The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

Janet Skeslien Charles: I was 10 years old when I started thinking about elements of this novel. Here, Bookselling This Week discusses Paris, history, and crafting a novel with Charles.īookselling This Week: Where did the idea for this story come from? She first became interested in the true story of the librarians who stood up to the Nazi “Book Protector” when she worked as the program manager at the American Library in Paris. Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir.

The Paris Library is a testament to the everlasting power of literature and literary places to bring people together and be a home for everyone, even during our darkest, most hopeless, and divided times.”Ĭharles is the award-winning author of Moonlight in Odessa, which was published in 10 languages.

“Not only does it bring to life the true story of the heroic librarians of the American Library in Nazi-occupied Paris, its interwoven narrative of a bereft teenager in 1980s Montana who finds a kindred spirit in her mysterious, reclusive, and book-loving French neighbor is a feat of extraordinary storytelling. “I can’t think of a more perfect novel to recommend to book lovers than The Paris Library!” said Alyssa Raymond of Copper Dog Books in Beverly, Massachusetts. Independent booksellers across the country have chosen The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles (Atria Books) as their top pick for the February 2021 Indie Next List.īased on the true story of librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II, this novel follows Odile in 1939 and Lily in 1983 as they navigate the nature of consequence, love, and friendship.