REVIEW - My Mama, Cass (audiobook)

 

My Mama, Cass by Owen Elliot-Kugell (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

I have loved The Mamas & the Papas since I first heard them on American Bandstand when I was five. My older cousin let me play with her Barbies while we actively watched and listened to their amazing harmonies. Of course, my cousin, Deana, shushed me when I asked questions while they were performing. I vividly remember this moment as I loved how they sounded and the beautiful song they sang which is still one of my favorites - "California Dreamin"!

This memoir by Owen Elliot-Kugel is based on the life of Cass Elliot born Ellen Naomi Cohen. Owen lost her mother when she was seven to a heart attack and not from the urban legend of choking on a ham sandwich. 

This memoir is a love letter from Owen to her mother. She actively researched and talked to her mother's personal and work friends, family, and acquaintances. The amount of time invested into this memoir must have been extensive. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

Owen writes lovingly and well. It was the story of her mother and Owen's story after the loss of her mother - it was written with much love.  

However, I wanted more detail, especially about Cass's singing and writing. My other vicarious need was more descriptions of what Cass was wearing! The 1960s were an incredible time for clothes. 

Narration: 4.5 stars

Owen read more slowly than I like, but one can always adjust the speed. It is Owen reading the story of her mother's life and her life without her beloved mother. She really had natural inflection and emotion.

Character Arc: 4.5 stars

The audiobook is told chronologically. The story ends with Cass finally receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

Owen begins her family story with the strong woman of her family who sacrificed so much to improve the lives of their families. Cass was a strong woman who lived in a period where her creativity could blossom, but men, unfortunately, still ran the world!

Memorable:  5.0 stars

The biggest takeaway is that Cass had to deal with the "fat" jokes and comments for her entire life. Even in death, the horribleness continues with the urban legend of her death. 

I also loved that Cass was active in politics and wanted to leave the world a better place than how she found it. She would be appalled at the state of our world today. 

Entertaining:   4.5 stars

Some of the stories about Cass were very funny and/or interesting. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

So beautiful.

Book title: 5.0 stars 

The perfect title. 

STRONG recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

My Mama, Cass by Owen Elliot-Kugell

Hachette Books

6 hours, 30 minutes

Release date of 5/7/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

No Wikipedia or personal webpage

My Goodreads review

Hachette Books

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 In a League of Her Own by Kaia Alderson (ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Bookstore Wedding (ebook)

 The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This was a short story by the amazing Alice Hoffman. This is the second short story in The Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories about a family bookstore on the fictional island of Brinkley's Island, Maine. I love this sweet and lovely series and cannot wait for the next installment! 

Caveat: Please read the first book in this short story series first. It will make this book a much more enjoyable experience. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Alice Hoffman is my favorite author, period. Her writing is spectacular and beautiful and this short story was not an exception to the rule. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The two main characters, the Gibson sisters, Isabel and Sophie run the family bookstore. The sisters have been close in the past, but Isabel lived in New York City for many years and returned as the prodigal daughter. 

There are a lot of secondary characters including Johnny (Isabel's fiancee), Jack (Johnny's father), and Violet (Sophie's daughter). 

We learn more about the main and secondary characters and are set up for the next book in the short story series.  

Storyline:  5.0 stars

This short story is about family, reconciliation, and unconditional love. 

Isabel returns home permanently after Sophie breaks her leg and their relationship heals. Isabel also heals her love story with Johnny. This short story is lovely.

I would have loved this series to be made into a book, but there is much anticipation in the short story serialization. So I will wait eagerly for the next short story like my grandparents had to do!

The main location is the fictional Brinkley's Island, Maine.  

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

This short story is just what I needed during this chaotic time (scary SCOTUS rulings and the Presidential Debate) and is a balm for my soul. It isn't memorable or informative per se, but is what I craved. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous.

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect!  

HIGHLY recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

Amazon First Reads Kindle short-story ebook

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

39 pages 

Amazon Original Stories

Release date of 08/01/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Alice Hoffman

My Goodreads review

Amazon Original Stories

Amazon First Reads - July 2024

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman (ebook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

DNF - Lost Kingdom (ebook)

Lost Kingdom by Julia Flynn Siler (ebook)

I will not be finishing this book after reading about 14%. I will record it as DNF.   

This book was about the American overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893. I wrongly assumed this would be more about the Hawaiian monarchy and less about the rise of the Sugar Kings. 

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

Happy reading! 

Dorothea 💜

 

Amazon First Reads - July 2024

Hi, everyone!!

Did you know you receive a FREE monthly Kindle book available with your Amazon Prime membership??? It is called Amazon First Reads!! You can find out more about it here: Amazon First Reads.

I received the Amazon First Reads email yesterday. In celebration of Amazon First Reads + July Prime Days, there are TWO free Kindle books in July 2024. 

My TWO choices for July 2024 are:

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda

So what books are you SELECTING?!? Also, as a reminder, don't forget to buy and download the FREE books from Amazon!

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

My Mama, Cass by Owen Elliot-Kugell (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Most Human (audiobook)

The Most Human by Adam Nimoy (audiobook) 

OVERVIEW

Full disclosure, I am not a "Trekkie" fan. However, as a native Angeleno, I admire Leonard Nimoy for his work with the renovation and expansion of my beloved Griffith Observatory. I have watched an occasional episode of the original series, and some of the movies, but I am a novice fan.

Adam Nimoy and I have very similar stories with our families of origin. We had emotionally distant fathers and needy mothers. Adam was able to reconcile with his father before his death, but I did not have that opportunity. We both are native Angelenos who love our city of Los Angeles. Finally, we are part of "Generation Jones" with "Baby Boomer" parents. So much commonality between us!

One caveat, this is a real and raw story with mentions of alcohol consumption, drug usage, and recovery. If that bothers you, please do not read this book. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

Adam writes extremely well, but like the attorney that he is. 

However, at times, I wanted more detail. Adam wrote descriptively enough that I could imagine and viscerally feel some of the scenes that he describes. 

Narration: 4.5 stars

Adam read more slowly than I like, but one can always adjust the speed. It is him telling HIS story and I liked how he spoke so well and with natural inflection.

Character Arc: 4.5 stars

The audiobook is basically told chronologically. The story ends with Adam coming full circle with his father by speaking on Yom Kippur - that final chapter was beautiful and so emotional. 

Adam writes about the good and bad in his family, chosen family, and friends. There was drug addiction, alcohol addiction, multiple deaths, and major family dysfunction. But, Adam is determined that the generational trauma ends with him which is exactly what I have done.

Memorable:  5.0 stars

The biggest takeaway is that 12-step Programs work for folks who really work the program. It is not easy but sobriety and amends can make all the difference to familial relationships. There is always hope!!

Entertaining:   4.5 stars

It was not so much entertaining as informative. I appreciated that. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

A perfect father-son portrait.

Book title: 5.0 stars 

On point! 

STRONG recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

The Most Human by Adam Nimoy

Dreamscape Media

9 hours, 18 minutes

Release date of 6/4/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Adam Nimoy

My Goodreads review

Dreamscape Media

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

June 2024 - Monthly Wrap-up

Hi, everyone!

Well, June was only four books, but who is counting???

I have listened to my first audiobook that I was interested in reading for the first time in a long time. I hope that many more audiobooks are in my future!

June's overall scores improved over May with a score of 4.5-starred books. Yes, I did have a 5.0-starred book – it was an excellent audiobook!

 

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

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarity (May) 4.5 stars

The Friday Afternoon Club (June) 5.0 stars (audiobook)

 

GOODREADS READING GOAL:

For 2024, my goal will be 100 from the very start!!! As of 06/30/2024, I have read 46 books, or 46% of my goal.

 

JUNE 2024 STATISTICS:

4 total books

3 e-books; 1 audiobook; 0 physical books

1 book was an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

3 books were library books

0 books were purchased

0 books were an Amazon First Reads

0 books were a Book Club Girl

 

Audio listening time in June:  12 hours, 19 minutes

Pages read in June:  912 pages

Average review rating: 4.50 stars

 

JUNE BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS: 

5.0-star book (1)

The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne (audiobook) LINK

 

4.5-star books (2)

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelley (ebook) LINK

The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan (ebook) LINK

4.0-star book (1)

The Marriage Sabbatical by Lian Dolan (ebook) LINK

  

3.5-star book (0)

 

3.0-star book (0)

 

If you want to read my full review of any of these books, there are individual review links for each ebook or audiobook next to the book title and author. 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 at this LINK.

 

 

My next audiobook is...

 The Most Human by Adam Nimoy (audiobook)

Happy reading! 

Dorothea 💜

DNF - Just Add Water (audiobook)

 Just Add Water by Katie Ledecky (audiobook)

I will not be finishing this book. I have listened to 26%, and it isn't that interesting. 

If you are into swimming statistics and are a big fan of USA swimming, this book is for you. 

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

Happy reading! 

Dorothea 💜