Janet Skeslien Charles Books

The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library presents a powerful novel inspired by the true story of Jessie Carson, an American librarian dedicated to bringing books to children in war-torn France. Set against the backdrop of 1918, as the Great War rages, Jessie leaves her position at the New York Public Library to join the American Committee for Devastated France. Her mission is to establish children's libraries, transforming ambulances into bookmobiles and training the first French female librarians. However, she mysteriously disappears. Fast forward to 1987, when Wendy Peterson, a librarian and aspiring writer at NYPL, discovers a reference to Jessie in the archives. Her curiosity leads her to uncover surprising connections between her life and Jessie's, revealing shared experiences that transcend time. This novel is a tribute to the power of books and female solidarity, showcasing the courage of women who change the world through literature. Readers will find themselves immersed in a moving tale of sacrifice and heroism, rich with historical detail and unforgettable characters. It celebrates the contributions of remarkable women often overlooked in history, reminding us of the transformative impact of dedicated work and the enduring legacy of libraries.

The instant New York Times bestseller, inspired by the true story of the librarians at the American Library in Paris who risked their lives during the Nazis' war on words: a story of courage, defiance and betrayal in Occupied Paris, perfect for fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society.

In Odessa, Ukraine, Daria, a whip-smart engineer, spends her days underemployed as a secretary - a job she was lucky to get in this rotten economy. She spends her evenings moonlighting as an interpreter at an agency that matches lonely American men with beautiful-but-broke Ukrainian women. She spends her nights wondering if there is more. When an American client offers marriage and a one-way ticket out of poverty, Daria jumps at the chance.

An inspiring and uplifting novel of courage based on the true story of Jessie Carson, the American librarian who changed the literary landscape of France, from the author of The Paris Library.