Hula by Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
REVIEW - The Sweeney Sisters
OVERVIEW
So full disclosure, I have read all of Lian Dolan's books and have enjoyed them so much!! This book was read chronologically out of order, Lost and Found in Paris is the most recent publication. It really doesn't matter, however, because all of Lian's books are stand-alone novels.
REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.0 stars
Lian Dolan is a very good writer, but her books are escapism for me and so much FUN!! I really did laugh out loud because it was a perfect description of sisters and family! Honestly, I inhaled this book once I started reading it because I loved it!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The protagonists of the story are THE Sweeney sisters and they are AWESOME! Exactly like so many sisters that I have known. Every sister has her designated role in her family and carries out their role perfectly! The best part was seeing the growth of the sisters and choosing family over EVERYTHING. So lovely!!
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline was great, but I am being very careful as there are some bombshells along the way in this novel. It really sets up nicely, digs deep, and then ends beautifully. I really enjoyed it!!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Colorful with SO much meaning!!
Book title: 4.0
The Sweeney Sisters is a great title for this book!
Gut feeling: 4.0 stars
It was exactly what I expected from Lian Dolan - another great novel!
Highly RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan
304 pages
4 days to read
Read as a Kindle library book - Los Angeles Public Library
Release date of 04/28/2020
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5499269243
https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/william-morrow
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, May 28, 2023
REVIEW - Catching Fire (Hunger Games, #2) AUDIOBOOK
OVERVIEW
So this is the second book in the Hunger Games series and the weakest of the two so far. I hope that the third book is GREAT as this book really just set everything up for the finale!
REVIEW: 3.5 stars
Writing: 3.5 stars
Suzanne Collins totally writes for the Young Adult audience. Not to say that that is bad, but it is not my favorite style of writing. It is all about action with bland descriptions and character development. It wasn't as good as the first book.
Also, one thing really bothered me while listening to the book was the overuse of "I say" or "she says" which I don't know if this was to add clarity. But it annoyed me.
Finally, Tatiana Maslany is a masterful narrator!
Character development: 3.5 stars
There were so many characters and a lot of them were "throw-away" characters so there wasn't good character development at all. The character development in District 12 was the most interesting part of the entire book. The Capitol character development just did not interest me at all - it was weak.
Storyline: 3.5 stars
There was not much friction and interaction between Tributes in the Arena which is the most interesting part of the book. The strategy and alliances are what makes these books work. Also, it was evident that this book was setting up the third book in the trilogy. It just fell flat to me.
Book cover: 3.0 stars
Boring, boring, boring.
Book title: 4.0
Catching Fire. A good title as it was a setup book - CATCHING, not CAUGHT.
Gut feeling: 4.0 stars
It is what I expected. Just okay!
RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
Catching Fire (Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins
391 pages or 11 hours and 5 minutes
5 days to listen to via audiobook
Read as a Kindle library book - Los Angeles Public Library
Release date of 09/01/2009
https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5569547003
https://www.scholastic.com/home
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Friday, May 26, 2023
Review - All Good Things
OVERVIEW
First off, I have read ELEVEN books (two non-fiction and nine novels) by this author! I have loved them all as they are all based on family and VERY real-life situations. The best part is that the books take place in England and get to learn more about it and improve my British English!!!
REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
Amanda Prowse has a lovely way of writing about difficult family situations and topics with this novel being NO different. There are competing issues going on with two dissimilar, yet similar families. The best part is that she wrote this book in a way that makes it so easy to read and enjoy quickly.
Character development: 4.5 stars
OMG #1. This book is told from the point-of-view of the TWELVE main characters in the two families that the story is about! I didn't realize that is what was happening as it was so seamless and perfectly done. The twelve main characters all got their own "moment in the sun" and it was amazing! I'm ALL about good character development in books, television shows, and movies!! Amanda does it again!!
Storyline: 4.5 stars
OMG #2. The storyline is amazing. It intertwines the two families and exposes some ugliness that shows that you NEVER know what goes on behind closed doors. The topics of depression, infidelity, and money issues are the biggest ones to me, but there are even MORE discussed!! The storyline twists and curves to an unexpected finale and satisfying end to the book. Wowza!
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Colorful with hidden clues.
Book title: 4.0
All Good Things. All good things may NOT be what they seem!
Gut feeling: 4.5 stars
It is what I expected and wanted - Amanda Prowse delivered!!!
Definite RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
All Good Things by Amanda Prowse
316 pages
2 days to read (less than 24 hours!)
Read as an ARC
Release date of 08/15/2023
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5397624796
https://amazonpublishing.amazon.com/lake-union-publishing.html
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Thursday, May 25, 2023
REVIEW - California Golden
OVERVIEW
First off, I have read FOUR books by this author! I have loved them all as they are all set in very different historical timeframes! Historical fiction is my jam!
REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
Melanie Benjamin writes with such color and vividness that I can visualize the setting and characters in beautiful colors. I cannot always do that with every author. But, her gorgeous writing does NOT bog down the reading at all!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The characters were fascinating! There were the mom and two daughters whose lives were set in Southern California - my home. So much of the timeframe occurred when I was little, but I knew women similar to these characters in dress and appearance. The only thing that wasn't similar was that NONE of them were surfers which was the ultimate in coolness to this So Cal girl!
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline was very interesting as it included two wars - WWII and Vietnam and the timeframe of big societal change. The late '50s and 60's were very turbulent times and they were described perfectly. Unfortunately, the misogyny and racism of the timeframes are still with us.
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Perfect Southern California golden cover!
Gut feeling: 4.5 stars
It is what I expected and this book did NOT disappoint!!!
Definite RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
California Golden by Melanie Benjamin
368 pages
4 days to read (I read a LOT of it today!)
Read as an ARC
Release date of 08/06/2023
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5527947048
https://www.nobleknight.com/Publisher/Dell-Publishing
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
REVIEW - The Hunger Games #1 AUDIOBOOK
For some reason, I forgot to update that I was listening to AUDIOBOOKS now! I reviewed the Harry Potter series and reviewed it. But I forgot to add this book as a "My next book" to this blog. OOPS! So I will now add AUDIOBOOKS in the title and "My next book is" and "Review" posts.
OVERVIEW
I read this series when it first came out as my daughter wanted to read it in FIRST GRADE. I read it and had her wait until middle school to read it. She LOVES this series and has the books on Kindle. She totally was the target Young Adult audience. I am reviewing it as a first-time read!
REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing:
4.0 stars
Suzanne Collins writes well for her target audience - Young Adults. It is very action-packed, but not super descriptive with any SAT words! Very easy to listen to or read!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The characters were very interesting with the juxtaposition of District 12 lives and Capitol lives. The characters were fully fleshed out and I could totally picture them in my mind. But, I enjoyed the interaction between Katniss and her family in District 12 the most as it was so real
Storyline:
4.0 stars
The interaction between all of the tributes in the arena was fascinating. It was interesting how some tributes were solitary and some made alliances. It is exactly what happens in the schoolyard, workplace, etc. It was a VERY compelling storyline about the Hunger Games competition!
Book
cover: 3.0 stars
It was meh to me.
Gut
feeling: 4.0 stars
It was what I expected, but the narration was superior.
RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
The Hunger Games #1 by Suzanne Collins
387 pages or 10 hours, 35 minutes
5 days to listen via audiobook
Read as a Kindle library
book - Los Angeles Public Library
Release date of 09/14/2008
https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5555896783
https://www.scholastic.com/home
Happy reading,
Monday, May 22, 2023
DNF - The Madwoman of Paris
I will not be finishing (DNF) The Madwoman of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein. It just wasn't the right book for me.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, May 20, 2023
REVIEW - Montauk
OVERVIEW
First off, I recall reading this book when it first came out as an ARC in 2019, but I didn't review it on Goodreads or NetGalley. Weird! So I am reviewing it as a first-time read! But it was worth reading a second time so you can probably predict my review!
REVIEW: 4.0
stars
Writing:
4.5 stars
Nicola
Harrison writes beautiful and descriptive prose that helps you visualize each
scene of her books without getting bogged down. It is very easy to read, but so
enjoyable to read!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The
characters were interesting and fascinating! There were the "poor" rich ladies
who left Manhattan for the summer and their husbands who only visited on the
weekends. But in contrast, there were also the "rich" poor local workers
who have beautiful friendships, families, and lives.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The
interaction between all of the characters both city and local proved that being
monetarily rich doesn't make one happy. The finale of the book was so well done
that it will stay with me for a long time!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Absolutely
perfect - especially the blue dress against the sepia background!
Gut feeling: 4.5 stars
Not at
all what I expected, but exactly what I enjoy - historical fiction!!
Definite RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
Montauk by Nicola Harrison
394 pages
5 days to read
Read as a Kindle library
book - Los Angeles Public Library
Release date of
06/04/2019
https://www.nicolaharrison.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41150486-montauk
https://us.macmillan.com/stmartinspress/
P.S. I updated my template for my blog reviews. Hopefully, it makes it easier for a quick review of the book!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, May 19, 2023
AAPI Heritage Month - Favorite AAPI Authors
As you may or may not have noticed, my last name is Fong!!
So in recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, I would like to recognize some of my absolute favorite AAPI authors and my favorite book that they have written.
So in recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, I would like to recognize some of my absolute favorite AAPI authors and my favorite book that they have written.
Amy Tan - The Joy Luck Club
Jamie Ford - The Many Daughters of Afong Moy
Amulya Malladi - A House for Happy Mothers
Lisa See - On Gold Mountain
Gail Tsuyiyama - The Color of Air
Jean Kwok - Girl in Translation
These six AAPI authors are authors who I will read their books even if I have no clue or details about the book! These books are an AUTOMATIC addition to my Goodreads list! They are amazing storytellers, teachers, and writers!!
Please check out their websites and read their books - you will not be disappointed!! The biggest takeaway that I have to share is that I have learned so much about the different AAPI cultures - I particularly am eager to know more about Taishanese/Cantonese culture as that is my husband and daughter's heritage!!
The more we learn about each other as persons, the more alike we are. Read, learn, act!!
For more information:
- Amy Tan http://www.amytan.net/
- Jamie Ford https://jamieford.com/
- Amulya Malladi https://www.amulyamalladi.com/
- Lisa See https://lisasee.com/
- Gail Tsuyiyama https://www.gailtsukiyama.com/
- Jean Kwok https://www.jeankwok.com/
AAPI Heritage Month https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Harry Potter books 1-7 AUDIOBOOKS
As you may or may not know, my entire family recently had Covid about a month ago. However, I was already listening to the Harry Potter series via audiobook and was going along at a good pace, and then Covid hit. I listened to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) over and over again for two weeks as I kept falling asleep and then would wake up several chapters later. The narrator's voice, Jim Dale, was especially soothing while I was recovering.
Please note that I normally listen to an audiobook as I fall asleep while concurrently reading an ebook at the same time. It really helps to have something nice to listen to and enjoy as I drift off to sleep!!
Once we had started to really recover (and didn't fall asleep all the time), the eight Harry Potter movies were something fun to watch while in isolation together.
After finishing the seventh book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7), this morning, I realized how much better the book series was than the movie series. Don't get me wrong, the movies are fun and enjoyable. But the books are AH-MA-ZING.
Please bear in mind that I really, really do not like J.K. Rowling's viewpoints on almost everything. But the woman can REALLY write the heck out of a book series!! Plus, these books created a generation of READERS!!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars (progressively more intricate to match the reading levels of the core readers)
Character development: 5.0 stars (so many amazingly interesting characters)
Storyline: 5.0 stars (creative and unique storyline)
Book cover: 5.0 stars (Absolutely beautiful - all seven of them)
Gut feeling: 5.0 stars (More than what I expected as I had already READ the books!)
Definite RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
4,142 pages116 hours, 21 minutes listening timeOne and 1/2 months to listen to and finish (Covid intervened, UGH!)Listened as an audiobook from the Los Angeles Public LibraryRelease dates of 1997-2007https://www.goodreads.com/ (NO reviews on Goodreads)Happy reading,Dorothea 💜P.S. Going forward, I will review a book series as individual books as I think it is more meaningful and helps to understand the flow of the series better!
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