I am in charge of the senior library and work with a group of Reading Ambassadors from 16-18 to ensure that our boarding school library is modernised and meets the need of both our senior students and staff. It has been great to have the chance to talk about these books with our seniors and discuss what they want and need on their shelves. I was drawn to his book because I thought it would be something different from the usual school library fare and draw the students in with a tempting storyline and lots to discuss.
This book was a really enjoyable read with strong characters and a real sense of time and place. I enjoyed the ways that it maintained a cracking pace that kept me turning its pages and ensured that I had much to discuss with them after finishing. It was not only a lively and enjoyable novel but had lots of contemporary themes for our book group to pick up and spend hours discussing too.
I think it's important to choose books that interest as well as challenge our students and I can see this book being very popular with students and staff alike; this will be an excellent purchase as it has everything that we look for in a great read - a tempting premise, fantastic characters and a plot that keeps you gripped until you close its final page.

Made for an engaging read, although, I couldn't help but feel the author couldn't quite make up his mind what he wanted the book to be. Very much a story of two halves fighting for domination.

Overall, however, Barbash did capture the feel of the era of the time.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I was just little over a year old when John Lennon was killed, and writing this review is it just days after the 38 anniversary of his death. And, this story was extra poignant when you think about how much John Lennon had left to give when his life was cut short. This is a fictional story, but Tom Barbash writes in a way that makes it all feel real. Like Anton, his father Buddy and the rest of the family really existed. Cudos to Barbash to make fictional characters come to life.

I loved reading a story set in New York 79/80. I'm too young to remember those years, but nevertheless, it made me nostalgic. And, letting Dakota, one of the most iconic buildings in the city be the central point was a great move. I loved getting to know Anton and Buddy. To follow them as Anton tries to help his father return to the limelight as well as trying to find his own place outside his father's shadow. There is so much going on the world, the Olympics, Ted Kennedy's campaign. I really, really loved Joan Kennedy part in this story. As the saying goes, "behind every successful man there's a woman". And, Joan really showed in this story how to rise above Ted's infidelities. Not to mention standing by Ted, despite the Chappaquiddick incident that in the end ruined his political ambitions.

There is so much going in this book. I first gave the book four stars. However, when I started to write this review did I start to think about how much I enjoyed this story. And, how sad I was to have to say goodbye to Anton and the rest of the characters at the end of the book. So, I raised the rating to five stars. I warmly recommend this book!

I love a good novel set in New York City, and this was a winner. I'd previously admired the author's short fiction and the elegance and insight of his writing was just as apparent in the longer form. Whilst the TV show setting doesn't hold any particular interest for me in itself, it worked well as the backdrop to a moving portrayal of a father-son relationship - the Dakota, on the other hand, was fascinating. I found this an emotionally involving story and find myself mentioning it when people ask what's coming up next year.

This is a powerful book. It should be widely read. I could say more and more and justify why, but the book should be left to speak for itself. Don't miss out on what feels like an important publication.

really enjoyed The Dakota Winters. Anton Winters, has returned from working at Peace Corps after contracting Malaria. His famous father, Buddy Winters, is keen to revive his career after walking off the set of his own talk show and suffering from a breakdown. The family are adjusting to life with Buddy off the air while residing in their home in the Dakota - an prestigious apartment block in New York City that also houses John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Desperate to get his career back on track, Buddy enlists the help of Anton to help get him the big break he needs to return to TV.

The book is told in three different chunks - Anton assisting Buddy in returning to television, spending time sailing with John Lennon and the aftermath of JL’s death.

The book was told from the perspective of Anton. He was a loveable character who I grew so fond of as the pages went by. The book included so many historical references and snippets of celebrities that I found very interesting and added glamour to the story. I enjoyed learning more about the Winters dynamic and my favourite part of the book was the journey to get Buddy back on TV. I found him to be an incredibly charming character that you just couldn’t help but like. I was hopeful for a comeback throughout.

I’m a big Beatles fan but I found the two parts involving John Lennon to be a bit of a drag. I did enjoy them both but personally preferred the sole focus on the Winters family.

It was a great, quick read and I enjoyed the book despite not enjoying the parts of the story equally as much as the others. It was well written, featured two very loveable standout characters and the sprinkles of celebrities/historical references helped bring the book to life.

Anton Winter has just returned to New York, at the beginning of this novel. He has been in Africa, with the Peace Corps, but a bout of malaria has left him needing to recuperate. Anton’s father, Buddy, is a late night chat show host, who is recovering from a break-down, after walking off the set of his show one night and out of a job. Anton’s mother was an actress and spends much of her time helping Joan Kennedy with Ted Kennedy’s Presidential race. Brother Kip plays tennis and his sister, Rachel, is heavily involved in a romance with a police officer.

It is 1980 and Anton, and his family, like in the Dakota. Over the course of a year, we follow his attempts to help his father find a new show, while he tries to both resist the pull of his father’s need for his help and yet find himself attracted by his celebrity orbit. Of course, there is another man living in the Dakota that year, whose career, having been dormant for a few years, is about to reignite with tragic consequences. It is important to state that this is not a novel about John Lennon, but he does appear in this novel; notably when Anton goes on a sailing trip with him.

I found this a moving and interesting personal read and I think it would be a good choice for reading groups. As well as having an interesting storyline, and characters, the author makes both New York, and the Dakota itself, come alive. Obviously, we, as readers, do know what is coming, as we near the end, and it was difficult for me, as a Beatles fan, to read. Still, the author did create a John Lennon that I recognised, being fair in his depiction and mixing the real characters, with the fictional, very well indeed. I am sure that I will read this novel again and that I will explore by this author. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

A slow paced read about a father and son. Took me a while to get into. Reads like a memoir.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This book took me a while to warm to but eventually i caught ther rhythm of it and then it became like a warm bath. This is a lazy ride around New York in a horse and carriage of a book, we eavesdrop on showbiz anecdotes as Alex comes to terms with his career and life with and without his father, the famous talk show host fallen on unstable times. Here is showbiz, here is an America we can remember, and here is John Lennon! Ther aresome surprising but warm vignettes of the Beatle here, it isnt the focus of the book, he is an ancillary character, but somehow he still looms large on the page. Alex is a likable, self effacing guy looking for his way in the world and it is a world which comes alive give. Your full attention. I am impressed, and feel it will stay with me. Thank you.

Anton Winter is the son of a chat show host who has had a spectacular, and very public, breakdown. He narrates the tale of his father rehabilitation alongside that of the Dakota building's most famous resident, John Lennon. Both men are taking a break from their public personas and are both struggling to find their way back to their place in the limelight.

I enjoyed the story of Buddy the chat show host, as well as the more personal side of John Lennon. Where it fell down for me was when the writing style turned factual; listing names, incidents, obscure Beatles facts and television network personalities. I felt the book went from being a touching story about a father and son, to a strange Beatles fanbook.

It is 1979. New York is changing. Anton Winters returns to New York from a stint with the Peace Corps. He has nearly died from Malaria. His dad, talk show host and raconteur Buddy Winters, is recovering from a nervous breakdown. Anton has long been his dad's wingman, and Buddy needs his help to get his career back on track. Anton went to the Peace Corps to make his own way. He doesn't really need to trail after his dad for the rest of his life, however charming Buddy is.
The real star of The Dakota Winters is the Dakota Apartment building, where the Winters live in opulent style. The Dakota is a real New York landmark. It has been home to Lauren Bacall, Boris Karloff and Leonard Bernstein. Most famously, it was the last home of John Lennon. The Winters family moves easily through the great and the good. Mrs Winters is campaigning for Teddy Kennedy. Anton becomes fast friends with John Lennon, and teaches him to sail.
The story is a vivid snapshot of a great city. The Winters are charming company, who lead good and interesting lives. History teaches us that the party will soon be over. Reagan will come to power and heat up the Cold War. John Lennon will be murdered leaving the Dakota building.

The novel is set in the late 1970s in New York and Anton is a young man grappling with being in his father’s shadow. Well written and enjoyable.