From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…

The Personal Librarian

Marie Benedict,

Victoria Christopher Murray

Start date: February 1, 2024

Finish date: February 29, 2024

Discussion: Books of the Month

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What Members Thought

Jan 18, 2022 Kirsten rated it liked it · review of another edition

What an incredible person Belle da Costa Greene née Belle Marion Greener must have been! Firstly she was a woman in a man's world. Secondly, she worked for the notoriously irascible and difficult JP Morgan. And most importantly she was an African American passing as white. She had to be on her guard at all times. She had to act better than men all the time. It would've been hard enough as a woman, but a black one?

This book opened my eyes to this wonderful story. My only complaint is that I wish ...more

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Nov 20, 2021 Andria rated it liked it

Oh, this one is hard to rate. I found the historical account of this woman fascinating and enjoyed the blending of factual accounts and fiction around Belle's rise during times of segregation in a male dominated, changing art world. I can feel the passion for this woman and her journey through the early 1900s racial landscape in the writing, and the enthusiasm in the authors notes from both writers almost made me want to bump my rating up to 4 stars. I loved every glimpse into high society Ameri ...more

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May 10, 2023 Joyce rated it liked it

Shelves: book-club-choice

I read this and now I want to go to the Morgan Library in New York. I had no idea this amazing woman existed and I am happy to have learned about her. I struggle with historical fiction but that's my problem and no one else. I am glad to have learned about Belle da Costa Greene and hope to see her exhibit in 2024 at the Morgan Library so I can learn the more accurate truth about her. ...more

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