Books about books always grab my attention. I thought this was a beautiful read. Two stories are told concurrently. In wartime Paris, Odile gets a job at The American Library. In 1980's Montana, Lily makes friends with her elderly neighbour, Mrs Gustafson who was a French war bride. It isn't long before we discover that this is the same Odile. Lily's story enables the reader to fill in some gaps that exist in the wartime story. The library is filled with wonderfully eccentric characters, some of whom we learn from the author's note, were real people. Although Paris is occupied, the staff work hard to keep the library open, getting books to those who would benefit from them. This is a love letter to Paris, and to books. Beautifully told and uplifting.

"We all have a book that's changed us forever," says Odile, in The Paris Library. "One that let us know that we're not alone. What's yours?"

In amongst the book stacks of the American library in Paris, a wonderfully eclectic community of characters finds solace. War is coming, the Jewish community is being persecuted, but the comfort provided by books and fellow booklovers remains constant.

Odile, a young Parisian, finds work at the library despite her father's stern disapproval of female independence. The formidable and fearless head librarian, Miss Reeder, is determined that the library should not close, because "books promote understanding, which is important now more than ever." Together, this close-knit community share their grief, and their love.

But there's more... right from the start of the book, another tale runs alongside accounts of Odile's early days in Paris. Odile, now in the twilight of her years, is living alone in America, where she befriends a young girl living next door.

What happened to Odile in Paris? And Miss Reeder? Did they survive... did the library survive? And how did Odile come to live on the other side of the ocean? I really couldn't wait to find out.

This story really was beautifully written – almost lyrical – and it summed up exactly why I love books: because, "no other thing possesses that mystical faculty to make people see with other people's eyes."

A lovely story, however rather long.
I feel this is a story that deserves more attention than I could give it and I may try rereading this when I have more time.

3.5

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

The Paris Library tells the story of the occupation of Paris from a different point of view - that of the librarians. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, books are my favourite things, so it was a pretty safe bet that I’d enjoy this book!
In 1930’s - 1940’s Paris, we follow Odile, a young woman who wants to be a librarian in the American Library. She gets her dream job - much to her parents dismay. She meets and falls in love with a young police officer, but life begins to get much more difficult when the Germans invade France, occupying Paris. Odile’s twin brother is imprisoned in a camp after he is captured on the front, and her Jewish subscribers at the library are forbidden from going there. Odile’s wartime experiences are fascinating to read about, and I really enjoyed these flashbacks.
We also meet Lily in the 1980’s - Odile’s neighbour in the small Montana town that they both live in. They become good friends when Lily decides that she wants to write a school report about France during the Occupation. Odile teaches Lily to speak French, and they share a love of books. Odile becomes a grandmotherly figure in Lily’s life, and I loved the relationship between the two of them.
I found this book so interesting: when I was reading about Lily, I was desperate to know what would happen in the next Paris flashback, and when I was reading about Odile’s Paris, I wanted to know what would happen to Lily in her next section. I would say that this is the sign of a good book!
The Parisian sections weren’t gratuitously violent - in fact the Nazi heading the library department of the invading forces seemed to be a reasonable man. It’s made clear that the characters don’t like the Germans, and we’re told that Jews go missing, but the German’s themselves are very low key. This is about Odile’s experience, and Lily’s life in the 80’s. And the power of books.
The bravery of the Parisian librarians was admirable, especially as they could have been imprisoned or killed if their acts of resistance had ever been revealed.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book - it was a pleasure to read.

History teaches us... And it's important to learn new perspectives.

This book goes back in time to the 1930s and will also show you the modern 1980s. As timelines move you will come to appreciate books, libraries, the need for sharing/ passing down of knowledge

The Paris Library is a duel timeline novel set in Paris between 1939 and 1945 and Montana between 1983 and 1989. It is told in the first person from the perspectives of Odile, a French woman, who, in 1939, worked as a librarian in the American Library in Paris, and from 1983, Lily, an American teenager desperate to grow up and leave the small town of her birth.

I was excited to read this story, having been captivated by the blurb. I love historical novels set in and around World War II, as I enjoy picking out details which help me to learn more about that time period. In this novel I learned about 'crow letters'. I loved the description of the 1939-45 everyday life in Paris, the library with its subscribers, and the occasional classification of Odile's thoughts using the Dewey Decimal system. Some of the characters used in this story were real and did in fact work at the library, but I did not realise this until I read the Author's Note at the end of the book.

Lily's account tells of the loss of her mother, and the arrival of a step mother, Eleanor, some ten years older than herself. Lily resents Eleanor and sets out to make Eleanor's life difficult. Lily comes to know Odile because she has a report to write on France and decides to interview her French neighbour. Odile teaches her to speak French and they form a close friendship.

Whilst I enjoyed Odile's account of life in wartime Paris, I found the story difficult to get into. I became disheartened when the story switched to Lily's account, but kept going, reading a few pages here and there, never really wanting to spend more than half an hour on it, until I reached the end. Although I'm glad I did, because the ending brought it all together and made the whole read worthwhile.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for offering an honest review. I read it about a year ago and it is still fresh in my mind, still working its magic on my imagination.

I love libraries – long may they exist! The library that is central to this story is one in Paris, The American Library, founded in 1920 and the first in Paris to allow the public to browse the shelves.

Odile goes for a job there, she is a book lover and a library aficionada. She is passionate about all that libraries stand for – literature, research, study, and the freedom to learn from the words of others. A library is also a refuge, a place of quiet reflection and companionship.

For Odile it is also a place of order – she loves the Dewey Decimal system that organises books according to subject. ‘There was a number for everything. My twin brother was a 636.8 person, while I preferred 636.7 (Cats and dogs respectively)

Into this organised and peaceful world of the Paris Library come the stomping boots of the Nazi invasion of Paris. Suddenly it is not permitted for certain people (usually Jewish) to borrow books.

Odile becomes part of a clandestine rebellion – to continue to lend books to the subscribers who have been banned from entering the library. Carrying books through the streets, visiting banned subscribers in their homes to deliver their parcels of freedom, is dangerous and revolutionary.

This story is beautifully written and totally absorbing. There are many strands to the story. There are secrets and misunderstandings. There are people who have to operate in secret so they are not what they seem underneath. And there are two stories that interweave – one the Paris world of the 1940’s and the other set in Montana USA in 1986. How they are linked is something you have to discover by reading the book.

There is also humour in the midst of the darkness that had settled over Europe in the war.
Here is Boris another librarian helping out Odile on the day after she discovered that her father had a mistress:

‘You’ve been blue today’ he handed me 891.73 ‘Go to the Afterlife. No one will bother you there’

This is a book to savour and to enjoy. I have nothing but praise for it.

This book is essentially about the love and joy that books can bring us so it has targeted it audience perfectly. I really did love it - from front cover to the end, no slow bits. I absolutely absorbed and took joy from all the descriptions, the characters, the heartbreak, the friendships and of course all the books. Unusually for a book set over 2 time periods, I equally loved both: when I was in the 1980's in Montana I was desperate to get back to 1940's Paris and vice versa. When I have to vote on a book at book club, only books that have made me think about them way after finishing them deserve my top score and this book certainly is one of those. Added bonus for me was the realisation after finishing the book that this was based on some true events / characters and I have really enjoyed looking up the pictures of the America Library Paris - so this receives my book club bonus point that I reserve for any book that makes me google!

Such a special, special book - I’m already confident this will make it into my top books of 2021!

With two brilliantly feisty female lead characters telling one story across two timelines, this is a sweeping tale of war, family, love, friendship, and of course, the power of books in dark times.

Odile captured my heart from the moment I opened the first page set in 1930s Paris, and then the introduction of Lily in 1980s America, and the way she brings Odile back to herself was just beautifully written and heartwarming. Their two stories blend seamlessly and add an element of suspense to the story which makes this a real page turner.

I felt emotional within a few chapters - the vivid descriptions of Paris and the American Library made me yearn to go there in an almost visceral way. These emotions were only heightened by all of the poignant quotes from other novels which were peppered throughout the story. This is a novel made for readers.

There’s certainly the darkness and horror of war as a backdrop to this novel, but above all there’s the most wonderful sense of community and courage from the people working and spending time at the Library. The friendships formed and the endless support of each other was the most integral part of the story for me - I spent the whole time wishing I could be in the stacks with them all.

This is a truly moving novel which soothes the soul in that way that really special books do - one to treasure and escape with.

Plot - 3.5/5
For about 75% of the book, I kept wondering where is this story taking me? I couldn't make much sense of the plot but once I crossed a certain point in the novel, it all came together. Like a beautiful tapestry or a well-baked cake, it all made sense only in the end, and the story ultimately turned out to be quite satisfactory and fulfilling.

Pacing - 3/5
The pacing was really slow, atleast till almost 3/4th of the book. Imagine you are on a seashore. You see the build-up of a huge wave, it's steadily building up the momentum and you can barely wait for it to crash on to you! But in the end, you realize it just wetted your feet and sunk you deeper into the sand granules! That sinking feeling? That's as close to how I felt reading this book. It was good, but I didn't get the huge wave crash on me, it wasn't strong enough, not satisfactory enough.

Characters - 4.5/5
If this book did something very well, it was the characters. I adored Margaret and Ellie. I liked the older Odile. There are other equally lovable characters in the library too.
If not for anything else, read this book for the character study. Especially to peep a look into human emotions, how they can make or break you. How it can force you into doing an unforgivable mistake and how it can redeem you.
I have always read the English POV(Point of View) of world war II. It was absolutely eye-opening to read from a french POV.

Set-up - 4/5
The set-up is very well done. I loved the way analogies are used to help us experience Paris. For example:
"I arrived on le grand boulevard where, in the space of a block, the city shrugged off her working-class mantle and donned a mink coat. The coarse smell of coal dissipated, replaced by the honeyed jasmine of joy, worn by women delighting in the window display of Nina Ricci's dresses and Kislav green leather gloves"

This book is not showing us the horrors of the war as most of the world war II books do. This is a subtle story of living in wartime. What happens when the men go away to a war? What happens to the people who get left behind? How do they survive? Cope? Sustain the soldiers? That's the crux of the story. More reflection than action.


Writing - 4/5
I found the writing to be extremely accessible. It was light and surprisingly uplifting considering the subject matter. Despite my complaints on pacing, I still think the writing was impeccable. There is a line in the novel, where the author, gives her name to a character, sort of a guest appearance in her own book, and I was charmed by it. We have seen directors acting/appearing in a guest role in their movies. Seeing an Author's name as a guest character in their own novel is somewhat unique to me, and I enjoyed it immensely.

Overall rating - 3.8

Objective Rating - Borrow grade - Book worth borrowing from the library or trading with your friends/family.
Subjective Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you want to learn more about my rating system, click <a href='https://youtu.be/K1dvwJ3NU5g'>here.</a>

The Paris Library
Possibly quite accurate, although it's not certain. Very interesting story, hard to put down.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is a delightful read. Perfect for book lovers and anyone who has a fondness for Paris.
The story follows Odile, a young Parisienne, recently employed in the American Library in Paris. The Paris setting is in the 1940s and follows Odile as she navigates her new job, relationships with family and friends, the onset of war and the occupation of Paris. She encounters many varied and colourful characters through her work at the library and has some tough decisions to make about what's important to her in life when faced with difficult situations involving family and friends.
Odile's story is intertwined with that of Lily in 1980s Montana. Lily is dealing with many changes in her life, the illness of her mother, changes at school and at home and she's learning how to grow up and who she wants to be as an adult.
I loved this story. The setting and characters of the library in Paris were delightful. I felt like I knew each individual and found it interesting how they each influenced Odile's life. The portrayal of Paris under Nazi occupation was clever and the story painted a nuanced picture. Deciding who is "good" or "bad" is never straightforward and I felt this book did a good job of looking into the subtle motivations behind certain behaviours.
Lily's storyline was also sensitive. It could easily have descended into cliché, given her family circumstances, but the story dealt sensitively with the challenges Lily faces and how she deals with them within the confines of her family. We see her learn and grow and, although some lessons do not come easily, she is a clever and sympathetic character.
I loved the values of the library and the commitment to providing access to knowledge without judgement.
Reading this book made me want to visit Paris and visit the American Library in Paris and it made me appreciate books and people a little bit more. A subtle, thoughtful read.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A book with alternating time frames connecting the past to the present. I really enjoyed this; a story of courage, love and loyalty in extreme situations. I really connected to the book elements, the importance of libraries and how powerful writing can be, Although this is fiction, it's set within a world of history and the awful events of Nazi occupations and the underscore of resistance. A recommended read.

Thanks to Net Galley and John Murray Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
What a wonderful book. To mark this book as a 5 star read would be unjust- it is that and so much more.
This book is about The Library, war, family, friendships, love, strife, loss, jealousy, guilt but above all hope.
It’s told so wonderfully in the past by Odile and in the present by Lily.
The descriptions of the library for any book lover are so real, I could feel myself their in among the tall book shelves of treasures , I could smell the books, feel Odile’s love for the library and her friends. The horrors the war brought, the loss of her twin brother Romy, the heartache and guilt she has lived with for many years.
Then Lily in the present, looses her mother, has a young stepmother forced upon her, she builds a friendship with Odile who lives alone across the road, she is inquisitive and wants to learn every about Odile and her previous life in Paris.
This book will stay with me for some time and if you are a bookworm I highly recommend you read this one.

I

This has been one of my favourite reads of the year so far. I like mid-20th century stories especially when like this one they are based on historical facts. How clever of the writer to find out so much information about the history of the American Library in Paris including details of the people who worked there.
As usual I will not write a resume of the book as others can do this so much better. Just to say that I enjoyed reading about both the lives of Lily and Odile in Paris and later in the USA. The addition of Lily’s life as a teenager in 1980s Montana finding out about Odile’s war time life, added a different and interesting dimension. I really liked Lily and sympathised with her loss and struggles to find her identity in family and life.
This book felt fresh and different and I really enjoyed it and would have liked to have read it as a teenager myself. Recommended and I will look out for more works by Janet Skeslien Charles.

The story starts a few months before the outbreak of the Second World War, when Odile Souchet starts work at the American Library in Paris. As the Nazis take over France, the library staff have to work under different laws and conditions to help and protect their readers.
At the same time, the action switches to Lily, growing up in Montana 40 years later, who is intrigued by her mysterious neighbour, war widow Odile Gustafson. Why did she come to Montana, and what is she hiding about her previous life?

A fascinating story, based as it is on actual events and people, if dramatised slightly for the book. The plight of the Parisian people under Nazi rule, especially the Jewish, is not one that is often told, which made The Paris Library an even more engaging read.

Worth a read for all fans of historical novels.

This enjoyable book really brings to life the atmosphere that was sustained through the German occupation of Paris from 1940 to 1944. Based on true life characters and events the book personalizes the story that enables the reader to be drawn into the workings and relationships generated from the existence of the American Library in Paris that was established at towards the end of WWll. The story of the occupation and its consequences to the people of Europe and Paris in particular through this book, illustrates the limitations to liberty and the ingenious methods that were employed to circumnavigate around them to continue strands of ‘normality’. Generally, these tactics were successful however, the tightening of the German stranglehold later in the war especially on the Jewish and non-German populations resulted in the cruelest oppression and it was heartening that a few of the Paris Library characters survived. A great read and highly recommended.

Lovers of historical fiction will without a doubt revel in the retelling of the true story of the American library in Paris. The setting, as well as the book-related topic was what drew me to reading The Paris Library. (What book lover doesn't love a book about books?) although this isn't typically a genre I read.

The Paris Library doesn't use an unfamiliar time of history, yet it tells of the importance libraries, and in particular this one, played during the wartime. It also tells of the sacrifices and risks staff of libraries took in getting books to people and protecting their books from the Nazi onslaught. In that respect I've found the novel a useful attempt at educating readers. Against this background stories of friendships, family bonds and love are told.

I would have preferred that the story only be about Odile - even if told in two different eras. Lily as character doesn't lend enough to the story and her narrative - which content-wise doesn't carry the same weight as Odile's - feels as if it should be a separate coming-of-age story. The two characters' lives don't fuse convincingly. If told from Odile's perspective, even with Lily as character, it would've been more powerful. Neither of the two characters came across as likeable and weren't easy to warm to.

I have to admin, at times I've found it a bit sentimental, but that's too be expected if your preferred genre is crime fiction. For readers who love romantic, historical fiction, this will be a sure-fire hit. Thank you to John Murray Press for providing me with an ARC.

The occupation of Paris during the Second World War was a very difficult time and this book brings us back to these times through the little know story of the American Library during the war, the work place of main character Odile. The characters, though fictional, are based on true persons and this is a gripping story of how the ALP stayed open during the war, and how they continued to bring books clandestinely to the Jewish readers who could no longer come to the library. The beautifully written and well researched book really makes us feel the atmosphere of these times, the struggles of the people, the terrible choices and decisions they had to make, and the hurt that could never be undone. I also found the character of Lily, set in the 80s, very endearing. Her beautiful friendship with Odile brings the story to light, offers Odile another chance, and sets some strong foundations for Lily’s life. A really good read.

Thanks to NetGalley, John Murray Press and the author Janet Skeslien Charles for this advance readers copy of the book.

I was drawn into the world of the Paris Library and the story of Odile during WWII and the again in 1980s Montana. The author has prior knowledge of the library and those that worked there during the German occupation of Paris and many of the characters are based on real people, though the main protagonist is not. The interpersonal relationships are particularly well captured, as Odile matures into a woman during the harshness of war and she and other Parisians make decisions based on fear, loneliness and survival. Forty years later Odile befriends Lily, a girl dealing with her own place in the world after a tragic loss. That friendship is convincing and strengthened by the sharing of hidden truths.