Books that Bind February 2022
Event Details
Books that Bind February 2022
The February selection for Books that Bind is The Personal Librarian Mary Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Meeting date TBD. Join us!
Free and open to the public. Learn more about The Ruth Stafford Peale Library by clicking here.
About the Book
The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian—who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true, from New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray.
In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection.
But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle’s complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.
The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths to which she must go—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.
Books that Bind Building Bonds through books and conversation. Our club reads a wide range of authors and genres. Books that Bind is the official Book Club of the Interchurch Center located in the Morningside/ Harlem area of New York City, NY. The club was established in 2011 to build bonds and friendship through a shared love of books among the various tenants of the building and neighbored. Due to the Pandemic the Club is currently meeting on Zoom until further notice.
New members are always welcome! Click here to join the club.
Free E-Books!
OverDrive for the use of e-books is now available at interchurchcenter.overdrive.com. You can download books to your phone and other devices through the Libby option, Kindle, or Kindle app. For more information, please contact Tracey Del Duca via phone at 212.870.3804 or email at tdelduca@interchurch-center.org.
Campaign Code for Mobile Card: interchurchwinter20
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