REVIEW - Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding (eARC/ebook)

 Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding  by Lian Dolan (eARC/ebook)

OVERVIEW

What a fun and enjoyable book by Lian Dolan! This is the sixth book I have read that Lian has written. I have loved them all! Her novels are not great literary works like Shakespeare's, and not all books need to be - that would be boring. Lian's books serve the best purpose in being fun, pure escapism, and easy reading! Win-win!

This was a unique take on a book about weddings - it was from the point of view of the MOB (Mother of the Bride) and the MOG (Mother of the Groom). Usually, these two important women don't get to know each other well before the wedding, and are sometimes adversaries. But, not in this book!

Now, I want my daughter to get married so I can be the cool and calm MOB! LOL!!

NOTE: I read this book in less than 24 hours. I had to stop myself so I could go to sleep last night!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Lian writes so beautifully. She writes like I think. Just perfect! 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The characters were so fun and yet so different! The main characters are Abigail (MOG; a married Connecticut Yankee through and through) and Alexa (MOB; a single California-Greek entrepreneur). The two of them get on like fire and gasoline!

Penny (the California bride) and Chase (the Connecticut groom) are the secondary characters. They come from very different backgrounds, life experiences, and families. 

The tertiary characters are the friends, family, and extended acquaintances. The proposal, engagement party, wedding planning, rehearsal dinner, and wedding also play prominent roles throughout different stages in this book. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline is so easy-peasy. Boy and girl fall in love; boy proposes; the wedding planning begins, and chaos ensues. 

The locations were: Connecticut, New York City, and California, specifically, Montecito.     

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

I loved how a wedding planner columnist's reminder continued, "This is not your wedding!" throughout the book. I wish that had been the mantra at my wedding. But, I do know how to act when (not if) my daughter gets married after completing her PhD (priorities, people!). 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect for Abigail and Alexa!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

So on point! 

 

HIGHLY recommend

NetGalley eARC/ebook

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding  by Lian Dolan

388 pages 

William Morrow

FUTURE release date: 5/20/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Lian Dolan

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

William Morrow

NetGalley

TRIGGER WARNING: Mild foul language, infidelity, classism, alcohol, death of a parent

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is ...

 The Next Day by Melinda French Gates (audiobook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Everything is Tuberculosis (audiobook)

 Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This audiobook is the definitive book for laypeople to understand the scope and devastation of tuberculosis. Over 1.5 million people die each year of this preventable, treatable, and avoidable disease; yes, you read that right! 

The impetus for this book started when John Green learned about James Watt seeking a cure for tuberculosis. It was fully cemented when he met a young boy, Henry, at a tuberculosis hospital in Sierra Leone in 2019 with Partners in Health. Due to his research and their friendship, John has advocated for tuberculosis treatment, including drug availability for all, pharmaceutical price reductions, new drugs and treatment, and getting to the root cause of the spread of the disease (poverty, overcrowding, malnutrition, poor healthcare, and pharmaceutical greed). 

John weaves the incredible story of Henry with the history of tuberculosis, including some very famous people, such as Arthur Conan Doyle (what a story)! 

FULL disclosure: my daughter is a huge John and Hank Green fan. She even met them at Vid-Con several years ago. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing was fantastic. John is an incredible writer, and I have read all of his novels, which are equally as good! 

Narration: 5.0 stars

The narration by John is first-rate. Tuberculosis is a life passion for John, and his concern, care, and drive to eradicate this horrific disease are palpable in his narration.

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The character arc is told fairly chronologically, with the history and backstory of tuberculosis treatment and non-treatment throughout time. I was shocked by how many famous and infamous historical figures died from this disease, including John's great-uncle, sadly. 

John's friendship with Henry is beautifully woven throughout the book. Touching, raw, and beautiful. 

Memorable:  5.0 stars

The lack of tuberculosis treatment really makes me angry! It is inexpensive and could save millions of lives, literally. Because it is relatively rare in wealthy countries, there is little research done on tuberculosis. If tuberculosis were like COVID-19 and spread worldwide, there would be increased research immediately. It comes down to the "haves" and the "have-nots". Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Entertaining/Educational:   5.0 stars

This was not an entertaining book per se. It was rather an educational book done in a very subtle way. John shares the brutality and horrific nature of tuberculosis and convinces the reader to be as outraged as he is. It walks the perfect tight-rope! Well done, John!

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Meh.         

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect!   

 

HIGHLY recommend

 

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

Penguin Audio

5 hours, 35 minutes

Release date of 3/18/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

John Green

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Penguin Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

TRIGGER WARNINGS

Blood, medical content, terminal illness, poverty, child death, death

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next eARC/ebook is ...

 Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (eARC/ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Marsha (eARC/ebook)

 Marsha by Tourmaline (eARC/ebook)

OVERVIEW

What a powerful and beautiful tribute to the pioneering Marsha P. (Pay It No Mind) Johnson! She was an incredible Black trans woman who was one of the rioters at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 and a leader of the LGBTQIA+ movement, specifically for the trans community. 

I knew about Marsha, but now I know who she is inside and out! An amazing human who was taken from us too soon. As a straight, cis gender woman, I recommend everyone who wants to be more understanding and intersectional about the LGBTQIA+ community read this book.

This is not an easy or fun read, but it is an important book to read.

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 4.5 stars

The writing was strong, but it was overly long and detailed at times. Some editing would have made this biography even stronger. However, I understand this because this is the first definitive and heavily researched memoir of Marsha's life and impact. This book is needed for historical purposes for the LGBTQIA+ generations to come. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main character was Marsha P. Johnson. She was one of the most charismatic and intersectional leaders of the trans movement in New York City. The story is told from Marsha's childhood to identity discovery to death and legacy. 

There were so many secondary characters in Marsha's life that are too numerous to mention (and I got lost at times, but that doesn't detract from the storytelling). The most important friend, however, was Sylvia Riviera, co-leader of the trans movement and STAR (Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries), with Marsha. 

The tertiary character is Christopher Street in New York City. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline is informative, painful, and heartbreaking. Marsha's life was not easy from beginning to end as she struggled with her physical and mental health as well as her sexual identity. She worked as a sex worker and actress to make ends meet while advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically her trans "girlies".  

It was not an easy read, but it was an important story to understand the trans movement and to be intersectional. Unfortunately, there were difficult sections where Marsha was brutalized by "Johns", abused by the police, misdiagnosed by medical professionals, and denigrated by members of the LGBTQIA+ community and her family.  

The locations were: Elizabeth, New Jersey; New York City; Los Angeles    

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

I knew about Stonewall, but didn't realize what a dump the bar actually was or the horrific police brutality. I now understand why this was the flashpoint in the LGBTQIA+ movement. 

The issue for me is that nothing has changed! Marsha (and Sylvia) accomplished so much, but the trans movement is the "step sister" of the LGBTQIA+ movement, and this is so wrong. If we want true intersectionalism, all in this community must be respected and included. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Stunningly gorgeous! Marsha in all of her glory!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect!  

 

HIGHLY recommend

NetGalley eARC/ebook

Marsha by Tourmaline

320 pages 

Tiny Reparations Books

FUTURE release date: 5/20/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Tourmaline

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Tiny Reparations Books

NetGalley

TRIGGER WARNING: Racism, sexism, transphobia, dead-naming, homophobia, gun violence, sexism, biphobia, police violence, murder, suicide, terminal illness

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green (audiobook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

REVIEW - Fahrenheit-182 (audiobook)

 Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This audiobook had the good, the bad, and the ugly of Mark's life including lots of f-bombs and d-pick references.  Mark covers everything from his childhood to his parents' acrimonious divorce to his cancer diagnosis and recovery. 

I was hoping to love this audiobook, but I only liked it. I know that blink-182 is known for being the "naked guys", but the antics and language wore on me. I guess I am too old for their sh$t! 

FULL disclosure: my daughter is a huge blink-182 fan! We do listen to their music and were even at the Los Angeles concert when Kourtney told Travis she was pregnant. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing was good. Mark did have a ghostwriter, Dan Ozzi. 

Narration: 4.0 stars

The narration by Mark is well done. As it is Mark's life and story, he relives it through the narration. Appropriately funny and emotional. 

But again the f-bombs and d-pick references got old very quickly.

Character Arc: 4.0 stars

The character arc is Mark's life from childhood to the blink-182 reunion at Coachella 2023. The book is told chronologically in many concise chapters. 

Mark is from Ridgecrest, California (a high desert town in Kern County, California) where his father worked in naval weapons at the nearby base. His parents' acrimonious divorce led Mark to San Diego where he met Tom DeLonge and co-founded blink-182. 

The many tragedies in Mark's life including Travis Barker's airplane accident and his cancer diagnosis helped him seek therapy for his OCD, anxiety, and depression. As someone who suffers from anxiety and depression, I appreciate Mark's honesty about his mental health struggles and his cancer treatment journey. 

Memorable:  4.0 stars

Mark tells so many wild stories about his life including his antics with blink-182 are insanity personified. But, the stalker, Robert Smith, and Saddam Hussein stories are WILD! Again, the f-bombs and d-pick references got old very quickly.

However, the best stories are when Mark talks about his wife and son and when I could totally relate to him and his life. Additionally, his raw emotions when blink-182 broke up are heartbreaking.

Entertaining:   4.0 stars

There were many sad, funny, and introspective stories in the audiobook. It was something!

There were a lot of pop-punk band references and performers that I didn't know and some that I did know. But, it didn't matter. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Totally Mark.        

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Great pun!   

 

DEFINITE recommend

 

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus

Little, Brown Audio

7 hours, 13 minutes

Release date of 4/5/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Mark Hoppus

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Little, Brown Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

TRIGGER WARNINGS

Sexual references, strong cursing, divorce, cancer, addiction, alcoholism

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next eARC/ebook is...

Marsha by Tourmaline (eARC/ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Where the Rivers Merge

 Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe (eARC/ebook)

OVERVIEW

This was my first book by Mary Alice Monroe. I absolutely adored this book which according to the Author's Notes is the first book in a two-part series. I could not be more thrilled and eagerly await the next book.

I have always loved the South Carolina low country's customs, heritage, and history. This book is set in that same low country where many of my ancestral lines originated. 

Also, this is my fiftieth book this year! What a wonderful one to pick for the halfway point in my reading goal for the year!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing was beyond beautiful. Mary Alice is exceptional at capturing the nuanced dialogue of the two time periods in South Carolina. Her descriptions of the region's land, food, dress, and food are incredible. I could use my imagination to capture my five senses being tickled where the story is told. 

I also loved the charming and descriptive poetry at the beginning of the five parts of the book: Homecoming, Halcyon Days, The Charleston Years, The War Years, and The Wedding. Additionally, each chapter had flora, fauna, or other issues important to the low country. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The character development was excellent! The main characters were: Rawlins, Sloane, Heyward, Lesesne, and Eliza Rivers. The Rivers family-owned, Mayfield,  plantation/rice farm in South Carolina is always in difficult times. 

Wilton (Mayfield's overseer) and Covey (Wilton's daughter) are secondary characters. Tripp and Hugh, family friends, play substantial roles in this novel. 

The tertiary character is Mayfield itself - the land and house. 

There were many characters as usual for historical fiction novels.  

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The dual storyline centers around Eliza from her childhood to marriage (1900-1926). The second storyline is in 1988 when she is retiring and telling her life story to her granddaughter and great-niece. Perfect!

The locations were: South Carolina low-country including Beaufort and Charleston,  and the ACE Basin (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Basin).    

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

The issue of primogeniture rears its ugly head in the first timeline. If you were the second son or a daughter, you usually received little to nothing as an inheritance and had to marry for land, money, or social status. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect!  

 

HIGHLY recommend

Book Club Girl

NetGalley eARC/ebook

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe

352 pages 

William Morrow

FUTURE release date: 5/13/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Mary Alice Monroe

Goodreads Review

The Storygraph review

William Morrow

NetGalley

Book Club Girl

TRIGGER WARNING: Pregnancy, racism, gun violence, war, segregation

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Source Code (audiobook)

 Source Code by Bill Gates (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This audiobook was lovely for the first two-thirds of the book. Bill (AKA Trey by his family) shared about his supportive and loving family including generations of grandparents. He had an All-American upbringing with understanding parents who knew he was different and helped him become who he is today.

Then it dissolved into bits, bites, and chips, OH MY! Once the technical information about early personal computing started, it was boring.  

I really liked this audiobook and wanted to love it. But, it just missed the mark for me with all the technical jargon. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing by Bill was strong. He included anecdotes about his family, childhood, and friends that explained why Bill is Bill. 

Narration: 5.0 stars

The narration is by Wil Wheaton who is always incredible! This is a book that I recommend as an audiobook!

Bill did the forward, prologue, and epilogue. He does not have the best voice for narration or the smoothest delivery. It was a brilliant choice to have Wil Wheaton narrate and bring this audiobook to life!

Character Arc: 4.0 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed Bill discussing his childhood in Seattle. He and his sisters had the advantage of college-educated parents in the 1960s who were forward-thinking and progressive. Bill was able to explore his interests which eventually turned into Microsoft due to his privilege of being middle-class, white, and male. This memoir covers his grandparents/parents, childhood, high school and college years, and the nascent Microsoft in New Mexico before landing in Seattle. 

Once Bill began programming at Harvard, it was over my head. I didn't understand the programming, but I did appreciate his hard work, creativity, and intelligence. 

The programming part of the book is for "nerds" like my husband who knew the history discussed. Since it was so niche-driven, maybe it could have been "dumbed down" for programming illiterates like me. Just a thought. 

Memorable:  4.0 stars

The stories that Bill tells about his adventures with his sisters are hysterical. The tornado and rollerskating over the sprinkler were two of my favorites. 

Bill was very close to his Grandmother (Grammy) and his parents. He learned the importance of service, work ethic, curiosity, and generosity from all of them. This explains his long-term friendships, strong family ties, and the creation of his foundation. 

Entertaining:   4.0 stars

There were many sad, funny, and introspective stories in the audiobook. 

But again, I just pushed through the technical parts I didn't understand to enjoy this book. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect.        

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

On point!   

 

STRONG recommend

 

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

Source Code by Bill Gates

Random House Audio

11 hours, 41 minutes

Release date of 2/4/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Bill Gates

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Random House Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

TRIGGER WARNINGS

Mild cursing, death, death of a child, death of a parent 

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜