The Spectacular: A Novel | 
pickThis was such a fascinating, propulsive dual-time historical. Focused on the story of a Rockette who danced at Radio City Music Hall in the thirties, a New York bomber from that time, and the development of psychological profiling as a technique for catching criminals. Like all of Fiona Davis‘ books, well-written and thoughtful. High pick. Great on audio!
pickThis was a great change of pace and a great historical fiction read!
This would be a tough choice because I‘m a genre jumper. I read fantasy, sci fi, romance, historical fiction, history nonfiction, straight up literary fiction.
If I had to choose, I suppose it‘s gotta be historical fiction. So much to learn, so many times to visit!
pickI never read a book jacket so I thought this was just going to be about Marion defying expectations by becoming a dancer. Turns out there‘s a whole other plot based on a real life bombing case. All of this was entertaining to read. My one issue was the father character was such an overbearing jerk and I think the main character was too understanding of him. I will put another thought in comments. Thanks @Jerdencon for the #AuldLangSpine pick
pickI loved escaping into the world of the Rockettes with the MC Marion! Set in a time where women were expected to stay home and keep house, Marion sets out to achieve her dreams of dancing and auditions for the Rockettes against the wishes of her father. Once she becomes a Rockette her life changes in ways she would never expect. Part exciting, part bittersweet, I really enjoyed this story and will def look for more work by this author.
Just starting this book about Marion, who joins The Rockettes despite her father‘s objections. I love her character & courage! I know there will be some great NYC history tidbits also!!
Check out this wrapping! #foundfamilyswap
This was such a fantastic book! The story of Marion, who became a Rockette in the 1950‘s, against the advice of her dad. He was trying to get her married off to her high school boyfriend, instead of being a dancer, a total waste of time
pickThis was a great book. Marion lucks out and gets a job as one of the Rockettes. A job her father doesn't approve of and one that puts her in the path of the Big Apple Bomber 🍎
#LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle
#NoShameReadathon24 #GoodDisabilityRep @Nessavamusic
It‘s time for the #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I‘ve posted 9 questions as spoilers - you can find these by either viewing my feed, the book‘s feed, or searching #LiteraryCrew . Feel free to jump into the discussion whenever! If there‘s anything else you wish to comment on, please share below.
Next month, the group will be reading The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. I‘ll post a reminder on Thursday!
LaraReads, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks9. What did you make of Marion and Peter‘s relationship as the novel progressed, and what did you think of Peter‘s confession at the end? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
8. Did your opinion of the bomber shift after his history was revealed? Why or why not? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
7. Later in the novel, Marion learns a disturbing truth about Lucille‘s life and choices. Do you believe that Marion should have been told earlier? How could it have affected her relationship with her father? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. The novel raises questions about the cost of suppressing one‘s own creativity and individuality for the good of the greater whole, whether as a dancer in a kick line or as an employee of a large corporation. What are the consequences of doing so for Marion and for her father? How do they differ in their responses to the pressure to conform? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. What does Marion‘s pearl necklace symbolize? When Simon confiscates the pearls, what does his actions reveal about him and the relationship he has with his daughters? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. Discuss Marion‘s path to Radio City Music Hall. What direction do you think Marion‘s life would have taken if she hadn‘t shown up to the Rockettes‘ audition? ~from Reading Group Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. This is not the first book by Davis #LiteraryCrew has read - last year, we read The Masterpiece.
Have you read any other books by Davis? What do you think of her focus on specific NYC landmarks in telling her story? What do you think of her use of a dual timeline to tell the story? #BuddyRead
2. Next, let's discuss George Metesky. I was shocked when I learned about this! Were you familiar with the “Mad Bomber“ and his 16-year bombing campaign in NYC?
In 2011, NPR interviewed the author of a book about Metesky and his 16-year run: https://www.npr.org/2011/05/13/136287845/a-16-year-hunt-for-new-yorks-mad-bomber
#LiteraryCrew#BuddyRead
1. Welcome to this month's #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion!
First, let's talk about Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes. Have you ever seen a Rockette show at the Hall? Have you ever visited the Hall?
To get us started, here is a link to view the history of Radio City Music Hall: https://www.msg.com/radio-city-music-hall/history
...and a link about the Rockettes: https://www.rockettes.com/history/
Thanks for the tag, @Read4life !
1. The Spectacular
2. Miss Cecily‘s Recipes for Exceptional Ladies
Want to play, @CatLass007 @OriginalCyn620 @Arvena @Reggie ?
#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView
Reminder: the #LiteraryCrew discussion is this Wednesday, the 31st! Excited for the discussion! #BuddyRead
LaraReads, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks
pick#52Bookclub24 #Chapterheadingshavedates #LiteraryCrew
I always enjoy Fiona Davis‘ books set in landmark NYC buildings. They are a quick read. I always learn a little bit of history and get to imagine another time. This one was a little more improbable than my ability to suspend belief, so a low pick. 3 🌟
Kristy_K, LaraReads, KarenUK, Hooked_on_books, BarkingMadRead, Crazeedi, brittanyreads, Graciouswarriorlibrarian, Magpiegem, BookBelle84, Larkken, jenniferw88, julesG, MidnightBookGirl, Librarybelle, triplem80, Tove_Reads, Read4life, Bluebird, kwmg40, BarbaraBB, eeclayton, hissingpotatoes, Book_Lover95, TheAromaofBooks
so-soThis was a fun read. I really enjoyed following Marion and the start of her career with the Rockettes. However, I was really thrown off with Big Apple Bomber storyline. For me, there was plenty of drama and storyline following Marion and her family. I even think what happened with her sister and the bomber was still okay for the story, but Marion being so involved in the hunt for the bomber was too much for me. Still a fun read. #literarycrew
pickMy 2nd book by this author. I love how she chooses historical landmarks and weaves her story around true events. While I preferred The Masterpiece more than this one, I enjoyed the Radio City setting with an insider look at the Rockettes of the 1950‘s + a good mystery. Looking forward to #LiteraryCrew discussion at the end of the month!
#joyousjanuary
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Enjoyable Historical Fiction that mixes the glitz and glam of the NYC Rockettes and the Mad NYC Bomber. Well-written with a decent pace.
pickThis was an interesting, compelling, and mysterious novel about the famous theatre, the Rockettes, and the Broadway Bomber. Based on true events, Davis does it again, weaving the real and the imagined into a story that is hard to put down. Great on #audio ! #BookspinBingo #JoyousJanuary @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65
Checkin time for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! I‘ve seen some great reviews posted already this month - I have this scheduled to start late this week.
Any thoughts to share with the group at this point? Discussion on the 31st!
LaraReads, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks
Love when I‘m reading a book and it mentions something in my neighborhood - I pass by Creedmoor every day on my way to work as it‘s only a mile from my house - the top right picture was taken today in the fog making it seem even more creepy… it‘s the largest building around for miles in this part of Queens. Also - on the campus are 3 public schools and currently a tent migrant shelter. Interesting place… #literarycrew @Librarybelle
Love Fiona Davis #histfic novels based on NYC landmark buildings, starting with inspiration from actual events & spinning them into fascinating personal stories. This inspo comes from a historical tragic incident in 1957 at Radio City Music Hall. In 1992, a former Rockette recalls the struggles and triumphs of reaching her dancing dreams. Top pic from 2021 visit. #MusicalCover #NewYearNewBooks @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
pick#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead So much history! I almost felt like I was there. Totally enjoyed this. All the 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
pick#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead So much history! I almost felt like I was there. Totally enjoyed this. All the 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Reading this for January 2024 #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead. I lived and worked in NYC for 8.5 years. I walked past Radio City Music Hall every day. And do you know? I never saw a show there. I don‘t know why but I never had the chance. Reading this also reminds me of growing up in West Virginia and taking dance lessons from a woman who was chosen to be a Rockette but decided to go back to WV and get married. I‘m looking forward to finding out (cont)⬇️
repost for @Librarybelle
I‘m excited that #LiteraryCrew is kicking off the year with the tagged book. All are welcome to join! We are a low key #buddyread that reads the selected title at our own pace throughout the month. I post periodic checkins during the month, and discussion is on the 31st.
If you would also like to be tagged, comment on the original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2687030
I‘m excited that #LiteraryCrew is kicking off the year with the tagged book. All are welcome to join! We are a low key #buddyread that reads the selected title at our own pace throughout the month. I post periodic checkins during the month, and discussion is on the 31st.
If you would also like to be tagged, comment below!
LaraReads, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, Deblovestoread, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks
Book one of the year is now complete 👏👏👏👏 #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Got my first book yesterday. So excited to read it and discuss. Not sure why I was sent the large print version though 🤣🤣. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
repost for @Librarybelle:
January‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is tagged.
We‘re very low key - read the book at your own pace, with discussion at month‘s end. I‘ll also post periodic checkins during the month.
The graphic shows what we are reading this year - if you‘re only interested in a specific title, let me know, and I‘ll make note to only tag you for that month.
original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2679860
January‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is the latest from Fiona Davis.
We‘re very low key - read the book at your own pace, with discussion at month‘s end. I‘ll also post periodic checkins during the month.
If you would like to be included in the tag list for the group, comment below! The graphic shows what we are reading this year - if you‘re only interested in a specific title, let me know, and I‘ll make note to only tag you for that month.
melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, kspenmoll, Deblovestoread, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, PageShifter, julieclair
Up next, this seems like a good way to kick off holiday reads.
pickRockettes • Radio City Music Hall • 1956 NYC • Historical fiction • 3.5 Stars
“The Spectacular” by Fiona Davis is a captivating novel set amongst and glitz and mystique of Radio City Music Hall during its mid-century heyday. As girls try out for a coveted position on the stage, the city is reeling from a series are of bombings. orchestrated by the “Big Apple Bomber”. ⬇️
I really enjoyed this book and at times could relate on a personal to some of the storyline. That is when you know that the author has done it right.
pickI enjoyed this one, and reading about the background of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall made for a fun setting surrounding a dark topic. I am surprised I had never heard about The Big Apple Bomber and his 16-year string of bombings. This was my October #Doublespin @TheAromaofBooks
pickI enjoyed this & found the story entertaining & well written. However, I felt there was too much modern subjects & themes that wouldn‘t have been so easily accepted back then.
It‘s mentioned in the author‘s note at the end, but I‘m surprised the synopsis didn‘t include the fact that the “Big Apple Bomber” is the fictionalized version of the “Mad Bomber.” His letters & psych profile in the book are written almost verbatim to the real life ones.
pickWhen a building in NYC is always a character with history behind the story then you need to read every book by Fiona Davis. This one is set in Radio City Music Hall, the life of a Rockette. Marion wants to follow her dream of dancing even though her father is over protective and the world sees the lives of women as restricted. Love the history of the buildings in every one of Davis‘s books.
