Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J P Morgan to be his personal librarian. The first thing she has to do is organize the books and manuscripts he already owns...
Berkley and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published, so you can get a copy now.

Bella is black but she's light enough she pretends to be white. Her mother is the one who insisted on that. Mother thought they'd have a better chance in life if they hid their heritage. She tells her to say her grandmother is Portuguese and that will account for the darkness of her skin.

Bella is very good at negotiating and getting the material she wants for the library. Her employer becomes fond of her.

One thing Bella is not good at is choosing men. She flirts with them all, wears bright fashions, and goes to bed with a few. The man she fell in love with makes her abort the baby they created. Suddenly he's not as charming as she thought.

She treasures her boss. He teaches about everything and let's her make purchases with his money. He also regularly gives her raises.

But Bella has more heartbreak ahead. Her one success in life is being the librarian..

I’ve savored this book for awhile, saving it for just the right time and I’m so glad I did.

THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN tells the story of Bell de Costa Green, personal curator of the JP Morgan library. She’s incredibly smart, strong, and I loved her wit!

Born as Belle Greener, to a wealthy Black family from Washington DC, I was so moved by this story and the choices that were made for Belle to pass as White as her family moves to NYC.

*many thanks to Berkley/Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

A fascinating book that I will recommend to my friends, and the literature and English instructors here at our college. I won't be buying it for our library (unless they specifically request it) because I'm afraid our seminarians won't have a lot of interest in it. (They're generally very focused on philosophy and religion, and don't have a lot of spare time for non-academic reading.) What an inspiring woman - and one I had never heard of before! An inspiration to librarians everywhere! I especially enjoyed reading about how she *loved" librarianship - enjoyed the process of choosing, organizing, and sharing the collection. We can relate! Destined to belong to every public library collection in the land!

I think people who like historical fiction will probably like this title. I found it amazingly boring...and I am a librarian, so you would think the topic alone would appeal. Fell very flat for me.

I am a huge fan of Marie Benedict and her collaboration with Victoria Murray did not disappoint. Once again I was transported into the life of a little known woman from history who did great things.

Belle da Costa Greene was a young black woman raised as a "Colored" person in Washington D.C. until her mother decided that for their futures she would move her and her light-skinned kids to New York and live as white people. Belle went to school and then became a librarian before being recommended to J.P. Morgan for a job as his personal librarian. Over the years, the respect that Belle was able to achieve due to her brilliance in obtaining and curating a vast collection of antique books and artwork was a source of great pride but also concern that she was ignoring who she really was.

I totally get that the authors wanted to take us into the conflict that Belle had to deal with in "passing" for white and her understandable fear of what would happen to her and her family if she was found out, but I would have been happy with a little less angst. I felt that that I was beaten over the head with it.

Belle lived an extraordinary life for a woman of her time, early 1900's. Her ability to go toe to toe with men of the time in her acquisitions was nothing short of historic and to know now that she did it all as a Black woman just reinforces how important is is for us to hear her story.

Fans of Marie Benedict's previous works will enjoy this historical fiction about yet another interesting historical figure.

Personally this didn't work for me- it felt more like a cozy history than an autobiographical fiction. I have a hard time believing that everywhere Belle went she was accepted and didn't face discrimination. It just seemed unlikely that everything just worked out for her, and to me, the lack of including of the hardships she must have faced weakened the strength of the story.

This book was fascinating from start to finish. The story of a Black woman passing and making her own life in a time when it was hard for women in general. Based on a true tale, this narrative gives credence to what she may have been feeling. I think the story is made more powerful by the collaboration of these two authors. It was beautifully written and lush in its descriptions of the library itself. I wish all historical fiction read like this. The last one that had me this captivated was "Clara and Mr. Tiffany."

An interesting true story of a person who was influential but hidden from the world in so many respects. Belle de Costa Green's life was one of determination, personal courage and a search for knowledge.

I had high hopes for this one! And while I was fascinated by the story and the history - it was all new to me - I struggled connecting with the protagonist and at times founds her unlikeable. Towards the end, it felt a bit meandering and kept losing my attention but I loved the backdrop of the robber baron era and will seek out the library the next time I'm in Manhattan.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Another winning historical novel by Marie Benedict, this one takes place beginning in the early 1900's when Belle da Costa Greene is hired by wealthy financier J.P. Morgan to catalog, organize and assist in the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts for his personal library. With the Morgan fortune at her disposal, Belle becomes a very shrewd and successful negotiator in procuring the most sought-after items for the library. I found the book to be particularly interesting in the descriptions of the sumptuousness of the library, the fashions of the time, the paintings and other artifacts owned by the Morgans and their friends, and the preciousness of the manuscripts and tomes sought for the collection. Propelling the story throughout were Belle's secret (passing as a white woman) and the tragedy of her romantic life. Truly a novel not to be missed.

Belle da Costa Greene was chosen by J.P. Morgan to be his personal librarian for the Pierpont Morgan Library. During the course of her career, Belle became a very powerful and respected curator in New York and even London. This is a station in life she could not even dream of growing up as a “colored” girl at that time in history. Due to her light colored skin tone, she was able to pass herself off as white which enabled her to obtain this prestigious position. However, the price for this life required her to leave her heritage behind.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is a historical fiction about the life and times of Belle da Costa Greene. The story of Belle’s rise and the adventures she had was very interesting and the basis of the book but the social issues of the time added a layer to the story that really made you think.

This is first book by Marie Benedict I have read. I have seen several other books that I thought looked very interesting but just haven’t gotten to. They are going to be moved to the top of my TRB list now. Fans of historical faction do not want to miss this one.

I like this book because Belle is a facinating person. She enters the world of rare books and art as a woman, when no women were involved in that profession, and she is passing for white. Although Benedict portrays the relationship between Morgan and Belle as leaning toward the sexual, if circumstances had been different, I just wonder if there is any evidence for that.

The issues that Belle faces with her racial identity are complex. She has not spoken to her father in years as he couldn't approve of passing for white. She is always worried that someone will find out.

Marie Benedict, noted for her historical fiction, has co-written an excellent fictional, semi-biographical account of Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian for J. P. Morgan, who pretended to be white to secure her position as a successful businesswoman during the time that being both female and black were strong strikes against you.

Belle's story is one of racial inequality through the ages. Due to her lighter skin, she was able to keep up the pretense of her race. But what it gained her in professional success, she lost in other areas.

Benedict and Murray, the co-authors, of the book, researched Greene's life and included notes describing how they worked together during the pandemic and how writing Belle's story changed their lives. Benedict stated that it made her more aware of the injustices against blacks, known and referred to as "colored" people to reflect the language of the period.

How Greene helped establish the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City is an absorbing tale of courage and determination that is an extraordinary read.

Review of uncorrected page proofs from NetGalley.
Due to health issues, I have not been able to read for pleasure for about 14 months. I had to sit on this galley for ages. I wasn't able to follow plots so I've just been reviewing DIY and cookbooks. I'm so grateful to be able to read for pure joy again and I'm glad I started reading again with this one!
Full disclosure: I'm a librarian and I started my career in rare manuscripts so, nothing but love here!
Everyone I've recommended this title to has already read it so I'm late to the party.
Wonderfully descriptive.
Embarrassingly, I was unfamiliar with Belle da Costa Greene, though Library History wasn't a required (maybe not even offered) course in library school. I'm a little disgruntled that somehow I knew about Greene's father and his famous "firsts," but not hers.
As with many "based on a true story" novels, this one sent me off on many side quests to learn more about the main character and her family, her employer, her lover, her library and her time period. Benedict name drops her way through the novel. Greene had an extraordinary life and her contemporaries were just as fascinating as she was. I cannot imagine the stress she must have experienced, though, living with her secret day in and day out. What a glorious woman!

A fabulous novel of historical fiction and one that I would recommend to everyone. I am fascinated about the Morgan Library and I have never heard the story of the Librarian who made everything possible- including the fact that the Library still stands today, collection in tact, for the public.

Didn't capture my attention and engagement. Interested in trying it again though and hopefully it will take.

This was such an interesting book that I read so quickly. Belle da Costa Greene was an interesting character who is light skinned black and passed herself off as white so that she could fulfill her dreams of working at the library. I really enjoy her journey. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC.

The Morgan Library is one of my favorite places in NYC, so I grabbed this book as soon as it was offered. I also enjoyed Benedict's <i>The Other Einstein</i>, so I knew it would be well-researched. I was saddened and humbled by my ignorance of the threats of "passing", naively thinking New York's "high society", where Greene worked, and later lived, would not have the same pressures of areas closer to the south. Benedict has the ability to turn an obscure or relatively unknown person's life into an intriguing and compelling story, and this is one more to add to her accomplishments. In this case, though, I think Belle de Costa Greene's extraordinary life's work did not need any embellishing. I think that sharing the little that was known or gossiped about her romantic relationship with Morgan would have been plenty. The repetition of this theme, for me, was a distraction from what, by any account (man or woman), was an over-the-top astonishingly-successful life.

Thank you to the publisher for both a physical ARC won from Goodreads and this ebook copy. I have posted a review on Bookstagram, Twitter, Wordpress, and Goodreads.

One of my fav historical fiction authors is Marie Benedict (aka Heather Terrell). She has several historical fiction novels such as “The Mystery of Mrs. Christie,” “Carnegie’s Maid,” and “The Only Woman in the Room.” I got into her novels last year or so and now follow her releases closely!


This book, The Personal Librarian, is actually co-written with Victoria Christopher Murray. It’s being considered for media adaptations as well! It’s among the top listed for biographical fiction & African American historical fiction. I really enjoyed this book for several reasons: 1) the writing style is really great, 2) the educational value is unbeatable, and 3) the value of this researched topic is undeniable. The story is so interesting both from a racial/cultural perspective and from the bookish/librarian angle.

Belle da Costa Greene came to life thanks to Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict - The Washington Post
The authors
So, to sum this book quickly, this story is about Belle da Costa Greene. She was hired by JP Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. She becomes well known and regarded for her knowledge and skills.


Bella da Costa Greene
However, she has a secret that she strives to protect — she presents as white, but she is the daughter of first Black graduate of Harvard. Yet, she is able to pass as white and hide this part of her identity due to the social and cultural contexts of the time (early 1900s). Not only is she facing these restrictions as a young woman, but race is of course another implication.

Full Summary
“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. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection.

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle’s complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.

The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths to which she must go—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.”

Belle da Costa Greene and the Provenance of The Morgan's JDM Plates
IRL, the woman Belle da Costa Greene was a renowned and skilled librarian who started at Princeton Uni Library in 1902. She worked with Morgan’s collections, assisting with cataloguing and also assessing new additions to the massive personal library. In 1924, she became director of the library and remained in the post until she retired in 1948.

The Morgan Library says of her, “Not only did Greene build one of the most important collections of rare books and manuscripts in the United States, but she also transformed an exclusive private collection into a major public resource, originating the robust program of exhibitions, lectures, publications, and research services that continues today.”

The Morgan Library & Museum – Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler
I attended a virtual interview with the authors of this book and it was clear that they were very passionate and knowledgeable about the history and lives of their characters. I would so highly suggest this book and to be on the lookout for any media adaptation that may come soon! See links below for more info.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2022 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2022/01/readers-advisory-announce-2022-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">