February 2025 Top Novel: “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles

There’s something about stories set during World War II that always pulls me in—maybe it’s the resilience of people in impossible circumstances or the way history feels so personal when told through individual lives. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles was no exception. It quickly became my favorite read of February 2025, not just because of the history, but because it surprised me with how relevant it felt today.

Inspired by the true story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris during the Nazi occupation, this novel beautifully weaves two timelines: 1940s Paris and 1980s Montana. At first, I didn’t expect to relate much to either setting—Paris feels distant and glamorous, and Montana is worlds away from my own experience. But what brought it together for me was the shared thread of loneliness, friendship, and the power of stories to save us.

Odile, the young Parisian librarian, is bookish, proud, and stubborn in the best way. I found myself rooting for her not just as she risked everything to protect her library’s Jewish members, but as she struggled with guilt, choices, and the weight of survival. There’s a quiet bravery in Odile’s character that resonated with me. I’ve never lived through war, but I know what it’s like to wrestle with family loyalty, mistakes, and the need to find a community that understands you.

The modern storyline follows Lily, a lonely teenager in Montana, who forms an unexpected bond with her mysterious elderly neighbor—Odile. I loved how their connection built slowly, awkwardly at first, but ultimately became a lifeline for them both. It reminded me of the power of generational friendships—how people you least expect can teach you the most.

What stayed with me was how The Paris Library celebrated libraries—not just as buildings full of books, but as places where people find refuge, knowledge, and each other. As someone who grew up escaping to libraries, this felt deeply personal. Books saved me, in small ways, growing up. They still do.

If you’re looking for a historical novel that doesn’t just rehash the same WWII tropes but offers something fresh, emotional, and quietly powerful, I can’t recommend The Paris Library enough. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most heroic acts are the quiet ones: choosing to show up, choosing to care, choosing to preserve stories when everything else is falling apart.