What an incredible insight into life under Nazi rule. I loved this book! Gripping, and totally enthralling, you follow the life of Odile, a young French girl working at the American Library in Paris during the 1940s. The story is told from the 1940s and the 1980s, with Odile’s experiences of life under the Nazis the mainstay of the story. Odile’s story and that of the characters she meets is told with such authenticity, and does not flinch from the more upsetting aspects of the occupation. I was delighted to read that the book’s characters are based on real people of this time period who were working in the American Library. This gives the book such depth and really brings their stories to life. The added bonus for a book lover is that the story is set in a library! A brilliant, brilliant read!

The Paris Library is such a joy to read , and is set in two timelines and places Paris during WWII and Montana USA in the 80's .Odile loves books and is delighted to be given a job at The American Library in Paris it tells the story of Odile and her colleagues based on real events and real people this is a compelling read about friendship and family and courage during the war and afterwards .I knew nothing about The American Library in Paris so it was very interesting to read about it .I loved this book made even better by knowing that the characters were real people .Many thanks to the Publishers the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review .

I usually enjoy books set during the WWII, and so when I read the description of this book I was very keen to read this. However, sadly this for me was a very average book. The main thing that let this book down in my opinion was the plot. We are introduced to our two main characters, Odile and Lily. The story of Odile is mainly set during the war, but the narrative jumps between 1940's wartime Paris where we see Odile as a young girl, and 1980's Montana, where Odile is much older and her friendship with her young neighbour Lily. The Odile we are introduced to in Paris in 1938 begins a job in an American library in Paris. We learn she has real love of books, quoting passages from some of her favourite texts as they lend themselves to certain situations she finds herself in, as well as knowing the Dewey system off by heart - again quoting this to herself at certain times around certain topics and subjects. We learn that Odile has a twin brother, Remy, who is desperate to go off and fight for his country during the war. Odile then lives her days in Paris, worrying and waiting for her brother's safe return, and whilst working at the library under her father's disapproval, she begins to see the changes in life and in Paris as the war develops, in particular for Jewish friends of hers. The story as already mentioned, jumps between this story in Paris and later life in Montana. Whilst the latter story focuses more on young Lily wanting to find out more about Odile's previous life in Paris and Oldile helping Lily deal with the many emotions and situations she faces as she grows up, I did not feel a great connection between these two stories; whilst they were obviously linked, I did not feel one tale supported the other in encouraging the reader to find out more. The two stories for me could have happened separately from one another, and had nothing lost or added to their tale. Whilst the book was generally written well, the plot did sometimes rely a little too much on narrative and jumped forward at certain points. This for me did not help to hold my whole interest in the events of the story and I subsequently did not feel a great empathy to many of the main characters. Although some of the events in the book were based on real life stories, I found the way the story was told and narrative put together, it was a very average book which in turn became quite a 'slow' read, struggling to keep my complete engagement at times. This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Sorry, on this occasion this book was not a great read.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles:
The novel beings in France, at the start of World War 2, and we are introduced to Odile Souchet, a young French woman who is obsessed with books and the Dewey Decimal System. Odile works at the American Library in Paris, and at first she seems to have everything she could possibly want in life - the love of a man, a beloved twin, and many book loving friends. But when War threatens to destroy everything, Odile’s world suddenly becomes very dangerous indeed.
The novel is split between 1939 and 1983. In the present day chapters, Lily, a lonely teenager, befriends an old French woman who lives next door. As the girl gets to know her elderly neighbour, she discovers the old woman has a past full of secrets, and slowly this past is brought back to life.
The Paris Library is wonderfully evocative of wartime Europe, and intricately researched. The story was inspired by the true story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, and I found it to be deeply moving, informative and ultimately life-affirming.

The Paris Library is based in Paris during WWII.

It follows the story of Odile, her family, her friends and how all of those around her are effected by the war.

The story was beautifully written, the characters relatable, the quotes from other books are on point and relevant throughout the story.

This book was honestly a delight to read. I enjoyed every word, didn't rush through it and was truly sad when it was over.

Its a perfect book to read on a relaxing weekend.

This book is based around the main character Odile and is set in two time periods, WW2 and the 80’s. I loved this book and finding out about Odile at two different ages and times in her life. This was a different aspect of WW2 that I hadn’t heard about before and I found it fascinating to read and learn about through Odile’s eyes. It is a story of relationships and resilience in the face of terror and hardship and the pitfalls and highs of human nature. Thoroughly recommend.

Loved it- the story, characters and writing style. It was interesting learning about the ALP. The book was definitely a twist to the usual historical fiction stories. This focused on the library and patrons. The librarians risked their lives to get books to people who were no longer allowed at the library. I ended up googling to see actual pics of the ALP. I never even knew it existed. My favorite part of the book were the characters. I loved reading about Odile. I liked how it alternated between Paris during WWII and Wyoming in the 1980s. Odile, her coworkers and some of the library subscribers were like a family. Would have enjoyed finding out what happened to Paul, Odile's family, Margaret and Bitsi. I can't believe how good of friends Odile's mom became with the Mistress. Lily was lucky to have found Odile. Oldie helped her through difficult times. Odile and Lily were exactly what each other needs. It's hard to believe that Odile was still a mystery to all her neighbors after living there so long. Lily and that beret. Did she ever take it off?? Ellie ended up being a friend for Lily. I'm pretty sure Ellie wouldn't have survived motherhood without Lily's help. Can't imagine what what Odile felt when she found out what happened to Margaret. Especially when she realized who was behind it. I felt horrible for Margaret. She was a wonderful friend to Odile.

Definitely recommend the book. The people at the ALP had a love for books. The story was beautifully written. Odile was a mystery and I loved finding out why she left France. I was sad when the book was over, because I wanted to keep reading about Odile and Lily. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from John Murray Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I do like a dual narrative. So Lily is an American teenager in the 1980s struggling with her mother's death and father's new marriage. She takes an interest in her secretive widowed neighbour Odille. She asks Odille about her life in Paris and Odille agrees to tell her about working at the American Library during the war. While Lily's imagination runs away with her Odille becomes a grandmother figure remembering her own difficult younger years, trying to atone for past mistakes.

I really enjoyed this. Both main characters are interesting and complicated. For me the frustrating part was the ending as Lily got a finale to her story but Odille didn't seem to. Her past and her future still remain unsettled

Wow. Set in Paris during its occupation the staff of the American Library Paris carry on supplying books to its patrons of all nations and religions. Their lives intertwine and they support each other. Alongside the narrative the second story of a young girl growing up in America, making an unlikely friendship with the French war widow accross the street. Age with wisdom is imparted to the young girl as the two stories unfold. You become invested in both narrative and feel like they are friends and you are reading a very personal diary. Very poignant and brings two very different daily lives to life. It made me want to find out what happened next as I turned every page.

For library-lovers everywhere

Sometimes a book just chimes with the times. Set mostly in Nazi-occupied Paris, it shows all sides of humanity: selfishness, pulling together, compassion, fear, kindness and a lot of love, just as we're seeing amid coronavirus.
We first meet Odile as she applies for a job in the titular library, her dream job. Then we meet her in as an older woman in Froid, Montana, 1983. Her journey has been a hard one. read it and be inspired. Most of all, treasure your local library!

I found this slow going. Although the setting is interesting, the writing was a little too twee and obvious in places.

Personally this book was written for me! I love WWII, libraries and historical fiction. I really really enjoyed this book based on a true story in Paris during WWII. This story really caught my attention and I couldn't get through it quick enough. Well written with super characters. I have thought about this book often since I finished. A sign of a good book.

Thank you NetGalley.

Like most readers, I am a library junkie and so felt completely swept up by this historical recreation of the American Library in Paris during the war. Although a lot of research has clearly gone into this novel Janet Skeslien Charles's skill is in wearing it lightly. She leads with her army of charming characters and their experiences of Paris during the Occupation, by turns harrowing and heartbreaking, yet ultimately offering hope through the sheer concerted human spirit on offer. Great use is also made of the Dewey Decimal System and I wonder if I will ever be able to look at library shelves without thinking of how cleverly JSC deployed her fictional ones!

I never expected to be so engrossed about a story that revolved around a library but this had me gripped from the start .It's told in two strands one from just before the start of WW2 follows Odile a young French woman desperate for a job in the American Library in Paris ,the second set in Montana in the early 1980's follows Lily an American teenager and it transpires Odiles' next door neighbour.
The Odile story is fiction the setting is fact, many of her colleagues in the library are the real people who worked there during the war and struggled under the Nazi occupation.They kept the library open maintaining it as a haven for their subscribers/members sending books to soldiers and as the Nazi persecution of the jews increased they hand delivered books to them despite the penalties they would suffer if caught .They were the light in the darkness of war and occupation.
Odile wise in some ways painfully naive in others, encounters love friendship and betrayal and consequences of her words and actions she could never have imagined.
Interspersed with this we meet Lily living next door to Odile in a small town in the American midwest she is entranced by the mysterious warbride the now much older Odile as Odile guides her through the death of her mother ,teenage heartbreak and tries to show her how her actions and words have consequences, none more so than when Lilys' prying into Odiles past uncovers a dark secret.
I can't go into the plot anymore without spoiling a terrific tale that unfolds superbly, the real life events and characters have been meticulously researched and the result is a beautifully told tale of a dark and horrific time in French history and quiet heroism in unimaginable circumstances..Highly recommended.

I loved this book and found it totally engrossing. It is based on the true story of the American Library in Paris during the 2nd World War. It tells the story of friendships, betrayal and loss and is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

I found all the characters engaging and their interactions very realistic. I particularly enjoyed learning about a piece of history I had never heard about and it impressed on me the power of books in bringing people together.

There are 2 stories running alongside each other with the main character Odile being the connection. I was fascinated to read how the relationship developed between Odile in later years and Lily the heartbroken girl in the 1980s.

I can easily imagine this book as a wonderful movie with loads of interesting characters. I have no hesitation in absolutely recommending this book.

this is a wonderful evocation of a time and a historic place I never knew of in Paris - and that's what is most valuable - I was intrigued to know why we were hearing about the older Odile after we'd witnessed her in Paris before WW2 going for library job ... and then we spring into a young girl decades later, in the USA - and realise it's Odile again next door. frankly I didn't like the first-person voice of the young Odile or the young girl telling us the story of her own troubles with bullies at school, and meeting up with the older woman next door ... i skipped to the end ahead of reading the middle, just to see - and discovered a summary of the history of the real library in Paris- and its story is amazing and heartfelt and, in a way, made it all more readable - it is a bit plodding except that you realise after you know context and its authenticity, that you are hearing about an important moment in european history - so it's worth all the detail and research. on balance, really fine ...

This story is a captivating and magical experience of two females experiencing turbulent times and deep friendships. France 1939 and our young passionate protagonist Odile balances the beginnings of a new career in the Paris library against German occupation. Extensively researched, deeply moving and displaying a gift for and love of, books across the generations. This author illustrates aspects of Dewey index, quotes from literature and a unique story of a group of people struggling to give readership to casualties of war. We are then taken to Montana where Lily our second heroine is struggling with bereavement, puberty and a burning curiosity about the ageing reclusive Mrs Gustafson who lives next door. How our Parisian Odile ended her life on the other side of the world and the unique friendship and shared heartbreaking stories of this old woman and young girl slowly reveal a deeply moving story on every level. A rewarding experience retelling of a life lived through love loss and war and using all those experiences to help a young motherless girl move through inexperience and bereavement to self awareness, knowledge , education and a love of all things French. Well written, meticulously researched in fine detail, and slowly revealing to the reader on every page a love of literature, displays of heroism, and the ability of people from vastly different countries, lifestyles and backgrounds to form unusual and lasting friendships. A five star read that lingers in the memory long after the story reaches its conclusion and the book regretfully is closed. This ARC from NetGalley and the publisher was really appreciated in that my life came to a standstill as I savoured every aspect of this story.
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This was an engaging read. It was a little slow to get started but I did start to get into it. It had some varied characters and was well written.

I would rate this book as 3.5 stars. I enjoyed much of the story, but parts of it really dragged, I found myself checking what percentage I had read, and how far I still had to read, something I rarely do.
The central character, the young Odile, is not a likeable person. She swings between generous gestures of help for people who are almost strangers, and downright nastiness to people who are supposed to be her closest friends. She has little warmth about her, and seems to care much more about the precious books and the library, than people. I did not warm to her at all.
The older Odile is a real enigma, and it was intriguing to guess how she came to be in Montana, USA in later life and peacetime.. Her relationship with the young Lily and her family was interesting, but also puzzling. Swinging between extreme closeness then outright rejection, she seems to revert to the attitudes of her younger self at this point.
The information about the American Library in Paris was fascinating, I had no idea this existed, and that was what kept me reading. However the author’s description of the German occupation of Paris did not convince me nearly as much as other WW11 novels have done.
There was too much of Odile’s story that was glossed over, or no explanation offered for, and the ending felt very rushed.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book. I wish I could have liked it more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. This book is a real gem. In telling the story of staff and members of The American Library in Paris during World War II, the author creates a web of words which you cannot prevent being drawn into. Told by Odile in Paris during the war years, and Lily in America in the 1980s you are given a story which tells how events of the past reflect into our present day lives to a greater or lesser extent.
This book is one of the best I have read in a long time, and I do not hesitate to recommend it to other readers.