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 in New York City society 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 create 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. Belles complexion isnt dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as whiteher complexion is dark because she is African American.

The Personal Librariantells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go tofor the protection of her family and her legacyto preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.

Marie Benedictis a lawyer with more than ten years’ experience as a litigator. A graduate of Boston College and the Boston University School of Law, she is theNew York TimesandUSA Todaybestselling author ofThe Only Woman in the Room,The Mystery of Mrs. Christie,Carnegie’s Maid,The Other Einstein, andLady Clementine. All have been translated into multiple languages. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Victoria Christopher Murrayis an acclaimed author with more than one million books in print. She has written more than twenty novels, includingStand Your Ground,an NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Fiction and aLibrary JournalBest Book of the Year. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.

• Publisher: Berkley (June 29, 2021)
• Language: English
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• ISBN-10: 0593101537
• ISBN-13: 9780593101537
• Item Weight: 1.2 pounds
• UNSPSC-Code: 55101500
• Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.17 x 9.27 inches