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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I’m pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. What a wonderful combination of a historical fiction with mystery and a little dash of romance. I loved how this centered around the history of a library. Great story
This book was on my radar for a long time, simply because who wouldn't want to read about a family who lives in the New York Public Library? Other than knowing it was fiction, I opened the book with few expectations. Holy cow! Time-slip dual narratives from two powerful feminist from the same family decades apart. I learned so much history from the settings, even if the people inside weren't real. To the people who enjoy books, from writing, to promoting, to selling, reading, protecting, this is a title to not miss!
This was a really really good book! Pigeonholing this novel into a specific genre would be challenging because it is a great blend of historical fiction, mystery with little bits of romance mixed in. I was intrigued right from the beginning and was always happy when I could pick the story back up. The narration for the audiobook was also very good and it was a positive listening experience. I love the book world so I enjoyed that this was set in the beautiful NYPL and discussed the value of books. But even though the mystery behind the missing books was the main plot what made the book so great was everything around that mystery. The characters, the relationships, the social issues all created and built this world that was so well done. 4.5*
Started out strong and then, like so many books I've tried to read this year, kind of just left me bored and wanting it to be over. I'm sure if I were to read this at another time, when I'm in a different frame of mind I'd enjoy it much more.
This is my second book by this author, and I will be reading more. I enjoy how she melds plots from the past with the present. So far, both books have focused on women in NYC who have chosen nontraditional (for the time—1910s) careers/lives.
Laura Lyons is a housewife in 1913, living with her two children in the New York Public Library where her husband is superintendent. When she gets the opportunity to attend Columbia Journalism School, her horizons are broadened & suddenly she's making connections with other women in the working world and realizing what might be possible for her.
Sadie Donovan is her granddaughter - working in the New York Public Library and curating an exhibit that includes her grandmother's work. Both women experience thefts during their time at the library, giving this book a mystery element as well as following the women's individual stories.
Have you ever had super high expectations of a book because of what others have said, only to have it fall short when you read it? That's what happened with this one for me - but I do still think it's worth the read if you're into the topic!
Sadie Donovan is her granddaughter - working in the New York Public Library and curating an exhibit that includes her grandmother's work. Both women experience thefts during their time at the library, giving this book a mystery element as well as following the women's individual stories.
Have you ever had super high expectations of a book because of what others have said, only to have it fall short when you read it? That's what happened with this one for me - but I do still think it's worth the read if you're into the topic!
Really interesting, if sad, read. The details of the library in the book were great, and there were some good characters, but there were definitely parts that needed editing and several major plot points were predictable.