The following version of this novel was used in the creation of this study guide: Charles, Janet Skeslien. The Paris Library. Atria Books. 2021. First Edition. Hardcover.

In February of 1939, Odile interviews for her dream job at the American Library. While her brother Rémy supports her, Odile’s Papa is convinced that she needs to focus on marriage. Odile receives a two-year contract from the Directoress, Miss Reeder while slowly developing feelings for one of her father’s suitors, Paul. However, everyone feels that war is coming as refugees attempt to flee to France.

Then in March of 1983, teenage Lily lives in Froid, Montana with her terribly ill mother and worried father. She struggles to cope at home and longs to escape to Paris and make something of herself. This, as well as the stress caused by her mother’s illness, convinces Lily to seek help from her mysterious, foreign neighbor Odile Gustafson. While Mrs. Gustafson tells stories of her past to try and cheer the family up, Lily knows that her mother has little time left.

In the past, Odile meets Margaret who is struggling with extreme loneliness while her husband handles everything at home. The two become friends and Odile convinces Margaret to volunteer at the library. Meanwhile, Rémy falls in love with one of Odile’s coworkers Bitsi and Odile catches her father cheating on Maman. This causes her to remember her mother’s disdain for Aunt Caro when she wanted to divorce her own cheating husband and Odile resolves to make a life for herself. She continues to fall deeper in love with Paul and stands up for Margaret against her emotionally abusive husband. However, as the war gets closer to Paris, Odile is dismayed to learn that Rémy has enlisted in the army.

In Lily’s timeline, she and her father grow more distant after the death of her mother and struggle to understand each other. Things get worse for Lily’s mental health when her father begins dating a woman named Eleonor as Lily feels that both Eleanor and her father are trying to replace her mother while also controlling Lily’s life. Odile and Mary Louise remain by Lily’s side as she slips further into her depression.

After Rémy leaves for the army, Odile blames Bitsi for convincing Rémy to enlist while the library staff resolves to stay with Miss Reeder. They start the Soldiers' Service which delivers books to battalions. Then, Miss Reeder sends Odile to the American Hospital where she realizes her immaturity and mends her friendship with Bitsi. Weeks later, Paris is bombed for the first time and, as many refugees arrive from the countryside, others flee. Miss Reeder fights to keep the library open while the Germans destroy information all across the city.

In Froid, Lily's father marries Eleanor. Lily worries that she will try to replace her mother or that Lily herself will not have any room left in their lives. Odile comforts Lily as Eleanor becomes pregnant and Lily's father throws out many things that Lily sees as representations of her mother's memory. After giving birth to Joe, Eleanor gets pregnant a second time but falls ill as it progresses.

In Paris, things get progressively worse as Rémy is taken as a prisoner of war and the Nazis bar the library from sending books to the troops. As food becomes scarce and the citizens suffer, the library staff delivers books illegally to Jewish subscribers who are barred from the library. Eventually, Odile and Paul sleep together just before Odile learns that Miss Reeder must return to the United States for her own safety.

In the present, Lily's grades begin to slip as she and Eleanor struggle to take care of the two boys. Odile encourages Lily to confront her father and he agrees to help out more so she can focus on her dreams. However, when Odile leaves town to visit a friend, Lily finds letters from the war condemning Jews and neighbors in Odile's things. Betrayed, Lily confronts Odile, but regrets it when she realizes that the letters were not written by her.

In the past, the Countess takes over the library as America is pulled into the war once Japan bombs Pearl Harbor. Paul proposes to Odile, but she only reveals this to Rémy in a letter and Professor Cohen. Margaret is eventually arrested as a foreigner but is rescued by a German soldier named Felix whom she falls in love with. This creates significant tension between her and Odile, especially as Felix provides Margaret with many things that others are left without. Dr. Fuchs warns Odile and the Countess that the Gestapo is planting traps to arrest people. Boris is shot and, months later, Odile learns that Rémy has passed away.

Ten days later, Odile returns to the library, but her relationship with Margaret has become strained. She is horrified to learn that Paul arrested Professor Cohen, forcing her to flee from a detention center. She also learns of the mysterious letters written by members of the community condemning their neighbors and friends. She steals and burns as many as she can before her father catches her and tells her to never come back.

In 1944, the Allies take back France and Odile accidentally tells Paul about Margaret's lover. This causes him and some colleagues to attack her in a fit of rage, breaking her wrist and shaving her head like the other women who consorted with German soldiers. Odile and Paul elope, but she is horrified to learn about the attack and Margaret refuses to reconcile. Angry at herself, Odile throws her ring into the river and marries an American soldier so she can flee Paris, hoping that will give Margaret a chance to live.

All of this culminates back in Froid, Montana decades later as Odile uses her failure with Margaret to stop Lily from ruining her friendship with Mary Louise in a similar manner. The two remain friends until Lily's graduation when Odile gifts her with a ticket to Paris.