I loved the story of Odile and her love for literature! It was so interesting to learn about the American library and the role it played during WWII.
I wish some of the story could have developed a little deeper. Some parts were descriptive in a way that I could easily picture the setting or character Skeslien envisioned while other parts seemed rushed and confusing.

The Paris Library fits comfortably in the theme of WWII literature, with some interesting twists. Following Odile's life during the occupation of Paris while working at The American Library in Paris and her later life in the Midwest in the 1980s, The Paris Library is about perseverance, consequences, and love.

The library is populated by fascinating characters, including Odlie, and was a part of the Paris resistance movement that I had never heard before. I would have loved even more exploration of the resistance movement. The Paris Library also lets its characters be perfectly imperfect. Characters have room to be selfish, scared, and loving instead of flat characters.

I loved the references to Odile thinking in The Dewey Decimal System. It was an interesting twist that lent a air of freshness to the novel. I read it in just a few days not wanting to put it down.

This story brings “a little-known chapter of WWII history: the story of the American librarian, Miss Reeder, who created the Soldiers’ Service to deliver books to servicemen, and who later faced the Nazi ‘Book Protector’ in order to keep her library open. She and her colleagues defied the Bibliotheksschutz by delivering books to Jewish readers after they were forbidden from entering the library.”

Montana, 1983. Lily, a lonely teenager, is working on a school project, a report on France. She goes to her French neighbor Mrs. Gustafson to interview her for the report. Mrs. Gustafson is defined as the epitome of solitude. And what starts as a school project, turns into a heartfelt relationship. As the relationship deepens, Lily starts wondering about certain things about Odile’s life in Paris.

Paris, 1939. Odile Gustafson has just started working as a librarian at the American Library.

When England and France declare war on Germany, requests for magazines and books from soldiers pour in. The library gets busy with fulfilling those requests.

Once, the Nazis occupy Paris, Miss Reeder, the Library Directress, realizes that churches and libraries will not be spared as she previously hoped. Certain people and books are not allowed in the library. Thus, an idea of smuggling books to Jewish subscribers springs up. But there are checkpoints everywhere, thus carrying something suspicious puts one in danger.

Then, the crow letters, most unsigned, informing on Jews, keep arriving at the police station. Deceit weaves its way into the story.

Loved the portrayal of Odile’s French family. They come through as very human, always criticizing father, depressed mother. The bond she has with her brother is very endearing.

Lily is also a very likeable character. Her tone is expressionless most of the time. She is not the most enthusiastic person, which reflects her loneliness. But her journey of discovering herself is engrossing.

Usually, I don’t like to read stories through the voice of a teenager, but there is something special about her and the relationship with Odile. When the story was unravelling in Paris for a longer time, I started to miss the present time story. “You came into my life like the evening star.”

Typically, I don’t like foreign words being mixed with English. But I actually enjoyed little lessons of French that Lily was getting from Odile. It makes so much more sense as in this case you know what you’re reading.

It’s also interesting to learn about Dewey Decimal number system. 813 (American) + 840 (French) + 302.34 (friendship) = 1955.34 (worthy books).

This book doesn’t detail the events of WWII. The purpose of this book is to shed light on the Library and its people who risked their lives to lift other people up.

I enjoyed the story and writing thoroughly, but if you enjoy more of a descriptive writing, then this book may not be the right fit for you.

I would like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for letting me have an ARC of this lovely book. Yet again, I learned something about the war that I did not know by reading historical fiction. This story is told in a dual timeline 1980s Montana and occupied Paris durning WWII. The two main characters, Lily and Odile are neighbors in Montana. Lily is a teenager, and Odile is a widowed war bride from Paris. They form an unlikely friendship. In Paris, Odile works in the American Library with an eccentric staff and subscribers. As Paris becomes occupied, the staff at the library tries to keep things as normal as possible for their subscribers. This sometimes includes delivering books to subscribers who are no longer able to enter the doors of the ALP. Odile’s father is a police commissioner, who is desperately trying to marry her off. Her twin brother enlists in the army. She finds both respite and meaningful work and friendships at the ALP. Odile bravely delivers books to Jewish subscribers, hides an important manuscript by a Jewish author all while living under Nazi rule. A betrayal and turn of events cause her life to change in ways she never dreamed possible. Lily’s mother is ill and is not going to get better. She knocks on Odile’s door to ask if she might interview her for a paper that she needs to write for school. This small gesture changes everything for both Lily and Odile.. This is a lovely book, it is well written and researched. Many of the characters in Paris are based on real people, and there is information about them in the author’s notes. Tot tells a story of survival, resistance, love and friendship. This book will not be released until June, but I urge you to either pre-order or put it on your library hold list.

What a wonderful book. Told from multiple viewpoints at two different periods in history, THE PARIS LIBRARY is a splendid telling of the American Library of Paris during WWII. I loved the characters and their stories, and the bits of their lives we were able to see. Definitely worth a read.

Absolutely wonderful book. Full review coming tomorrow. Just had to say, it's wonderful. Would love to hear the author speak about writing the book.

This is a well written story about a French Librarian who manages to keep her beloved library open during Nazi Germany's occupation of the area. The story is revealed in a way that keeps the reader guessing, as important information about the characters is slowly revealed to keep the reader guessing. People have to be very careful in order to survive, and it seems no one is who you think they are. Past meets present...historical fiction meets romance. I did enjoy this book and definitely recommend it. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles! As a librarian, I am naturally drawn to books and the way they can save us in the worst of circumstances. But in this book, it was more than just books that did the saving -- it was the institution of the American Library of Paris. I loved Odile's story, and her growth journey over the years both during World War II and in Montana in the 1980s. The secondary timeline, in Montana, focused on a sweet teenage girl named Lily, and her story was equally captivating as well.

I loved that this was loosely based off of real circumstances during WWII.

This book was excellent--great settings, great characterizations, and a plot that touches all sorts of emotions. Excellent!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Library is a building. Its the people inside it that make this historical work of fiction come to life. Set against the backdrop of Paris and the Nazi invasion, the characters come to life. Each character finds their personal way to survive through the cruel atrocities of war in all too human ways. You can dislike the character but you have to respect the human drive to stay alive at any cost.

The true joy of this story is how lessons learned in one generation are shared with younger generations. Lives only have meaning when we learn from them. Odile,, Lily, and the other characters share the pain and joy of their humanity with us and remind us that history is always waiting to repeat itself if we don’t learn from it.

Every young girl should have an Odile in their life.

This book was fantastic! I absolutely loved the book of Odile and her journey. The writing was beautiful and the side story of Lily was also beautifully written. I would highly recommend this story to anyone.

Paris, 1939 we find Odile interviewing for a position at the American Library. Odile, having learned the Dewey decimal system thinks in terms of numbers, referring to the books in the library. This is a place where she feels comfortable, where she reveres books. Further this is where students, writers, diplomats and book lovers congregate. Odile is at home, where friendships were made among the many book shelves. Yet as important as the job the library is in her life, she has more...an English best friend, her twin brother Remy, a boyfriend. Then war is declared in September, 1939... her twin brother Remy enlists leaving Odile lonely and worried. Parisians leave by the thousands and the city is occupied with German soldiers. The Paris Library remains steadfast, but now there are rules, some books are confiscated, no Jews may enter, the life you once led can no longer be taken for granted..

Montana, 1983 we find Mrs. Gustafson, Odile, now living in a the small town of Froid where she is called the "War Widow". Lily, a lonely teenager whose family lives next door to Odile and who is obsessed with the mysterious older French woman, asks her teacher to assign her with writing a paper on France. The friendship begins. She is there for Lily when her mother dies, while at the same time the young teenager is trying to find whatever secrets Odile has hidden in her past.

We follow Oldile as she struggles through the war, as the books in the library become weapons. Surrounded by her friends and co-workers at the library, there is a sense of unease, insecurities as the Germans tighten their noose around the Parisians. Resentments build up, who do you trust, who are the betrayers, who are still your friends.

Then there is Lily and we read as she learns the secrets of Odile's past. Yet, despite the difference in age between the two there is most definitely a connection there. What is it and how does it affect their relationship? As their friendship grows, as they become comfortable with one another, the older woman seeing similarities between them. Until one day, Lily makes a terrible mistake...the floodgates open and spill out.

This book about friendship, love and loss all hold strong emotions. With a wonderful cast of characters, each with their own story it is hard to put down. This book isn't one that can be put aside...no, it won't let you. Highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking forward to reading a book that takes place in the American Library in Paris and the author’s description of the library, its staff and patrons were well researched and poignant. The story shifts between Odile, the young French librarian in occupied Paris to Odile, the elderly neighbor of a troubled teen in rural Montana in the 1980’s. Odile’s wartime secrets are slowly revealed as young Lily breaks through the reclusive librarian’s reserve and her personal effects.

The secrets are a little anticlimactic, so don’t get your hopes up that there is some earth-shattering revelation. The shift between the two timelines does emphasize the loneliness and hope that the younger Odile shares with Lily. Don’t read this because of the fictionalized relationship between the past and the present. Read it because you want to hear more about the American Library in Paris during WWII, because that is the real story.

This sweet story is told in alternate voices of Lily (more recent day) and Odile (in the past). Both women find each other when they didn’t know they needed the other. Odile was a librarian in Paris and Lily befriends her for a report in school. Turns out they have similar loss, heartbreak, experiences and are able to help the other speak their truth. I really enjoyed this story and the sweet cast of characters that also worked at the American Library in Paris

Odile Souchet loved books her entire life so when she got a job as librarian in Paris at the Paris Library, she felt she had everything. Until war breaks out.
In 1983 she ends up in Montana where the daughter of her neighbor befriends her. In fact Lily becomes obsessed finding out about Odiles life in Paris.
She learns all about betrayal and not being able to count on those you thought you could.
There is also history in this book. When Jewish people weren’t allowed to enter the library anymore, they found a way to get them books.

3.5 stars
Enjoyable and charming.

Alternating between two timelines- Paris in the 1940’s and Montana in the 1980’s, this story is of a librarian named Odile, who worked at the American Library in Paris during the World War II. While this book is considered historical fiction, the inspiration came from reality and most of the characters who worked at the American Library in Paris existed in real life.

As with most dual timelines, I tend to favor the older story line. I loved reading about Odile and her life in Paris. I am also a librarian, so I loved her passion for librarianship and wanting to memorize the Dewey Decimal System. Public libraries are so different now-a-days, it was interesting to read the comparisons. Amazing the American Library stayed open and continued to transport books during the war.

So many things I enjoyed about this book: Odile’s friendship with Lily, they brought out the best in each other. Also the importance of love and forgiveness, French history and culture. I loved that after years of learning French and wearing her beret, Lily finally got a ticket to visit Paris- but I really wanted Odile to go with her and visit Margaret and the American Library. A couple things I didn’t care for: lots of character names, sometimes it was hard to keep everyone straight. And Lily’s story line wasn’t as interesting, too much family drama. Overall entertaining, you can tell the author put in a lot of research.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Loved this book so beautifully written so involving.I will recommend this to my book club and to my book loving friends who always want to know when I read something special.#netgalley#atriabooks

Based on true stories of workers at the American Library in Paris, this book focuses on Odile Souchet. She is one of the Frenchwomen serving at the library, trying to fend off the Nazis and help the Resistance. Flash forward to Montana in 1983. Odile is a farm widow there, who mainly keeps to herself.

Lily, the teenager next door, is struggling with the loss of her mother and how to get along with her new stepmother. She meets Odile and the two become fast friends, until Lily betrays Odile.

Switching back and forth from past to present, the story unwinds to explain how Odile came to be in Montana and why she befriended Lily.

I loved this book from beginning to end. Ms. Charles tells us about a period in history that ashamed us, but should never be forgotten.

I really enjoyed this book. I had to keep reminding myself it was fiction as it read like a memoir. The story and characters were so engrossing and when I wasn't reading, I couldn't wait until I was able to get back to the book. It is a powerful reminder of how books can bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. It was also thought provoking and provided a view of how the war impacted everyone.
The minute I finished this book, I called my librarian sister and told her she needed to make sure her library ordered this book for their collection.

Paris is for lovers; lovers of books in this novel. Odile is a young librarian who is hired by the American Library in Paris just before the start of World War Two. She is in love with books and enamored with the Dewey Decimal System, classifying her experiences according to the numbers. She transitions from a lover of books to a defender of books as the war progresses, packaging books for soldiers at the front, French prisoners in the Stalags, and along with the rest of the staff, delivering books to Jewish subscribers barred from visiting the library by the Nazis. Resistance comes in many guises and Odile and the rest of the library staff defy the Nazis by spreading truth and beauty through the written word.

A secondary story takes place in the 1980s when teenage Lily befriends elderly Odile in Montana. The story shifts between time periods, and Odile and Lily learn from each other as the reader comes to understand how Odile ended up the widow of an American soldier and why she walked away from her life in Paris.

This novel highlights a chapter of life in occupied Paris that deserves more attention.