This book was received as an ARC from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I had a real deep connection with this book being a librarian myself and also for the strength and intelligence Belle had throughout the book. I have read so many historical fiction novels that really have tugged on my heart strings but The Personal Librarian dug deeper to the point to focus on the factors that we tend to take for granted and that we often forget are a crucial part of our jobs as librarians and that is passion. It was admirable the approach Belle took to remain intelligent for the Pierpoint Memorial Library while keeping her social status in the spotlight but still staying true to her heart. This book could not have come out at a better time and it just signifies why I worked so hard for my MLS and why I love what I do.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I enjoyed reading The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. It is interesting to read how the collection of J.P Morgan’s personal library evolved under Belle Da Costa Greene’s management. I realize this is a fiction book but my concern is the characters are real people and many of the stories told about them are the author’s interpretation of events that may have happened. I would have liked to read more about more about the acquisitions for the library and less about affairs of da Costa Greene.

This historical fiction novel tells the story of Belle da Costa Greene, a black woman passing as a white woman who worked as the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan. Sadly, this novel didn't work for me. I felt it lacked the urgency and push I normally feel and love about Benedict's writing. While I think both authors offer amazing work, I didn't like the combination. The story seemed slow, and I had trouble caring about the characters. The story elements (a black woman passing as a white woman, a career woman in a time where women were fighting for their rights, libraries, historical figures) ticked a lot of boxes for me, but I just never felt truly invested in the book.

Belle, a black girl passing as white, is hired by J. P. Morgan as his personal librarian. Determined to be the best, Belle makes bold acquisitions, rubs shoulders with the rich and powerful, and refuses to take no for an answer. The entire time, she worries about her family, passing, and the rising violence against blacks.

Based on a true story, Belle was a fascinating character. Her bold decisions, flirty nature, and desire to be the best in a time where both blacks and women were suppressed was extremely admirable. The book was well paced, and highly entertaining. Overall 4 out of 5 stars.

Belle de Costa Greene was the personal librarian to J. P. Morgan and the driving force behind the Pierpont Morgan Library (now known as the Morgan Library & Museum). In her role as librarian and collection developer, Belle rubbed elbows with the rich and famous, was well known within international art circles, and was one of the world's most well known librarians. She was intelligent, witty, fashionable, all of which was well known at the time.

What wasn't known was that Belle was black. This book takes a deep dive into the difficulties and dangers posed by passing as white in the 1910s and 1920s, the anxiety of potential discovery, the damage such discovery would have done to her career and ability to provide for her family, as well as giving us a glimpse into this extraordinary life.

This book was absolutely fascinating! In the course of reading it, I have already recommended it to five different people directly. The collaborative writing between Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray was excellent. The book is well researched, the dialogue is historically appropriate, and any deviations from fact are noted by the authors in the author's notes at the end of the book.

I was given an advance reader's copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is interesting in that it is not about a really famous person, but someone who operated behind the scenes, but yet traveled in the stratified air of the very rich and powerful. Most of the books readers have probably never heard of her, which is a shame as she did have access to so many famous people of the time. This is actually a biography of two people--Belle Greene and Marion Greener and how the lives of the two absolutely could not meet for either of them to be a success. It is a story of a black woman coming to terms with her ethnicity, a sophisticated educated woman dealing in the highest heights of the art world, and also the story of a great institution in America that she was instrumental in creating..

I cannot find enough words to describe this amazing book! It is beautifully written, and I learned so much. I thought the novel would be an interesting one anyway, but THEN I found out that Belle da Costa Greene was a woman of color passing as a white woman. I highly recommend this title, and am so excited about being able to recommend it to our library patrons!

While I haven't finished this book, I am looking forward to using it as a book discussion book. Benedict has brought to life a woman who like many women might have been lost to history after having lived in the shadow of famous men. In this case, the famous men are J. P. Morgan and Bernard Berenson. The woman, Belle da Costa Greene, was born Belle Marian Greener, the daughter of a "colored" couple in Washington DC. Despite the views of her father, Marian's mother reinvents their family as white when they move to New York City. Thus, posing as someone of Portuguese descent, Marian becomes Belle and uses her education and training to become the personal librarian of Morgan. This is a book that sends the reader off to do more research into the times and the people the further into the book one goes. It is rich with subjects to discuss.

Once I finished reading this book I thought, “This would make a really good book club choice.” First, it’s about rare books and a woman’s quest to build one of the most prestigious libraries in the world. Based on the true story of Belle da Costa Greene and her essential role in building the Pierpont Morgan Library (now called the Morgan Library), this book sent me hunting through the Internet for photos of Belle, the library, and some of the rare books she acquired. If you are a bibliophile, this is a book for you.
Beyond the bookish story, you also have the story of one of the most influential and powerful women of her time – and remember this was largely before women won the right to vote. Because of her expertise and skill in negotiating, the powerful J.P. Morgan gave her wide leeway and developing and acquiring the collection, sending her with almost unlimited amounts of money to gather manuscripts that would provide a thorough and deep collection for scholars the world over.
Add to all this, the fact that Belle had a family secret that could have upended all of her work and left her in ruins. It had to do with her race, and the dangerous line she was trying to travel in the early 1900s.
When I first picked up the book, Belle struck me as a very prim and proper narrator, and I thought it might be hard to get into the story, but once I learned more about her, I found it more and more engaging, and I understood how hard she strove for outward propriety. This book opens the way to so many things to explore and so many issues to discuss and so much more to learn that I think it could truly expand a readers world.
I received an advanced readers copy through net galley in exchange for an honest review.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Her intelligence and shrewd negotiating skills help her to become a powerful player in the male dominated art and book world. Belle has a secret that she works hard every day to hide from the world, she is African-American. I was intrigued to read about this incredible woman who overcame her constant fear of her true self being exposed to create and establish a remarkable, lasting legacy for generations to come. Although her sacrifices brought security for her family, the burden weighed heavily on her shoulders and yet she persevered at her position for over forty years. I'm looking forward to adding a visit to the Morgan Library on my next New York City adventure after reading this book. Thank you Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray for bringing this courageous and inspiring woman's story to the world!

If you're a fan of Marie Benedict, historical fiction or reading about the fascinating story of Belle da Costa Greene, JP Morgan's personal librarian, then I highly recommend this book! Not only did I find Belle's story intriguing but I was fascinated by Benedict's dive into the art world of the early 1900's. I also appreciated Benedict seeking out the perspective of female black author Victoria Christopher Murray and co-writing the book with her. The authors had little personal information to go on since Belle burned all of her letters and correspondence right before she died. They did a fantastic job of filling in the gaps and bringing to life this extraordinary woman of our history.

This is a story that needed to be told, especially at this time with so much bigotry showing its ugly face. The Personal Librarian is a multi-faceted look at a unique story in an important time in American history. There are multiple stories being told: the story of the Pierpont Morgan Library; the story of a woman who was a key player in the male only art and antiquarian book world; the story of a "colored" woman living as white in the upper echelons of New York and European society. Together they make a fascinating book. Each thread is well written and constructed. They are all woven together to form a cohesive and engaging narrative. I gained a good introductory insight into the rare books world through the reading. Ms. Greene's thought processes around the secret of her racial background, as she went through her days gave an interesting and educational insight into how it was to live at that time in history. Most interesting were those during her times with the New York ultra-rich. I sorry that this incredible story could not be told at the time it was playing out. I a grateful it is finally being shared in its full.

The Personal Librarian tells the story of JP Morgan's personal librarian.

Belle Marion Greener, born from black parents, received an education and was smart. Because one of her patrons enjoyed talking to her, Belle was able to get an interview with his uncle, Mr. Morgan, to oversee his library. She was well-versed in "old" books and the nephew believed they would hit it off, so to speak. Had he known she was "colored," he might not have gotten to know her much less arranged for the interview. Belle's mother believed they should take advantage of their light skin color and "pass" as white to have more opportunities. This choice had many dangers. If the truth comes out, they could, literally, be forced to move and possibly have violence against them. Belle changes her name to Belle de Costa Green. By using a name connected to Italy, the slightly darker color would allow them to be "white."

J. P. Morgan finds Belle to be an outstanding employee and even finds himself attracted to her. Belle swears to purchase the one book that he most wants even if it takes years. She and he have the goal and having one of the finest collections in the world. She is able to live in the world of society as well as the business world and be respected as a woman in a time in the early 1900s, a most unusual circumstance for this time period. The novel reveals her one love as well as her devotion to Mr. Morgan. She must constantly protect her secret. It if were to be revealed, it would affect her family who depend on her for her very nice salary, giving them a nice home. She basically supports most of her siblings and their spouses even though they also have jobs.

The novel intrigued me. I'm not sure I liked Belle, but I know I admire her for her courage and knowledge. Maybe because I never felt pulled into the novel, I felt distanced from her as well. I learned about an interesting woman even though I didn't necessarily love the book. I'm glad I read it.

Who was Belle Marion Greener, and who is Belle da Costa Greene? Her father is a black, civil rights educator and her wishful mother who wants to "cement 'white' status" for her family. Belle becomes the pawn in her family's game of educational and social climbing. Belle da Costa Greene it is.

Her parents go their separate ways and Princeton librarian, Belle da Costa Greene sets out to New York to interview and become the personal librarian for industrial magnate, JP Morgan. The character of Belle is a study in contrast. Educated in the arts and literature, Belle seizes her dream with her intellect and her flirty charm. She makes deals with savvy art collectors and travels in social circles with aplomb. It takes a lot of energy to become something you aren't.

Always at the back of her mind are her family's D.C. roots of her Greener kin -- her grandmother, uncles, and cousins living in another, but comfortable world. While working for Morgan, Belle lives with her mother and several siblings that also live the 'light skin' lie but to a lesser extent.

Belle's charms take her to a new level of drama, as Bernard Berensen, an art broker and heart breaker, threatens her happiness and her future. Being found out as an imposter is the least of her worries.

The death of JP Morgan is a turning point for Belle. She does 'cement' her place as the librarian for the Pierpoint Morgan Library.

This historical fiction piece is one of several by authors, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murphy. Benedict uses strong women (educated in life or book learning) as protagonists that capably interact, and very well change, their employers for the better.

Belle da Costa Greene may not preserve the letters of her legacy, but she does allow us a glimpse into her dual-world -- one of being the dutiful daughter and the one leaving the world with knowledge of art, early 20th century history, and the promise that you can become whomever you choose to be.

I was thrilled when I received a digital copy via NetGalley of The Personal Librarian by authors, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. This is the remarkable story of Belle da Costa Greene who is hired as J. P. Morgan's personal librarian in her mid twenties. Before hearing about this book, I didn't know who Bella da Costa Greene was and that makes me sad! She was an empowering woman who stood her ground in rooms full of powerful and wealthy men and a racist world. I really enjoyed reading about the process of how Belle curated J.P. Morgan's collection full of rare books, artwork and manuscripts at the Pierpont Morgan Library. She knew what she wanted for the collection, how to negotiate and how to make herself well known and respected in the New York society scene.

While the library, curating process and the art and book world was exciting to read about, it was heartbreaking to read about Belle's family background. Belle da Costa Greene was not her real name. Her family changed their last name and due to their complexion, they were able to pass as white in society. While that may seem like a good thing, they struggled every day when it came to meeting new people, answering personal questions about their upbringing and trying to blend in and survive when money was tight and segregation was at an all time high. I couldn't imagine holding in that secret to all of society, close friends and colleagues and with romantic partners like Belle had to do her entire life.

Even though this is a fictionalized telling of Belle da Costa Greene's story, I know from the author notes in the back that it was well researched and thought out. I learned a lot from The Personal Librarian as well as articles online about this extraordinary woman. I hope to visit the Morgan Library and Museum some day! Thanks again to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the advanced reader copy. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary historical fiction!

In 1905 Belle de Costa Greene was hired by JP Morgan to help him with his new library’s rare books and art works. Belle had been recommended by Morgan’s nephew who met her when she worked with rare books at the Princeton University library. Belle’s knowledge of rare books, art and incunabula, was due to her father who encouraged her to learn more about those topics.
However Belle had a deep secret. She has been named Belle Marion Greener at birth. Her parents were both black but Belle and her siblings had light complexions as did their mother, Genevieve. So Genevieve decided it was to their advantage to change the family name of her and her children and “pass” as whites when they moved to NYC. Belle’s new middle name was attributed falsely to a Portuguese grandmother. She would infer that her olive skin tone was due to the Portuguese heritage.
In reality Belle’s father, Richard Greener, was the first black man to graduate from Harvard, had a law degree and was active in the fight for racial equality. Her mother had been a member of a renowned black family in Washington,DC. When the family moved to NYC, Genevieve cut ties with her family and encouraged her children to pursue college degrees and become professionals which was easier to do as whites.
Morgan was impressed with Belle’s knowledge and relied heavily on the young woman to catalog and even purchase rare items for the library. Often Belle was the only woman present at an important auction. However since she represented Morgan’s interests, she was both feared and respected by the buyers and sellers alike.
Throughout her life Belle kept her secret even though she had regrets about turning her back on black relatives in order to work in the Morgan’s world of wealthy and privilege. Morgan was fond of her and eventually included her in family and social events.
This book was based on a real person and the authors did much research before writing the book. I found this book interesting as it gave insight into how the great Morgan Library in NYC was created and eventually opened to the public. I have visited the library several times and am always in awe of the rare books (e.g. Gutenberg bible) on display.

As a fan of historical fiction, and a librarian, I was very enticed by the subject of this novel, Belle DeCosta Greene, the librarian hired by J.P. Morgan to build his library of art, books and manuscritps. But over all, it was slow mving and did not grip my attention. Since Belle herself had destroyed all her personal correspondence, I also felt there was far too much internal thought attributed to her in the first person narrative; too much seemed speculation. A noble effort, but not a favorite for me.

Thank you for writing about this inspirational woman! Belle Da Costa Greene broke so many glass ceilings of her day, carving out a successful career amongst men, creating a phenenomenal collection of book antiquities, hobnobbing with societies Fourhundred during the Gilded Age and doing it all while concealing her true heritage. Remarkable!

Both authors brought this period of time to life and were masters at weaving in the personal desires and daily concerns of Belle. I loved hearing about her ruthless negotiating, and her ease at conversing with both men and women well above her social status. I appreciated the sensitivity of the subject of her race and the way the authors didn't condone her for her mothers choices but explained it from all sides.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I loved it.

I was prepared for a weak reception of this book. I was thrilled by Benedict's "Only Woman in the Room" but have found her other works to be heavy with dates and moments in history that seem to drag the narrative rather than press it forward. This book had many of the same moments, but I am still fascinated by the subject.

Belle da Costa Greene was the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan from the height of his wealth and fame until his death. Born Marion Belle Greener, child of the first African-American graduate of Harvard, she was raised with her Fleet family, in a prominent Black neighborhood of Washington DC. After the dismissal of the Civil Rights Act, rampant racism led to her father's increased activist activity and to her family's separation. Belle and the children remained with their mother, who reported their race to the census bureau as "white". The family's fair complexion even with their "dark blood" allowed the lie to pass. Belle was educated, employed by the Princeton University Library, and was hired by Mr. Morgan, leading to her reputation of being one of the most accomplished antiquities curators of her time. All as a Black woman.

There were several points in this book that give a peek into the unspoken undesirable lifestyles of the past that we learned to accept in the modern age: relationships with multiple partners, same-sex relationships, interracial marriage, etc. There are moments of pure racist attitudes, primarily toward the Jewish and Black individuals, that are disturbing but completely accurate when depicting history. I was ecstatic to learn that Benedict's co-author was BIPOC, ensuring we weren't being given another white narrative into the life of a BIPOC individual, no matter how fictionalized it was.

The Personal Librarian is the story of J. P. Morgan's librarian. This woman played a huge point in acquiring the huge collection of art and manuscripts in Morgan's famous library. She also was influential in the Morgan family's decision to make the collection available to the public. What people at the time never knew was that she was an African American passing as white in order to escape the racism of the period.