Category: Reviews


Review: From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley

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August 11, 2025

From Here to the Great UnknownFrom Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

With Riley Keough and Julia Roberts as narrators and including recordings by Lisa Marie Presley, I thought this would be quite the interesting read (listen). Instead, I found it confusing, if not just boring. Rich people’s problems.

Still, the family issues were common enough and pulled me along. And of course, meeting the music people who were famous in my youth.

I’m sure there are people who would fight with me about my opinions, but I was never an Elvis fan, even if my mother-in-law ( who saw him in concert in Long Beach) once saw him walking to a car, incognito as a woman. Who am I to question her? I did like some of his songs and even mastered one on the ukulele. (Love Me Tender) Oh, his gospel songs were pretty, too.

But the book just didn’t do it for me. Sorry. I was glad to get it from Libby. I’m sure others will love it. Enjoy.

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Review: Fear of Flying by Erica Jong

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August 7, 2025

Fear of FlyingFear of Flying by Erica Jong
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I read this as a newlywed. However, I don’t recall much of it. Maybe I read a bit and gave up? I felt that way as I read it this time, but I kept listening. Hope Davis (Narrator) gave the book more life than my eyes might have enjoyed. Still, it felt the author was full of woes that the rest of us didn’t have the choice to rise to.

This just didn’t bring the excitement it seemed to project. The erotica was not. Which is okay. It was considered progressive back in the day, but with shows like Game of Thrones and The Boys, it is naive.

Still, many of the issues presented for women remain, if not more repressed than in the 1970s. And the issues women, their mothers, and daughters face persist. So for these issues, it is worth the read.

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Review: Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

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August 4, 2025

CatalinaCatalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another book I only sort of liked. Maybe I’m not the target audience? I’m not a young person pursuing college or flirting or in need of convincing against the deportation of dreamers or anyone working hard and trying to earn their right to be citizens and paying taxes as they go.

Still, the author managed to get inside the head of this young woman and provided the reader with valuable insights into another life. I admired that Karla Corneho Villavicencio narrated her book.

It was worth the read. I was happy it was available on Libby.

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Review: I’ll Be Right Here: A Novel by Amy Bloom

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August 1, 2025

I'll Be Right Here: A NovelI’ll Be Right Here: A Novel by Amy Bloom
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I didn’t finish this book. I found it confusing and dry. I didn’t feel connected to the characters and especially when it started hopping in time.

Mozhan Navabi (Narrator), didn’t help make me feel I knew who’s point of view I was listening to.

I’m sorry. I really wanted to like this book. But don’t take my word for it. The comments show quite a few people loved it. I was glad I could pick this up on Libby.

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Review: Overgrowth by Mira Grant

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July 31, 2025

OvergrowthOvergrowth by Mira Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is going to go down as one of my favorite books, ever. I am sad to have to let it go, but I’m promising myself to read it again soon.

I loved the whole story. I thought at first that it was another cozy mystery, just as it starts with the mother and family. But get ready, this is a roller coaster of fun, adventure, and, yes, nail-biting fear.

I listened to the Libby audio version, narrated by Caitlin Kelly, whose voice, acting, and enthusiasm make this so enticing to read that I picked it up at every chance. But I think this would hold up without a reader. The snark and love would show through, no matter how you decide to dive into it.

Thank you to whoever recommended it to me. I’m sorry, I don’t remember who it was.

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Review: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

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July 28, 2025

The House of the SpiritsThe House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is so much to this book, I am having a hard time pinning it all down. But I found a review on GoodReads that says it all. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show…

This is a book about three generations of a family in Chile. All the characters are well-developed and complex, with both strengths and flaws. Ultimately, there may be a cautionary note for all of us.

Ana Navarro recommended this book on The View during the “Ladies Got Lit” segment. It is worth jumping into.

As I was browsing through the reviews, I realized this is actually book three, so I put book one on hold, Daughter of Fortune. I may have to read this book again after a deep dive into the first two. It held up well as a stand-alone for me. The writing is great, with enough Spanish to make me pay attention. Javiera Gazitua (Narrator) and Senén Arancibia (Narrator) brought the book alive. I found this on Libby,

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Review: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

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July 25, 2025

The Inheritance of Orquídea DivinaThe Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The thing about reading is how many places you get to go. In this case Ecuador. Experience language, history, culture, foods, family interactions in a magical-yet realistic.

Ana Navarro recommended this book and I’m glad she did.

Don’t you love it when you can practice little bits of the Spanish language as you read. Meanwhile, I so enjoyed the far fecthed family adventures and immersed in magic.

This was a fun ride. Frankie Corzo (Narrator) reads Zoraida Córdova’s charactors so well you feel you are there with the characters going through some very crazy times.

I was so fortunate to pick this up from Libby.

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Review: I Am You by Victoria Redel

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July 24, 2025

I Am YouI Am You by Victoria Redel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a surprise. It seemed a little self-indulgent or preachy at times, but much of the story was intriguing. I loved the aspect of history and painting. I found the story of the ‘boy’ suddenly needing to be herself an interesting concept, as well as how one adjusts to that change in self-perception.

The historic, Dutch aspect gives the story depth.

There are times when I don’t like the main character or the others who appear, but that could be a reflection of the coldness of the social structure in that time and place.

I’m not sure how I obtained this book, but it is a giveaway right now on GoodReads. I think you might like it.

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Review: Children Of The Sun: A Novel of Epic Paranormal Fantasy by Natasja Hellenthal

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July 22, 2025

Children Of The Sun: A Novel of Epic Paranormal Fantasy (The Comyenti Series Book 2)Children Of The Sun: A Novel of Epic Paranormal Fantasy by Natasja Hellenthal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The blurb for this book mentions a cliffhanger at the end of book one. I didn’t notice that because I had book two ready, so I was able to continue the story. But straight up front, I’m warning you that no matter how wonderful the story is, this book ends in a horrid cliffhanger. I refuse to read anything else in this series.

On the other hand, if you don’t mind that kind of ending, the rest of both of these books are interesting.

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Review: Call Off The Search by Natasja Hellenthal

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July 21, 2025

Call Off The Search (The Comyenti #1)Call Off The Search by Natasja Hellenthal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finished this book a few days ago. It was a little different in paranormal fiction. Refreshing.

The story grabbed me from the beginning and kept me guessing. I loved the nature-loving theme throughout the book. I highly recommend reading the blurbs on Goodreads or Amazon, then enjoy the book.

I wish I could say more, but, like I said, it’s been a couple of days since I finished Call Off the Search and moved on to its sequel, Children of the Sun. Let me warn you. If you dislike cliffhangers, like me, the next book may not be for you.

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