REVIEW - Wayward Girls (eARC/ebook)

 

Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs (eARC/ebook)

OVERVIEW

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This is the first book by Susan Wiggs that I have read. The premise aligns perfectly with many of my recent reads. The fictional storyline was about incarcerated young women at a Roman Catholic Magdalene laundry in Buffalo, New York, from 1968-1969. 

The scary part is that this book is inspired by true-life accounts of what happened in these so-called laundries from the 1880s to the 1970s. Horrific! 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Susan writes so beautifully with compassion but descriptively without being prurient. The storyline is difficult to read, but the writing makes it fascinating, although anger-provoking.

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters (in the 1968-1969 timeline) include the "wayward girls", the Our Lady of Charity Roman Catholic order, and the Good Shepherd Institute. The ridiculous reasons for these young women being incarcerated are unbelievable, and the horrible treatment that they receive is unconscionable. 

The secondary characters (in the 1968-1969 timeline) are the parents who send their daughters to the Institute, the girls' friends and partners, and the inept local Buffalo community that was supposed to protect them. 

The tertiary timeline (present time) is the new lives for the "wayward girls", their friends, family, and their friendships. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

This is a historical fiction novel, but it is primarily about seven "wayward girls" and one nun. Their story ends in 1970ish at the Institute when six of the girls escape. Then everything explodes again when two of the girls rekindle their friendship many years later. Powerfully done! 

The location was primarily Buffalo, New York, and the surrounding area. 

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

I had no idea that these laundries occurred in the United States. I had heard of them in Ireland, But A Note from the Author indicates that there were at least thirty-eight of these institutions in our country. 

We need to remember this history and protect our daughters and granddaughters from this type of abuse from ever occurring again! 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Excellent!

 

HIGHLY recommend

NetGalley eARC/ebook

Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs 

400 pages

William Morrow

FUTURE release date: 7/15/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Susan Wiggs

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

William Morrow

NetGalley

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Rape, incarceration, pregnancy, physical abuse, adult-minor relationships, drug use, sexual situations, mild cursing, infidelity

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next audiobook is ...

 Where You Are Is Not Who You Are by Ursula Burns (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Revenge of the Tipping Point

 Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This is only the second Malcolm Gladwell book that I have read. The other is "The Tipping Point," which I read fairly soon after it came out. But this book, unfortunately, is not "The Tipping Point, Part II. 

It was a disorganized audiobook, but there were good topics to research and verify.   

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

 

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing is good - Malcolm can write! But there were so many of his opinions, interpretations, and viewpoints in the book. It just didn't work for me with all the "Malcolmisms".

Narration: 4.0 stars

Malcolm has a nice voice for narration. 

The guitar music playing in the background made it difficult for me to concentrate. As a segue between chapters, it would have been fine. But there was music with the narration - audiobooks do not need a soundtrack.

Character development: 4.0 stars

There weren't characters per se, but there were characters within the stories. Having real people or actor-portrayals of these individuals was a nice touch.  

I disliked that the information was not presented in one chapter and done. It just was ill-conceived and messy.

Memorable:  4.5 stars

This audiobook gave me little tidbits of information I want to independently verify and research. The narcotic prescription three-part form was something that interested me due to the correlation to opioid epidemic deaths.

Entertaining/Educational:  4.0 stars

I feel like this book was a jumping point to dig in deep into many of the topics covered: Los Angeles bank robberies, Miami Medicare fraud, opioid crisis, "Poplar Grove" high school suicides, corporate boards, Harvard's rugby team, Will & Grace and "Holocaust: The Story of the Weiss Family", and COVID pandemic. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Okay.

 

Book title: 4.5 stars 

True, but not true. 

DEFINITE recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

8 hours, 25 minutes 

Little, Brown, and Company

Release date: 10/1/2024

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Malcolm Gladwell

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Little, Brown, and Company

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Suicide, gun violence, drug addiction, medical content, genocide, classism, racism, pandemic

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next eARC/ebook is ...

 

Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs (eARC/ebook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

Review - Before Dorothy (eARC/ebook)

 Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor (eARC/ebook)

OVERVIEW

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This is the third book by Hazel Gaynor I have read. As soon as I read the book's premise, I knew I had to read it. It is a prequel fairy tale ode to the original book that I loved, as imagined by Hazel!

This book combined several important things for me - The Wizard of Oz (books and movie), childhood favorites. The Dust Bowl in the 1930s affected my paternal grandfather, his mother (my Granny), and siblings left Arkansas and Oklahoma for a better life in California. I'm grateful every day that they left for more in my beloved state.  

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Hazel writes beautifully. She wrote an incredible homage to the original book and movie. There are subtle references to the original book that are like finding Easter eggs throughout the book. The descriptions are so vivid, yet not overbearing. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters are Dorothy (yes, that Dorothy), her uncle Henry, and her aunt Em (the same ones). We discover why they are in Kansas, Dorothy lives with her aunt and uncle, and so much more!

The secondary characters are Annie (Dorothy's mom, Emily's sister, and John's wife), John (Dorothy's mom, Henry's cousin, and Annie's husband). Yes, Annie and Em did marry cousins!

The tertiary characters are the friends in Chicago and Kansas, Em and Annie's family from Ireland, unbelievable fleeting characters, and the Kansas prairie, including the Dust Bowl and the Depression.

Storyline:  5.0 stars

This is a historical novel, but a beautiful homage to The Wizard of Oz, as Hazel imagines. Beautifully done!

Several time frames are utilized to create this amazing prequel. Chicago 1922-1924, 1932; Kansas 1924-1929, 1932; and "many years later".

The Chicago years primarily cover when Annie and Em live together and work together as "Field's Girls". They meet and marry their husbands, and then their life trajectories change. Annie stays in Chicago while Em moves with Henry to Kansas. Then the story really takes off! 

The locations were primarily Chicago, Kansas, and some in Ireland.   

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

I love how the author mentions in her Author's Note how Auntie Em kept whispering in her ear to write this book! I'm so glad that Hazel listened!

Hazel mentions watching The Wizard of Oz on Christmas Day in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it was Easter Sunday evening! We watched it on different days with the same strong memories that books and movies can conjure! 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Short, but sweet!

 

HIGHLY recommend

NetGalley eARC/ebook

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor

400 pages

Berkley

FUTURE release date: 6/17/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Hazel Gaynor

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Berkley

NetGalley

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Guns, the Depression, tornadoes/dusters, mild cursing, pregnancy, infidelity

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next audiobook is ...

 

Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (audiobook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Read This To Get Smarter (audiobook)

 

Read This To Get Smarter by Blair Imani (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

First, I started following Blair Imani on Instagram for her amazing "Smarter in Seconds" reels. Then through her podcast,
"Thoughts About Feelings" with Mychal Threets, I learned about this amazing book. 

I must admit that each of the chapters on "Identity", "Relationships",  "Class", "Disability", "Race and Racism", and "Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation" taught me something new. The chapter on Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation educated me the most. Thank you, Blair, for making me smarter! 

As much as I enjoyed listening to Blair's narration, I would have retained so much more with a physical or digital copy. So there will be a digital copy to reread in my future!

Finally, as an aside, Blair grew up in San Marino, a town a few miles away from where I grew up. So proud of this local making it big!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

 

Writing: 4.5 stars

The writing was not the most important part of this book. But it was strong, but not great literature (thank goodness). 

This book was written in an easy-to-understand style with so much passion and matter-of-factness. 

Narration: 5.0 stars

Blair narrated this audiobook in a personal, emotional, and real manner. As an educator, she made it so easy to follow and understand everything she was teaching (even if you didn't realize you were getting smarter). 

Character development: 5.0 stars

There really weren't characters per se, but Blair shared about herself, her family, and her friends. These personal and beautiful stories made this book so very special. 

Memorable:  5.0 stars

This audiobook taught me so much, even though I think of myself as an open-minded liberal mom who loves learning. 

Entertaining/Educational:  5.0 stars

This book dovetailed beautifully with These Heathens by Mia McKenzie, which I finished yesterday. It was about the race, class, gender, and LGBT+ intersectionality in 1960s Atlanta. 

Blair did a deep dive into the topics I had recently read about, and it made me even smarter! The bottom line is treating everyone with respect and dignity. 

Finally, I loved the Reflection Questions at the end of every chapter. It made me think and ponder these issues, which isn't always easy or pretty.

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Pretty!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Excellent.

HIGHLY recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

Read This To Get Smarter by Blair Imani

5 hours, 27 minutes 

Random House Audio

Release date: 10/26/2021

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Blair Imani

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Random House Audio

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Minor negative references to all of the topics covered in the noted chapters above

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next eARC/ebook is ...

 Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor (eARC/ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - These Heathens (eARC/ebook)

 These Heathens by Mia McKenzie (eARC/ebook)

OVERVIEW

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This is the first book by Mia that I have read, but it won't be the last. Wow! What a fantastic story of Black culture, church culture, and excellence.

Mia weaves so many famous Black leaders of the 1960s throughout this story of a young girl in rural Georgia who needs an abortion. But the story is so very much more than that! It is personal discovery, growth, and learning about a life unavailable in small-town Georgia.

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Mia writes beautifully and hauntingly with descriptions that are vivid yet not overdone. That is a true art!

The biggest takeaway is that the writing of the characters' code-switching was done so very well.  

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters are Doris (a pregnant 17-year-old), Mrs. Lucas (her teacher), and Mrs. Broussard (Mrs. Lucas's friend). Doris and Mrs. Lucas travel from rural Georgia to Atlanta to obtain an abortion arranged by Mrs. Brousegnant.

The secondary characters are Dexter (Mrs. Broussard's step-nephew) and Erik (bodyguards to KKK harassed Blacks), whom Doris becomes friends with along the way.  

The tertiary characters are the legendary 1960s Black leaders, philanthropists, writers, and artists, including Black Civil Rights leaders and Black church folk in Atlanta.  

Storyline:  5.0 stars

This novel was about the intersectionality of race, gender, LGBT+, and class in 1960s Atlanta. There was so much packed into this amazing historical novel. 

The rise of the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), the Muslim Brotherhood, the KKK, and sit-ins across the South orchestrated by student activists in SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) in 1960 plays a huge, but subtle role. 

The location was primarily Atlanta, Georgia.   

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

Writing about the infancy of the Civil Rights movement, while including the tremendous differences among the various subsets, was incredibly creative.  

I had always thought that Coretta Scott King was a tremendous force in her own right. This novel confirms my suspicions.

Finally, I need to learn more about all aspects of the Civil Rights movement, as we need to learn from our past to make a better future. Unfortunately, we may need to take to the streets again en masse to fight this predatory Administration.

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect representation of this book!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Hysterical! It proves to be telling!

 

HIGHLY recommend

NetGalley eARC/ebook

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie

272 pages

Random House

FUTURE release date: 6/17/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Mia McKenzie

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Random House

NetGalley

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Guns, racism, racial slurs, pregnancy, abortion, violence, cursing, homophobia, biphobia, lesbophobia

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next eARC/ebook is ...

 

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie (eARC/ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Homeseeking (ebook)

 Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is Karissa's debut novel, and what a first novel! I loved this historical fiction book from beginning to end! An absolutely stunning, fascinating, and beautiful story. I eagerly await the next book that she writes!

I had taken Asian history in high school, but had forgotten so much about the Chinese Civil War (especially that it was two parts around WWII). It seems that all civil wars are horrific, devastating, and brutal. Brothers fighting brothers, and possibly my husband's extended family, were involved in this war was heartbreaking. Yes, this was another WWII book - this war keeps following me!

My dear husband is an American of Cantonese descent. But to his dismay, I prefer the flavor profile of Taiwanese food. After reading this novel, I now want to eat my way through Taiwan!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Karissa can write! This was her debut, and it did not read like a debut! It was so beautifully written, descriptive, and thought-provoking. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters were Haiwen and Suchi, who were childhood friends from the same longtang (alley/neighborhood) in Shanghai. Their lives diverge after WWII when the Chinese Civil War begins. 

The secondary characters are Howard and Sue's family and friends from the longtang. They all endured so much during WWII and then even worse during the second half of the Chinese Civil War and the final takeover by the Chinese Communist Party. 

The tertiary characters are the friends and family in Taiwan and the United States. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline was done incredibly creatively. Brava!

Sue and Howard's stories are told in separate chapters. Sue's stories are looking forward, while Howard's are looking backwards (as explained by the author at the beginning of the book). Such a perfect way to feel their characters. I loved it! 

What the author also does is have the characters code-switch between the languages of Tawainese, Cantonese, Shanghaiese, Wu, English, and Mandarin (I hope that I didn't miss any others). The names of the characters also change, which also happens in other languages. But, Karissa makes us work for it by not labelling the chapters with the appropriate language names, but rather the time. 

The name code-switching helps non-Sinitic language speakers understand what these characters had to do to learn the multitude of languages in the region. I cannot imagine how difficult it is for any refugee or immigrant not knowing the new language of their home. 

The locations were primarily Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, Los Angeles, and New York City.  

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

The characters were seeking a home, but they already had their homes with their memories. They just didn't realize it! I also think of my loved ones and dearest friends as my home - I am happiest when I am with them. Powerful!

A quote from the book, "It is better to kill a thousand innocent men than to let one guilty man live" has been attributed to Chiang Kai-shek or Wang Jing-wei. The author discusses it in her Notes, and it made me realize that both sides were horrific in this civil war and most other wars. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Beautiful!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect! 

 

HIGHLY recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

512 pages 

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release date: 1/7/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Karissa Chen

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

War, violence, gun violence, sexual violence, physical violence, starvation, classism, death of a parent, death, racism, xenophobia, medical trauma, blood, cursing

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜