The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
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Web ID: 18013911Beautiful story.
I don't always enjoy historical stories but I did enjoy this one. As a book lover, the fact that at least part of the book took place in a library immediately piqued my interest. Of course this story has much more to it than that there's a library in it. The beginning of the book takes place during World War II and than we follow the main character as she journeys to America and continues to live her life. The relationships in this story are what truly make it as wonderful as it is, good and bad. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read historical stories.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Excitement Made Mediocre
Too often I find this - exciting historical events inspire excitement about a novel depicting those events and then, the book falls flat. This read was only mildly well written and just so-so to read. However, what I really found fascinating was to read towards the end of the book about the real life people and events that inspired it in the first place.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
strong historical fiction
This had a lot of elements that I enjoyed- a dual time, strong storyline and of course, detailed writing about a library. What I found compelling in this story is that it focused less on the war itself and more on the characters and how the war impacted the library. This is a great example of strong historical fiction. Compelling, well written and makes you think. Highly recommend.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
suspenseful
Odile Souchet is hired at the American Library in Paris in 1939. With her dream job, a dashing police officer boyfriend, and her family nearby it feels like she has it all. Until the Nazis take hold of Paris threatening everything Odile holds dear. With occupying forces keen to silence dissent, it isn't long before the library is under threat pushing the staff to join the Resistance if they want to protect their patrons and the library itself. The war feels far away in Montana in 1983 where Lily, a lonely girl desperate for adventure strikes up a tentative friendship with her reclusive neighbor. Digging into her neighbor's mysterious and dazzling past in Paris, Lily starts to understand that sometimes even the best intentions can lead to heartbeak and betrayal in The Paris Library (2021) by Janet Skeslien Charles. The Paris Library is inspired by the true story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris and their heroics during World War II. All characters are cued as white. Multiple voice actors make the audiobook an immersive listening experiences. Real heroics blend with some precious sensibilities as Odile acclimates to life working at the American Library in Paris--opening chapters include Odile's loving recitation of Dewey Decimal numbers. The action really starts when the story shifts and readers begin to tease out the secrets of Odile's past alongside Lily. Through this dual narrative readers can see that war does not make for easy choices as Odile, her colleagues, and her friends are pushed to their limits during Paris' Nazi occupation. Suspense and drama build as the novel moves inexorably to the war's conclusion and, with it, even more difficult questions for Odile in the face of bitter losses. The Paris Library is a carefully researched, fast-paced story perfect for readers interested in World War II settings with a bit of mystery attached. Possible Pairings: The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis, Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara, All the Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio, The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin, All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Fav Read Indeed
Another book that was in my list of most anticipated reads for this year, The Paris Library is deserving of both lists as well. I have always loved books that have something to do with books, and when you add in the fact that this is WWII historical fiction with dual timelines and based on true stories, that seals the deal for me. While I loved the historical timeline set in Paris during WWII way more than the one set about 40 years later in Montana, overall, the obvious love of books and the passion to share that love shines throughout the book, and kept me reading to the end. Source: NetGalley eARC
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Books, libraries, Paris and love
Historical fiction is one of my preferred genres to read because not only I get immersed in history but I also learn a lot about the period covered in the book that I'm reading, this book was definitely up there in this category. I had no idea the history about the American Library in Paris or the role that it and the librarians that worked there, played, as part of the resistance during WWII. I enjoyed reading the dual time presented in the book but especially loved the main character Odile, both as a young woman in Paris during the was years and as a mature woman in Montana. Odile loves books libraries, so much so that she has memorized the Dewey Decimal System, applying it not only to books but to people and events happening in her life. The author did a lot of research in order to write this book and it shows in the flowing of the writing and how it grabs your attention from beginning to end.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
What Janet has to say really matters!
Have you ever read a book that you feel like you literally dove into it? Well, that’s what happened to me when I read “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslian Charles. I am definitely enamored by books that have either “Paris” or “library” in the title, And Janets novel has proven to be a favorite of mine. I felt like I waited for this book to be released forever. This story takes place during World War II when the Nazis overtake Paris and the Americans are asked to leave Paris for their own safety. But, the librarian’s stay behind. They were considered the enemies, but they were true heroes. They were delivering books secretly in Paris to the soldiers fighting the Nazis. I donate books to Operation Paperback and it’s the same idea (donating books to the soldiers and vets), but I had no idea how long this is been going on. I fell down the rabbit hole and discover it was going on definitely for several wars. Janet informed me it probably began during World War I. While the Nazis were banning books and banning the delivery of books we had ordinary civilians, especially women that were making these books still come alive in the eyes of the soldiers. Between the characters humanity and heroism, I was often moved to tears. I always hope that if I was alive during these times I would choose to be doing the same thing. I believe words matter, stories matter and they help us get through really tough times. What these people in the library were doing was truly insurmountable, but they never turned away from their cause. I loved to be reminded of the old library ways, before technology. It had me reminiscing quit a bit. I was deeply in love with the character named, Lily. She had a bit of my heart in her. I was reminded of how important it is that we learn from our elders, that we ask them questions, and that we revel in their stories, because there’s a lot for us to learn. I’m gonna say it ~ I am a Lily! #TeamLily Janet Skeslian Charles writes with such superb intent you will be moved. You will also be surprised that she hasn’t written 20 or more books, because she’s so talented. There’s a quote that I adore in this book, Okay there’s a few. But, there is one that I’m absolutely in love with and I carry around with me every day. I am not going to give any way, because I want the reader to be as excited as I was reading it for the first time when they’re reading the book. What Janet has to say really matters! I highly recommend this novel and following Janet Skeslian Charles to see what she brings us next. You’ll be so glad you did.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com