The Paris Library: A Novel | 
pickA good pick for fans of historical fiction, dual timelines, & those who like stories about the power of reading and the bonds books can forge. It keeps many of the horrors of WWII at a distance, with only scattered mentions of battles, prisoners, the camps. Instead it focuses on the intimate wear & tear of relationships as ordinary people make choices that suddenly have enormous consequences in Nazi-occupied Paris.
pickI liked this for the most part, mostly due to the historical fiction aspect. The dual timelines sort of worked, though I was much more into the WWII timeline than the 1980‘s one, surprisingly. I felt like it was missing something, though can‘t put my finger on what exactly.
so-soFound the premise somewhat interesting the the friendship between generations endearing, but a little predictable and slow to pick up momentum.
pick⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I would imagine any lover of libraries and books, especially classics, would fall for this book set during the Nazi occupation of Paris. The characters were rich and alive and the feeling of books bringing community together was palpable. The story will stick with me.
pickI like when stories trade between characters, and this one did both that and went back-and-forth between the timelines of the protagonists as well. Would definitely recommend as a historical fiction of WWII
pickA well-written historical novel. I liked the back and forth of time and narrators between chapters. The plot was compelling and made me want to keep reading. The characters weren't necessarily endearing, but they grew and developed in the story.
so-soI 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 ⬇️
panHardly worth the read. The characters, Odile and Lily are almost too naive to stomach- only the book about books aspect of this kept me going and then only just barely. The author herself sums this book up best for me when one of her characters states “the lines: too true, too sentimental”. And again later another character says “though I practiced, the sentence sounded stilted.”- read at your own peril.
pickAmazing book, thought provoking and intriguing from beginning to end.
pickWell I was not really wanting to read this, but the book club picked it so I started it. And then I was pulled in.
pickI am truly beginning to love books such as this one. I really want to visit the real ALP now. This is a story courage, friendships, love, and the library that centered it all. Based on real people and events, this is a fantastic, cozy read.
Knocking off that #tbr! Based on the true story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris during WW2. This should be excellent.
so-soOdile's dream comes true when she becomes a librarian at the American library in Paris. But her life, as well as those of her family members, friends and collegues, soon becomes extremely difficult, after the occupion of France. Decades later, her teenage neighbour Lily would like to know why Odile moved to Montana after the WWII.
pick#doublespin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks
The Paris Library was sumptuous WW2 HF!
Day 1 of #marvellousmarchreadathon @Andrew65
Finished 3 today: 1 audio, 1 physical bk, 1 ebook
pickI enjoyed this book and learning of the role of librarians from the American Library in Paris during WWII. It has a dual timeline structure and as usual I found the older timeline more compelling. However I appreciated how the themes and experiences of the first timeline complemented those of the later timeline. I have read a lot of WWII historical fiction but was not familiar with this piece of that history which the author brought to life.
pickI really enjoyed this book. It was a great story based on a real library and real people. Their stories are told within the pages and it‘s a great thought provoking read
so-soThis historical fiction novel moves between the story of Odile at The American Library in Paris during WWll and a lonely teenaged girl in Montana during the 1980s. While I loved reading about real life book saving heroes and in some ways identified with the main characters, I did feel the story was a bit rushed. In terms of WW2 novels set in France, I preferred ‘The Nightingale‘.
February Book Haul. All but one are thrift store finds! I‘m halfway through “Th Paris Library” and loving it!!
Which one should I read next?
I lost my Dad the day before I turned 11 years old. This quote resonated with me deeply. It truly is a “go at your own pace” life experience. Those who have known grief understand.
Some days are just harder than others.
#theparislibrary #grief
This is my Friday #bookhaul from.the popup $1 bookstore. I destroyed their Baldacci stock. The thinner paperbacks are mainly Newberry authors. I do believe we are returning tomorrow.
A quote we should all live by every day. The world would be a kinder place for sure.
Such a lovely book! Loved the inclusion of the Dewey Decimal System.
Libraries, librarians, & books are so vital to our cultures!
🇫🇷📚 📚 📚 🇫🇷
pickI loved this book and it was probably the best historical fiction book I have read in a while! Set in a library in Paris during world war 2 it is a great depiction of how books can get you through even the hardest of times!
My #libbyapp loan of the #audiobook of #janetskesliencharles‘s #theparislibrary is sadly ending in a day or two, and I‘m unable to renew it this time around for whatever reason. I placed another hold on it of about 6 weeks, so I‘m not sure if I‘ll be able to finish this book in November, but we‘ll see!
Happy November! This week‘s #currentlyreadingpile is 4 books: #europeansthemakingofmodernity by #robinwwinks, #chronicles by #froissart, #sixcrimsoncranes by #elizabethlim, and #theparislibrary by #janetskesliencharles. Stay tuned tomorrow for my #novembertbr pile!
pickI loved this book. Set mostly in Paris, it tells the story of how the American library in Paris managed to stay open and send out books to soldiers, POWs and people who is were essentially banned from visiting the library. It's also true and nice to learn this bit of WWII history. The characters are all so interesting, it makes me want to visit Paris again!
Numbers floated round my head like stars.
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
pickThis is an unforgettable story of how the power of literature brings us together. How friendship, family, forgiveness, the bond of books, and betrayal are all blended together in this really stellar novel. The author was asked what she wished a reader would take away from this novel and she said “books are bridges and they bring us together” and I couldn‘t agree more.
After carefully creating my #bookspinbingo list from all the books I want to read this month I immediately read two not on the list! Filling up those free spaces! Now I have to quickly read my #bookspin and #doublespin and then get to the mystery thriller titles for spooky season.
pickI enjoyed it greatly. WWII provides lots of venues for great stories
so-soAgain I did not like it and wasn't able to finish it because of the 3rd pov, but it wasn't awful. I actually managed to get to 63 percent of this book so that's new
Ps: this was my April #bookspin and i have noticed that the list i had wasn't going well for me that's why I changed it completely this month lol also I changed my username. I was @seeking_serenity and now I'm @MehoLovesReading
@TheAromaofBooks
pickFor an entirely spur of the moment purchase, this book was well worth the cost. I would have had no idea what I was missing, but it definitely would have been missed.
so-soA mid-ranking WWII historical fiction read with somewhat slow pacing. The dual timeline & multiple POV format were likely missteps, as the WWII protagonist writing & perspective is far superior & more enjoyable to read. The topic was interesting, with great historical information & exploration of human nature with a lot of emotional moments. The writing does a good job at drawing an emotional response in these passages. A unique premise & OK read.
pick4⭐️ I was surprised at how much I liked the book and I think that it was based on actual facts and the mention of books on most pages. When I was reading the book, it was definitely a page turner for me. What brought it down a point was the more modern storyline and the twist that was revealed (figured it out just before it was revealed) #2021 #bookreview #bookstagram #fiction #historicalfiction #basedonatruestory #wwii
When books understand your feeling more than people, and this goes straight to my heart. 💯
I am posting one book per day from my to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new - don‘t judge me I have a lot of books.
Join the fun if you want. This is day 205.
#bookstoread
#tbrpile
#bookstagram
pickI started this on audio and had a hard time following the story. When I switched to print it became much easier to understand. I hadn't known of the American Library in Paris and this is an interesting introduction to it and its place in WWII history.
#TitleincludesLibrary for #Booked2021; #DoubleSpin for #BookSpinBingo in July; and book 2 of 3 for #20in4. @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65
pickThis is a historical fiction story that takes place in Paris and Montana and in 1930s and 1980s respectively. In Paris Odile is a librarian of the American library, where she joins the resistance during WWII through books and finds herself betrayed. In Montana, Lily is a teenager befriending her elderly neighbor who shares her love of language. They both find themselves learning a secret that binds them together.
so-so#Unpopularopinion This book gets lots of love on Litsy, but I had too many issues with it for the novel to work well for me. I‘ve read much better books about the power/importance of books, and about civilian struggles during wartimes. This is a dual time narrative, and the secondary narrative offers little value to the main story. Finally, I never warmed up to the main character. Yup, I‘m a #partypooper ⭐️⭐️💫
#14books14weeks2021 Book 4 ✅
Friday evening plans 📖
I‘m about halfway through this book and I don‘t love it. The themes are just too similar to those in other WWII fiction I‘ve read recently. I‘m also just tired in general. Work has been crazy since April, and I‘m putting in a lot of extra hours. My reading has suffered. I should get a break in August, but I also thought I‘d get one in July and that‘s not happening. I hate when life interferes with my reading plans🤷🏻♀️
pickThe American Library was founded during WWl, so the English speaking soldiers had entertainment and news from home. It still exists today. This book is based on real people and events. It‘s set during WWll and the 1980s. In Paris and Montana. And it‘s really good. I loved it.
pickI thought this is going to be a boring one...But, the story turns out good... Based in certain real-life characters.
#GoodReads2021Challenge
pickThis book centers on dual storylines: Odile, a librarian in WWII Paris and Lily, a teen in Reagan-era Montana. Both of their stories will intertwine through healing friendship. The real-life characters are the❤️of the story, risking their lives to offer hope through literature. While the ending was a bit of a disappointment, I recommend it. CW: Holocaust
