The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche (ebook)
Hi, everyone,
My mistake, but I missed that this book is set during the Black Plague of the Middle Ages. The time is just a little too much for me right now. I will add this book back to my TBR list!
What I have already read is wonderful and beautiful, but the period isn't hitting right!!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
The New York Times released its "100 Notable Books of 2024" with the link HERE. I have read four books on this list - two fiction and two non-fiction books. Also, these books, except The Women, were not on the NPR list. It means that many different books are being recognized and spotlighted which I love!
Below are my four reads 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 that both non-fiction books were audiobooks. All four of these books have 5.0-star reviews on my blog and are exceptional books.
FICTION
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
OVERVIEW
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
Release date of 12/6/2006
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
OVERVIEW
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!
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
Release date of 9/21/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
OVERVIEW
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
Release date of 9/17/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
