"Building the World of Tomorrow"- The theme of the 1939 World's Fair in NYC. The fair spanned 1,216 acres with seven zones. Max was assigned to work as an intern in the Communications zone at "Today at the Fair," a daily publication for each days' events and Vivi was in the Amusement zone performing as the star of the synchronized swimming show. Check the map for those locations- isn't that map the best? The girls are on opposite sides of the fairgrounds. So how do the paths of Max and Vivi cross? That's what makes this "story go round!"

Susie Schnall employs an interesting mirroring technique in her opening lines of chapters 1 & 2 and even several more times in the novel. "Vivi Holden would eventually realize that not getting what she wanted that day was the best thing that could have happened to her." Similarly, opening chapter 2 with, " Maxine Roth would eventually realize that not getting what she wanted that day was the best thing that could have happened to her." Each girl is coping with personal life dilemmas, power struggles in career paths and discerning conflicting dominant male opinions and uninvited advances. Schnall also uses foreshadowing early on when Vivi admits her sister has told her "she never wanted to see her again. And she couldn't bring herself to even think of the other person. The potential of what could have been..."

Schnall takes the reader on a grand tour of the fair as the girls' stories unfold. Readers will "yearn" for the girls to mature and grow in their own belief systems and find their own voice amidst the male dominated world in which they exist. Along with fabulous facts and descriptions of the World's Fair, including a royal visit by King George VI and Elizabeth; readers will meet Elizabeth Dorchester and the National Woman's Party. Max and Vivi hearing her speak at a rally, are inspired by rhetoric regarding women being treated equally in workplaces and how they should stand up for their ambitions. Remember, this is 1939. But sound familiar?

"Two friends who had shared an extraordinary experience, and extraordinary summer." As Max's professor had said, "The World's Fair could be life-changing." Susie Orman Schnall says it best: "All lit up by sunshine and optimism and a belief that the future and the better days it promised were just around the corner. The fair had a way of touching everyone who passed through its gates."

We Came Here to Shine will change readers just as the 1939 World's Fair changed Max and Vivi. Give it a "whirl!" ****

"

We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall is an absorbing and very enjoyable read. The book was page turning from beginning to end. The setting is 1939 at the Worlds Fair in Queens, NY. It was a setting that I haven't seen used before in historical fiction. The description of the fair itself was wonderful. I felt like I was there walking through the amusement zone, international zone etc. The fair was definitely a major character in the story and the descriptions seemed so alive and authentic.

The main characters are Max who is an aspiring journalist trying to gain both experience and write a story at the fairs daily paper and Vivi who is an actress sent from Hollywood to star in water show at the fair. Max and Vivi are two very different girls whose lives intertwine while working at the fair. The premise of their friendship is a wider view of the challenges women faced in 1939 and how men tried to control them. Each woman is determined to make something of themselves. In 1939 a woman’s role in society was still that of a housewife. Max and Vivi help each other learn and grow during the summer of 1939. Both characters are vibrant, complicated, interesting, brave and memorable.

I feel this is an exceptionally well written work of historical fiction. This is the second book I have read by this author and I have absolutely become a fan. The skillful storytelling of Ms. Schnall succeeds at creating an ending that is both believable and surprising.. I love that Ms. Schnall chooses topics not readily known to her readers which makes them that much more interesting. Having grown up in NY and attending the 1964 -1965 Worlds Fair, there were some of the original buildings and icons which had remained from the 1939 Worlds Fair. It was wonderful to walk around the fair again. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Schnall has in store for us next! Job well done!

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Griffin, Susie Orman Schnall and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really this is more of a 3.5 than a 4. I had read Schnall's previous book and felt about this one much the same as I had about The Subway Girls. Perhaps I just don't mesh with her writing style -- to me, her dialogue feels stilted and I find it hard to connect with her characters. And, although her work is generally well-researched with no glaring anachronisms, I never get from her the strongly evoked period feel that I like in a historical novel. That said, I gave her extra credit for the setting -- a World's Fair is always fun and it was very interesting to read and learn about water ballet. And it was so nice to read a historical where the action doesn't involve a war -- although, with it taking place in 1939, WWII was hanging over my head a bit.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy for my review.

The New York World's Fair of 1939 is the centerpiece of this new title from Susie Orman Schnall. Her previous book, "The Subway Girls," was one of my favorite reads of 2018. This one was a lovely read and the friendship of Vivi with her Hollywood woes and Max with her journalism ambitions provides some really great plot potential. Having Max work in the office for the fair newspaper made a great vehicle for presenting details about the day-to-day fair happenings. The subway girls contest is mentioned in the new book making it a nice companion read. I also appreciate this slice of world history before we were in the midst of WW II. IThe cryptic asides directed at the reader sprinkled throughout provide enticing bits of foreshadowing. And that cover. So engaging! For me, though, the pacing was off. It seemed like all the peril was clumped into one section of the book. The first half started to drag a bit without those clear conflicts to pull the reader in. It will still be delightful read for your summer vacation. I recommend pairing it with chocolate mint brownie on a lazy summer afternoon.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

WE CAME HERE TO SHINE is another enjoyable novel by Susie Orman Schnall that takes on the 1939 World’s Fair. Schnall has a current that runs through all her novels about female empowerment and it’s captured in this novel through Max, the inspiring journalist, and Vivi, an actress in transition. These two meet in an unexpected way and form a friendship that helps each other confront what they want in life and how they plan to get it. A good book for those that like stories about female empowerment, historical fiction, and the power of a village no matter how small. The details of the fair are captured wonderfully as it serves as an inspiring stage for this story to be told. There is also a fair amount of drama to keep you engaged and reading. The thing I like most about Schnall’s books is that there is always an honesty to them about how to balance what you want to be and what you need to be and a call to stop and think about who you are living your life for.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

This is an interesting piece of historical fiction centered at the 1939 World's Fair. Schnall does a great job at setting the scenes and making the reader feel like they were actually there. This era is one I don't know much about. I learned a lot about life in America in 1939 and the hopes and dreams of the characters. This story was beautifully written and makes me want to read more about this era and this World's Fair. I would definately recommend this book.

I found Susie Orman Schnall last summer when I read her book The Subway Girls, and was so excited to be invited to read her latest book, We Came Here To Shine! Revolving around two women, Max with aspirations as a newspaper writer and Vivi a fledgling actress who is abruptly cast into a lead at the Aquacade show this story is all about the 1938 World’s Fair in New York City. This book has all of the elements that make Schnall’s books incredible - The characters are all so relatable and memorable, and I quickly became outraged at the wrongs these women endured and cheered them on through their personal triumphs. I love Schnall’s style of writing, with an amazing skill of conveying internal dialogue, faceted conflict and just enough info for the setting that engage and invite you into a well-researched time in our history. I highly recommend this book to all my friends. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this story. It was great to get a glimpse into New York’s World Fair through the stories of Max and Vivian. Both women are strong and independent. They’re trying to solidify their places in their respective fields - Max as a journalist and Vivian as a film actress. Both wind up at the NY fair and their summer spent their changes their lives. I loved learning the history of the fair and getting fun little tidbits such as how pickle pins were very popular. This book dives into the biases against women during this time and I really enjoyed seeing Max and Vivian push against them and forge their paths. I would definitely recommend this for a fan of historical fiction.

I loved the setting for this one-- the 1939 World's Fair! I had never realized how huge this fair was nor all the events. So I was immediately immersed into the world but the characters just fell a bit flat for me. I kept thinking that something really exciting would happen and, of course, there was a small twist but it was also very somber thinking about World War II and how these women's lives were just about to change. I would still recommend this if you love historical fiction. It's not my favorite genre and I think a book has to be spectacular in this genre to really grab me.

We Came Here to Shine comes out soon on June 16, 2020 and you can purchase HERE.

Vivi Holden would eventually realize that not getting what she wanted that day was the best thing that could have happened to her. But it was still early in Los Angeles. And the not-getting hadn't yet taken place.

The 1939 World's Fair brings together a Hollywood starlet and a plucky up and coming reporter. 1. I love the word Plucky and hope that is how I'm described.

Vivi and Max (Maxine) are brought together by an equal right for women speech and develop a friendship as they both come to terms with the male dominated industries they are both in. This is a book of friendship, of female power and of the enduring spirit of women.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I liked that this book took me to a place in history I have not explored in a book before. Set during the World Fair held in New York in 1939, this story follows two women: Vivi, an aspiring Hollywood starlet and Max, an aspiring journalism student. They both end up in jobs they don’t really want at the World Fair, and in the process of working those jobs, discover who they really want to be.

I did not enjoy the writing style of this book. It felt a bit juvenile and static to me. Because of that it was hard to really get a feel for the characters. The character development lacked depth.

I loved Susie Orman Schnall's Subway Girls, so I was excited to read We Came Here to Shine. And it did not disappoint! If you also liked her Subway Girls, I really think you'll like this one, too. I love how she takes a lesser known about real-life event and builds a fictional story about it. Of course, I know a little bit about the New York World's Fair, but I don't know very many details from the fair, nor have I heard any stories about what happened there.

We Came Here to Shine tells the stories of two girls who begrudgingly work at the fair. Vivi is a Hollywood actress sent to the fair by her agent to star as the lead swimmer in the Aquacade. Max is assigned to the fair's press office as her college internship, despite the fact she was really hoping to work for the New York Times. The two stories are told separately and then eventually become intertwined.

I wouldn't say this book absolutely blew my mind, but I did find it a super enjoyable read filled with strong women trying to make their way in 1930s New York. It's hard not to fall in love with both Vivi and Max, especially as you learn how dynamic their stories actually are. I feel like I got an insider's peek at the actual stories from the New York World's Fair, rather than just seeing pictures and learning about the history of the fair.

Schnall definitely has a knack for storytelling and I can't wait to see what she tackles next. Something tells me it will also cover strong females overcoming obstacles and making an impact on the world.

My Two Cents: I was initially interested in We Came Here to Shine (and actually reactively received it from the publisher) because I previously read The Subway Girls and loved it! Author Susie Orman Schnall has a knack for finding little-known historic events and making them come alive so much so that readers like me subsequently spend hours looking back and researching the past just to get another glimpse at that time period.

I also love that Susie's characters are always headstrong young women coming-of-age in a man's world (at least from what I've seen and read so far). Max and Vivi were both relatable characters thrown together at the World's Fair of NYC in 1939, which neither of them expected or wanted to be tied to. While their friendship took off very quickly and would be difficult to cement in today's world, it made sense for the time period and wasn't forced. It was like a summertime friendship where you meet someone on vacation and become attached until the summer/vacation ends.

Vivi, in particular, was endearing to me. She had so much heart and kindness beneath the cliched actress facade. I loved her backstory and the way her connection to NYC was woven into the narrative. Her storyline - from finding out about her sister and family to discovering how her fiance coped with a false betrayal - was the highlight for me. Vivi's unfolding past and the journey she took to get to LA and back to NYC is what kept me rushing through some of Max's chapters to get back to Vivi's perspective.

Max, on the other hand, while still likable to an extent, rubbed me as selfish and judgmental. The way Max lashed out at anyone who didn't agree with her was not only surprising for the time, but also made her relationships less realistic. I can't imagine staying friends with someone who would be so mean and speak so poorly of someone who had simply expressed an opinion to help. The way she stormed out on her best friend and a guy she liked when she didn't initially get the internship she wanted was incredibly immature. I was a bit surprised when he continued to come back and hang out with her after a couple of these tantrums.

Max's character flaws didn't make me enjoy the novel any less. If anything, it's refreshing when a writer doesn't try to make the main characters all be the loving, likable heroines we're used to. It's unrealistic for every reader to relate to every protagonist and despite my aversions to Max, I would love to see a sequel following Vivi's life (or maybe even both Vivi and Max) after the World Fair. For now, I will just keep loving Susie Orman Schnall's take on historic events.

https://thebookbasics.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/we-came-here-to-shine-by-susie-orman-schnall/

I loved this! At first, I wasn’t sure how it would go, but everything fell together perfectly. I love a strong and encouraging female friendship, and this gave me that. I loved seeing both women’s personal struggles in their personal and professional lives be overcome. Very inspiring and highly recommended

4 stars... We Came Here to Shine is the first book I have read by Susie Orman Schnall I really enjoyed her writing. I found the characters to be fairly well developed. The setting of the Worlds fair was such a unique setting. Plus how many books do you read about old hollywood? I dont read a lot of them. I fell in love with Vivi's character. Max was a little harder for me to get into a groove with. I loved the little bits if mixed media in the form of news paper articles that are thrown in. All in all I think it was a solid place to start with this author.

Star rating: 3.5/5
"Being a bold and determined girl is neither good nor bad. It depends on how you use it."

Summary:
Set during the 1939's World Fair in New York City, this unique piece of historical fiction addresses feminism, women in the workplace, and the value of friendship.
Vivi Holden is an up-and-coming movie star disappointed to be reassigned by her agent from a lead role in a movie to the World Fair's Aquacades. Max Roth is an aspiring journalist, equally disappointed to be assigned to the World Fair's publication for her summer job instead of the New York Times, as she had been hoping, and even more devastated to learn that she won't actually get to write any articles. The two women meet by chance at the festival and become fast friends. Though the two are very different, they are both dealing with the difficulties of being women working in male-dominated industries, and they help one another make tough decisions, stand up for themselves, and find their own way.

Review:
I can honestly say I've never read another book like We Came Here to Shine. I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and it was refreshing to find a piece that is not centered around a war. I also know very little about both the World Fair and water ballet, so I started out excited to learn more.
My first impression of this book was that it gave me serious Dirty Dancing vibes, but with water dancing, and with the focus being more on friendship than romance. I read this over a span of days with sweltering 90-degree-heat, so the parts that centered around Vivi's Aquapades made me want to be right there in the water next to her. I loved the descriptions of the fair - the attractions, the food, the important visitors, the grandiosity of it all.
However, this book fell short for me in a number of ways. I felt that the time period wasn't accurately portrayed - it often felt like a modern story plopped into 1939 with a few details changed. One of the reasons I tend to love historical fiction is the feeling of being immersed in a different era, and this book just didn't do that for me. Furthermore, many aspects of the plot simply felt unbelievable or unnecessary, like "Frank the Villain." Even Vivi and Max's friendship, which is arguably the whole point of the story, felt forced.
Overall, while fans of historical fiction may find the believability factor lacking. this book was a perfectly pleasant summer read and a truly unique story. I recommend We Came Here to Shine for fans of Kristen Hannah and Marie Benedict. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC - this book will be available to the public on June 16 2020!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters, the time period in which the book is set, the attention to detail and the storyline all made for a compelling read.

#We Came Here to Shine #Net Galley

And "Shine" they did! Historical fiction with an intriguing story, what more could you ask? I very much enjoyed this pre-World War II, women pushing the way for equal rights, finding one's place in the world, and learning to stand up for what you want story. This book takes place at the New York World's Fair in 1939. The descriptive narratives made me check that fair on Google. It was a perfect setting. It has a wonderful lesson for young ladies, "listen to yourself, find out what YOU want, and go for it"!

The Great Depression was ending and for those of us in the USA, war was just a story in the newspapers we did not want to read or talk about. Besides, something big was happening on both coasts. Hollywood was having one of its best years of film making in 1939; so many big hits that it would be remembered as its Golden Year. In New York, the 1939 World’s Fair was about to open at the end of April, with FDR giving the opening speech. The theme was the future and it looked bright with the official motto as: “Dawn of a New Day.” However, the more popular phrase, “The World of Tomorrow,” which labeled the exhibit and Pavilion areas, gained favor.

The story concentrates on two main characters: Maxine (Max) Roth, a young journalism student at NYU, about to be assigned to her summer internship with the rest of her predominantly male, class, which was quite normal for 1939. Over on the west coast in Hollywood, Vivi Holden, a young, new actress is about to begin her first day of filming a hot, new picture, sure to be up for many awards, when word comes down from studio heads that they’ve replaced her with someone else. Someone with more experience, someone more, ‘womanly,’ someone more believable in this role. Vivi is speechless and gobsmacked!

Max’s main rival in class gets assigned to the NY Times, she gets assigned to cover the World’s Fair for its own newspaper, “The Fair Today” a daily publication covering the goings-on at the Fair.
Vivi was offered a position to replace the star, Eleanor Holm, and swim with Johnny Weissmueller at the Fair’s Aquacade. What Vivi did not know at the time was how elaborate and popular this show was. The specially built amphitheater sat 10,000 people and involved hundreds of performers. It was a spectacular musical and water extravaganza with its own orchestra. It became the model for all those fantastic Hollywood movies involving swimming, think Esther Williams. (Sorry, I love this!)

So, back to our novel. Max does a marvelous job on the Fair’s paper, so much so, she turns up some juicy reporting as an amateur investigative reporter, benefiting the Fair. Overall, she impresses the Fair’s management, her teacher at NYU and her classmates.
Vivi is the true professional and good sport helping the show, Max and her sister (you’ll see) all in one summer.

Combined with history, a World’s Fair, and great storytelling you cannot miss the entertainment value of the book. I adored it and recommend it.

Note: Some of the buildings from the 1939 Fair were saved and used for the NY 1964-5 Fair, held at the same exact location: Flushing Meadows, Queens, NY. I knew some things looked familiar! Especially the life-size globe in the center!
Susie also wrote The Subway Girls

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Susie Orman Schnall

This was my Memorial Day read. I really enjoyed learning about the 1939 World Fair in New York. The descriptions of the exhibits, the restaurants and the amusement zone drew me back in time and was the perfect escape for the weekend.

I also really loved the two main characters and the peek inside old Hollywood, synchronized swimming extravaganzas and the male dominated world of journalism. The two women were perfectly characterized and I loved discovering their friendship and their ultimate life outcomes.

There is a little love, a little mystery and a whole lot of pushing back against the male dominated work worlds.

#NetGalley #WeCameHeretoShine