Tag Archive: historical


Review: My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende

Filed under: Audible, Reading, Reviews — Leave a comment
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.

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: Source Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates

Filed under: Audible, Books, Reading, Reviews — Leave a comment
June 16, 2025

Source Code: My BeginningsSource Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun read as it took me through my family’s history of computer ownership, from the Commodore 64 through the Tandy Sensation, and so on. My kids will tell me of another pre-computer, gaming thingie, but I always forget what it was called. I remember my first Bulletin Board note to my friend, both of us mothers of future computer geeks.

Another enjoyable aspect of the book was the geeky, nerdy tone that Wil Wheaton’s voice brings to Bill Gates’s life story. Many of my friends were not part of the “in” crowd, but rather the smarter, more interesting people. We tried to be trendy, but we were more into science, and the ones I envied, math.

I thought Bill Gates’s life was far different than mine, making it a very interesting read.

You can find this audiobook on Libby.

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear

Filed under: Audible, Reading, Reviews — Leave a comment
June 5, 2025

The Consequences of Fear (Maisie Dobbs #16)The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hate when my reading gets so far ahead of my reviewing. Luckily, reading the blurb helped refresh my memory of what happened in this book. This book grabbed me right away with the young man witnessing a murder and how it left him confused.

Despite the Second World War increasing in intensity, local murders not only didn’t go down but escalated. Sometimes it is war-related, perhaps even from a previous war, leaving behind lingering bad feelings. So Maisie’s job is cut out for her.

Once again, Jacqueline Winspear’s writing and research are impeccable. And Orlagh Cassidy’s narration is so entertaining.

Thanks to Libby for loaning me the audiobook. And thanks to my friend, Kay, for recommending this series. I’m nearly finished. I’ll be so sad when it comes to an end.

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear

Filed under: Audible, Reading, Reviews — Leave a comment
June 2, 2025

The American Agent (Maisie Dobbs, #15)The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series just gets better and better. Now Americans are more involved in the war, and thereby, Maisie is working with a couple of Americans to solve her multiple mysteries.

Once again, Jacqueline Winspear’s writing, paired with Orlagh Cassidy’s narration, makes for an excellent reading and listening experience.

Thank you, Libby, for having the series available to borrow. And thanks to my friend, Kay, for recommending these wonderful reads!

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear

Filed under: Audible, Reading, Reviews — Leave a comment
May 20, 2025

Leaving Everything Most Loved (Maisie Dobbs, #10)Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series is so good, I can hardly wait to read the next one. Then I get ahead of my reviews, and I have to read the blurb to remember which book was which. So if you need to, go to Amazon and read the blurb. My quick blurb: Maisie Dobbs must solve the mystery of Indian immigrants in this book. But she has other issues that creep up to take care of. But in her thoughtful way, Ms. Dobbs gracefully finds answers.

You can find this one on Libby. If I had more income, I would buy the whole series. Jacqueline Winspear’s writing and research put her books over the top! In addition to the great stories, Orlagh Cassidy’s narration makes them feel like reality.

I highly recommend this series and this book.

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

Filed under: Audible, Reading, Reviews — Leave a comment
May 19, 2025

Elegy for EddieElegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, this was sad. Poor Eddie.

This has a long blurb on Amazon so I suggest you take a look at it.

There are so many issues that we currently face but were surely worse back in 1933. Especially dealt with is how the disabled can live if worked with or can suffer through bullying.

As I’ve mentioned before I love the Maisie Dobbs series. Each book hold a wealth of information in history and psychology as well as a great mystery or two to solve in the process.

Again, I have to praise the writing of Jacqueline Winspear and the talented narration Orlagh Cassidy make these books the best entertainment and bedtime reading.

I feel blessed to have found the series on Libby. If you get the chance, give the series a try! Thank you, Kay for suggesting these.

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: A Lesson in Secrets: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

Filed under: Audible, Reading, Reviews — Leave a comment
May 15, 2025

A Lesson in Secrets: A Maisie Dobbs NovelA Lesson in Secrets: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As the next world war is just rumors and philosophical differences, Maisie works for Scotland Yard to help sort things out at a college. She takes the role of a professor to learn what she can.

As usual with this whole series, the story feels immediate, real. Jacqueline Winspear writes with all the research handy and dispels it in all the senses so you feel you are there.

With Orlagh Cassidy’s narration, the scenery and characters are alive.

I highly recommend this series. I can’t review them fast enough. I am already three reviews behind! I have to get into the next one as soon as I finish the first. So I’ve already borrowed #11 from Libby so I need to write these quickly!

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear

Filed under: Audible, Reading, Reviews — 2 Comments
May 13, 2025

The Mapping of Love and DeathThe Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love, love, love this series! I have a hard time separating individual books as they blend in together after a while. Especially if I finish at an early hour, during my bedtime reading, and I have to check out the next one on the Libby app.

But this book caught me with the search for the wartime map maker. I have always loved maps. I miss them in our new GPS age. That just shows the road you are on and maybe a bit more, but a map gives you a freedom to know more areas, other roads to enjoy. But who thinks about the importance of a map during a battle? This book taught me a lot about how important that aid can be.

Orlagh Cassidy’s voice gives all Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs a feeling of being in the story. Even better than radio. I can see what is happening, the characters, and the surrounding area.

Thank you, Kay, and Libby for these books!

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

Filed under: Audible, Reading, Reviews — 1 Comment
May 5, 2025

Among the Mad (Maisie Dobbs, #6)Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be the best book of the series and the most frightening. I must admit to having a nightmare or two from reading it at bedtime.

What is weird and special is that the author, Jacqueline Winspear, has taken historical events and shows us lessons we should have learned. In this particular book, the troubles of PTSD, homelessness, and depression are on display within the context of sophisticated British literature and history.

Orlagh Cassidy (Narrator) has the acting chops to keep the reader (listener) engaged with each character. She finds a way to make each person individual.

This series is one of the best. I thank my friend, Kay, for recommending it to me. I highly recommend all the Maisie Dobbs books so far!

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Review: Tiopa Ki Lakota by D. Jordan Redhawk

Filed under: Books, Kindle, Reading, Reviews — Leave a comment
May 4, 2025

Tiopa Ki LakotaTiopa Ki Lakota by D. Jordan Redhawk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a beautiful love story. It was so unique seeing two women, a white, Irish woman, I think, and a Lakota two-spirit woman. The author takes you into both points of view during a time in American history when the whites were on the westward ho, conquering and killing as they moved.

But here is what was happening to one particular woman and her tribe, and a little about their philosophy.

I think the only thing that might have made this story better would have been to have it narrated by a person who could speak the language. The problem with Text-to-Speech is how badly Kindle’s voice pronounces words that are not English.

Still, I am happy I finally got around to reading this story. I’ve had it in my ‘currently-reading’ shelf since 2016. I highly recommend this read.

View all my reviews

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment
Exploring Timeless Blogs

THE AVOERIA ARCHIVE

The Depth Behind The Ordinary

Life of Chaz

Books, games, music, and life — filtered through the mind of a writer, drummer, and philosopher who thinks too deeply about all of it. If it moves something in your chest, I'm interested.

Pieces Of My Heart

"Words & Wonders - Where thoughts meet art

💫The Afterlove Voice💫 Justice For Liam ⚖

Justice, Channeling,Spiritual,Astrology,Truth- Seeker.

Amin Academy

Education, Information, Motivation

AllMacWorld

Luso Loonie — Devin Meireles

Portuguese-Canadian Writing About This Portuguese Thing of Ours

UNDER THE WILL... OVER THE DRAMA...

Inheritance. Narcissism. Turf. Welcome to the family.

Adym Digital

Selma

Finding the extra in the ordinary

Sip, Snack, See

A Blog About Food and Travels

Golu lodhi

I upload photos & videos Golu lodhi village pairakhedi

Creative

Travel,Tourism, Life style "Now in hundreds of languages for you."

IsabellaJoshua.com

"VERO'S VERBIAGE & VISUALS"

intricate cantrips

twisted yarns, unraveled

Introverted Growth

The Introvert's Roadmap to Self Discovery and Growth

Blissfulbritt

Histopedia

story telling from history