NEXT BOOK POST and REVIEW - Natural Selection

Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This was a VERY short novelette or short story about a millennial woman who is ready to board a flight from Quito to a cruise around the Galapagos Islands with her older boyfriend. Then there is a phone call and everything changes. 

This was the second book that I have read by this author.

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The author writes in a light, breezy style. This was a fast and easy read.

Character development: 3.0 stars

There really was no character development as the book was so short. 

The main character is Sophia. She is a millennial realtor from New York City who is very self-absorbed. 

The secondary character is her boyfriend, JP. He is an older divorced father of three. He works in New York and travels home to Oklahoma for his kids. He is a perfect man with no noticeable character flaws.

Storyline:  3.5 stars

This short story just didn't do it for me. There were a lot of storyline holes and so many characters that it was impossible to become invested in the story.

After the call at the airport, I kept expecting something to happen, but nothing really happened. There was the expected twist at the end of the book.

The main location is the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.  

Memorable/Informative:  3.5 stars

There was nothing memorable about this book other than to use a travel agent. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Pretty.

Book title: 5.0 stars 

A great play on words that accurately describes this book.   

LUKEWARM recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

Amazon First Reads Kindle short-story ebook

Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand

54 pages 

Amazon Original Stories

Release date of 09/01/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Elin Hilderbrand

My Goodreads review

Amazon Original Stories

Amazon First Reads - August 2024

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

P.S. There is no next book post. It was such a fast read that the new book post and review post are combined. 

REVIEW - The Briar Club (ebook)

 

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the fifth novel by Kate Quinn that I have read. I enjoy her 20th-century historical fiction books because they are set in a time and/or place I know little about. Her books encourage me to do research on my own and learn more! Who doesn't want to learn more??? 

I am being purposefully vague in the details of the following review. I am afraid to ruin the wonderful plot twists!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The author, Kate Quinn, writes in a very educational and informative way about the period that the novel is set in. But, it is not written like a textbook or history book. It is set with characters, places, and events that are historical. 

The author has a great ability to write about history without being too academic. Kate hits the perfect balance! 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main character is Grace (boarder). She is the reason for the story from beginning to end. She was an incredibly unique and resilient character. I loved her! 

The secondary characters are the other seven characters: Pete (son of the owner); Nora, Reka, Fliss, Bea, and Arlene who are all boarders. 

The tertiary character is the boarding house, Briarwood House. It even has Interstitials written about it!  

The main and secondary characters each have a chapter dedicated to them and their back story. Their lives and backstories are intricately woven throughout the novel. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline begins with Grace renting a room at Briarwood House and goes forward in time. Interestingly, once Grace begins living at the boarding house, everything changes - some for the better, some not. She is the catalyst for change including the Briar Club (Thursday night supper club)!

The main location was Washington, DC.  

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

I enjoyed learning about the early 1950s. It sounds like a scary time in the United States and the world.  

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

On point!  

HIGHLY recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

432 pages 

William Morrow

Release date of 7/9/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Kate Quinn

My Goodreads review

William Morrow

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

Amazon First Reads - August 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 today! There is a free Kindle book and a free Kindle short story for August 2024. 

My TWO choices for August 2024 are:

Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand (short story)

The Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie (ebook)

So what Kindle book 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...

 

Drama - An Artist's Education by John Lithgow (audiobook)

Happy reading! 

Dorothea 💜

July 2024 - Monthly Wrap-up

 

Hi, everyone!

July was only five books read, but my family and I were all sick. Between being sick myself and caring for my family, I understandably couldn’t do much reading. Craziness, I say!!

 

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 stars (audiobook)

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman (July) 5 stars (ebook)

 

GOODREADS READING GOAL:

My goal for 2024 is 100 books which is a HUGE stretch goal. As of 07/31/2024, I have read 51 books, or 51% of my goal.

 

JULY 2024 STATISTICS:

5 total books

3 e-books; 2 audiobooks; 0 physical books

0 books were an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

3 books were library books

0 books were purchased

2 books were Amazon First Reads

0 books were a Book Club Girl

 

Audio listening time in July:  15 hours, 48 minutes

Pages read in July:  765 pages

Average review rating: 4.50 stars

 

JULY BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS: 

5.0-star book (1)

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman (ebook) LINK

  

4.5-star book (3)

The Most Human by Adam Nimoy (audiobook) LINK

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

Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda (ebook) LINK

4.0-star book (1)

The Blackbird Chronicles (All Souls #5) by Deborah Harkness (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 HERE.

My next ebook is...

 The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

Happy reading! 

Dorothea 💜

DNF - The Queen's Faithful Companion (ebook)

The Queen's Faithful Companion by Eliza Knight (ebook)

I will not be finishing this book. I have read about 15% and it just isn't for me. It is told from three viewpoints: Elizabeth (Princess/Queen), Hanna (dog handler), and Susan (Corgi). I didn't like having a dog's view point- it seemed silly to me.  

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

Happy reading! 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 The Queen's Faithful Companion by Eliza Knight

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

NEXT BOOK POST and REVIEW - Daughter of Fire (ebook)

 Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the debut novel by Mexican writer, Sofia Robleda. Sofia writes beautifully and reminds me so much of Isabel Allende's writing style. Both write with vivid storytelling, strong emotion, and magical realism.

This is an educational book about the history of Mexico and Central America as well as the horrific things the Spanish colonists and conquistadors did to the native peoples. It is not always an easy book to read, but it is important to be educated about these times so that we never repeat them.

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

Sofia writes in such lyrical and poetic prose. It is just beautiful writing. It was important to read this book and to be educated about Southern Mexico and Central America. This book explores the time about twenty years after the arrival of the conquistadores which was not fully covered in any history class I took. 

Character development: 4.0 stars

There were four main characters - Catalina (daughter of Don Alonso), Juan (native chief), Cristóbal (native and godson of Don Alonso), and Don Alonso (President of Guatemala and Spanish colonialist). These four characters weaved a strong story with detailed information about each character. They were all fascinating characters on their own merit.  

There are a lot of secondary characters including Catalina's mother, the household workers, Spanish aristocrats/conquistadores, town villagers, and native peoples. 

The tertiary character is Popol Vuh which is the history, treasured artifact, and holy book of the indigenous people in the area. 

Storyline:  4.0 stars

The storyline was fascinating! It was about the protection and preservation of the Popol Vuh. Learning about the cultures and history of the area was informative, yet horrifying at times. 

My only issue was when the storyline went into the realm of magical realism. It was difficult to understand who all the gods, goddesses, and demons were in the native spiritual world and what they represented. I would have liked to know more about this aspect of the book which could have been highlighted better or covered in an addendum. Finally, a glossary of terms would have been helpful for the indigenous language words and the more obscure Spanish words not in Google Translate.

The main location is colonial Guatemala.

 

Memorable/Informative:  4.5 stars

Many parts of this book disgusted me including the complete and utter destruction of the native culture, language, religion, and artifacts by the Spanish. I will remember all of this forever. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Pretty and perfect.

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Loved it!  

HIGHLY recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

Amazon First Reads Kindle ebook

Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda

280 pages 

Amazon Crossing

Release date of 08/1/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Sofia Robleda

My Goodreads review

Amazon Crossing

Amazon First Reads - July 2024

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

P.S. I apologize for not updating the book blog lately. But, I was not reading at all as I was sick! 

REVIEW - The Black Bird Oracle (ebook)

The Black Bird Oracle (All Souls #5) by Deborah Harkness (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the fifth book in the All Souls series. The fourth book was published in 2018 so there was a gap between books due to the author's illness. 

A quick reread of the series before beginning this book would have helped with my confusion about the characters and backstories, but I don't feel that I should have to do that. A recap would have been nice due to the length of time since the last book. 

Caveat: Please start with the first book in this series. This is not a stand-alone book. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

Deborah Harkness is a skilled historian and author. But it felt like something was missing in this book. 

There were a lot of SAT words that I could not find definitions, lots of French and Italian terms, and lots of witchy terms that I didn't understand. A glossary of terms would have been a really nice addition. The various languages and unknown words slowed down my reading. 

Character development: 4.0 stars

There was a genealogy of the three families in the book: de Clairmont (vampires), Bishop (witches), and Proctor (witches); but, it was hard to read on Kindle and was not detailed enough to answer many of my questions. 

The two main characters are Matthew (a Vampire with blood rage) and Diana (a Weaver witch). They are a mixed couple in the magical world which is highly unusual and irregular. 

There are a lot of secondary characters including Becca and Pip (Matthew and Diana's children), Gwenyth (Diana's paternal great-aunt), Sarah (Diana's maternal aunt), Ysabeau (Matthew's mother), and assorted family members from all three sides of the interwoven families. 

The tertiary character is Ravenswood. It is the ancestral home of the Proctor family and an enchanted place. 

Storyline:  4.0 stars

This book felt disjointed and not fully explored. There was so much going on within the three families that it was like multiple stories combined into one book. Some characters were not mentioned much at all like Becca and Pip. 

This book felt like it was written to setup the next book(s) in the series which was disappointing. 

The main locations are Ipswich, Massachusetts; New Haven, Connecticut; and Venice, Italy.   

Memorable/Informative:  3.5 stars

There isn't much that really grabbed me in this book. But there were some strange parts with Matthew and Diana in the forest and in the labyrinth - I didn't like either. 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Pretty.

Book title: 4.5 stars 

On point!  

DEFINITE recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)

The Black Bird Oracle (All Souls #5) by Deborah Harkness

446 pages 

Ballantine Books

Release date of 07/16/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Deborah Harkness

My Goodreads review

Ballantine Books

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 The Black Bird Oracle (All Souls #5) by Deborah Harkness (ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜