The Paris Library
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-03-24 08:17:04
- Update Date：2025-09-13
- Status：finish
- Author：Janet Skeslien Charles
- ISBN：1529335450
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary
Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris， this is the unforgettable story of romance， friendship， family， and the power of literature to bring us together。
PARIS， 1939 Odile Souchet is obsessed with books， and working at The American Library in Paris for the formidable director Dorothy Reeder is all she has ever dreamed of。 The Library and its thriving community of students， writers， diplomats and book lovers provide her with a safe haven。 When war is declared， the Library is determined to remain open。 But then the Nazis invade Paris， and everything changes。 The Nazi 'Library Protector' changes the rules overnight， declaring a war on words making the librarians risk their lives to do their jobs。
Under the courageous guidance of Miss Reeder， Odile and her fellow librarians defy the authorities to make sure all their subscribers， even those deemed no longer desirable， get access to books and remain part of their community， whatever the cost。
Choices as black and white as the words on a page become a murky shade of grey - choices that will put many of the wrong side of history， and the consequences of which will echo for decades to come。
THE PARIS LIBRARY illuminates a seldom-seen slice of history: the role of women and their fate during the war。 It also recounts the consequences of unspeakable betrayal， when the people we count on for understanding and protection fail us。
PARIS， 1939 Odile Souchet is obsessed with books， and working at The American Library in Paris for the formidable director Dorothy Reeder is all she has ever dreamed of。 The Library and its thriving community of students， writers， diplomats and book lovers provide her with a safe haven。 When war is declared， the Library is determined to remain open。 But then the Nazis invade Paris， and everything changes。 The Nazi 'Library Protector' changes the rules overnight， declaring a war on words making the librarians risk their lives to do their jobs。
Under the courageous guidance of Miss Reeder， Odile and her fellow librarians defy the authorities to make sure all their subscribers， even those deemed no longer desirable， get access to books and remain part of their community， whatever the cost。
Choices as black and white as the words on a page become a murky shade of grey - choices that will put many of the wrong side of history， and the consequences of which will echo for decades to come。
THE PARIS LIBRARY illuminates a seldom-seen slice of history: the role of women and their fate during the war。 It also recounts the consequences of unspeakable betrayal， when the people we count on for understanding and protection fail us。
Reviews
Chiaki Klapper
，
3。5 stars
Cooper
，
"In the darkness of war， the light of books。 Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris， The Paris Library is an unforgettable story of friendship， family， romance， and the power of literature to bring us together。"LOVED this！ From Odele's story in Paris in 1939 to Lily's in 1983。Odele's story had more depth than Lily's。 Maybe as Odele had to face the Nazi occupation， young love， and betrayal as a young woman， Lily's angst seemed rather trivial "In the darkness of war， the light of books。 Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris， The Paris Library is an unforgettable story of friendship， family， romance， and the power of literature to bring us together。"LOVED this！ From Odele's story in Paris in 1939 to Lily's in 1983。Odele's story had more depth than Lily's。 Maybe as Odele had to face the Nazi occupation， young love， and betrayal as a young woman， Lily's angst seemed rather trivial。 Plus Odele had such a love of books and all her colleagues felt such protection over the books in the library and the members of the American Library。Although I found Lily's story was slow at times， overall I really became attached to the journey and how Odele's story would flesh out and how Lily played a role in that。 。。。more
Judy
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This was a good read about the American Library in Paris during WWII。 Another aspect of the war I knew nothing about。
Carol Youssif
，
This story is an ode to friendship， hope， and the power of books。Gentle， at times slow paced， but ultimately beautiful。
Victoria Miller
，
While the story started off wonderfully， and the book was very well written， it becomes largely having to do with the Nazi occupation of Paris。 I'm quite a sensitive person， and with much too vivid an imagination， and found this book extremely painful。 I don't and never have understood how some human beings can treat one another badly， let alone horrifically。 And then the news today was also heartbreaking。 I will say the characters were wonderful。 The book is very well written。 But it was quite While the story started off wonderfully， and the book was very well written， it becomes largely having to do with the Nazi occupation of Paris。 I'm quite a sensitive person， and with much too vivid an imagination， and found this book extremely painful。 I don't and never have understood how some human beings can treat one another badly， let alone horrifically。 And then the news today was also heartbreaking。 I will say the characters were wonderful。 The book is very well written。 But it was quite a heartbreaking story。 If one doesn't mind this sort of thing， and can accept （as my sisters used to tell me， "It's just a book"， have at it。 As for me， "Not my cup of tea。" 。。。more
Scanlanwhitem
，
The author's purpose is to relate the efforts of librarians in The American Library in Paris to preserve the library and its contents during the WWII invasion of Nazi soldiers。 It is also a story of the value of books and friends in our lives。 The author's purpose is to relate the efforts of librarians in The American Library in Paris to preserve the library and its contents during the WWII invasion of Nazi soldiers。 It is also a story of the value of books and friends in our lives。 。。。more
Meegen
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Lovely book！ Great audiobook with relatable characters。
Gila
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“Books and ideas are like blood; they need to circulate， and they keep us alive。”This book speaks to book lovers。 Inspired by the true story of librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II， courageous librarians who did what they could to ensure that literature and the spread of ideas would continue to connect people， even in the grips of war。 This book follows a dual storyline; following the friendships Odile Souchet had in 1939 Paris， before and during the occupation， and la “Books and ideas are like blood; they need to circulate， and they keep us alive。”This book speaks to book lovers。 Inspired by the true story of librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II， courageous librarians who did what they could to ensure that literature and the spread of ideas would continue to connect people， even in the grips of war。 This book follows a dual storyline; following the friendships Odile Souchet had in 1939 Paris， before and during the occupation， and later on in life， with a teenager named Lily， in Montana in 1983。 The books we read shape our perceptions， and color the stories and life lessons we tell others。 Odile is no different， as she draws upon her favorite books to guide her life's passions， and to impart her life's lessons to Lily， a lonely teenager struggling to cope with her own loss。 It was well written， sprinkled with lines and quotes from other novels。 “Sometimes I like books more than people。” If this line resonates with you， then so will this book。 Finally， while I try not to judge a book by its cover， I must admit to being a sucker for anything that includes a dreamy landscape with the Eiffel tower in the background。 。。。more
Helen
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A well-written， well researched book—the true story of the American Library in Paris during the darkest days of German occupation during WWII。 The real life characters who risked their own safety to ensure the written word would continue to be available to all their subscribers， including banned Jews。 Odile （a fictitious character） is a flawed and complex human worthy of study。 Besides being informative about the library， this book teaches us how destructive envy can be， that we cannot know what A well-written， well researched book—the true story of the American Library in Paris during the darkest days of German occupation during WWII。 The real life characters who risked their own safety to ensure the written word would continue to be available to all their subscribers， including banned Jews。 Odile （a fictitious character） is a flawed and complex human worthy of study。 Besides being informative about the library， this book teaches us how destructive envy can be， that we cannot know what is in people’s hearts， accept people as they are not how we want them to be， and don’t be afraid to be different。 Summing up why this book should be read is this from the author’s note: “a friend said she believes that in reading stories set in World War II， people like to ask themselves what they would have done。 I think a better question to ask is what we can do now to ensure libraries are accessible to all and that we treat people with dignity and compassion。” 。。。more
Trisha_loves_books
，
A beautiful sad tale of the American library in Paris during WWII。 Loved the characters in this story。 You fall in love with them。 Especially Odile。
Karen Vande
，
Pareltje。
Cshannon44
，
The book itself was a nice， easy read but I think the synopsis was not entirely accurate。
Lonopia
，
It's books like this that are turning me into a historical fiction reader。 Wow， I absolutely loved this。 Set in a time of great uncertainty， The Paris Library shone a light on the brave acts of men and women who did not waiver in their convictions。 Going into this book I didn't realize that some of these characters were real people。 It was so humbling to find that out in the authors notes at the end。 I found the main character Odile to be so relatable。 She wasn't perfect by any means， but she to It's books like this that are turning me into a historical fiction reader。 Wow， I absolutely loved this。 Set in a time of great uncertainty， The Paris Library shone a light on the brave acts of men and women who did not waiver in their convictions。 Going into this book I didn't realize that some of these characters were real people。 It was so humbling to find that out in the authors notes at the end。 I found the main character Odile to be so relatable。 She wasn't perfect by any means， but she took each life lesson and she learned from it， sometimes with a great price tag attached。 Not only did she learn from it， but she chose to share that wisdom with others to help them to not make the same mistakes。 I would 100% recommend this book to any one who loves historical fiction and even those who don't read it very often。*Trigger Warnings* - War Scenarios， Physical Abuse， Suicidal Intent - I apologize if I have missed or overlooked anything in my reading。 。。。more
Lynn Coulter
，
The Paris Library， by Janet Skeslien Charles， is a wonderful read。 The action happens on two fronts: in 1939， when the Nazis march into Paris and into the life of a young librarian named Odile， and in 1983 when a lonely teenager named Lily discovers a surprising connection to an elderly neighbor。 This novel weaves romance， heroism， and family into an absorbing story。 Recommended。
Allison Mclean
，
Paris 1939， location the American Library in Paris， Odile Soucher lands her ultimate job， librarian。 Through the war years， books are provided to soldiers and to those not allowed access to the library。 Jump to Montana 1983 and Odile is a widow living quietly in midwest America with secrets。 Her neighbour， teenage Lily， befriends her and slowly unravels the secrets that she has told no one for over 40 years。
Sara Marin
，
Questo libro mi ha affascinata， per la trama， perché è basato su una storia vera， perché la scrittrice ha fatto molte ricerche prima di scriverlo。 Nonostante non lo consideri un capolavoro， chi sono io per non ricompensare il suo lavoro e il nobile tema che tratta？ Sono stata completamente rapita sia dalla trama sia dal modo di scrivere。 Più leggo libri che parlano di vicende della Seconda Guerra Mondiale， più mi rendo conto di quanto mi catturino。 Consiglio di leggerlo soprattutto per vedere la Questo libro mi ha affascinata， per la trama， perché è basato su una storia vera， perché la scrittrice ha fatto molte ricerche prima di scriverlo。 Nonostante non lo consideri un capolavoro， chi sono io per non ricompensare il suo lavoro e il nobile tema che tratta？ Sono stata completamente rapita sia dalla trama sia dal modo di scrivere。 Più leggo libri che parlano di vicende della Seconda Guerra Mondiale， più mi rendo conto di quanto mi catturino。 Consiglio di leggerlo soprattutto per vedere la guerra da un punto di vista diverso。 Quello di una bibliotecaria。 。。。more
DeSsy Marazova
，
Уникална！
Vicki Saunders
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An amazing piece of historical fiction which takes place during the Occupation in Paris。 I didn’t know anything about the America’s Library in Paris， and the brave， determined staff who kept it open through the war。 The importance of books， friends， family and endurance are all woven into this remarkable story。
Clare
，
This story packs quite a wallop。 Jumping back and forth between Paris just before and during World War II and Montana in the 1980s it tells two stories。 Odile， who now lives in Montana had married an American shortly after the war was over。 She keeps to herself and no one in the community knows much about her。 Lily， a teenager， lives nearby。 As Lily's world takes a somber turn upon the death of her mother and her father's remarriage about a year later she finds herself feeling lost。 One day， a s This story packs quite a wallop。 Jumping back and forth between Paris just before and during World War II and Montana in the 1980s it tells two stories。 Odile， who now lives in Montana had married an American shortly after the war was over。 She keeps to herself and no one in the community knows much about her。 Lily， a teenager， lives nearby。 As Lily's world takes a somber turn upon the death of her mother and her father's remarriage about a year later she finds herself feeling lost。 One day， a school assignment leads her to Odile's house hoping to get some insights into the culture of France。 She soon starts taking French lessons from Odile and finds a confidant in the older woman to whom she can bring her problems。 We learn about Odile's life in occupied France， the friends she makes at her job at the library， her twin brother's service during the war， her parents' strictness and the hardships endured through the duration of the war。 Events from then have contributed to the woman Odile is in 1980s Montana and we slowly glean the hard lessons she learned over the years。 This is a story about growing up， facing one's failings， carrying on and imparting wisdom gained to a new generation。 。。。more
DavidA
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The Paris Library is a warm and compelling story。 Set in this wonderful city during World War II， it brings the reader into the library where we meet both staff and patrons。 While I found this book hard to put down， I kept thinking how special it would be to listen to this story being told。 I also kept thinking about libraries in America during World War II。 Who frequented our libraries？ What books were of interest？ What did adults select？ And， what about children？ In sum， a thoughtful and well- The Paris Library is a warm and compelling story。 Set in this wonderful city during World War II， it brings the reader into the library where we meet both staff and patrons。 While I found this book hard to put down， I kept thinking how special it would be to listen to this story being told。 I also kept thinking about libraries in America during World War II。 Who frequented our libraries？ What books were of interest？ What did adults select？ And， what about children？ In sum， a thoughtful and well-written book。 。。。more
Jennifer
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I love the relationship between Odile and Lily。 The book is slow to start but pulled me in so I could get my questions answered。 I also want to read all about the Paris library war stories now。 It was interesting to read about all the people the author researched and glimpse into what their life may have been like。 I liked the slow entrance of the war and the way Odile didn’t have to feel the entirety of the traumas that came with it mostly but tried to help in her own way。 It was a build up of I love the relationship between Odile and Lily。 The book is slow to start but pulled me in so I could get my questions answered。 I also want to read all about the Paris library war stories now。 It was interesting to read about all the people the author researched and glimpse into what their life may have been like。 I liked the slow entrance of the war and the way Odile didn’t have to feel the entirety of the traumas that came with it mostly but tried to help in her own way。 It was a build up of emotions as their lives changed。 I love how she tries to keep Lily from making similar mistakes as her。 The mix of fiction and reality had me reading the words and thinking about the authors message。 ************Spoilers***********As for the back and forth between the 40’s and 80’s it didn’t bother me because the book let you have clues to the ending and it would have ended terribly had it gone in sequence from start to finish。 But knowing where Odile was in the past to how things ended with a second life it made me happy for Odile。 From the authors note-“Language is a gate that we can open and close on people。 The words we use shape perception， as do the books we read， the stories we tell one another， and the stories we tell ourselves。 The foreign staff and subscribers of the Library were considered “enemy aliens，” and several were interned。 Jewish subscribers were not allowed to enter the Library， and many were later killed in concentration camps。 A friend said she believes that in reading stories set in World War II， people like to ask themselves what they would have done。 I think a better question to ask is what can we do now to ensure that libraries and learning are accessible to all and that we treat people with dignity and compassion。” 。。。more
Jenn
，
This was almost a 5 star rating- I really loved it。 It’s a book lovers book for sure。 The ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for me and I wish there was a little more。 A few characters seemed to drop in and out & I would have liked more about them- Aunt Caro， Lucienne。
Melissa
，
This caught my eye because it has to of my favorite places: Paris and the library in the title， and it's set during World War 2 which is a favorite time period of mine。 So obviously I had to read it。 The story is dual time line which I enjoyed。 I really liked the storyline of Lily in the 1980s。 The storyline in Paris during the was is good but hard to read in some places given what was going on in Paris during that time。 I would have liked more of an ending and more of the 1980s storyline but ov This caught my eye because it has to of my favorite places: Paris and the library in the title， and it's set during World War 2 which is a favorite time period of mine。 So obviously I had to read it。 The story is dual time line which I enjoyed。 I really liked the storyline of Lily in the 1980s。 The storyline in Paris during the was is good but hard to read in some places given what was going on in Paris during that time。 I would have liked more of an ending and more of the 1980s storyline but overall I liked the book。 。。。more
Emily （Frappes & Fiction）
，
3。5 I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style but the story picked up momentum by the halfway pointAlso， it is just me or was there a major case of instalove？ As in: meeting and marrying a character within two pages。 The pacing was super weird; it went from slow paced to super fast paced really suddenly。 I also didn’t like Lily’s POV I did like the library parts and the books about books aspect and it did get better by the end 3。5 I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style but the story picked up momentum by the halfway pointAlso， it is just me or was there a major case of instalove？ As in: meeting and marrying a character within two pages。 The pacing was super weird; it went from slow paced to super fast paced really suddenly。 I also didn’t like Lily’s POV I did like the library parts and the books about books aspect and it did get better by the end 。。。more
Vince
，
I'll file this one under historical fiction lite。 I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the American Library in Paris and its denizens but considering what a fraught period the German occupation was for Parisiennes the story surrounding it felt too slight。 The tension needed to be more tense， the drama more dramatic， and the suspense more suspenseful。 The surprises that lurked between the pages were too often foreshadowed。 Highly readable and easily digested nonetheless。 I loved the colorfulness o I'll file this one under historical fiction lite。 I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the American Library in Paris and its denizens but considering what a fraught period the German occupation was for Parisiennes the story surrounding it felt too slight。 The tension needed to be more tense， the drama more dramatic， and the suspense more suspenseful。 The surprises that lurked between the pages were too often foreshadowed。 Highly readable and easily digested nonetheless。 I loved the colorfulness of the characters and the writing was decent if a bit too YA for me personally。 I would definitely recommend this to high school aged teens。 。。。more
Patti
，
As a reader I love books about books， and lovers of books。 The Paris Library did not disappoint。 Told in two time frames， WWII in Paris， and 1983 in Montana， the story of Odile， and Lilly intersect in an unlikely friendship。 There are many historical novels about the second World War but this one is unique。 The catalyst for the story is the American Library in Paris。 The faithful， and brave librarians who worked there， and kept the library safe were amazing， and I loved spending my reading time As a reader I love books about books， and lovers of books。 The Paris Library did not disappoint。 Told in two time frames， WWII in Paris， and 1983 in Montana， the story of Odile， and Lilly intersect in an unlikely friendship。 There are many historical novels about the second World War but this one is unique。 The catalyst for the story is the American Library in Paris。 The faithful， and brave librarians who worked there， and kept the library safe were amazing， and I loved spending my reading time with them。 Miss Dorothy Reeder was the real head librarian who wrote to one of her co-workers，"Words cannot express my deep gratitude for your loyalty and devotion in staying with us in such difficult and trying times。" Trying times indeed， but without the brave， and devoted people who loved the library， it might not be here today。 。。。more
Mary Ann
，
Excellent！
Dianna Conder
，
Such a wonderful book about love， war， heartache and lessons in life。 I never give detail to my book reviews because I want the book to be fresh and new when you read it。 Just know this， I highly recommend it， I LOVED it， and you won’t be disappointed。 The ending gave me chills it was so good！
Chanelle Gruca
，
A fantastic book with two entangled stories in one。 This book has it all War， love， heartbreak， family issues， libraries， books， friends， and foes。 4/5 stars because I feel as if the book focused too much on the past and Odile's life in Paris。 Then the parts about Lily seem rushed， thrown together almost。 I wanted more of a relationship between them。 But still an amazing book with a solid plot and a sad twist at the end。 Sometimes friends are really what we need。 A fantastic book with two entangled stories in one。 This book has it all War， love， heartbreak， family issues， libraries， books， friends， and foes。 4/5 stars because I feel as if the book focused too much on the past and Odile's life in Paris。 Then the parts about Lily seem rushed， thrown together almost。 I wanted more of a relationship between them。 But still an amazing book with a solid plot and a sad twist at the end。 Sometimes friends are really what we need。 。。。more
Kathy
，
I had never heard of the American Library in Paris until reading this book。 Lily and Odile are fictional characters， but many of the people who worked in the ALP were real and were included。 I had no idea how the story of Lily， who lived in Montana and Odile would become friends， especially because of the age difference， but they helped each other through their love of books。 Odile started working in the library right before the Nazis declared war on France。 Lives changed dramatically after that I had never heard of the American Library in Paris until reading this book。 Lily and Odile are fictional characters， but many of the people who worked in the ALP were real and were included。 I had no idea how the story of Lily， who lived in Montana and Odile would become friends， especially because of the age difference， but they helped each other through their love of books。 Odile started working in the library right before the Nazis declared war on France。 Lives changed dramatically after that and Odile learned some hard lessons as the war continued。 But the library played a part of keeping people’s spirits up。 Lily， whose mother died when she was 10， also had many lessons to learn， especially after her father remarries。 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Paris Library
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Paris Library&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Paris Library&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0