Nothing More of This Land by Joseph Lee (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
REVIEW - Care and Feeding (audiobook)
Care and Feeding by Laurie Woolever (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
This audiobook was good, but not great, for the first one-third or so. But, then it dissolved into a repetitive mess about her addictions, including graphic drug, alcohol, and sexual promiscuity.
Since this book was presented as a candid and funny memoir, there is a big disconnect between the marketing and the actual audiobook itself. It was a horrifying and scary descent into the darkness of the restaurant world.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars
Writing: 3.5 stars
Laurie writes well, but this book did not showcase her skills well. This book was circular and repetitive in its storytelling. It was the same drug, alcohol, and sex filled stories over and over. It really became tiresome and boring.
Narration: 3.0 stars
The narration was done by Laurie, but it was so slow and lifeless. It really didn't have the emotion that I would expect in a memoir.
Character development: 3.0 stars
The main characters are Laurie and her poor life choices.
The secondary characters are Mario Batali and Tony Bourdain.
The tertiary characters are Alex (her husband) and Eli (her son). Notice that her work came before her family.
There are many characters throughout the memoir, from culinary school, the literary/publishing scene, and her friends and family.
The character development was okay for Laurie. But we never got into why she abused herself with drugs, alcohol, and sex.
Memorable: 3.0 stars
I could have been happy not reading this memoir except for two things. It confirmed that Mario Batali was a tool like I expected. Tony Bourdain was a wonderful human, and someone I would have enjoyed eating Los Angeles street food with.
Entertaining/Educational: 3.0 stars
This memoir made me look at restaurants in a totally different way, and not necessarily a good way.
Book cover: 3.5 stars
Okay.
Book title: 2.0 stars
This was not about Care and Feeding at all.
Lukewarm recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Care and Feeding by Laurie Woolever
12 hours, 45 minutes
HarperAudio
Release date: 3/11/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Graphic alcohol use, drug use, sexual content, and cursing; death of an animal, death of a parent, suicide, mental illness, alcoholism, pregnancy, abortion, infidelity, eating disorder
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, July 21, 2025
My next eARC/ebook is ...
The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - The Girl in the Green Dress (eARC/ebook)
The Girl in the Green Dress by Mariah Fredericks (eARC/ebook)
OVERVIEW
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the first book by Mariah that I have read. Unfortunately, this book didn't hit the mark for me. I actually almost gave it up on two occasions, but I wanted to find out what happened to the characters.
It was a slow slogging book with many real-life characters that I didn't like, including most of the characters. I didn't like the writing or writers, the Jazz Era, or much of anything from the 1920s. I'm really at a loss as to why I chose to read this book.
There are many notable characters, but other than the Fitzgeralds, I didn't know who they were. I had to research them all through the Author's Note.
Side note - this is my one hundred book of the year!
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars
Writing: 4.0 stars
The writing is good, but so very descriptive. Normally, most writing is not descriptive enough for me, but Mariah is very descriptive. The overly descriptive passages and flashbacks really bogged this book down.
Character development: 3.5 stars
The main characters are Morris Markey (newspaper reporter), Zelda Fitzgerald (yes, her), and Joseph Bowne Elwell (bridge coach).
The secondary characters are writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dorothy Parker, to socialites like Leonora Hughes and Selma Lewisohn.
The tertiary characters include police, attorneys, politicians, neighbors, reporters, editors, service workers, and many others. An enormous cast of characters really slowed this book.
The character development was adequate - it wasn't weak, but it wasn't strong either.
Storyline: 3.5 stars
The storyline is the discovery of a body in a locked house (both inside and outside) in 1920s NYC. Then, utter chaos ensues and a new mystery genre is born.
There is also another short timeline in 1950, Virginia, at the beginning and ending of the book.
The location was New York City and the surrounding areas.
Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars
I had no idea how depraved and excessive New York City was in the "Roaring Twenties". Wowza!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 3.5 stars
The title is a bit misleading.
Recommend
NetGalley eARC/ebook
The Girl in the Green Dress by Mariah Fredericks
336 pages
Minotaur Books
FUTURE release date: 9/2/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Alcohol, alcoholism, murder, medical content, gun violence, death, violence, sexual harassment, war, mental health issues, and moderate cursing.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Storygraph Audiobook Giveaway Winner!
YES!! My first win from Storygraph!
There are lots of giveaways at Storygraph - you can check them out HERE! While you're signing up for Storygraph and checking out the giveaways, don't forget to become my friend!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, July 18, 2025
REVIEW - The First Gentlemen (ebook)
The First Gentlemen by Bill Clinton and James Patterson (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the third collaboration by Bill Clinton and James Patterson. I have read all three books, but this one is not the strongest (I think the second book was the best, by far).
I liked this book, but didn't love it. It was a fast and easy read; however, I figured out the mystery about one-third of the way through the book.
A huge pet peeve is the huge amount of white space in this book. It could have been consolidated so much better.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars
Writing: 3.5 stars
The writing is meh. I assume that President Clinton wrote most of the legal and president-adjacent material, which is the most interesting part of the series to me. James probably wrote the plot outline with President Clinton doing the heavy lifting.
I have felt that James' books have deteriorated in quality of writing for the past fifteen years or so. Most especially, once he started writing with partners.
Character development: 3.5 stars
The main characters are Maddy (the President), Cole (the First Gentleman), and Burton (the President's Chief of Staff). The three have been friends since they were undergrads at Dartmouth over twenty years ago.
The secondary characters are Garrett and Brea (a lawyer-journalist writing team) and Suzanne (a murdered woman).
The tertiary characters include various attorneys, mobsters, police, FBI, coworkers, family, and friends of the main and secondary characters. There are a lot of characters, which is to be expected in a procedural crime mystery.
The character development was adequate - it wasn't weak, but it wasn't strong either.
Storyline: 3.5 stars
The storyline is the discovery of Suzanne's body and the police and prosecution's case against the suspected killer. The plot goes in multiple directions, which helped me figure out the mystery.
The locations were New Hampshire, Dartmouth, and Washington, D.C.
Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars
It really made me realize that politics is a "dog-eat-dog" proposition and how back-door deals make things run in Washington, D.C.
Book cover: 3.0 stars
I don't understand who it is or what it is about.
Book title: 4.0 stars
There was much more to the story - it wasn't just about the First Gentlemen.
Recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The First Gentlemen by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
474 pages
Little, Brown and Company
Release date: 6/2/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Alcohol, death of a parent, grief, cancer, medical content, gun violence, murder, death, car accident, violence, rape, and strong cursing.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
My next ebook is ...
The First Gentleman by Bill Clinton and James Patterson (ebook)
I am also reading an eARC/ebook. However, since this is a library book with a borrowing time limit, I will finish this book first!
Happy reading,
Dorothea💜
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Review - Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight (audiobook)
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
This is a beautifully written memoir about a horrific time in Africa. It was difficult to absorb and understand, so I listened to it slowly, so I could "try" to understand it. But, honestly, I don't understand it all.
I don't understand the recent colonialism in Africa (or anywhere, actually), the subjugation and discrimination against the African Blacks, and the civil wars with the white minority fighting to retain their power.
Additionally, I wouldn't say that I enjoyed this memoir, but it was an enlightening and important book to read.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Alexandra writes beautifully about the good, bad, and ugly during her childhood in multiple countries in Africa.
This was written in first person, so it was shocking to know and understand that a child experienced these horrific, tragic, and violent events. It was exceedingly graphic, at times.
Also, this was not a linear memoir so it can be a little confusing at times.
Narration: 4.5 stars
The narration was done by Lisette Lecat, who did a fantastic job with the various voices and accents. However, I prefer that the author narrate their own memoir.
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main character is Alexandra (Bobo).
The secondary characters are Alexandra's parents, Tim and Nicola, and her sister Vanessa.
There are many characters throughout the memoir, but they are all the same stereotypical individuals transplanted in different places. That is how they seemed to me, honestly.
The character development was incredible for Alexandra as she is shocked and surprised by so much throughout the book. Alexandra's parents and sister are developed, but they are not the focus of the book.
I must be honest and state for the record that I despised Alexandra's parents as well as the other white colonizers.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
I was shocked at the entitlement and superiority of the white colonists, in general. This memoir was set during the 1970s/80s, which is somewhat recent.
There was a comment by the mother, Nicola, that asked why there isn't a white country for whites in Africa. That was and is the core of the problems in Africa - everyone wants their piece.
Entertaining/Educational: 4.5 stars
This memoir made me realize how much has been taken from Africa and the individual governments by the colonizers, but little is given back to the native peoples. It is a very uneven and abusive set of relationships.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect - loved the black and white picture.
Book title: 5.0 stars
On point.
Definite recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller
10 hours, 11 minutes
Recorded Books, Inc.
Release date: 12/1/2001
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Graphic blood, gore, and violence, death of an animal, death, medical content, medical trauma, mental illness, alcohol, alcoholism, colonialism, racism, xenophobia, cursing, pregnancy, loss of a child
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
My next eARC/ebook is ...
The Girl in the Green Dress by Mariah Fredericks (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - The Witch's Orchard (eARC/ebook)
The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan (eARC/ebook)
OVERVIEW
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is Archer's debut novel! What a great start to a long writing career. This novel is a love letter to the small towns, families, and life in the Appalachians.
This is a multi-genre novel that includes contemporary fiction, storytelling, mystery, and Appalachian folklore, with a sprinkle of romance for good measure.
I thought multiple times that I figured out the plot twist and solved the mystery - I was wrong over and over again! I really love the main character, Annie Gore, and would love a series about her, please, Archer!
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars.
Writing: 4.5 stars
The writing is strong. It flowed like a mystery novel with choppy endings and cut-outs, which is to be expected in this genre.
However, at times, Archer hit her poetic stride with beautiful writing with her exquisite storytelling. I would love for her to expand upon this in her next book, even if it is another mystery. I love beautiful words with storytelling!
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are Annie (a private investigator), AJ (a local police deputy), and Max (the client from Appalachian North Carolina).
The secondary characters are Jessica, Olivia, and Molly (missing girls whom Annie is hired to find), Shiloh (the town baker and Annie's friend), and Susan (the town psychic and herbalist).
The tertiary characters are the missing girls' parents and families, the townspeople, neighbors, and friends.
The character development was strong. I really understood the well-developed back story for the main and secondary characters.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline focuses on finding the three missing girls by Annie, who is hired by Max (Molly's brother). The small town where this occurs is very similar to where Annie grew up. Annie comes to town, pokes the hornet's nest, and all hell breaks loose.
The location was primarily fictional, Quartz Creek, North Carolina.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
It is heartbreaking that little towns, like the fictional Quartz Creek, are dying out as people leave them for jobs and lives elsewhere. We are losing our Americana traditions.
Book cover: 4.0 stars
It was a little creepy and weird, but it was exactly the point.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent!
Strong recommend
NetGalley eARC/ebook
The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan
304 pages
Minotaur Books
FUTURE release date: 8/12/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Alcohol, alcoholism, drug use, drug production, murder, kidnapping, violence, gun use, death of a parent, grief, medical content, moderate cursing, pregnancy, and infidelity.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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