From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, October 11, 2024
REVIEW - Connie (audiobook)
Connie by Connie Chung (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
As a "born, raised, and never left" Angeleno, I was fortunate to watch Connie Chung on our local CBS affiliate. I was impressed by this smart, talented, and beautiful Chinese-American woman co-anchoring the news. She was impressive and awe-inspiring to me as very few women were on the news then and almost no Asian-Americans.
Connie did a fantastic job with this audiobook. It was written and narrated beautifully as I would expect from such an accomplished journalist. It did not disappoint.
Since it was a memoir, there were some self-aggrandizing moments, but the majority of the book was humble and self-effacing.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Connie writes beautifully, efficiently, and eloquently. I wished for a little more "heart" in the writing, but she did a great job considering her background. I had to remind myself that Connie is a trained journalist who avoids personal feelings while reporting. There are some "tell-all" moments especially about male anchors and those in power - disgusting.
Narration: 5.0 stars
Perfectly narrated. Connie has a voice that is just so lush and professional. I could listen to her read the Constitution and wouldn't be bored.
She is also funny and a straight-shooter - my kind of gal!
Character Arc: 5.0 stars
The audiobook is told chronologically which I thoroughly enjoyed. She discussed her childhood, career, and finding love. Such a happy ending.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
Many of the sexist issues that Connie dealt with in the 70's, I was dealing with in the 90's. Unbelievable.
I loved that so many Asian-American women were named Connie in the 70's-90's after her. It is a great honor and a living testament to her hard work and what she meant to many.
Entertaining: 5.0 stars
It was so funny at times with her wicked sense of humor and double-entendre comebacks. I loved her honest take on people without being snarky and how she owned her mistakes.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Short and sweet.
HIGHLY recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
Connie by Connie Chung
Grand Central Publishing
11 hours, 35 minutes
Release date of 9/17/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Friday, October 4, 2024
REVIEW - Something Lost, Something Gained (audiobook)
Something Lost, Something Gained by Hillary Rodham Clinton (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
As a liberal Democrat, I cried when I voted for HRC in 2016 with my then 15-year-old daughter. I knew what a Trump presidency would mean and my worst fears came true.
This is the fourth book by HRC that I have read (including the novel with Louise Penny). For memoirs, I prefer to listen to audiobooks read by the author which I did with this book.
There were a few things that bothered me about this memoir. The chapters ran hot and cold for me; I either loved or disliked a chapter with no middle ground. Also, Hillary discussed Donald Trump a bit too much for me and sometimes ranted. It felt like a reboot of What Happened, her previous book on the 2016 election. Finally, an entire chapter was devoted to her Methodist faith and the reorganization of the religion. I am non-religious and this wasn't pertinent to me at all. I also wished she had discussed some of the negative things in her life such as Whitewater, Benghazi, her husband's impeachment, and more about "the emails".
Please note that this is NOT a tell-all book. It is a collection of stories/essays about topics important to HRC.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
HRC writes beautifully - very descriptive and real. She definitely wrote to her audience which are educated, middle-class women. It was totally on point.
I disliked her use of name-calling to refer to many folks on the other side of the aisle including Trump and McConnell. She didn't need to go low like that.
Narration: 3.5 stars
HRC has a voice that can become grating when she is angry or upset about a topic - that is how she read the parts about Trump. It was annoying and not pleasant to listen to at all.
On the other hand, when talking about her family members, her voice softened and was lovely and loving.
Character Arc: 4.0 stars
The audiobook is told chronologically, but HRC does deviate by backtracking to fill in stories or explain things more fully. Learning about her parents' marriage and her childhood explains why she has always been so driven. HRC is the oldest, daughter, with two younger brothers. Enough said!
Memorable: 4.5 stars
The one chapter about the white scarves is amazing. I was breathless to hear how it all worked out. It was an incredible feat performed by women for women to get targeted Afghani women out of Afghanistan before the US left. There are many other stories in this book that were just as good.
Entertaining: 4.0 stars
HRC can be quite funny in some of her anecdotes.
But, for me, learning about all that she did as a lawyer, First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the US, Senator, and Secretary of State was awe-inspiring. She accomplished so much, but not all is known to the public.
Book cover: 3.0 stars
A more flattering picture could have been chosen for her.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Very appropriate. Joan Baez, anyone?
STRONG recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
Something Lost, Something Gained by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Simon & Schuster Audio
13 hours, 25 minutes
Release date of 9/17/2020
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Amazon First Reads - October 2024
Hi, everyone!!
Did you know as part of your Amazon Prime Membership you receive a FREE monthly Kindle book available?? It is called Amazon First Reads!! You can find out more about it here: Amazon First Reads.
The Amazon First Reads email went out yesterday! There are TWO free Kindle books for October 2024.
My TWO choices for October 2024 are:
An Age of Winters by Gemma Liviero (ebook)
The Naturalist Society by Carrie Vaughn (ebook)
So what Kindle book are you SELECTING?!?
Also, as a reminder, remember to "buy" AND download the FREE books from Amazon! You cannot read the books for free if they are not downloaded! Ask me how I know?
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
SEPTEMBER 2024 - Monthly Wrap-up
Good morning, everyone!!
September started with the
possibility of being a twelve-book or more month. Unfortunately, life got in
the way with a sick family member in the hospital. Thankfully, a discharge is
expected tomorrow (and I did read a book while waiting at the hospital)!!
2nd ANNUAL
“booksbydorothea” BEST BOOKS OF 2024:
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore (January) 5 stars (ebook)
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles (February) 5 stars (ebook)
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer (March) 5 stars (ebook)
How To Read A Book by Monica Wood (April) 5 stars (ebook)
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarity (May)
4.5 stars (ebook)
The Friday Afternoon Club (June) 5 stars (audiobook)
The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman (July) 5 stars (ebook)
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn (August) 5 stars (ebook)
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates (September) 5 stars (audiobook)
GOODREADS READING GOAL:
My goal is to read 100 books in 2024. As
of 09/30/2024, I have read 69 books, or 69% of my goal.
SEPTEMBER 2024 STATISTICS:
10 total books
7 e-books; 3 audiobooks; 0 physical
books
2 books were ARCs (Advance Reader
Copy)
7 books were library books
0 books were purchased
1 book was an Amazon First Reads
0 books were a Book Club Girl
Audio listening time in September:
28 hours, 49 minutes
Pages read in September: 2,824
pages
Average review rating: 4.30 stars
SEPTEMBER BOOK RATINGS
with BOOK COVERS:
5.0-star book (2)
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates (audiobook) LINK
The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly (ebook) LINK
4.5-star book (4)
Secrets of the Chocolate
House by Paula Brackston (ebook) LINK
The Garden of Promises and Lies by Paula Brackston (ebook) LINK
All In by Billie Jean King (audiobook) LINK
The Secret War of Julia
Child by Diana R. Chambers (ebook) LINK
4.0-star book (3)
Framed by John Grisham/Jim McCloskey (ebook) LINK
The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams (ebook) LINK
Do You Feel Like I Do? by Peter Frampton/Alan Light (audiobook) LINK
3.5-star book (0)
3.0-star book (1)
When We Were Friends by Jane Green (ebook) LINK
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. You can find out more about my book ratings HERE.
Monday, September 30, 2024
My next ebook is...
The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, September 29, 2024
REVIEW - The Secret War of Julia Child (ebook)
The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the first book that I have read by Diana R. Chambers! I enjoyed this historical fiction book about Julia Child's time in Asia for the OSS during WWII.
Okay, I always say I am done with WWII historical fiction books, but reading about Julia in Asia was too tempting.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
This beautiful novel was a lovely tribute to Julia Child. Although the story was fictionalized, it was the love story of Paul and Julia Child. With both of them working in OSS in Asia during WWII, it was the means to make their love story happen.
The writing was well-written, respectful, and just lovely.
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main characters in the story were Paul and Julia Child. Both were multi-faceted, fascinating, and strong individuals. They were deeply and thoroughly developed.
The secondary characters were their many partners, adversaries, and friends in the OSS (US Office of Strategic Services), SACO (Sino-American Cooperative Organization), and SEAC (South East Asia Command). There were many, many secondary characters so these were not fully explored as the book would have been twice as long.
The tertiary characters are the locals in the various countries and other minor players in the book.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline begins with Julia in Washington, DC as the supervisor of the OSS Registry. She shows great adaptability and promise and requests a transfer to Asia to work in the field. Then the story begins, but there are a lot of spoilers along the way so I will not share much more.
The main locations were Washington, DC, India, Burma, Ceylon, and China.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
Special note: I used the glossary of WWII terms at the beginning of the book many times. It was hugely helpful while reading this novel of many alphabet agencies involved in WWII.
I loved learning about how Julia worked for the OSS during WWII in Asia. Plus, she was believed to be an OSS spy which has never been fully confirmed.
It was lovely to learn about Paul and Julia's love story and how much depth both had as individuals and as a couple.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
So pretty!!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent choice!
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
NetGalley ARC (ebook)
The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers
397 pages
Sourcebooks Landmark
Release date of 10/22/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
My next ebook is...
The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - The Twilight Garden (ebook)
The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the second book and sophomore novel by Sara Nisha Adams. It was just a lovely book and what I needed after a few tough reads.
This sweet novel has two timelines with many intersecting characters. This book is about friendship and family and has two timelines: (1972 to 1992)/2018-2019).OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
Sara Nisha Adams writes beautifully with the appropriate descriptive amounts without being overly precious. Due to her lovely writing, I can picture the two houses and the garden from the novel. Perfectly done.
One suggestion would be to have a glossary of terms as I wasn't familiar with all of the Indian terms and was unable to find definitions for some of them.
Character development: 4.0 stars
The main characters in the first (1972 to 1992) timeline are Maya and Alma. For the second timeline (2018-2019), the main characters are Winston and Bernice. I loved how all of the characters developed so wonderfully throughout the book.
The secondary characters for the first timeline are Prem (Maya's husband), Bina (Maya's sister), Hiral (Maya's daughter), and Kate (Alma's niece). For the second timeline, the secondary characters are Lewis (Winston's partner), Sal/Angela (owners of the shop where Winston works), Simon (Bernice's ex-husband), and Seb (Bernice's son).
The tertiary characters are the assorted supporting characters in both timelines and the shared garden.
My issue with the character development was the large amount of tertiary characters. It was hard to keep track of them and understand while reading how they fit into the story.
Storyline: 4.0 stars
The storyline is two timelines where two houses share a garden. Through thick and thin, both groups in each house during each timeline become friends and then ultimately family.
The main location was London, England.
Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars
It was interesting to learn how much the community revolved around this garden. How a garden can make a real community even in a huge city like London.
Also, I had no idea that foxes were so common in London. I would guess that they are comparable to our urban coyotes!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Pretty!!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Great choice!
DEFINITE recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams
389 pages
William Morrow
Release date of 4/25/2023
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, September 23, 2024
My next audiobook is...
Something Lost, Something Gained by Hillary Rodham Clinton (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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