Category: Reviews


Review: Don’t Call It a Comeback: What Happened When I Stopped Chasing PRs, and Started Chasing Happiness by Keira D’Amato

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July 6, 2025

Don't Call It a Comeback: What Happened When I Stopped Chasing PRs, and Started Chasing HappinessDon’t Call It a Comeback: What Happened When I Stopped Chasing PRs, and Started Chasing Happiness by Keira D’Amato
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At 75, with bad knees, I find myself pulled to read books about running and jogging. Go figure. But no matter what condition you find yourself in, stories like Keira D’Amato’s are uplifting and help you discover your healthier self.

Listening to Ms. D’Amato recount her wins and trials while pursuing her passion was not only inspiring, but she also has a great sense of humor, which will have you laughing out loud. That’s not ideal if you’re reading this as a bedtime book, as the giggling may wake your partner. It might be more fun to listen to this book while riding the stationary bike. At least, that doesn’t hurt my knees. Who knows, maybe the peddling will make me strong enough to jog?

I was very happy to receive this book from NetGalley.

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Review: Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America by Barbara McQuade

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July 4, 2025

Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging AmericaAttack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America by Barbara McQuade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you, Libby, for having this audiobook to listen to. I might not have read this otherwise. I’m not into reading political books. I do. I try to stay current, but a good sci-fi book will always take precedence. More than anything, I hate a preachy book that leans heavily toward one party or the other. I want things to be neutral. I’ll suss out what I want to know. I’ll form my own conclusions.

That said, I feel Barbara McQuade provided valuable information and offered ideas on how to address issues we’ve all encountered recently. Ms. McQuade narrates her book with an exciting voice. Despite my reluctance to listen to yet another nonfiction, I found it intriguing.

Do I believe all her ideas are the best? No. But there were some I think I’d like to see tried. I believe everyone’s voice and vote should count, but finding the truth should be something we all wish were more accessible.

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Review: The Eternal Forest: A Memoir of the Cuban Diaspora by Elena Sheppard

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July 3, 2025

The Eternal Forest: A Memoir of the Cuban DiasporaThe Eternal Forest: A Memoir of the Cuban Diaspora by Elena Sheppard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Living under a dictatorship and miserable conditions, the author’s family must leave their beloved home in Cuba, many friends, and relatives. Elena Sheppard takes us through her family history, and we see how difficult it is for her to separate herself from her genealogy.

The story takes us back and forth in time, inner feelings and memories pitted against global occurrences. A little poetic while trying to be accurate.

I found reading or listening to this on Kindle’s text-to-speech feature less than ideal, even though I felt I followed the author’s tale well. I would have loved it more with a narrator, preferably the author. One thing TTS does horribly is other languages. Even though Ms. Sheppard translates her few statements and poems gracefully, I would rather hear the language of Elena’s life. Then again, I am not fluent in Spanish. I’d still need the translation.

I was lucky to get this copy from NetGalley.

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Review: The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear

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July 1, 2025

The White LadyThe White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was no Maisie Dobbs. However, it did seem like a lot of plot ideas wanted to be included in the series, but these were leftovers. So, by thinking of the story bits in ziplock bags, I had fun reading (listening) to this non-Maisie.

This probably stands on its own, but I almost wish I had read it before the series rather than after. Still, once again, we inhabit an England during wartime. As only Jacqueline Winspear can, you are transported to layers of the populace amid crimes and courageous efforts by ordinary people. And women get their due in history, even if this is fiction, I’m sure situations like this existed.

Orlagh Cassidy’s great narrating talent makes the reader feel a part of the story.

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Review: Escaping the Twilight by Sigrid Weidenweber

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June 30, 2025

Escaping the TwilightEscaping the Twilight by Sigrid Weidenweber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kindle ASIN B0080XHDC2

I am not sure where I learned about this book, but it has been on my TBR shelf for a long time. Although it appears to be an autobiography, it is actually well-researched fiction.

Here, read the blurb from GoodReads:

In this coming-of-age story, Amina, a Sudanese girl experiences a traumatic event at age nine. Intensifying her struggle for identity in the silent world of women, she cannot erase the pain and humiliation of that experience. With steely determination, she vows to do whatever is necessary to prevent her daughter from suffering the same demoralizing fate–even if it means going against the wishes of her husband and the rules of her family. Will she succeed in helping her daughter rise above her own personal tragedy and humiliation? The detailed descriptions of customs and lifestyle give a deep, fascinating insight into the Sudanese culture, as well as entry into the cloaked world of Muslim women in a story about survival, tradition and triumph.

This was an intense story. I hope it is read a lot. I would have loved it in audio form, but text-to-speech on Kindle helped a lot.

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Review: Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood

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June 29, 2025

UncharmedUncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This makes a nice bedtime book. And in the fantasy world of witches, it was refreshingly from the older witch’s point of view rather than a Young Adult and flimsy story.

I picked this up from NetGalley and am grateful for that. However, I now realize that there are two books in this series, and this is the second one. And I wish I had read it in Audiobook form. So I may reread the book after listening to Book 1. I think it will be more fun in audio form rather than text-to-speech.

Audio, Kindle, or paper, I think this is a fun read that will keep you enchanted for hours.

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Review: Cables and Conjurers by Nancy Warren

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June 23, 2025

Cables and Conjurers (Vampire Knitting Club, #15)Cables and Conjurers by Nancy Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why is it over so soon? It was such a welcome relief when Libby shared with me that they are now carrying Nancy Warren’s books, including this latest addition to the Vampire Knitting Club. These books are so much fun! With all that is going on in the world, one needs a good escape.

No, you don’t need to know anything about knitting. After all, the yarn store owner, Lucy Swift, knows only enough to get in trouble. Nor do many vampire rules apply in these books. Hence, the fun of the club that meets after the store closes.

I think my only issue with any of these books is the murder that must be solved. But somehow, we’ve grown cozy with folks being killed. Besides, it does keep the story going.

Nancy Warren’s writing, including her fantastic sense of humor make these stories perfect. Sarah Zimmerman (Narrator) knows how to relate the scenes flawlessly.

Sadly, I’m finished with the series. I must seek out more of Nancy Warren books! Please, if you need a lightweight read, look for this Vampire Knitting series.

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Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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June 22, 2025

Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I suppose I’ve read this book a few times, but I never recall it. I chose to read it one night as the need for one more bedtime book arose. I knew it would help me sleep. I know reading the paper book or the Kindle version gives its flavor to the Victorian classic. But this audiobook, narrated by Rosamund Pike, was lovely. And soothing as a bedtime book. I had forgotten the charm. I’m glad I did.

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Review: My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende

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June 20, 2025

My Name Is Emilia del ValleMy Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

That’s different! Coral Peña and Johnathan McClain, narrators, help make this story feel real. I’m not so sure parts, if not all, are autobiographical for the author, Isabel Allende, even if it seems impossible.

One of my favorite parts of reading fiction is taking voyages to places I’ve never been and living the point of view I don’t inhabit. This book did both for me.

The blurb on Goodreads or Amazon will give you a hint about what to expect, but it would be too lengthy to copy and paste here. Still, maybe you don’t need to, trust me, this is a fun adventure. And guess what? Libby has it to lend! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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Review: The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton

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June 19, 2025

The President Is MissingThe President Is Missing by Bill Clinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Don’t read this at bedtime! Perhaps a great read for jogging or biking? It is one of those thrillers that keeps the adrenaline pumping. I don’t often read books as exciting as this. However, I thought the combination of authorship and team of narrators (Mozhan Marnò, Jeremy Davidson, Peter Ganim, Dennis Quaid, January LaVoy) would make this feel like a radio show. Or a mental movie.

I wish there were an occasional random female voice. I find that a male voice imitating a female pulls me right out of the story. However, aside from that issue, this was quite the adventure. I’m eager to read the next book.

Libby had this book to lend. Yay!

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