Category: Reviews



Prequel: An American Fight Against FascismPrequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been finished with this book for a few days. It is so heavy in history that I couldn’t bring it all in. I may have to buy it and reread it. Luckily, I could read it by Libby audio.

Rachel does her own narrating. That made it better. She can take you back in historical situations so that you know more than names and dates (the things taught to me in history classes of my youth). She can almost take you back to the time the first dinosaur thought of the inconvenience of that leaf and how it led to the conflict of World War II. Her deep research is evident.

There were far more people involved in that war than we were taught in school. And much of what we got had to be taught cleaned up in a way that not just kids but everyone could take it in. There was a reason most veterans of that war said nothing about what happened. They only knew the bit of the war they were in. It was truly a World War, and many people were involved in many aspects. This book covers a lot of them. And how people in many countries, even ours, were placated to or induced into beliefs they might not readily have fallen for otherwise.

I highly suggest everyone read this. I think it could be a textbook for a true history class. I know many won’t want to read it. That’s okay. For those open to try, please do so.

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Witches Get Stuff Done (Starfall, #1)Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Looking for a quick, fun read at a time when it seems everything causes stress? This is it. Amanda Ronconi and Teddy Hamilton (narrators) give the book the voices of the story. I admit, though, I wouldn’t say I like it when a man reads a woman’s part. I know it was the male character’s point of view chapter, but I wish it would all be read in a female voice or divided up accordingly. Okay, maybe it is to help the listener see that male point of view and how he hears her voice, but I always feel males make a female voice in a way that makes fun of the female.

This story starts differently than most and keeps it light even though life and death are imminent. The ghost in the house that Riley inherits have their own agendas and personalities to keep a smile on your face if not an outright laugh out loud.

This was an Audible original. I loved it! Looking forward to the next in the series.

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Third EyeThird Eye by Felicia Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, boy! That was fun! It’s probably not the best bedtime book, as it made me laugh and kept me awake. With a whole lineup of actors: Felicia Day, Sean Astin, Neil Gaiman, Lily Pichu, London Hughes, and Wil Wheaton, I felt like I was watching a movie. I do hope it gets to be a show.

Oh, the craziness! The chosen one is the failed one. All magic comes with a price, even if it doesn’t work! I hope they make it so everyone can listen to it. My friends who don’t have Audible still can’t enjoy it. I hope that even folks who have to use Libby will be able to laugh at this soon.

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As the Wicked WatchAs the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Susan Dalian (Narrator) did a good job of reading this, but I would have liked it better had Tamron Hall used her own voice.

Still, it was too real for me. I really don’t like murder mysteries. Why can’t mysteries be more than that? Why make murder an everyday occurrence when, if you think about it, there are a lot of mysteries to look into that could save lives rather than seeing it from the deadly point of view?

Mostly, it was a difficult read at bedtime. That’s on me, I suppose.

I did like that Ms. Hall presented facts about racial inequalities and those inequalities that women go through. I liked the parts of the book about a struggling professional woman trying to make her way in the business Tamron knows well.

I will probably not read the rest of the series. But I am sure there are those who will love it, so don’t take my word for it. Try it. I was lucky to pick up my copy for Libby.

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Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and BeyondBeing Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond by Henry Winkler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was okay. I do like that someone talks about how it feels to be dyslexic and how it can go with you your entire life. Even if you can somehow learn tricks to help you through some situations, it can mess with your self-esteem for your whole life. Just wait until all the systems start going down; those tricks that got you by when you were young now leave your grasp.

What Henry Winkler teaches us is to find new ways to work your life. He writes books now and does a lot to help others, including kids. Even if we can’t do things others can, it doesn’t mean there isn’t something we CAN do that others might find difficult. Teach each other well, and help each other.

I listened to the audiobook with Mr. Winkler reading. It is hard to read at bedtime as he has a lot of energy in his voice that wouldn’t let me relax and go to sleep. So I suggest reading in the car, on the way to work, or while out on a walk. There are a lot of gems worth hearing in this book.

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EnoughEnough by Cassidy Hutchinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This young woman has been through enough. Meanwhile, she has proven she is honorable and brave.

I can’t say I enjoyed this book. In fact, it was challenging to listen to. It isn’t fiction. And yet it pulled me like the best mystery or sci-fi adventure. Knowing it was true made me feel so afraid for Cassidy. I hope she can continue being strong and safe. I hope others learn how to stand up to the bullies with truth.

I highly recommend this read. I was lucky to read it on Libby.

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Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on EarthBlowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth by Rachel Maddow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The quick blurb from the Amazon page:

Big Oil and Gas Versus Democracy—Winner Take All

Rachel is a great storyteller. Within the story, you can trace the abundant research she puts into any of her books.

It kept me engaged and awake, following the threads of her story until nearly 4 AM. Yikes!

Maybe this is one you would like to try? I know it isn’t for everyone but I do think the book is interesting.

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To Infinity and BeyondTo Infinity and Beyond by Neil deGrasse Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this history of science and the fiction of science fiction. Mr. Tyson takes us through the errors in our group thinking and movie ideas that won’t work, all with great story-telling and a sense of humor with methods he usually portrays.

Though I would have rather had Neil’s voice, the text-to-speech captured his personality well. I even woke my husband laughing at the phrase, ‘Timey Wimey, Wibbly Wobbly.’ I was so happy to have my Whovian ticklebone struck so boldly.

I must admit that some things do go over my head, but others make perfect sense. This might be a good reference book to have on hand when specific theories are brought up in real time or fictionally.

I do recommend this book. I picked up my copy from Libby. What a great way to get to read even when funds grow short.

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First Warning: Acorna's Children (Acorna, #8)First Warning: Acorna’s Children by Anne McCaffrey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Suddenly, we aren’t reading about the unicorn girl but rather her daughter. And if we thought a worldwide pandemic was difficult, imagine interplanetary illness killing many.

This book was written in 2005, only six years from the author’s passing and 17 years from our own pandemic. I have to wonder how we would have reacted if we needed the healing horn of a unicorn to cure rather than a vaccine to prevent illness. Anne did show the reluctance of those infected to need the healing. Everyone had their own idea of what was causing and how to deal with the ill.

All this, space travel, and a teen needing her parents to help as she develops new abilities.

Though I have enjoyed the series, this might be my second favorite just because of how much the author could predict human behavior.

I was lucky to find this on Libby. I do wish it were audio, but the Kindle text-to-speech seems to do a good job reading this story.

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Spelling the Tea (Vampire Tea Room Magical Mystery, #1)Spelling the Tea by Erin Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The narration of Hannah Somerville made this less fun than my previous reads of Erin Johnson’s vampire reads. Maybe it is because Hannah is missing the British accent? I don’t know. But I kept at it and made myself understand that this was a different character than the Knitting Store star. And I think that trick worked. By the end, I was enjoying this personality, her baggage, and desires almost as much as the previous series.

I have to admit that I am hooked on Ms. Johnson’s books. I just ordered the Pet Psychic series on Audible. I had a credit, after all.

This little mystery, though light, was intriguing. If you are looking for a fun read, I suggest any of Erin’s books

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