Read This to Get Smarter by Blair Imani (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, May 12, 2025
REVIEW - The Measure (audiobook)
The Measure by Nikki Erlick (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
Firstly, I normally do not read "popular" books when they are released because I read and borrow so much from the library. Even as a three-year-old digital book, it has a wait of 19 weeks!
I am certain that I would have enjoyed this book more as a physical or digital copy. Since I was looking for an audiobook that was available when I wanted it, I decided to read it this way.
For me, this book is like candy. It was sweet and just what I needed after some very heavy books. It is not great literature, and not every book has to be great literature. I enjoyed it, and that is what matters - no guilt or shame for reading it
Most importantly, thank you to my niece, Julia, for recommending this book. I love you, sweetie! 💜
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars
Writing: 3.5 stars
The writing was the weakest part of this book for me. Since it was a debut novel, I understand that writers have to find their footing, their voice, and their style for a book.
Narration: 4.0 stars
Nikki did not narrate the book, which I totally get with a novel, as it requires a professional narrator. Julia Whelan narrated who is a professional actress and has a lot of accents and voices to perform.
I wanted and needed more emotion in this audiobook, but that may have been how the narrator was directed. It just missed the mark just a little for me.
Character development: 3.5 stars
There were too many characters! It was really hard to keep track of them all, plus the character development wasn't as strong as I normally like in a novel. I wanted fewer characters with more before and after the threads were received.
Everyone around the world (aged 22 and over) received a box that contained a piece of thread. But once the magnitude of the threads is determined, the reactions of the characters don't seem extreme enough. I truly believe that there would have been rioting in the streets, marches, and mass suicides/murders.
Memorable: 3.5 stars
This audiobook will not be extremely memorable for me because it is not my typical audiobook, as it was a novel. But it was a good escape from the world, which is what books are supposed to do.
I liked this book, but didn't love it. Sorry, Julia! But, it is a PERFECT book club pick as it will foster a lot of discussion!
Entertaining/Educational: 4.0 stars
This was an entertaining book with so much promise. Unfortunately, the book underdelivered on the fascinating premise. It could have been so much more meaningful and powerful.
The biggest takeaway is that society ALWAYS has prejudices and needs someone to tell them that they are being "mistreated". The parallels to this current administration are shocking.
Finally, I liked the idea of living like you were a short-threader. Read the book to understand it and why!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Pretty!
Book title: 4.0 stars
On point.
Recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
10 hours, 57 minutes
HarperAudio
Release date: 6/28/2022
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNING: Cursing, classism, violence, blood, medical content, physical violence, prejudice
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
REVIEW - Medicine River (audiobook)
Medicine River by Mary Annette Pember (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
This audiobook has seven beautiful kids on the cover. I do not know if it is an antique or a contemporary picture. They are the archetype of children whose lives were destroyed by the U.S. and Canadian Indian boarding schools. Heartbreaking!
My brain and heart are filled with so many emotions after listening to this audiobook. I feel guilt, shame, and anger for what happened to these children, but I also feel deep love and concern for their welfare. Too many emotions, too much to process, and too much shock to cry.
This book needs to be read by California students in the high school ethnic studies class required for graduation. It should be mandatory reading for all high school U.S. History classes. It is THAT important!
California had the horror of Junipero Serra and the mission system, and now we have the legacy of the Indian boarding schools.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing was beautiful, emotional, powerful, and thought-provoking. Mary is a journalist by degree and occupation, but this was a passion project and family memoir.
The writing was supplemented by intensive research, including interviews and boarding school paper trails. Unfortunately, many of these schools were run by religious organizations that block access to their records. Mary did an outstanding job breaking down the bureaucratic and administrative walls!
Narration: 5.0 stars
Mary did not narrate the book. Erin Tripp narrated, and she is a citizen of the Tlingit of the Disheetaan clan, born and raised in Juneau, Alaska.
Erin does a phenomenal job of narrating. She pronounces the tribal names correctly, which was important for me to learn and understand.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters were the Indian boarding schools in all their horrific splendor. The schools were meant to "assimilate, civilize, and educate" (my words) the children (which were lies, lies, lies). Instead, they destroyed the culture, language, and family relationships by forcing families to send their young children away for years at a time. Finally, the Indian boarding schools were workhouses where the children lived in inhumane conditions with minimal food and rampant deadly diseases.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
Mary had a challenging childhood with epigenetic and inherited pain from the Indian boarding schools. By writing this book, she learns about herself, her family of origin, and her extended family. The biggest and most beautiful takeaway is that Mary understands herself, her mother, and their relationship at the end of the book.
I also learned much about the Native healing being utilized today through traditional methods. This gives me so much hope for future generations impacted by the Indian boarding schools.
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
This is not an entertaining book, but rather an educational one. It is the non-whitewashed horror stories of the Indian boarding schools. We must learn from this history, be educated about it, and correct the outcome.
My biggest concern is that the current administration will erase all of the history education of the Indian boarding schools for natives and non-natives. What happened at the Indian boarding schools could have happened to any culture, and that is terrifying and sobering.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Love!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect. The Ojibwe community in northern Wisconsin.
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Medicine River by Mary Annette Pember
9 hours, 46 minutes
Random House Audio
Release date: 4/22/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNING: Cursing, classism, colonialism, war, violence, lack of food and water, xenophobia, forced institutionalization, rape, physical violence, sexual violence, blood, racism
NOTE: This book is very explicit, but not gratuitously. It is difficult to believe that religious and/or educators treated children this way, but it DID happen.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
REVIEW - The Secrets of Lovelace Academy (ebook)
The Secrets of Lovelace Academy by Marie Benedict/Courtney Sheinmel (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the first book I have read by Courtney Sheinmel and the fifth by Marie Benedict.
Unfortunately, the conception and idea behind this book didn't execute as I had hoped. The idea is brilliant and could be a series, but it didn't work for me as a middle-school book.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars.
Writing: 3.5 stars
Marie and Courtney definitely write well.
Some contemporary slang, such as cool, slipped into the novel's dialogue before it was commonly used. Also, the unusual car accident and dyslexia diagnosis at this time seemed out of place. It may have been to add an interesting tidbit to interest current readers.
Character development: 3.5 stars
The main character was Lainey, who was at an orphanage and offered a scholarship to Lovelace Academy. Lainey has great difficulty transitioning from the orphanage to the Lovelace Academy.
The secondary characters are Lady Blunt (headmistress of Lovelace Academy and daughter of Ada Lovelace) and Mileva Einstein (yes, the first wife of THAT Einstein).
The tertiary characters are the orphanage caretakers, orphans, students at Lovelace Academy, and Lainey's friends in Switzerland and at the Academy.
I wrongly assumed that the Lovelace Academy would be the focus of this novel. Most of the time was not spent at the Lovelace Academy, and we didn't really get to know much about it. What a missed opportunity!
Storyline: 3.0 stars
The storyline really details the horrific time that Lainey spends at the orphanage. It was ugly and very descriptive, which I didn't enjoy, and a middle school student wouldn't either.
Lainey attends the Lovelace Academy and doesn't fit in there due to being a scholarship student.
Then the story veers wildly when Lainey travels alone from London to Bern, Switzerland. She meets Mrs. Einstein, and it just seems unbelievable from there.
The locations were primarily London and Bern.
Memorable/Informative: 3.0 stars
I already knew Ada Lovelace was an incredible mathematician. But, I didn't know much about her life, and most especially that she died so young. I would have enjoyed learning more about her and having the period shift quite a bit earlier to include more of her life.
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Beautiful!
Book title: 3.0 stars
We did not learn much about the secrets of the Lovelace Academy.
Recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The Secrets of Lovelace Academy by Marie Benedict/Courtney Sheinmel
304 pages
Aladdin
Release date: 4/22/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNING: Institutionalization of orphans, physical violence, starvation, child labor, theft, classism, death of a parent
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
May 2025 - Amazon First Reads
Hi, book blog friends!
A perk of your Amazon Prime Membership is a FREE monthly Kindle book! It is called Amazon First Reads, and you can find out more about it here: Amazon First Reads.
The Amazon First Reads email for May went out a few days ago. There is a free Kindle book and a free Kindle short story for May 2025. I am enjoying the additional short story along with the free Kindle eBOOK!
My TWO choices for May 2025 are:
Death Row by Freida McFadden (short story)
The Baker of Lost Memories by Shirley Russak Wachtel (ebook)
So, what Kindle book are you choosing? The book I chose for May is historical fiction, so I am back in my comfort zone!
Also, as a reminder, remember to "buy" AND download the freebies from Amazon! You can't read a book or a short story that hasn't been downloaded!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, May 5, 2025
REVIEW - The Library of Lost Dollhouses (ebook)
The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the first book I have read by Elise Hooper, and I have one word to describe it: LOVELY!! What a perfect book to start out my May reading journey!
As much as I would like to avoid it, this book mentions (not the entire plot) of WWI and WWII. The parts included were needed and added so much to the depth of the storyline.
One of the best parts of this lovely book is that strong, intelligent, and artistic women are the primary focus. Amazing!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
Elise is an amazing author. She writes beautifully, descriptively, and emotionally. It is the writing that I seek out and most enjoy in the historical fiction genre.
Character development: 5.0 stars
This was a dual timeline story with 1910-1974 (long) and 2024 (short) storylines. The character development was exceptional! The main character of the long storyline is Cora (a gifted artist), and the main character of the short storyline is Tildy (a head library curator). Once Tildy discovers a secret room in the private library where she works, her and Cora's lives intersect and implode.
The secondary characters are Belva (long story; a wealthy woman), Hugh (long story; soldier), and Ben (short story; Cora's relative).
The tertiary characters are the coworkers at the library, WWII soldiers, wealthy individuals, library patrons and contributors, and the family and friends of the main and secondary characters. Of course, the dollhouses are also beautiful characters, each in their own right.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The long storyline is about Cora escaping her life to Paris to start an art career, but WWI and life get in the way. She escapes and lives in England, and then WWII breaks out, forcing her to remain. Cut to the short storyline when Tildy discovers the dollhouses. It was so well done to tie these disparate storylines together like a gorgeous piece of silk.
The locations were: New York City, Paris, rural England, rural New Hampshire, Los Angeles, and finally, San Francisco.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
I knew nothing about these beautiful dollhouses, miniatures, and the artistic/engineering skills needed to make them. I am gob-smacked by the talent utilized for all of them. Now, I have something new and different to add to my bucket list!!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
Lovely!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent!
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper (ebook)
320 pages
William Morrow
FUTURE release date: 4/1/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNING: War, sexual situations, mild cursing, classism, pregnancy, death, death of a parent, medical content, domestic violence, violence
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, May 4, 2025
The Storygraph First Milestone!!!
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Good evening, book blog friends!!
As you can see from my graphic, I have met my first milestone for The Storygraph! 100 consecutive days of reading!! Woo hoo! Now, to hit 200 straight days!
On a side note, I have been missing in action since Thursday. Unfortunately, my best friend's auntie passed away last Friday, with the Celebration of Life this weekend. Also, it was her widower/uncle's 90th birthday. So lots of remembrances, joy, and love this weekend!
Thankfully, I could stay with my best friend at her hotel in San Clemente and support her during this difficult time. So much love, tears, and laughter shared between us for almost 60 years!!!
So thanks for your support and patience!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, May 2, 2025
booksbydorothea - The Storygraph April 2025 Monthly Recap
Hi, book blog friends!!
If I didn't already LOVE The Storygraph, look at my monthly (April 2025) wrap-up graphics that are FREE to everyone! It is so much better than that "other site", which does nothing monthly!
If you like book statistics like me, check out booksbydorothea's April 2025 full, free statistics HERE.
Yes, I will keep the "other site" until publishers, authors, and my friends come over to The Storygraph!! Come on over, please be my "friend"!!!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Thursday, May 1, 2025
booksbydorothea - April 2025 - Monthly Wrap-up
Hi, book blog friends!!
April was a hectic month for our family with college Spring Break (daughter), my birthday, Easter, jury duty for me (only two hours!), and the finale was a Sacramento school trip (daughter). I’m tired just reading about it, and I lived it!
Yes, I continue to read and listen to books to avoid the news and social media. Not listening to the news and not being on social media (except for my book-related accounts) has been a huge lift for my mental health! The good news was that this was another strong reading month with SEVENTEEN books (audiobooks and ebooks).
April had eleven five-star books: seven ebooks, four audiobooks, and no physical books. This was a unique month filled with incredible books!!!
BEST BOOKS APRIL 2025 (plus previous months)
ebooks 2025
JANUARY
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange
More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
Paris Undercover by Matthew Goodman
The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman
Come Fly with Me by Camille Di Maio
The Memory of Cotton by Ann K. Howley
The Secret History of Audrey Jones by Heather Marshall
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
FEBRUARY
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
Swimming to Lundy by Amanda Prowse
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly
MARCH
This One Life by Amanda Prowse
Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner
Isola by Allegra Goodman
The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
APRIL
The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan
The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris
Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
Marsha by Tourmaline
Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan
The True Happiness Company by Veena Dinavahi
The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly
Audiobooks 2025
JANUARY
Me by Elton John
Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen
FEBRUARY
Never by Rick Astley
Unlovable by Darren Hayes
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan
MARCH
-NONE-
APRIL
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates
Time to Thank by Steve Guttenberg
Change the Recipe by José Andrés
Physical books
JANUARY-FEBRUARY; APRIL
-NONE-
MARCH
This One Life by Amanda Prowse
2025 READING GOAL
My goal is to read 101 books in 2025. As of April 30th, I have read 60 books, or 59.4% of my goal.
APRIL 2025 STATISTICS
17 total books
9 ebooks; 8 audiobooks; 0 physical books
7 books - ARC (Advanced Reader Copy)
9 books - Library
0 books – Purchased
0 books - Amazon First Reads
0 books - Book Club Girl
0 books – author gifted
0 books – friend gifted
Audio listening time in April 2025: 65 hours, 11 minutes
Pages read in April 2025: 3,104 pages
Average review rating: 4.71 stars
APRIL 2025 BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS
ebooks 2025
5.0-star ebook
The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan LINK
The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris LINK
Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe LINK
Marsha by Tourmaline LINK
Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan LINK
The True Happiness Company by Veena Dinavahi LINK
The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly LINK
4.5-star ebooks
The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson LINK
4.0-star ebooks
A Clean Mess by Tiffany Jenkins LINK
NOTE: There were no 3.5-star or 3.0-star ebooks this month.
5.0-star audiobooks
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green LINK
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates LINK
Time to Thank by Steve Guttenberg LINK
Change the Recipe by José Andrés LINK
4.5-star audiobook
Source Code by Bill Gates LINK
4.0-star audiobooks
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver LINK
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams LINK
Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus LINK
NOTE: There were no 3.5-star or 3.0-star audiobooks this month
Physical books 2025
NOTE: There were no physical books read this month.
If you want to read my full review of any of these April books, there are individual review links for each ebook or audiobook next to the book title and author (under APRIL 2025 BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS just above). Click on the specific book link to get to that book review.
April has been a fun reading month with so many extraordinary books. What have been YOUR most recent extraordinary books? Inquiring minds want to know!!
Happy reading!
Dorothea 💜
P.S. For additional helpful tools on my blog, check out:
Book Rating Legend LINK
Glossary LINK
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