The Paris Library: A Novel

Written by Janet Skeslien Charles

Narrated by Janet Skeslien Charles, Nicky Diss, Sarah Feathers and Esther Wane

An instant New York Times, Washington Post, and USA TODAY bestseller—based on the true story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II—The Paris Library is a moving and unforgettable “ode to the importance of libraries, books, and the human connections we find within both” (Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author).

Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet seems to have the perfect life with her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into the city, 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 love letter to Paris, the power of books, and the beauty of intergenerational friendship” (Booklist), The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest places.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797105000

Janet Skeslien Charles

Janet Skeslien Charles is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Paris Library. Her work has been translated into thirty-seven languages. She has spent a decade researching Jessie Carson (Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade) at The Morgan Library, the NYPL, and archives across France. Her shorter work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Sydney Morning Herald, LitHub, and the anthology Montana Noir. To connect, visit her website JSkeslienCharles.com, @JSkeslienCharles on Instagram, or @SkeslienCharles on Twitter.

Reviews for The Paris Library

[Renee Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully-written story of two young women from different time periods: Odile in 1940s Paris & Lily in 1980s Montana. I loved each coming-of-age story, but especially, that we get to see Odile, years later as an older woman, able to nurture, influence & invest in teenage Lily because of all Odile had experienced. The author is a wonderful storyteller & the narrators were perfect! Entertaining & moving.

[Niki Drake · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fell in love with the characters….captivating story that I had yet to learn about existed during that time. Very well written and audio was great too.

[candi0parshall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing novel and fantastic narration. Bravo!!! Would love to see this made into a movie!

[Jennifer Flather · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Magnificent. I was so sad it ended. The narrator was amazing!

[Luiz Tristan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wish I had read this book when I was younger. A lot in the way the characters were built can help us to build up our character. My hats off to the author

[Jo Ann Nelson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great read for anyone, most especially true book lovers! Enjoy! ?

[Connie Hough · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting and informative, well read and definitely important, I live in Florida and the banning of books is frightening

[Valerie Woodstra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing history and will confirm your love for books. Great characters.

[Teacher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I learned quite a bit from this book about multiple aspects of WWII which I’d never encountered elsewhere. The narration of the American character was frustratingly adult and British-sounding when the girl was supposed to be a teenaged Midwesterner, and that made the listen less enjoyable, but the story and historical context are compelling.

[Michael Thompson · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

R Oi upset in on me y n I run

[Lucia Garcia · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story is wonderful! Specially because so much if it is true.
However, I felt some of the characters lacked a bit of strength and depth. Odile felt complete, yet Lily, Paul, the parents... They felt flat.
However, a good read.

[caroline andereck · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ok-very slow paced and it never really grabbed my attention.

[Joanna Marini · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Captivating, tremendously interesting, beautiful and sad. Well written and well narrated.

[Pedro Caballero · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is amazing because is a tribute to the staff of American Library of Paris (ALP) during the WW II, set in 2 timelines France 1939 to 1944 , Froid Montana. US 1983 - 1988

The story is very engaging to see in one part of the timeline France 1939 - 1944 all the struggles of the staff to help his Jews subscribers, risking their life. The second part is very touching. Lily a teenager who start a friendship with old lady in her town Froid Montana. Was a staff member of ALP.

Highly recommended.

[Pam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Smart writing, memorable characters. I didn't want this to end.

[suzywells · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book gives a lovely account of the war as seen from the side of the people that worked at the American library in Paris!

[Janice Garee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing book. So much to learn about the american library and humanity.

[Kristy Herring · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I listened to the audiobook. The narration was well done but the book itself was so incredibly slow and then when it finally got good it was over! I'm not a fan of the writing style...so many different perspectives & switching back & forth between time periods. I like the idea of a young person befriending and learning life lessons from an elderly person though. That connection was well done throughout the book.

[Tatiana Calley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful story about love, friendship and overcoming adversity! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Rona Karen · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I’m distracted by the narration being too breathy :( The story is interesting and I wanted to finish it but I can’t go on listening. I could hear every inhale of the narrator which I wasn’t comfortable with. Or maybe I just finished another audiobook with an excellent narrator that’s why I’m disappointed with this one. On the positive side, it made me decide that I want to own a physical copy of this book :)

[Lauri Winterfeldt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feel like I read a great novel and learned more about the WWII occupation of Paris than that I would have from any scholarly history.

[Laura Charron · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As a Franco-American, a former subscriber of the American Library in Paris, and a librarian, I loved this story.
Unfortunately, it was ruined for me by the fake French accents narrating the audiobook. I wish they had simply chosen an English-speaking French person to interpret the French characters.

[Mary Luttrell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the history, the characters and the different voices in this audio version. I’d highly recommend!

[Carol Campbell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful book! I enjoyed all the characters and getting to know them. This book really made me stop and think hard about things that I thought I already knew. There were so many angles. So many interesting perspectives to consider. I cannot believe how expertly the author wove it all together. Will listen through again and recommend to friends. Thank you to the author!

[Mireya Mulligan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic storytelling. I have a love for Historical fiction and this was so well written. Each Character had a distinct voice and all were well thought out.

[Ami Rohlfes Paradise · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great historical fiction, enjoyed the perspective from a librarian and the friendship between a young girl and a Workd War II survivor.