Reviews by Dorothy G. (Naperville, IL)

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The Lost Apothecary
The Lost Apothecary: A Novel
by Sarah Penner
Recommend with Reservations (10/14/2020)
The plot concept was brilliant and hooked me with just the description. I did feel that the execution of the plot, while interesting, was simplistic in its unveiling. The author tended to over describe connections and reveals that felt condescending. Additionally, some of …more
The In-Betweens
The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna
by Mira Ptacin
Interesting but... (11/4/2019)
I felt very optimistic upon starting this book. I found it interesting that there were communities that were dedicated and committed to Spiritualism. I also enjoyed the fact that the writer was a neophyte, which boded well for me because I also had no prior knowledge. My …more
Courting Mr. Lincoln
Courting Mr. Lincoln
by Louis Bayard
Heartwarming! (3/7/2019)
As with other reviewers, I have always favored President Lincoln, as he was from Illinois, as am I, and because he came from nothing and made so much of himself. Ms. Bayard's style reveals layers of each character with each chapter. The relationships are given a depth and …more
The Kennedy Debutante
The Kennedy Debutante
by Kerri Maher
Not enough for me..... (6/12/2018)
While I enjoyed learning about Kit's life and seeing how planned and produced her parents had intended it to be, I felt that the book tended to drag. Kit's musings often seemed similar to those of females in the 1940's movies; too innocent and too contrived. I had hoped to …more
Meet Me at the Museum
Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson
Intimacy at a distance (4/30/2018)
Meet Me at the Museum was a lovely, slower paced read. The intimacy of written correspondence and the flowering of a friendship is beautifully laid out here for us to enjoy. The characters are older (easily identifiable for me) and realize the passing of time. Together they …more
Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney
Loved it! My favorite book of the year. (11/8/2017)
"Sometimes I Lie" overtook me with the author's unique writing style of moving us from present to past to distant past. Chapter by chapter more details are revealed about the main character, putting this book in the "can't put it down" category. I felt so many different …more
Happiness
Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham
Personal, beautiful, intense (6/27/2017)
An intimate and insightful view of life through the eyes of a mother whose child has a life threatening disease. Heather Harpham allows us to see this world from many different angles...all very personal....from the relationship between Gracie's parents, their friends, the …more
The Tea Planter's Wife
The Tea Planter's Wife
by Dinah Jefferies
Strong Start --- Weak Finish (7/20/2016)
The Tea Planter's Wife started off with great promise. The first few chapters were fascinating and began to weave an intricate and mysterious story. However, the writing became repetitive and I found myself scanning the paragraphs to find the thread of the story throughout …more
The Life of the World to Come
The Life of the World to Come
by Dan Cluchey
A quirky, interesting read. (4/26/2016)
The writing style in The Life of The World to Come is different...sometimes confusing, but more often intriguing. The characters are quirky with many endearing qualities. I found it an easy read, though had to stop and look up the meaning of several words I'd never heard …more
The Sound of Gravel
The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir
by Ruth Wariner
Fascinating and spell binding. (11/11/2015)
The inner workings of a polygamist colony would be fascinating without any other details. However, The Sound of Gravel shows us the personal side, the private side and all through the eyes of a young, brave girl. The author's understanding of her mother's motives and …more
Frank & Ava
Frank & Ava: In Love and War
by John Brady
Hard to put down! (8/13/2015)
I have read several books on Frank Sinatra and also books on Ava Gardner. While they all touch on the relationship between Ava and Frank, it is more a skim. This book follows the relationship from start to finish --- a romance that never really died. Great segments about …more
A Passion for Paris
A Passion for Paris: Romanticism and Romance in the City of Light
by David Downie
A passion for Paris. (4/14/2015)
I have been lucky to have visited Paris several times in my life. Each time I have found something new. Now I feel as if I never really saw Paris...at least not now that I have read A Passion For Paris. The insight the author brings into the lives of the authors and artists …more
He Wanted the Moon
He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter's Quest to Know Him
by Mimi Baird with Eve Claxton
A fascinating and heartbreaking tale (2/22/2015)
He Wanted The Moon is a must read for anyone who has suffered from, or known someone who has, mental illness. The unimaginable horrors of treatment are made clear to us through his personal account. The strides that have been made in treating mental illness in the past …more
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
by Barbara Leaming
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (11/4/2014)
I learned more than I had previously known about Jacqueline Bouvier's early adult life prior to JFK. However, I did not feel that much more was revealed following their marriage and Jackie's life thereafter. The post traumatic stress disorder diagnosis seemed definitely on …more
The Paris Winter
The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson
Beautifully painted tale (7/24/2014)
The Paris Winter took me in instantly. The characters were described and painted with words in ways that made them come alive. The story is unpredictable and engrossing from start to finish. I think I enjoyed seeing the female friendships develop throughout the novel and …more
Glitter and Glue
Glitter and Glue: A Memoir
by Kelly Corrigan
A book for every generation of women (12/24/2013)
Kelly Corrigan spoke to me on so many levels in this book....as a mother, a daughter, a granddaughter, and a one-day grandmother. The female journey and the discovery of the connection between ourselves and our mothers is one we all must take. Kelly bridged the gap between …more
The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
by Kelly Harms
Good Summer Read (5/14/2013)
I was captivated after the first few pages and remained so throughout the book. The characters are revealed to you slowly, much the way strangers become friends, and continue to show their many layers throughout the story. A sweet, easy read and a book I will pass on to all my friends.
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