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.amandaprowse.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5397624796

https://amazonpublishing.amazon.com/lake-union-publishing.html

https://www.netgalley.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next book is...

 

All Good Things by Amanda Prowse

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://melaniebenjamin.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5527947048

https://www.nobleknight.com/Publisher/Dell-Publishing

https://www.netgalley.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

My next AUDIOBOOK is...

 Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) by Susanne Collins

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

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜 

My next book is...

California Golden by Melanie Benjamin

 

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 💜

My next book is...

The Madwoman of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein

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/

https://lapl.overdrive.com/

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 💜

Stay OPEN!!

 

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.

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 💜