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zoepagereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was intrigued by this one. I had never heard of the American Library of Paris nor did I know that that was a thing countries did. However much I enjoyed that aspect it though, I didn’t understand why it was necessary to add 80’s Orile’s story in, much less told through a different person’s perspective. Not to mention the horrid amount of slut-shaming that took place throughout the book. “Oh she’s wearing furs when people are starving? What a slut.”It just made no sense it the contexts it was frequently used in. I think the majority of the characters could have handled their problems better, or at the very least not take their anger out on others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, War, Grief, Blood, Gun violence, and Rape
Moderate: Antisemitism
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Title: The Paris Library
Author: Janet Skeslien Charles
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: February 2, 2021
Thank you to Atria Books for providing an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Enchanting • Unforgettable • Literary
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Paris, 1939: Odile, seems to have it all; a handsome boyfriend, an English best friend, a beloved twin, and her dream job as a librarian at the American library in Paris. And when war is declared, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapon she has - books.
Montana 1983: Widowed and alone, Odile is suffering from loneliness. Lily, a lonely teenager, soon takes a keen interest of her recluse, French neighbour. What develops is a unlikely friendship.
A story of love and friendship, of family and sacrifice, of grief and betrayal, of self-discovery and the power of literature.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Based on the true WWII story of the heroic American librarian, Miss Reeder, who created the Soldiers' Service in order to deliver books to servicemen and to Jewish readers after they were banned from entering the library, The Paris Library is a reminder of why I love historical fiction so much. It brought to life a part of history I knew nothing about, and is an ode to the essential nature of books and libraries.
The library atmosphere, the description of books, and the cast of incredible characters really immersed me into the story. The sense of 'found family' among the secondary characters was an additional bonus. It demonstrated how the library staff risked their lives to provide a small piece of normalcy to patrons, all while exploring the consequences of their choices. This novel was well researched, and the dual timeline worked, but I continually was drawn back to Paris and Odile's trials. At times there were parts of Lily's story that felt unnecessary. I also found it odd how there were only a small numbers of chapters from the perspective of secondary characters, to me this detracted from the story and felt inconsistent. And yet it was the ending which felt rushed, that left me feeling disappointed, although I adored the story as a whole.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• book lovers
• readers of historical fiction (particularly WWII)
• fans of Lilac Girls and/or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Breathing in the best smell in the world - a mélange of the mossy scent of musty books and crisp newspaper pages - I felt as if I'd come home."
"I wished I could go back to that last moment. I would say, 'You were the best mom in the world. I need you. We need you. I loved the way we watched robins and hoped for hummingbirds. I wished we had one more morning. One more hug. One more change to say I love you."
"Grief is a sea made of your own tears. Salty swells cover the dark depths you must swim at your own pace. It takes time to build stamina. Some days, my arms sliced through the water, and I felt things would be okay, the shore wasn't so far off. Then one memory, one moment would nearly drown me, and I'd be back to the beginning fighting to stay above the waves, exhausted, sinking in my own sorrow."
Author: Janet Skeslien Charles
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: February 2, 2021
Thank you to Atria Books for providing an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Enchanting • Unforgettable • Literary
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Paris, 1939: Odile, seems to have it all; a handsome boyfriend, an English best friend, a beloved twin, and her dream job as a librarian at the American library in Paris. And when war is declared, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapon she has - books.
Montana 1983: Widowed and alone, Odile is suffering from loneliness. Lily, a lonely teenager, soon takes a keen interest of her recluse, French neighbour. What develops is a unlikely friendship.
A story of love and friendship, of family and sacrifice, of grief and betrayal, of self-discovery and the power of literature.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Based on the true WWII story of the heroic American librarian, Miss Reeder, who created the Soldiers' Service in order to deliver books to servicemen and to Jewish readers after they were banned from entering the library, The Paris Library is a reminder of why I love historical fiction so much. It brought to life a part of history I knew nothing about, and is an ode to the essential nature of books and libraries.
The library atmosphere, the description of books, and the cast of incredible characters really immersed me into the story. The sense of 'found family' among the secondary characters was an additional bonus. It demonstrated how the library staff risked their lives to provide a small piece of normalcy to patrons, all while exploring the consequences of their choices. This novel was well researched, and the dual timeline worked, but I continually was drawn back to Paris and Odile's trials. At times there were parts of Lily's story that felt unnecessary. I also found it odd how there were only a small numbers of chapters from the perspective of secondary characters, to me this detracted from the story and felt inconsistent. And yet it was the ending which felt rushed, that left me feeling disappointed, although I adored the story as a whole.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• book lovers
• readers of historical fiction (particularly WWII)
• fans of Lilac Girls and/or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Breathing in the best smell in the world - a mélange of the mossy scent of musty books and crisp newspaper pages - I felt as if I'd come home."
"I wished I could go back to that last moment. I would say, 'You were the best mom in the world. I need you. We need you. I loved the way we watched robins and hoped for hummingbirds. I wished we had one more morning. One more hug. One more change to say I love you."
"Grief is a sea made of your own tears. Salty swells cover the dark depths you must swim at your own pace. It takes time to build stamina. Some days, my arms sliced through the water, and I felt things would be okay, the shore wasn't so far off. Then one memory, one moment would nearly drown me, and I'd be back to the beginning fighting to stay above the waves, exhausted, sinking in my own sorrow."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Bullying, and Hate crime
Moderate: War, Grief, and Death
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Police brutality, Child death, and Death of parent
mariasreading's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I almost didn’t finish this book, but I finished it out of pure hate LMAOOO
Before I go onto the review, a summary: Odile is a French librarian working at the American library in Paris during the German occupation. In the 1980s, Odile has moved to Montana and has a curious little neighbor named Lily, who she begins teaching French to and slowly reveals her life story.
Any book that tries to make me sympathize for a Nazi just because he also likes books, or feel sympathetic for a girl who falls for a Nazi? It’s a no for me. (An actual line was: “He wasn’t bad looking, for a Nazi,” and one girl describes a Nazi officer she’s fallen for as: “I need one person to know him, to see how kind he is.” No thanks.)
Technical notes: dual timeline, but it’s very choppy with no real rhythm, and switches randomly to side character POVs that don’t seem to add much. The ending was rushed and I didn’t feel like there was much depth to any of the characters.
Most of all, I felt it was a bit insensitive to the actual plight of people in WWII. At one point, one of the characters posits that if Odile had hidden Anne Frank, Anne would be alive - I think that’s a line that shouldn’t have been crossed, personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and War
Slut shamingkaty_leigh's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
house_of_hannah's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've been wanting to read this book since I first heard about it, and I am ecstatic that I was able to get a signed copy ! I live in Paris, and I get all my library books from The American Library in Paris, so purchasing this book in a local shop and reading about such familiar places just comforted my soul.
I've known that the ALP has a deep WWII history since I first started going there, and it felt fantastic to learn more. I was pleasantly surprised to find out at the end of the book that most of the characters were real people. I expected the names to be made up, but this was not the case. It really helps to make this book feel even more real.
I have an...interesting relationship with the Historical Fiction genre, as I've disliked most of the books I've read. Going into this one I was a little scared of how I would feel about it, especially after reading the first few chapters, and just feeling "meh" about it. Luckily that quickly changed, and I really enjoyed the main story of Odile.
You can feel the tension and anxiety in the first half of the book as the war begins, and fear of the Germans closing in on the city heightens. The portrayal of people's changing lives, feelings, and thoughts was done quite well. I liked that it was reiterated multiple times that people act rashly, especially under such stressful circumstances, and that no one is perfect.
One thing I could have done without is the multiple timeline/perspectives. I really did not care about Lily in the 1980s timeline, and it didn't feel like it added too much to the story. I though there might be some reveals using her, but there really wasn't. There were also times where I could go 100 pages with only 1 Lily chapter, so it would feel like such an abrupt change, and take me out of the story. There were also several times were we got a chapter from another character's perspective, which most of the time didn't feel needed either. It seemed like the author was trying to give us all of the information, when hearing the story from Odile's perspective was perfectly fine.
I knew going into this that there would be French words peppered throughout, as that always seems to be the case with a book taking place in a non-english speaking country. However, it is done extremely often, and even after living in France for 3 years I had to ask my husband how to pronounce some words and what their definitions were. So if you're going into this with no knowledge of French, prepare to Google some words !
I loved reading all the street names and places that I am familiar with. I felt invested in the story and fell in love with the characters. The ending of Odile's story felt strange and sudden, so the last few chapters of the book were a bit odd for me. As someone who lives in the area and frequents the library this is written about, I definitely think I have a bit of a bias towards liking this book, so those who are not as familiar with the setting might not find as much enjoyment as I did.
I've known that the ALP has a deep WWII history since I first started going there, and it felt fantastic to learn more. I was pleasantly surprised to find out at the end of the book that most of the characters were real people. I expected the names to be made up, but this was not the case. It really helps to make this book feel even more real.
I have an...interesting relationship with the Historical Fiction genre, as I've disliked most of the books I've read. Going into this one I was a little scared of how I would feel about it, especially after reading the first few chapters, and just feeling "meh" about it. Luckily that quickly changed, and I really enjoyed the main story of Odile.
You can feel the tension and anxiety in the first half of the book as the war begins, and fear of the Germans closing in on the city heightens. The portrayal of people's changing lives, feelings, and thoughts was done quite well. I liked that it was reiterated multiple times that people act rashly, especially under such stressful circumstances, and that no one is perfect.
One thing I could have done without is the multiple timeline/perspectives. I really did not care about Lily in the 1980s timeline, and it didn't feel like it added too much to the story. I though there might be some reveals using her, but there really wasn't. There were also times where I could go 100 pages with only 1 Lily chapter, so it would feel like such an abrupt change, and take me out of the story. There were also several times were we got a chapter from another character's perspective, which most of the time didn't feel needed either. It seemed like the author was trying to give us all of the information, when hearing the story from Odile's perspective was perfectly fine.
I knew going into this that there would be French words peppered throughout, as that always seems to be the case with a book taking place in a non-english speaking country. However, it is done extremely often, and even after living in France for 3 years I had to ask my husband how to pronounce some words and what their definitions were. So if you're going into this with no knowledge of French, prepare to Google some words !
I loved reading all the street names and places that I am familiar with. I felt invested in the story and fell in love with the characters. The ending of Odile's story felt strange and sudden, so the last few chapters of the book were a bit odd for me. As someone who lives in the area and frequents the library this is written about, I definitely think I have a bit of a bias towards liking this book, so those who are not as familiar with the setting might not find as much enjoyment as I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Grief, Hate crime, Bullying, Religious bigotry, and Police brutality
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Infidelity
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
raeannht's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I usually don't like stories that jump from the past to the modern day, but this one worked for me. It was an enjoyable read with sad, grim moments that left me thinking about friendships and how we treat each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
_lia_reads_'s review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
There are so many books out there about Paris during WWII and this one honestly felt exactly like all of the other ones I’ve read. Yes, it was interesting to read about the American Library and it kept running during the war, but boy I’m impressed that a book about WWII could be so uneventful. I understand that the author based this on a true story but I wish she has embellished it a bit more. Also, all the characters collaborating with the Nazis was not handled well. The story acknowledges that the Nazis were bad but i was surprised at the lack of consequences, or even discussion about any of this. It happened, it was acknowledged briefly, and then everyone moved on.
With the title and setting, I was excited for a new look on Paris during WWII, and instead got more of the same tropes.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
With the title and setting, I was excited for a new look on Paris during WWII, and instead got more of the same tropes.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
spalmon's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Antisemitism, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death
emileereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Thank you for the Gifted Book Libro.fm, Simon Audio, and Atria Books.
I have had a hard time coming up with words for how to review this one. Overall I really enjoyed the book and think many historical fiction fans will as well. This book has many things going for it. It's a book that celebrates the power of libraries and books. It highlights some of the lesser known resisters of the Germans in occupied France and how even seemingly small actions can have big consequences.
What I didn't love about this book is that it alternates POVs and spends disproportionate amounts of time with each character making it a bit of a shock when the POV changes. Also I did not really see where this book was headed for 75% of it and although I did enjoy the ending, it took so long to get there. That being said, once I listened to the author's historical note, I did appreciate the whole scope of the book more. The amount of research that went into this title made me reflect on each element of the story and how it all ties together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Terminal illness
linesiunderline's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This novel offers us views of grief, loss, and self discovery from many perspectives. The two main narratives centre on Odile, a young French woman working during the German occupation at the American Library in Paris, and Lily, Odile’s neightbor, a teenager in the 1980s in small town Montana. Lily views Odile’s past as mysterious and readers discover more about her wartime experience as the novel unfolds and alternates perspectives.
What I loved:
- it’s an ode to libraries, how they are essential and can serve such a noble purpose, carrying people through dark times
- the relationships between the colleagues and patrons at the library were well captured and endearing
- reading a WWII novel that presents a different kind of story than is often portrayed
Howevers:
- as is often the way for me with books that have dual (or more) perspectives, I wasn’t as interested I. Lily‘a story compared to Odile’s
- I found it unusual that the author inserted a few sections from the perspectives of secondary characters, but only a few. For me, I’d have liked more, or for the structure to stick to just the POVs of the two central women
This is a wartime novel that focuses more on daily life in occupied territory and the relationships between those not on the front lines. There are times when it is lighter in tone, and for that reason I think it would be a good readalike for those who enjoyed Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Dear Mrs Bird, or The Chilbury Ladies Choir.
What I loved:
- it’s an ode to libraries, how they are essential and can serve such a noble purpose, carrying people through dark times
- the relationships between the colleagues and patrons at the library were well captured and endearing
- reading a WWII novel that presents a different kind of story than is often portrayed
Howevers:
- as is often the way for me with books that have dual (or more) perspectives, I wasn’t as interested I. Lily‘a story compared to Odile’s
- I found it unusual that the author inserted a few sections from the perspectives of secondary characters, but only a few. For me, I’d have liked more, or for the structure to stick to just the POVs of the two central women
This is a wartime novel that focuses more on daily life in occupied territory and the relationships between those not on the front lines. There are times when it is lighter in tone, and for that reason I think it would be a good readalike for those who enjoyed Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Dear Mrs Bird, or The Chilbury Ladies Choir.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death, Grief, and Police brutality
Minor: Death of parent and Terminal illness