The Paris Library

The instant New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestseller based on the true story of the heroic librarians at The American Library in Paris during World War II.

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, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983.

Lily is a lonely teenager intrigued by the air of mystery about her elderly, solitary neighbor from Paris. As Lily uncovers hints about her past, she finds that they share a love of language and books, never suspecting that a dark secret connects the two.

Based on the true story of The American Library in Paris, The Paris Library is a mesmerizing and captivating novel about the power of books and the bonds of friendship—and the ordinary heroes who can be found in the most perilous times and the quietest places.

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.

ISBN: 9781668010853
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: March 12, 2024

“Opens the doors to a hidden world in Paris, one that’s both inspiring and like a precious secret you want to savour. It pulled me in with its delightful cast of bookworm characters and all their quirks and secrets. This is an engaging story of the magic of books, how they can offer hope, strength, and joy in the darkest hours.”
— ELLEN KEITH, bestselling author of The Dutch Wife“Absolutely delightful from the first page to the last. I recommend this book to anyone who understands the magic of books, friendships, and love in the face of evil.”
— GENEVIEVE GRAHAM, #1 bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child“A vivid, enjoyable, based-on-a-true-story tale. In The Paris Library, the beloved library, its staff, and its subscribers come to life and remind us of both the horrors of World War II and the vital role books play in keeping us afloat in difficult times. Well-researched, stirring, and rich with detail, The Paris Library is an ode to the importance of libraries, books, and the human connections we find within both.”
— KRISTIN HARMEL, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names“A billet-doux to books and libraries.”
— Toronto Star“As a Parisian, an ardent bookworm, and a longtime fan of the American Library in Paris, I devoured The Paris Library in one hungry gulp. It is charming and moving, with a perfect balance between history and fiction.”
— TATIANA DE ROSNAY, bestselling author of Sarah’s Key“A fresh take on World War II France that will appeal to bibliophiles everywhere. I fell in love with Odile and Lily, with their struggles and triumphs, from the very first page. Meticulously researched, The Paris Library is an irresistible, compelling read.”
— FIONA DAVIS, bestselling author of The Chelsea Girls“The Paris Library is a refreshing novel that celebrates libraries as cradles of community, especially when we need them the most. It shows how literature can be a means of escape, a catalyst for human connection, and a moral center in grim times. A thoroughly enjoyable read, kind-hearted and brimming with delightful bookish allusions.”
— MATTHEW SULLIVAN, author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore“Intelligent and sensuously rich. . . . A novel tailor-made for those who cherish books and libraries.”
— Kirkus Reviews“A love letter to Paris, the power of books, and the beauty of intergenerational friendship.”
— Booklist“Delightful . . . Richly detailed . . . Historical fiction fans will be drawn to the realistic narrative and the bond of friendship forged between a widow and a lonely young girl.”
— Publishers Weekly“Second World War Resistance fighters? Check. Glamorous location? Check. Rooms filled with books? Check, check, and check. What’s not to love about a novel that melds all three into one incredibly satisfying read? This story centres on Odile, who works at the American Library in Paris in 1939 and, 50 years on, is living in Montana next to lonely teenager Lily. As the two become friends, Odile slowly reveals her secrets, including her acts of bravery—and betrayal—to the girl whose present day actions eerily mirror Odile’s past.”
— Canadian Living