This is the 4th Fiona Davis book I've read. I keep coming back to her titles because each one is a love story to a famous New York City building. And I just love NYC. ⁣
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In this case it's also a love story to the New York Public Library, a spot I return to every time I visit. Because I LOVE libraries. And I like to say hello to Patience & Fortitude. ⁣
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This book made for a perfect weekend read. Told in dual timelines: 1913 and 1993 it follows two women who are not only related, but also intertwined by a mystery related to stolen rare books. Family secrets, feminist awakening, loss and growth- all set against the historic, one-of-a-kind The New York Public Library, I found it to be compelling and compulsively readable. I enjoyed the 1913 story line a little more than 1993, but it all came together seamlessly. ⁣

“The Lions of Fifth Avenue” tells the story of a family that lives in the superintendent apartment inside the iconic New York Public Library in 1914, with a complementary storyline set in 1993.
Davis uses two strong female protagonists to bring the reader along these two connected narratives, releasing details and building anticipation about the mystery surrounding valuable literary artifacts that go missing. Davis’ characters are believable I wanted to get to know them, given their experiences with feminism in the early and late 20th century . Not surprisingly, this librarian found the story fascinating; I’d like to think readers who aren’t librarians will enjoy it, too.

A wonderful read. I enjoyed reading and learning about the New York City Public Library.

I didn't realize that there were living quarters in the library. I was very intrigued by this. I hope to someday visit the New York Public Library and maybe see these living quarters if they are open to the public.

I was really excited about the premise of this book. The library setting, the split but related perspectives, and the running mystery all captured my attention...in theory. Davis had a great idea, but I felt like this book just didn't deliver. The beginning of the book felt slow and it was hard to get invested in. I did eventually get more interested in Laura's chapters. She felt a little better developed, her experiences were fascinating, and I loved the direction it took away from a picture-perfect ending. In contrast, I found Sadie's chapters to be far less compelling. Her character didn't feel well developed, I felt no buy-in and her relationship felt far too contrived. Had Davis chosen to write a book about Laura alone and dive deeper into her experiences I think I would have loved it. Instead, she chose to tell two stories and neither held up well enough, especially not Sadie's.

Fiona Davis is a skilled writer who is particularly adept at making New York City landmarks come alive by weaving stories of her fictional characters with the always fascinating background of the building. Her latest historical novel takes the reader into the history, architecture and collections of the New York City Library. The title, “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” refers to the towering stone lions flanking the entrance to the building.

In 1913, Laura and her family live in an apartment in the library. She longs to be a professional writer, but is thwarted by the mores of the times and lack of encouragement by her very traditional husband Jack.

In the same library, in 1993, Sadie is a recently divorced librarian who had landed her dream job as curator of the Berg Collection of rare manuscripts, diaries, and quirkier memorabilia of famous historical figures.

These two women, especially Laura, are well-drawn characters with similar ambitions to be successful, independent career women with fulfilling private lives also. Though their stories are separated by 80 years, they are both devoted to their work, are willing to take risks, and are resourceful when pursuing their goals.

The other figures in the novel are peripheral to our heroines; some are more important than others, but they round out the story nicely. Throughout this book there are topics examined lightly or more deeply: domestic harmony, love, family relationships, the nascent fight for women’s rights, and an enduring mystery to be solved. The library itself also feels like a living breathing entity as it affects the characters in the novel.

While the character’s stories hold our interest, the real “star” is the New York Public Library—the building’s history, design, secret passages, and atmosphere. Davis has done deep research and engages the reader in the joy and importance of this library, and libraries in general. This is another terrific glimpse into an American landmark by Fiona Davis!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton (Penguin Group) for the ARC and the opportunity to give my honest review of this novel.

Fiona Davis is one of my favorite go-to authors of historical fiction. She does not disappoint with her newest book. As someone who works in a library and loves to visit libraries whenever I travel, I loved the setting of the New York Public Library. The dual perspectives of Laura and Sadie, as well as the dual timelines made the reading experience feel fast-paced and weaved a bigger picture into a historical event. Davis did an amazing job of keeping the story moving with an interesting mystery, while also touching on more serious topics such as women's rights and sexism in the workplace. I will definitely be recommending this one and consider it for a future book discussion at our library.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I didn't know if this would be a book for me- I tend not to be a fan of books that move between different timelines. However, I am happy to say that I loved this book from start to finish! I think I can speak for all of us when I say that being able to live in a library and spend all of my time with books is a dream. Getting to "live" in the New York Public Library with Laura and to experience the library decades later with Sadie was like getting to live the dream vicariously. Even though I'm not American, I've heard of and seen photos of the library, and I have never thought of it as a home before- Dsvis did a wonderful job at getting us to consider things from different perspectives.

The characters from both timelines are interesting, and I would have loved some more time with some of the supporting characters (Pearl especially). I think that Davis' skill as an author really shows with the way that she links characters from different generations and periods- you don't see the connections at first, but once you do, it is incredible. Overall, this is an amazing read, and one of my favourite fiction books of 2020!

Sorry, did not finish. This was slow as molasses in January. Not feeding the ducks, either. More words needed

A historical novel set in 2 different time periods, this book captivates from the very first chapter. The setting of the famous New York City library adds another interesting element. A must read for mystery and history lovers.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Anyone who has a love of books will enjoy this book set in the New York Public Library. Fiona Davis grabs the readers attention from the start, which makes a great read to forget about the pandemic. I loved how the author wove the story between 1913 and 1993 where Sadie learns more about her family history ties to the New York Public Library, while having her own career at the library as well. I loved how there are parallels to Sadie and her grandmother’s life. Such a wonderful story that is full of the unexpected!

This book is told between two alternating time lines, around 1913 and 1993, and both take place around the New York Public Library.

There are many similarities between the two time periods, one of which is rare books are going missing from the library and no one can figure out how. The frame of the book with the alternating time lines is the style of the author. It works well, and in this book the pacing is well done. Each time line leaves at a moment when you really want to know what happens next. There are some unexpected moments and, of course, some coincidences. I enjoyed this book and found it a good diversion, with a wonderful backdrop of a story.

Really enjoyed this book.

Fiona Davis's latest piece of historical fiction is a solid read. It alternates between Laura Lyons, a budding journalist in 1913 NYC and her granddaughter, Sadie, a librarian in 1993 NYC. There are stolen books in both time periods, as Sadie struggles to find the link between the books, her grandmother's life, and her own.

I'm a big fan of Fiona Davis and was excited to read this book. Both time periods of the book are well written and the story moves back and forth between the two seamlessly, making me want to keep reading and reading. I had a few moments where I really had to suspend belief about some of Laura's actions in 1913. In some places there wasn't enough backstory for me to truly believe in the character's motivation. Similarly, in the 1993 periods, I wished there was a stronger connection with who the thief turned out to be. Ultimately it was a satisfying ending though.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is set in the New York City Public Library, in both 1913 and 1993. The story moves back and forth between the two eras, telling parallel stories that involve members of the same family. In 1913 Laura Lyons and her family live in the library where her husband is the supervisor. Laura is looking for some personal satisfaction outside of motherhood so she attends journalism school, which distracts her when rare library books are stolen. In 1993, Laura's granddaughter Sadie works in the library, organizing an exhibit that includes some of Laura's things, when again rare books are stolen. The story moves back and forth between the two plot lines, with the author skillfully weaving the threads together, clearly and succinctly. I really enjoyed reading about the famous NYC Library. The book reminded me of the YA series "The Story Collector," which also takes place in the NYC library. I encourage library lovers to read this excellent historical novel. Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing an ARC.

In 1913, Laura Lyons lives in the famed New York Public Library building where her husband is superintendent. Yet she struggles with her traditional role as a housewife and begins a degree in journalism. In 1993, Sadie, Laura's granddaughter, becomes the curator of one of the library's collection. When rare books begin to disappear, Sadie finds that history is repeating itself.

I have mixed feelings about Davis's latest historical fiction novel. I enjoyed the connection between the two stories. The modern piece, while less-developed than the historical narrative (a common problem to modern/historical narratives that irks me), was interesting enough to push the story forward. Laura's narrative was thoughtfully complex in spots and annoyingly simple in others, touching on motherhood, feminism, and family dynamics.

The story, told in chapters alternating between 1913 and 1993, is set in the New York Public Library. 1913, Laura Lyons lives in an apartment at the Library, with her children and husband Jack, who is the superintendent of the library. Jack is trying to write a book in addition to his duties at the library, and he devotes all his spare time to writing his book. Laura is accepted into the journalism program at Columbia. Because of some of the assignments she is given, she meets a large variety of people she would never have met otherwise. She becomes part of a feminist group known as Heterodoxy, which was quite radical for the time.

In 1993, Sadie Donovan works at the Library; she is the granddaughter of Laura Lyons, a fact that she has not disclosed to her employer. Besides being related, there is a connection between Laura and Sadie as it relates to missing rare books. It is this link around which the story revolves.

Nicely written book!
Fiona Davis is a true talent.
This book not only covers NYPLibrary but also it's tenants and their stories.
It was a clever idea to write a book like that the way she did with her magical plot.
I really enjoyed this one!

I really do enjoy these tales by Fiona Davis. The combination of architectural History, New York City history, and women's history is an entertaining one and in the hands of a talented writer like Davis, makes for an engaging and informative read. This time the subject is one near and dear to my heart, the New York Public Library, and the combination of historical information about the building and its origins as well as the family drama related through Laura Lyons and her granddaughter was delightful. The story was engaging and informative - a one-two knockout punch that I thoroughly enjoyed. It

I love historical fiction that weaves facts with the story - you learn so many new things! Davis creates a story about a family living in the apartments within the New York Public Library (they exist today, but in woeful condition). Her characters are intriguing and progressive for the time period she writes about. I'm looking forward to her next book!

This was a completely engrossing historical fiction mystery about two related women 80 years apart dealing with book thefts at the iconic main branch of the New York Public Library. I liked Laura's journey in the 1913 timeline more than I liked Sadie's in 1993 but both women were interesting characters and the connections and clues between their mysteries had me unable to put the book down. Some of the secondary characters don't quite get what I feel is their due in terms of development on the page (I would read a novella about Pearl alone, for example!) but I still enjoyed it very much.

Fiona Davis doesn't disappoint with her fifth historical fiction novel. It's a great story that makes the reader ask questions, this time about the New York Public Library, hence the title. Was there really an apartment inside the library where a family lived? Is there really a book called the 'Tamerlane'? I love the way the author created a fictional family and a mystery that begins in 1913 and is solved in the 1990s. Fans of New York City history and historical fiction should put this one on their list! Thank you #netgalley and #Penguingroupdutton #thelionsoffifthavenue