The Operator: A Novel | 
panBook 83🎧 1.5⭐️
I trudged through this one… historical fiction appears not to be for me😂I tried!
The premise had so much potential but it felt a little ho-hum to me. I wanted a little more scandal!
I think this idea could make a great thriller/mystery. But this wasn‘t it!
Operator overhears something scandalous about her family between calls she is connecting…
panI wasn‘t a huge fan of the writing style of this one. The story was just ok but I feel like where there was supposed to be suspense it ended up just being a pause in the story with a mad woman. The characters were not likeable and I had a hard time with the constant nursery rhyme lines thrown in. ⭐️⭐️
so-soUnfortunately I can‘t say this was exactly a #JoysofJune. I‘d been looking forward to this for quite some time. The storyline was good. I don‘t mind cussing in a book but this had a LOT of g— d—, c—sakes, J—C—. It was unnecessarily too much. Not sure I‘d read anything else by Berg.
pickHaven't been on here for a while doesn't mean I haven't been reading 😉. I really loved this one Vivian can't help herself in listening to the towns gossip via her job. Until that is she hears some gossip that hits close to home. Also it made me think bored housewives have nothing better to do than be snobby and cruel. Not Vivian her fault was being nosey lol but I loved her character development towards end of book
so-soJust finished this one today. I say it is so so because I hated the main lady for most of the book, until the end.
Operators listening in on conversations?
It‘s the 1950‘s, and that could be done with a simple "number please." The operators could also disconnect a call too.
THE OPERATOR is a light, comical, enjoyable read that should be enjoyed by readers of all genres. 5/5
FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/u3rq7an
#gretchenberg
@williammorrowbooks
pickThis was my November #bookspin and my 17th completed book this month. @TheAromaofBooks
I know people have had mixed feelings about this one, but I liked it! It was a quiet/slow way of storytelling but there were actually a lot of surprising turns to the plot and some real character growth. I would recommend it! It also seems to be based on the author‘s family, which is cool even though I didn‘t know that while reading.
7-19-20: My 52nd finished book of 2020! I didn‘t know what to expect because many people didn‘t seem to like it but I really did! 1953 small town rumors and gossip! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #theoperator #gretchenberg 👍🏼📖#️⃣5️⃣2️⃣
7-18-20: My new puppy, Colby. I want to read but I don‘t want to disturb him 🐶
so-soI had higher hopes for this one. 😕
Vivian listens in on a phone call and finds out a secret, but the build up to finding out what the secret is takes too long. The change in perspective takes away from the cohesiveness of the story too.
Overall, it was just okay, nothing exciting.
panThis library hold for the ebook came in. This is Nothing what I expected! I was thinking it would be a feel-good and charming read, like Dear Mrs. Bird. NOT what was inside these pages at all! So disappointing. A marketing fail on this one for sure!
Thank you to:
#MagicalMay
@Eggs
Today‘s Prompt: NOSTALGIA
Loved this book. If you haven‘t read it, why not check it out.
It‘s the 1950‘s, listening to conversations could be done by switchboard operators with a simple "number please." The operators could also disconnect a call.
FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/u3rq7an
#gretchenberg
so-soI was very eager to read this but it didn't quite live up to expectations. The premise is intriguing but the author holds us in suspense about the secret too long then the way it's finally revealed is jarring. In fact the way the story skips around time & jerks from one POV to another makes it feel disjointed. Despite it being based in truth both this &a 2ndary story about a bank robbery seem too coincidental. Perhaps that's just small towns?🤷♀️
I had never heard this expression before but now that I have I dearly hope I remember to use it! 😁🤣😂🐘
It's a glorious day and I really wanted to sit on my back porch to read but ( #firstworldproblems ) it's too hard. 😭
pickThe Operator by Gretchen Berg details the struggle of Vivian Dalton after she eavesdrops on a call she connected as an operator. This call held an earth shattering secret that involved Vivian herself. While this book takes place in the 1950s, it displays how life can be in a small town even today. Most small towns feed on gossip and rumors. Everyone thinks they know everyone‘s business and this is how it was in Wooster. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a really well written drama with so many great reveals that were also perfectly timed throughout the story. There is a little bit of humor which I also love in a quirky drama. Having this type of story set in the ‘50s made it seem very fresh compared to somewhat similar books that take place in the present. While reading I felt like one of the nosey neighbors in Wooster. Thank you #HarperCollins for this #bookclubgirl pick
“Vivian Dalton‘s worn old ankle boots crunched over the packed snow in front of Freedlander‘s, the bright lights of the department store spilling right out onto the sidewalk and mixing with the glow of the streetlamps.”
#FirstLineFridays
pick📞4⭐️ A fun escape to a world when telephone switchboard operators controlled telephone communication. Yet the timeless perils of eavesdropping are a constant! I wish the plot centered more on the telephone switchboard workers and their relationships with each other. However, following along on the evolution of Vivian was a treat.
I just got back from a strange weekend in NYC to find this #bookmail! Thanks, @WilliamMorrowBooks for the Instagram giveaway. I‘m excited to read this while I socially distance.
pick“The Operator” is a light-hearted, entertaining story set in Ohio during the 1950s. Vivian Dalton is a fascinating leading lady and the secrets she uncovers are pretty interesting too. It‘s 4 stars from me!
My full review is up on my blog now 📚
pickHAPPY PUB DAY!!
Do NOT miss reading this book!!
Operators listening in on conversations?
It‘s the 1950‘s, and yes that could be done with a simple "number please." The operators could also disconnect a call too.
Secrets and gossip kept the small town of Wooster buzzing.
FULL REVIEW HERE: https://tinyurl.com/u3rq7an
#gretchenberg
@williammorrowbooks
#WMTastemakers
so-soThe author clearly did her research about Wooster (a city I know well), but details such as name-dropping stores like Freedlander's and Buehler's seemed forced. AND Wooster is NOT a small town, not even in the first half of the 20th century. In spite of the research, this book didn't seem to really capture the heart of the people of Wooster. The characters are mostly terrible people who are petty, vindictive and only concerned about appearances.
Starting this arc from#netgalley tonight. This caught my eye because it is set in Wooster, Ohio, which I grew up near. It will either be fun to read about a place I'm familiar with, or I'll be annoyed by inaccuracies. Given that the description calls Wooster a "small town," which it is not and was not even in the 50s, it will likely be the latter.
I just got this one in the mail. I have extremely high expectations, and my hope is that it‘s reminiscent of The Other Typist and The Rules of Civility. 🤞🏻🤞🏻 Thanks @WilliamMorrowBooks ! #bookmail
panThis historical fiction novel was written about the author‘s own grandmother, which makes it all the more astounding that every character is lifeless and uninteresting. The novel begins with Vivian Dalton, an operator at Bell, eavesdropping on phone calls in 1952 in the small town of Wooster, OH. Various “scandals” and “revelations” tie various characters together in plot twists, to which I remained indifferent. #arc #Netgalley
