The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

 genre: historical fiction

As J.P. Morgan's personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene knows she is being handed a rare opportunity. Not only will she be able to rise into a new station in life, but it will allow her to be close to precious books, manuscripts and art work - true and literal treasures.  What makes Belle's story even more unique is that Belle is African American and choosing to "pass" as white in order to make this job even a choice for a person like her.  In a early 20th century America that is absolutely dripping with rules, conventions and prejudice regarding race, religion and status, Belle has to tread carefully as she tries to help Morgan create a true masterpiece of.a library.

Okay, number one - this is a real story about a real and INCREDIBLE woman!  I kept googling things, I was so astonished by what Belle accomplished in her lifetime - the circles she worked in and the deals she made.  I even realized I had BEEN to this library several years ago - and it is unreal!  It's a powerful story of wealth and privilege, of treasure collecting and the maze that is the antiquities marketplace.  Most importantly, though, it's about the path of a woman who has to hide her truth self every time she walks outside - and legacy she creates with her own intelligence and grit.

It's maybe a tiny bit repetitive and sometimes her choices made me vaguely anxious but I learned a LOT, the setting/time period was really well developed and I am now a HUGE fan of Belle da Costa Greene.  I want to go back and visit the library again now :)