Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
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
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Guns, racism, racial slurs, pregnancy, abortion, violence, cursing, homophobia, biphobia, lesbophobia
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
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
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 💜
Monday, May 12, 2025
My next audiobook is ...
Read This to Get Smarter by Blair Imani (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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 💜
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