The Paris Library | Book Review | Janet Skeslien Charles

Book: The Paris Library
Author: Janet Skeslien Charles
Rating: 9/10

This is one of the books that I finished quickly – just in a week, maybe because I love the story so much.

This is my first time reading about the effects of books during World War II and learning that there are more groups and individuals who are doing their job to at least make that trying time a little better.

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The book has brought me to beautiful Paris and reintroduced to me its beautiful culture and at the same time presented to me another side of the Parisians. How eloquent they are in insulting someone and at the same time so secretive or defensive of their feelings.

I love how the author shifts from the World War II period to the recent time as it gives me a breather from the heavy setting of war. I cried over the losses and betrayals. At the same time, I was relieved every time I read that a character didn’t die.

This book makes me want to go to a library and make good friends with everyone in there. It would be fun to have a Library Club. I ran a Book Club before the Cebu Book Club together with a friend, but life gets busier. I would probably rekindle the club. A group that would meet up once a month and just talks about books.

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Other lessons I learned from this book are:
• People are awkward, they don’t always know what to do or say. Don’t hold it against them. You never know what’s in their hearts.
• You’re nothing without principles. Nowhere without ideals. No one without courage.
• Accept people for who they are, not who you want them to be.

About The Book
The Paris Library is about the role of the American Paris Library during World War II. How their passion for their profession worked wonders during the war. It also tells the story of Odile, one of the librarians of APL and one of the narrators of the story. How she, together with the rest of the librarians, aids the people during the war. Another pov from Lily, a high school student and the 2nd narrator of the book. We can see her development as a person as she connects with Odile and how she helps her close a sad chapter of her life and embarks on a new journey.

Highly recommended book and I hope someday to visit the American Paris Library.

Have you read the book? I love to hear what you think!