Ms. Demeanor: A Novel by Elinor Lipman

Title: Ms. Demeanor

Author: Elinor Lipman

Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: "Jane Morgan is a valued member of her law firm—or was, until a prudish neighbor, binoculars poised, observes her having sex on the roof of her NYC apartment building.  Police are summoned, and a punishing judge sentences her to six months of home confinement. With Jane now jobless and rootless, trapped at home, life looks bleak. Yes, her twin sister provides support and advice, but mostly of the unwelcome kind. When a doorman lets slip that Jane isn't the only resident wearing an ankle monitor, she strikes up a friendship with fellow white-collar felon Perry Salisbury. As she tries to adapt to life within her apartment walls, she discovers she hasn’t heard the end of that tattletale neighbor—whose past isn’t as decorous as her 9-1-1 snitching would suggest. Why are police knocking on Jane’s door again? Can her house arrest have a silver lining? Can two wrongs make a right? In the hands of "an inspired alchemist who converts serious subject into humor” (New York Times Book Review)—yes, delightfully."  - Back Cover

My Thoughts

Many of the books you'll find in past posts fall in the genre of historical fiction, a genre I clearly love. I am deliberately taking a break from my favored genre to explore the world of contemporary fiction and I'm glad I started with this novel! Ms. Demeanor (despite being about a woman who loses her job and is on house arrest) is light, funny, and relatable. The family dynamics are familiar, with a modern twist. Jane is relatable and remains delightfully unapologetic about the 'scandalous' act that was the catalyst for her home detention, which I find endearing. Probably because I fall into the category of educated, high achieving, rule-following, thirty-something woman just like Jane, so her not backing down feels like a justified rebellion.   

Were there some plotlines that were borderline far-fetched and convenient? Sure. Could I forgive them because the storyline was so enjoyable? Absolutely. 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

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The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

Title: The Personal Librarian

Author: Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: "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 in New York City society 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 create 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 she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives." - Back Cover 

My Thoughts

This story is about race, but it's also a coming-of-age story of a young woman who has been trained all her life not to stand out, not to draw attention, to be careful and cautious. I love Belle's transformation as she realizes in order to hide in plain sight, she must stand out. She is a woman working in a profession with mostly men, she is a woman from humble beginnings who must socialize with the New York elite, and she is an African American woman who must disguise herself in a white society. Shying away from any of those roles would cause more skepticism and rumors than leaning in, learning how to manage people while also expanding her skills and Mr. Morgan's library. 

Belle grows from every experience she has, good and bad. The depiction of her relationship with Bernard Berenson and all the social taboos surrounding it, not to mention the disappointment and heartbreak she endured, really give depth to her character.

This was an enjoyable novel and I think the authors having different types of writing backgrounds gave it a really unique feel, historical fiction with a modern pace.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

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Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

                                                         

 Title: Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Author: Julia Quinn

Genre: Historical Romance

Other books I've read by this author: The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer From a Gentleman

Synopsis: Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn’t know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat— or his promise of a happy ending?

My Thoughts

Hot take...Penelope Featherington is the best character Julia Quinn has written. The end.

Okay, maybe not really the end, but I find her so wonderfully and utterly relatable, more so than any of the other female protagonists. Don't get me wrong, I like Daphne, and Kate, and Sophie. They are all strong and smart and know what they want, but Penelope just feels less like a character in a novel, and more like my dear friend. She isn't an anachronistic heroine with strong opinions and attitudes that often dominate Regency-era stories; she's a wallflower who grows to possess all of the qualities of those other women but shows them in an understated manner. She is talented and pragmatic except in her long-term crush on the incredibly popular Colin Bridgerton and her long-hidden secret. 

 These are so delightful to read when you need something light and uplifting, because like most of the Romance genre, you know they will get their happily ever after. 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

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To see more from the author, visit the website linked above