REVIEW - Junie (ebook)

 

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is a debut book. This historical fiction novel is just amazing. It is beautifully written, with incredible characters, and an otherworldly storyline. 

This is the first historical novel I have read that is focused on the lives of the enslaved people and not the white oppressors. Most stories about enslaved people are written in a manner that skims over their lives and instead focuses on the white folks. This novel turns that narrative on its head!! 

This novel is loosely based on the author's 3rd great-grandmother Jane. What a life that Jane lived that is mirrored in the main character of Junie. 

NOTE: I am being careful to not spoil anything as there are some major twists and turns in this novel so I am vague at times!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

This is Erin's debut novel and she has hit it out of the park. Her writing is just so lusciously nuanced, appropriately descriptive, and thought-provoking. I will reminisce about this story for a long time as it has touched me deeply. 

I cannot wait to read whatever books that Erin chooses to write. I predict that she will be a superstar writer!!

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main character is Junie. She is the name of the book, the story that the book is about, and is THE book! Junie is an enslaved young woman who is a ladies' maid in Alabama just before the start of the Civil War. 

The secondary characters are Violet (Junie's enslaver), Caleb (Junie's friend), and Minnie (Junnie's sister).  

The tertiary characters are Junie's family and the Violet's family on the plantation. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline is the first book about enslavement I have read that allows you to learn so much about the inner thoughts, dreams, and wishes of the enslaved people. The family bonds are fully explored even the heartbreak of a family member dying or being sold off. The Black story was the story and took its place at center stage!

The main location was Montgomery, Alabama, and the surrounding environs. 

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

The biggest takeaway is how inherently evil the white enslavers were. Even though some enslavers were "kind" or "friendly", the enslaved were still owned "property" by the enslavers living according to their wishes and not their own. Some of the storylines almost broke me because I could feel what these enslaved human beings had to live like. Horrific! 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Appropriate. Gorgeous!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Short and sweet.  

HIGHEST recommendation

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine

368 pages 

Ballantine Books

Release date of 2/4/2025

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Erin Crosby Eskstine

My Goodreads review

Ballantine Books

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜 

My next audiobook is...

 Sonny Boy by Al Pacino (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - What I Ate In One Year (audiobook)

 What I Ate In One Year by Stanley Tucci (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This audiobook is sort of a memoir, but it is sort of a 2023 diary. It's so hard to place. 

Basically, Stanley Tucci talks about what he ate, very descriptively, on specific dates in 2023 along with the appropriate musings or explanations. It is interesting, boring, self-aggrandizing, and lovely all at once. 

I loved when Stanley talked about his five kids, two wives, parents, and close friends. I didn't like the name-dropping, British pronunciations, and usage of British terms (he IS an American after all!). 

Stanley has a dry wit and can cook! I loved that he shared many simple recipes using what was on hand or leftovers. 

Note: this is an audiobook for foodies, fans of Stanley's cooking show, or fans of Stanley. If none of these are you, it may not be for you which is okay!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

Stanley can write! He writes descriptively and sometimes too descriptively as I was lost. But, overall, he is a good writer!

Narration: 4.5 stars

As a professional actor, Stanley definitely can narrate well and with emotion. He has a lovely reading voice that was so soothing that it often lulled me to sleep. 

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The audiobook is told chronologically throughout 2023. As always, I prefer it this way.    

Memorable:  4.5 stars

Stanley is a very well-known and talented actor. However, I loved his emotion and rawness when talking about his late wife, his love for his family specifically his parents, and his mortality. 

Stanley has to have two Stanleys for self-preservation (professional and personal). However, when the two Stanleys collided, was when this audiobook shined! 

Entertaining:   4.5 stars

Stanley has my favorite type of humor - snarky and dry! But at times, it was hard to tell if he was kidding especially about his wife. 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Nice.     

Book title: 4.5 stars 

Could there be anything else? 

STRONG recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

What I Ate In One Year by Stanley Tucci

Simon & Schuster Audio

7 hours, 48 minutes

Release date of 10/15/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Stanley Tucci

My Goodreads review

Simon & Schuster Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine (ebook) 

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Third Gilmore Girl (audiobook)

 

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This has been the best month for memoir audiobooks!! This is my fifth female memoir in October, another great one! 

I knew that Kelly Bishop was much more than "Emily Gilmore"! She is a classically trained dancer, a Broadway performer with a Tony for "A Chorus Line", and an all-around talented actress ("Dirty Dancing", anyone?). So impressive! 

Gosh, I would love to sit down with Kelly and listen to her read the newspaper to me with her amazing voice. Or drink coffee and listen to her life advice or stories. She comes across as the most humble, honest, and amazing person in this memoir! 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Kelly is a great writer and was so real and honest. She wrote about her turbulent childhood with an abusive father, but a wonderful mother. Kelly also writes about her mistakes, triumphs, and dreams without sugar-coating them!

Narration: 5.0 stars

Kelly has that gorgeous, gravelly voice that I have always wanted. She could read anything for me and I would love it. 

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The audiobook is mostly told chronologically which is what I prefer in memoirs.   

Memorable:  5.0 stars

I knew Kelly was incredibly talented, but I had no idea about her Emmy winner for "A Chorus Line". I have seen it several times in local theater because I love it! Kelly explains how "A Chorus Line" came about which is a fascinating story! 

The best part for me is that Kelly always stayed true to Kelly. She spoke up for what was right and advocated for herself in the male-centric theater eras and in Hollywood. 

Entertaining:   5.0 stars

Kelly was funny, open, and just a great storyteller. She is the type of individual you could talk to for hours and not realize how much time had passed.  

Book cover: 5.0 stars

So pretty.     

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect! 

HIGHLY recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

Simon & Schuster Audio

6 hours, 49 minutes

Release date of 9/17/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Kelly Bishop

My Goodreads review

Simon & Schuster Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - When We Flew Away (ebook)

 

When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman (ebook)

OVERVIEW

I have no words. This book gutted me. But, I must review it and highly recommend it as it is an amazing historical novel. 

I read The Diary of Anne Frank sometime in junior high which is the target audience for this novel. It is a powerful, thought-provoking, and intense read about the time before Anne started her diary in 1942 while in hiding with her family. Reading this historical novel and Anne's diary will help our young people stop events like the Holocaust from happening again. 

The premise of this book is purely fiction; although, Alice Hoffman has done extensive research into the Frank family to write this beautiful book. 

I hope this amazing novel helps us learn from history, but I am terrified that we haven't learned enough. Anne's motto at the end of the book, "remember me" is so moving and our marching orders for today and the future.

NOTE: This is a historical novel written for middle schoolers. It is not the same as Alice Hoffman's other historical novels. The writing is for a middle-school audience, but is still written amazingly well. Please do not read or denigrate this book because of its target audience. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Alice Hoffman is my absolute favorite author. Her writing style is just so lovely and thought-provoking. The specific details of the horrors by the Germans in the Netherlands, against most specifically the Jews, are appropriate for the targeted age group. This novel was not watered-down for the age group as it was real, raw, and terrifying. I hope Alice's beautiful writing creates intense discussions about what happened in Europe during WWII and how to avoid it from happening again. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main character is Anne Frank, period.

The secondary characters are Anne's family, Otto Frank (father), Edith Frank (mother), Margot Frank (older sister), and Oma (grandmother). 

The tertiary characters are the people living in Amsterdam, the Frank family helpers, the German army, and the Dutch police.  

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline broke my heart. The Franks left Germany around Kristallnacht and emigrated to the Netherlands feeling that they would be safe there. They were wrong. Once they realized what was happening there, it was too late to emigrate to England, Switzerland, or the US. They were horribly struck with no real options or no way out other than to go into hiding when Margot was called up for one of the "labor camps".  

The main location was Amsterdam and the environs. 

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

Since the Netherlands was considered the most welcoming and progressive country in Europe, it was a natural place for the Jews to flee. However, it was heartbreaking to read about how many of the non-Jewish Dutch became indoctrinated in the cult of Hitler and were cruel and hurtful to the Jewish people.

Additionally, approximately 75% of the Dutch Jewish population was murdered by Hilter. This is the largest percentage of any Western country. 

Finally, there are many similarities between what is happening in our country now and what happened in Germany, but to a lesser degree. The parallels are terrifying as Trump admires Hitler. We have a recourse that the German people didn't - we can vote.

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Appropriate. Look for the symbolism on the cover!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfection. 

HIGHEST recommendation

BOOK INFORMATION

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)

When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman

196 pages 

Scholastic Press

Release date of 9/17/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Alice Hoffman

My Goodreads review

Scholastic Press

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜 

My next audiobook is...

 The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman (ebook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook AND Review - Be Ready When the Luck Happens (audiobook)

 

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

First, how did I forget to post that I was reading this audiobook! Maybe, because I enjoyed it so much?!? Who knows?

Ina Garten has a beautiful, spontaneous, and realness about her that comes through on her FoodNetwork show. It was good to be validated in my impressions as this audiobook proved. She is real, raw, and honest about her early family life, marriage, and mistakes made in her education and career. 

The titles of her chapters are just hysterically funny! I feel like Ina gives great advice throughout the book without being condescending or preachy. She is a woman who had rough patches in life but came out on top because she did what she loved and followed her dreams. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Ina writes beautifully. That is no surprise as she used to work for Presidents Ford and Carter! 

I love how she talks about food, friendship, and life with it all being interconnected. It was lovely. 

Narration: 5.0 stars

Great narration. Ina is not a perfect speaker or an on-camera personality which she readily admits in the audiobook. But that nervousness and imperfection make her so approachable and so likable. She is real!

She is funny, a swear word dropper, and a straight-shooter - my kind of gal!

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The audiobook is told chronologically which I thoroughly enjoyed.  

Memorable:  5.0 stars

She spills her guts, so to speak, about her life and how she rose above a harsh family life in an affluent part of Connecticut. Something that her father said to her resonates with me deeply and sadly. 

Ina found her love, Jeffrey, very early in life. But, she also knew what she needed in her marriage which she asked for and received.

I was shocked at what happened when Ina and Jeffrey applied for a mortgage in the early 1970s. The loan officer wouldn't consider her income because "she would get pregnant and stay home". Geez, how sexist and misogynist! 

Entertaining:   5.0 stars

Ina was so funny. She has a great sense of humor and would be a hoot to have a meal with. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

So pretty.     

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Words to live by. 

HIGHLY recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

Random House Audio

8 hours, 47 minutes

Release date of 10/1/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Ina Garten

My Goodreads review

Random House Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - A Death in Diamonds (ebook)

A Death in Diamond (Her Majesty The Queen Investigates #4) by S.J. Bennett (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the fourth book in a five-book series. I would describe the series, Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, as a "cozy mystery series. I say "cozy" because the book isn't horribly graphic. I also love the idea of Queen Elizabeth II solving crimes - it just tracks for me. 

The premise of this book is a double murder in Chelsea with potential involvement with aristocrats and royals. The time frame is in 1957, a departure from the rest of the series. In this book, the Queen begins her working relationship with Joan McCraw, acting APS (Assistant Personal Secretary). 

This book takes place primarily near multiple royal residences in England and Scotland. 

I hope the fifth and next book isn't the last (say it isn't so, S.J. Bennett)!!!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing is good. It is not overly descriptive but rather a crisp, no-nonsense style like how the Queen comes across. 

I loved that the Queen's clothing and jewels were described in detail. She was still young and coming into her personal power as a monarch and woman. 

Character development: 4.0 stars

The character development of the two main characters of Queen Elizabeth II and  Joan, her Assistant Personal Secretary (APS) is in its infancy. But, the Queen trusted herself and found someone she could trust in Joan. Both are strong women which I always love reading about. 

The secondary characters are the Queen's extended family, local nobility, acquaintances, and her secretaries. 

The tertiary characters are the police investigators, victims, and witnesses. 

Storyline:  4.5 stars

The storyline was a good whodunit. The twists and turns made this mystery so much fun. Of course, I had no clue who the killer or killers were. 

The main locations were the many royal residences and surrounding areas in Great Britain.  

Memorable/Informative:  4.0 stars

I am a huge Anglophile as many of my ancestors immigrated from that area. 

I was shocked that Joan was perceived by many of the male aristocrats and the Queen's male secretaries as disreputable because she was Irish. This was 1957!

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Nice.

Book title: 4.5 stars 

On point.

Suggestion: 

An explanation of the titles and how to correctly address the nobility and royalty would be helpful for this clueless American reader!  

DEFINITE recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

A Death in Diamond (Her Majesty The Queen Investigates #4) by S.J. Bennett 

407 pages 

Zaffre

Release date of 1/21/2025

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

S.J. Bennett

My Goodreads review

Zaffre

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜