Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Last Book Party
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
102 posts | 80 read | 97 to read
A propulsive tale of ambition and romance, set in the publishing world of 1980s New York and the timeless beaches of Cape Cod. In the summer of 1987, 25-year-old Eve Rosen is an aspiring writer languishing in a low-level assistant job, unable to shake the shadow of growing up with her brilliant brother. With her professional ambitions floundering, Eve jumps at the chance to attend an early summer gathering at the Cape Cod home of famed New Yorker writer Henry Grey and his poet wife, Tillie. Dazzled by the guests and her burgeoning crush on the hosts artistic son, Eve lands a new job as Henry Greys research assistant and an invitation to Henry and Tillies exclusive and famed "Book Party" where attendees dress as literary characters. But by the night of the party, Eve discovers uncomfortable truths about her summer entanglements and understands that the literary world she so desperately wanted to be a part of is not at all what it seems. A page-turning, coming-of-age story, written with a lyrical sense of place and a profound appreciation for the sustaining power of books, The Last Book Party shows what happens when youth and experience collide and what it takes to find your own voice.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
Judybskt
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Mehso-so

Not bad!

Reecaspieces I enjoyed this book. I know a lot of people didn‘t. But it just hit the right note with me. 2y
19 likes1 comment
blurb
Judybskt
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

#booknbath
Starting a new book!

marleed Good choice for this weekend! 2y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Litsi
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
Pickpick

You have to care about the Ivy League, books, the east coast & I think to be a certain age of reader to appreciate this. But appreciate I did! It was like a rom com and coming of age story with your college and childhood reading list threaded throughout. Deceptively simple & charming. Would love to adapt this into a play.

review
kbuggle
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Panpan

Everything started out fine, and then suddenly I kind of hated where this was going.. summer 90s vibes, and cape cod plus literary figures- all a big yes!! And then some weird stuff slipped in and I just wasn‘t into it anymore.

review
Rachel.Rencher
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Mehso-so

The end of this book fell flat for me. 😕

DivineDiana Sorry that happened. 🙁 2y
66 likes1 comment
blurb
Rachel.Rencher
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

New mug 🌸

Nute PRETTY new mug!🙂 2y
Rachel.Rencher @Nute Thanks 🤗☕ 2y
67 likes2 comments
blurb
mrp27
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

#falltreasures #adnf

I really need to give myself permission to dnf more. I‘ve read some real clunkers. This was one of the few that I just couldn‘t get into.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love the cover!! 2y
Eggs 📚😖📚 2y
26 likes2 comments
review
MicheleinPhilly
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

An easy breezy, light summer read. Yes, it was a bit cliched, but I found it went down easily and perfectly evoked summer.

DivineDiana Easy, breezy and a literary story sounds great to me! Stacked. 3y
66 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Rachel.Rencher
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

Happy for a day off so I can start this book! It's been on my TBR ever since I saw it on a few BookToks. 🤓

LoverOfLearning No way! I found this in a little free library yesterday and it's now on my shelf! Ha! 3y
JamieArc I have been meaning to read this for two summers now! I think it will be top of the list for next summer. 3y
Teresereading It‘s a great little read 3y
79 likes3 stack adds3 comments
review
Crazeedi
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

Book 2/4 for #20in4 @Andrew65
Between a pick and a so-so
This was a quick read and kept me interested. But the ending was too abrupt and a bit of a let down
Eve leaves her job as assistant in a publishing firm in NYC to go to Cape Cod and become assistant to an established writer for the New Yorker mag. Her parents have had a summer home in Truro for years and she loves the Cape. Enter writer's son, ⬇️

Crazeedi writer's son's friend and a book party where book characters are the theme. 3y
Crazeedi Thank you @StayCurious Renee for sending me this book! 3y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 3y
60 likes3 comments
review
aliasNayNay
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

If your looking for a quick summer read to escape the heat look no further....THE LAST BOOK PARTY is a lightweight love story, the book is a genuine coming-of-age story.  I really enjoyed all the characters and the surroundings of Truro, it really was a page turner. The perfect literary companion to a relaxing day on the sand. This was Karen Dukess debut novel and I look forward to seeing more from this author.

review
Mogoeg
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

This was an enjoyable, easy read. A familiar story but deftly told, if a little weightless somehow. Somewhere between a so-so and a pick for me, but I‘ll give it a thumbs up for the perfectly understated 80s of it all. Exhibit A: the font chosen for this particular cover. If you were around in 1987 & reading lots of books as, oh I don‘t know, let‘s say as a pretentious 18 year old for instance, then you know it‘s absolutely dead accurate.

review
KathyWheeler
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Mehso-so

Well, that was underwhelming. The writing was fine; I just didn‘t care for the characters. I also thought the ending was a little abrupt. I had just planned on reading all day but it was too beautiful, so I went for a walk and finished up the book. #audiowalk

blurb
KathyWheeler
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

Our protagonist is an idiot and I‘m having trouble drumming up any sympathy for her. These trails in the pic are new to me. I‘ve walked past them several times but only noticed them today. #audiowalk

blurb
KathyWheeler
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

It was a cold and gloomy day for a walk, but I enjoyed getting out. The Last Book Party is my new walking book; I‘m only a couple of chapters in, but so far, so good. #audiowalk

review
Rachbb3
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

I wanted something to listen to for a couple of days while I did some housework and I found myself really getting into this. It‘s nothing profound just entertaining.

Megabooks Agree 3y
45 likes1 comment
review
crhealey
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

Fun, quick one sitting read. Not the deepest book I‘ve ever read but the author does a great job with the setting and just what I‘m looking for when it comes to vacation reading. Book 2 of winter break. #vacationreads #beachreads ⭐️⭐️⭐️

review
emmaturi
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

I found this a enjoyable easy read. Set in the 80s publishing world in NY, Eve is working at a publishing company not too happy. She goes to a party to a famous writer couple on Cape Cod. She then is offered and she accepts to be a research assistant for Henry Grey. There is a bit of adultery, coming of age story. #books

quote
rather_be_reading
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

Book 193 of 2020
#tbr

review
Teresereading
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

Really enjoyed it, books, writers/writing and Cape Cod. Gorgeous maps in the end papers.

review
MrBook
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Mehso-so

Sorry for sharing this #ReadWithMrBook #debut a day late ?! So, I‘m torn between a pick & so-so with this shorter read. If you love books, the publishing world, Cape Cod, this‘ll work as a good beach read for you! The coming-of-age story kept me engaged but wasn‘t a wow, if that makes sense; maybe it moved too slow & seemed a tad cliché. It‘s worth a read for any bibliophile regardless ?. #PairWith: a Cape Codder (vodka & cranberry w/ lime) ?

84 likes3 stack adds
review
StaceyKondla
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

I finished listening to this audiobook today. I quite liked it - set in the 80‘s, the main character working in publishing in NYC, then as an assistant to an author in Cape Cod. It is light, a coming of age story, a bit predictable, but engaging none the less due to a very likeable main character. Basically, it‘s a perfect beach read.

63 likes2 stack adds
quote
Crinoline_Laphroaig
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

This line was a reminder that if your hobby becomes your job, you need to find a new hobby.
"The truth was, the business of publishing had not complemented my love of books or inspired me to write. Bookstores, once welcoming havens, no longer offered a sense of discovery." ?

Crinoline_Laphroaig I was half way though this book before it finally got to the plot. By that time I just didn't care. Glad it was a Borrowed not Buy read.

4y
Crinoline_Laphroaig 20something woman who can't decide what to do with her life. She goes to work for older man she idolizes. Fairly sure you can guess what happens next. Little bit of plot twist but for the most part predictable. Then it jumps a year ahead to wrap up with telling not showing what actually happened. Also I didn't like the way plagiarism plotline is just glossed over.
4y
Crinoline_Laphroaig Even all the book references couldn't save this. Barely a So-So for a glimpse into Books Stores of the past like Scribner's on 5th avenue . Ironic reference to Barnes and Noble taking ov 4y
38 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
theladygreer
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

Today's pick for #read99women, recommended by THE LOST VINTAGE author Ann Mah: http://www.greermacallister.com/blog/2020/2/29/read99women-ann-mah

quote
rather_be_reading
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

@Come-read-with-me is finally back so we exchanged our #bookmas gifts. I was stunned! Everything in this package has a story. Thank you so much Paula. So glad to have you in my life ❤

Come-read-with-me @rather_be_reading It was so much fun!!! It was the best part of Christmas this year! I can hardly wait to show off my Bookmas gifts! You spoil me!!! 4y
79 likes1 comment
review
Skeeterisme
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

Good.

blurb
mrp27
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

#auldlangreads #party

This story opens with a snooty party that I really wasn't feeling so I returned the book back to the library without finishing.

annahenke Fair enough 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty cover though!! 4y
OriginalCyn620 Love the cover! 4y
34 likes3 comments
review
REPollock
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

What an awful bunch of assholes. The plot of this was predictable but I still loved it. Literary bastards sleeping around and being pretentious about it is one of my favorite tropes. I also enjoyed the familiar Cape Cod setting, having worked a couple summers there in undergrad.

A great start for my first readathon! #24b42020

blurb
REPollock
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

Next ebook!

23 likes1 stack add
quote
Sharpeipup
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

“Why families so often act if there‘s only one role each child can play - the smart one, the nerdy one, the pretty one- and if an older sibling claims a certain territory, the others have to look elsewhere to find their niche. “ #quote #endpapers

27 likes1 stack add
review
Bookish.SAM
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this more than expected given the mixed reviews I‘ve been seeing. I thought the ‘climax‘ and ending were a little weak but up to that point I was really into the summery Cape Cod in the 80‘s vibe.

I really wish I‘d been reading this on a lovely beach rather than gearing up for Canadian winter. I‘ve only been to Cape Cod once to visit a cousin, but this book makes me want to angle for another invite.
😊☀️⛱🌊
#booksandbooze #catsoflitsy

blurb
mcctrish
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

I‘m missing this reading weather

AmyG Me too. 4y
Birdsong28 Me too 😪📚📖 4y
mcctrish @AmyG and @Birdsong28 I did buy a sunlight light but it‘s not quite the same 4y
46 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
S3V3N
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Panpan

I didn't like this one. I saw all of the rave reviews, but it didn't grab me.

Megabooks Total so-so for me. 4y
S3V3N @Megabooks I was on the waitlist for it and was excited to get it. So disappointed. 4y
20 likes2 comments
blurb
GidgetsTreasures75
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

10-16-19: My 84th finished book of 2019! #thelastbookparty #karendukess 👍🏼📖#️⃣8️⃣4️⃣😻

blurb
GidgetsTreasures75
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

10-15-19: My reading partner for the afternoon. #thelastbookparty #karendukess #catsoflitsy #readingbuddies 📖😻

13 likes1 comment
review
Redwritinghood
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

It was a lovely day to sit outside my library and finish this one up (and try to avoid buying books at the book sale). This was between a pick and so-so, but I enjoyed reading it. I liked the summer Cape Cod setting in this story of finding your own voice. 3.5⭐️

mcctrish Exactly how I feel about it 4y
74 likes1 comment
review
Nitpickyabouttrains
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

I really liked this book. A young woman looking to find her way in the literary world. She takes a summer job. She meets some men. She learns about herself.

15 likes1 stack add
blurb
MrBook
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

#TBRtemptation post 3! Set in 1980s #NYC. 25-year-old aspiring writer Eve feels stuck in a low-level publishing assistant job. She gets invited to a Cape Cod summer party for renowned writer Henry Grey and his poet wife Tillie. She lands a job as Henry‘s research assistant and falls for Henry‘s artistic son. By the time of H & T‘s famed Book Party, where guests dress up as literary characters, she discovers 😳 truths. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

squirrelbrain Ooh sounds good! I‘ll read *anything* set in NYC! Well, almost anything.... 😁 4y
scripturient This book was awesome! Highly recommend. 4y
JenReadsAlot Good book! 4y
67 likes2 stack adds3 comments
quote
JulietReads
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

Do you ever feel like starting over and being anonymous in a place you've never been before?

TheDaysGoBy Sometimes. It‘s kinda hard though. I did it right out of college and you learn pretty quick how hard it is to find a good dentist, mechanic, etc when you don‘t have people you trust to give recommendations 5y
ElizaMarie I travel for a job. So I take these 3 month contracts (sometimes I extend) it‘s a little scary the first week or two where you get lost going everywhere but then you end up meeting people who show you the ropes so it makes it a bit better 5y
45 likes2 comments
quote
JulietReads
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

quote
JulietReads
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

blurb
JulietReads
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

49 likes1 stack add
review
KarenUK
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

I may be in the minority, but I found this a perfect, little end-of-summer read. Nothing groundbreaking, but charming and enjoyable. An 80‘s set, Cape Cod location, a young bookish protagonist trying to find her way as a writer, a summer fling with an older man.... culminating in a Labor Day party where guests dress as favorite literary characters! Fun and throwaway but just what I needed after the storm stress of the last couple of weeks! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

BarbaraBB Great cover too 😍 5y
62 likes1 comment
quote
BittersweetBooks
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image

Why had I thought that the way things appeared—or even the way people said they were—had any relationship to reality? 📃🐚📚

18 likes1 stack add
review
Bookish_B
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Pickpick

I think I‘m in the minority‘s here but I really liked this one. I have tried to limit my review to the allotted space and just can‘t do it so I‘m skipping it. Suffice it to say I enjoyed it and if nothing else, it has a lot of bookish references and is a quick read!

Bkwurm Your review intrigued me so much I had to go look it up on Goodreads. 😁 I‘ve added it to my TBR. Thanks! 5y
Bookish_B @Bkwurm sure! Here is my actual review on goodreads where I wasn‘t limited, lol, if you want to check that out too. Hopefully this link works: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2963970976 5y
Bkwurm @Bookish_B I‘ll check it out! I‘m a fan of good, lengthy reviews. 🤓📚 5y
37 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
marleed
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Panpan

Well, I love the cover even though it lacks an 80s feel. Except for some fun name-dropping of 80s titles, this was less than a meh for me. The author didn‘t develop Eve or Frannie into characters I cared about. Henry and Tillie‘s marriage or lack thereof was of no interest. Jeremy‘s story and the underdeveloped why of it could have been the most interesting aspect to unpack, but he was a secondary character.

51 likes1 stack add
review
Jemgirl2014
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
Panpan

"The Last Book Party" is just a giant cliche. I found the plot and the characters to be utterly predictable. The only surprising revelation revolved around Jeremy and what I found out about him only made me dislike him as much as the rest of the characters. Glad this was a quick read. ?

review
auntie_jenn
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Mehso-so

the author lost me with the faulty Cape Cod reference on page 30-something and never really redeemed herself. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

review
litenthusiast
The Last Book Party | Karen Dukess
post image
Panpan

I really thought I would like this book and I did not. I found the main character annoying and unrelatable. The narrative of the story felt very disjointed. I was grateful it was a relatively short book.

44 likes1 stack add