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The Only Woman in the Room
The Only Woman in the Room | Marie Benedict
She possessed a stunning beauty. She also possessed a stunning mind. Could the world handle both? Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich's plans while at her husband's side, understanding more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star. But she kept a secret more shocking than her heritage or her marriage: she was a scientist. And she knew a few secrets about the enemy. She had an idea that might help the country fight the Nazis...if anyone would listen to her. A powerful novel based on the incredible true story of the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication, The Only Woman in the Room is a masterpiece.
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NovelNancyM
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Pickpick

An interesting read of historical fiction. There was a bit of repetitiveness with the guilt, but the plot seemed to closely mirror the real life of Hedy Lamarr. I enjoyed the second half of the book better than the first, perhaps due to Hedy's maturing. At the start of the novel she was only nineteen!

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Danay
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Hedy Lamar‘s story. Quite an incredible lady.

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starlight97
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Pickpick

If you're familiar with the books of MB, you'll know what to expect: a strong female character emerging from the shadows of history and making an impression on the world. This one's about Hedy Lamarr, a beautiful Austrian lady who made a difference not only with her famous movies but also with something less expected.
#LitsyLoveReads

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TheBookgeekFrau
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#NewYearNewBooks #WomenInScience

Hedy Lamarr a real scientist, not just playing one on the silver screen 😉

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks She‘s gorgeous 🧪 👏🏻 10mo
31 likes2 comments
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AngieKWilson
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Pickpick

Such a great read about an actual story - I felt like I was in the Sound of Music for the first part with Austria before the Anschluss. Beautifully written!

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kellock
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I've always been fascinated with Hedy Lamarr

Wesleypaker Hey 👋 there 2y
17 likes1 comment
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Jaimelire
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this historical fiction novel about Hedy Lamarr . Women just never get credit for their brilliant minds. It would be interesting if we could rewrite history to include all of the women‘s contributions!

CoverToCoverGirl 💯agree! So many of their stories remain untold. 2y
28 likes1 comment
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Elladean
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Mehso-so

I did not like the ending of this book. It seemed rather abrupt. Also, I looked to see how much of this story is true. Hedy actually sent her “adopted” son to boarding school at the age of 11, and never spoke to him again. She also left him out of her will. The adopted son may actually be her real son.

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carolpharmd
Pickpick

Didn‘t realize until after completing the book that this was a biography. Kudos to this amazing lady ~ talented, brilliant, beautiful and strong!! Excellent story ~~ interesting to learn about Hedy Lamarr. In places, the writing was a bit repetitive & lack-luster. Fascinating that Hedy‘s invention was turned down by the navy basically because she was a woman; yet it was basis for wi-fi, cell phones & numerous other technologies ~~ Crazy!!

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Texreader
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Oh my gosh this deal is crazy. Four ebooks on sale today.

tpixie That #thanks! I saw this on her IG account, but wondered where it get it. I better check Kindle Amazon! I‘ve read one, but still need to get the rest of her backlist! Thanks for the reminder (edited) 3y
41 likes1 comment
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Sargar114
Only Woman in the Room | Marie Benedict
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Pickpick

Finished on this hot summer evening. What an amazing story. I knew a little about the life of Hedy Lamarr, but learned even more by reading this. She led an incredible life, and while this is one small part of that life, it made a huge impact on the world. If you are at all interested in her, World War II, or feminism, I would absolutely recommend. Writing was a bit meh for me, but the story alone carries it. #bookspin for July

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
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Sargar114
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Starting my #bookspin today and loving the inner cover!

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MaleficentBookDragon
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I‘m starting something new. My physical bookshelves are overflowing and I want to Marie Kondo them a bit.
So, I‘m posting a book a day of my “maybes” and I hope you can help me decide.
Have you read this book? Should I? ❤️ or a hard pass? Is it on your wish list? Let me know below.
This is a is going to be fun.
#abookaday #votedofftheisland #Day1

rubyslippersreads This is on my TBR because I‘m interested in old Hollywood. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m stacking it!! 4y
marleed This is on my TBR, too. 4y
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aperfectmjk This is also on my TBR. I've heard a lot of good things about it. If you decide to part with it, maybe you could try the audiobook instead? Maybe create a "To Borrow" list to replace some of your physical copies that you may want to check out still. 4y
Amiable I read it. Rated it “so so.” Somehow it managed to make the life of Hedy Lamarr—a woman who fled an abusive marriage in Nazi-occupied Austria to become a Hollywood legend and invented a spread-spectrum technology that became the foundation for our modern cell phones—almost…boring. I was not impressed with the writing style. It inspired me to pick up a nonfiction book about Lamarr, though. 4y
Laughterhp I really liked this one but I really like Marie Benedict and have read all her books. 4y
Avanders I also have to “Marie Kondo” my books… it‘s going to be a project!! (edited) 4y
55 likes7 comments
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lahousewyfe
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Pickpick

This novelization of the life of Hedy Lamarr during World War II reveals the amaxing lufe of this complex woman. It's a thriller about escaping the Nazis and a glamourous trip through the Hollywood of the late 30s and early 40s. What a story!

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crazyspine
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Mehso-so

The true story behind this is very interesting. I'm not the biggest fan of her writing style.

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sdbruening
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Pickpick

Wow, that was riveting and powerful. Even though it‘s a ‘fictional‘ account of Hedy Lamarr, it is all based on her real life. Great Author‘s Note at the end, too, from Marie Benedict, to drive home the fact that the actress‘ intelligence, ingenuity, and passion were stifled by military and scientific men because they didn‘t believe that a pretty woman could also contribute to the military and scientific community. She‘s truly a Renaissance woman!!

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Amiable
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Mehso-so

Somehow this book managed to make the life of Hedy Lamarr—a Jewish woman who escaped from an abusive marriage during Nazi-occupied Austria and became a Hollywood legend who also invented and holds a patent on a spread-spectrum technology that became the foundation for our modern cell phones— actually boring. This has inspired me to read a nonfiction book about Lamarr. It hasn‘t inspired me to read anything else by this author.

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suvata
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Pickpick

One of the most beautiful women ever to grace the silver screen, Hedy Lamarr also designed a secret weapon against Nazi Germany.

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Laughterhp
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Playing catch-up!

📕The Only Woman in the Room
🖊 Nnedi Okorafor
📺 The Office 💚
🎤 One Republic 🤷🏻‍♀️
🎶 On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons

#ManicMonday #LetterO

JoScho 💛💛💛 4y
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TheBookKeepers
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Pickpick

@Karisa @Lauranahe @kellyann28
Finished this book tonight! I loved this last round of #lmpbc with you all! I‘ll have this out in the mail tomorrow 🌺

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Kaylamburson
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Pickpick

I knew nothing about Hedy Lamarr before reading the book description, but I was fascinated to learn of her life story in this novel. It's a great entry point into her history, but I wish it dove deeper. It reads slowly, but I liked the build-up to her escape from her abusive husband, all the while absorbing as much info as she could about the Third Reich. But I wish Benedict expanded the story to include more of Hedy's scientific accomplishments.

Amor4Libros We just read that on my book club last month, it was pretty good!! 4y
Kaylamburson It would be a good book club read! I want to watch the Bombshell movie about her. @Amor4Libros 4y
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Amor4Libros @Kaylamburson Yes, I enjoyed it. Towards the end though, it became a little boring for me. Maybe it was all the science talk! LOL I was also reading the Spanish translation, so that could‘ve been it, also. Oh, didn‘t know there was a movie about her, will have to look it up! 4y
Kaylamburson It was definitely a slower book, but I liked learning of all she accomplished. I wish it focused on more of that. Like I had no idea she was a main contributor to the tech behind modern-day wifi! Are you fluent in Spanish? @Amor4Libros 4y
Amor4Libros @Kaylamburson Spanish is my first language 🙂. 4y
Kaylamburson Qué guay! He leído tres libros en español pero no soy fluyente. Pero trato de practicar! @Amor4Libros 4y
Amor4Libros @Kaylamburson Que bien!!! Cuáles libros has leído? Tienes un favorito? 4y
Kaylamburson Leí Harry Potter y la piedra filosofal, el niño con las pijamas de rayas y un libro de Gabriel García Marquez para la universidad pero no lo recuerdo. Quizás Del Amor y otro demonios. Algo como una niña con pelo rubio que estaba crecimiento después de el muerte. Pijamas de rayas es my triste pero es mi favorito de esos tres. Lo siento si mi gramática es horible! @Amor4Libros 4y
Amor4Libros @Kaylamburson Amo HP! Ví la película del niño de la pijama de rayas y lloré tanto que no creo que pueda leer el libro. Leí Del Amor y otros demonios, pero hace tanto que ni me acuerdo de que se trata ?. Escribes muy bien! 4y
Kaylamburson HP es el mejor! Escuchó al audiolibro mientras leí el libro electrónico durante este abril. Y sí! Estaba llorando por horas después de la pijama película y el libro era el mismo. No recuerdo mucho sobre libros de la universidad. Pero leí Goosebumps en el colegio en mi clase de español y era my divertida. Quiero leer más libros en español pero me lleva mucho tiempo. 4y
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TheBookKeepers
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nerdybabereads Enjoy that was a great read 4y
TheBookKeepers @Karisa I‘ve gotten a little behind on my reading this month, but I promise to have this finished and in the mail to you by the weekend if that‘s ok? I‘m 50 pages in but I‘m gonna be off work starting Tuesday and can really knock out some reading then ❤️ 4y
Karisa @TheBookKeepers No worries. I'm in no rush. 🤗 4y
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Karisa @TheBookKeepers ooh and cool nails! Are they freehand or gel strips? Mine are in need of help! 💅😉 4y
TheBookKeepers Thanks! @karisa they are Jamberry nails! They work like fancy stickers and stay on for a couple weeks! 4y
Karisa @TheBookKeepers I was hoping that was the case! I am clueless on doing my own nails. Going to check Jamberry out. Thanks! 4y
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kellyann28
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Panpan

I am sad to say this book was not for me! I admittedly knew nothing about Hedy Lemarr before this book so it was interesting to learn about what she did in relation to helping in WWII. The rest of it felt like a forced story that was filled in around historical information.

This will be shipped off to you tomorrow @TheBookKeepers ! #LMPBC @Karisa @Lauranahe

VioletBramble I agree. I wanted to read more about the science and her inventions. 5y
Lauranahe @kellyann28 Woven in Moonlight is on its way to you! 4y
kellyann28 @Lauranahe Awesome, Thank you! 4y
30 likes3 comments
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Mandaamiller
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At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to read 52 books in 52 weeks! This is book number 20 of the year! I‘m slightly ahead of schedule!

Smartypants Glad to see you here and I‘m going to check out this book! ❤️📚 5y
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kellyann28
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@Lauranahe Got it in this weekend! Thanks again for the goodies! My husband saw it on the counter and said "Where did this come from?!" Sorry, not yours, buddy! ? #LMPBC
@Karisa @TheBookKeepers

TheBookKeepers Haha!! 5y
Crazeedi Totally enjoyed this book!🌞 5y
37 likes2 comments
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Bookish_B
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Mehso-so

It could be a case of wrong book at the wrong time but I didn‘t love this. I just never quite clicked with the character or the story which is a shame because in general I think Hedy Lamarr‘s story is a rather fascinating one. I do recommend the documentary “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” though (not to be confused with Bombshell with Charlize Theron).

Cinfhen Awesome photo 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 5y
Bookish_B @Cinfhen thank you! 5y
Blaire I had a similar reaction. Felt I should be much more engaged in the story than I was. The writing style didn‘t work for me. 5y
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Lauranahe
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Pickpick

I loved this book. Hedy Keisler was an actress, a woman who fled her husband and Austria in the 1930s. In Hollywood she became Hedy Lamarr, a movie star and icon. But she also was scientific -minded, and her invention changed the future of communication.

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mnjacques
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Pickpick

This was a nice easy read. A lot of the reviews I read said they were disappointed because most of the book was about her early years being married to her first husband. But I feel like you needed a lot of background information from that time of her life to fully understand why she chose the route she did to achieve what she did in her life. It was such an intriguing read I found myself researching about the real Hedy Lemarr. What a great novel.

MayJasper Sounds interesting 5y
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Karisa
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#LMPBC box headed your way @Lauranahe 💗 Go Group G! ⭐

@kellyann28 @The.Bookkeepers @suvata

Lauranahe I got it!! Plus some extra goodies. Thank you so much! 5y
Karisa @Lauranahe Hurray! 💗 5y
49 likes2 comments
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Laughterhp
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Figured I‘d put up my #FebruaryWrapUp now. I won‘t get to finish another book this month.

Read 3 books for #BlackHistoryMonth
Finished 1 nonfiction book
Crossed off 1 country for #ReadingEurope2020

Still haven‘t read a classic book for #classicschallenge2020

Favorite Reads: Bad Blood, The Secret of Chimneys and The Only Woman in the Room
Least Favorite Read: Echoes Among the Stones

Reviewsbylola That‘s ok, March is your month for classics! 👏🏻😂 February was a great month! 5y
Laughterhp @Reviewsbylola I looked up a bunch of classics I wanted to read at the library for audio! I‘m going to try and get through them that way! 5y
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Karisa
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@kellyann @TheBookKeepers @Lauranahe

Historical fiction with beauty and brains. . . Sure hope we all like it! Such pressure to choose well for Group G #LMPBC 😊

TheBookKeepers I‘m excited for this one! 5y
Lauranahe This sounds amazing! (But to be honest, beyond knowing she was in movies, all I think about when I see her name is the lyric in Feed Me from Little Shop of Horrors. Don‘t judge.) 5y
54 likes3 comments
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Laughterhp
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#BookReport - Finished 4 books. They were all good or okay but the tagged book was my favorite read this week.

In progress - 1 NF, a mystery and an Agatha Christie (currently on audio but I‘ve requested the print version from my library)

Up Next - My 2 library holds to finish up Black History Month and a sci-fi New release I‘ve requested from the library

#WeeklyForecast

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Laughterhp
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Pickpick

Well read this book in a day. I absolutely love Marie Benedict. I‘ve read 3 of her books and have loved all of them. I love how she brings an unknown women in history to life. This one is about Hedy Lamarr, her early life in Austria and her escaping her husband (Arms dealer working for the Nazis) and moving to Hollywood and becoming a movie star.

#Booked2020 - Set In Hollywood (Part 2)
#ReadingEurope2020 - Set in Austria (Part 1)

BarbaraBB Ooh, sounds good! 5y
Librarybelle I have this one on my to read list! 5y
Jillylovesbooks Be sure to check out the Netflix documentary Bombshell that is about her life. It‘s a good companion piece to this book. 5y
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TheWintergarden Cute pet bear💜 5y
Laughterhp @Jillylovesbooks Thanks! I‘ll have to check it out. I hadn‘t heard of it. 5y
Laughterhp @TheWintergarden Haha thanks! He‘s very fluffy right now! 5y
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intothehallofbooks
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Pickpick

Hedy Lamarr was an actress and inventor (you go girl!) who was married to a wealthy Austrian weapons maker during the time that Hitler was in power, which meant she knew a lot of inside info about political happenings during that time.

I love how Benedict takes women in history and elevates their stories thru fiction!! I “liked” this one where I “loved” The Other Einstein. Hedy‘s invention is crazy good!! A strong woman with a fascinating life.

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intothehallofbooks
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My book club‘s January selection. I started it early this morning before my family woke up ☕️

#currentlyreading

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jenreads7
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Pickpick

This was an interesting and informative book about Hedy Lamarr and her contributions on screen and her secret life as an inventor. I learned so much! 5 stars because I will be thinking about how her inventions impact us today and about how she was not able to fully come into her own as an inventor due to gender discrimination for a long time.

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MrsV
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Passing on this one for now. Just getting out of the hugest book slump of my life, and I‘m just not getting into it. Maybe I‘ll be in a better frame of mind for it at another time.

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Come-read-with-me
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Pickpick

From my TBR pile. I wasn‘t sure if I would enjoy this book - I‘m not usually a Hollywood figure fan. However, this book was a pleasant surprise. It was a very interesting fictionalized version of the life of Hedy Lamar and how she tried to assist in the US effort during WW 2. It was also interesting to learn about the influence of her work on today‘s technology. 🌟🌟🌟 1/2. #wintergames. #thefilthyanimals

Crazeedi It was a very interesting book 5y
rather_be_reading 16pts🎁 5y
56 likes2 comments
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MrsV
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1. Reading as much of tagged book as possible before it‘s returned to the library.

2. Not really, sadly.

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Lizpixie
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Bk10 of this weeks #LibraryHaul is another #NFNov pick. This is about the actress Hedy Lamarr, who was a lot more than just a pretty face. In 1937, Hedy Kiesler is desperate for a way out of Vienna, with her Jewish heritage it‘s only a matter of time before the Nazis realise who she is. But she‘s been listening at all those parties at her husbands castle, she has a few secrets that may help her new country. Including the fact she‘s a scientist.

Jaimelire Sounds good! 5y
sarahnicoloff I love her. She was one smart, talented and beautiful woman. 5y
Clwojick 1 pt. 5y
Crazeedi This was an excellent book! I never knew Hedy story, she was a woman ahead of her time, brilliant 5y
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TheReadingNurse
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So far I'm enjoying reading about Hedy and her early life. Don't care much for her husband but what can you do 🤷🏽‍♀️

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bookandcat
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Next talk - standing room only about historical fiction between Marie Benedict (The Only Woman in the Room, about Hedy Lamarr, aka the book that kept me up til 3 am reading) and Whitney Scharer (The Age of Light). #morristownfestivalofbooks #mfob #mfob2019 #bookfestival #authortalk #historicalfiction

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Have a great time! 5y
bookandcat @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thanks I had a wonderful time! 5y
40 likes2 comments
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Blaire
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Mehso-so

Hedy Lamar iat the age of 19 marries an arms dealer with incredible influence in WW2 politics in Austria. She is pulled into a life of power and control. As a Jewish woman, she must escape Austria and this life. The story continues through her film career in the US and her work on an invention to hopefully help the war effort. A so-so because the writing style didn‘t click with me and it felt dry for such an interesting story.

BarbaraTheBibliophage I think Benedict picks interesting topics and women for her novels. But I agree that her writing style is an impediment rather than an advantage. 5y
Blaire @BarbaraTheBibliophage exactly. This is the first of hers I read and I really wish the writing were better. 5y
Suet624 Sounds interesting. Too bad the writing is off. 5y
55 likes3 comments
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Quirkybookworm
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