The Parisian Chapter: a story of friendship, literature and finding home in the City of Lights

The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles is a story of friendship, literature and finding home again. Paris, 1995, Lily Jacobsen and her best friend Mary Louise wanted to pursue their dreams in the City of Lights. After five years of their shared tiny walkup and surviving on brie and baguettes, Mary Louise suddenly moves out. Lily feels so alone before she gets a job as a programs manager at the American Library, following in the footsteps of her beloved French neighbor, Odile, back home. Fueled by Odile’s stories of heroic World War II librarians, Lily sees a chance to make her own experiences. At the library, she discovers the library is in financial trouble. In the attic, Lily discovers a box that may contain information about Odile’s time at the library. Could what she finds help save the library? 

I loved Janet Skeslien Charles’ book, The Paris Library and I was eager to once again visit the American Library. Sadly, I was bored and disappointed. There were too many characters with chapter POVs. I couldn’t connect with any of them, especially Lily. I found her to be whiny and annoying. I wasn’t sure what the conflict between Lily and Mary Louise was and if Mary Louise’s reason to move out was fully explained. Or maybe I missed it. I also wasn’t aware this book was supposed to be a spin off of The Paris Library. It just doesn’t have the same impact I felt when I read The Paris Library. Overall, I was bored and underwhelmed. I didn’t see the power of friendship, literature of finding home again. It was not the story I was expecting. I do not recommend The Parisian Chapter. 

The Parisian Chapter is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade: resilience of the human spirit to survive and rebuild

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is based on a true story of Jessie “Kit” Carson, an American librarian who worked in a war zone to bring books to the people. In January 1918, as the Great War rages on, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library and works for the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD). Founded by Anne Morgan, the daughter of JP Morgan, this group helped rebuild the war torn French communities along the battlefront. When Jessie arrives, she creates children’s libraries. Turning ambulances into bookmobiles and trains French women as librarians. Then she disappears. Sixty-nine years later, in 1987, Wendy Peterson, a NYPL librarian and aspiring writer, stumbled across Jessie Carson’s name in the archives. With only a passing reference, Wendy becomes obsessed with discovering more about the elusive librarian. Is she prepared for what her search will reveal?  

I loved Jane Skeslien Charles’s The Paris Library and could not wait to read another adventure of the importance of books and community, even in war time. It is a story about the resilience of the human spirit to survive and rebuild. It is a story of inspiration and courage. I loved that Jessie felt the call to join CARD and leave her safe home for a war zone. I also loved that she did not let disappointment discourage her from doing what she set out to do. She was a librarian and was going to bring books back to the community. I also loved Wendy’s dedication to find out Jessie’s story and tell the world about her. This story is well researched and I enjoyed the author’s notes at the end about the real life individuals. If you enjoy stories about WWI and books, I recommend Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. 

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade will be available 

in hardcover, eBook and audiobook April 30, 2024

The Paris Library: a story of life, love and survival

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles is based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris who were steadfast to keep the library open during the Paris Occupation. The story is told between two timelines with young Odile Souchet in 1939nParis and Lily in 1983 Montana. In 1939, Odile Souchet is young and ambitious with the world at her feet with a handsome beau and her dream job at the American Library. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she worked so hard for, together with her fellow librarians, they use the best weapons they have: books. In 1983, Lily is a lonely teenager who is looking for adventures beyond her small-town. She befriends the solitary, elderly neighbor, Mrs. Gustafson, who no one seems to know. Her story is the only secret in a town where everyone knew every secret. As Lily learns about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that the stories of love, loss, longings and jealousy are tales as old as time. 

Books have always had a big impact on my life. They were my friends, my confidantes and relaxation in times of stress. To many people libraries are quiet, boring places where you’re forced to go when you need to do a school project. To me, it was a place of great adventures, The Paris Library takes that place of adventures and makes it the center of heroism and quiet rebellion. It is a story of romance, friendship, family and the power of literature to bridge the divide between us. The Paris Library is a beautiful story about life, love and war surrounding the librarians of the American Library. My favorite statement from the book’s description says it all, “The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places.” Between Odile’s story and Lily’s story, we can see and learn that the times may be different but the reactions, the emotions and the consequences to the actions are the same. We can certainly learn from the past. I highly recommend The Paris Library. 

The Paris Library is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook