Janet Skeslien Charles – författare

The New York Times bestselling author of the The Paris Library returns with a powerful, moving new novel based on the extraordinary true story of Jessie Carson, the American librarian determined to bring books to the children of war-torn France.'This is hands down my book of 2024. A rich, glorious life-affirming ode to the power of books and female solidarity. Simply unforgettable!' Kate Thompson'A wonderful story about the power books have not only to inspire, but also to rescue and restore. The characters are so richly drawn... I absolutely loved it' Ruth Hogan'If you're a fan of historical fiction with strong, inspirational women at its core, do yourself a favor and pick up this book.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Real Reader------------------------Under what was left of the roof of the ruined cottage, a girl with pigtails perched on a pile of rubble, hunched over a book...1918: As the Great War rages, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for the American Committee for Devastated France, a group of women determined to rebuild devastated French communities just miles from the front. Upon arrival, Jessie strives to establish something that the French have never seen - children's libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians. Then she disappears.1987: When NYPL librarian and aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles across a passing reference to Jessie Carson in the archives, she becomes consumed with learning her fate. In her obsession, she discovers that she and the elusive librarian have more in common than their work at New York's famed library, but she has no idea their paths will converge in surprising ways across time.*Published under the title Miss Morgan's Book Brigade in the US*Readers adore THE LIBRARIANS OF RUE DE PICARDIE:'Beautifully written... unforgettable!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Inspiring' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'A great book for book-club discussions' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐I will be thinking of these brave women for a long time to come' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'A beautiful story of female courage, friendship and the power of books' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'An enthralling, emotional story rich in historical detail... Charles has done real justice to the legacy of these courageous women; this wonderful book is a gift to the reader' Liese O'Halloran Schwarz'A moving novel of sacrifice, heroism, and inspired storytelling immersed in the power of books to change our lives' Patti Callahan Henry'Bibliophiles are in for a treat' Publishers Weekly

The New York Times bestselling author of the The Paris Library returns with a powerful, moving new novel based on the extraordinary true story of Jessie Carson, the American librarian determined to bring books to the children of war-torn France.'This is hands down my book of 2024. A rich, glorious life-affirming ode to the power of books and female solidarity. Simply unforgettable!' KATE THOMPSON'A wonderful story about the power books have not only to inspire, but also to rescue and restore. The characters are so richly drawn... I absolutely loved it' RUTH HOGAN------------------------Under what was left of the roof of the ruined cottage, a girl with pigtails perched on a pile of rubble, hunched over a book...1918: As the Great War rages, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for the American Committee for Devastated France, a group of women determined to rebuild devastated French communities just miles from the front. Upon arrival, Jessie strives to establish something that the French have never seen - children's libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians. Then she disappears.1987: When NYPL librarian and aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles across a passing reference to Jessie Carson in the archives, she becomes consumed with learning her fate. In her obsession, she discovers that she and the elusive librarian have more in common than their work at New York's famed library, but she has no idea their paths will converge in surprising ways across time.*Published under the title Miss Morgan's Book Brigade in the US*'An astonishing novel with the beating heart of courageous women who change the world through books. For every reader who was once told to get their head out of the clouds because they read too many books, this one is for you... A moving novel of sacrifice, heroism, and inspired storytelling immersed in the power of books to change our lives' PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY'Bursting with remarkable characters and filled with heart-in-mouth moments... an enthralling, emotional story rich in historical detail. Janet Skeslien Charles has done real justice to the legacy of these courageous women; this wonderful book is a gift to the reader' LIESE O'HALLORAN SCHWARZ'Bibliophiles are in for a treat' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'I found myself captivated by this eye-opening book and reminder of the good that comes from dedicated hard work. I am grateful to Janet Skeslien Charles for educating me about the remarkable women of CARD' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Goodreads reviewer 'I love books about libraries and books. The fact that this book is actually based off of real people is amazing. This book celebrates the contributions that these women made when they are usually swept under the rug. I loved Jessie so much, and I will be thinking of these brave women for a long time to come' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Goodreads reviewer

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library, a captivating story about a young woman who takes a job at the American Library in Paris, where she discovers the power of storytelling and writes her own Parisian chapter...'A sparkling, heartfelt ode to libraries - and to the people who make them magical' KRISTIN HARMELParis, 1995. It's been five years since Lily Jacobsen and her best friend Mary Louise arrived in Paris from their small town in Montana. Determined to establish themselves as artists, they shared a tiny apartment. But when Mary Louise moves out, Lily feels alone in the city of light and needs a new way to support herself. She lands a job as a programs manager at the American Library in Paris, following in the footsteps of Odile, her beloved French neighbour in Montana who told her stories of heroic World War II librarians when Lily was growing up.At work, Lily meets an extraordinary cast of characters - including her favourite writer, struggling students, haughty trustees, and devoted volunteers - each with their own stories...and agendas. In the library's attic, Lily discovers a box of archives that may be a link to Odile's own Parisian chapter.This moving story offers a panoramic view of a real historic institution, and revisits characters from both of Janet Skeslien Charles's beloved novels. 'A colorful tapestry shot through with themes of friendship, the power of books, the importance of history, and the joys and trials of an artist's life. It's told with charm and flair and filled with genuine joie de vivre' Library JournalReal readers ADORED opening The Parisian Chapter:'This is a story for anyone who's ever chased a dream, lost a friend, or found themselves in a place that feels like home - even if it's across the world. In The Parisian Chapter, Janet Skeslien Charles blends humor, heartbreak, and the magic of books' 'The Parisian Chapter is The Devil Wears Prada set in a library''A beautiful exploration of ambition, love, nostalgia, and the messiness of real friendships, especially the kind that evolve (or dissolve) as we grow' Praise for Janet Skeslien Charles' novels:'An irresistible combination of two of my favourite things: Paris and libraries. Utterly charming' NATASHA LESTER'A rich, glorious, life-affirming ode to the power of books and female solidarity' KATE THOMPSON'A love letter to Paris, the power of books, and the beauty of intergenerational friendship' BOOKLIST

IN THE DARKNESS OF WAR, THE LIGHT OF BOOKS - HOW LIBRARIANS DEFIED THE NAZISTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'A wonderful novel celebrating the power of books and libraries to change people's lives' JILL MANSELL'Heart-breaking and heart-lifting and always enchanting' RUTH HOGAN'An irresistible and utterly compelling novel that will appeal to bibliophiles and historical fiction fans alike' SUNDAY EXPRESS'I devoured The Paris Library in one hungry gulp . . . charming and moving' TATIANA DE ROSNAY'An irresistible, compelling read' FIONA DAVIS'Paris and libraries. What's not to love?!' NATASHA LESTER'Compelling' WOMAN & HOME'Delightful, richly detailed' PUBLISHER'S WEEKLYPARIS, 1939Odile Souchet is obsessed with books, and her new job at the American Library in Paris - with its thriving community of students, writers and book lovers - is a dream come true. When war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes.In Occupied Paris, choices as black and white as the words on a page become a murky shade of grey - choices that will put many on the wrong side of history, and the consequences of which will echo for decades to come.'Book obsessives will adore this immersive love letter to the power of the written word.' RED MAGAZINEMONTANA, 1983Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. She grows close to her neighbour Odile, discovering they share the same love of language, the same longings. But as Lily uncovers more about Odile's mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, closely guarded and long hidden.Based on the true Second World War story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable novel of romance, friendship, family, and of heroism found in the quietest of places.

HEROISM CAN BE FOUND IN THE QUIETEST PLACES - HOW LIBRARIANS DEFIED THE NAZISTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK'A wonderful novel celebrating the power of books and libraries to change people's lives' JILL MANSELL'Heart-breaking and heart-lifting and always enchanting' RUTH HOGAN'An irresistible and utterly compelling novel that will appeal to bibliophiles and historical fiction fans alike' SUNDAY EXPRESS'I devoured The Paris Library in one hungry gulp . . . charming and moving' TATIANA DE ROSNAY'An irresistible, compelling read' FIONA DAVIS'Paris and libraries. What's not to love?!' NATASHA LESTER'Compelling' WOMAN & HOME'Delightful, richly detailed' PUBLISHER'S WEEKLYPARIS, 1939Odile Souchet is obsessed with books, and her new job at the American Library in Paris - with its thriving community of students, writers and book lovers - is a dream come true. When war is declared, the Library is determined to remain open. But then the Nazis invade Paris, and everything changes.In Occupied Paris, choices as black and white as the words on a page become a murky shade of grey - choices that will put many on the wrong side of history, and the consequences of which will echo for decades to come.MONTANA, 1983Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. She grows close to her neighbour Odile, discovering they share the same love of language, the same longings. But as Lily uncovers more about Odile's mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, closely guarded and long hidden.Based on the true Second World War story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable novel of romance, friendship, family, and of heroism found in the quietest of places.