November 2023 - Monthly Wrap-up

Hi, everyone!

Wow, November was a busy and fun month. December will be even busier, but what a wonderful problem to have!

November was another great month for books with some outstanding books! It was a unique month with only ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) and audiobooks from the Los Angeles Public Library!

 

BEST BOOK OF 2023

There are now THIRTEEN books vying for MY Best Book of 2023.

• The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende (May)
• Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See (June)
• How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair (July)
• A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power (August)
• The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman (August)
• Evergreen (Japantown Mystery #2) by Naomi Hirahara (August)
• The Women by Kristin Hannah (September)
• After Annie by Anna Quindlen (September)
• Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki (October)
• The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok (October)
• Making It So by Patrick Stewart (October) audiobook
• Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner (November)
• Being Henry by Henry Winkler (November) audiobook

It will be so fascinating to determine which book I decide on as MY Best Book of 2023! Of these thirteen books, FOUR are vying in the final round for Goodreads Best Books of 2023. It will be exciting to see how the end-of-the-year decision plays out!

Another audiobook got a 5.0-star review from me. It was well written, beautifully narrated, and just lovely – Being Henry by Henry Winkler.

I hope the quality of books in December continues to be good for me with at least ONE 5.0-star in December to keep my streak of outstanding books running.

 

GOODREADS READING GOAL:

My Goodreads reading goal kept increasing in 2023! In May, it increased from 50 to 60 books; in September, it increased from 60 to 80 books; and in October, it was finally increased from 80 to 100 books! This may be a bit of a stretch goal, but I will try my best to meet it!

Currently, 90 books out of 100 books GOAL. 10 books to go by December 31, 2023. 

For next year, I think I will just set 100 as my goal and avoid the goal updates!!

 

STATISTICS:

9 total books

5 e-books; 4 audiobooks

5 books were an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

4 books were library books (0 ebooks; 4 audiobooks)

0 books were purchased ebooks

0 books were an Amazon First Reads

0 books were a gifted physical book

Audio listening time in November: 31 hours, 6 minutes

Pages read in November: 1,752 pages

 

BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS:

5.0-star books (2) 

Being Henry by Henry Winkler (REVIEW LINK)

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner (REVIEW LINK) 

4.5-star books

Paris, The Memoir by Paris Hilton (REVIEW LINK)

The Painter’s Daughters by Emily Howes (REVIEW LINK)

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan (REVIEW LINK)

 

4.0-star books (1)

Dolly Parton, Songteller by Dolly Parton, Robert K. Oermann (REVIEW LINK)

 

3.5-star book (3)

Good Taste by Caroline Scott (REVIEW LINK)

The Philadelphia Heiress by Anita Abriel (REVIEW LINK)

If You Had Told Me by John Stamos (REVIEW LINK)

 

3.0-star books (0)

  

If you want to read my full review of any of these books, there are individual review links for each ebook or audiobook below the picture of the book. You click on REVIEW LINK to get to that specific book review!! 

 

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

P.S. For more information about my book ratings, you can find out more here: BOOK RATINGS LINK. 

Also, for a glossary of the common book blog terminology, check out: GLOSSARY LINK.

 

My next audiobook is...

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

REVIEW - Dolly Parton, Songteller audiobook

OVERVIEW

OH, MY! This was not a classic memoir, but rather told in Dolly's life as a "songteller" (songwriter meets storyteller). She is a fabulous storyteller and songwriter so it was fun to learn more about her famous and non-as-famous songs. 

It was done in an interview style which was fabulous. She answered in her own words and the emotions came across for so many songs and stories! She is someone who I would love to meet because I admire and appreciate her. 

Dolly's song recordings and Dolly singing a cappella were sprinkled throughout the book. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

This was writing per se, but it really was "interviewing" Dolly which was fabulous!

Narration: 4.0 stars

The narration was fun. I am not sure who asked Dolly the questions in this excellent memoir. But, Dolly is real, uninhibited, and amazing in her answers in this memoir.

Character Arc: 4.0 stars

The memoir covers the time from Dolly's birth to 2020 (pre-pandemic). It was in somewhat chronological order but sorted more by themes. It was fun to understand more about "behind the song"! 

Memorable: 4.5 stars

I want to be Dolly when I grow up! Not the songwriter or storyteller as I don't have those talents, but just an AMAZING human being filled with love and generosity! I want to live like Dolly!

Entertaining: 4.5 stars

So fascinating and fun. I wanted MORE!

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Authentic Dolly!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

A very appropriate title!

DEFINITE RECOMMENDATION

STATISTICS

Dolly Parton, Songteller by Dolly Parton and Robert K. Oermann

5 hours, 18 minutes

Listened to as an audiobook from the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

Release date of 11/17/2020

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Dolly Parton

My Goodreads review

Recorded Books

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

Goodreads Best Books of 2023 - FINAL round

So it is time for the FINAL round. So I have TEN books (1 book nominated in TWO categories) that I have read! These ten books are all very good books and definitely worth reading or giving as Christmas gifts!!!! 

Interestingly, I read a book that was nominated during the opening round and it made it to the final round! 

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer #1 

(Best Fiction)

The Woman In Me by Britney Spears

(Best Memoir & Autobiography)

Being Henry by Henry Winkler

(Best Humor)

Spare by Prince Harry

(Best Memoir & Autobiography)

Paris The Memoir by Paris Hilton

(Best Memoir & Autobiography) 

 The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer #2

(Best Debut Novel)

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

(Best Science Fiction)

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

(Best Historical Fiction)

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende 

(Best Historical Fiction)

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman 

(Best Fiction)

Unfortunately, three amazing books did not make the final round, but they are such good books! Please check them out and support these fantastic authors! These books are:

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair (Best Memoir & Autobiography)

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok (Best Mystery & Thriller)

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange (Best Fiction)

If you are a Goodreads member, you can vote! This is the final round and it will be exciting to see which books win - although ALL of these books are winners!

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next audiobook is...

 Dolly Parton, Songteller by Dolly Parton

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW Paris The Memoir audiobook

OVERVIEW

This was not what I expected at all from Paris Hilton AT ALL!!! I am shocked in a good way! I did not think that I would like this book, but I loved it.

Paris has a lot of life experiences to share which explain so much about her and her life choices. Some of it is very heartbreaking and as a mom, I just want to hug her tightly.

I really had no opinion of Paris other than knowing that she was a Hilton, seemed entitled and spoiled from familial wealth, and had the best life of a typical rich girl. Some of those preconceptions were true and some were totally wrong. 

Paris is brutally honest about her traumas, issues with ADHD, and growing up with life expectations. She rose above it all beautifully. Plus, she narrated a good book!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

Such a perfectly written memoir by Paris Hilton. I listened to it as an audiobook which really made the writing pop in her unique "Paris speak". It was well-written, descriptive, and horrifying. Paris shares very personal experiences in congregate care so that others do not experience her traumas. It is gutsy, deep, and real writing. So powerful!

Narration: 5.0 stars

It was perfect. Paris narrates in her normal "Paris voice" with no baby talk unless it is appropriate. But in the horrific parts reading in her own voice made it so real, so raw, and so terrifying. 

The narration was emotional at times. I honestly do not how Paris got through the narration with the trauma that she has endured plus ADHD. She is a fighter!!

Character Arc: 4.5 stars

The majority of the memoir was in chronological order which I greatly appreciated. There are times when Paris's ADHD takes over and she goes off on tangents but it was very appropriate, It explains so much about her in all its heartrending glory. 

Memorable: 5.0 stars

Yes. There were many takeaways, but the biggest was that she was in multiple teenage congregate care facilities. Each was worse until the next, but she aged out and bravely shared her own personal experiences so that others were helped. Incredibly brave and moving. 

Entertaining: 4.0 stars

Paris is funny and real. But at many times, she came off as braggy and entitled. Her constant discussion of how much money she makes and spends is off-putting and crass at times.  

 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

It's a beautiful portrait of Paris showing her many sides in one picture.

Book title: 4.5 stars 

On point and brand!

HIGHLY recommend

STATISTICS

Paris The Memoir by Paris Hilton

8 hours, 22 minutes

Listened to as an audiobook from the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

Release date of 03/14/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Paris Hilton

My Goodreads review

HarperAudio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

UPDATE : My next ebook is...

 All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore

I am going to push reading this book until the new year. It is a heavy topic and I don't want to read it during the holidays.

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Philadelphia Heiress ebook

OVERVIEW

This was a very descriptive book with exquisite details about the clothing and jewelry worn by the characters. Unfortunately, the character development and storyline were lacking in my opinion. 

This was a light and easy-to-read historical novel set during the late 1920s of the incredibly rich who lived on the Mainline near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The excesses reminded me of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. 

I really wanted to love this novel, but I liked it. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars

Writing: 3.5 stars

Anita writes very descriptively throughout this novel about clothing, jewelry, homes, clubs, and parties. It must have required a tremendous amount of research to find out all of this detailed information about the 1920s. 

Character development: 3.0 stars

There is a lot about what the characters look like  - hair, clothing, and jewelry are discussed in detail. But, what is inside them in their hearts and minds is just not explored enough for me. I like a really deep dive into the characters' back story so I can connect and feel a kinship with them. Unfortunately, I did not feel this with this novel. 

The primary characters are Helen and Edgar. The novel explores their relationship and how it evolves. Both of them are entitled society people who meet during Helen's debutante season in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

The secondary characters are high society in other parts of the world including Helen and Edgar's friends, family, and business associates. 

Storyline:  4.5 stars

This really is the story of Helen and Edgar. There are secondary characters who come in and out of the storyline to add to the suspense and drama. The storyline is set during the wealthy indulges right before the Great Depression.

There is a decent storyline, but it was a bit too predictable. Don't get me wrong as this was a nice change from the heavy WWII novels that I have been reading. But, this novel is like fast food and could have been a three-course gourmet meal. Since not all reading has to be life-changing, this novel will be a perfect beach read in the summer. 

The main locations were Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; London, England; Deauville, France; and Portofino, Italy. 

Memorable/Informative:  3.0 stars

I did not know what the Mainline was at all. So I had to research it once I started this novel. 

Book cover: 3.5 stars

I don't think that this is an accurate depiction of this novel. 

Book title: 3.5 stars 

It was okay.

Recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC Kindle book

The Philadelphia Heiress by Anita Abriel

283 pages 

Lake Union Publishing

Release date of 03/26/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Anita Abriel

My Goodreads review

Lake Union Publishing

NetGalley

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

DNF - Yes Please AUDIOBOOK

I will not be finishing Yes Please by Amy Poehler. This book just didn't work for me as an audiobook. 

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 The Philadelphia Heiress by Anita Abriel

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜