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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
This is one of the books from the Summer Reading Guide 2020. Based on the description, I was fairly sure that it wouldn't be amazing, just entertaining, and that is indeed the case; a two-era set in the New York Public Library, the earlier story when the library was nearly new: a superintendent of the building living in an apartment with his wife and two young children. The story is really about his wife, who longed for a life that was less dependent on her husband. The second story is about one of the library's employees, a woman in her thirties. The stories are connected by kinship (the woman from 1913 becomes a famed feminist essayist; her granddaughter is the librarian) and by mysterious thefts from the library's rare book collection. The mystery is convoluted, tying together many loose threads near the end in an unsatisfying pat manner. The star of the book is the library itself.
Without a doubt I selected Fiona Davis’ new novel because the focal point is every librarian’s holy place, the New York Public Library! However, I do have to admit that I almost put this down. The first few chapters just didn’t grab my attention. By the time I made it to the middle I couldn’t stop myself from finishing the rest in one sitting!
The novel alternates between Laura in 1913 and her granddaughter Sadie in 1993. Their lives have striking parallels, though they never get the chance to meet. Each woman has to solve the mystery of a series of book thefts and finds unexpected romance along the way. I may have started reading because of NYPL, but I stayed for the romance and mystery. I also appreciated that the author chose to incorporate LGBTQ content, which historical fiction authors seem to shy away from. I would recommend this book to my fellow bibliophiles, librarians, or historical fiction readers!
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced reader’s edition in exchange for an honest review.
Read-A-Likes: The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown and The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes.
The novel alternates between Laura in 1913 and her granddaughter Sadie in 1993. Their lives have striking parallels, though they never get the chance to meet. Each woman has to solve the mystery of a series of book thefts and finds unexpected romance along the way. I may have started reading because of NYPL, but I stayed for the romance and mystery. I also appreciated that the author chose to incorporate LGBTQ content, which historical fiction authors seem to shy away from. I would recommend this book to my fellow bibliophiles, librarians, or historical fiction readers!
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced reader’s edition in exchange for an honest review.
Read-A-Likes: The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown and The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes.
I enjoyed this story of the New York Public Library, but I'm a little tired of historical fiction books set in two different times with two separate but linked storylines.
I really enjoyed the parts about the inside of the library. The mystery tie up at the end, not the greatest, but I did not see it coming so there is that. I also, wanted to know what happened to Harry and would have been upset it is was left hanging.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
I liked the setting, but it some details and plot twists were a bit too convenient and far fetched for this book to be very satisfying.
I listened to this book via Libby and wow! I loved it! The drama, the two eras in alternating chapters, the well-developed characters and plot...the surprise twist at the end.....what's not to love?
Fun mystery about rare book thefts in the New York Public Library with two intertwining story lines, one set in 1913 and one in 1993. Although the story wasn’t as engaging as I’d hoped, I liked the two main characters, Laura Lyons trying to balance motherhood with studying to be a journalist and Sadie Donovan, a rare books librarian, and I really enjoyed learning more about the NYPL.
dark