Historical Fiction can be such an amazing genre. I love going back in time, especially when a book is so well written you feel like you’re right there. It’s always interesting to me to read about how things were at different points in history. I can’t imagine not being able to vote, or get a credit card in my own name – but that was the reality for women not that long ago.

The Personal Librarian takes us back to when J.P. Morgan was the most renowned financier in the country. Belle De Costa Greene is a young librarian full of spunk and marvel.

After being hired by Mr. Morgan, Belle transforms his library from great to marvelous. She quickly becomes a fixture on the New York society scene, and makes a name for herself. But Belle has a secret, her given name is Belle Marion Greener, and she is the daughter of the first black graduate from Harvard. Belle has a light complexion and is able to pass as white, with a Portuguese grandmother.

This is truly a wonderful read, and you won’t want to put it down. 5/5 stars