OK, books, libraries, war, a sprinkle of romance you have my attention.

This is a novel set in Paris around 1939 we meet Odelie as she starts working for the American Library.

The library continued to open during the war and the Nazi occupation in Paris.
They called the visitors subscribers and during the war the librarians continued to supply the Jewish population by delivering them books as they could no longer use the library.
I learnt that they also sent books to soldiers who they could reach in hospitals etc.

The second timeline in 1983 features Lily who is a student and befriends the much older neighbour Odelie.

Lily learns French from Odelie and much about friendship and life’s challenges.
Lily’s mother has passed away and she faces dark days.
The unusual friendship evolves and soon they become close.

The author does a great job at setting the scene for both timelines, I preferred the 1939 story more so but the two time lines worked together.

Secrets, love, impact of war, are all revealed and the tale is sad in parts as you would expect.
The characters are real and the descriptions were realistic.

You feel like your inside the library, characters citing classic books stay in your mind. All of us that love books will feel the comfort of a library and every feeling it evokes.

Many of the characters existed in real life and the authors note at the end details how much of the story is based on true events.
Another example of true heroism in World War II


My thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks

This was so good I had to read it very slowly - I didn't want it to end, and I didn't want anything to happen to Odile.
An immersive experience, a story of community, adversity and the danger of words.
The two settings are equally gripping, I found that as we move between each timescale there is a sense of loss and anticipation of the return.
A beautiful book. A beautiful story which has its base in reality.

I really wanted to love this book as it has everything I look for in a novel; a dual timeline, WW2 setting, Paris, books, a library! But something was missing, the prose was a little stilted and although it was clearly well-researched some of it felt forced.

The Paris Library is based on the true story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris during WWII and follows Odile, a young French woman who got her job at the library in 1939. There is a second timeline based in Montana from 1983 to 1989 narrated by Lily, a teenager who lives next door to Odile.
I enjoyed how the story unfolds across both timelines and everything makes sense at the end. There's one thing from 1983 actually explained from a 1944 event taking place at the end of the book that I found very powerful (the red belt). Around the middle of the book, Odile says that Paul wasn''t what she thought he was and it left me wondering until the end what happened between them that she ended up in Montana 40 years later.
I loved all the characters from the library, from Odile to the directress Mrs Reeder (such a perfect name!), from Boris to Professor Cohen and Margaret, my favourite character. I also loved the friendship between Lily and Odile in the 1980's as well as how the relationship between Lily and Eleanor evolved, showing all the difficulties and misunderstandings between teenager and stepmother.

While the book mainly follows bibliophiles, the effects of war, envy, fear and privations on the characters moved me much more than their love of books. I thought that reflection about society was really well done and I was left wondering what I would have done "in their skin". One little moment of anger from one character having such catastrophic consequences for someone else and in the end for that character as well. Fourty years later, the same mistake almost happened again, which shows how humans still have to learn from others' mistakes. I don't want to spoil anything so I really encourage you to read the book, I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to the publisher who kindly provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I just wasn’t in the mood for this, I struggled to connect to any of the characters and the general mood of the book felt off to me. Really wanted to like this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for my copy of this book to review.

I was drawn to this book for 2 reasons - firstly I love stories set in WW2 that switch between time frames, and secondly, the whole library setting.

Unsurprisingly I found the Paris part of the story quite harrowing and heartbreaking at times, especially the attack on Margaret, and I could really feel the suffocation of Lily in small-town Froid Montana.

My only criticism was that I struggled a bit with who was who at the library at times but other than that I loved everything about this book and have already recommended it to others.

It was only after I had finished reading this book that I realised that, although fictional, it is closely tied in with real events. I think this is what makes it such a successful piece of historical fiction.

To start with I found the juxtaposition between Odile's 1940s life in Paris and her life in 1980s Montana quite difficult to understand. However in the fulness of time, the author's skill as a writer unlocks both the fictional and historical events very successfully.

There are certainly some harrowing aspects of what life was like in Paris during the period of German occupation. I won't go into detail for fear of spoiling the fictional narrative.

Suffice to say that I feel that Janet Skellingthorpe Charles has opened my eyes to an aspect of history about which I had read little.

I give my thanks to Netgalley and John Murray Press for a copy in exchange for this review.

🔹No spoilers!🔹

So many things appealed to me about this novel even before I delved in: the cover, the settings (Paris and WW2) and lastly but more importantly, the power of libraries and people!

This is a must read for everyone who loves historical fiction or who needs a reminder that « libraries are lungs {...}, books the fresh air breathed in to keep hope alive ».

The storyline alternates between Paris during WW2 with a librarian called Odile and Montana in the 80s with teenager Lily.
I found it brilliant in that it urged me to read on to find out more, right until the very end!(😱💗) The two storylines worked really well in giving the story a different dimension which was so compelling.

Odile and her friends fight to keep the library open during the Occupation because they believe that “books are like people, without contact they cease to exist.” Scarily valid in 2021...

These librarians represent true heroism but their story is also a story about the incredible power of relationships and the impact people can have on one another.

💛“During bad times, remember that nothing lasts forever”.
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This book is out in February 2021, be sure to keep an eye out for it!

Thank you so much to John Murray press and best of luck to Janet Skeslien Charles for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What an absolute treasure of a book. It is inspired by a true story and follows dual narratives of Odile, who works for the American Library in Paris during WWII as well as Lily in Montana, US in the 1980s. We see Lily and Odile developing a relationship, as they share a love of words. I was captivated by the story and found it hard to put down.

What initially caught my attention about this book was, a) it was all about books and reading (obviously!) but, b) it was inspired by true events in the wartime history of the American Library in Paris. I love wartime history and was hooked by the idea of the quiet heroism of the brave librarians who fought their own battle for the right to literature, reading and knowledge.

For me, there were a few aspects of the book that didn't sit quite right.. The wartime cast were not easy to get to know, or to follow. I found myself struggling to keep up with who was who and often frustrated at the confusion. However, I loved the cast and the portrayal of the relationships for 1980's Montana - I was fully engaged in the lives of all the characters and followed the unfolding of their stories with interest. The Paris setting for me didn't quite hold a convincing enough air of 'the Nazi occupation' and what it would really have been like to live under. I could really picture small-town Montana though - the community, church gossips, and Lily's suffocation were really well written.

I liked certain aspects but it was a slow burner and for historical fiction it wasn't brimming with aesthetic. Ultimately I did want to know what happened to Odile and Lily.

I fell for this book as soon as I read the blurb and saw the cover. Set across two timelines - 1940’s Paris and 80’s America - this is a novel about the world of books, friendship, betrayal and the courage to start over.

I love historical fiction and had never read anything about the American Library in Paris and it’s role in protecting society from the German invasion during WW2. Intriguing, but I wasn’t expecting the overall YA tone of the book, mostly due to the fact much of the book is also narrated by a 12 year old character. I was a little disappointed by the writing style and much preferred the scenes set in France, Overall, an interesting read for book lovers. Thank you for the ARC!

Based on fact, this wonderful novel celebrates everything about the meaning and worth of libraries, the written word and human nature. Odile's Paris story is told during the second world war; a tale of jealousy, friendship, betrayal, love, fear and secrets. Slipping forwards to the 1980's, Odile lives alone in Montana where she is befriended by 12 year old Lucy. As Lucy grows up so more of Odile's life in Paris is uncovered. Eventually both Odile and Lucy teach each other how to forgive.

This memorable book must be included on the 2021 books to read list.
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"We all have a book that changed us forever, one that let us know that we're not alone. What's yours?."
This poignant question was asked by Odile of her colleagues for the ALP newsletter.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. An interesting novel by a new author in my personal reading-sphere! I am sure others would enjoy it too. Good character portrayls, descriptive setting and gripping plot.

Paris 1939 - Odile has just started working at the American Library in Paris. When the war starts the library staff are determined to keep the library open but then the Nazis invade and everything changes.
Montana 1983 - teenager Lily grows close to her neighbour Odile, who teaches her French. Lily wants to discover more about Odile’s past. But is that wise?

This is such an interesting story. I’m a huge Paris fan but I wasn’t aware of the American library in Paris. I completely fell for Odile, with her way of assigning Dewey Decimal library catalogue numbers to people and emotions. Her love of books shines through the pages, alongside her affection for the staff and subscribers in the library. It’s a well-researched book and brings the Nazi occupation of Paris to life. It’s very descriptive and I could visualise the streets of Paris, the food, the atmosphere. I enjoyed how Odile’s life is gradually revealed, linking with Lily growing up 40 years later.
My only complaint is that for me, there were a couple of unanswered questions at the end - maybe there’ll be a follow-up? <crosses fingers>

The Paris Library is a must for anyone with an interest in Paris, in books and in libraries, and a fascinating look at a different aspect of the Second World War. Highly recommend.

I loved this book. I liked that it featured Odile as a young woman and an old woman. I would have loved to work in the American Library in the past, although not during the war! I work in a library now and although technology is great, there's something romantic about libraries in the past . The story of full of love, loss, regrets and redemption. Brilliant!

So much historical fiction has been written about the Second World War that it is becoming difficult for a novel to stand out. However, The Paris Library offered an original story (based on real events) and a fresh contribution that I'm glad to have read.

I was particularly interested in the perspective the book gives on life in occupied Paris and the nuanced view of complicity and collaboration was especially thought-provoking. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and ensemble cast, which reminded me a little of 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' (one of my favourite books).

Sometimes, when a book has a dual timeline, the more recent section is more superficial and a mere device to tell the historical story. This was not the case here: the 1980s story was extremely engaging and relatable.

Although the book deals with some tough subjects (it is set during a war, after all) it still felt relatively gentle and uplifting.

The Paris Library is based on the true story of how librarians and volunteers for the American library in Paris used book distribution to stand up to the Nazis.

“Yes this war had divided us, but a love of literature would reunite us."

The Paris Library is a charming little book full of all the little quirks and descriptions that bibliophiles love but it is also character driven novel about friendship and betrayal.

The Paris Library is set in two different timelines and is mostly from the point of view of Odile and a young girl called Lily. Some of the other characters do pop up in there too for the odd chapter.

Odile is a young girl living in Paris prior to the WW2. She lives with her brother Remy, her mother, and her overbearing father. Odile’s dream job is to work in The American Library in Paris and when we meet her is on her way to an interview to work there. In preparation she is practicing the Dewey Decimal System which she often thinks in.

Odile and her brother Remy are very close, often united secretly against their father and his disparaging comments. Recently though Remy has been preoccupied with rumours of war.

“The only thing that made Remy forget his worries – which was to say the worries of others – was a good book.”

Once in the library Odile feels like she is home. She is a few minutes early getting to her interview and I loved her method of choosing a book.

“I ran my fingers along the spines. Choosing one, I opened to a random passage. I never judged a book by its beginning. It felt like the first and last date I’d once had, both of us smiling too brightly. No, I opened to a page in the middle, when the author wasn’t trying to impress me.”

The Directress of the Library Miss Reader is based on a real and impressive person, see the notes at the end of the book for more info.

One thing that endeared Odile to me was the internal dialogue that took place when she was asked her favourite author.

“Who’s your favourite author? An impossible question. How could a person choose only one? In fact, my Aunt Caro and I had created categories – dead authors, living ones, foreign, French, etc – to avoid having to decide.”

I think any true bookworm can understand the above quotation.

The author created a real sense of camaraderie between the characters within the library that helped me engage with the story and care about the outcome.

“It never mattered how low I felt someone at the library always managed to scoop me up and put me on an even keel. The library was more than bricks and books; its mortar was people who cared.”

The second timeline in the book is a young girl called Lily living in Froid Montana. Lily likes to snoop and is intrigued by her enigmatic and somewhat reclusive neightbour Mrs Gustafson.

“Her name was Mrs Gustafson, and she lived next door. Behind her back folks called her the War Bride, but she didn’t look like a bride to me. First of all, she never wore white. And she was old.”

When Lily’s mum becomes ill Lily gets the opportunity to know Mrs Gustafson better and their subsequent friendship is what made the book for me.

My only criticism of the book is that the ending felt a bit abrupt. I felt like after such a long book a bit more time could have been spent on it.

‘Libraries are lungs,’ she scrawled, her pen barely able to keep up with her ideas, ‘books the fresh air breathed in to keep the heart beating, to keep the brain imagining, to keep her alive.

Subscribers depend on it for news, for community. Soldiers need books, need to know their friends at the Library care. Our work is too important to stop now.”

I found this book through an email I was sent by NetGalley and I knew I had to request to read it!!

I never knew I loved historical fiction until I read the Auschwitz books and I had to delve into this one because of those

I found myself overcome with emotion during the war narrative but also overcome with happiness at the pure determination these people showed to protect what they loved and to preserve the books for future generations

With it being based on a true story it really makes you realise more than a normal fiction novel

I’d like to being by thanking NetGalley and John Murray Press for approving me for an ARC of this book. This was my first buddy read with fellow bookworm and friend Meg Readz. Neither of us have read anything by Janet Skeslien Charles before but we both share a love for historical fiction, especially set during WWI or WWII.

When I embarked on this read I was drawn into the library and the fascinating characters we were introduced to. I loved the strength shown in Odile’s first chapters where she fought to gain the job at the library, despite her father’s objections. Unfortunately after the start I found Odile’s naivety grated on me, I couldn’t warm to her as a protagonist and felt she was very self centred. Her treatment of Bitsi and Margaret was unnecessary and in my opinion showed her childish side. I preferred older and wiser Odile who played a grandmother role to Lily. She had clearly learnt a lot and had an air of mystery about her that intrigued me.

When Lily’s story was introduced I immediately felt a warmth towards her and her family, her tale was interesting and felt very authentic. I was desperate to find out what happened next in her part of the story and couldn’t wait to see how her friendship with Odile evolved. Eleanor was an interesting addition to this area of the book. In her we found a character that exhibited all new mothers fears and worries as well as the trials of becoming a step mother.

My heart broke for Margaret and what she went through, her story was one of my favourites. She was a loveable character from the start, who was a great friend to Odile and always managed to ‘leave her worries’ at the front door. She put others before herself and unfortunately put her faith in the wrong people.

Whilst there was plenty to enjoy in this book there were a few niggles that brought my overall enjoyment down. Unfortunately I found this to be a slow burner and struggled with the middle part of the book. There were a few moments when I could feel a storyline building and then instead of a big revelation or a twist there was this anticlimactic resolution that didn’t satisfy me as a reader. I also felt that there were too many characters with similar names and found it difficult to remember who was who. The number of subscribers could of been cut down and some of their added storylines, in my opinion, could of been left out without effecting the story.

Once I got over these little niggles and persevered the remaining 30% was an easy read that I breezed through. From crow letters to Paul’s actions there was so much to sink my teeth into and made the remaining part of the book very enjoyable. Odile and Lily’s story was a great example of friendship and kindness that impacted them both in very different ways.

The Paris Library – Janet Skeslien Charles


Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.
Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.
Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them. A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places.

Ok – a book mostly set in a library and featuring bibliophiles? WW2 era? The French occupation?? On paper, The Paris Library is legit the perfect book for me and I did thoroughly love the story, but I did struggle with the writing style a little.
This has a dual narrative and a dual timeline. First, we meet Odile, a young woman who loves books and has just started working at the American Library in Paris and how her life changes during the Nazi occupation of France. What follows is the true story of how the staff at the American Library helped keep stories alive during the war.

Alongside Odile’s story, we have Lily, a teenage girl living in small-town America in modern times and how she gets to know her next door neighbour, a much older Odile. Together they widen Lily’s horizon and explore Odile’s past.

The story was right up my alley and I loved the characters and their parallel lives, but the narration wasn’t to my taste, it was a bit too much tell rather than show for me at times but that might just be because I read a lot of historical fiction set in this time period and I did still enjoy the book overall. If you’re looking to get into historical fiction or learn more about this period, give this a try.