeline book for the Librarian Odile. As a young woman Odile was a librarian at the American Library in Paris during WWII. In the 1980's Odile is living next door to Lily in Minnesota, where Lily hears that Odile was a war bride. The WWII timeline is the story of the people who worked, volunteered, and were patrons of the library and how the Nazi occupation affected their lives. The 1980's timeline is seen from Lily's POV and is a coming of age story of a young girl who finds companionship and guidance from Odile.

It is a well written book based on a very small community of people during WWII, the author's note at the end confirms that many of the people mentioned were real. I think the 1980s timeline kept this from being just another WWII book. I did enjoy both timelines, and you really got to know Odile. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my honest review of #TheParisLibrary.

I enjoyed this book overall but it went a little too slow and the book got confusing at some points. I feel like it could’ve been better but I do appreciate the book for what it is.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars. There's a lot I enjoyed about "The Paris Library": The story moved swiftly, and the American Library in Paris was depicted to vividly that I'd make a point of visiting if I ever returned to Paris. I also appreciated that Odile, one of the two narrator/protagonists, was given plenty of flaws and faults; I'm sick of WWII-era women's fiction that paints the protagonists as paragons of perfection simply because they're not going along with the Nazis.

Like a lot of the other reviewers, however, I didn't think the dual timeline/dual narrators added anything, especially since the voices of both were almost indistinguishable. Toss in a few third-person chapters to inform us of events featuring other characters, and the effect is a bit patchwork and choppy. And a few character actions seemed wildly out of character and created solely for plot reasons.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book!

Navigating dual timelines, Janet Skeslien Charles weaves an engaging plot between two characters, Odile and Lily. Set in both WWII Paris and 1980s Froid, Montana, we are drawn into both their stories knowing they will soon combine, and they do in a beautiful way.

Odile begins a new job as a librarian at The American Library in Paris at the onset of WWII, and her narrative is peppered with Dewey Decimal references which could have been very odd and distracting but is in fact absolutely charming. As the employees of the library work to protect their books, and themselves, during the Nazi occupation of Paris, it is interesting to note that many of the characters in this novel are real people and many of the events also all to real.

This is a novel for all book lovers, library lovers, history lovers, and anyone who wants to get lost between the pages of an interesting story for a few hours.

Loved it!

Librarian worked at American Library in Paris learning the history, learning of hate, of working with public.
As war approaches, preparations are made for the library's materials.
WWII Paris 1939 - American Library heroic librarians with the best weapons - books!
A library is a haven for people who feel different to have a place to call home.

During harsh times, good can still be found.
Books don't betray, they don't lie or steal.

She enjoys putting Dewey Decimal Systems everything... surroundings, life, ...
(I enjoyed this and will remember this always)
Find a place in Dewey Decimal System. (Hope is 152.4)

I was sent this to review as a librarian who treasures historical fiction.
I did truly enjoy this book!!

I don't like to read -- I live to read

I enjoyed reading this. I was not aware of the American Library in Paris prior to reading this, and I particularly enjoyed how real life people were woven into the story. There are great themes about women’s rights, the grey lines of morality, and the meaning of friendship and sibling hood. It was a unique story among the vast WWII historical fiction catalog.

This novel is based on the wonderful true story of heroic librarians who worked at the American Library in Paris during the German occupation. Odile is the protagonist who, along with other librarians, risked their lives taking books to those no longer allowed in libraries, mainly Jewish people. They struggled to keep the Library open during this trying time.

The novel shifts back and forth between Odile in 1939 in Paris and Odile living in near isolation in 1983 where her next door neighbor is Lily, a lonesome teenager. Lily and Odile become friends and she slowly learns about Odile's experience in Paris. Odile gives Lily French language lessons and it was fun for me to occasionally see French words and their meaning in English. There's romance to help make Odile's life more interesting and her relationship with her brother is touching.

This is potent, sad, and inspirational historical fiction and the author has done an outstanding job incorporating characters who are based on real people. Most of them are flawed but seemed very genuine to me. The author worked at the American Library in Paris in 2010 and became acquainted with descendants of the characters. She did many years of research and it's evident throughout the novel. But all the references to the Dewey Decimal System got tiresome.

Thanks to the publisher, Atria Books, for an e-galley via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good historical fiction and then this one did not disappoint. I loved the feel of this book and the setting was absolutely perfect. You can actually imagine as you read. This would be a great book club read. I love reading about a library and this story was so good.

If you want to get book readers to read your book set it in a library or Bookshop! I know I am instantly drawn to anything that is set there and if their is a librarian or bookseller added in, I'm reading it. That's how I came upon The Paris Library. Set over dual time periods with the main character Odile, a librarian at the American Library in Paris during the war and a lonely widow in Froid, Montana in the 80s.
This was addictive, I put off household chores, bailed on a social engagement and only got out of bed to make tea. The young passionate Odile who loved the Dewey system and wanted to escape her pompous, over bearing father was flawed but lovely. The older Odile was refined and wise but you could still see hints of the younger women she was. How did someone with so much life in Paris end up in Montana? Her friendship with Lily is warm and joyful, you know how much they need each other and enjoy each other's company.
The real story is the library and the war. The subscribers are fanciful and eccentric but kindhearted and ferociously loyal. War in Paris is bleak and scary which is emphasized by the crow letters the author drops into the text. Filled with anger and hatred, they made me fear what could happen. The only relationship that didn't feel real to me was Odile and Paul. Her connection to her brother and best friends Margaret and Bitzi was overwhelming and emotional, her feelings for Paul felt forced and flat. Maybe this was more about the authors ability to write about love - it can be a tricky subject to convey.
To learn at the end that so much of the American Libraries history was based on fact was a delightful surprise. There are a lot of books set in Paris during the war but this was a fresh tale and take on what it was to live under the Nazi rule. It doesn't have the same heartache and horror as other books set during this time and I couldn't understand how so many English people could live freely in Paris during that time and not get taken away. Librarians are entrusted with precious books and history and their main concern was preserving everything and keeping the library open as a sanctuary for all. Some people reading this will think what they did was not brave like the resistance or grand like hiding Jews from the Nazis but they helped give hope and escape to people living on the front lines, people with empty bellies and people who need their soul and mind nourished too.

This book had me intrigued from the description and it did not disappoint. Told from. Two points of view years apart this is the story of world war 2 and the librarian who did all she could to protect banned literature.
I learned a lot from this book and it was a great page turning read
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this great book.

Lately I can't seem to get enough of all these books that take place during WWII. The Paris Library is another great one!I I loved the story of Odile then and "now" (well, in the 80's that is) and I loved Lily's story and how her life intertwines with Odile's. This book shows the dedication the librarians had at the American Library in Paris and the hardships of the people who lived during that time. I love learning history while I'm relaxing with a good book. I hope to read more by Janet Skeslien Charles in the future!

I normally don't read historical books but I loved, loved, loved Odile's story! It was heartbreaking! Many of us can't fathom how tough and scary those days were. The author brought the characters and story to life in a such a way that I could not stop turning pages. Even if this isn't your normal genre, take a chance and fall in love with Odile and Remy, Paul, Margaret and many other's that Odile opened her heart to.

The Paris Library is historical fiction about an aspect of World War 2 I knew nothing about- The American Library in Paris. I enjoyed learning the history of the library and the courageous acts that took place there during the war. The characters in the library were interesting and unique. You wanted to keep reading to learn more about each one of them.
The main character is Odile, who is a young woman, newly hired at the library when the war breaks out. She is a complicated character, with a range of emotions that makes her very relatable. Her story during the war is juxtaposed with the story of her later life in Montana where she meets a teenage neighbor, Lily. Odile and Lily become fast friends, and we learn of the struggles in each of their lives. They teach each other about friendship, love and human nature.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable book. It kept my interest. It is well written and definitely well researched. I did find some of the narration of Lily to be a little less polished, and perhaps not very original. The story of the friendship between Odile and Lily is heartwarming, and the parts of the story of Odile at the library during the war makes the book a page turner.

This book provided a different aspect to what went on in Paris before and during World War II. I had no idea that there was an American Library in Paris so it was a learning experience for me. Although it is a historical novel, the author brings the characters to life. If primarily follows the life of Odile with her getting a job at the library, her love life in Paris, what she did during the occupation by Nazis, and her life in the United States in the 1980s.
The author develops her characters well. To say this was a character-driven story might detract from the intrigue the author develops throughout the story. She shows that despite the horrors of war, many survived to have full and meaningful lives. For fans of World War II historical novels, this one should be on your list.

This is a historical fiction based on true events of the dedicated staff that kept the American Library of Paris open during the war.
The friendships that started amongst the staff and clientele would last a lifetime.
It is also a story of bravery, love, betrayal, and loyalty.
The characters are strong and likeable. You feel for each of the challenges they faced at that time.
The bravery of the workers to get reading materials to the people who were no longer admitted into the Library is courageous. They put their lives on the line to make sure everyone had access to the books they loved.
This is a wonderful story. I love the characters,. Each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Excellent book! Recommended!

I really enjoyed this book quite a bit! Although it had a slow start, I certainly really enjoyed it at the end. It was a slow book, but you have to expect that when reading about WWII. I really liked the characters and they were so realistic. The story moved well and I just really enjoyed it. This story captured my love of books, from the smell to the feel. Just all around a fabulous book!

A powerful book about friends, family and books. Heart warming and heart breaking. Historical facts were a great addition to this wonderful book for all book lovers of the world.