Middletide by Sarah Crouch
Happy reading 📚!
Dorothea 💜
Thursday, February 29, 2024
REVIEW - Miss Morgan's Book Brigade ebook
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the type of historical fiction that a history nerd LOVES!! This was the second book that I have read by Janet Skeslien Charles and it was about a time that I didn't know much about at all - World War I. After reading this book, I feel like I was definitely educated!
This book has two timelines with two main characters. Both of the main characters are strong women which I loved!! Jessie "Kit" Carson lives in 1918 and volunteers with CARD (American Committee for Devastated France/Le Comité américain pour les régions dévastées) when she was recruited by Anne Morgan, vice-president of the organization. Wendy Peterson lives in 1987 in New York City (NYC) while working at the New York Public Library (NYPL) and discovers CARD and wants to learn more.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing was just so perfectly done. It was descriptive, it was clipped, and it was both depending on the circumstances in the storyline.
Janet also moves effortlessly between the two distinct periods. It flows so very well which makes it very easy to read.
Character development: 5.0 stars
This book has two main female characters: Jessie "Kit" Carson and Wendy Peterson. They live in very different times, but they have a lot in common. Both are loners, book lovers, and librarians who work at the NYPL (Kit in 1918 and Wendy in 1987).
The secondary characters are Alice Morgan and Anne Murray Dike (in France) and Winnifred Smythe (Kit's boss in NYC) for Kit. The secondary characters are Roberto (Wendy's boss) and Meredith (Wendy's friend) for Wendy.
The tertiary characters are the armies, civilians, and cards (CARD volunteer title) during WWI for the older timeline. The tertiary characters are the coworkers, friends, and patrons at the NYPL for the newer timeline.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The two storylines were woven together in a storyline tapestry so well. The commonality was the love of books, libraries, and reading. Historical fiction done to perfection!
The main locations are primarily in NYC and Picardie, France (northern France).
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
I learned so much about CARD and WWI. This period in history really wasn't covered in my American history classes very much at all which is so wrong. This time should be fully examined along with WWII to better understand why bloody wars continue to ravage Europe.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Right on point!
HIGHEST recommendation
EBOOK DETAILS
NetGalley ARC (ebook)
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles
352 pages
Atria Books
Release date of 05/07/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading 📚!
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, February 24, 2024
REVIEW - Face It audiobook
Face It by Debbie Harry (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
So as a teenager, I learned about Blondie listening to KROQ while working at McDonald's after hours. When we closed up, we would listen to music very loud!!! I loved Blondie!
But, I like Debbie Harry, but I don't love her. She narrated this memoir which I prefer, but she had an emotionless, flat, and monotone reading style which was off-putting. I was disappointed.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars
Writing: 4.0 stars
The writing was good, but some editing would have made the writing in this memoir so much better. The first few chapters were very strong when Debbie discussed her childhood, high school, and community college years. But, when she moved to NYC, it became multiple streams of consciousness fighting each other for attention.
Narration: 3.0 stars
The narration is bland and boring. It was as if she was reading about someone else's life.
Character Arc: 3.0 stars
Debbie Harry comes off as aloof, vain, and egotistical throughout the book. Additionally, she is very sexual and uses that sexuality in her writing, performing, and personal life.
Her appearance is mentioned throughout the book numerous times including how pretty she is. I know that she has to be more than a pretty face, but that just didn't come through.
Memorable: 3.5 stars
The punk scene in New York sounds like a crazy time in a dirty, dangerous, and broke New York City. I enjoyed hearing about all of the artistry in all of its forms that blossomed in the 70s and 80s.
Entertaining: 3.0 stars
It could have been so much more. More about Blondie the band, Blondie the individual members, and Blondie who was Debbie Harry.
I only wish that I knew the backstory of the people, places, and bands that he talks about. Being a West Coast kid put me at a disadvantage, but Wikipedia was my friend!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
A beautiful portrait.
Book title: 4.5 stars
Very appropriate!
LUKEWARM Recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
Face It by Debbie Harry
HarperAudio
8 hours, 57 minutes
Release date of 10/1/2019
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading 📚,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, February 23, 2024
My next ebook read is...
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles (ebook)
Happy reading 📚!
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - The Food of Love ebook
The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This was a November 2016 Amazon First Reads book. I cannot believe that I have had it for over seven years. I was scrolling through my Kindle app and found that I had a book by Amanda Prowse that I had never read. WHAT?!?
Full disclosure, I adore Amanda Prowse's books and this is the thirteenth book that I have read by her. This book moved me almost as much as her book written with her son, Josiah, The Boy Between.
This is a story about a family that has the mental illness of anorexia invades their home and stays entrenched. It is about the time before, during, and after the battle of this brutal disease. I am speaking in military terms here because I believe that you truly fight a war with all mental illnesses including and most specifically anorexia.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing, as always, was amazing. Amanda writes beautifully with warmth and affection for her characters as well as the story itself. She writes descriptively, but not overly precious. Additionally, the author writes in such a way that you feel what is happening in the story - specifically, this one touched me, especially as a mother to a young adult daughter.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main character is Lexi, a high schooler and the younger daughter in the family, who is diagnosed with anorexia. The most difficult part was reading about the deceit and deception that someone suffering from anorexia exhibits. It is a disease that takes over the entire family dynamic and affects everyone in the family.
The secondary characters are the mother, Freya; the father, Lockie; and the sister, Charlotte. These three characters go through hell and back to save Lexi while putting their interpersonal relationships in jeopardy to do so.
The tertiary characters are friends, family, medical professionals, and of course, anorexia, itself!
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline was really creative and well done. I thought that one thing was happening in the "timed" chapters and I was totally wrong (sorry, no spoilers). The other chapters involving the telling of the story let you feel and understand how horrible anorexia is.
The before, during, and after times are continually heartbreaking. Anorexia takes over the family and changes everything forever. You feel what each member is going through and how much anorexia sets up in a family to try and destroy it.
The main locations are primarily in England with a brief time in Florida.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
Anorexia is a mental illness that is not about food per se but more about control until the person dies from starvation or is in recovery. With all of the focus on being physically beautiful through plastic surgery, diet, and weight loss drugs, it makes sense that this mental illness occurs. We as parents and society need to watch our messaging to our children in our homes, limit social media, and talk about how these celebrities look so "perfect".
The first time that I knew about someone dying from anorexia was during my senior year of college when the talented singer, Karen Carpenter, died from this horrible mental illness.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
So appropriate.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Right on point!
HIGHEST recommendation
EBOOK DETAILS
Amazon First Reads - November 2016 (ebook)
The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse
364 pages
Lake Union Publishing
Release date of 12/01/2016
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading 📚!
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
REVIEW - An American Princess ebook
An American Princess by Annejet van der Zijl (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This was an April 2018 Amazon First Reads book. I have had it for almost six years and have never read it. The picture of Allene Tew is haunting and was got me to finally read her story!
The story starts with Allene's ancestors founding Jamestown, New York to her birth, life, and death.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars
Writing: 3.0 stars
The writing was good, but for some reason, I could tell that it was a translated book. It just didn't have that punch.
Character development: 3.0 stars
There is one main character Allene Tew. We learn a lot about her husbands, houses, and where she traveled, but very little about Allene Tew herself. I know that the author researched a lot to write this book, but I wanted much more about Allene. She seems like a firecracker and wanted to know more!
The secondary characters are her five husbands and two children. Honestly, I think that we learn more about the husbands and children than we really do about Allene.
The tertiary characters are her friends and family.
Storyline: 3.0 stars
The storyline is a bit confusing as there are three storylines that I didn't figure out until I read the author's note: Allene's story, American's story, and Grief's story. It would have been helpful to understand that at the beginning.
The main locations are Jamestown and New York City, New York; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and all over Europe.
Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars
The Gilded Age was really not really gilded with precious metals as their was decay and ugliness below the surface.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 3.0 stars
Was she REALLY America's princess?!?
Lukewarm Recommend
EBOOK DETAILS
Amazon First Reads - April 2018 (ebook)
An American Princess by Annejet van der Zijl
226 pages
Amazon Crossing
Release date of 05/01/2018
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading 📚!
Dorothea 💜
Review - Deaf Utopia audiobook
Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco
OVERVIEW
Well, I knew absolutely nothing about Nyle DiMarco before listening to his beautiful memoir. But, his face looked familiar so I decided to listen to the audiobook while scrolling for a new audiobook.
I was not disappointed by this amazing audiobook even though I am not a reality television viewer. In this memoir, Nyle educates about the amazing Deaf community, culture, and pride as well as shares about his life. Nyle is a fourth-generation Deaf child born into his Deaf family. Additionally, he speaks to his journey to determining that he is sexually fluid and part of the LGBTQ+ community!
Nyle has lived a very rich and wonderful life including graduating from Gallaudet University with a degree in Mathematics to winning America's Next Top Model (Cycle 22) and Dancing with the Stars (Season 22).
This memoir is told chronologically with occasional sidetracking to add richness or explanation. It was easy to follow and was a deeply personal story. Nyle shares it all.
For additional clarification, Nyle uses a narrator, Dan Bittner, and has a co-writer, Robert Siebert.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
This is a beautifully written memoir full of love for the Deaf community that Nyle adores. He is a proud Deaf person who shares his love of the ASL language and his Deaf culture.
I learned so much in this book including the horrible discrimination that the Deaf community faces daily. However, I am grateful for ADA which has helped, but still needs to go further. Educating people like me at the beginning of each chapter was wonderful!
Nyle comes across as a funny, kind, and wonderful human being. We should ALL be like Nyle!
Narration: 5.0 stars
Even though Nyle didn't narrate his own memoir (which I prefer), it was beautifully done by Dan Bittner!
Character Arc: 5.0 stars
The character arc is done well. We learn all about Nyle from his birth to the present day in a chronological arc with occasional sidetracks. Very easy to follow!
Memorable: 5.0 stars
I learned so much about Deaf culture! I really appreciated the educational parts that Nyle included at the beginning of each chapter.
Interestingly, my daughter and her best friends took ASL in high school and in college. There is nothing that Nyle shared that they didn't already know. Sadly, these stories are not more widely known especially about Alexander Graham Bell being a eugenicist!
Entertaining: 5.0 stars
It was entertaining and so real! I would love to have a beer with Nyle along with an ASL interpreter and just talk and talk!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect! His amazing personality comes through!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Lovely!
HIGHEST recommendation
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco
HarperCollins
10 hours, 49 minutes
Release date of 04/05/2022
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading 📚,
Dorothea 💜
booksbydorothea is back from Anniversary Break
I am back from Anniversary Break in Cambria, California!! My husband and I had the best time wine tasting, eating, viewing sunsets (but not sunrises, HA!), listening to the ocean, and just relaxing.
I did read an ebook and listen to an audiobook. The reviews will be following!!
My advice is this about getaways - it is never too late to do it and it is never done too often!! Go do it whatever your budget can afford!
Happy reading 📚!
Dorothea 💜
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