The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
REVIEW - How To Read A Book ebook
How To Read A Book by Monica Wood (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the first book that I have read by Monica Wood. Now, I want to read all of her previous books as I loved this book so much!
This book is adult contemporary fiction and is a departure from my favorite genre of historical fiction. This novel had it all - good writing, good storytelling, and good characters. All that one would want in any novel was in this book!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The novel is told in the first person by the three main characters. I thoroughly enjoyed how Monica wrote in each character's voice. It was perfection!
Her writing is easy to read, but meaty with description and important details. Even the end notes were well-written!
Character development: 5.0 stars
The three main characters are Violet (parolee); Harriet (prison volunteer); and Frank (husband of Violet's victim). They could not be more different, but they are so similar as they need each other.
The secondary characters are Mischa (Violet's boss); Sophie (Harriet's niece); and Kristy (Frank's daughter). These secondary characters allow the three separate lives to blend and become one.
The tertiary characters are the prison inmates and correction officials; the lab workers and birds; the prison Book Club; and friends and family members.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline, at first, was unbelievable to me. But after I thought about it, this story could only happen in a beautiful place like Maine or someplace similar.
The storyline is about Violet who makes a mistake and is sent to prison. While in prison, she discovers books through a book club led by prison volunteer, Harriet. Harriet and Violet accidentally meet at a bookstore where Frank happens to be working. Then the story is off to the race.
The main location was Maine.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
This novel is all about how books are important in our lives. The title says it all by stating "How" to read a book. That is what it all boils down to in life with each of us being the book of our own life. "How" we read our books is what makes our life ours.
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Nice.
Book title: 5.0 stars
So perfect!
HIGHEST recommendation
BOOK INFORMATION
Book Club Girl via NetGalley ARC (ebook)
How To Read A Book by Monica Wood
283 pages
Mariner Books
Release date of 05/07/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, April 14, 2024
REVIEW - The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander
The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the third book by Denny S. Bryce that I have read. She discovers fascinating historical characters and writes amazing historical fiction about their lives. I always learn something new with each book that I read by this author.
This book made me question how little race has been addressed in this country. It is a mix of historical, cultural, ethnic, and religious issues with so much complexity and a need for common sense. For instance, I recently discovered that the Census Bureau finally created a new race category for Middle Eastern/North African folks. This was an easy fix to make everyone feel welcome and a part of our country.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
Denny can write beautifully. Her writing is easy to read, yet nicely descriptive without getting bogged down in SAT words! Denny did include some of the slang of the period and different language usage of the time which was great!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The two main characters, Alice Jones (wife) and Kip Rhinelander (husband) are married even with the challenges of being from different races and socio-economic backgrounds.
The secondary characters are the two families - the Jones family is welcoming to the marriage and Kip; however, the Rhinelander family is vehemently opposed to the marriage and fights the marriage from the beginning.
The most difficult character to qualify and quantify is race in this novel.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline is only something that could happen in the USA. Two people of two different races meet and fall in love when they are from radically different parts of society.
The novel is told in two different periods during the 1920s and 1940s with an epilogue in the 1980s. It was a great way to tell the story with Alice talking about her life to her niece.
The main location was New York City with a little Connecticut.
Memorable/Informative: 3.5 stars
Obviously, race is a piece of this story. Unfortunately, I don't understand why the Jones family didn't think that the father and daughters were Black (used as Colored or Negro during the period and in the book). Was it because race was not as much of an issue in England, where the parents emigrated, versus the USA?
Book cover: 4.5 stars
So very pretty.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Exactly on point.
HIGHLY recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
NetGalley ARC (ebook)
The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce
352 pages
Kensington Books
Release date of 07/23/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, April 12, 2024
Thursday, April 11, 2024
REVIEW - Cut & Thirst ebook
Cut & Thirst by Margaret Atwood (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This was a VERY short novelette or short story about four female friends! It was just plain weird!
It was the second short story by Margaret Atwood that I have read and both short stories received "LUKEWARM recommends".
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars
Writing: 3.0 stars
Margaret writes beautifully, but this was just weird, weird, weird writing.
Character development: 3.0 stars
There were four friends - Chrissy, Leonie, Myrna, and Fern. Fern is the friend the other three are avenging for a slander campaign. There was no real character development.
The other characters are only important to the story to maintain the flow.
Storyline: 3.0 stars
This is just a weird storyline. Fern was slandered by an influential writer and many years later, her friends want to avenge her. The methods suggested range from different forms of murder to torture. It just seems a little much.
The main location was Toronto.
Memorable/Informative: 3.5 stars
Thinking of the results of the brownies is wild!
Book cover: 3.0 stars
Another weird aspect.
Book title: 3.0 stars
Weird.
LUKEWARM recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Amazon First Reads Kindle ebook
Cut & Thirst by Margaret Atwood
34 pages
Amazon Original Stories
Release date of 05/01/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Amazon First Reads - April 2024
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
P.S. There is no next book post and then a review due to my computer issues!
REVIEW - The Atlas Maneuver ebook
The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the eighteenth book in the Cotton Malone series with some novellas and a spin-off. I'm worried that Steve Berry will become like James Patterson and farm out his writing to secondary authors.
This book is basically about missing Axis treasure hidden since the end of WWII along with a current timeline about Bitcoin. I still don't understand the appeal of Bitcoin even after reading this book. As always, Steve does a lot of research about historical events that I knew nothing about which is fun to learn about.
This book has short chapters that make it easy to take a reading break and return to read later.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars
Writing: 3.5 stars
Steve can write really well. But as this series has continued, the writing isn't as strong as the earlier novels in this series.
This is a published novel (not an ARC), but there were numerous spelling errors and typos. It was as if this book wasn't proofed or edited properly. These errors do ruin the joy of reading this book.
Character development: 3.5 stars
The two main characters, Cotton (retired Justice) and Cassiopeia (Cotton's girlfriend) are on interconnected covert missions for a friend.
The secondary character, Koger (CIA), is the friend with the favor.
There are a few tertiary characters who are integral to the story including a bank head and a programmer.
Storyline: 3.0 stars
Steve makes so much about history fascinating! However, this topic of Axis hidden treasure and the contemporary Bitcoin storyline wasn't my favorite.
The storyline about finding the missing treasure was great, but the Bitcoin storyline just didn't work for me. Also, there was an irritating cliffhanger!
The main locations were Switzerland, Morocco, and Luxembourg with the beginning of the book taking place in the Philippines.
Memorable/Informative: 3.5 stars
It was okay, but just not my favorite.
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Very pretty.
Book title: 5.0 stars
A strong choice.
Recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry
405 pages
Grand Central Publishing
Release date of 02/20/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
P.S. I was just starting to review this book when my desktop crashed!!
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
Hi, everyone!!
I have been silent since Saturday, April 6th because my desktop died. But, I cannot complain as it lasted over NINE years!!
My new desktop arrived late yesterday afternoon (and hubby set it up last night)! It is way smaller, faster, and powerful! Actually, it is the size of a small wristlet!
So here is my first official post on my NEW desktop!!
Happy reading 📚
Dorothea 💜
Monday, April 1, 2024
March 2024 - Monthly Wrap-up
Hi, everyone!
Well, this has been a
strange month with few books read. But, no biggie! I did
not find a good biography or memoir to listen to for the last few weeks of the
month (listened to the Harry Potter audiobooks AGAIN). Additionally, I tried to ration my favorite book of March which was
silly.
March is the weakest ratings
month for 2024 ratings so far with a total rating of 3.88 stars. I had two books that
received the HIGHEST recommendation (5.0 stars) and the majority remaining were
RECOMMEND (3.5 stars). There is always something interesting about books!!
2nd ANNUAL “booksbydorothea”
BEST BOOKS OF 2024:
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore
(January) 5 stars
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles
(February) 5 stars
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
(March) 5 stars
GOODREADS READING GOAL:
As of 03/31/2024, I have read 33 books, or 33% of my
goal.
MARCH 2024 STATISTICS:
8 total books
5 e-books; 3 audiobooks; 0
physical books
3 books were an ARC
(Advance Reader Copy)
4 books were library books
0 books were purchased
1 book was an Amazon First
Reads
0 books were a Book Club
Girl
Audio listening time in March: 36 hours, 56 minutes
Pages read in March:
2, 16 pages
Average review rating: 3.88
stars
MARCH BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS:
5.0-star books (2)
Still Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton LINK
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer LINK
4.5-star books (0)
4.0-star books (1)
Lovers at the Museum by Isabel Allende LINK
3.5-star book (4)
Middletide by Sarah Crouch LINK
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner LINK
The House of Hidden
Meanings by RuPaul LINK
The 24th Hour by James Patterson; Maxine Paetro LINK
3.0-star books (1)
Here's The Story by Maureen McCormick LINK
If you want to read my full review of
any of these books, there are individual review posts for each ebook or
audiobook next to the title and author.
Happy reading 📚
Dorothea 💜
P.S. For more information
about my book ratings, you can find out more HERE.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)