Audiobooks and ME!

Well, I have listened to a LOT of audiobooks for the first time at the end of 2022 and for the entirety of 2023, so far.

What I have discovered is this:

• Listening to audiobooks while in bed makes me sleepy, DUH!
• Complicated books don't usually work on audiobooks.
• The narrator can make or break a book!
• Memoirs read by the author work best for me as audiobooks.
• The Harry Potter series narrated by Jim Dale is the GOLD standard!

So give audiobooks a try! Don't go by MY experience ONLY. 

BTW, audiobooks are reading per Libby and the LAPL. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!! JUST READ!!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜 

DNF - The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) AUDIOBOOK

 

I will not finish (DNF) The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) AUDIOBOOK by Rick Riordan. 

I loved reading this book and series (a LONG time ago), but the audiobook is just not working for me. 

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next book is REALLY...

 Flirting with Danger by Janet Wallach

REVIEW - Famous in a Small Town

OVERVIEW

I have read most of Viola Shipman's books with the exception of the Christmas books. Normally, I look forward to Viola's books, but this book was a BIG disappointment to me.

This was a contemporary fiction novel set primarily in Good Hart, Michigan in the northern part of the state. It is a real town where cherries and Lake Michigan are a big draw for the tourists who invade every summer and fall. The main characters are the cherries, Mary (a town native), and Becky (a vacationer) who meet and form a STRONG friendship almost immediately. It seems like all of the characters have had horrible childhoods and some with a lack of familial support. I especially dislike the description of Becky's boyfriend and parents' treatment of her - it just struck a real nerve in me. I couldn't get past it and it just ruined the book for me. I read the book quickly because I just wanted it to be over. 

I also didn't like the name-dropping in the book of Jeff Daniels - I get enough of that living in Los Angeles. Also, the appropriation of the "vision" of the four women bothered me. The overt Roman Catholicism impacting life choices was out of place in a contemporary novel like this. 

The ending just wasn't fulfilling to me. It was just TOO perfect!

REVIEW: 3.0 stars

Writing: 3.0 stars

Famous in a Small Town did not have the normal writing by Viola Shipman. It felt like it lacked editing and was written quickly. Although I could tell that it was well-researched, it wasn't written to me. 

Character development: 3.0 stars

This novel has two main human characters, Mary and Becky. They both come from abusive backgrounds and bond over a shared "vision". The characters were just not developed enough for me. I wanted and needed more about the human characters before they meet. 

Of course, the OTHER main character, cherries, was fully developed. It almost felt like the book was an advertisement for Good Hart, Michigan. 

Storyline: 3.0 stars

The storyline was weak and not believable. Becky comes into Mary's life and everyone's life is perfect again. It just didn't ring true to me. 

Book cover: 3.0 stars

Meh!

Book title: 3.0 stars 

It felt like an excuse to feature a Miranda Lambert song (name-dropping again).

Gut feeling: 2.0 stars

I was disappointed!! 

Lukewarm RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman

304 pages

2 days to read it (It is an EASY read)

Read it as a LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library) ebook

Release date of 06/13/2023

https://violashipman.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5382664743

https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/graydonhousebooks

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

UPDATE 6/29: Jury Duty

 

Jury duty! OH, MY!!

UPDATE: Today the Jury Portal stated, "You Have Completed Your Jury Service"!! 

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next read is...

 Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Guest House by the Sea

 

OVERVIEW

This is the third book by Faith Hogan that I have read. The one word to describe her books is LOVELY! You will see the word LOVELY sprinkled throughout this review!

This was a contemporary fiction novel set primarily on the coast of Ireland at a guest house in the village of Ballycove. The guest house (The Willows) and the owner (Esme) are the primary characters plus the Irish Sea! The secondary characters are the many guests at The Willows. Interestingly, the advice of Esme, The Willows along with the Irish Sea heal the guests in unique and beautiful ways. They may not be healed in the way that is traditional, but it is healing nonetheless.

The ending left much to the imagination so I hope that it means that there is a sequel to this story or even another novel about Ballycove. It sounds like the perfect place to visit, live, or be from!

REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The Guest House by the Sea is just a lovely novel. It was easy to read and get lost in The Willows, Balllycove, and the Irish Sea. The descriptions were good, but NOT overly done. I can picture the characters and the setting perfectly in my head which is ALWAYS a good sign of well-written books! 

Character development: 4.0 stars

This novel has two main characters, Esme and The Willows. With the supporting cast of the Irish Sea and The Willows' guests!! There were some difficult things that all of the characters had to heal from and make decisions about which made for very interesting character development! The characters were likeable and lovely.

Storyline: 4.0 stars

The storyline really was about protecting and saving The Willows which is Esme's home and livelihood! There were no real twists or turns that made me gasp, but it was a lovely storyline. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Beautiful! I wish that I could read, drink tea, and listen to the sea on the cover FOREVER!

Book title: 4.0 stars 

Totally on point!

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

I knew that this book was for me when I saw the cover and the author's name! 

Definite RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan

366 pages

7 days to read it (It is a LOVELY book for the summer season!)

Read it as a LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library) ebook

Release date of 06/08/2023

https://faithhogan.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5379860415

https://ariafiction.com/home

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next book is...

 The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan

 

REVIEW - The Lonely Hearts Book Club

OVERVIEW

This is the first book by Lucy Gilmore that I have read. From her bibliography, it appears that she writes a diverse set of genres! 

This was not historical fiction which is my favorite, but a contemporary fiction book. It was based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho which is such a beautiful location in the United States. The book moves from the library as the main location to various characters' homes, businesses, and other locations. 

These characters find out the real meaning of friendship and family. As I have personally learned, friends can be more important in your life than blood relations. Also, I love that the ending to this sweet book was reasonable and not tied up in a perfect bow!

Interestingly, this is the first book that I can EVER remember changing from an audiobook to an ebook because I thought that I would enjoy it better!!!

REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a lovely book that reads nicely without a lot of work on the reader's part. It is written beautifully for pure enjoyment! 

Character development: 4.0 stars

This novel has two main characters with a small group of supporting characters. The two main characters go through some life changes that make them better human beings than before they met each other. It was so very nice!

Storyline: 4.0 stars

The main plot twist was a little unbelievable, but I rolled with it. I don't think that most people would do what the female main character did, but some people would so it COULD happen. 

Book cover: 3.5 stars

Kind of boring.

Book title: 3.5 stars 

The title The Lonely Hearts Book Club is kind of misleading. I did not like it.

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

I was right on the money as to what I would think of this book! 

Definite RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore

352 pages

5 days to read it (It is a perfectly LOVELY beach or pool book for the summer)

Read it as a LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library) ebook

Release date of 03/28/2023

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLucyGilmore/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5623374141

https://www.sourcebooks.com/romance.html

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

I'm back from my Best Friend Vacay!!!

We met in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday, June 21st in the late afternoon! We each flew in from our respective cities and reconnected with each other at the airport!! 

Now, "whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", but ...

We flew home our separate ways on the late afternoon of Saturday, January 24th. Of course, we are still recovering from an amazing trip TODAY.

Nothing like your very best friend since 1967 to revive your spirit, soul, and heart!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

On VACATION with my BFF

YIPPIE!! I will be on vacation from June 19th through June 24th. For most of this time, I will be with my best friend (FBBF) since 1967 (or for 56 years)!!

We have been through so many life experiences: breakups, marriages, babies, work changes, and the loss of many special people including grandparents and parents. Our time together will be such a huge treat!!

We will spend our vacation time together away from our home bases and are flying to a neutral, but fun location! It will be ONLY about the two of US!! Yes!!

I plan to continue reading, but I won't be updating my Instagram account OR my book blog. I will update you when I am back home and recovered!!!!

Thanks so much for understanding!!!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

UPDATE: Changing AUDIOBOOK to BOOK

I started The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore on audiobook. I have only read a few chapters and it is evident that I would love this book even more as an ebook. 

So for the first time, since I started this book blog journey, I am switching from an audiobook to an ebook!!

So I have TWO ebook reads going on right now:

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore

AND

Flirting with Danger by Janet Wallach

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

My new LOGO!!!

 Very clean and simple!! Any feedback?!?

My next audiobook is...

 The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

DNF - Under the Whispering Door AUDIOBOOK

I will not be finishing (DNF) Under the Whispering Door by T. J. Klune audiobook. It just wasn't the right book for me.

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

UPDATE - My next book in a few!

Flirting with Danger by Janet Wallach

ETA: This book will be on the back burner as two library books came in and I have a time constraint.

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

REVIEW - The Beginning of Everything

 

OVERVIEW

This is the second book of Jackie Fraser's that I have read. In this book, she writes about a very interesting location to me - Wales. 

Wales has always been interesting to me because of its distinct language, beautiful countryside, and its being surrounded by England, yet it has adapted and created its own unique culture. As someone with Welsh heritage, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this amazing country.

My favorite genre is Historical Fiction, but this is Contemporary Fiction or Chick Lit. Both genres really describe this book well and it was quite enjoyable. I think that this book would be perfect to read at the beach or by a pool as it is a fun, easy read. Plus, there are lots of chapters and places that would be appropriate stopping places. That is THE most important thing to me when reading by the pool or at the beach - there are so many distractions!

REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The Beginning of Everything is a lovely book that doesn't require you to look up a lot of vocabulary words, but it may make some readers look up exactly WHERE Wales is located!! The beauty of Wales and the Welsh language comes through the entire book. This book is a nice homage to Wales while still being an entertaining story. 

Character development: 4.0 stars

This novel has two strong main characters - one who is on the run and one who is kind. But, I don't think that we really delve into their backstory enough for either character enough for me - I always want to know more about the characters. Also, Wales is a big character in the novel.

Storyline: 3.5 stars

The storyline when the two main characters meet is just a bit contrived for me. Yes, I think it COULD happen, but I don't know if it WOULD happen. Maybe it really could happen in Wales, but I cannot imagine this happening in many places.

However, this meeting has to happen for the story to occur. So I enjoyed how the novel unfolded.

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Very pretty.

Book title: 4.0 stars 

The title The Beginning of Everything says it all!

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

I was right on the money as to what I would think of this book! 

Definite RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser

400 pages

1 day to read it (It is a PERFECT beach or pool book for the summer)

Read it as a Kindle ARC

Release date of 09/28/2023

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2242019/jackie-fraser/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5622442693

https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/

https://www.netgalley.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Under the Whispering Door by T. J. Klune

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next read is...

 The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The House in the Cerulean Sea AUDIOBOOK

OVERVIEW

So The House in the Cerulean Sea is a book that I had heard about for some time. I had added it to my To Read List on Goodreads, but it sat there for a while. Since I have been listening to audiobooks at bedtime, I decided to listen to the audiobook. 

Interestingly, the reviews of this book either LOVED it or HATED it. Apparently, there is a controversy about where the author got the idea for this novel. I am not going to let that influence my review - many authors have unusual or weird ways to get a creative book idea but never talk about it. This author talked about it and many are quite unhappy about it. It is your personal choice whether or not to read this novel. 

I would love to have a sequel to this book, but, unfortunately, T.J. Klune stated about six months ago that they don't see that happening. It is a stand-alone book. 

Wildly, I discovered after I started this audiobook that it was a suggested read for Pride Month. I don't know how this happy accident occurred! But I am really glad that it happened when it did!

REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

I really enjoyed T.J. Klune 's writing style. It was descriptive, yet not overly descriptive. The writing is appropriate for a Young Adult reader, but lovely enough for an older reader. There are a few difficult words sprinkled throughout to make it interesting. But, the writing did not get bogged down so much that I had to look up word after word which I greatly appreciated especially with an audiobook! 

There have been many that have said that this is an adult fairy tale or fable. I would agree. There is a beautiful story and then a strong moral ending. Surprisingly so much of what is described is what is happening today with book-burning, attacks against transgender and drag folks, and body autonomy is threatened. The things that happen to the "magical" people in the book could also be a parable for what happened during the Holocaust. I could go on and on. This book is MUCH deeper than what it seems on the surface!

The narrator, Daniel Henning, was PERFECTION!!

Character development: 5.0 stars

There were many fascinating characters including the two male protagonists and the children - a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, a green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist (I had to look up what a wyvern was). But, it was interesting to see how ALL of the characters grew together and individually! 

I loved learning about the children's traits and how the "Master" of the orphanage for magical children interacted and helped the children heal from a lot of pain, hurt, and humiliation. But this was a fantasy and not real life. In real life, many adopted children have to deal with many lifelong issues including RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder). There really isn't a good solution for adopted children - fantasy or real life!

There were also two very strong female characters which was awesome - a sprite and the village mayor. They were both instrumental in helping the children so very much! I love reading about POWERFUL women!

Storyline: 5.0 stars

The storyline is about an organization called DICOMY (Department in Charge of Magincal Youth) where the "orphanages" (I use this term loosely) for magical children are investigated and inspected. Of course, just like in real life, some "orphanages" are good and some are bad. This is about a GOOD "orphanage" which really was a true home! It just was lovely!

Book cover: 5.0 stars

The artwork is AMAZING! 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

The House in the Cerulean Sea was perfect! It really gives nothing away which is what makes this book so very special!!

Gut feeling: 3.5 stars

This book was WAY more than I expected!

Highly RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune

396 pages or 12 hours and 12 minutes

9 days to listen via audiobook (I really took my time to enjoy it)

Listened to as a library audiobook - Los Angeles Public Library

Release date of 03/16/2020 (another release during the pandemic!)

https://www.tjklunebooks.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5600354018

https://us.macmillan.com/audio/

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Lady Tan's Circle of Women

 

OVERVIEW

There has not been a historical novel written by Lisa See that I have not loved! I read her books without knowing anything about them at all. Lady Tan's Circle of Women was EXCEPTIONAL!!

I am a HUGE fan of historical fiction and I love reading about Chinese culture so I can understand my family as the wife of an ABC (American Born Chinese) and a mother to a hapa (multi-racial with Asian) daughter. This novel was based over 500 years ago, but I can see how some of the traits have not changed in the Chinese culture and family at all!! 

Lady Tan's Circle of Women must have required so much research. It is obvious that Lisa See spent a lot of time learning about the time period to be as accurate as possible. She totally succeeded as this book is amazing!! 

So far Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See is competing with The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende for my TOP BOOK of 2023!!

REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing in Lady Tan's Circle of Women is in a word: beautiful. All five of my senses were engaged as I read this book - I could HEAR, SEE, SMELL, TOUCH, and TASTE what the characters were experiencing!! 

Lisa paints such a beautiful picture as the novel unfolds. She is a magnificent artist and treats us to a different world where we may escape and enjoy the story that occurs before our eyes.

Character development: 5.0 stars

This novel has VERY strong female characters! The novel is based on Tan Yunxian's life from the age of eight to fifty over 500 years ago in China. She was the first famous Chinese doctor who also published a book with simple cures for ailments common to women and girls. Yunxian was involved in a profession that did not have status during the time period that she lived. Plus, women were primarily treated by male doctors who knew little to nothing about menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. It is no wonder that so many women died in childbirth and that infants did not survive. A female doctor was a true lifesaver to other women.

Storyline: 5.0 stars

The storyline is about Yunxian's interaction with her family, female friends, and female patients. She is married through an arranged marriage at fifteen and her mother-in-law is the stereotypical one who dislikes her. But Yunxian finds her own way to fight back and help many people during her life with her skills! There is some mystery, intrigue, and ugliness in the storyline, but that is real life even now! 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Stunningly gorgeous.

Book title: 5.0 stars 

The title Lady Tan's Circle of Women explains it ALL!

Gut feeling: 5.0 stars

I always love Lisa See's books and this was another wonderful treat!

Highly RECOMMEND

INFORMATION/LINKS

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

343 pages

7 days to read it (I was trying to savor it, but inhaled it in the past two days)

Read it as an epubBook - Los Angeles Public Library

Release date of 06/06/2023

https://lisasee.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5151351781

https://www.simonandschusterpublishing.com/scribner/

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜