This free, public event will be hosted via Zoom. Registration is required.
This event runs from 19h30-20h30 (Central European Time) on Wednesday 24 February.
Instructions on how to participate virtually will be emailed on 24 February shortly before the event.

Join us for an evening of conversation with Janet Skeslien Charles, author of "The Paris Library" and an interview moderated by Naida Culshaw

About the book:

Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together.

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 tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.

A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places.

About the speakers:

Janet Skeslien Charles is the award-winning author of "Moonlight in Odessa" and "The Paris Library." Her shorter work has appeared in revues such as Slice and Montana Noir. She learned about the history of the American Library in Paris while working there as the programs manager.

Naida Culshaw is a workshop facilitator, developmental coach, and lecturer at the Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM). As an alumni of the American Library in Paris she continues to create learning environments designed to encourage reflection, self-expression, analytical and critical thinking.