January 2024 - Monthly Wrap-up

Hi, everyone!

I hope that everyone had an amazing January. For us in Southern California, it ended with RAIN!!! 🌈🌂🌈🌂🌈🌂

However, there was nothing rainy about the January 2024 books! Lots of 5.0-star, 4.5-star, and 4.0-star books!! The details are below!!

 

2^nd ANNUAL “booksbydorothea” BEST BOOK OF 2024 NOMINEES:

• All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore (January) 5.0-stars REVIEW LINK

 

As a reminder, you may have read previously in my blog, my INAUGURAL “booksbydorothea” Best Book of the Year 2023 was:

• How to Say Babylon: A Memoir by Safiya Sinclair 5.0-stars REVIEW LINK

 

GOODREADS READING GOAL:

For 2024, my goal is 100 from the very start!!! As of 01/31/2024, I have read 15 or 15% of my goal.

 

JANUARY 2024 STATISTICS:

15 total books

10 e-books; 5 audiobooks; 0 physical books

9 books were an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

6 books were library books

0 books were purchased

0 books were Amazon First Reads (ebooks)

1 book was Book Club Girl (ebooks)

Audio listening time in January: 27 hours, 51 minutes

Pages read in January: 3,841 pages

 

JANUARY BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS: 

5.0-star books (2)

The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang

REVIEW LINK

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore

REVIEW LINK

4.5-star books (4)

Weyward by Emilia Hart

REVIEW LINK

The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker

REVIEW LINK

Can't We Be Friends by Denny S. Bryce & Eliza Knight

REVIEW LINK

Thicker Than Water by Kerry Washington (audiobook) 

REVIEW LINK

 

4.0-star books (7)

Baggage - Tales from a Fully Packed Life by Alan Cumming (audiobook)

REVIEW LINK

The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate

REVIEW LINK

Endangered Eating by Sarah Lohman (audiobook)

REVIEW LINK

Backlash Blues (Gabriel Præst series #2) by Amulya Malladi

REVIEW LINK

The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald

REVIEW LINK

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure #3 by Lorenzo Carcaterra

REVIEW LINK

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

REVIEW LINK

 

3.5-star book (1)

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

REVIEW LINK

 

3.0-star books (1)

Karma by Boy George (audiobook)

REVIEW LINK

If you want to read my full review of any of these books, there are individual review posts for each e-book or audiobook below the picture of the book. You can just click on the specific book link to get to that book review!! 

 

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

P.S. For more information about my book ratings, you can find out more HERE.

 

REVIEW - Karma audiobook

 Karma by Boy George (audiobook)

ETA: Updated review to increase rating upward!

OVERVIEW

So full disclosure, I have loved Culture Club since their first album came out. I still enjoy listening to their music!! So when I saw a memoir by Boy George, I had to listen to it as an audiobook. I always prefer it when the author of a memoir narrates their own work!

This memoir is told in a fairly straightforward chronological way. Yes, there are sidetracks which I do expect, but it was easy to follow. Boy George has lived one heck of a life and I appreciate that he shared it with all of us. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars

Writing: 3.0 stars

The writing was weak. It was as if Boy George just wrote a chapter title and then just went with what he thought about that time. It was like multiple streams of consciousness in each chapter. A ghostwriter would have a good idea and would have made the book so much stronger. But, this is Boy George's memoir and not mine. 

Narration: 4.5 stars

Boy George is so funny that he cracks himself up throughout the audiobook (and he has a great laugh). But, his Southeast London accent is very strong so it was a little difficult at times for this American. But, I did appreciate that he narrated his own memoir and loved his ad-lib singing of lyrics (plus some bonus songs). 

Character Arc: 3.0 stars

The character arc is really about Boy George coming into his own best self. Beating his drug addiction, being in prison, and Buddhism seems to make his life so much richer and deeper. I am thrilled that he has found his authentic self! But, I really wanted more about the real people in his life like his siblings, parents, and friends.

Memorable:  3.5 stars

For me, the biggest takeaway was Boy George is a prolific songwriter. He sounds like a hoot and I would love to have a drink with him!! 

Entertaining:   3.5 stars

It was entertaining, but it good have been so much more! I only wish that I knew the backstory of the people, places, and bands that he talks about. Again, being an American puts me at a disadvantage, but Wikipedia was my friend!

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous Boy George!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfection! 

Recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Karma by Boy George

Blink Publishing

7 hours, 41 minutes

Release date of 01/09/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Boy George

My Goodreads review

Blink Publishing

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading 📚, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Summers at the Saint ebook

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews (ebook)

OVERVIEW

Full disclosure, this is the sixth book or so that I have read by Mary Kay Andrews. Her books are always wildly entertaining, with unique characters, and in fun settings! This particular novel takes place at a fictional resort on an island off the coast of southern Georgia, USA. 

This book is primarily about family drama, murder, sex (not graphic), and money. What a fantastic story to make a great summer beach or pool read. It was great to read and had a lot of mystery and intrigue! Awesomeness!!

Since I have deep roots in the South, I love reading about the region. But most especially Georgia, as that is where my Granny was born. She would have loved a great story like this one!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing is always so, so fun! Mary Kay writes with joy which totally comes through in her books. She obviously enjoys telling stories which become books that are read and enjoyed by so many. I can almost feel her on my shoulder saying, "Did you notice that or this?" 

The author wrote so beautifully about the fictional island and resort in the south of Georgia. It was like I was actually there while the story unfolded!

Since this book had some light mystery-thriller elements, I did not figure out who the bad guys were until the very end. I love NOT figuring it out!!

Character development: 4.0 stars

There is one main character, Traci, who is the owner of the Saint Cecilia resort. She runs the place after the death of her husband who was the grandson of the founder of the resort. Both she and her deceased husband, Hoke, ran the place with kindness, empathy, and excellence. 

The secondary characters are Shannon, Traci's former BFF; Livvy, Shannon's daughter; Felice, the resort's chef; and Ric, Traci's brother-in-law. So all of the lives of the Saints (rich guests) and the Ain'ts (townies) are very integrated together beautifully. 

The tertiary characters are the resort and all of the supporting characters of which there is a lot!

Storyline:  4.0 stars 

This mystery-thriller-drama novel is about what is happening at the resort with so many odd things happening among the staff and customers. Traci wants to make things better at the hotel but is coming against a lot of roadblocks. So there is that mystery to solve. A secondary plot is about a child's drowning about 20 years ago when Shannon and Traci were lifeguards at the resort which is another mystery to solve It all comes together beautifully at the end. 

The main locations are the fictional Saint Cecilia resort and the surrounding community in Georgia, USA. 

Memorable/Informative:  3.5 stars

There wasn't anything memorable in particular, but it really was a nice, easy read!

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Very pretty. 

Book title: 4.0 stars 

So perfect!

DEFINITE recommend

EBOOK DETAILS

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

448 pages

St. Martin's Press

Release date of 05/07/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Mary Kay Andrews

My Goodreads review

St. Martin's Press

NetGalley

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next ebook is...

 Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews (ebook)

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure #3 ebook

 Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure #3 by Lorenzo Carcaterra (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the third book in the Nonna Maria series. I love this series as it is just so fun and lovely. Nonna Maria helps her friends in need which involves her solving a mystery. This time it is a possible hidden treasure and an assassination. These books can be read as stand-alone novels, but I think that the previous two books add so much context and color that they make this third book more enjoyable. All three novels are so very good!

This book is primarily about a young woman named Rita who comes to Nonna Maria for help finding a hidden treasure that she believes her deceased grandfather has hidden. The secondary plot is about Captain Murino, a member of the carabinieri, and an assassin trying to kill him. Both stories interweave so beautifully and strongly. 

Normally, I am not into thrillers and mysteries because so many of them are so violent. But the Nonna Maria series is just lovely because Nonna Maria is lovely. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

The writing is always so descriptive, yet concise. Lorenzo Carcaterra writes in short chapters which makes it so easy to find a good reading-stopping point. 

The author writes so beautifully about Ischia (an island about 20 miles off-shore from Naples). Each novel, including this one, is a love letter to the island and his Nonna. 

Also, I did not figure out who the villain was until the author revealed it. I love NOT figuring it out!!

Character development: 4.5 stars

There is one main character - Nonna Maria. Nonna Maria has lived her whole life on Ischia and knows everyone and everyone knows her. She is my dream grandmother! I think about the food that she prepares in this novel and want to visit Ischia just to experience food similar to what she prepares!

The secondary characters are Nonna Maria's friends, Captain Murino, Rita, and the villain. The story of these folks is so integral to the story and so well done with great backstories.

The tertiary character is Ischia. The people, the location, and the food/wine. 

Storyline:  4.0 stars 

This mystery-thriller is all about the hidden treasure search and the villain trying to kill Captain Murino. It got a little confusing to me with the multiple criminal alliances and the various levels in the castle. But, it was so much fun!

The main locations were Ischia and Florence, Italy. 

Memorable/Informative:  4.0 stars

I learned even more about Ischia with this novel. This time I learned about the island being invaded and controlled by Spain, Rome, Greece, Moors, and even more conquering forces. The island is so full of great history due to it's location to mainland Italy and North Africa.

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Very pretty. 

Book title: 4.0 stars 

I love Nonna Maria's titles!

DEFINITE recommend

EBOOK DETAILS

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure #3 by Lorenzo Carcaterra

288 pages

Bantam

Release date of 05/7/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Lorenzo Carcaterra

My Goodreads review

Bantam

NetGalley

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 Nonna Marrin and the Case of the Lost Treasure #3 by Lorenzo Carcaterra (ebook)

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Evolution of Annabel Craig ebook

The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald (ebook)

 

OVERVIEW

This lovely book is about a young woman, Annabel, who goes through a lot in a very short period. The novel primarily takes place while the Scopes Trial takes occurs in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925. Annabel just happens to be born, raised, and married in Dayton so she is part of the entire trial experience and community in Dayton.

The novel covers Annabel's early life, the death of her parents, her marriage to George, and the aftermath of the Scopes Trial. The characters in the book include many people from the town of Dayton and many from various parts of the United States for the trial. It was fascinating to think of all of these educated, influential, opinionated people in one tiny town in the mountains of Tennessee for a really unimportant trial. 

This novel is about the town's leaders setting up John Scopes to be the fall guy about teaching evolution to bring a "big" trial to Dayton. The thought was that it would increase visibility, tourism, and money to the small town. Unfortunately, the trial did not accomplish what was expected. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing was very easy to read. I liked the writing but didn't love it, unfortunately. Thankfully, it was not full of legalese which I appreciated as the setting of the story was the Scopes Trial. Obviously, a lot of research went into researching Dayton, Tennessee, and the Scopes Trial which shows in the writing.

Character development: 3.5 stars

There are two main characters - Annabel and George who are married. We learn a lot about Annabel and her life before meeting George. Unfortunately, we don't learn much about George, and that is what bothers me about the character development. Some of the things that George does, unfortunately, do not make sense, especially for an educated man like him who is an attorney.

The secondary characters are the people of Dayton, the members of the bar who are involved in the case, and the journalists covering the trial. There are so many characters that at times, it is hard to keep track of them all. 

The tertiary character is the Scopes Trial. It must have been agonizing to have to wait for radio or newspaper reports instead of hearing about it in real time which we can do now on our cell phones.

Storyline:  4.0 stars 

This historical novel is all about the relationship between Annabel and George with the Scopes Trial changing their lives forever. I am not sure that there was enough for the final ending to happen due to the societal pressures of the time. It is interesting to think about though.

The main locations were Chattanooga and Dayton, Tennessee. 

Memorable/Informative:  4.0 stars

This novel is very timely because so much of what happened in 1925 is now again happening almost one hundred years later. We have the rise of conservatism and religious belief versus modernism and science. It is terrifying that we are reliving all of this again. When will we learn?

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Very pretty. 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfection!

DEFINITE recommend

EBOOK DETAILS

NetGalley ARC (ebook) via Book Club Girl

The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald

320 pages 

Random HouseBook Club Girl

Release date of 04/16/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Lisa Grunwald

My Goodreads review

Random House

NetGalley

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Karma by Boy George (audiobook)

Happy reading 📚, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Thicker Than Water audiobook

Thicker than Water by Kerry Washington (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

Full disclosure, I have not watched anything that Kerry Washington has been involved with as an actress. Yes, I knew all about the cultural phenomenon that was Olivia Poper and Scandal. But for some reason this type of drama just isn't my thing; however, I do appreciate it. 

This memoir starts with Kerry getting a text from her mother in 2018 saying that "we need to talk". As most of us know, this is never a good type of text to receive. So she meets with her parents and her life is upended. The memoir takes off from this point. No spoilers, though!

The rest of Kerry's story is told in flashbacks that are told in a fairly chronological manner with side stories as needed to elaborate. The memoir details her life in the Bronx to The Spence School in Manhattan to George Washington University and then ultimately to Hollywood. She has a life well lived at a young age. I enjoyed learning about her and her family.

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

The writing was good, real, and raw. Kerry wrote from the heart and some of it must have been exceedingly difficult to write about, but she did it with grace and dignity. Kerry is a very strong author throughout the entire memoir! I hope that she continues to write more.

Narration: 4.5 stars

Kerry is a very good narrator. She is passionate and funny in her narration. I loved the stories about going to the pool when she was growing up - it was hilarious. For me, authors narrating their own memoirs is the only way to go as it is their story!

Character Arc: 4.5 stars

The character arc is really Kerry showing her growth and release from something nagging at her all of her life - she knew that there was something that she didn't know. It was if there was a veil between her and her parents. Once the secret was revealed, the veils lifted and all of their the true selves emerged. It was beautiful.

Memorable: 4.5 stars

For me the biggest takeaway was that, "blood is thicker than water, but love is thicker than blood". I just loved this!

Entertaining:  4.5 stars

It was entertaining, but it was a book that showed that anyone can overcome almost anything that life throws at you! Kerry is living proof of that.

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect! 

HIGHLY recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Thicker than Water by Kerry Washington

Little, Brown Spark

8 hours, 59 minutes

Release date of 09/26/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Kerry Washington

My Goodreads review

Little, Brown Spark

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading 📚, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜