Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, August 2, 2025
REVIEW - Broken Country (ebook)
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is my first book by Clare Leslie Hall and her debut in North America under this name. It was also a Reese Book Club choice for March 2025. Normally, most celebrity book club selections don't work for me, but this was an outlier.
For me, one of the signs of a good book is IF you stay up late to read it, can't put it down, or think about it when you are not reading it. This book hit on all three!
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing is excellent. Clare is a descriptive, lyrical, and vivid writer.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are Beth (a local village girl), Gabriel (an upperclass boy from the "big house"), and Frank (a local farmer).
The secondary characters are Jimmy (Frank's brother), Louisa (Gabriel's friend), plus Leo and Bobby (who are important children in the story).
The tertiary characters are Tessa (Gabriel's mother), Gabriel, Beth, Frank's parents and siblings, as well as the local villagers, Oxford friends, and all the assorted normal characters in a historical novel.
There was strong character development, which I loved. Although I didn't always like some of these characters or their life choices, it was well done.
Storyline: 3.5 stars
This is the weakest part of the novel for me. There were too many timelines to follow and understand, with a "Before"/1955 timeline, a 1968 timeline, a "Trial"/1969 timeline (slight spoiler), and a 1975 timeline.
Bottom line, the story opens with a rambunctious dog killing newborn lambs, which gets shot by a local farmer, setting off an intense chain of events between the timelines.
The main locations were in England, including Dorset, Cambridge, and London.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
This is a slightly spicy book, which just isn't my thing. I don't need to be in others' bedrooms.
I loved learning about family farms in Dorset, England, during the 1950s and 1960s. It was a hard life, but it all revolved around the family, farm, and local village.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
So pretty, yet forboding.
Book title: 5.0 stars
On point!
Strong recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
319 pages
Simon & Schuster
Release date: 3/4/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Death, death of an animal, death of a parent, death of a child, gun violence, infidelity, sexual situations, murder, witchcraft, grief, medical content, blood, pregnancy, childbirth, alcohol, alcoholism, classism, and moderate cursing.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
booksbydorothea - Storygraph July 2025 Monthly Recap
Hi, booksbydorothea blog friends!
Even with a slow reading month, Storygraph still makes my July recap look beautiful! You can check out my profile, booksbydorothea, HERE.
I really love the FREE monthly statistics by Storygraph! What a colorful and fun way to see your book statistics every single month. With the monthly Plus plan, you can get more comparative statistics, but the free plan is just right for me.
Click this LINK, which will direct you to the sign-in/sign-up page.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
P.S. Just to avoid confusion, I have been uncertain what to call this app, so I settled on "Storygraph".
Friday, August 1, 2025
booksbydorothea - July 2025 - Monthly Wrap-up
Hi, booksbydorothea blog friends!!
Well, July 2025 is in the "books", literally and figuratively! We had a great month enjoying good meals with friends, celebrating a dear friend’s Ph.D. graduation, watching a two-year-old open birthday presents, enjoying concerts, and watching summer release movies.
July was a slower reading month as I have been curating and updating our family “go-box” in case of an emergency, as fires or earthquakes are common in Southern California. This involves scanning, printing, and uploading information to the cloud. It is much more work than you would imagine. If you haven’t started a “go-box”, I highly recommend that you do for peace of mind!
July was a good month for reading with ELEVEN books read (audiobooks and ebooks only this month).
In July, there were four five-star books: two ebooks and two audiobooks with no physical books.
BEST BOOKS FOR JUNE 2025
(plus previous months)
ebooks 2025
JANUARY (10)
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 (4)
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 (4)
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 (7)
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
MAY (7)
The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper
Homeseeking by
Karissa Chen
These Heathens by Mia McKenzie
Before
Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor
Wayward
Girls by Susan Wiggs
The
Bookstore Family by Alice Hoffman
Under the
Stars by Beatriz Williams
JUNE (7)
Abscond by
Abraham Verghese
Lightening
in a Mason Jar by Catherine Mann
The
Eights by Joanna Miller
Smoke on
the Wind by Kelli Estes
The Names by
Florence Knapp
A
Resistance of Witches by Morgan Ryan
The
Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman
JULY (2)
Ever
After by Amanda Prowse
The Man
in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell
YTD TOTAL: 41
Audiobooks 2025
JANUARY (2)
Me by Elton John
Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen
FEBRUARY (3)
Never by Rick Astley
Unlovable by Darren Hayes
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't
Want to Come by Jessica Pan
MARCH (0)
-NONE-
APRIL (4)
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
MAY (3)
Medicine
River by
Mary Annette Pember
Read This
to Get Smarter by
Blair Imani
Accidentally
on Purpose by
Kristen Kish
JUNE (1)
Boat Baby by Vicky Nguyen
JULY (2)
Walking
with Ghosts by
Gabriel Byrne
Nothing
More of this Land by
Joseph Lee
Physical books
JANUARY-FEBRUARY;
APRIL-JULY
-NONE-
MARCH
(1)
This One Life by Amanda Prowse
YTD TOTAL: 1
2025 READING GOAL
My goal is to read 101 books in 2025. As of July 31st, I have read 104 books, or 102.9% of my goal. Yeah, me!! I do anticipate that my numbers will increase as I read for enjoyment, education, and to preserve my mental health.
JULY 2025 STATISTICS
17 total books
7 ebooks; 4 audiobooks; 0
physical books
4 books - ARC (Advanced
Reader Copy)
7 books - Library
0 books – Purchased
0 books - Amazon First
Reads
0 books - Book Club Girl
0 books – author gifted
0 books – friend gifted
JULY 2025 BOOK RATINGS
with BOOK COVERS
ebooks 2025
5.0-star ebooks
Ever
After by Amanda Prowse LINK
The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell LINK
4.5-star ebooks
The Women at Ocean's End by Faith Hogan LINK
The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan LINK
4.0-star ebooks
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner LINK
The Girl in the Green
Dress by Mariah Fredericks LINK
The First Gentleman by Bill Clinton and James Patterson LINK
NOTE: There were no 3.0-star
ebooks this month.
Audiobooks 2025
5.0-star audiobooks
Walking
with Ghosts by
Gabriel Byrne LINK
Nothing
More of this Land by
Joseph Lee LINK
4.5-star audiobooks
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by
Alexandra Fuller LINK
3.5-star audiobooks
Care and Feeding by Laurie
Woolever LINK
NOTE: There were no 4.0-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 books, there are individual review links for each ebook or audiobook next to the book title and author (under JULY 2025 BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS just above). Click on the specific book link to get to that book review.
Since July was a slower month for me, do you have any great book recommendations to share? The book blogger wants to know and share!
Happy reading!
Dorothea 💜
P.S. For additional helpful tools on my blog, check out:
Book
Rating Legend: LINK
Glossary: LINK
booksbydorothea social media:
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
REVIEW - The Amalfi Curse (ebook)
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is my first book by Sarah Penner. It had an intriguing premise with a dual timeline of Italian sea witches (streghe de mare) in 1821 and a contemporary nautical archaeologist in Positano, Italy.
You had me at witches! Italian witches! Italian sea witches!
Unfortunately, I liked this book, but I didn't love it.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 4.0 stars
The writing is good, descriptive, and uneven at times.
I felt like the 1821 timeline could have been elevated with more authentic language to the time and region by including more Italian phrases and dialogue. It felt too contemporary for me.
Character development: 4.0 stars
The main characters are Mari (sea witch - 1821) and Haven (archaeologist - contemporary time).
The secondary characters are Holmes (a good-hearted sailor), Matteo and Massimo (evil shipowners), and the other sea witches in Positano during the 1821 time frame.
The tertiary characters Enzo (Haven's dive friend), Mal (Haven's good friend), and Savina (Enzo's eccentric mother) are in the contemporary time.
There were just so many characters that were integral to the plot, yet they weren't developed enough. The most developed (and interesting) characters were Mari and Holmes, and they were great!
Storyline: 4.0 stars
The 1821 storyline is Mari and the other witches protecting Positano from pirates, thus the "Almafi Curse". Mari was a fascinating character who could have had the entire book about her.
The contemporary time is about Haven, who is researching and diving to determine how shipwrecks stack upon themselves. This work, along with Haven's character being a bit boring, didn't resonate with me.
The location was the Amalfi Coast, primarily in Positano, Italy.
Memorable/Informative: 3.5 stars
I had heard the term strega (witch in Italian), but streghe de mare (sea witches in Italian) and stregheria (archaic for witchcraft in Italian) were completely new terms for me. I loved learning a bit of Italian as a bonus.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 4.0 stars
I'm torn on it!
Definite recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
333 pages
Park Row
Release date: 4/29/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Sexual assault, kidnapping, murder, witchcraft, gun violence, death, death of a parent, grief, medical content, blood, pregnancy, and moderate cursing.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - Nothing More of This Land (audiobook)
Nothing More of This Land by Joseph Lee (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
This is my first book by journalist Joseph Lee, who can write! This was an introspective and explorative search to find out what being Indigenous means to him. It was a personal quest that took him all over the world.
However, what was most personal to me is that Joseph is also half Cantonese (like my daughter), Japanese, and Aquinnah Wampanoag. The American dream!?!
This book is a fascinating, enlightening, and convicting book. Colonialism versus indigenous sovereignty is a heavy and difficult topic, but Joseph makes it understandable and relatable. We must do more for our indigenous peoples, but I fear that things will only get worse with the sweeping cuts of this administration.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Joseph writes beautifully and from the heart. He is a gifted journalist and writer. I eagerly look forward to his next book!
Narration: 5.0 stars
The narration was not done by Joseph, which I prefer. However, Shaun Taylor-Corbett (I’Pyooksisstiiko’om) of the Blackfeet Nation narrated. Shaun is a professional artist and did an amazing job narrating.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are the indigenous people around the world. From Joseph's own tribe to indigenous peoples in Sweden, Alaska, and Okinawa, to many others.
The secondary characters are Joseph, his family, and his tribe.
The tertiary character is Joseph's indigenous identity.
There are many characters throughout the memoir, including all of the indigenous peoples, his large group of Aquinnah Wampanoag cousins, and everyone he meets along the way in this journey of discovery.
The character development was fantastic for Joseph and the indigenous peoples in the book. As he learns about his indigenous identity, so does the reader. Powerful!
Memorable: 5.0 stars
Where I live, there is a parcel of stolen indigenous land that was purchased by the Shonshone-Gabrielino tribe. It has been amazing to learn from the tribe and see the land returning to its former glory. But, of course, racism, entitlement, and colonialism have continued to raise their ugly heads.
Sadly, I have learned from Joseph's book that this continual struggle with colonialism is common for indigenous people everywhere around the world.
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
This memoir made me look at the history of indigenous people in a more nuanced way. There are so many layers to unwrap, including colonialism, sovereignty, tribal politics, the recovery of stolen land, and so much more.
I have recently been reading books by indigenous authors to learn, understand, and be a better ally. Unfortunately, I did not grasp the extent of the horrors endured by the indigenous people in California until I took a college course in California history.
Of course, I did the obligatory 4th-grade "Mission Project" and learned the whitewashed history at the local mission. Thankfully, my daughter learned the truth about the slavery that the indigenous people endured under the mission system. We must continue to educate about history in the right way!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent.
Highly recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Nothing More of This Land by Joseph Lee
7 hours, 43 minutes
Simon & Schuster Audio
Release date: 7/15/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Violence, racism, colonialism, genocide, murder
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, July 26, 2025
REVIEW - The Man in the Stone Cottage (eARC/ebook)
The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell (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 Stephanie that I have read. It was beautiful, lovely, and so very Brontë. I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights a very long time ago - it may be time to reread them.
If you loved the writing of the Brontë sisters, I think this love letter to them is just perfection and a must-read.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing is beautiful, descriptive, and just so lovely. Such a well-researched book, filled with incredible and lyrical prose.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are the three living Brontë sisters: Charlotte, Emily, and Anne.
The secondary characters are Patrick (the Brontë sisters' father and town minister) and Branwell (the Brontë sisters' brother).
The tertiary characters are people in the local vicinity of the town, the church community, people in the publishing world, friends, and family of the Brontës.
The character development was strong. Of course, they all lived, loved, and died almost 175 years ago. It had to be speculative, but it was so beautifully and lovingly done.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline includes a short prologue in 1831, and the main storyline is only ten years from Summer 1843 to Winter 1853. The story begins with the family living in near poverty in the run-down parsonage before the Brontë sisters' books were published under pseudonyms.
The locations were Haworth, Yorkshire, England; London, England; and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
Since I read the Brontë sisters so long ago and before the Internet, I had no idea about how difficult their lives were. Their lives were filled with so much constant and intense grief.
The Brontë family endured so much, including tuberculosis (or consumption as it was called). This caused me to reflect on what I had learned in John Green's fantastic book, Everything is Tuberculosis. There is much to be learned from both books!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 4.5 stars
Not perfect, but perfectly fine!
Highly recommend
NetGalley eARC/ebook
The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell
277 pages
Regal House Publishing
FUTURE release date: 9/16/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Alcohol, alcoholism, drug use, death, death of a parent, grief, medical content, blood, mental health issues, sexual situations, pregnancy, and moderate cursing.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
2025 Reading Goal is MET!! Storygraph AND Goodreads!
Storygraph
Goodreads
Yes, I have met my goal of 101 books (audiobooks, ebooks, eARCS, and print books)!! Yeah me!
Next year in January, I will add a "Pages Goal" and an "Hours Goal" to Storygraph. Since this is not something that Goodreads does, I will need some statistical data from Storygraph! One more reason to love Storygraph!!
Let's see how much more reading I can fit in and how many more wonderful books I can find. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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