The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

I am a big fan of World War II fiction, but sometimes it's hard to find a new aspect about the war that hasn't already been written about. The Paris Library, by Janet Skeslien Charles, is based on the role that staff from The American Library in Paris played during the war. Books and reading played an important role in boosting morale, providing a sense of normalcy but also an escape for a brief time from dark times. Staff continued to help not only their regular "subscribers" but also delivered books to Jewish citizens at great risk to themselves, and to soldiers, whether on the field or injured an in hospital.  

The Paris part of the story revolves around Odile, a young librarian, and her family and fellow staff at the American Library in Paris. The other part of the story takes place in America, and revolves around the struggles of a young girl named Lily.  Odile is older now, and is Lily's next door neighbour. Together they forge a bond that helps them both heal and survive life's tough moments.

I thought this book was excellent.  I was invested in the characters and the author made them seem real, by revealing their faults as wells as their strengths.  As a fellow librarian myself, I also loved the references to the Dewey Decimal System, and now want to read the books the staff recommended to their subscribers. I gave this book a 5 out of 5. #TheParisLibrary #NetGalley