Smoke on the Wind by Kelli Estes (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, June 13, 2025
REVIEW - The Eights (ebook)
The Eights by Joanna Miller (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is Joanna Miller's debut book, a historical fiction novel. What an intense, but wonderful story. She has a great career ahead!
It took me a while to get into as I didn't know many of the British terms, specifically the unique Oxford language. Of course, AFTER I finished the book, I found the glossary! UGH!
I hadn't considered the proximity of World War I to the time covered in this historical novel. The flashbacks by each of the four main characters involved the war in some way and were difficult to read, which is why we need to read books like this!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing was a dichotomy. At times, the prose was like reading beautiful poetry. Also, it was very raw, real, and horrific. Joanna combined the two so well without stabbing our hearts with more than we could take.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are Otto, Marianne, Dora, and Beatrice, who share Corridor Eight at Oxford in 1920. They are among the first women to matriculate for degrees and full membership.
The secondary characters include the friends, family, and classmates of the four main characters' Freshman year (1920-1921) and in flashbacks. Unfortunately, I cannot elaborate too much about the Freshman year and the flashbacks, as it could spoil the plot of the book.
The tertiary characters are World War I and Oxford.
This was one of the best books I have read with such exceptional character development. I can visualize and picture the main characters in my mind and heart, even if they are fictional.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline details how the four main characters, who are incredibly different, become fast friends. They go through being newbies, testing, and hazing by male students. Yet they each have a buried secret that eventually is shared during the school year.
The location was primarily Oxfordshire, England.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
I did not realize that Oxford admitted women to matriculate earlier than either Harvard (1953), Yale (1969), or Caltech (1970), but later than Stanford (1891). This is so fascinating to me. My big question is why?
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect.
Book title: 5.0 stars
A great double entendre.
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The Eights by Joanna Miller
382 pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons
Release date: 4/15/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
War, sexual content, sexual assault, pregnancy, death of a parent, medical content, blood, gore, mild cursing
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
My next audiobook is ...
Eternal Flame by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - Boat Baby (audiobook)
Boat Baby by Vicky Nguyen (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
This is Vicky's memoir. I absolutely loved this audiobook!
I must confess that I didn't know who Vicky was or anything about her memoir until I saw a reel on Instagram. Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, I have not watched any network television news, so I am out of the loop.
Interestingly, my niece, Julia, is reading this book also. I hope her career trajectory is similar to Vicky's, as she is also a television reporter.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Vicky writes strongly, beautifully, and so well.
Narration: 5.0 stars
The narration was powerful and well-done. Vicky is an on-air journalist, so I am not surprised, but rather incredibly impressed.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are Vicky and her parents, who were Vietnamese refugees who immigrated to the United States in 1979.
The secondary characters are Brian (Vicky's husband) and his parents, as well as her three children.
There is a huge cast of characters, from the assorted family in Vietnam and the United States, friends from various aspects of Vicky's life, co-workers, and her mentors.
There are so many characters whose names I have already forgotten, but it wasn't important for me. It was about understanding how Vicky and her family developed into better people due to the kindness of strangers.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
What was most interesting to me was the similarities between Vietnamese and Chinese cultures. So many stories resonated with me as my husband is an ABC (American Born Chinese), and it was as if Vicky was talking about his extended family.
Side note: Vicky mentions that the "West Coast is the best coast"! I agree with her wholeheartedly!
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
Vicky made me laugh out loud a few times and helped me understand how difficult and brave it was to escape Vietnam.
Basically, it is exactly like the immigrants who are currently being harassed and kidnapped in Los Angeles by ICE. The vast majority commit no crimes and just want to live in peace and support their family.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Adorable.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Boat Baby by Vicky Nguyen
7 hours, 50 minutes
Simon & Schuster Audio
Release date: 4/1/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: War, racism, xenophobia, death of a child, murder, violence, family dysfunction, pandemic
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, June 9, 2025
Sunday, June 8, 2025
REVIEW - The Booklover's Library (ebook)
The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is my first book by Madeline Martin. I liked this book, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. From the book title, description, and cover, I expected a story about a book library. Unfortunately for me, it was another World War II historical fiction novel, which I have read too many of recently. I was somewhat disappointed.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars.
Writing: 3.5 stars
At times, the writing felt repetitive. It was as if the same story was being retold again, but in a subtly different way. Madeline writes well, but it wasn't as descriptive and detailed as I prefer.
There were some parts of the book that could have been completely edited out, especially the difficulties with the host families. It seemed a bit melodramatic for my taste.
Character development: 3.5 stars
The main characters were Emma (a widowed mother), Olivia (Emma's young daughter), Mrs. Pickering (Emma and Olivia's landlord), and World War II.
The secondary characters include Margaret (Emma's work friend), Charles (Emma's friend), Mr. and Mrs. Taylor (Emma's in-laws), and Mr. Sanderson (the other tenant in the building).
The tertiary characters are Emma's coworkers and customers, the people of Nottingham, and the lending library.
There was a lost opportunity for stronger character development, especially with Emma's in-laws. By not giving as much prominence to the two host families, the family relationships could have been explored more fully.
Storyline: 3.5 stars
The storyline was the story of the horrible bombing of Nottingham and the sending of children away to safety in the country. It was also the survival story of the people of Nottingham pulling together in a horrific time in history.
The location was primarily Nottingham, Coventry, Kent, and London.
Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars
I did not know that there was a paid lending library at Boots The Chemist (pharmacy, for Americans) called "Boots Book-Lovers' Library". There were two different levels of paid subscriptions, which ended in 1966.
Apparently, access to public libraries and popular novels was limited, especially during World War II. The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 required neighborhood councils to provide free public libraries. Fascinating!
Book cover: 3.5 stars
Not really representative of this novel.
Book title: 3.5 stars
Okayish.
Recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin
396 pages
Hanover Square Press
Release date: 9/10/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Fire, fire trauma, explosion, war, bombing, medical content, death of a child, death, blood, gore
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, June 6, 2025
REVIEW - The Flower Sisters (ebook)
The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is Michelle's debut novel. I really liked this book, but I didn't love it as I thought I would.
It definitely appealed to me as it was historical fiction based on a real event that occurred in a Missouri Ozark town in 1928. I knew nothing about this event at all. Also, my paternal grandfather was from the Ozarks region, but in Arkansas.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars.
Writing: 3.5 stars
Michelle's writing is good, and I look forward to the next book that she writes.
The writing could have been improved by stronger editing. It would have been a much better book if it had been reduced by about 100 pages. Also, the last chapter was too fantastical and religious for my personal taste, as were other parts of this novel.
Character development: 3.5 stars
The main characters were Rose (grandmother to Rose, mother to Lettie, and local undertaker) and Daisy (granddaughter to Rose, daughter to Lettie, and newspaper summer intern).
The secondary characters include Lettie (Rose's daughter, Daisy's mother, and wild child), who leaves Daisy with her grandmother, and Joe (Daisy's friend and the town's golden boy).
The townspeople, the small town, and the local newspaper are the tertiary characters.
As usual for me, I wanted more character development, especially with regards to the Rose, Lettie, and Daisy triangle. Daisy is almost the same age as I would have been in the novel, so I really connect with her on a visceral level.
Storyline: 3.5 stars
The storyline was brutal and graphic. The prologue immediately drops you into the horror of the fictional Lamb's Dance Hall Explosion in 1928. It is horrific and makes you feel the pain and fear of those involved.
Then we flash forward fifty years to 1978. Daisy is researching historical events to do an "on this day" piece for the local newspaper. She uncovers the story of the Lamb's Dance Hall Explosion and sets out to research it, interview survivors, and understand what had happened.
Daisy actually uncovers lies, secrets, and mysteries that have been hidden for fifty years. This seems unbelievable to me and not something that a fifteen-year-old would have uncovered.
NOTE: I am not sharing the specific details because it would ruin the book for anyone who reads this review. I figured out the big secret within fifty pages of the book. This big secret, however, isn't revealed until about 75% into the story (editing would have helped here).
The location was the fictional Possum Flats, Missouri.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
There are many stories similar to the actual Bond Dance Hall Explosion in West Plains, Missouri, in 1928, on which this novel is based. I knew nothing about this disaster at all!
In History classes, we never learned about the story of the Tulsa Massacre in 1921 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1911, for instance. We must learn about honest and true history, and not the whitewashed type.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Prettyl!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
Recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson
392 pages
A John Scognamiglio Book
Release date: 4/23/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Fire, fire trauma, explosion, sexual situations, cursing, medical content, death of a child, blood, gore
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - The Parisian Chapter (audiobook)
The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
The three books I have read by Janet, including this one, feature strong women, libraries, and books. Three of my favorite things! Unfortunately, I did not enjoy listening to this book as much as I enjoy reading Janet's books.
Hopefully, this will be released as a digital or physical book. I would like to reread it and truly savor it!
A caveat, this audiobook would be more enjoyable after reading The Paris Library and Miss Morgan's Book Brigade, as there is some character overlap.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
As always, Janet writes so incredibly. It is thoughtful, beautiful, and descriptive writing that touches my heart.
Narration: 5.0 stars
This book featured a full cast narrating, but the lead narrator was Pauline Chalamet (yes, she is Timothy's sister). The narration and production were like a Broadway production for my mind! It was amazing!
Character development: 4.0 stars
The main characters are Lily (a hopeful writer) and Mary Louise (a hopeful painter) from small-town Montana who move to Paris together for college and then stay. Plus, the American Library of Paris (APL) is the glue that holds the characters together.
The secondary characters are Odile and Margaret, estranged friends who worked at APL during WWII. Odile became an American war bride and moved to Montana, while Margaret remained (we believe) in Paris.
There is a whole cast of characters from APL who become Lily's Paris family.
The story is primarily set in 1995 and features multiple flashbacks and other points of view, which were confusing to me as an audiobook. This resulted in the character development not being as strong or as easily determined as in Janet's previous books.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
One of the biggest takeaways is that friendships take as much work as romantic relationships.
Side note: I have had the same best friend since first grade, and we both work to maintain it.
Entertaining/Educational: 3.0 stars
I enjoyed learning about Paris and the APL, but felt lost at times as to who was who, when they lived, and their relationship to APL.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 5.0 stars
So appropriate.
STRONG recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles
7 hours, 15 minutes
Simon & Schuster Audio Originals
Release date: 5/27/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Simon & Schuster Audio Originals
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: War, toxic work environment, sexual situations, alcohol
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
My next ebook is ...
The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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