The Eights by Joanna Miller (ebook)
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 💜
REVIEW - Lightening in a Mason Jar (Kindle ebook)
Lightening in a Mason Jar by Catherine Mann (Kindle ebook)
OVERVIEW
This historical fiction novel was one of the eight choices for Amazon First Reads free Kindle book for June 2025. If you have Amazon Prime, you can also get this short story HERE.
This book's premise intrigued me, as it was written by an author I had not previously read, and it was a dual storyline historical fiction novel.
I loved this sweet, lovely novel. As one of the characters says, "Thank the Lord and pass the gravy"! That sentiment totally ties this book easily!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Catherine writes so beautifully with strong descriptions that allow the reader to easily imagine the setting, characters, and everything else! This novel is set in South Carolina, with the Southern hospitality culture beautifully on display (the author is a South Carolina native).
Character development: 5.0 stars
What strong character development! The primary characters are Winnie (a woman who escaped domestic abuse), Russell (Winnie's life partner), and Bailey Rae (a child left by her mom in Winnie's care).
The secondary characters are Martin (the local game warden and Bailey Rae's friend); June, Libby, and Thea (women who also escaped difficult lives); and Keith (Libby's son).
The tertiary characters are Annette (Russell's grandmother) and the neighbors and townspeople of the fictional Bent Oak. Also, the antagonists are the people and the dark pasts of the escaped women and children.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
This is a story of resilience, starting anew, and chosen family. What an amazing storyline!
The dual timeline is based on the 1970s/1980s and the specific years of 2000/2016/2025. It was done seamlessly.
The plot centers on a secret underground group that assists women and children to escape difficult situations. Of course, many of the characters are escapees themselves who continue to keep the group running. day for Ravi and Billy as they practice tennis together. Then everything changes when they come home, and Ravi must change too.
So much is packed into this story, so I do not want to spoil anything for anyone who might read this beautiful book.
The main location is the fictional Bent Oak, South Carolina.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
This novel vividly demonstrates how the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 helped women find freedom from the financial control of men in their lives.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful!
Book title: 5.0 stars
It describes many of the women in this novel!
HIGHLY recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Amazon First Reads Kindle ebook
Lightening in a Mason Jar by Catherine Mann
270 pages
Amazon Original Stories
Release date of 6/3/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Abandonment, violence, gun violence, death of a parent, drug use, alcohol, dementia, miscarriage, domestic violence, death
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
My next eARC/ebook is ...
Lightning in a Mason Jar by Catherine Mann (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
My next ebook read AND review - Abscond (ebook/Kindle short story)
Abscond by Abraham Verghese (ebook/Kindle short story)
OVERVIEW
This is a short story by Abraham Verghese, who also wrote Cutting for Stone, which I adored. This short story was offered as an Amazon First Reads FREE short story for June 2025. If you have Amazon Prime, you can also get this short story HERE.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Abraham is an amazing writer. He writes so passionately, beautifully, and descriptively in this short story.
Character development: 5.0 stars
There was fantastic character development! This short story is primarily about Ravi, a thirteen-year-old Indian-American who is enjoying the last few days of his 1967 summer vacation.
The secondary characters are Rekha (Ravi's mother), Ramesh (Ravi's father), Billy (Ravi's best friend), and McGilicutty (a loyal friend and neighbor).
The tertiary characters are the neighbors and the Indian aunties and uncles.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
What a lovely story of friendship, family, and community.
It is a normal summer day for Ravi and Billy as they practice tennis together. Then everything changes when they come home, and Ravi must change too.
Please note that I am being careful here as I don't want to spoil this beautiful short story.
The main location is New Jersey.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
What a love letter to Indian-American culture! So much is explained about Hinduism that I did not know.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect! It is actually from an oil painting.
Book title: 5.0 stars
So appropriate!
HIGHLY recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Amazon First Reads ebook Kindle short story
Abscond by Abraham Verghese
39 pages
Amazon Original Stories
Release date of 7/1/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Death of a parent, grief, alcohol, graphic cremation scene, cursing
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
DNF - Modern Herstory (ebook)
Modern Herstory by Blair Imani (ebook)
I will not be finishing this book. I originally thought the audiobook was the problem. The real issue is the short snippets of each woman and non-binary person when I want in-depth history, biography, and back story.
There is nothing wrong with this book, and it will work well for others who like quick and easy reads.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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