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Melanie Benjamin

Goodreads Author

Born

Indianapolis

Website

http://www.melaniebenjamin.com

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction

Member Since

July 2009

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/melaniebenjamin

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Melanie Benjamin is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE and THE AVIATOR'S WIFE, as well as the national bestseller ALICE I HAVE BEEN, and THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB, THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE, MISTRESS OF THE RITZ , THE CHILDREN'S BLIZZARD and CALIFORNIA GOLDEN, Her next novel is THE WINDSOR AFFAIR, a juicy retelling of the legendary feud between Wallis Simpson and Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, the Queen Mother, coming in June 2026. Preorder now - https://sites.prh.com/the-windsor-aff... ...more

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Melanie Benjamin’s books

Average rating: 3.8 · 200,051 ratings · 24,991 reviews · 15 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Aviator's Wife 3.91 avg rating — 77,102 ratings — published 2013 — 38 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Swans of Fifth Avenue 3.63 avg rating — 37,572 ratings — published 2016	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Children's Blizzard 3.95 avg rating — 25,681 ratings — published 2021 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Alice I Have Been 3.65 avg rating — 15,468 ratings — published 2009 — 36 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mistress of the Ritz 3.80 avg rating — 14,675 ratings — published 2019	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb 3.72 avg rating — 10,951 ratings — published 2011 — 22 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Girls in the Picture 3.64 avg rating — 8,402 ratings — published 2018 — 24 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	California Golden 3.55 avg rating — 5,151 ratings — published 2023 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tune in Tomorrow 3.57 avg rating — 2,131 ratings — published 2024 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Reckless Hearts 3.71 avg rating — 349 ratings — published 2015 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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6 posts
Melanie Benjamin's Blog

The Windsor Affair

Thrilled to share that my next historical novel (#9) will be out on June 2nd. THE WINDSOR AFFAIR is both a sweeping historical saga and a juicy retelling of the legendary feud between Wallis Simpson and Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, the Queen Mother. Encompassing the abdication of Edward VIII, World War II and the early years of the reign of Elizabeth II, this is a must read for fans of The Crown and my p Read more of this blog post »

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Published on April 02, 2026 09:11 • Tags: historical-fiction, melanie-benjamin, royal-family

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Her Favorite Books for Truman Capote Lovers: From high society glitz to true crime realism, Capote fans will delight in these recs from the author...

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Melanie’s Recent Updates

Melanie Benjamin wrote a new blog post The Windsor Affair Thrilled to share that my next historical novel (#9) will be out on June 2nd. THE WINDSOR AFFAIR is both a sweeping historical saga and a juicy retell Read more of this blog post »
Apr 02, 2026 09:11AM · 5 likes · like
Melanie Benjamin wants to read The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 21, 2025 09:21AM · like

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Quotes by Melanie Benjamin (?)

“Why, then, did I always feel as if his happiness was my responsibility? It wasn't fair for him to burden me with that. It had never been fair.”
― Melanie Benjamin, Alice I Have Been

69 likes

“I suppose at some point, we all have to decide which memories - real or otherwise - to hold on to, and which ones to let go.”
― Melanie Benjamin, Alice I Have Been

68 likes

“But oh my dear, I am tired of being Alice in Wonderland. Does it sound ungrateful? It is. Only I do get tired.”
― Melanie Benjamin, Alice I Have Been

tags: alice-in-wonderland, literature, loss, love

29 likes

See all Melanie Benjamin's quotes »

Polls

August Book of the Month

Island Beneath the Sea

by Isabel Allende

3 votes, 50.0%

Alice I Have Been

by Melanie Benjamin

2 votes, 33.3%

Where the River Ends by Charles Martin

1 vote, 16.7%

6 total votes

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Book Buying Addic...: January 2010 Purchases	126	156	Feb 05, 2010 06:55AM
Historical Fictio...: February Group Read: Katherine by Anya Seton	73	156	Mar 05, 2010 11:37AM
Romance Readers R...: Read the Month Challenge: April	219	259	May 04, 2010 12:59PM
The Seasonal Read...: Spring Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks	2717	2517	May 31, 2010 09:00PM
Cover to Cover Ch...: Lyns 144 in 2010	6	42	Jun 02, 2010 08:09PM
100+ Books in 2026: Shannon's 100+ Books for 2010	58	114	Jun 27, 2010 08:54PM
Challenge: 50 Books: Shannon's 50 Books for 2010 - COMPLETED 6/12!	67	160	Jun 27, 2010 08:56PM
Romance Readers R...: Shannon's 2010 Reading Challenges	33	211	Jun 27, 2010 09:35PM

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Melanie’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-10) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 10: by Shawntel

Feb 16, 2013 04:35AM

Good morning Melanie. Thank you for accepting my friend request. Have a wonderful day.

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message 9: by Melanie

Jun 20, 2012 05:40PM

Melanie wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I loved Alice I have been, haven't read your newest novel yet but looking forward to it and the one you are currently working on. You are a fabulous writer, Happy Reading!!!"

Th..."

Thank you, Alyss!

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message 8: by Melanie

Jun 20, 2012 05:40PM

Lauren wrote: "I loved Alice I have been, haven't read your newest novel yet but looking forward to it and the one you are currently working on. You are a fabulous writer, Happy Reading!!!"

Thanks, Lauren!

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message 7: by Lauren

Jun 20, 2012 05:00AM

I loved Alice I have been, haven't read your newest novel yet but looking forward to it and the one you are currently working on. You are a fabulous writer, Happy Reading!!!

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message 6: by Gina

Jun 29, 2011 05:04PM

Thank you for friending me Melanie! I'm looking forward to your new novel. Can't wait!

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message 5: by April

Aug 15, 2009 02:24PM

Thanks for accepting my friend request! I can't wait until your book comes out, it looks fantastic. :-)

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message 4: by Joy

Aug 10, 2009 06:28PM

Thank you for the friend invite. I can't wait to read your novel!

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message 3: by Melanie

Jul 20, 2009 11:56AM

Lauren wrote: "Girl, I am SO THRILLED about ALICE I HAVE BEEN. Also your new photo is lovely! Congratulations! XO"

Thanks, Lauren! (I just took the photo yesterday; new haircut! And nice natural light to diffuse all the "fine lines!")

I sent you an email AGES ago telling you I ordered MATING RITUALS...I suppose you were too busy having parties thrown by GalleyCat to respond!

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message 2: by Ellen

Jul 20, 2009 11:55AM

My pal! So good to see you here!! Congrats again on the exciting new book ... I know it's going to soar. Can't wait to read it.
xo

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message 1: by Lauren

Jul 20, 2009 08:46AM

Girl, I am SO THRILLED about ALICE I HAVE BEEN. Also your new photo is lovely! Congratulations! XO

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