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
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