What A Fool Believes by Michael McDonald (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
REVIEW - Drama (audiobook)
Drama by John Lithgow (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
I knew John Lithgow from his series and a few movies. It was fascinating to learn how many prestigious awards he has won for theatre, television, and movies. There are so many he has a separate Wikipedia page for just his awards!!
It was an "all-in" audiobook as he went from his childhood to 2011 (when the book was written) including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I must confess that I didn't know many of the actors, actresses, and directors, John spoke about; however, he made everyone accessible and real.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
John writes beautifully. But, he made the writing relatable, real, and funny.
Narration: 5.0 stars
John had perfect narration with appropriate emotion, but not like an actor. He read like an American who acts who grew up in multiple states and went to numerous schools as a child. His diction is just lovely.
Character Arc: 4.5 stars
The audiobook is told chronologically. The story ends with John in 2011 reflecting on his life and new life trajectories.
His life was fascinating - he moved all over the eastern United States as a kid. It is evident that he is intelligent so Harvard made sense, but he did not get a theater or drama degree. John talks about his theatre acting in the U.S., England, and Canada and how he prefers it to television and motion pictures. He is an actor's actor so theatre is a joy for him.
Memorable: 4.5 stars
The biggest takeaway is that John went through adolescence later at the age of 30. He was always the "good boy" which mirrors my life of being the "good girl". It explains so much about me and John!
Entertaining: 4.5 stars
John has a hysterical funny bone! I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
So appropriate.
Book title: 4.5 stars
On point with double meanings!
STRONG recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
Drama by John Lithgow
HarperAudio
10 hours, 16 minutes
Release date of 9/29/2011
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, August 12, 2024
My next ebook is...
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympics
Hi, everyone!
Well, the Paris 2024 Olympics affected my reading totals for both July and August! However, watching the athletes, especially the Americans, was worth every second!
Hopefully, I will have time to get more ebooks and audiobooks in before the Paris 2024 Paralympics begin at the end of the month!!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, August 10, 2024
REVIEW - What Does It Feel Like? (ebook)
What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the fourth novel by Sophie Kinsella that I have read. This book is a total departure from her usual fun, fun reads.
This is a semi-autobiographical fictionalized novel. Sophie tells her cancer journey through the use of fictionalized characters. This methodology is used to protect her and her family's privacy. It is a powerful and moving story, but not a memoir. So if you are looking for salacious details, this book is not for you.OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The author writes in a lovely and easy style. You feel what the characters are going through without being too invasive or too precious.
It was done beautifully! This will be a wonderful book for cancer survivors and their supporters to read for hope and inspiration.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main character is Eve (wife, mother, and cancer patient). She is the reason for the story and enough of her life story is shared to understand who she is!
The secondary characters are her husband, Nick. and their five children.
The tertiary character is the glioblastoma tumor. The tumor is in charge as it determines healing, treatment, and health.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline is about Eve's glioblastoma tumor which parallels the author's diagnosis. It is her journey through pre-therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and after-care therapy. It also is about how Eve, Nick, and their kids deal with the diagnosis of cancer and the after-effects.
The main location was Wimbledon, London, England.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
This novel helped me realize that cancer isn't always a death sentence.
However, it was a melancholy read as my husband's sister passed away from the same horrible disease.
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Pretty!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent!
HIGHLY recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
NetGalley ARC (ebook)
What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella
146 pages
The Dial Press
Release date of 10/8/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, August 9, 2024
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
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
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Amazon First Reads - August 2024
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 💜
Thursday, August 1, 2024
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!!
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
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.
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