April 2024 - Monthly Wrap-up

Hi, everyone!

Well, this has been an interesting month with only FIVE books read. It is what it is with my birthday AND everyone in my immediate family (including me) down with illness.

I am still on an audiobook quest for a good biography or memoir to listen to for next month. Most audiobooks seem to come in big drops, and I haven’t found one that interests me! Any suggestions???

I learned something about myself this month - I need to continually remind myself it is fine to DNF (Did Not Finish) a book. I kept reading a book for almost two weeks and read 26% of the book, but it wasn’t for me. I know that there are a lot of other books out there but for some reason, I really wanted to like this book. 

April's overall scores improved over March with a score of 4.0 stars. I had five books "stair step" from 5.0 down to 3.0 stars which is a first. Thankfully, I did have a standout book!

 

2^nd 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

How To Read A Book by Monica Wood (April) 5 stars

 

GOODREADS READING GOAL:

For 2024, my goal will be 100 from the very start!!! As of 04/30/2024, I have read 38 books, or 38% of my goal.

 

APRIL 2024 STATISTICS:

5 total books

4 e-books; 1 audiobook; 0 physical books

2 books were an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

2 books were library books

0 books were purchased

1 book was an Amazon First Reads

1 book was a Book Club Girl

 

Audio listening time in April:  8 hours, 44 minutes

Pages read in April:  1,074 pages

Average review rating: 4.00 stars

 

APRIL BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS: 

5.0-star book (1)

How To Read A Book by Monica Wood (ebook) LINK

 

4.5-star book (1)

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce (ebook) LINK

 

4.0-star book (1)

 

One Way Back by Christine Blasey Ford (audiobook) LINK

3.5-star book (1)

The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry (ebook) LINK

3.0-star book (1)

 

Cut & Thirst by Margaret Atwood (ebook) 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 name and author of the book. 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.

 

DNF - The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson

I will not be finishing this book, unfortunately. I have read 26% of this book and have tried to read it for almost two weeks. This is a situation of trying to make a book work when I just should have let it go a week ago! 

The book is dense, overly descriptive, and hasn't had anything happen in over 1/4 of the book. 

This historical novel didn't work for me which doesn't mean it won't work for you! 

Happy reading! 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - One Way Back (audiobook)

 One Way Back by Christine Blasey Ford (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

In 2018, I watched the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford with horrible flashbacks of similar testimony by Anita Hill about Clarence Thomas. The testimony was riveting, horrific, and so believable. Christine was a strong witness which contrasted to Brett Kavanaugh's emotional testimony. After seeing the hearings, I was convinced the nomination would not make it out of the Judicial committee. I was wrong - we now have two sexual predators on the Supreme Court - Thomas and Kavanaugh. Disgusting. 

This book does not go into great detail about the assault. This is Christine telling her story about her testimony and her healing after the fact. 

The above is why sexual assault and molestation victims do not come forward. They are not believed and the victims are put on trial. This needs to change.

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

There is no doubt that Christine is a strong, powerful, and technical writer. But, this was not a book where she could poetically rhapsodize in similes and metaphors. It was raw, shocking, and real.

The best part of Christine's writing is that she occasionally speaks in "surf talk" (as she is a hardcore surfer) and uses many phrases that are second nature to me as a Southern California native. These surfing phrases along with her salty language (which I loved and was so appropriate) made me love her.  

Narration: 3.5 stars

Christine has a very distinct voice. She is not a professional narrator, but she told her story in her own words which I prefer in memoirs. Her voice is a little monotone and non-emotional which may be what she needed to do to narrate her story.  

Character Arc: 4.0 stars

She talks about her life before and after the assault (very little of the assault is talked about) and discovers Brett's nomination to the Supreme Court nomination while on a beach in Santa Cruz. Christine agonizes over testifying but ultimately is forced to testify as her name is revealed in the media.  She and her family's lives were upended before, during, and after the testimony including physical security for more than a year. The vitriol she received on social media, in the press, and in letters written to her is unconscionable.

I really loved that she wrote this book for the letter writers to her - those who has similar and/or worse stories to tell. 

She writes the book in a very chronological manner which flows very nicely for the reader. 

Memorable:  4.0 stars

Christine (and Anita Hill) are exactly why women do not come forward after their sexual harassment, assaults, or molestations. It is wrong. 

After listening to Christine's book, I realized that I was also sexually assaulted in high school. It was the same type of situation with alcohol involved and I dismissed my feelings as overreacting. I think that there are many of us out there who have suppressed these experiences. 

Entertaining:   4.0 stars

It was not entertaining, but enlightening. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Very pretty. 

Book title: 4.0 stars 

So appropriate! 

DEFINITE recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

One Way Back by Christine Blasey Ford

Macmillan Audio

8 hours, 44 minutes

Release date of 03/19/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Christine Blasey Ford

My Goodreads review

Macmillan Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

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

Monica Wood

My Goodreads review

Mariner Books

NetGalley

Book Club Girl

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 How To Read A Book by Monica Wood

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

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

Denny S Bryce

My Goodreads review

Kensington Books

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 

One Way Back by Christine Blasey Ford

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 

The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander by Denny S. Bryce

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

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

Margaret Atwood

My Goodreads review

Amazon Original Stories

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

Steve Berry

My Goodreads review

Grand Central Publishing

LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

P.S. I was just starting to review this book when my desktop crashed!!