Susie Orman SchnallCritiques

This novel about an ambitious CEO, similar to Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos (maybe too close) and a reporter who pursues the truth about her company, has some suspenseful elements, as the Big Bad Wolf is chased by a novice little lamb. Jamie Roman saves Anna Bright's bacon as she grabs Anna's hot mike at a speaking event. In gratitude, or in what passes for such in Anna's laser-focused view, she invites Jamie to accompany her on her private plane for an interview. Anna's company, a biotech startup which will release an optical-implant device, very (too) similar to an Oculus Blue sky product promoted unsuccessful by (company?), is nearing an IPO but suffering from production issues including the potential for macular degeneration and blindness, as well as the inability to provide the proper levels of security, none of which will stop Anna. She bullies her employees, fires them unmercifully, and uses blackmail to keep them from becoming whistleblowers. Jamie tries to stop Anna as she also boosts her own career, bolstered by a most supportive boss who is frankly way too good-hearted to be the CEO of a magazine publishing company. The resolution satisfies, but Anna and Jamie are the two extreme devil and angel, with not enough grey tones.

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Grace May is happily married and the mom of two boys, now she's about to embark upon her fortieth birthday. Not only that, but she's looking forward to some new changes in her life. Both of her children will finally be in school all day, which opens up her days allowing her to return into the work force. She's been looking forward to this and the perfect job falls into her lap. Within one week, not only does she lose the job before she even gets the chance to begin, her world begins to unravel and fall apart.

"On Grace" is a wonderful story about dealing with a crisis while finding one's self and path at the age of forty. Grace is an amazing character that every woman can connect with in some way. She teaches us about forging on, and forgiveness and not succumbing to everyone's expectations. This book had moments of laughter and moments of tears, as Grace rationalizes her family crisis and comes to terms with her situation. This is a great chick lit novel, one that is quite meaningful that every woman will enjoy.

First, this is my second novel by Susie Orman Schnall. I first discovered her when I read The Subway Girls, an amazing book which you should definitely read.

This is the story of Max and Vivi based in Queens, New York. Each has a life trajectory that veers far off course. Vivi is an up and coming starlet in Hollywood who is sent to the World's Fair Aquade to star in their water show. Max is a journalism student at NYU who is hoping for a place at the New York Times but ends up writing for the daily paper of the World's Fair. Each quickly learns that their destiny was to end up there where they did.

Each woman deals with issues pushed upon them by their gender and the way others feel women should behave. Eventually, the women cross paths and become the strength that the other needs to move on with their lives in order to be happy.

The author can be counted on to show the strength of women as individuals and as friends. She also takes events in history that may not be so well known and sets a whole world around them. I have learned about events that occurred in New York where I grew up that I had never heard of and now have had the chance to research.

Transparency: I was provided an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley.

I loved this story! I never knew about Miss Subways but was thrilled to learn about them. The story neatly wove together the 1940s and current times. It was a joy to see how Charlotte's life turned out. This book made me smile throughout and I would gladly recommend it to others.

It's no secret - I love historical fiction from the 20's-50's... and this was a highly anticipated book for me. I downloaded it on pub day without hesitation and then my fabulous book dealer gifted me with the paperback!⠀

The book follows Vivi and Max to the 1939 New York World's Fair, Max as a journalist and Vivi as a synchronized swimmer in the Aquacade. Both attended an event and met by chance, bonding and then agreeing to help each other overcome their individual hurdles in a male-dominated world.⠀

From the first page, I was in love with this book. @SusieOrmanSchnall does a fabulous job of putting me at the World's Fair and everything it has to offer. Sometimes, I would close my eyes while listening to the audio and pretend I was there. I loved the narration!⠀

I cannot stop bragging about my excitement for this book and all it entails. Fabulous writing, seemless integration of two character storylines, and great story. If you like historical chick-lit, you MUST own this one!⠀

Reading this story, set in Queens during the 1939 World's Fair, gave me a good taste of the scope of such a large event. The book follows the interconnecting stories of two young women. Star Vivi Holden is lent out to the Aquacade production from her movie studio in Hollywood, with the promise of a plum role upon return. Maxine Roth, a journalism student, begrudgingly accepts a summer position with the fair's daily publication, Today at the Fair. The Fair, the gossip and' events, including visits from dignitaries, are very well described between the back and forth narrative and slices of news articles from the fair publication. The way the girls in the Aquacade chose sides and sniped at each other seemed very genuine, as did Max and her family's worries over money at the end of the Depression years. I liked Schnall's nod to her earlier book, The Subway Girls, and how she incorporates the long journey women like these have been taking toward equal workplaces and experiences.

A fun look at the 1939 New York City World's Fair through the eyes of two young women from different worlds and a chance meet at the Fair. I did not know much about the 1939 Fair and was interested in the story of it and the lives of these young women from page one. I could not put this down and enjoyed it from page one to the end. Engaging characters, great world building, attention to details, makes this a very enjoyable book.

An insightful look into the lives of the Subway Girls of New York City. Interesting characters and the blending of the past and the present and how two women struggled with the challenges of balancing a family and having a career. Would recommend this book to friends and I give it 4 stars.

We Came Here to Sine by Susie Orman Schnall was a highly anticipated 2020 read for me. I love historical fiction novels that focus on relationships between women and the search for equality.

While this book had a wonderful premise, I struggled to fully connect with the characters and really wished for more details into the time and place that this book occurred. While I did learn about some of the aspects of the 1939 World's Fair I was left feeling like I needed more to really set the scene of this novel.

I appreciated the focus on strong women but did come away wishing the storyline felt more layered and nuanced. While the character development was al little lacking for me, I did enjoy this theme of female friendship and this was an easy weekend read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

We came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall is the story of two women working at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. It is a story of women making their way in a society that is very much male-dominated. This story does not introduce anything really unexpected into the storyline but at the same time does not wrap up into a "lived happily ever" package either. Overall, a light, quick, and entertaining read.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/03/we-came-here-to-shine.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

I love historical fiction and "When We Came To Shine" focuses on a subject I haven't read about before - the 1939 World's Fair - and the effect is has on two women's lives.

Vivi is an up-and-coming Hollywood starlet sent by the studio she's contracted with to perform in the Fair's Aquacade water spectacular. Maxine (aka Max) is an NYU student and aspiring journalist assigned a summer internship at the Fair's daily paper. Neither wants to be there but as was often the case for women in the 1930s, men dictated most of what happened in their lives.

I liked both the characters of Vivi and Max and the World's Fair was an interesting backdrop for the novel. Susie Orman Schnall’s writing brought the time period and the Fair to life, and the focus on women finding their voices, fighting for equality and trying to find a balance in their lives was relatable and is applicable now, almost a century later. There were a lot of secondary characters I had a hard time keeping straight and I didn't love all of their subplots but overall this was a quick read that will entertain historical fiction fans.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, GalleyMatch, and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

We Came Here to Shine was such a joy to read. It was nice to read a historical fiction novel that wasn't based around WWII, and that was written well.

This novel is based around the World Fair in 1939. Vivi, an actress in Hollywood who is starting to figure out she really doesn't have control over her life or career and Max who is a headstrong journalist that is learning she doesn't need to and shouldn't bulldoze her way through life. These two ladies meet, and become friends, and the each bring different things to the friendship. Along the way there are bumps, but like any friendship they come to grips with their differences and help each other through life's pitfalls.

Susie Orman Schnall has written a book with some serious topics, but made it fun and interesting. She also gives you two young ladies you can root for and best of all there is redemption!

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn't get into this book. The writing wasn't impressive enough to keep me engaged. I wasn't engaged from the beginning. It seemed a little too frothy for me.

The 1939 World’s Fair is the backdrop for this historical fiction novel. The Fair reminds me of a precursor to Disney World, with the exhibits, rides, and worldly restaurants. Such a great time to read about, the seedy side of Hollywood contracts for starlets, women’s rights and the then dark little secrets, that now are not even looked at twice. Characters are vivid, courageous and will have you cheering them on. Page turner, that builds towards an acceptable ending.

The friendship of Max, a lovable, journalism student at NYU who has a likable boldness about her, and is trying to get the men in power to see her worth. Vivi, hiding a secret of her own, is a starlet, starting out in the movie business when things take a different turn. Different, but the same, these two meet as they are working at the Fair and become friends, confidants, and supporters. Dont count these women out when they come together for a single purpose. Loved the writing and the strolling!

Thanks to Ms. Schnall, St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Thanks to the Book Club CookBook's Galley Match program for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This was a light read about two young women with high career aspirations who spend their summer working at the 1939 World's Fair in New York. Both Maxine "Max" Roth (journalism writer) and Vivi Holden (Hollywood actress) have plans for their successful futures, but soon learn they don't have the control over their careers they thought they had. They meet each other about a quarter into the novel, and become friends. They share their hopes and dreams and give each other support and encouragement in how to achieve their summer goals and beyond.

The author accurately describes the sexist attitudes prevalent in this era and hints at the future of the women's liberation movement that would gain power in the late 1960's. The novel also depicts aspects of the World's Fair in such vivid detail that I felt I could draw a map of the area - the buildings, the exhibits, the amusement zone. Schnall certainly did her research about the Fair and the time period. What I felt was lacking in the novel was the character development. I didn't care about any of the characters, and thought Max was especially thoughtless - she was too impulsive and her plans never went the way she anticipated. Additionally, one thing I wanted to ask the author was why she chose to name the two girls' boyfriends "James" and "Dean," and then more than once write "James and Dean ordered the drinks" or "James and Dean walked to the back of the restaurant." Am I the only one who thinks of the iconic 1950's actor James Dean? It was distracting.

Despite my complaints, this was a well-researched novel that portrayed an American summer before WWII. It also gave readers a picture of the 1939 World's Fair, described women supporting each other through their friendship, and it was refreshing to read a historical novel that didn't include a war.

Set during the New York 1939 Worlds Fair, it is the story of two female friends struggle for their rights in a male-dominated world. It’s a story about the importance of friendship as the story also reveals a lot about the Fair and the world in which it took place.

This novel is about two women who appear to be complete opposites but end up becoming friends at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. Viva is an actress from Hollywood and Max is a journalism student. They both are forced to work at the fair not by their desire but by a studio owner and a professor but the more they see of the extravaganza, the more they get settled into their new jobs.

Viva is an up and coming actress who has just been hired for her first starring role in a movie after several years of playing bit parts. The morning that the movie is supposed to start filming, she is called into the office of the studio owner and told that she looks too innocent to be playing the main role in this movie and that someone else has been hired for the role. She's told that if she'll go to New York to be the lead in the Aquacade with Johnny Weissmuller for a year, there will be a starring movie role waiting for her when she gets back. With no other choice, she packs up her apartment, tells her long time boyfriend that she's leaving and takes the train to NYC. When she goes to the pool the first day, she's met with resentment by some of the cast and by a huge role that she needs to learn right away but she knows that she has a starring role waiting for her back in Hollywood so she starts learning the dances and keeps her upbeat, though nervous, attitude.

Max is a journalism student and ready to start her last year of college. She's wanted to be a reporter at the New York Times since she was a child. The professor hands out papers telling all of the students where they will do their internship for the summer and she is very disappointed when she sees that she's been given a summer job at the newspaper at the World's Fair and not the New York Times job that she requested. When she starts the job, she is told that she won't be allowed to write any articles but will instead be writing the daily list of activities and working in the office while a fellow male student gets all the work that she desires. She decides to make the best of it but to try to find chances to undermine the male student and write some articles.

Vivi and Max are both facing sexism in a very blatant manner - their lives are totally determined by the men that they work for and they are both unable to break out of their roles. When they meet each other, they quickly become good friends and share their disappointment with each other. As the summer goes on, will their friendship help give them the strength to obtain their goals? This is a story about love and friendship, sexism and meeting personal goals all taking place at the beautiful World's Fair.

“We Came Here to Shine” by Susie Orman Schnall (5 stars)

In this beautifully written historical fiction, Susie Orman Schnall writes about the 1939 World’s Fair held in NYC. I enjoyed the “behind the scenes” view of the fair. I especially loved the detailed descriptions of preparation for the performances at the Aquacade Amphitheater. This book was a delightful read with great characters. I love books with strong female friendships as did this one.

The chapters alternate between Vivi Holden, an actress and the Aquabelle Number One at the Aquacade, and Maxine (Max) Roth, a journalist for the fair’s daily newspaper. I had no problem keeping it straight as to whose perspective I was reading.

I was infuriated by the discrimination openly displayed against Max and Vivi, but this accurately reflected the times when the workplace was a man’s world. But Max and Vivi were both bold, forward-thinking women and were determined to shine. And shine they did.

I loved the references to the Miss Subways contest, the subject of Schnall’s previous book, “The Subway Girls”.

Great weekend read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy of the book to read and review.

Max is a young lady struggling to make it in journalism. She loses the internship she wanted at the New York Times to a man. She was given the internship at the Worlds Fair news paper. Not exactly what she wanted at all.

Vivi is an up and coming actress and she is replaced in film. She is then sent to NYC to perform in the Aquacade show at the Worlds Fair. She is under the impression that if she does this, she will be given a starring role in a film in the fall.

These two ladies struggle to overcome the male world during 1939. They are both unique characters in unique situations. I loved each storyline and the author did a great job melding them together. And the historical setting of the Worlds Fair is amazing.

This is great story about friendship, feminism, and strength with a good bit of history thrown into the mix. Grab your copy today. You will not be disappointed!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

An actress and a journalist meet at the 1939 World's Fair and drum up some interesting situations.

Both women have similar life disappointments and find the common ground of playing second fiddle. Max to a man, and Vivi because she looked too innocent for the part in a Hollywood production.

Max lost her hopes of working for The New York Times for the summer to another student. Max was assigned instead to a job as coordinator at the World's Fair and not assigned to any article writing. She realized women were not considered to be as good in the journalistic field as men.

Vivi lost her Hollywood position to someone else and was sent to New York to perform at a synchronized swim event. This definitely wasn't her choice of career paths.

We learn about both women in alternating chapters as they struggle through what is going on in their lives.

Ms. Schnall did a marvelous job of researching and of putting the reader in the characters’ lives as well as the World’s Fair. I enjoyed being at the World's Fair both on the public side and the side of all those involved with making the fair happen.

If you need something to satisfy your historical fiction craving and to see how strong women made their way in 1939 in a man’s world, WE CAME HERE TO SHINE will be a lovely treat.

You will also be treated to secrets, gossip, lovely characters, a great story line, and the beauty of friendships. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“The universe had plans for Vivi and Max and this story, during a few short months at the beginning of the 1939 World’s Fair, brings it all to life. Maxine Roth aka Max, a journalism student is hell bent at working at the NY Times, too bad, man makes plans and God Laughs.

Vivi Holden has learned to “ignore the wary voice, charge forward, and deal with the consequences later.” She is bound and determined to be a Hollywood star. Did I mention that man makes plans and God Laughs?

And while God is laughing, Vivi and Max are about to collide in the most special way. These two women, manipulated by the age in which they live and the men in their lives are about to realize their worth and potential. And I am yelling on the sidelines “You go Girls!”

Great writing, great characters that you love to hate and root for in equal measure, a walk around the World’s Fair with its sights, smells and sounds all brought to life – The World of Tomorrow. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for a copy.

It was refreshing to read a historical fiction book that didn't revolve around a war. The idea behind this one was neat as it combined the 1939 World's Fair in New York, an actress trying to make it big under the Old Hollywood studio system, and a female college student wanting a career in the journalism field but finding out quickly women don't get the same treatment as men. At times the story veered into melodramatic territory but overall I did enjoy this one.

Vivi Holden is trying to make it as an actress in Hollywood but in 1939 under the studio system it's not easy being a woman. She is sent by the studio to New York City to perform in the Aquacade synchronized swimming show at the World's Fair. If she performs well, she might finally get the opportunity to be a leading lady on screen.

Maxine Roth is a college student studying journalism. She is assigned by her professor to work at a publication dedicated to providing World's Fair coverage. However, Maxine is having a hard time convincing her boss she is a talented writer. He won't let her publish articles as he doesn't think female writers could possible be as good as male writers.

Both Vivi and Maxine were solid characters and their stories really showcased the challenges women faced back then in the workforce. I do think there were a few minor plotlines that didn't really enhance the overall story. It almost felt like they were added to stretch the story out. It is an enjoyable read though but I would place it in the light historical fiction category. It's good for a lazy weekend read but there's not much here that's going to stick in your mind long after you finish reading it.

I would recommend this book to readers looking for historical fiction that doesn't focus on World War 2 for a change. Also, there's a few references to the Miss Subways contest in this book which I thought was a nice touch by the author given that was the focus of her previous book.

I was provided a free advance digital copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.½

The Miss Subways, were part of an actual MTA advertising campaign. The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall builds a novel around this history. The story features two women, two times, and intersecting stories. Charlotte and Olivia's story are separated by time and change. In many ways, though, the choices that face them and the challenges placed in their way reflect the same reality that the gender gap has evolved but not gone away. It is the strength of these characters and the extrapolated vision of the women who became the Miss Subways that give this book its impact.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2019/03/the-subway-girls.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

This book started off slow, but the second half really picked up and turned into just the kind of novel I love to read. The story moves between two timelines, one in the present and one in 1949, when a group of youthful women compete for the title of Miss Subways in New York City. Overall, this was a good read, with everything coming to a satisfying conclusion.

The Subway Girls
By
Susie Orman Schnall

What it's all about...

Would you like to be a Subway Girl? You are chosen from a select group of lovely young women. You become the center of a poster that is posted on various subways throughout NYC. It’s 1949...Charlotte is graduating from Hunter College and aspires to a career in advertising. However...it’s 1949 and the most she can hope for is a chance in the typing pool. But suddenly she is a Subway Girl. This brings tons of new issues into her life...especially with her father.

This book alternates chapters between Charlotte then, Charlotte now and her across the hall neighbor...Olivia...also now. Olivia is in advertising and it brings stress to her life....especially when she begins working on a project for the New York Transit Authority that involves working with the Subway Girls. Olivia is ecstatic to discover that her elderly neighbor was a Subway Girl. And then there is Ben...her elderly neighbor’s grandson...and he is a part of the Subway Girls story, too.

Why I wanted to read it...

I loved the then and now factors, I loved the issues, and I loved the family dramas in this book.

What made me truly enjoy this book...

Charlotte and Olivia were my favorite starring characters. They lived in such different times. The 1949 parts reminded me of Mad Men. I loved reading about Charlotte’s adventures and her determination to have her own life.

Why you should read it, too...

I loved this book...parts of it were based on real facts...there were really Subway Girls. It was lively, interesting and heartwarming.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.