NPR - Books We Love 2024

 

Hi, everyone!!

NPR just released "Books We Love 2024" and I have read eight books by nine authors on this list!! Here is the NPR link HERE with the list going back to 2013. 

My eight reads are spotlighted with the book cover, title, author, and a link to my original review! 

Please note that I read The Women as an ARC in 2023 and The Friday Afternoon Club as an audiobook! Also, all of my books from this list are 5.0-star reviews, except for Here One Moment which is 4.5 stars! Great reads!

The Women by Kristen Hannah (ebook) LINK

  

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (ebook) LINK

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (ebook) LINK

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer (ebook) LINK

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn (ebook) LINK

The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne (audiobook) LINK

The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn, Janie Chang (ebook) LINK

All That We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore (ebook) LINK

All of these eight books and nine authors are amazing! You cannot go wrong reading any of them. Also, check out the entire NPR list for even more amazing book finds!!

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 You Never Know by Tom Selleck (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Eight Flavors (audiobook)

 Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This audiobook about the top American food flavors was interesting and fun! The author included eight flavors, but there really were ten. The eight flavors included are black pepper, vanilla, chili powder, curry powder, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and sriracha. Chocolate and coffee are also American flavors, but she didn't include them because Sarah felt they had been previously extensively researched. 

The author didn't fully explain her research methodology as much as I would have liked. Using Google to track the usage of "American food flavor words" could have been more extensive. But, ultimately, I enjoyed her research and wanted more details and the inclusion of chocolate and coffee. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

Sarah is a great writer and educator. She thoroughly explained each flavor without making the listener feel uneducated about the research that she uncovered. The author has a warm and friendly writing style which I enjoyed. 

Narration: 4.0 stars

The author is a good narrator. She narrates well while also being funny and breaking the "third wall" at appropriate times. Sarah did a great job at keeping me interested in this book. 

Character Arc: 4.0. stars

The audiobook has a chapter or chapters dedicated to each American flavor. It made it easy to listen to one or two chapters about a flavor and then stop. The end of each flavor was an easy stopping point as was its own little flavor book. 

My biggest issue is the inclusion of siracha. This condiment is relatively new to the American food scene and hasn't had enough time to prove that it is a "keeper" and not a food trend. Personally, I would have preferred salt, cinnamon, or oregano. 

Maybe, Sarah can do another book on American flavors!! She could do chocolate, coffee, salt, cinnamon, and oregano - that's already five flavors!

Memorable:  3.5 stars

The biggest takeaway is that Thomas Jefferson and the author are fellow migraine sufferers. Also, MSG does not cause migraines or "Chinese restaurant syndrome". 

Entertaining:   4.0 stars

Sarah is a good storyteller. She must be so much fun to prepare, eat, and discuss food with. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

A little cramped and busy.      

Book title: 4.0 stars 

On point. 

DEFINITE recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman

Tantor Audio

8 hours, 33 minutes

Release date of 12/6/2006

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Sarah Lohman

My Goodreads review

Tantor Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche (ebook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Unexpected Diva (ebook)

 The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is my first book by Tiffany L. Warren. It is Tiffany’s first historical fiction novel about the first black prima donna Elizabeth "Eliza" Taylor Greenfield. I especially love historical fiction about real people like "The Black Swan" and their real stories!

The novel occurs after The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and before the Civil War.  Unfortunately, the author explained that historical details about Eliza's life, friends, and family were limited. However, there was a lot of information about the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society (PFASS). PFASS was a multi-racial group of women that included Quakers and abolitionists. So the novel uses the PFASS and its members to tell Eliza's story along with her singing. 

I am grateful for Black authors like Tiffany who are bringing Black history especially Black women to the forefront as it is American history that we need to learn and know about! 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing was beautiful. Tiffany writes about Eliza's life descriptively and interestingly while educating about this dreadful time in our country's history. The best part is that this "whitewashed history" is examined truthfully and thoughtfully allowing the reader to think and ponder about our history repeating itself. 

Of course, I loved the fascinating and detailed explanations of Eliza's dresses and the other female characters. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main character is Eliza (singer). She is the star of the book and the diva of the stage.  

The secondary characters are Charles (accompanist friend), Mary (her "sister" and seamstress friend), and Ruby (church friend).  

The tertiary characters are her church friends, fiancee and family, abolitionist and Quaker friends, and friends from the PFASS. 

As is true for most historical fiction, many characters are necessary for the detailed storyline. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline is about Eliza being freed by her former enslaver who becomes her benefactor in Philadelphia. Eliza's family, once freed, emigrates to Liberia while Eliza stays behind. Eliza is well-educated, lives among Quakers, and is discovered to have an extraordinary musical talent. The benefactor dies and the story really begins to be told. 

The main locations were Philadelphia and Buffalo with a good amount of time in London, England.    

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

I was shocked that I had a weak knowledge of Philadelphia's pre-Civil War history including The Fugitive Slave Act. 

As someone who loves and adores learning about history, I feel embarrassed that I knew nothing about "The Black Swan" which was Eliza's nickname in the press. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Beautiful!!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

So appropriate!  

STRONG recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (ebook)

The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren

432 pages 

William Morrow Paperbacks

Release date of 1/7/2025

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Tiffany L Warren

My Goodreads review

William Morrow Paperbacks

Book Club Girl

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Somewhere Beyond The Sea (audiobook)

Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #2) by TJ Klune (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

First, this book is a sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I absolutely adored. Please read the first book and then this book or you will be lost. 

I listened to both books on audiobooks which were narrated by the incredible Daniel Henning. The combination of a beautiful story with impressive narration was perfection.  

TJ Klune stated a while ago that a sequel wasn't happening, but SURPRISE! I was so excited to revisit these fantastic characters and storyline. Here is to hoping that there will be a third book, pretty please!  

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

TJ writes beautifully with description and thoughtfulness. Also, TJ writes each character with care and love. I definitely think that the writing is spectacular!

Narration: 5.0 stars

Daniel Henning is a phenomenal narrator. Daniel brings each character to life - it is like listening to a "book movie"!! 

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The audiobook starts with a flashback that explains a lot and then jumps forward to where the first book left off. 

Each established character from the first book has even more nuances and quirks developed. Also, the new characters are fully fleshed out and explained.  

I love that these characters are weird, wild, and unique!! Perfection!

Memorable:  5.0 stars

The biggest takeaway for me is "hate is loud".

We have all learned this from this recent election. But this beautiful book was like a soothing salve on my heart, mind, and soul. 

Love, chosen family, and friendship win over hate and power-grabbing in this novel. From this novel to our country, this is my hope. 

Entertaining:   5.0 stars

The magical children in this book are hysterical and funny! Also, it is all kinds of humor which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

I must confess that I stayed up late listening to this book! Also fell asleep listening to it which is a sign of good writing and narration. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous.      

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Good.  

HIGHLY recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #2) by TJ Klune

Macmillan Audio

15 hours, 48 minutes

Release date of 9/21/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

TJ Klune

My Goodreads review

Macmillan Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - An American Story (audiobook)

 An American Story by Wilmer Valderrama (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This memoir was not what I expected at all. Most memoirs include the good, bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately, it is only the good, good, and the good. Wilmer doesn't discuss the rape convictions of Danny Masterson or the sexual assault allegations against Michael Weatherly. Additionally, he claims to not do drugs with all of his partying, I find this hard to believe. Finally, there is no discussion of the underage or much younger women that he dated including his fiancee. It just doesn't appear to be an introspective and honest memoir. 

Additionally, this memoir is a fake greeting card about how much Wilmer loves the USA. It is piled on a little too much. 

Finally, no ghostwriter is listed, but I find it hard that Wilmer was so thoughtful and deep at thirteen and for most of his life. It felt so disingenuous.

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars

Writing: 3.5 stars

Wilmer's ghostwriter writes really well. Unfortunately, the parts written by Wilmer were not as well written. It was easy to discern the parts written by each. 

Narration: 4.0 stars

As a professional actor, Wilmer does a good job. But at times, the language of the book seemed to trip him up and should have been rerecorded. 

Character Arc: 3.5 stars

The audiobook is told in no semblance of order. It jumps back and forth in time as it tries to be in chronological order. 

Memorable:  3.5 stars

His life was difficult once his parents left Miami, Florida (where Wilmer was born) to return to Venezuela and then again when they came back to Los Angeles. Wilmer's stories of leaving Miami for Venezuela and ultimately to Los Angeles as an immigrant family were the best part of the memoir. 

Once Wilmer makes it in Hollywood, I don't believe the perfect remembrances of his life. Life is not all hearts, flowers, and unicorns while paying for every check! 

Entertaining:   3.5 stars

At times, Wilmer would tell a nice family story, but most of the memories weren't amazingly entertaining to me. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Good picture.      

Book title: 3.0 stars 

Good.  

RECOMMEND

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

An American Story by Wilmer Valderrama

Harper Select

8 hours, 0 minutes

Release date of 9/17/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Wilmer Valderrama

My Goodreads review

Harper Select

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next read is...

 The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren (ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Answer Is No (ebook)

The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is a short story by Fredrik Backman, an author I had never read before. Unfortunately, this short story and his writing are not my thing. 

I do appreciate these free short stories by Amazon First Reads as I am exposed to new authors!  

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars

Writing: 3.0 stars

This short story has a few humorous moments in it. But the writing was very "tongue in cheek" and didn't work for me. 

Character development: 3.0 stars

The main character, Lucas, is a loner who tries to avoid all contact with other people. He stays in his apartment and orders takeout for all of his needs.

The secondary characters are the "Purple Dress" woman and the "Green Shirt" woman (we never learn their names). 

The tertiary character is the "three-headed" apartment board which is only referred to as "Head 1", "Head 2", and "Head 3" AKA "Linda". 

Storyline:  3.0 stars

Lucas has a problem whenever he answers the door as he has to interact with other people. The story starts with a frying pan left on the sidewalk. 

The main location is possibly Stockholm, Sweden.    

Memorable/Informative:  3.0 stars

Apartment boards are a pain in whatever city or country you reside in.  

Book cover: 3.0 stars

Okay.

Book title: 3.0 stars 

Appropriate.  

LUKEWARM recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

Amazon First Reads Kindle short-story ebook

The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman

68 pages 

Amazon Original Stories

Release date of 12/01/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Fredrik Backman

My Goodreads review

Amazon Original Stories

Amazon First Reads - November 2024

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜