REVIEW - The Invisible Hour

 

OVERVIEW

This gorgeous book was written by one of my absolute favorite authors. Alice Hoffman writes such vivid, rich, and beautiful characters and stories. It is as if you become one with the world that she creates with her books. I could feel, touch, taste, smell, and see the world that was created in this amazing book. 

This book is incredibly layered and woven into a mosaic of an intense and lovely story. In this book, women are subjugated in many different ways, but it is women who save each other. The powerful and intense relationships between women, but most especially between mothers and daughters, are threaded through the entirety of the book.

This novel is another winner by Alice Hoffman. It just was so good that I had to ration it. I was able to slow down and savor it as I made myself put the book aside or I would have finished it in one setting. It is that good!!

Coincidentally, I felt a kinship and strong link to Alice Hoffman's to her Practical Magic series. There were so many comparisons and similarities so it was a pure joy to read especially as that series is one of my absolute favorites!  

The second 5.0-star book in August. What is going on? I am so lucky and so happy to read so many good books this year. BTW, this was my 60th book of 2023 so I have met my adjusted goal!! 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

As always, Alice Hoffman writes so, so, so beautifully. It is hard to explain how her words transport me so easily to her storyline. It is as if I step into the novel and am an observer. Alice Hoffman's writing is just beyond extraordinary as you are fully immersed with your heart pounding because you are reading the book TOO fast. This time, I was able to savor this book!

Character development: 5.0 stars

The character development of the two main characters, Ivy (mother) and Mia (daughter), is just so lovely. It is the type of relationship that all mothers want from their daughters AND all daughters want from their mothers. The women were very strong in this book even though they were definitely second-class citizens. Working together, these women could accomplish anything!

The secondary characters are the main antagonist, Joel, the leader of a horrific cult. But also some good people in Mia's life, Sarah and Constance, who are integral to her life. 

Massachusetts, but especially western Massachusetts plays a huge role in this novel.

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline was one of so many twists and turns. It starts out with a pregnant teenager who runs away from home in Boston to a commune in western Massachusetts and then adds in The Scarlett Letter. Amazing! T

The main locations were Boston, Salem, and western Massachusetts.  

Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars

All of Alice Hoffman's books are memorable. But this book makes me want to read The Scarlett Letter again!

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeousness!!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

It was a PERFECT title.

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

I was pretty certain that I would love this book as I had loved every Alice Hoffman book that I have read!

Suggestions: 

A map of western Massachusetts might be a nice touch. 

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

BOOK INFORMATION

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman 

272 pages

This was a library book; but then I bought it about half-way through

Release date of 08/15/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Alice Hoffman

My Goodreads review

Atria

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

Hurriquake Weekend

So this crazy, crazy weekend happened. #Hurriquake

We had a Hurricane watch for Hilary AND an earthquake centered in Ojai. I mean, seriously!?!?

This was my family's first hurricane watch (well, my dad was about three months old when the last happened in 1939). My little family of native Californians is used to earthquakes, but a hurricane. Nope! 

So we overprepared, watched TV, ordered Uber eats, and didn't go out. I couldn't concentrate on reading because I was anxious about what was going to happen.  Thankfully, nothing happened and we were all safe and sound. The winds were about the same velocity as the annual Santa Ana winds, there was constant rain for over 24 hours, and no loss of power at all. But, some areas in the Coachella Valley and San Bernardino mountains were not as lucky as we were.

So I will begin reading this evening and see how much I can read THIS week!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next read is...

 The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Don't Let Them Bury My Story

OVERVIEW

Viola Ford Fletcher, as of the publishing of this memoir, is the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Viola Ford Fletcher (Mother Fletcher) had a very interesting life of 109 years, but the WHAT IFs are unsettling. 

Mother Ford discusses her marriages, children, grandchildren, her testimony before a Congressional subcommittee, and a trip to the Motherland in Ghana.

This memoir is a DEFINITE read if you want to learn more about the Massacre. The only way we can stop horrific events like this from ever happening again is by learning about them. Whitewashing or ignoring historical events like this does a disservice to our country.

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars

Writing: 2.5 stars

This memoir was written by Mother Fletcher and her grandson, Ike Howard. Unfortunately, it appears that the book did not have a ghostwriter which would have improved the quality of writing. 

Additionally, I wanted more. I wanted more about Mother Fletcher's recollection of the Greenwood District before the horrible night of May 31. 1921. Her family sounds wonderful, especially her parents and siblings - I wanted to know more about them. I also wanted to know more about the "after times" for Mother Fletcher's family.

Finally, there could have been better editing. I came across the same phrase being used over and over and parts of the writing repeated in error. Good editing would have either removed the extraneous or added more detail to this novel.

Character Arc: 2.5 stars

The story begins with Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921 and ends with the possible restitution for the Massacre victims and descendants. 

However, there could have been so much more. I understand that this was Mother Fletcher's story to tell, but I really wanted more! 

Memorable: 4.5 stars

It was a memorable memoir. I will definitely be looking for more books on the Tulsa Race Massacre. 

Entertaining: 3.0 stars

It was a book that would NOT be entertaining, per se. It is a difficult subject to read about, period. But, I did learn enough to get me interested in finding out more about the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Book cover: 3.0 stars

It could have been so much more. 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Exactly on point. 

Gut feeling: 3.0 stars

I had no clue as to how I would feel about this memoir. So I was in the middle!

Suggestions: 

Listing, in detail, the owners and businesses that were lost that the author personally knew would have been very impactful. 

RECOMMEND

STATISTICS

Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Her Own Words by Viola Ford Fletcher

127 pages

Read as a Kindle ebook from the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

Release date of 08/15/20233

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Viola Ford Fletcher

My Goodreads review

Mocha Media Books

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next read is...

 Don't Let Them Bury My Story by Viola Ford Fletcher and Ike Howard

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

Murder Most Royal - REVIEW

OVERVIEW

This series, Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, is so much fun!! I just really love the idea of Queen Elizabeth II being a solver of mysteries. It is just so on point for the way that I think of her. She was smart, intuitive, and had a startling memory which are the exact traits that a mystery-solver needs!!

This book takes place almost exclusively at Sandringham House. It starts with a severed hand washed up on the beach nearby the estate around Christmas and then this mystery is off and running. The present-day for this book is 2017 and takes place in about six weeks or so after the Christmas holidays. 

This novel is so engaging with an interesting location, cast of characters, and storyline. Fun, fun, fun!! I cannot wait for Book 4!! 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing for this book is perfect for the genre. I like how the writing is not overly descriptive - it would ruin the flow. Plus, Queen Elizabeth II is very efficient in her conversations which lends itself to the short, clipped style of a mystery!!

Character development: 4.5 stars

The character development of the two main characters of Queen Elizabeth II and  Rozie, her Assistant Personal Secretary (APS) is so strong. Their interactions are great! I love strong women characters and Queen Elizabeth II and Rozie are definitely very strong women!!

The secondary characters are the Queen's extended family, local nobility, attendants, and Sandringham locals!

Of course, Sandringham is a tertiary character. It sounds like Sandringham and Norfolk are beautiful - I have added both to my bucket list!

Storyline:  4.0 stars

The storyline was one of a good mystery! It was full of great twists so much so that I did not figure out who the killer was and why they killed. 

The only issue is I have no real understanding of the English titles so I got a little lost just like Rozie, APS, does. So I know that I am not the only one confused by it all. 

The main location was Norfolk and Sandringham House. 

Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars

It was a very enjoyable book!

Book cover: 3.5 stars

It wasn't that interesting.

Book title: 3.5 stars 

It was an okay title.

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

I assumed that I would like the third book in this series and I did!!! 

Suggestions: 

An explanation of the titles and how to correctly address the nobility and royalty would be very helpful for this American reader!  

RECOMMEND

BOOK INFORMATION

Murder Most Royal (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #3) by S. J. Bennett 

336 pages

This was an ARC from NetGalley

Release date of 11/10/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

S. J. Bennett

My Goodreads review

Zaffre

NetGalley

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

Breast Cancer - Mammogram

Again, I know that this is a book blog, but breast cancer is near and dear to my heart. 

PSA for the day!! Please ask your PCP about a mammogram if you are over 40. The screening guidelines have changed!! I did mine today (on a Saturday) and was in and out in about 20 minutes!!

For more information, check out this site: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer.html

#mammogram

 

UPDATE: Changing AUDIOBOOK to BOOK

I started Atomic Habits by James Clear on audiobook. I have only listened to a few chapters and it is evident that I would love this book even more as an ebook! So I am requesting the ebook from the library, so it may be a LONG wait for this ebook!!

This is only the second time, since I started this book blog journey, I am switching from an audiobook to an ebook!!

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

Maui/Big Island Fires

I know that this is a book blog, but my heart aches for the people of Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii! As a native Californian, fire is always a fear and we have had our share of devastating fires. Please think about donating to your favorite local Hawaiian or global charity.

If I may, World Central Kitchen is my family's global charity of choice. Chef José Andrés, a NATURALIZED U.S. citizen, founded this amazing organization to feed the hungry locals and first responders in areas of the world traumatized by war, natural disasters, man-made disasters, etc. You can find out more HERE.

My family and I regularly donate to this well-run and worthy organization. THIS is the link to donate if you are so inclined. Please consider donating. Thank you!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next read is...

 Murder Most Royal by S. J. Bennett

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Lessons in Chemistry

OVERVIEW

So I am one of those very picky readers who has specific genres, authors, and book styles. I have been reading since I was in Kindergarten (thank you, Mark Andrews) and I knew what I liked even back then! HA!

This book has been labeled with multiple genres - historical fiction, humor, and humorous fiction. Personally, I do not think any of these genres apply. The most accurate genre that I have found for this book is quirky tragicomedy.

The book goes back in forth between the a bit in the past to the present time for the book, i.e. the late 1950s/early 1960s and the middle 1950s. It was based primarily in a fictional city on the coast of California at a research facility.

The book style reminds me of a lot of "cutesy" books that I have read in the past. There are a lot of triggering events in the very beginning of the book including rape and suicide which makes this book not funny to me. So I am a little confused as to why it gets tagged with a humor genre.

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

This was a debut novel for Bonnie Garmus. This book won the Goodreads Choice Award - Nominee for Best Historical Fiction (2022) and Winner for Best Debut Novel (2022). 

Personally, I am puzzled by the Best Historical Fiction as I don't think that it was indicative of life at all in the 1950/1960s. It just didn't read to me like a well-researched historical fiction novel like I am used to reading. Plus, there were many other nominees in the 2023 Best Historical Fiction category that I am shocked did not win.

Character development: 4.0 stars

The character development of the three main characters and secondary characters was a deep dive. We did see into some of their thoughts including the dog (which I loved). I do understand why the main characters were so strong, but it made them difficult to like which hurt the storyline to me. 

The main character is Elizabeth - it is all about her, all the time. The secondary characters are her significant other, Calvin; her daughter, Mad; and her dog, six-thirty. 

There are many tertiary characters from Elizabeth's graduate advisor at UCLA to the Chemistry Chair at her job to her neighbor, Harriet. The first two characters play ugly villainous parts in Elizabeth's life and the third character was a true friend who allowed her to shine and fly.

Storyline: 3.5 stars

The storyline was not believable to me. Yes, Elizabeth was a brilliant chemist, but her behavior would not have been tolerated then or now because she didn't have the research or degrees to justify it. Her partner on the other hand was a Ph.D. who was a renowned name - his quirkiness would have been allowed as he brought in grant and donor money. 

The main locations were coastal California, Cambridge, UCLA, and Iowa.

Memorable/Informative: 3.5 stars

It just wasn't memorable or informative to me. I did learn a new term that I had never heard previously: abiogenesis. Definition of abiogenesis

Book cover: 3.5 stars

Boring and not eye-catching

Book title: 4.0 stars 

It was a good choice

Gut feeling: 3.5 stars

I never know what to expect when I read a uber-popular book! 

Suggestions: 

A list of the literature mentioned in the book would have been nice.

RECOMMEND

BOOK INFORMATION

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 

400 pages

This was a library book from LAPL

Release date of 04/05/2022

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Bonnie Garmus

My Goodreads review

Doubleday

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜