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Swans of Fifth Avenue
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
"NEW YORK TIMES "BESTSELLER Theauthor of "The Aviator s Wife "returns with a triumphant new novel about New York s Swans of the 1950s and the scandalous, headline-making, and enthralling friendship between literary legend Truman Capote and peerless socialite Babe Paley. "People s "Book of the Week "USA Today s "#1 New and Noteworthy Book "Entertainment Weekly" s Must List "LibraryReads" Top Ten Pick Of all the glamorous stars of New York high society, none blazes brighter than Babe Paley. Her flawless face regularly graces the pages of "Vogue, "and she is celebrated and adored for her ineffable style and exquisite taste, especially among her friends the alluring socialite Swans Slim Keith, C. Z. Guest, Gloria Guinness, and Pamela Churchill. By all appearances, Babe has it all: money, beauty, glamour, jewels, influential friends, a prestigious husband, and gorgeous homes. But beneath this elegantly composed exterior dwells a passionate woman a woman desperately longing for true love and connection. Enter Truman Capote. This diminutive golden-haired genius with a larger-than-life personality explodes onto the scene, setting Babe and her circle of Swans aflutter. Through Babe, Truman gains an unlikely entree into the enviable lives of Manhattan s elite, along with unparalleled access to the scandal and gossip of Babe s powerful circle. Sure of the loyalty of the man she calls True Heart, Babe never imagines the destruction Truman will leave in his wake. But once a storyteller, always a storyteller even when the stories aren t his to tell. Truman s fame is at its peak when such notable celebrities as Frank and Mia Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, and Rose Kennedy converge on his glittering Black and White Ball. But all too soon, he ll ignite a literary scandal whose repercussions echo through the years. "The Swans of Fifth Avenue" will seduce and startle readers as it opens the door onto one of America s most sumptuous eras. Praise for "The Swans of Fifth Avenue" Exceptional storytelling . . . teeming with scandal, gossip and excitement. " Harper s Bazaar" This moving fictionalization brings the whole cast of characters back to vivid life. Gossipy and fun, it s also a nuanced look at the beauty and cruelty of a rarefied, bygone world. "People" The era and the sordid details come back to life in this jewel of a novel. "O: The Oprah Magazine" A catty, juicy read that s like a three-martini lunch. "USA Today" [Captures] the mesmerizing sparkle and scandal of New York high society in the 1950s. "Chicago Tribune" Tantalizing . . . Readers will fall into a world of glitz, glamour and the exciting life of the rich and famous. The details and conversations are so rich, you may forget you're reading a novel. Associated Press Highly entertaining. "The Washington Post" Take "Gossip Girl "and move it to the 50s. "theSkimm" The strange and fascinating relationship between Capote and his swans is wonderfully reimagined in this engrossing novel Sara Gruen, " New York Time"s bestselling author of" Water for Elephants" Your next must-read book-club selection. Jamie Ford, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet""
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TheBookgeekFrau
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This has been on my shelf forever ❤️ 5mo
Maggie_Reads I have this on my shelf. I need to read it. 5mo
Eggs Beautiful 🌹📕❤️ I love Melanie Benjamin❣️ 5mo
TheBookgeekFrau @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Maggie_Reads It's a worthy read. I learned a lot! 5mo
33 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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mrp27
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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.

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mrp27
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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#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.

AllDebooks 💚 8mo
TheBookHippie I loved this book! I have to figure out how to watch the show! 8mo
marleed This book began my Babe Paley obsession! And how did any of these people make it to 50 without dying of lung cancer!? 8mo
mrp27 @TheBookHippie I‘m really enjoying the book, just so fascinating and of course I‘ve gone down many a rabbit hole googling all the Swans. 8mo
mrp27 @marleed Right?! I also can‘t imagine smoking in a home that displayed fine art and antiques. I certainly feel an obsession brewing…… 8mo
27 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

Eh, 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!

27 likes1 stack add
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samantharoberts
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

Spent 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!

marleed I loved reading this book. I went down a Babe Paley online rabbit hole piecing things together and the realizing she was essentially the mother-in-law to Charlie Rose. Fascinating that anyone in this world survived to 50 with all those cigarettes! 3y
samantharoberts @marleed really?! I didn‘t know that! I started researching into Babe and Truman too 😅 seriously! it seems like they would smoke nonstop every single day 3y
marleed @samanthagutt I believe it is her daughter that was the longtime love of Charlie Rose which is super interesting because of Charlie‘s CBS connection and then Babe‘s 2nd husband basically invented CBS. I would love to see a documentary or read a NF where Babe is the main character. 3y
33 likes3 comments
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keepingupwiththepenguins
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

The 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/

Julsmarshall Great review! 3y
43 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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These ladies are definitely not #poor 🌹💍👛⭐️🥂

#OppositeDay

TheKidUpstairs I've got another one about the "Swans" on my TBR shelf: 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TheKidUpstairs ooohhh I had to stack it! I was born in 1975! 4y
52 likes2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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These ladies are definitely not #poor 🌹💍👛⭐️🥂

#OppositeDay

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Ash.on.the.line
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Panpan

This 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.

TheBookHippie I liked reading the real memoirs of the people mentioned in this book much better. After I read this book I took them all out of the library. I am a Capote fan too, so I thought this to be good for that . 4y
marleed Oh darn. I loved this book because I‘d never given much thought to 1940-50s socialites. I ended googling for hours about Babe and Bill Paley. I think I was particularly interested in reading about culturally influential women before it became the thing to have your name and photo blasted across media wherever and whenever possible. And the cigarettes- how anyone from that generation lived beyond 80 is astounding. 4y
Ash.on.the.line @TheBookHippie I think memoirs would work better for me. I like Capote and knew somewhat of what happens in this books. I‘ll have to check my library digital apps since my library still isn‘t open yet. 🤞🏼😅 4y
Ash.on.the.line @marleed I know many who loved it! I think because I already knew of these peoples s this story it just didn‘t work for me. I‘d probably prefer memoirs as thebookhippie suggested ☺️ Also, totally agree about the cigarettes, crazy! 4y
48 likes4 comments
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Jas16
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

I 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

charl08 I agree. Was a meh from me. 5y
Lcsmcat Right with you there. 5y
youneverarrived Tagged book is good, on the same subject 5y
Jas16 @youneverarrived thank you so much for the recommendation! 5y
55 likes4 comments
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marleed
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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

Alora Hello! Thank you for playing 💜 5y
Alora Is the lie that you love the cold?! 😂❄️ 5y
Alora I also loved daisy jones! One of my favourites as well! 5y
marleed @Alora oh yes, that is the lie! I don‘t think it‘s possible for me to carry in enough stuff in my regulation-size overpriced clear plastic purse to keep me warm! 5y
38 likes4 comments
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Kaila-ann
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

What 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

Kaila-ann Ran out of space but I‘m sponsoring #teamslaughter as well @Clwojick 5y
Clwojick Woohoo! 5y
marleed I loved this book. It sent me done perhaps my longest book inspired google searches to find out more about these women. Actually, I recently had an IRL bookclub on the Dinner List. I chose Babe Pacey as one of my 5 guests - living or dead! 5y
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Kaila-ann @marleed I really enjoyed this on The Dinner List. I haven‘t done much google searching but I did add some of the author suggested books to my TBR. 5y
marleed What I found interesting is Babe Paley‘s husband basically invented CBS. Her daughter was the longtime companion of Charlie Rose. So essentially Charlie Rose‘s step Father-in-law was the inventor of CBS. I just thought that was interesting in light of MeToo. 5y
Andrew65 Sounds very interesting. 5y
23 likes6 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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#Redcover
#Fallisbooked

❤️❤️❤️

DaveGreen7777 Oooh, that trunk is gorgeous! 😍❤️ 5y
OriginalCyn620 Nice photo! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @DaveGreen7777 thank you ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
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kspenmoll Beautiful trunk! 5y
Soubhiville Great photo! I love it. 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Love that chest/trunk! 5y
IndoorDame Love this photo! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @kspenmoll thank you!! ❤️ 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @IndoorDame thank you!! 😘❤️ 5y
Hollie I love that trunk 😍 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Hollie thank you ❤️❤️ 5y
106 likes14 comments
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Ajessgirl
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

3.5 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.

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marleed
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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!

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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#RedReads that are unread!! ❤️❤️❤️

#LiteraryLove

brandymuses That was clever. 😏 6y
TheFunkyBookworm Omg I could never have a plate of candy just sitting out like that- you must have amazing self control 😂 6y
See All 7 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TheFunkyBookworm 🤣🤣 I‘m not a big chocolate person!! 6y
JaclynW I've read 3 of those and they are excellent! Get reading! 😉😁 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @JaclynW I am!!! Dang Litsy!! 😉 6y
JaclynW @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👍😊 I hear you! 6y
145 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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tdrosebud
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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

JenlovesJT47 ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
Avanders 😍🎄♥️🥰❄️ 6y
30 likes2 comments
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GidgetsTreasures75
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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

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MinDea
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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

JenlovesJT47 Oooh this looks good!! I still haven‘t read her last book yet, I‘m so behind! 😪 6y
SilversReviews Looks so good. 6y
JamieArc Anything with an Eiffel tour gets me 😁 6y
TheBookHippie Ohh!!!!!! ❤️📖 6y
84 likes4 comments
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BookaholicNatty
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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!!!! ❤️❤️😘😘😘😘😍😍❤️😘😘

MelissaS What a perfect day to open it up! Glad you like the cards - yes I made them 😀. Enjoy! 6y
BookaholicNatty @MelissaS wow!!!!!!!!!! You are super talented!!!!!! Thank you for putting you heart into doing them! ❤️😘 (edited) 6y
Rebesta That was a great read! Hope you like it as much as I do. 6y
99 likes3 comments
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Rebesta
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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.

Cinfhen I studied Fashion/Merchandising too many many moons ago!! And my daughter did too!!! 6y
Rebesta @Cinfhen - That was by far the best time in my life. I had a showroom in the Chicago Apparel Center for a few years. It was wonderful fun. I imagine it‘s all different now with the internet. 6y
Cinfhen My daughter works with lots of showrooms in Chicago but she‘s currently a road rep for a NY showroom @Rebesta She travels to Michigan & Chicago a lot!! She LOVES Chicago 6y
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Rebesta @Cinfhen - Chicago is a fun city. Tell her not to give up that job for anything. It‘s the best job she‘ll ever have. I regret giving mine up all the time. Well... unless she gets a better offer that is. 😊 6y
Cinfhen She‘s actually looking to get out of “fashion” @Rebesta they pay nothing and trying to get your commissions is a full time job!! She loves her accounts but she‘s feeling exhausted and overworked. Lots of flying & driving. It‘s funny, she was a buyer first and HATED being at a desk - she‘s interested in the health & wellness industry now 6y
Rebesta @Cinfhen - Wow! It‘s really changed a lot then. I used to make really good money doing that. Maybe I won‘t miss it so much knowing how much it has changed. Thanks for the insight. 6y
Cinfhen Ha!! It‘s really awful 😩 6y
Rebesta @Cinfhen - 😆🤣😆 6y
13 likes1 stack add8 comments
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MinDea
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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@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

MelissaS Thanks for the tag! My TBR might be in trouble with lots of new additions after this 😳 6y
MinDea @MelissaS going down the old Hollywood/Capote rabbit hole? 😆😆 I did that and so did @JenlovesJT47! 6y
JenlovesJT47 Yes! I love this book! 😍 6y
squirrelbrain I loved this one too! Hxx 6y
84 likes1 stack add4 comments
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MelissaS
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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.

TheSpineView If no other takes, I would love to read. 🤩 6y
BookaholicNatty Me me me me me... best book I have read this summer is a 3 way tie lol The Rook by Daniel O‘Malley, The Poisonwood Bible, and The Midwives! (edited) 6y
See All 10 Comments
TheKidUpstairs Oooh! Oooh! Hmm.... best book I've read this summer would probably be 6y
Jas16 I am still on a book hang over from 6y
MelissaS @Jas16 Ooh, I have an ARC of that on my pile! 6y
phantomx This is the best book I've read this summer 6y
MaGoose I'd love to have this book. 😍💕 6y
MelissaS @BookaholicNatty Random.org chose You!!! Message me your address and I‘ll get this out to you this week 😀📚😀. Schabelml at gmail.com 6y
BookaholicNatty @MelissaS yay!!! Gotta love random.org ❤️❤️ 6y
16 likes10 comments
review
Lauren_reading
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

I 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.

Jaimelire I loved it too! I researched a lot after I read it. These people are fascinating! 6y
Lauren_reading @Jaimelire Me too- I think I added at least 5 more books to my tbr just because I want to know more 6y
73 likes2 comments
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Lauren_reading
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Finished my first #24in48 😄 I‘m 3/4 of the way through this book and I‘m loving it!

CoverToCoverGirl 💃💃👍 6y
JoScho 💖🎉💖🎉💖 6y
Eyelit Excellent! 🎉🎉🎉 6y
See All 6 Comments
JaclynW Great book! 6y
Reggie Great Job!!! 6y
AnneCecilie Well done 🎉 6y
73 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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The first book I think of for #fancy 💄💋👠🕶💍

#HeatofJuly

Cinfhen Clever 😊 6y
PenguinInFlight I loved this book! Melanie Benjamin is one of my favorites. 6y
110 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MelissaS
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

Fictional 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!

Jee_HookedOnBookz Definitely one of my faves! 6y
21 likes1 comment
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MelissaS
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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...

MinDea I love Melanie Benjamin and really enjoyed that book! 6y
24 likes1 comment
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MEGR
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Starting this book tonight & feeling fancy 🖤

13 likes1 stack add
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HardcoverHearts
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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!

18 likes2 stack adds
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Mamashep
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Based on real, very interesting, swans. Definitely, worth $1.99!

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JenlovesJT47
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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!

TheBookHippie I read every book in the library about all his swans after reading this!!!! 7y
JenlovesJT47 @TheBookHippie same here!! I have a shelf on my Goodreads specifically for books about Truman and his swans. Have you read the book about his black and white ball? It‘s really interesting. 7y
TheBookHippie @JenlovesJT47 ohhhh no adding it!!!!! Thanks!!!! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks On my tbr shelf 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ 7y
76 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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#pinkredandwhite
#riotgrams
💗❤️💗❤️

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wonga
Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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a TBR that i need to move up in the pile! #Five #NovemberByTheNumbers

60 likes1 stack add
review
DivineDiana
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

The 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.

MinDea Loved this book! 7y
DivineDiana @MinDea Yes! Fascinating look into the lives of the rich and famous! 7y
MinDea Have you read any of her other books? She is one of my favorite authors. The tagged book is really good. 7y
DivineDiana @MinDea This was my first! I will add Aviator‘s Wife to my TBR! Thank you! 7y
69 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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DivineDiana
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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

77 likes4 stack adds
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Lcsmcat
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Truman Capote left a few #sobbinwomen in his wake. This novel certainly portrays him as 2 faced. #twofacedtuesday #melodiousmusicals #spookyoctober @Jess7 @CrowCAH

CrowCAH Heart break = sobbin‘ women lol (check the spelling of your hashtag) 7y
Andrew65 @CrowCAH If it's anything like my iPad it changes the letters when my back is turned, frustratingly it corrects I think to I honk regularly! 😂 Don't know why it has it in for me so much. I am very nice to it. (edited) 7y
CrowCAH @Andrew65 haha! iPads gone rogue! 7y
See All 7 Comments
Lcsmcat @CrowCAH "Damn you Autocorrect!" (hashtag edited) (edited) 7y
Jaimelire Good book 7y
Centique @Andrew65 oh that‘s funny! 😂😂 7y
CrowCAH @Lcsmcat no problem, just didn‘t want people to question what sonninwomen were lol 7y
36 likes7 comments
review
Lcsmcat
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

I 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

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Lcsmcat
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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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

Jaimelire I really enjoyed The Swans of 5th Avenue. After I read it, I went madly searching on the internet for more information on the real people. 7y
32 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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#richgirl

#augustgrrrl

Sounds like the swans are a group of glamorous rich girls 💄💍👗👠

Cinfhen These ladies are the original NY Housewives 💖😜💖🙌🏻 7y
Reviewsbylola Great choice! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cinfhen so true!!!! 💕 7y
Cathythoughts Great pic 👍 7y
74 likes4 comments
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Christyco125
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

I 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

christineandbooks Hmm, I have this one on audio too but haven't tried it yet. Probably still will but good to hear your thoughts. 7y
Christyco125 @christineandbooks The version I had switched off between a male and female narrator. They were not an issue. I have liked some of the author's other books. This one just wasn't my cup of tea but still enjoyable. 7y
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Reviewsbylola
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Mehso-so

Typically 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.

nomadreader I'm with you. I abandoned it on audio and never got around to picking up the text copy. 7y
Ahenchcliffe I tried to read her one about Alice Lidell and just felt mildly creeped out the whole time. I abandoned it about 2/3 of the way through. I keep eyeballing her other books but have never jumped in again. 7y
emilyhaldi Too bad. Not stacking this one! 7y
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seebiscan Same here. I abandoned it about 1/3 of the way through. 7y
ValerieAndBooks I kind of feel like "historical fiction " has not been doing much for me lately, so I doubt I'm in a hurry for this one anymore. Unstacking! 7y
Mdargusch Taking it off my TBR. It sure sounded interesting, too bad. 7y
Cinfhen It was fun and gossipy but it was missing something 💞honest and insightful review 7y
Reviewsbylola I agree, there was something missing. Such a shame! @Cinfhen 7y
88 likes1 stack add8 comments
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TerriGreen
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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My #tbrjar is 144 books I own but have not read. (Ok yes, I know it is a vase, work with me here.) First up is The Swans of Fifth Avenue.

SilversReviews That is a great way to choose the next book. :) 7y
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Ayma1326
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

Among the glitz and glamor.... good dishy summer read!!!

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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#bookmail
From thriftbooks... anyone read it?

DivineDiana On my TBR! 7y
Cinfhen Yes! It was like reading the Real Housewives of NY...gossipy fun❤️ 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cinfhen oh yay!!! I will need some fun after Pachinko!!! 😘 7y
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OrangeMooseReads I've never read it, but have seen good thing about it. 7y
SilversReviews I actually did not like this book. Couldn't follow it. 7y
Alytrue My book club loved it! Then we all had to read In Cold Blood. 7y
JaclynW I loved it! Gossipy definitely. A peek into what life was like in NYC high society. AND Truman Capote is always fascinating! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Alytrue 🤔 hmmm fun to not so fun!! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @SilversReviews I'll try it eventually!!! So many!!! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OrangeMooseReads I've seen a couple of reviews!! I'll get to it one day!! 7y
73 likes11 comments
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Mdargusch
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Next up. Wine and a book is a great way to start my Saturday night! 🍷 #booksandbooze #backtoreading

emilyhaldi Especially on that front porch 💖 7y
Reviewsbylola Oooooh maybe I need to put this at the top of my tbr! 7y
Mdargusch I thought you read it? @Reviewsbylola you gave it to me in your pile of books. 7y
Reviewsbylola I had two. 7y
126 likes1 stack add4 comments
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JenlovesJT47
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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@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

MinDea Oh awesome! Thanks for the recommendations! 7y
JenlovesJT47 @MinDea Tru and Nelle is pretty cool. Harper Lee based Dill in To Kill A Mockingbird on Truman, they were good friends when they were younger (and she helped him a lot with In Cold Blood). So basically it's like Scout and Dill fan fiction. 7y
MinDea I'll start with that one. Thanks! 7y
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Bluzygrl
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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A little late to the party, but I started reading this today and will be up late finishing it. Delightful read.

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LinaLovesLit
The Swans of Fifth Avenue | Melanie Benjamin
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Pickpick

A 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/