January 2024 - Amazon First Reads

Hi, everyone!!

Did you know that there is a FREE monthly Kindle book available with your Amazon Prime membership??? It is called Amazon First Reads!! You can find out more about it here: Amazon First Reads.

I received the email yesterday and there are TWO free books in January 2024. No explanation, but TWO free books are GREAT!

My TWO choices for January 2024 are:

The County Line by Steve Weddle

The Real Deal by Caitlin Devlin

So what TWO books did you choose for your January 2024 First Read picks? Please share your choices in the comments!!

Happy reading! 📚

Dorothea 💜

P.S. Don't forget to "buy" the books at Amazon! I almost did that this month!

Goodreads 2024 Reading Challenge

Hi, everyone!

So, no surprise, I am setting my Goodreads 2024 Reading Challenge to 100 books!! It is a big number, but I will do my best to meet this challenge. 

If Oliver James @oliverspeaks1 (Instagram) who is teaching himself to read did it last year,  I can meet the challenge with him. If you want an amazing motivational account to follow, Oliver James is it!! I will share some more good Instagram accounts to follow as the year goes on - please share yours too.

If you want to set your Goodreads 2024 Reading Challenge, here are the simple steps:

- Go to the Main Page/Home on your Goodreads page. 

- Log in, if necessary.

- Click on the "Join the challenge" banner in the upper left of the page. 

- You will be prompted to enter YOUR goal! 

- Happy reading and good luck!

Happy reading! 📚

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (audiobook)

Happy reading! 📚

Dorothea 💜

CHANGES to Book Read Order

Hi, everyone! 

As you may have noticed, the order of the ebooks I read has changed. Initially, I was planning to read:

The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Change

However, an ARC with a short review time became available so I had to switch gears quickly to read this book. The new ebook was:

The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate

I have finished and reviewed The Queen of Sugar Hill (REVIEW), Now I am going to restart The Phoenix Crown. Thankfully, I was only one chapter when I originally started it on December 17th. Then my holiday break started  December 21st with very minimal reading so I am going to start the historical novel completely from the beginning again. 

Happy reading! 📚

Dorothea 💜

 

My next ebook is...

 The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate (ebook)

Happy reading!!! 📚

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Queen of Sugar Hill ebook

 

The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This was the first book that I have read from the prolific author ReShonda Tate who was unknown to me! I was impressed and need to read more of her books going forward. 

The was a historical fiction novel based on the life of Hatte McDaniel. It is a thought-provoking and powerful story about an amazing woman. Hattie was bright, multi-talented (she sang, acted, and danced), and an Academy Award winner. This is her story told in the first person which made a compelling read!

This novel erased so many of my beliefs that Los Angeles (my hometown) was not segregated in the 20th century and was a haven for Blacks which is what I was taught as a child. So many stories in the book totally disproved my previous mindset. I am so saddened, convicted, and horrified by it all. But most especially since I did not know this continuing issue in Los Angeles history, I was shocked when colorism and racism reared their ugly head again with Los Angeles City Councilmembers in 2022. Now, I won't be shocked again. But we can be the change - we have a lot of work to do in this beautiful city, but we can and will do it!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

This is Hattie McDaniel's story told in the first person. From what I could ascertain, the author was very true to the life of Hattie McDaniel, her life experiences, and how she REALLY lived her life. It was a fascinating read and to read it in first person was great! The author writes strong prose with great descriptions, interesting dialogue, and fantastic peeks into Hattie's thoughts. 

Character development: 4.0 stars

The main character is Hattie McDaniel. She was an actor and performer from the young age of six and progressed to winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Gone With The Wind). One would have thought that she would have become a significant star as she was the first Black individual to ever win an Academy Award, period. Buckle up and get ready for a very bumpy ride as this novel plays out!

Hattie had a large circle of close personal friends, husbands/lovers, and Hollywood friends. They were the secondary characters. But there were a lot of secondary characters as is normal in a historical fiction novel. 

The tertiary character is the Hollywood power establishment of white male studio executives, white actors, and various Black groups such as the NAACP and sororities. 

Storyline:  4.0 stars

This novel starts when Hattie wins the Academy Award and follows her life through to her death. She was an incredible human being who was the child of former enslaved parents who rose to prominence in the movie and entertainment industry. 

The main location was Los Angeles, California.  

Memorable/Informative:  4.0 stars

The novel made me actively face the fact that I did not grow up in a utopian, perfect city. Los Angeles has its flaws and ugly history. But, we can, jointly and as individuals, work together to repair this flawed city to make it a place where all are welcome and equal. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Very pretty and appropriate!

Book title: 4.0 stars 

Totally on point! 

DEFINITE recommend

EBOOK DETAILS

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate

368 pages 

William Morrow

Release date of 01/30/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

ReShonda Tate

My Goodreads review

William Morrow

NetGalley

Happy reading! 📚

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Baggage audiobook

Baggage by Alan Cumming (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This memoir was another amazing "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" by Alan Cumming. I had previously read Not My Father's Son which was about his troubled home life and abusive father until he left for drama school and so hard to listen to read by the author. The two memoirs dovetail nicely and I would recommend reading Not My Father's Son first. 

Alan definitely wrote this book with an NC-17 rating. It is full of colorful language, a gay lifestyle, and VERY descriptive language that could offend some readers. So be forewarned. 

However, I found this memoir funny, warm, and interesting. It was fun to listen to Alan's lilting Scottish brogue. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

It was very well written. Alan's prose was beautiful and thoughtful. 

Narration: 4.5 stars

Alan is a fantastic narrator. Well, that explains why this is the second audiobook that I have listened to by him. I thoroughly enjoy his code-switching between his native Scottish to English, American, and Australian accents. Also, some of his impersonations were fantastic. Overall, it was a fun listen. 

Character Arc: 4.0 stars

It was written in a somewhat chronological order, but it did diverge at times almost as if Alan had a thought bubble over his head. It was easy to follow and understand even though it was a bit scattered as I imagine Alan is. 

Memorable: 4.0 stars

I loved how Alan talked about how being kind can solve almost any problem. A beautiful way to live one's life. 

Entertaining: 4.0 stars

Alan was funny, kinda gossipy (but not mean-spirited), and very careful with the identities of many people, especially lovers, in the memoir. It really is a memoir all about Alan!

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Totally Alan!

Book title: 4.0 stars 

It was very on point. 

DEFINITE recommend

AUDIOBOOK DETAILS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Baggage by Alan Cumming

9 hours, 6 minutes

Release date of 10/26/2021

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Alan Cumming

My Goodreads review

HarperAudio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading! 📚

Dorothea 💜

RECAP - December 2023 Monthly Wrap-up AND 2023 Year End Wrap-up

Hello, everyone!

Since the holidays quickly came upon all of us, this is a short recap of two important December 2023 posts for booksbydorothea. Since many of you limit your social media time during the holidays, these two posts may have been missed. So I am doing a quick repost of the final wrap-ups for December 2023 and the 2023 Year-End which may be helpful to you. You can check them out below:

The first important December 2023 post on booksbydorothea is the December 2023 - Monthly Wrap-up (LINK).

The second important December 2023 post on booksbydorothea is the 2023 Year End Wrap-up (LINK).

I would appreciate any feedback that you have on either or both of these posts! Thank you for all of your support in 2023! See you in 2024!

Happy reading! 📚

Dorothea 💜

Back from Holiday Break

 

Hello, everyone!!

I'm back from Holiday Break (a little early) and looking forward to an amazing 2024 reading year! 

Now, get ready for some ebook and audiobook reviews!! I've been reading for the past few days!!!

Happy reading! 📚

Dorothea 💜

Holiday Break

Happy Holidays!!! 🎅🤶 

Happy reading!!! 📚

Dorothea 💜

 

booksbydorothea - 2023 Year End Wrap-up

Hello, all!

This is my first year-end book blog wrap-up for booksbydorothea!!!

 

Some history of the blog - I started this blog in August of 2019 to keep track of my books. It was a very simple blog with updates of the book that I was reading and then the review (cut and pasted) from Goodreads.

 

Unfortunately, the pandemic intervened in my developing the blog further. I had to take a hiatus in March 2020 as I was unable to read, period.

 

Then in April 2023, I was beginning to read again so I restarted the blog and now it has grown to where it is now. I look forward to continuing to develop this blog even more! Thank you for your support!

 

One last housekeeping item, as of today, I am closing out the booksbydorothea reading blog for 2023. Also, I will be off social media from December 20, 2023, to January 2, 2024. So be ready to see me again on January 3, 2024!!!

Now onto the MAIN EVENT:

booksbydorothea BEST BOOKS OF 2023 (5-star reviews)

THIRTEEN books vied for the Inaugural booksbydorothea 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

Interestingly, some months had a LOT of great books that were 5-star (like August and October). But every month except January and December had a 5-star book.

 

As you may have read previously in the blog, the booksbydorothea INAUGURAL Book of the Year 2023 is:

How To Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair REVIEW

 

GOODREADS BEST BOOKS OF 2023 FINALISTS

Congratulations to Henry Winkler for being awarded Best Humor. It was a great audiobook and Henry is a great narrator! Unfortunately, it is the only book that I read that was a Goodreads Best Books of 2023 Finalist.

Being Henry by Henry Winkler REVIEW

2023 MONTHLY BEST BOOK

This is my VERY best book in each month, period. These are some great books that are worth exploring and reading other than the 5-star books.  PLEASE NOTE: there were no blog reviews until May 2023. 

 Surrender by Bono (January 2023)

Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein (February 2023)

Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan (March 2023)

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin (April 2023)

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende (May 2023) REVIEW

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See (June 2023) REVIEW

How To Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair (July 2023) REVIEW

A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power (August 2023) REVIEW

The Women by Kristin Hannah (September 2023) REVIEW

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok (October 2023) REVIEW

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner (November 2023) REVIEW

Dying of Politeness by Geena Davis (December 2023) REVIEW

 

2023 GOODREADS STATISTICS

This continuous updating of the book goal became tedious in 2023; in 2024, it will be 100 books from the start!

2023 Goodreads Book Goal:

48 books – set January 1, 2023

60 books – set May 15, 2023

80 books – set September 23, 2023

100 books – set October 28, 2023 (serious stretch goal):

2023 Goodreads Book Total: 94 physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks!! I think that I did a great job and enjoyed reading such fantastic books!

  

2023 MONTHLY WRAP-UPS

As I restarted this blog in April 2023, there are no monthly wrap-ups for January-April 2023. The monthly wrap-ups were started in May 2023 and are linked below. 

May Monthly Wrap-up: LINK

June Monthly Wrap-up: LINK

July Monthly Wrap-up: LINK

August Monthly Wrap-up: LINK

September Monthly Wrap-up: LINK

October Monthly Wrap-up: LINK

November Monthly Wrap-up: LINK

December Monthly Wrap-up: LINK

 

HELPFUL LINKS

Glossary: LINK

Book Ratings: LINK

2023 TOTAL STATISTICS:

Now for all of the statistics of 2023! It is all so fascinating to me, but you may find it boring so feel free to skip this! Next year, I plan to do some analysis!

 

2023 total books (ALL book types)

TOTAL: 94 physical, ebooks, and audiobooks

2023 eBooks

TOTAL: 57 ebooks

 

2023 Audiobooks

TOTAL: 34 audiobooks

 

2023 Personal Physical Books 

TOTAL: 2 personal physical books

 

2023 Library books (ebooks)

TOTAL: 23 library ebooks

 

2023 Library books (audiobooks)

TOTAL: 35 library audiobooks

 

2023 Amazon Prime First Reads books (First Reads) (part of ebooks)

TOTAL: 3 First Reads ebooks

 

2023 ARCs (Advance Reader Copy) (part of ebooks)

TOTAL: 29 ARCs

 

2023 Total Listening Time (audiobooks)

TOTAL: 358 hours, 20 minutes listening time

 

2023 Pages Read (physical and ebooks)

TOTAL: 19,974 pages read (very different from Goodreads, hmm???)

 

 

2023 TOTAL BOOK RATINGS

5.0-star books

TOTAL: 24 books

 

4.5-star books

TOTAL: 29 books

 

4.0-star books

TOTAL: 23 books

 

3.5-star books

TOTAL: 8 books

 

3.0-star books

TOTAL: 11 books

  

Thank you for coming along with me on my book blog journey in 2023! I hope that you join me in 2024 for more adventures in reading!!

  

Happy Holidays 🎅🎄 and Happy Reading📚!

Dorothea 💜