Welcome to Litsy!

A historical fiction book following US secretaries working for the FBI in the Cold War era. So good

The story is divided between the chapters about the role of women in the secret service and the ones centered on the publication and reintroduction of Doctor Zhivago in the USSR.
In relation to the later, the chapters show Pasternak as a selfish infantilized figured,that seems to drift between being uninterested and being barely aware of the consequences of his actions.Not sure if this was exaggerated to enhance the character of Olga Ivinskaya ⬇️

1.5/5⭐ Way too many POV characters. A third of the way in I still wasn't hooked by any of them. #roll100

Really enjoyed this Reese‘s Book Club pick from a few years ago. And just look at that gorgeous hardback that was hiding beneath the book jacket! I love little book design surprises like that.

#CelebBookClubPick #BookMoods
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

It‘s these little touches that make something great excellent.

#audible

I started listening to this today.Only on ch 3. So far the story is holding my attention.

You always know that things like literature shape civilization throughout time. This book is a better look at one instance of that with the publishing Dr. Zhivago during a tumultuous era.

There's quite a bit of character focus changes and setting changes, it was hard to keep up with in the beginning until I was familiar with the rhythm. A full cast is always a win for me but I still think I would've started off better with a print book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is between a pick and a so-so for me. I enjoyed the story about the effort to get Doctor Zhivago published and how it was used against Russia in the Cold War. I could have done with a lot less of the romance and more details of the spying. It just felt like the romance took away from the rest of the story.

Book 48

I listened to this historical fiction about female spies commissioned to get the novel, Dr. Zhivago, published and into the hands of Russians during the Cold War. What reader would not be titillated by the story of the US government's strategy to use literature to inspire internal change during conflict? The book could have been better, but it's four stars because it motivated me to read Dr. Zhivago. It's also notable as a LGBTQ read.

I listened to this book and I think that is why I was a little confused during this book. It was good, just not a fave for me. I think it would've been a fave had I focused more. Don't let my rating keep you from reading it.

I thought this was terrific!

Can't wait to read Zhivago now!

Oh, look what's under the book's jacket! Nice. 😚

I was listening to this in audio (really good!) but it expired so I'm finishing it with my copy of the book.

It's a bitter cold night out there and I have my reading socks on to keep me toasty!

Walking on this beautiful sunshine filled day! We've been having such a beautiful winter. Complete with a quintessential Canadian winter scene. 🇨🇦🏒#audiobook so far has been great!

*****

Audiobook. I really enjoyed this tale of the writing and publishing of “Doctor Zhivago“ and the spy network around it. Interesting subplots that were easy to follow. The audio was interesting due to multiple narrators which helps me keep the characters straight. Now I'm motivated to read Zhivago, it's on my TBR.

My #bookspin #bookbingo for August 2020

This book centers around Dr. Zhivago and the women who risked their lives to get it into the world. I really enjoyed it.

Counting this as read by the water for #SummerFun - this might be as close as I get this summer!

I put this on hold in March and finally got to pick it up last week. I couldn‘t remember why, but started reading it because, you know, due dates. I really like it so far! So glad to have library books again!

My July #bookspin selections

Finished the book and put the dust cover back on! Overall, I really liked it. Was a tiny bit confused at the end, but in keeping with the book, I think an ambiguous ending was necessary, even though I wanted to know more. Also, made me want to read Dr. Zhivago or at least watch the movie, neither of which I‘ve done. Hopefully the weather will hold for our outdoor meet Monday night. #24b4Monday @Andrew65

This is a pick with reservations. I enjoyed the story of how the CIA used Doctor Zhivago in its Cold War efforts, but there was a lot more personal drama than I had expected. On audio, I found it easy to miss some of the POV shifts, so I‘m sure I missed details as well, but there just aren‘t enough hours in the day to read all the books in print. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Escaped to the A2 waiting room for my lunch break and some peace and quiet. The AC is broken in pharmacy break room and visitors still aren‘t allowed so it‘s nice and quiet. Also, isn‘t the under the dust jacket over on the tagged book beautiful?

It‘s a quiet morning here so what better time to start a book about a book.

Loved the plot, characters and setting of this novel, based on the historical record of how “Doctor Zhivago” was used as a tool in the Cold War. It‘s not a beautiful piece of literature that wowed me, but the fast pace and different points of view kept me hooked and reading late into the night. Now to read “Doctor Zhivago” for the first time!

I started this novel this morning and I am already hooked! Lara Prescott has a great voice.

Female spies in 1950s USSR and DC try to get Doctor Zhivago published to help aid Cold War efforts. I wanted to like this a lot but...didn‘t? The unexpected romance was fine, but I wished for more spying in action and less CIA gossiping.

The story behind the publication of Pasternak's classic Dr Zhivago was one I was ignorant of and it really is a captivating set of events. Lara Prescott, named after Zhivago's female protagonist, adopts a multiple first person narrative approach with only Pasternak held at a distance through the adoption of the third person and the voices of the other characters.

Yay, new book hold came in! I feel like this will be a good companion to The Gentleman in Moscow, which I just recently finished also.

This was a fascinating piece of historical fiction about the early part of the Cold War, the CIA, literatures influence at the time, the women wrapped up with all of it and persecution on many counts. Though not a perfect book-it tries to cover a lot of ground and I feel the lgtb moments in the book were not given as much time as they should. It was still a great read.

Just about to start this having never read Dr. Zhivago.

🌟🌟🌟

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but it wasn‘t exactly what I expected. Pros: Strong female characters, an interesting story that had me looking up Doctor Zhivago, Cold War, history about the Soviet Union, spies!
Cons: romance-I usually like a romance in HF books but didn‘t really care in this one—more spying, less romance! And the ending felt a little rushed.
This is my #doublespin book @TheAromaofBooks
#readtheUSA2020 Washington, DC

Sunday morning read. This book is very pretty even without the cover. Sleeping dog is keeping me company. 🥰 #dogsoflitsy

1. The Secrets We Kept, Why Not Me? on audio—I‘ve read this before but don‘t remember it even though I love Mindy Kaling. I‘m also hoping to make some progress on my chunkster book-An Echo in the Bone
2. 2 audiobooks
3. My cat, Griffin. He gained 3 lbs this year, up to 14 lbs, so I‘m supposed to put him on a “diet” but don‘t think it‘s working. 😂 #weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Okay. I've got these books that were sent to me but I'm not a historical fiction fan (I know The Gifted School isnt HF) so they're just collecting dust on my shelves. I'm the only reader I know personally, so I can't give them to anyone I know, so my next option is Litsy! Whoever says which book they want first, its yours, soo one book per person, unless no one else wants whichever book. My #PayItForward in a way 😊

1. I totally do, I love a pretty cover
2. Bought for my book club!
3. I generally avoid it but I skim Apple News
4. Wake up immediately with alarm
5. 🥰🥰
#friyayintro @4thhouseontheleft @howjessreads

Loved the idea that the US government used Dr. Zhivago as a Cold War weapon (yes, a book can help change the world); story told through three women: Pasternak‘s muse, the two spies, and a Greek chorus of Washington DC secretarial pool. A touch of Carol as well #queerlitsy. The ‘50‘s patriarchy norms, true but infuriating; one particularly loathsome idiot gets his just desserts, though. Morality, patriotism, betrayal, love, sacrifices for art:🌟🌟

Gatsby says I should read this #newyearwhodis from @Laughterhp next.

@monalyisha

I loved the first 50 pages, but then it fizzled out. I was not interested in the love story between Pasternak and his mistress. The other storyline about the typists/CIA agents was more interesting, but the story was so chopped up between the different perspectives that I couldn't maintain my interest in it.

Loving this book!

Reading with the cat 😻

Just when I thought there were no unique topics in historical fiction left to read I found one! I personally haven‘t read another book based on the writing and political twists to the publication of Doctor Zhivago and I found it fascinating. I also really appreciated the various complicated and intriguing love stories within the bigger story. Unique and compelling audiobook! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway, and I'm starting it tonight. Such a pretty illustrated cover under the dust jacket.

Lara Prescott's The Secrets We Kept is definitely in my wheelhouse. It's set in the beginning of the Cold War, building a narrative centering on the revelation that is Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago, a book that the newly formed Soviet Union has banned despite Pasternak's status as a renowned and respected poet in his country.⠀
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Prescott builds her own book through several settings and points of view. ⬇️