March Readings

I'm extra grateful this reading month for Spring Break and the chance to get lost in great stories. Lots of audiobooks thanks to libro.fm 🎧 and Libby. 

Mysteries continued strong with two additional titles from the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French. I'm loving following characters from one book to another and seeing them change, know their backstories, and figure out the mysteries together.

Broken Harbor #4

The Secret Place #5

#murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil a Lincoln Nominee for 23-24 was my additional mystery. I wanted to like the story but honestly, I found it hard to follow at first, the characters were predictable, and overall the story wasn't anything new or engaging.

Realistic Fiction and Romance made a comeback this month with titles I had on my TBR list and a few surprises.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt was on my TBR and a book club option. While it started to slow it quickly got a hold of my attention. With a strong resemblance to A Man Named Ove by Frederick Backman, this quirky story brings together Tova a widower that needs to keep busy, Marcellous a giant octopus with escaping tendencies, and a lost young man that just fits into their lives.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult. WOW! This was my favorite book this month. I have always loved Jodi Picoult's books and of course, this one didn't disappoint. In addition to having been following the book-banishing news from Florida and how many of Jodi Picoult's books have been removed from classrooms, this book brings into perspective many of the issues we are grappling with in the news about transgender students and their rights to just live their lives. An idea born from a dream brought together Jennifer Finney Boylan and Jodi Picoult this story deals with a teenager accused of killing his girlfriend, a past of domestic violence, uncontrolled rage, a teenager embracing who she truly is meant to be, a mother that would try to protect her child at all costs.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. Lent by a colleague this was on my TBR. A mix of storytelling and autobiographical content with a sprinkle of research.

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center. Purchased at my local indie bookstore Bookies this was a sweet romantic story with a play-on-title. How do you walk away when your whole life is turned upside down? And you cannot literally walk? You find new ways to reinvent yourself.

If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook. Audiobook courtesy of Libro.fm this was the story I needed to end this month. Easy, lovable characters come together for a funeral to find out many layers of secrets, new beginnings, and the capacity for forgiveness, love, and courage.