The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
REVIEW - The True Happiness Company (eARC/ebook)
The True Happiness Company by Veena Dinavahi (eARC/ebook)
OVERVIEW
I will think about this memoir for a very long time. Veena writes about her slow descent into a cult and how she came out the other side. I grew up in what I personally believe is a cult: Jehovah's Witnesses. There are so many similarities and so many differences for me to unwrap. My biggest question is this: Can an "organized religion be a cult?"
This book may not appeal to everyone because of the subject matter, but it worked for me. YMMV.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
Veena writes so beautifully. The writing changes somewhat depending on where she is in the "cult cycle". She writes from the heart and soul.
My only issue is that it could have been edited more, but Veena is purposeful in all aspects of this memoir, as she indicates in her Endnote.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters were Veena (a teenager suffering from situational depression), Bob (a pseudo-therapist), and Charlie (her boyfriend). They are fully fleshed out individually and together (as it is a triangle relationship).
Veena's family is the secondary characters: Amma, Nanna, and Venkat (mother, father, and brother).
The tertiary characters are the extended friends, family, therapists, the Mormon church, and the True Happiness Company cult.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline is so scary. Veena is a driven, first-generation daughter in an immigrant family who lives in a town with a reputation for teenage death by suicide. She is surrounded by semi-regular deaths by suicide. Veena half-heartedly tries to die by suicide, and then the chaos, misdiagnosis, and mind-games begin. Horrible!
Additionally, this book is told in real-time chronological order, which could be confusing, but it does pay off in the end!
The locations were: Connecticut, New York City, Georgia, and California.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
It is terrifying how easily Veena and her family got sucked into an unhealthy and dangerous cult. They were looking for answers and help for her, but instead, things became much worse.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful!
Book title: 5.0 stars
So on point!
HIGHLY recommend
NetGalley eARC/ebook
The True Happiness Company by Veena Dinavahi
320 pages
Random House
FUTURE release date: 5/20/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNING: Cursing, infidelity, classism, sexual abuse, cult, drug use, forced institutionalism, pregnancy, mental health issues, gaslighting
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
DNF - Sisters in Science (audiobook)
Sisters in Science by Olivia Campbell (audiobook)
I will not be finishing this book. It was about four women physicists who escape Nazi Germany. Unfortunately, I missed the terms physicists and WWII.
Life is too short and there are too many other books to read!
This book will definitely work for another audience - just not me!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, April 20, 2025
My next audiobook is ...
Sisters in Science by Olivia Campbell (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - The Next Day (audiobook)
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
This is the second audiobook by Melinda French Gates that I have listened to. This is very emotional, real, and personal. It is a short but powerful book.
This book really showcases how emotionally aware Melinda really is. She gets that she came from privilege and was fortunate to have the opportunities in her life. Interestingly, she is very spiritual as a lapsed Roman Catholic, and she shares poems, quotes, and inspirations from her favorite writers (including Malala's father) throughout the book. Some of it worked for me, and some didn't. But it was motivational and beautiful.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Melinda writes beautifully with a rawness and personal depth that is just spectacular.
Narration: 5.0 stars
Melinda is an excellent narrator. I prefer that memoirs be read by the person who wrote the book; she does an incredible job narrating her life.
Character Arc: 5.0 stars
The character arc is told fairly chronologically, starting with her childhood and ending post-divorce and post-COVID.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
The story of her best friend, John, passing away was so powerful and beautiful. What a friendship.
She shared the "ring theory" to best assist those in a life crisis due to illness, death, or another life challenge. It is brilliant.
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
Melinda shares personal stories that are so touching and beautiful, such as the "nail polish incident", "a good enough parent", and becoming a grandmother.
She discusses the difficult breakup of her marriage and subsequent divorce. If you expect her to "spill the tea", this is not the book for you.
The best takeaway from Melinda is to always trust your inner voice. If you don't hear your inner voice, find it! Also, after an event (good, bad, or ugly), start your focus on the next day. It is a way to stay in the present!
Yes, Melinda, you are on point!
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Boring.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
HIGHLY recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates
Macmillan Audio
3 hours, 44 minutes
Release date of 4/15/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS
Death, pregnancy, divorce, infidelity, cancer
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, April 19, 2025
My next read is ...
The True Happiness Company by Veena Dinavahi (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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
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
TRIGGER WARNINGS
Blood, medical content, terminal illness, poverty, child death, death
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, April 18, 2025
My next eARC/ebook is ...
Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)