Just Add Water by Katie Ledecky (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, June 22, 2024
REVIEW - The Friday Afternoon Club (audiobook)
The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
I remember hearing the horrific story of the murder of Dominique Dunne when I was a senior in college. During the late 70s/80s, Los Angeles was "crime central" so I was concerned about what had happened. I was shocked to learn that Dominique was murdered by her boyfriend. I felt so sad for her and her family.
Griffin Dunne, Dominique's older brother, tells the story of the Dunne family before/after Dominique's death. It is a real, raw story of a dysfunctional American family.
One caveat, this is a real and raw story with lots of sexual scenes, drinking to excess, drug usage, and murder details. If that bothers you, please do not read this book.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Griffin writes beautifully. He is a strong writer who wrote about personal and intimate events in his family. He writes with "Irish dark humor", but handles the murder of his beloved sister with grace and love.
Narration: 5.0 stars
The narration was wonderful. Griffin has a nice voice for narration and tells the story of his family with the perfect amount of inflection, feeling, and emotion.
Character Arc: 5.0 stars
The audiobook is basically told chronologically in two parts - before/after the murder of Dominique Dunne. As someone whose paternal grandmother was murdered in 1939, I could viscerally understand the horror that the Dunne family lived through, unfortunately.
Griffin writes about the good, bad, and ugly in his family. There was mental illness, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, sexual issues, and the murder of a daughter/sister. But, there was the beauty of a family that rallied around a mother with MS, supported a sister after her death during the trial of her murderer, and loved each other deeply. This was a tortured family who survived it all with love.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
Griffin struggled with dyslexia which was not fully understood in the 60s and 70s. It made me understand my own struggles with depression and how children are sometimes not diagnosed properly.
The large Dunne family loved one another deeply but had their own issues. They all reconciled in the end which is my hope for my dysfunctional family. It gave me hope!
Entertaining: 5.0 stars
It was so entertaining! I love the friendship with Carrie Fisher stories and the "Santa Claus" story.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
A perfect family portrait.
Book title: 5.0 stars
On point!
STRONG recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne
Penguin Audio
12 hours, 19 minutes
Release date of 6/11/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Thursday, June 20, 2024
REVIEW - The Marriage Sabbatical (ebook)
The Marriage Sabbatical by Lian Dolan (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the fifth novel by Lian Dolan that I have read. I enjoy her books because they are just so escapist and light!! This novel is about a couple taking a "marriage sabbatical" in separate places for about a year.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
The author writes in an accessible and easy-to-read style. I like her writing because it is descriptive without being heavy-handed.
Character development: 4.0 stars
The two main characters are Nicole and Jason, a married couple with adult children.
The secondary characters are the friends they meet on their "marriage sabbatical", friends from home, coworkers, and family.
The tertiary character is the "marriage sabbatical" itself. It is a HUGE part of the storyline.
Storyline: 4.0 stars
The storyline begins with Jason taking a year-long sabbatical from work. Jason goes to Argentina and Nicole goes to Santa Fe. They agree to a "marriage sabbatical" allowing them to have relationships with other partners during Jason's sabbatical. I didn't find the storyline to be believable, especially the ending. It just didn't work for me.
The main locations were Portland, Oregon; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Patagonia, Argentina.
Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars
I enjoyed learning about what makes Portland and Santa Fe tick as cities!
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Nice.
Book title: 4.0 stars
Appropriate.
DEFINITE recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
The Marriage Sabbatical by Lian Dolan
288 pages
William Morrow
Release date of 4/2/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Thursday, June 13, 2024
REVIEW - The Bookshop Ladies (ebook)
The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan
OVERVIEW
This is the fourth book by Faith Hogan that I have read and the fourth book in the Ballycove series. The Ballycover series are books about a fictional village in coastal western Ireland.
Reading Faith's books has made me put Ireland higher on my bucket list! I know that Ballycover doesn't exist, but there are similar towns to visit!
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Faith writes so beautifully that I overlook the time flying by. I actually inhaled this lovely book. It was just what I needed after a few weeks of personal drama. The author's writing is so easy and yet so descriptive. I love her writing so very much!
The descriptions of Ireland, the people, and the community make the Ballycove books so brilliant!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main characters are Fern, Robyn, and Joy. Fern is Robyn's mom, Robyn is the owner of a small bookshop, and Joy is the widow of Robyn's biological father. Yes, it is a complicated story, but it is what real life is like!! It is messy!!
The secondary characters are the relatives and friends who mainly live in the village of Ballycove.
The tertiary character is Ballycove. The novel would not work anywhere else in the world, but Ballycove.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
This book is simple. A husband makes a deathbed confession about a secret daughter to his wife and leaves a valuable painting to the daughter in his will. The widow decides to deliver it personally which sets off the chain of events that create this sweet novel.
The main location was primarily the fictional Ballycove, Ireland.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
I love learning about Ireland from the Irish language to the rich culture and the amazing people.
One of the characters says (paraphrasing), "All Americans have a little Irish in them". This is true as I am 11% Irish!!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
So beautiful.
Book title: 4.5 stars
Lovely.
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
LAPL library borrow (ebook)
The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan
304 pages
Aria
Release date of 6/20/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
DNF - Georgia
Georgia by Dawn Tripp
I will not be finishing this book, unfortunately. I have read 51% of this book and it is repetitive. This is, AGAIN, a situation of trying to make a book work when I just should have let it go a week ago!
The book is full of explicit descriptions of the sexual relationship with her husband. I wanted to learn more about Georgia.
This historical novel didn't work for me which doesn't mean it won't work for you!
Happy reading!
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
REVIEW - Betrayal at Blackthorn Park (ebook)
Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the fourth book by Julia Kelly that I have read and the second book in the "Parisian Orphan" series. This was a juicy, fun romp of a WWII mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. This series and author are one of the few exceptions I make to reading more WWII historical fiction or mysteries!!
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The author writes really beautifully, period. These mystery novels are "non-bloody" mysteries without long descriptions of the death and the aftermath. That is why I really like them so very much!
Additionally, there is great character development throughout this novel. I loved learning more about the two main characters and am excited to read more! My favorite part is that I am learning more about England and WWII England - it is all so fascinating to this American!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The two main characters are Evelyne Redfern and David Poole. Since this is the second novel with these two characters, we find much more about their backstories and work in the SIU (Special Investigation Unit). Evelyne has just completed her SIU training in Yorkshire while David is a much more experienced operative.
The secondary characters are the coworkers in the SIU, family, friends, the suspects of the theft at Blackthorn Park, and all the assorted characters in a small village.
The tertiary character is Blackthorn Park. It plays a big role in the story.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline begins with Evelyne returning from SIU training and then being summoned to headquarters for her first assignment while David is her handler. Evelyne is to investigate a report of theft at Blackthorn Park - a secret munitions development, research, and manufacturing location in Sussex. The manor home of Blackthorn Park was requisitioned to allow for secrecy. Unfortunately, a death by suicide occurs and the investigation rapidly changes tack.
This mystery is told in first-person which I always enjoy as you have so much insight into the characters' secrets, thoughts, and perceptions. It is also helpful for the reader to try and solve the mystery.
The main locations were England - mainly Sussex and London.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
I continue to learn much about the English resolve and passion to protect and save their country. This is exactly why they defeated Hitler.
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Pretty.
Book title: 4.5 stars
Lovely.
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
NetGalley ARC (ebook)
Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly
320 pages
Minotaur Books
Release date of 10/1/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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