Welcome to Litsy!

This is a story to read slowly and savor. A dual timeline mystery, but so much more. It‘s an exploration in setting priorities and finding balance in life. Clearly, lots of historical research went into this. It‘s one of those books where I was anxious to find out how everything resolved, but then didn‘t want it to end. Thanks again, @LocalTXLibrarian for finding another perfect book for me ❤️

Thanks to @LocalTXLibrarian , I have this for my next read. I‘m already loving it; I seem to be drawn to dual timeline stories lately.

I loved this historical fiction that alternates between two stories centering around the New York Public Library and missing valuable books, but 80 years apart. The dual timelines work well together. I enjoyed the characters, family dynamics and the mystery. I‘m going to read more by this author (And here‘s a less than flattering photo of me in front of the NYC Public Library during a trip in August 2021. It was so hot outside.)

Got a #pantone2023 match for this read from March!

I really enjoyed this one! The timeline alternates between Laura in 1913 and Sadie in 1993, but their stories are seamlessly woven together. In both, rare and valuable books are stolen from the NYC Public Library. Sadie believes that what is happening is connected somehow to the events of 1913, and she sets out to find the truth behind the burglaries.

#bookspinbingo
#pop23 - historical fiction book
#booked2023 - set in two+ time periods

Happy March! Starting this book this morning with a nice cup of coffee.
☘️☘️☘️
#mugsoflitsy

Damn. Points were made, but the strongest impressions I come away with are messy and sad. This book had (not entirely original) things to say about early feminism, and there was character growth (though I'm always going to resent a stereotypically meek librarian protagonist), but the mystery pay off wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped and the amount of poor choices made by all was truly staggering. Human beings are flawed, but this was just tragic.

So Sad. 🤭🫣

👏🏻🙌🏻

Me? Participate in another reading challenge? It‘s more likely than you think! I own three books of Fiona Davis‘ that I haven‘t read yet so that‘s who I‘m going to focus on for this #backlistreadathon. This is a double win as it will also help me work towards my goal of reading more of my own books this year 😂

Disappointed that the Frick was closed after reading The Magnolia Palace, but loved seeing the main library. I appreciate the way Fiona blends history with imagined story lines and details.

https://travelswithboooks.wordpress.com/2022/06/01/the-lions-of-fifth-avenue-by-...

One of those “why did I wait so long to read this?!“ books.

Great dual timeline historical fiction set in New York Public Library.

This was a great read!! I love how Fiona braids the past into the current time of the book. The last 50 pages of her books always have me on the edge of my seat wondering how it‘s allllllllllll going to come together 😯 A definite “pick”!!

I am becoming a fan of historical fiction and Fiona Davis has played a significant role. I absolutely love her books. This one is definitely memorable; the New York Public Library, thefts of valuable books, and fascinating characters. I was absorbed in the setting, mystery, history, and I loved every minute of it. 📚🥰

#Library #SavvySettings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I actually found the history lesson to be more interesting than the "book theft" plot, but overall enjoyed it! 3.5 ⭐️

(There used to be people who got to live in an apartment INSIDE the New York Public Library?! ?)

Thank you @Littlewolf1 for the #littlechristmasswap! I can't wait to read the book. Choclate covered pretzels are one of my favorites! The avacado card is so cute!!! 😍

Thank you @bookish_wookish for hosting!

My friend!!! Beth I love your choices! The chapstick is already on my lips and socks soon to be on my feet! Tea! Yes! Coffee! Triple yes- book choices- perfect! Happy new Year! And thank you @candority thank you for hosting this lovely #bestof2021 swap ❤️

#ThisWeekinNewBooks : on the left, Christmas presents! (Including my #Jolabokaflod); on the right, gift card + B&N hardcover sale = amazing book haul!

I think I wanted to like this one more than I actually did. It was entertaining enough, but seemed to just skate along the surface of ideas without delving deeply into anything.

I have mixed feelings about this story. It was interesting, & I loved the NYC Public Library setting. I‘m just not always into the dual timeline, uncovering-family secrets stories. Both timelines were compelling, one more tragic than the other. I know a lot of Littens have read this one. #scarathlon @Clwojick #teamslaughter 16 pts

It's 1913, and on the surface, Laura Lyons couldn't ask for more out of life—her husband is the superintendent of the New York Public Library, allowing their family to live in an apartment within the grand building, and they are blessed with two children. But headstrong, passionate Laura wants more, and when she takes a leap of faith and applies to the Columbia Journalism School.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👏🏽👏🏽Wonderful historical fiction!!

These are the only physical books I plan to read for October. Most of my list is audio or ebooks from the library. I‘m hoping to get to these. Under the Whispering Door doesn‘t go along with our #teamslaughter theme, but I‘m the first to get it from my library & cant wait to read! @Clwojick
Fell asleep last night before I could post my TBR

My bestie surprised me with this book and I loved every minute of it!

Going back and forth between Laura's story in 1913 and Sadie's in 1993, we learn about their lives, loves, careers and the theft of valuable books from the New York Public Library.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I have to admit I probably wouldn't have picked it up on my own. That's what friends are for 😊

And now I have a new author to be on the lookout for.

Two series of book thefts from the New York Public Library ties two generations of a family together.
Laura Lyons and her family live at the library when a series of thefts bring suspicion on her husband.
Sadie Donovan works in the library when a second round of thefts rebounds on her when her familial connection to the first comes to light.
Two wonderful stories of women coming into their own in the shadow of the library.

Every book I read by Fiona Davis is better than the last and this one was no exception! I love how seamlessly she weaves two time periods together and brings everything alive for the reader!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I want to read all her novels👍 This novel of intrigue, hardship, heartache, and literary appreciation was very well crafted🙌🙌 Check out the Summary on Goodreads?com site-a must read for 2021!

#NewYorkCity #julyjourneys @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Two of my three daughters and I in NYC this year - clockwise from top left: new World Trade Center, Central Park, at a rooftop cantina (at left @SarahBradley ) 9/11 memorial, NY Public Library

Treated myself so I can round out my collection of books by the FABULOUS @fionadavisauthor

This isn‘t a perfect book, but I liked it very much. I enjoyed the two timeline stories and how they interwove with each other. I think the ending reveal could‘ve been tied up more neatly, but reading about libraries and books is always interesting to me and helped to soften that disappointment. I want to go visit this library in person now!
#bookspin - June 2021
@TheAromaofBooks

This one has so much potential and I did love the historical details about the NYC library, but the plot left me rolling my eyes. It felt like a cautionary tale for following your dreams. The story flips from the early 1900s to 1993. Both stories are flawed, but it‘s the older one that was the least believable and most frustrating for me. I almost DNF but I kept hoping the missing book mystery would redeem it.

This has to be my favorite thus far of Fiona Davis‘s books that I‘ve read. Sometimes I tire of the dual timeline structure and enjoy one timeline more than another, however I felt myself equally drawn into each of the time periods of this one. Set in the New York Public Library in 1913 and 1993 and encompassing other topics such as women‘s rights and changing roles, this was a definite pick for me.

About to settle down in front of a crackling fire (even if it‘s fake!) and a book 🥰

What a lovely, fascinating story. This was my first book by Fiona Davis but definitely won‘t be my last. The idea of living in a library had me hooked from the beginning but the characters kept me intrigued. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Lovely writing that felt natural, yet highly imbued with detail & historical content. The dual timeline was well-woven. The characters were fun & showed decent development. I LOVED the setting & the time periods used. The romantic aspects could have been left out, but they didn't do too much damage to the story. The ending was very well handled. I admittedly left the story wanting more, just because I loved it so much...I wanted to move right in.

Someone is stealing books from the NYC Public Library. A story that goes back and forth with its timeline; who knew that there is an apartment inside this NYC landmark? I love all of these books that tell a story that takes place inside a historical NYC building.

Book 43

The Lions of Fifth Avenue, set in the New York Public Library, is historical fiction/mystery about valuable, rare books being taken from the library. This is a book for book lovers because the real star is the library itself; I have been there once, but I really want a thorough tour now. Themes of gender roles and feminism also make this book reccomendable. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall a pick for me. I've always enjoyed Fiona Davis' books because she goes into the history of each building she writes about. And there's always a mystery to boot. But I do wish the author would “show“ more than “tell“ in her books. Her writing is a bit stiff. Maybe if this was written in first person it would be better.

Kiddo is with my parents and we didn‘t have anything planned. That means I got caught up in house work and reading! This book was good but not amazing. A bit slow until closer to the end but still engaging. Not her best but still intriguing. 3.5/5

This was my first Fiona Davis book and she hooked me early on. I picked this for my first March Women themed choices and it had 3 generations of stories and mystery surrounding books and from the perfect setting! Not to mention my own added intrigue as I read the last 30% racing against a low battery!

This book has been on my TBR for a while. As a Librarian Aide and currently studying for my Masters in Library Science, the premise seemed delightfully intriguing. For most of the story I thought I knew “who done-it”, but ... I was wrong!⬇️

I've been struggling with how to review this.

I really loved the setting. I mean, a story set in the NYPL in two different time periods? Yes, please! And I love books that jump between time periods. I enjoyed the storyline & cared about the characters. She wove the two storylines together nicely. And she obviously did a TON of research about the NYPL. (cont) 👇🏻

I'm a sucker for a book that jumps back & forth between time periods. I haven't researched to see if any of this is true (I'm afraid it will ruin the mystery of I do so before I finish). The writing isn't bowling me over, but I'm really enjoying the story. And how can you go wrong with a book set in a library - in two time periods!

Stopped at my new local indie bookstore today and I was so pleased! I even got this large print for a discount bc the regular paperback isn‘t out yet. I hope she is so successful she needs a bigger space! Check out her website for this beautiful handmade bookmarks too!

ETA: this gummies are amaze balls- cherry (red) and strawberry banana (white).

#audiogardening Volunteering at the community garden. 🪴

I‘m armchair travelling in the NYPL, and it‘s letting me visualise ‘the painted ceiling of a cloudy sky..., the Edward Laning murals depicting the history of the written word..., the view of the balcony from the foyer..., and the stacks.‘
🤩
Historical fiction, mystery of missing books, set in and around a library, two timelines... I‘m really enjoying this book. #currentlyreading #armchairtravel #historicalfiction #NY

Image from Google.

Putting away Christmas and finishing this absolutely delightful book ❤️it follows 3 generations of the Lions family and their connection to the New York Public library.

I bought a new walking coat ( Boxing Day sale) and this audio book have me happy to get moving

I was drawn into this book and finished it quickly. I liked that it dealt with feminist themes as well as LGBT themes. Of course I loved that the entire book dealt with libraries and books but the rest was a plus. Recommended if you love books and strong women or women learning to be independent. The mystery was a bit meh but it‘s the journey not the destination