I read this with my IRL book club and loved it! The Paris Library is a dual timeline story about a librarian who lived thru WWII in Paris with plenty of history and intrigue as the Nazi's close in to destroy the books and try to take over the library.

There has been quite a lot of WWII, dual timeline fiction over the past couple years but this one was wonderful and action packed so give it a chance.

A incredible story about an unbreakable love of literature. Dedicated library employees are determined to distribute books to those who are banned from entering the library’s doors during World War 2. The commitment of these individuals is remarkable, and I am grateful to have learned their stories.

Historical fiction at its finest, “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles tells the tale of Odile Souchet when she is a young woman in Paris during WW2, and in the 80’s when she is living in Montana after the death of her husband. During WW2, Odile works at the American Library in Paris and finds a way to resist the Nazis and rebel through books, however Odile never imagines the regret and betrayal that will occur during the war. As Odile reflects on her life to her young neighbor Lily, a common bond is discovered both in pastimes and in character.

This book was beautifully written. The details and characters feel so real- probably because so much of the book is aimed to show real events and people. Odile’s character is relatable, both young and old, as she discovers who she is and what she stands for, as well as who she wants to be moving forward. Lily is an echo of Odile, and Odile’s desire to help Lily avoid pitfalls is a desire we all have for younger people.

I think Skeslien Charles reveals something very poignant in the human experience. Through Odile we see the deep roots of jealousy that can take hold in a person and how much regret can come from acting on jealousy. The outcomes aren’t always as life-ruining, but this glimpse into the human experience is one that every reader can relate to- whether as Odile or more as Lily.

This book was easily 5 stars from me. I loved the characters and fell in love with a library I’ve never been inside. One thing continuously rings true for me too: books connect people and give them hope.

As war breaks out in France during WWII, Odile is preoccupied with her new position at the American Library in Paris and her love interest, a local policeman. That is until she starts to hear news of libraries being pillaged by the Nazis and the library staff and patrons start to disappear. Is there anything a quiet librarian can do in a time of war?
Lily is a young girl in a small Montana town whose life is rocked by her mother's sudden death. As Lily's life grows lonelier, she strikes up a friendship with her elderly parisian neighbor. Will their friendship endure as Lily starts to uncover more of her past?
Janet Skeslien Charles has written a WWII story that I have not often seen covered; the small heroics and weaknesses of common civilians in occupied territories, then from there, the lasting repercussions of those triumphs and mistakes. By bridging the storyline into the 1980s, the author is able to show readers not only the later perception of the war and its parallels to anti-soviet sentiment. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for book clubs.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC digital copy. I have not been compensated for my opinion and this is an honest review.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish reading this ARC digital copy before needing to switch to other books that were being archived. The book remains on my Goodreads "want to read" list, and I will update my review to reflect an updated opinion when I finish it at a later date..

This book was soo good. A quick and easy read. I loved the way the story was told and the characters were easy to like and so relatable.

I loved the author's writing style and the way she pulled me into the story and kept my attention throughout. This is one of the best WWII books I've read (and I've read a lot!).

This is a book I would highly recommend and defend one for the keeper shelf.

This book was right up my alley, WWII historical fiction, Paris, American Library, and dual time-line. I loved everything about this story. I had read a nonfiction book many years ago that dealt with the American Library during WWII and the Paris Occupation, so this was like continuing that education about that time. I loved how Odile and Lily became friends in 1983 Montana. They were both a bit damaged in their way but they were able to help each other. Just a fabulous story. #NetGalley #HistoricalFiction #Libraries #Paris

I found this to be an enjoyable read, keeping me on my toes throughout. The storyline was written well and flowed seamlessly. I look forward to reading more by this author!

I’m finally catching up on so many reviews that I procrastinated on while at the height of the pandemic. I read The Paris Library well over a year and a half ago as an advanced reader ahead of its publication. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that as far as historical fiction goes, I’ll read anything that takes place in France during World War II. Being a bookworm and book blogger, it was an added bonus that it takes place predominantly in a library!

This novel is told from two perspectives in very different times and locations. The main character Odile had her dream job working at the American Library in Paris as rumors of impending war began to circulate in 1939 Paris. Years later, Lily is struggling to grow up after her mother becomes ill in 1983 Montana. Discovering a mutual love for language and books, Lily turns to her neighbor Odile, who also seemed to be in need of a friend. As they each tackle their individual struggles – one with the past and the other with the future – the two strike up an unwitting friendship and the story unravels through their shared reading.

Normally, when reading these kinds of books told in two times, I tend to gravitate more to the past where the details of the war efforts unfold. This was one of the first historical fiction books that I wasn’t rushing through one perspective to get back to the other because I loved them both so much. There was something so relatable about Lily that kept me by her side, feeling like her life was unfair right along with her and wanting to see her succeed despite all of the obstacles.

At the heart of The Paris Library is friendship. Odile met and befriended a host of characters while she worked at the library. The war came and forced people to not only take sides but also often be automatically labeled into a side based on their religion or nationality. This was where friendship and loyalties were truly tested and what haunts Odile for decades after.

I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction, but also to anyone looking for a story about friendship and loyalty in which decisions were not clear-cut and one small comment, even to someone trusted, can derail someone else’s entire life.

Janet Skeslien Charles is the author of The Paris Library. This is a wonderful entertaining novel. Though it takes place during the Holocaust and touches on that topic, but this book centers on the American Library in Paris during that time period. The book touches on the horrific happenings that were present in Paris as the Germans invaded France, but the story seems to be a plot about relationships, jealousy, regret, trust and hurt.

The plot centers around the library, where Odile is a new librarian who knows the Dewy Decimal system number for every title and subject. We follow her as she becomes a woman, her relationship to her parents and her twin brother, Remy. We watch her interact and learn as she interacts with the librarians who give her excellent advice. She also is developing a romantic relationship with Paul, a young policeman who works for her father. As she is going through everyday life the war is encroaching on their lives. Odile learns about what her father and Paul are doing thinking they have no choice. She also makes decisions about saving books and lives as she risks her life facing up to Germans as she makes her way around the streets of Paris. Many of the individual character's stories are based on real people who existed in the 1930s in Paris.

Then as a parallel plot line is 14 year old, Lily and her family living in Froid, Montana, next door to an older Odile. Lily reaches out to Odile asking to interview her for a school project. Her friendship with Lily does open the door to her past and causes her to reflect on and maybe see past events in a different light. In the end this is a beautiful story of the connection between generations and how they can help each other in many ways. Odile's life experiences and stories help Lily through her modern day controversies.

The Paris Library is an incredible story that will tug at your heart strings. The alternating timeline and multiple POVs were engaging and easy to follow and overall, the writing is just beautiful. I was drawn to Odile’s chapters and couldn’t get through them fast enough, I needed to know where her story would lead. I wasn’t super invested in Lily’s chapters, until the friendship developed between the two women, it was great to read. I adored all the characters introduced, each character brought so much to the story. This book broke my heart, and mended it, all at once. Highly recommend it.



Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking forward to this one - gorgeous cover!! Book is slow but interesting - abit wordy and again, slow, with librarian-speak which I normally wouldn't be dulled by but this book was quite a drag for me.

Why is it that good things, and specially good books, no matter how much one ration them in an attempt not to end it, always have an end?
The Paris Library is a beautiful and moving story based on true events that occurred during the Nazi occupation of Paris in World War II that chronicles the efforts of a group of brave librarians and book lovers from the American Library of Paris to save their books and keeping the library open in such difficult times, giving its subscribers (many of them Jews) hope and giving life with their actions to the French motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.
I challenge the readers of this book to get to the last page without shedding a single tear!

I love books about books. This was a beautifully written historical fiction book that toggles back and forth between past and present. The interconnected relationships between the characters unfolds in a mysterious way, and the overcoming obstacles for the characters was so relatable. I just loved this book.

The Paris Library is a beautiful historical fiction novel, told from two different POV's in two very different times. Book lovers will absolutely adore this novel, a story about library and book lovers, with their secrets and their lives all revolving around books and how they play a huge part in their lives. This is based on real events, so truly, is it not a must read for any library, book and historical fiction lover? I think so!

I loved Odile's character, both in 1939 and 1983. The story of her life was just incredible, as we lived it with her and as she recounted it to Lily. Lily and Odile had the most beautiful relationship - two people who just needed someone at the time and found one another. The Paris Library is a beautiful tale of the historical fiction WWII stories we love, but with a deeper connection with family, love, and friendship elements to make it an incredible story. I definitely recommend this to everyone, especially those who want to get into historical fiction but don't know where to start!

This book was engaging and I like the different timelines. Sometimes the different points of view got confusing if you weren't paying attention to the chapter titles, but I can see the reason the author did that. The ending wasn't my favorite part of the book either. Overall it was an alright book, but it won't be on my reread shelf.

Anothe WWII book, but I still learned something and it was an excellent read. I enjoyed the story.
There are many history novel out there but The Paris Library had a new element I had never read about before.

The Paris Library is another book I’ve recently read about WW II, but told from a different perspective than usual. It tells the story of librarians at the American Library in Paris and how they join the Resistance when Nazis march into France. Also, there is a storyline set in 1983 Montana and a teenager with a quiet, elderly neighbour and she sets out to unravel the woman’s mysterious past. I loved the dual timelines and did not find myself confused by them (some people do, but I love a good dual timeline). Both characters were equally enjoyable to read about.

This is more than just your typical Nazi-occupied France historical fiction. It has a strong characters, a driving plot (save the books!), and dual timelines (I'm a fan).

I loved this book. Books with two timelines and characters can sometimes be confusing, but this was nothing but enjoyable. It was such a interesting read as I've never read much about the American Library in Paris, so I loved the deep dive into a facet of history I'd never had a chance to learn about before.