You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
4.5 stars A historical fiction book about a library? Count me in! I really enjoyed this mystery book and just when I thought I had solved it, I was wrong. Hoping I get to see the NYPL in person very soon
I plan on writing a longer review before the book is out (8/4). For now, I'll just say that if you love books, libraries, history, New York City, the advancement of women . . . PREORDER this one now or put in a request at your library because it's fabulous. I read an advance digital copy and plan on ordering a hardcover. I want to see this one on my bookshelves!
3.6/5
Another cute in between read. Mystery mixed with some women’s liberation themes and a little NYC history.
Apparently (from the afterword) Davis writes all her stories about different historical NYC buildings, kinda cool!
Another cute in between read. Mystery mixed with some women’s liberation themes and a little NYC history.
Apparently (from the afterword) Davis writes all her stories about different historical NYC buildings, kinda cool!
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lazy. The villain turns out to be someone random and forgettable we met exactly once and out of context. For historical fiction, there is no attempt to imbue the 1913 storyline with any period-accurate dialogue based on the characters’ social backgrounds, economic positions, education, etc. Also, I’m pretty sure the phrase “taking up space” is a very recent woke construct and wildly incongruous in both 1913 and 1993.
I rated a 3.75.
Loved hearing about libraries and the women’s love for books.
But I found some things dragged/repeated and the ending was a bit too movie drama like for my taste.
Loved hearing about libraries and the women’s love for books.
But I found some things dragged/repeated and the ending was a bit too movie drama like for my taste.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was hooked but it was a lame and predictable ending. Lots of cliches which was disappointing
Ooooooooo...........this was cool. Really cool. I mean, it’s a librarian’s dream read. So many books, writers, bookstores, readers, libraries and all the ephemera thereof - it’s just all so good. If it’s possible to envy a character in a book, then I have such envy and I have it HARD! Why can’t I be Sadie and work in a research library where I have to put on gloves to handle stuff??? Why aren’t I living in a cool flat in NYC just down the street from my really awesome job at the NYPL? Not fair!!!
I loved this book! Loved it. Dreamed about it actually. Sigh. So good.
I loved this book! Loved it. Dreamed about it actually. Sigh. So good.
Great setting. Characters that were good but not great. This was a completely fine read but also could have been something much better.