Welcome to Litsy!

I read this for bookclub next week. 2 timelines, Odile starts work at the American Library in Paris right before the German occupation of Paris. We find out what the staff of the library went through to keep it open while helping and protecting patrons. Then there is Odile in 1989s Montana living next door to coming of age Lily who just lost her mother. I enjoyed both timelines but I‘m not sure they fit in the same book. This was also a lovely👇🏼

🎧 This was really good. Epic story in two timelines. Paris during WWII / Nazi occupation and Montana during the 1980‘s. There‘s some bookish fun and a library but there‘s so much more to this story. It does not shy away from talking about the realities of war so be aware, if you‘re sensitive to that.

#SummerEndReadathon @TheSpineView
#Rushathon @DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES premise of this book, based around the real story of the American Library in Paris which stayed open through the German occupation of France in WW2, sounded good, but I don‘t feel the author delivered. Too much of the book was taken up by an irrelevant 1982 timeline, while the wartime storyline took far to long to develop, and the characters felt a little flat.

I spent a year in Paris, and it was at the ALP, when I realized I needed to be a children's librarian. I took the 28 from Rue Duroc to school & the library. It would no longer serve Odile's address, but the line in the book hit a chord. From my bus stop, you can see the Hôtel des Invalides. My apt was in a modern building amongst the Haussmann buildings. I was so young, I didn't appreciate the history of the library, but it was my sanctuary.

Never underestimate the true power of books 📖 #pick #parislibrary

The effort to keep a public library open, to honor its patrons (all of them), for the collection to not be controlled by government or politics - so interesting. Odile‘s WWII story here was compelling. She then lived her next 40+ years in a tiny area in NE Montana until discussing her experiences - I‘m sure that happens to so many people who‘ve had harrowing experiences. But I can‘t imagine my headspace if I had to lock my life away.

This is a beautiful story based on true WWII heroic librarians at the time. In particular, the American Library in Paris where Odile and her fellow librarians work with the Resistance to move books from the library that might otherwise be destroyed. They contrive a way to send books to the soldiers and bring books to Jewish people no longer allowed in the library. In the midst of war, they find love and friendship but also secrets and betrayal.

My daughter and I went to the #FOTL book sale today, our first visit of the year. And what a haul we found! She was so excited by her finds! 🤩 📚 #raisingreaders

I read a couple of really good books in September, but the tagged book really stood out for me. Librarians fighting against the bad guys in their own quiet way…well, you can kind of guess why this holds a special place in my heart! This was also an unique look at WWII, how citizens worked against the German occupation of Paris. For those who loves books that talk about other books - this has a nice sized list! #12BooksOf2022

I enjoyed learning about the American Library in Paris during WWII, and I always love reading about book lovers. I also enjoyed Odile's adult character in the more modern of the timelines. This was a definitely a good book, but I think I'm burnt out on the historical-fiction-dual-timelines genre.

Thank you so much my bestie!! I love everything! I am definitely spoiled!!! Love the mug and the candle smells sooo good! The diary is gorgeous! Lol the socks! I‘ll definitely have to wear those to work!! Love the towel and decorations! And the books 📚 ❤️ You know how to make an old girl feel special on her 39th birthday 😂🤣🤫

Love you lots!!

i love libraries and this book shows the power and community in libraries during the darkest hours of war. great and easy read. the use of the two time periods was an interesting twist but glad the author spent more time in the 30/40s in paris.

The American Library in Paris was on my bucket list, but we stumbled upon it as I was looking for ‘The Prettiest façade of Paris 1901”. The librarian was delightful. An extra treat was the owner of the bookstore,The Red Wheelbarrow, was there supporting an author event! Unfortunately I could not attend since it was in progress, & I had my husband & son with me. Tomorrow I hope to visit the bookstore ?
#Paris! #France ??

I had not heard of this. A friend read it, loved it, and thought I would enjoy it too. She was right, and I always like books that provide two stories in one. I learned a bit about Paris during WWII as well.

The characters were flat and the story - slow and boring. I just didn‘t connect with the characters. Overall - meh. Although, the authors notes were moving.

This ranks as one of my favorite reads in 2022…I had to keep reading and basically ignored all household chores to get it done! Librarians fighting against German-occupied Paris…how much better can it get? Told in a dual timeline, this narrative embodies the power of words and knowledge, and dare I say, the importance of reading. I loved all of the book titles mentioned in this book - so many great books!

#Alphabetgame #letterP

A 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.

Clearly, I‘m enjoying my summer.

I 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.

Found the premise somewhat interesting the the friendship between generations endearing, but a little predictable and slow to pick up momentum.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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.

I 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

A 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.

Hardly 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.

Amazing book, thought provoking and intriguing from beginning to end.

Well I was not really wanting to read this, but the book club picked it so I started it. And then I was pulled in.

I 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.

Odile'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.

#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

I 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.

I 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

This 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 WWll 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?

#paris #beginswith @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

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.

#newread #theparislibrary

Such a lovely book! Loved the inclusion of the Dewey Decimal System.
Libraries, librarians, & books are so vital to our cultures!
🇫🇷📚 📚 📚 🇫🇷

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I 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!

I 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

This 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.