Janet Skeslien Charles

Janet Skeslien Charles is the author of Moonlight in Odessa. Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir. When she worked at the American Library in Paris she became interested in the incredible true story of the librarians who stood up to the Nazi “Book Protector.” This story became the source for The Paris Library (Atria Books) a story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together. The story takes us to Paris, 1939. Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile get unspeakable betrayal. Fast forward to Montana, 1983.Lily is a lonely teenager and her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As she learns more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language and much more, including a dark secret from the past connects them. Kirkus Reviews called it “Intelligent and sensuously rich […] A novel tailor-made for those who cherish books and libraries.”