The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
REVIEW - The Light Over London (ebook)
The Light Over London by Julia Kelly (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the fifth book that I have read by Julia Kelly. I have enjoyed her historical fiction mystery series (Parisian Orphan) and her historical fiction novels.
In this historical novel, the author has two timelines - WWII and a contemporary timeline. As a personal aside, I have a personal embargo on reading more WWII books, but Julia is one of the few exceptions.
I learned about another piece of British history I knew nothing about - the "gunner girls" of WWII. These women were incredible heroines who saved many British lives by downing Luftwaffe planes before they dropped bombs over cities and military targets.
This novel has some twists and turns so I am being vague about the plot and the characters.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
As always, Julia Kelly writes so beautifully! She ties the two timelines together by weaving historical information to create a multi-layered story. I loved learning about British history in the novel, but it was written in such a well-done manner as to be pleasant and not scholarly.
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main characters are Louise (a WWII character) and Cara (a contemporary character).
The secondary characters are Paul (Louise's friend), Liam (Cara's friend), Iris (Cara's grandmother). Paul, Liam, and Iris are yin and yang characters.
The tertiary characters are Kate (Louise's cousin), Nicole (Cara's friend), assorted military characters, and Cara's boss.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline begins when Cara finds Louise's diary while working on an estate consignment sale with her boss. Cara becomes curious and wants to return the diary to Louise's family. She reads the diary and begins to research Louise while also trying to convince Iris to share about her WWII service.
The main locations were Cornwall, London, and Gloucestershire England.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
The British female gunners in WWII were brave, smart, and patriotic. They were real heroines who helped Britain win the war over Germany.
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Lovely!
Book title: 4.5 stars
Very appropriate!
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
The Light Over London by Julia Kelly
305 pages
Gallery Books
Release date of 1/8/2019
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, August 26, 2024
My next audiobook is...
It Goes So Fast by Mary Louise Kelly (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, August 23, 2024
My next ebook is...
The Light Over London by Julia Kelly (ebook)
I am slowly reading Julia Kelly's previous books that I have missed. Since this one became available from the library, I decided to read it now.
Of course, I am also reading Framed, but it is a deep topic and I need to break away from it when it becomes overwhelming. It is excellent but difficult to read.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
P.S. I also need to find a new audiobook!
REVIEW - What a Fool Believes (audiobook)
What a Fool Believes by Michael McDonald (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
I grew up listening to Michael McDonald primarily in junior high and high school when he was in Steely Dan (I had no clue) and The Doobie Brothers. He has such a hauntingly beautiful voice.
So when I saw this audiobook, I knew I had to listen to it especially as Michael narrates it himself. This is not a hugely "tell-all" book, but he does share some stories about his life that are real, raw, and gritty. It is told from his childhood to the current time. This audiobook came out this year and I somehow missed it!
There is one caveat about this book. There are lots of mentions of extreme alcohol consumption, drug usage, and finally recovery. If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
Michael writes prose, lyrics, and music beautifully. I was impressed that the writing was so strong especially as Michael didn't finish high school! Impressive!
Narration: 5.0 stars
Michael read like a professional narrator with his amazing speaking voice (just as good as his amazing singing voice). He read with feeling and emotion as appropriate.
He also has a great sense of humor and made me laugh out loud. Michael's book is sprinkled liberally with curse words including my favorite that begins with an "F". It didn't bother me at all as it was all appropriate!
Character Arc: 4.0 stars
The audiobook is told chronologically from his childhood in St. Louis to his current life in California. The story ends in 2023 with Michael in a good place in his life with his career, marriage, and family.
The only real issue for me is that Michael knows a lot about music from writing lyrics and music to playing multiple instruments and being a music producer including forming his own record label. He talks about chord progression and I was lost as I have no natural musical ability. I wish Michael had explained more about the music as it would have been helpful!
Memorable: 5.0 stars
I loved how he shared how his life was not perfect including his wife's breast cancer diagnosis and their joint drug and alcohol recovery. He also shared his difficult relationship with his father. But my favorite parts are when Michael takes ownership of his behavior and calls himself an "a-hole" which was a correct analysis.
Entertaining: 5.0 stars
Michael told funny stories, but the best anecdotes were about his son when he was little. The story about the coffee shop and the cookie was hysterical to me as a parent!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect - showcasing his beautiful blue eyes.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Oh, so perfect - he wrote this song AND Michael has imposter syndrome thinking he is the fool!
STRONG recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
What a Fool Believes by Michael McDonald
Dey Street Books
10 hours, 57 minutes
Release date of 5/21/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, August 17, 2024
REVIEW - The Little Shop of Found Things (ebook)
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the second book that I have read by Paula Brackston. It is also the first in a four-part series! I am so excited to read more about these wonderful characters!
This book is basically about a woman with psychometry who travels through time. It is similar to the Outlander series with time travel, but is set about a century earlier in England and the reason for the journey is a silver chartelaine.Please note that I am being careful with many details not to spoil the twists in this lovely book.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
The author writes beautifully in a lovely educating way about the two time periods in the book. I loved learning about the history in the novel, but it was written in a manner that wasn't a schoolbook way.
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main character is Xanthe who is the time traveler in this novel. She had to bridge two time periods in Wiltshire during the early 1600s and late 2010s. The two time periods collide making for some interesting dialogue and plot twists!
The secondary characters are Flora (Xanthe's mother and owner of an antique shop), Liam (Xanthe's friend), and Samuel (Xanthe's friend).
The tertiary characters are the assorted supporting characters in both times.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline is about Xanthe traveling back in time to ensure her mother's safety through psychometry and a chartelaine. Xanthe had a mission to time travel to the early 1600s and correct a wrong. She also finds friendship and love in the past.
The main location was Wiltshire England, but specifically Marlborough and Salisbury.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
I learned two new words that intrigued me in this book: psychometry and chartelaine. They are both fascinating in their definitions!!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
So pretty!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent!
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston
336 pages
St. Martin's Press
Release date of 10/2/2018
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
My next audiobook is...
What A Fool Believes by Michael McDonald (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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 💜
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