REVIEW - The Secret History of Audrey James (eARC/eBOOK)

 The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall (eARC/eBOOK)

OVERVIEW

Oh, my goodness! This book is absolutely AH-MAZING!! I inhaled it as I couldn't stop reading it!! This is my first novel by this author as this is only her second book. Now, I am off to find her first novel and inhale it too, I'm sure. 

Yes, I know! I have said that I wouldn't read any more WWII historical novels. But, this novel appealed to me because it was about the German Resistance (Red Orchestra). I had no idea that there were so many resistance cells before and during WWII including SS officers, university students, and others who despised Hitler. It was fascinating to learn of the many reasons for the resistance from altruism to love of country to stopping the war.  

TRIGGER WARNING: War, Holocaust, sexual assault, starvation, physical violence, blood, confinement, death

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing is phenomenal, beautiful, and heartbreaking. It is so appropriate that I was reading this incredible historical novel yesterday on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp. 

This historical novel makes me ponder the similarities in what is currently happening in my country after the change in the administration. It is a warning to us all to never forget and a call to resist! 

 

Character development: 5.0 stars

There are two main characters in each of the dual timelines. In the WWII timeline, they are Audrey (an English-German young woman) and Ilse (Audrey's Jewish best friend). In the more contemporary timeline, they are Audrey (now an elderly woman) and Kate (Audrey's employee). 

There is a secondary character in each timeline. In the contemporary timeline, it is Ian (Kate's friend). In the WWII timeline, it is Friedrich (SS officer). 

The tertiary characters are Audrey and Ilse's families, Kate's family and husband, and WWII.   

This novel had many interesting and nuanced characters developed well to enrich the storyline. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

This novel is told in dual timelines chronologically with a few flashbacks, as needed. The WWII story is about WWII, German resistance, and the end of the war and the contemporary story is about a woman surviving the loss of her parents in a horrible car crash and starting a new life.  

The main locations were Berlin, Germany; Alnwick, England; various locales in the Netherlands and Germany.   

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

I did not know anything at all about German resistance before or during WWII. The only resistance that I learned about was the French resistance. The assumption was that the Germans collaborated or ignored what was happening around them, but this novel shows that this just wasn't the truth. 

This author highlighted so many women who were part of the German resistance who were integral in fighting against Germany to defeat Hitler and end the war. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Excellent!   

HIGHLY recommend

NetGalley ARC (eARC/eBOOK)

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall 

429 pages 

Simon & Schuster

FUTURE release date of 2/25/2025

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Heather Marshall

My Goodreads review

Storygraph

Simon and Schuster

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next audiobook is...

Never: The Autobiography by Rick Astley (audiobook)

 

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Let's Call Her Barbie (audiobook)

 Let's Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This was one of those books you assume will be one thing, and then it is very different and better! Initially, I thought this book would be about Barbie and the development of the entire line, various types, and clothing. But, it was so much more. The people behind the invention and development were much more interesting than Barbie. That is a lot as I am a Southern California girl who grew up with Barbie and a Mattel factory near my childhood home. 

One of my early memories involves playing with my cousin, Deana's, Barbies while listening to The Mamas and Papas on American Bandstand and her shushing me. I was five or younger. 

TRIGGER ALERT: Foul language, alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual content, eating disorders 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Renée writes beautifully. It is as if you can feel the minds and hearts of the characters. So well done!  

Narration: 5.0 stars

The narration was wonderfully done. The narrator had a perfect voice for this audiobook. 

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The audiobook is a chronological story of Barbie from her development in 1956 to 1976. This twenty years is the heyday of Barbie with some flashbacks to explain some of the characters' backstories. The characters most involved with Barbie included Ruth and Elliot Handler, Jack Ryan, and Charlotte Johnson.  

The stories of the four main characters and many secondary and tertiary characters are more fascinating than the development and creation of Barbie. I was shocked, but so intrigued!

Memorable:  5.0 stars

Ruth Handler was an incredible force of nature. I would have loved to meet her as she invented Barbie and then developed her from a prototype to a toy dynasty. Ruth was badass! 

Entertaining:   5.0 stars

This book was full of wild and crazy stories! There was never a moment to be bored. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect.      

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Awesome title!

HIGHLY recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Let's Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen

Penguin Audio

12 hours, 51 minutes

Release date of 1/21/2025

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Renée Rosen

My Goodreads review

My Storygraph review

Penguin Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next eARC/eBOOK is...

 The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall (eARC/eBOOK)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Memory of Cotton (eBOOK)

The Memory of Cotton by Ann K. Howley (eBOOK)

OVERVIEW

Okay, for full transparency, I have known the author, Ann, for a long time. Our sisters have been friends since junior high. Ann and I graduated from CSULA and took some college classes together. 

But, when Ann asked me to read her book and give an honest review, I knew I could be fair and truthful. She gave me a free Kindle copy to read and review. 

I always knew Ann could write well, but I didn't realize how well. This gem of a young adult fiction book is exactly what middle and junior high school students should be required to read in English classes. This is also a good book for deep discussion and openness for parents to easily cover difficult topics with their kids. 

TRIGGER WARNING: Reference to murders, some Ku Klux Klan interaction, LGBT+ prejudice, loss of a child, bullying, physical violence

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Ann writes vividly and beautifully. Descriptive, yet not overly so. 

This is a perfect mix of writing for young adults with some SAT words to prepare them for college. But, it is also a good read for adults. 

 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The three main characters are Shelby (a 15-year-old girl), Darrin (Shelby's best friend), and Margaret/Grandma (Shelby's grandmother). Shelby and Darrin are on an adventure with Grandma from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. 

The secondary characters are Miss Rose (Grandma's childhood best friend), Mr. Robert (Miss Rose's brother), and Charlie (Shelby's brother). These characters add so much character and depth to this lovely story. 

The tertiary characters are Shelby's and Darrin's parents and the people of Finley, NC.  

This novel had many varied characters to round out the storyline and dive deeply into the main characters' personas including the difficult subject matter.   

Storyline:  5.0 stars

This novel is told chronologically, but there are some slight flashbacks to explain what is happening currently. Some of this is done via journal entries.  

But the story is about Shelby finding a Ku Klux Klan robe while helping her Grandma pack to move. This discovery sets off a chain of events impacting Grandma's hometown and three families. 

The main locations were Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Finley, North Carolina.  

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

I did not know about the three cycles of the Ku Klux Klan. But, I despise everything they stand for, period. However, learning about them prepares me for how to deal with them.

Unfortunately, this novel is incredibly relevant due to the changes occurring in our federal government with the current presidential administration.

I did not think I would enjoy a novel that included the Ku Klux Klan, but I did. 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Pretty!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Excellent!   

HIGHLY recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

Kindle eBOOK gifted by the author

The Memory of Cotton by Ann K. Howley

184 pages 

Independent 

Release date of 5/1/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Ann K. Howley

My Goodreads review

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

StoryGraph

 

Hello, everyone!!

A friend of mine, Alexandra (THANK YOU!), recently reminded me to check out StoryGraph. Incidentally, we met at a Taylor Swift concert - serendipity. We love books and Taylor!

I just set up my StoryGraph account - booksbydorothea - and I absolutely adore it already!! It is so personalizable and easy to use. You can even import your Goodreads information. I tweaked my reads as it all didn't transfer perfectly, but that usually happens with any file transfer! 

So I will use Goodreads and StoryGraph concurrently this year and see who performs the best. I have a feeling already! But, I will give it the full year.

As an aside, I am trying to avoid making more money for billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. I also love that StoryGraph is not connected with either and was created by a Black woman! I am also looking for an app that is like Instagram, but not attached to Meta. Supposedly, Bluesky is doing that now. Fingers crossed! 

As a reminder, contact information is:

Email: booksbydorotheablog@gmail.com

Blog: booksbydorothea.blogspot.com

Goodreads: BOOKSBYDOROTHEA 

StoryGraph: booksbydorothea

Instagram: booksbydorothea 

 

If you follow me on any of these platforms, please let me know so I can follow you back!!

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next eBOOK is...

The Memory of Cotton by Ann K. Howley (eBOOK)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Come Fly with Me (eARC/eBOOK)

 Come Fly With Me by Camille Di Maio (eARC/eBOOK)

OVERVIEW

I have read all of Camille Di Maio's books and this is the best so far! The period, the setting, the characters, and the premise were so fascinating. Plus, all the twists and turns were incredible. 

I knew little to nothing about this time in aviation at all. I also didn't know that Pan Am did not fly domestically!! Flying during the Golden Age of transcontinental flight sounds so different from our flying experiences today. My only regret after reading this book is that I never had the opportunity to fly on Pan Am! 

TRIGGER WARNING: Reference to spousal physical and mental abuse

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Camille writes so beautifully and realistically for the period in the book. I could visualize every scene and character in my mind as I was reading. It was as if it were playing out before me. Well, done!

 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The two main characters are Beverly and Judy, flight attendant students in Miami, Florida. Beverly is escaping a restrictive Park Avenue life and Judy is fleeing her abusive husband. 

The secondary characters are Henry (Judy's husband), Joe (Judy/Beverly's instructor), and Mark (Beverly's friend). These characters are what create the tension and interest in this story. 

The tertiary characters are Beverly and Judy's family and friends, the beautiful foreign cities they discover, and Pan Am.  

This novel had many varied characters to round out the storyline and dive deeply into the main characters' personas.   

Storyline:  5.0 stars

This novel is told chronologically, but there are out-of-order series of vignettes. They are integral to the final story and are beautifully written. 

I enjoyed that this novel shows a deep and real female friendship that becomes like a chosen family. My best friend and I have known each other for over 50 years and we are like Beverly and Judy in many ways. You'll have to figure out who is whom! 

The main locations were Miami, Florida; San Francisco, California; and Honolulu, Hawaii. Also, many other foreign cities make cameo appearances.   

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

I have never enjoyed flying, just like Camille. But, I have always admired flight attendants, referred to as stewardesses during the time of the book. They are there to keep us safe and I am grateful for their training and calm under pressure. Getting a little peek at their intense training makes me feel a little better for my next flight!

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect.   

HIGHLY recommend

BOOK INFORMATION

NetGalley ARC (eARC/eBOOK)

Come Fly With Me by Camille Di Maio

327 pages 

Lake Union Publishing

FUTURE release date of 2/18/2025

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Camille Di Maio

My Goodreads review

Lake Union Publishing

NetGalley

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next audiobook is...

 Let's Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old (audiobook)

 Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

I'm unsure how I feel versus how I should think about this audiobook. In some ways, this pseudo-memoir was a positive treatise on aging and the systemic erasure of women over forty. But, at times, it was a commercial for Shields' new hair product line product, Commence. 

There are some gossipy tidbits, but most have been discussed on morning shows and in celebrity magazines. So if you are looking for her to "spill the tea", this isn't the memoir for you. But, if you want a cheerleading session and her experience as an aging woman, you will enjoy this memoir. 

Brooke and I are only four years apart and are later in life moms so I relate to much of what she discusses in this book. But some just didn't apply or work for me. 

TRIGGER ALERT: Post-partum depression, alcoholism, medical violence, and sexual assault. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Brooke writes well as she has a Princeton education. She writes deeply, emotionally, and hopefully which is how she comes across as a person.   

Narration: 5.0 stars

The narration by Brooke as a professional actress was strong, emotional, and gut-wrenching at times. But, also fun and self-deprecating. Her voice is perfect in this audiobook. 

Character Arc: 3.5 stars

The audiobook is a chronological grouping of essays set in chapters. Each chapter could stand alone except for some of the backstories in the early chapters. This memoir covers Brooke's personal and professional life from birth to current with most spent on her life after forty.   

At times, the discussion of Commence got repetitive. Yes, I understand it is her new "baby", but it grated on me. 

Also, Brooke discusses her celebrity friends a lot. A lot! But, I understand that that is her social circle, but her "civilian friends" sounded interesting also.

Finally, she quotes a lot of studies and articles. The reference material could have been handled with footnotes instead of quoting the citations as it slowed the narration.

Memorable:  3.5 stars

I had no clue that Brooke had had two major health scares. Older women unfortunately must deal with this as we age. I would have appreciated some suggestions or treatments to help with physical aging. 

Some of her stories were horrifying, disgusting, and rude. My heart hurt for the young Brooke who I wanted to give a big hug!

Entertaining:   4.0 stars

This book was entertaining and informative, at times. Brooke has an engaging personality even when discussing difficult topics. She is real and raw in this memoir. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Beautiful.      

Book title: 4.0 stars 

I like it, but long. It reminded me of Fall Out Boy song titles. IYKYK!

DEFINITE recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields

Macmillan Audio

9 hours, 1 minute

Release date of 1/14/2025

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Brooke Shields

My Goodreads review

Macmillan Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next eARC/eBOOK is...

 Come Fly with Me by Camille Di Maio (eARC/eBOOK)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜