February 2024 - Monthly Wrap-up

 

Hi, everyone!

Well, I am shocked that I read as many books as I read this month. This month included the week that I took off for our Anniversary trip to Cambria, California. 

But the weird thing is that February was a month with three HIGHEST recommendation books (5.0 stars) and three LUKEWARM recommend books (3.0 stars). What a dichotomy!

 

2^nd ANNUAL “booksbydorothea” BEST BOOKS OF 2024:

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore (January) 5 stars

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles (February) 5 stars

 

GOODREADS READING GOAL:

For 2024, my goal will be 100 books from the very start!!! As of 02/29/2024, I have read 15 books, or 15% of my goal.

 

FEBRUARY 2024 STATISTICS:

10 total books

7 e-books; 3 audiobooks; 0 physical books

5 books were an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

3 books were library books

0 books were purchased

2 books were Amazon First Reads

1 book was a Book Club Girl

Audio listening time in February:  19 hours, 46 minutes

Pages read in February:  5,173 pages

Average review rating: 4.05 stars

 

FEBRUARY BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS: 

5.0-star books (3)

Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco REVIEW

The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse REVIEW

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles REVIEW

4.5-star books (2)

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams REVIEW

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate REVIEW

 

4.0-star books (1)

A Great Country by Shilpi Somaya Gowda REVIEW

 

3.5-star book (1)

Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon REVIEW

 

3.0-star books (3)

Ladykiller by Katherine Wood REVIEW

An American Princess by Annejet van der Zijl REVIEW

Face It by Debbie Harry REVIEW

 

If you want to read my full review of any of these books, there are individual review posts for each ebook or audiobook below the picture of the book. You can just click on the specific book link to get to that book review!! 

 

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

 

P.S. For more information about my book ratings, you can find out more HERE.

My next ebook is...

 Middletide by Sarah Crouch

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Miss Morgan's Book Brigade ebook

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the type of historical fiction that a history nerd LOVES!! This was the second book that I have read by Janet Skeslien Charles and it was about a time that I didn't know much about at all - World War I. After reading this book, I feel like I was definitely educated!

This book has two timelines with two main characters. Both of the main characters are strong women which I loved!! Jessie "Kit" Carson lives in 1918 and volunteers with CARD (American Committee for Devastated France/Le Comité américain pour les régions dévastées) when she was recruited by Anne Morgan, vice-president of the organization. Wendy Peterson lives in 1987 in New York City (NYC) while working at the New York Public Library (NYPL) and discovers CARD and wants to learn more. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing was just so perfectly done. It was descriptive, it was clipped, and it was both depending on the circumstances in the storyline.

Janet also moves effortlessly between the two distinct periods. It flows so very well which makes it very easy to read. 

 

Character development: 5.0 stars

This book has two main female characters: Jessie "Kit" Carson and Wendy Peterson. They live in very different times, but they have a lot in common. Both are loners, book lovers, and librarians who work at the NYPL (Kit in 1918 and Wendy in 1987).

The secondary characters are Alice Morgan and Anne Murray Dike (in France) and  Winnifred Smythe (Kit's boss in NYC) for Kit. The secondary characters are Roberto (Wendy's boss) and Meredith (Wendy's friend) for Wendy. 

The tertiary characters are the armies, civilians, and cards (CARD volunteer title) during WWI for the older timeline. The tertiary characters are the coworkers, friends, and patrons at the NYPL for the newer timeline. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars 

The two storylines were woven together in a storyline tapestry so well. The commonality was the love of books, libraries, and reading. Historical fiction done to perfection!

The main locations are primarily in NYC and Picardie, France (northern France).

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

I learned so much about CARD and WWI. This period in history really wasn't covered in my American history classes very much at all which is so wrong. This time should be fully examined along with WWII to better understand why bloody wars continue to ravage Europe.

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect. 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Right on point!

HIGHEST recommendation

EBOOK DETAILS

NetGalley ARC (ebook) 

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles

352 pages

Atria Books

Release date of 05/07/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Janet Skeslien Charles

My Goodreads review

Atria Books

NetGalley

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Still Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton

Happy reading 📚, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Face It audiobook

Face It by Debbie Harry (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

So as a teenager, I learned about Blondie listening to KROQ while working at McDonald's after hours. When we closed up, we would listen to music very loud!!! I loved Blondie!

But, I like Debbie Harry, but I don't love her. She narrated this memoir which I prefer, but she had an emotionless, flat, and monotone reading style which was off-putting. I was disappointed. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing was good, but some editing would have made the writing in this memoir so much better. The first few chapters were very strong when Debbie discussed her childhood, high school, and community college years. But, when she moved to NYC, it became multiple streams of consciousness fighting each other for attention. 

Narration: 3.0 stars

The narration is bland and boring. It was as if she was reading about someone else's life.

Character Arc: 3.0 stars

Debbie Harry comes off as aloof, vain, and egotistical throughout the book. Additionally, she is very sexual and uses that sexuality in her writing, performing, and personal life. 

Her appearance is mentioned throughout the book numerous times including how pretty she is. I know that she has to be more than a pretty face, but that just didn't come through. 

Memorable:  3.5 stars

The punk scene in New York sounds like a crazy time in a dirty, dangerous, and broke New York City. I enjoyed hearing about all of the artistry in all of its forms that blossomed in the 70s and 80s. 

Entertaining:   3.0 stars

It could have been so much more. More about Blondie the band, Blondie the individual members, and Blondie who was Debbie Harry. 

I only wish that I knew the backstory of the people, places, and bands that he talks about. Being a West Coast kid put me at a disadvantage, but Wikipedia was my friend!

Book cover: 4.5 stars

A beautiful portrait.

Book title: 4.5 stars 

Very appropriate! 

LUKEWARM Recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Face It by Debbie Harry 

HarperAudio

8 hours, 57 minutes

Release date of 10/1/2019

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Debbie Harry

My Goodreads review

HarperAudio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading 📚, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook read is...

 Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles (ebook)

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Food of Love ebook

The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This was a November 2016 Amazon First Reads book. I cannot believe that I have had it for over seven years. I was scrolling through my Kindle app and found that I had a book by Amanda Prowse that I had never read. WHAT?!?

Full disclosure, I adore Amanda Prowse's books and this is the thirteenth book that I have read by her. This book moved me almost as much as her book written with her son, Josiah, The Boy Between. 

This is a story about a family that has the mental illness of anorexia invades their home and stays entrenched. It is about the time before, during, and after the battle of this brutal disease. I am speaking in military terms here because I believe that you truly fight a war with all mental illnesses including and most specifically anorexia.  

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing, as always, was amazing. Amanda writes beautifully with warmth and affection for her characters as well as the story itself. She writes descriptively, but not overly precious. Additionally, the author writes in such a way that you feel what is happening in the story - specifically, this one touched me, especially as a mother to a young adult daughter. 

 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main character is Lexi, a high schooler and the younger daughter in the family, who is diagnosed with anorexia. The most difficult part was reading about the deceit and deception that someone suffering from anorexia exhibits. It is a disease that takes over the entire family dynamic and affects everyone in the family.

The secondary characters are the mother, Freya; the father, Lockie; and the sister, Charlotte. These three characters go through hell and back to save Lexi while putting their interpersonal relationships in jeopardy to do so. 

The tertiary characters are friends, family, medical professionals, and of course, anorexia, itself! 

Storyline:  5.0 stars 

The storyline was really creative and well done. I thought that one thing was happening in the "timed" chapters and I was totally wrong (sorry, no spoilers). The other chapters involving the telling of the story let you feel and understand how horrible anorexia is. 

The before, during, and after times are continually heartbreaking. Anorexia takes over the family and changes everything forever. You feel what each member is going through and how much anorexia sets up in a family to try and destroy it. 

The main locations are primarily in England with a brief time in Florida.

Memorable/Informative:  5.0 stars

Anorexia is a mental illness that is not about food per se but more about control until the person dies from starvation or is in recovery. With all of the focus on being physically beautiful through plastic surgery, diet, and weight loss drugs, it makes sense that this mental illness occurs. We as parents and society need to watch our messaging to our children in our homes, limit social media, and talk about how these celebrities look so "perfect".

The first time that I knew about someone dying from anorexia was during my senior year of college when the talented singer, Karen Carpenter, died from this horrible mental illness. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

So appropriate. 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Right on point!

HIGHEST recommendation

EBOOK DETAILS

Amazon First Reads - November 2016 (ebook) 

The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse 

364 pages

Lake Union Publishing

Release date of 12/01/2016

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Amanda Prowse

My Goodreads review

Lake Union Publishing

Amazon First Reads

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is...

 The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is...

 Face It by Debbie Harry

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - An American Princess ebook

 An American Princess by Annejet van der Zijl (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This was an April 2018 Amazon First Reads book. I have had it for almost six years and have never read it. The picture of Allene Tew is haunting and was got me to finally read her story!

The story starts with Allene's ancestors founding Jamestown, New York to her birth, life, and death. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars

Writing: 3.0 stars

The writing was good, but for some reason, I could tell that it was a translated book. It just didn't have that punch. 

Character development: 3.0 stars

There is one main character Allene Tew. We learn a lot about her husbands, houses, and where she traveled, but very little about Allene Tew herself. I know that the author researched a lot to write this book, but I wanted much more about Allene. She seems like a firecracker and wanted to know more!

The secondary characters are her five husbands and two children. Honestly, I think that we learn more about the husbands and children than we really do about Allene. 

The tertiary characters are her friends and family. 

Storyline:  3.0 stars 

The storyline is a bit confusing as there are three storylines that I didn't figure out until I read the author's note: Allene's story, American's story, and Grief's story. It would have been helpful to understand that at the beginning.

The main locations are Jamestown and New York City, New York; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and all over Europe.  

Memorable/Informative:  4.0 stars

The Gilded Age was really not really gilded with precious metals as their was decay and ugliness below the surface. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous. 

Book title: 3.0 stars 

Was she REALLY America's princess?!?

Lukewarm Recommend

EBOOK DETAILS

Amazon First Reads - April 2018 (ebook) 

An American Princess by Annejet van der Zijl

226 pages

Amazon Crossing

Release date of 05/01/2018

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Annejet van der Zijl

My Goodreads review

Amazon Crossing

Amazon First Reads

Happy reading 📚! 

Dorothea 💜

Review - Deaf Utopia audiobook

 Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco

OVERVIEW

Well, I knew absolutely nothing about Nyle DiMarco before listening to his beautiful memoir. But, his face looked familiar so I decided to listen to the audiobook while scrolling for a new audiobook. 

I was not disappointed by this amazing audiobook even though I am not a reality television viewer. In this memoir, Nyle educates about the amazing Deaf community, culture, and pride as well as shares about his life. Nyle is a fourth-generation Deaf child born into his Deaf family. Additionally, he speaks to his journey to determining that he is sexually fluid and part of the LGBTQ+ community!  

Nyle has lived a very rich and wonderful life including graduating from Gallaudet University with a degree in Mathematics to winning America's Next Top Model (Cycle 22) and Dancing with the Stars (Season 22). 

This memoir is told chronologically with occasional sidetracking to add richness or explanation. It was easy to follow and was a deeply personal story. Nyle shares it all. 

For additional clarification, Nyle uses a narrator, Dan Bittner, and has a co-writer, Robert Siebert.  

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

This is a beautifully written memoir full of love for the Deaf community that Nyle adores. He is a proud Deaf person who shares his love of the ASL language and his Deaf culture. 

I learned so much in this book including the horrible discrimination that the Deaf community faces daily. However, I am grateful for ADA which has helped, but still needs to go further. Educating people like me at the beginning of each chapter was wonderful! 

Nyle comes across as a funny, kind, and wonderful human being. We should ALL be like Nyle!

Narration: 5.0 stars

Even though Nyle didn't narrate his own memoir (which I prefer), it was beautifully done by Dan Bittner! 

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The character arc is done well. We learn all about Nyle from his birth to the present day in a chronological arc with occasional sidetracks. Very easy to follow!

Memorable:  5.0 stars

I learned so much about Deaf culture! I really appreciated the educational parts that Nyle included at the beginning of each chapter. 

Interestingly, my daughter and her best friends took ASL in high school and in college. There is nothing that Nyle shared that they didn't already know. Sadly, these stories are not more widely known especially about Alexander Graham Bell being a eugenicist! 

Entertaining:   5.0 stars

It was entertaining and so real! I would love to have a beer with Nyle along with an ASL interpreter and just talk and talk!

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect! His amazing personality comes through!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Lovely! 

HIGHEST recommendation

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco

HarperCollins

10 hours, 49 minutes

Release date of 04/05/2022

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Nyle DiMarco

My Goodreads review

Harper Collins

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading 📚, 

Dorothea 💜