The Swans of Fifth Avenue | 
March #wrapup
A good reading month. Graphic novels have been a big help in getting me out of a little slump. Stand outs of the month are Heidi and Swans of Fifth Avenue. Now for next month, hoping to read more novels.
#hyggehourreadathon
Totally forgot to post a pic from last night! I‘ve really been enjoying hygge hour as it‘s helping me get through my current stack of books. Just finished watching Feud, Capote and the Swans so I had to dive in further and find out more. Even though this is a fiction title it follows the show pretty closely.
so-soEh, not really for me (but finished for book group). I don‘t know any of these people, except Truman Capote but never knew all that much about him. Now I really don‘t. But this book was very confusing on audio, especially at first, and I didn‘t really like the casual changing of POV. Also, is the point to feel bad for rich people? Or at least for the nice one who ended up sick? #bookspin book at least!
pickSpent a good part of this beautiful day finishing this book ☀️ maybe it‘s because I‘ve always loved the all the glamour and glitter of the New York high society in the 1950s, but this historical fiction about Truman Capote and Babe Paley‘s friendship was enjoyable to read. It does get a little campy at times, but overall i thought it was fun!
pickThe Swans Of Fifth Avenue is exactly what you‘d hope of a novel about 1950s New York high society: heavy on the sparkle and scandal, the gossip and glitz. It\'s highly readable, the same way that Prosecco is highly drinkable on a sunny afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed this delicious gossipy take on Capote‘s misdeeds. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/the-swans-of-fifth-avenue-melanie-benjamin/
These ladies are definitely not #poor 🌹💍👛⭐️🥂
#OppositeDay
panThis books just didn‘t do anything for me. 😦 it‘s been on my shelf for a few years, so I‘m glad to be done at least. 🤷🏻♀️ The writing is okay but these people, New York Socialites, were annoying. Just wasn‘t for me I guess.
Working through my oldest books on my TBR and seeing how my taste has changed somewhat since I bought these. I remember being very excited about this when I bought it.
so-soI was looking forward to this but it was ultimately not for me. This gossipy tale about Truman Capote and the society matrons he befriends and betrays seems overly long and doesn‘t delve especially deeply into the lives it portrays. I was more annoyed than intrigued by it all. #unpopularopinion unofficial #24in48
1. I‘m prepping for house guests in bad weather. I just bought a ticket for post-season Chiefs playoff game. Oh I love that I‘ll sit in 25° temps for 4+ hours and freeze my arse off!
2. Daisy Jones and the Six
3. I‘d love to spend a week with in 1950‘s Manhattan with the real Babe Paley from the HF, The Swans of Fifth Avenue. I‘m kind of obsessed with her. @Alora #LitsyLearn
pickWhat a story. The glitz, the glamour, the loneliness and heartbreak. This is the height of society in 1950‘s New York. The (fictionalized) story of Truman Capote, Babe Paley and the swans of fifth avenue. The very richest, privileged people of that time and also the most broken people as well. A good story and true to the timeline of actual events. I‘ve add more books to my TBR list because of this book filled with fascinating people. #24B4Monday
pick3.5 stars. One of the review blurbs described this as "Gossip Girl in the 1950s," which is a perfect description. It was such a fun, dishy read. I initially found the descriptions of the designer brands and jewels off-putting and too over the top, but once I got into the feel of the book, they didn't bother me. If you're in the mood for over the top opulence and gossipy fun with a bit of mystery, this will be a great summer read for you.
The actual cost of The Swans of Fifth Ave to me is 12 additional books by or about Truman capote. He writes like a butter cookie - it just goes down so easy. And then there was all my google searches on those beautiful and intriguing swans!
#RedReads that are unread!! ❤️❤️❤️
#LiteraryLove
Wow. @JenlovesJT47 you have completely spoiled me, thank you soooooo much! The books look great, the goodies delicious, and I'm anxious to relax wearing the footies while coloring. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Also a big thank you for @Avanders for hosting!
#sss #stuffedstockingswap
11-11-18: My 56th finishes book of 2018! This book was so much fun. I love the this time period in NYC....mid 1950s through the 60s and early 70s. And anything about Truman Capote is bound to be fun. 👍🏼📖#️⃣5️⃣6️⃣
So excited!!!!!!! I love Melanie Benjamin. Can not wait for her new book!
This book is not in the catalogue so I just tagged her last book.
@JenlovesJT47
I got some lovely book mail today! I was so happy to open this @MelissaS Thank you so so so so so so much!!!! Can‘t wait to read this book and I absolutely am blown away by the cards!!!!!!!!! Did you make these??? They are just wonderful! What a great thing to get since today was National Book Lovers Day!!!! ❤️❤️😘😘😘😘😍😍❤️😘😘
I just started this today. Many moons ago I studied fashion merchandising and design. I began reading Vogue in the 5th grade and had fascination with all things New York as many poor, midwestern girls did. I‘ve also always loved reading and books. Melanie Benjamin seems to have married my loves with The Swans of Fifth Avenue. I did have to do a little research first to gain a better understanding of the Swans/Capote controversy.
@MelissaS is doing an awesome giveaway of this book. Melanie Benjamin is one of my favorite authors and I LOVED this book. If you need more pushing just ask @JenlovesJT47 about this book! 😀 Go to @MelissaS page to enter her giveaway!
#Giveaway #LittensAreTheBest
I happen to have an ARC of this and the actual book. Who wants to read it? I‘ll send you the ARC since I don‘t need 2 copies! Comment with the best book you‘ve read this summer and I‘ll do a random draw. Comment by Noon, EST Tuesday July 31.
pickI absolutely loved this book - I have a bit of an obsession with this time period. I loved the novel version of Truman Capote and all the famous New York and Hollywood people. So much drama and angst.
Finished my first #24in48 😄 I‘m 3/4 of the way through this book and I‘m loving it!
pickFictional biographies are always fun for me, and literary characters in them make them even better. I am fascinated by Capote, who is portrayed in a way I never pictured him. Melanie Benjamin is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine!
Heading back to #MountTBRchallenge for this next read. So far it‘s very good so fingers crossed I have time to read over the next few days! My summer kid taxi duties are in full swing. Today I spent 3 hours in the car, back and forth, back and forth like a ping pong ball...
This would make a great beach read, and it‘s on sale in ebook format - Kindle, Kobo, iBook and Nook. If you like old NYC Socialite gossip, this is right up your alley!
Based on real, very interesting, swans. Definitely, worth $1.99!
My absolute favorite Melanie Benjamin book is on sale today! I loved this book, and it piqued my interest in learning more about Truman Capote and his “swans”, especially Babe Paley. Highly recommended!
a TBR that i need to move up in the pile! #Five #NovemberByTheNumbers
pickThe glamorous life of New York socialites who befriend Truman Capote, only to be betrayed. The demise of Truman began at his notorious Black and White Ball in 1966.
Truman Capote was a talented writer. However, he definitely needed to #exorciseyourdemons . This is demonstrated clearly in this fictional telling of his relationship with his “friends” #hallowreads
Truman Capote left a few #sobbinwomen in his wake. This novel certainly portrays him as 2 faced. #twofacedtuesday #melodiousmusicals #spookyoctober @Jess7 @CrowCAH
so-soI knew none of the characters, other than Capote, when I started this audiobook. But I came to feel very sad for the lives wasted and the self-knowledge that came too late. No threat literature, but it made my commute easier the past few days. Narrators are both good, but should have gotten together on the pronunciation of the Paley's house. Three stars
I started these today, the tagged book on audio, the Fitzgerald on my kindle, trying to break out of a slump. I've bailed on more books in the last 6 weeks than in the previous 6 years! #currentlyreading
so-soI had a hard time with the story. I usually finish an #audio book in about 3 days. I have Breen trying with this one for about two weeks. Out was interesting but I had only heard of one of the characters prior to starting. I'm not sure if that helped the story or if I lost out on some context. #meh
so-soTypically I enjoy Melanie Benjamin's books, but I couldn't connect with this one. The characters didn't seem fleshed out, the story meandered. I was left wanting more. I'm not sure if this was a case of the wrong book at the wrong time, or if I just didn't care for it all around.
pickAmong the glitz and glamor.... good dishy summer read!!!
#bookmail
From thriftbooks... anyone read it?
@MinDea these are the books inspired by my read The Swans of Fifth Avenue. Truman was a fascinating person, as were his "Swans". I have a bunch more books I need to read about Babe Paley and her family, and of course, In Cold Blood. #trumancapote
A little late to the party, but I started reading this today and will be up late finishing it. Delightful read.
pickA wonderful book that really transports its readers back in time. A true treat for any Truman Capote fan. You can hear his voice as your eyes trail down the page. A must-read for anyone who's interested in the aristocracy of yesteryear and the hard won luxury reveled in, yet sometimes only endured by those perceived as beautiful and fortunate.
My only regret...
See my full review at Instagram.com/angeline_emery/
