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 💜