I won My Dear Hamilton from Library Thing's Early Reviewer program back in April 2018, but never received a copy from the publisher (William Morrow). I picked up an e-book version when it was on sale for $1.99 in July 2019, using Amazon promotional credits. The book still appeared on my Not Reviewed list (I've been an Early Reviewer since November 2007), so I decided to read and review it this month.
I really liked it. I knew nothing about Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (called Betsey as a child and young woman, and Eliza later in adulthood), and not much more about her husband Alexander Hamilton (other than, of course, his infamous duel with Aaron Burr). I do now, after 652 pages of very readable historical fiction.
Eliza really comes alive and holds her own as as strong woman throughout the novel (as she did in early America). I felt all the characters - Eliza's parents, sisters, children, and of course her husband - were well developed, given the first-person storytelling from Eliza's viewpoint.
Authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie did a lot of research, and explain at the end what is true and what is fiction. Dray primarily writes historical women's fiction, while Kamoie's experience is in different types of romance (writing as Laura Kaye), although her educational and earlier employment background is in history.
And for what it's worth, you don't have to be a Hamilton! fan to enjoy this book. I've never seen the musical.
The Hanmoji Handbook - early reviewer, nonfiction, children/young adult, ARC
I requested this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's program primarily because I have two other people in mind (librarians and former co-workers) who might like to read it. One likes young adult books, manga, graphic novels, etc., and the other learned speak Chinese. I'm not sure I'm quite the right audience for this book, as I have different favorite genres and no interest in learning Chinese.
That being said, learning a little about Chinese language characters (hanzi) and their relationship to the emoji we use so much nowadays was interesting. Chapter 3, on How Languages Evolve, was the best, especially its section on emoji.
The copy I received was an advanced reader edition in black and white; final illustrations will be in full color. The book is 160 pages long and aimed at ages 12 and up.
Elly Uncomposed: An Operatic Novel by Valerie Niemerg - fantasy, early reviewer
In a message to potential LibraryThing Early Reviewers, the author said, "You don't have to know a thing about opera to enjoy this book!" It would, however, help to be familiar with the storyline of The Marriage of Figaro, the opera setting (in 18th century Seville, Spain) into which our heroine, Elizabeth (aka Elly), is magically transported when she starts to read a book inherited from her late father.
Full disclosure: I *have* heard of this opera. I have never seen it (nor any other opera) performed, nor read an outline of the plot. I am not the least bit musical. Therefore (once again), I'm probably not quite the right audience for this book.
I found the story (which included scenes in the present-day of Elizabeth's real life) to be rather hard to follow, especially because I didn't know the opera - although I figured out who the villain was shortly after said villain's introduction. The book could have used a bit of editing (it's 351 pages long, with a couple minor spelling and punctuation errors) so it would flow a little better.
That being said, I do think an opera fan or music lover would enjoy this book more than I did. Author Valerie Niemerg is a retired opera singer (unlike Elizabeth), now voice instructor (a bit like Elizabeth), so she knows her stuff. I found the glossary of musical terms used in the book (boldfaced within the text, so you knew to look for them in the glossary) to be extremely helpful, even though I could often figure out the meaning from the context.
Otherwise, I spent part of this month re-reading part I of The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger, because of the recent HBO miniseries of the same name, that covered said part. Although there are differences between the miniseries and the book, in general, I liked the miniseries - particularly because of the actors playing Clare (Rose Leslie, Ingrid from Game of Thrones) and Henry (Theo James, who is HOT).
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