Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd read 'enough' to get by, but other than that I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't like it, but, whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which became 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022, 98 books in 2023 and 224 books in 2024). The majority of my "reading" has been listening to audiobooks since I haven't had as much time to sit and read physical books once I started working again full time out of the house. Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope can add more physical reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I finish is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. So, here are the books I completed in the month of March:
- All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker - I had seen this book recommended a few times so I added it to my hold list on my Libby app and after a couple months it finally was available. I didn't know anything about it, but I am glad I came across the rave reviews. There is definitely a lot going on in this novel - a serial killer, missing girls, a love story, a multi-decade mystery and twists everywhere you look. I think what made this book so interesting is that it felt incomplete. The chapters were incredibly short and they'd jump from storyline to storyline so it kept you on your toes. When there was a jump in between time it seemed like there were important moments left out that you had to sort of guess and piece together on your own. I could totally see it turned into a mini series on one of the bazillion streaming platforms. It felt heartbreaking and uplifting all at the same time. I think the only drawback was the length - there were some spots that felt a little drawn out of could've been cut altogether, but overall it was intriguing and thought-provoking. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- The Wedding People by Alison Espach - I had seen this mentioned on a few 'must read' lists so I got in line on my Libby app and the book finally became available. I didn't know what it was about, as is the case with most of the books I check out, but I would say I wish this one had a trigger warning. This novel centers around the main character, Phoebe, who checks into a hotel to die by suicide. Through a series of events she eventually becomes a guest and then part of the bridal party to a wedding that is happening in the hotel. I appreciate that the book does it's best to remove the stigma around suicide by discussing it, but I was taken back a bit by how in your face it was for the majority of the book. Suicide prevention is near and dear to my heart and with suicide being such a triggering topic I was a bit surprised that nothing was mentioned before the bomb was dropped. Don't get me wrong, the book isn't all doom and gloom, it is witty, funny in parts and focuses on how chance encounters have the way to greatly impact your life. I think had I been given a heads up I wouldn't have been so shocked at how nonchalant the topic seemed to be discussed. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- Outrunning the Demons by Phil Hewitt - I got this book a while back in a trade from one of my 'buy nothing' Facebook groups I'm a part of and I was finally able to get it started when I was on the flight to Maui earlier this month. This is a collection of stories from runners all over the world that found running to be transformational (and, in some instances, life saving). I always love hearing how running has impacted others, so this was right up my alley. The stories were short (like maybe 5ish pages), so it gave you just enough to connect with the person and root for their success/ happiness/ mental health. The book is full of hope and inspiration. Whether you are a runner or not, this book shares how finding something that makes your heart content/ happy (it just happens that in this book it's the act of running) can make the world of difference. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano - This is another book that I had heard rare reviews about so I got in line on my Libby app and checked it out as soon as it was available for me. I enjoyed that this book was told from the perspective of many different members of a single family (even if it was in third person, it still focused on how that one person felt/ experienced different events). Other than that, nothing really drew me in. I appreciated that the author focused on imperfect people, but hopefully we all know that broken people can still love, be loved, live fulfilling lives and create something magical. Maybe I wasn't in the right mindspace for this one, but it was just a little 'blah' for me. Sure, it was about love and grief in a family, but, like I mentioned, nothing about the story/ characters grabbed me (there were actually points in the book where I considered not finishing it, but I had already committed so much of my time to it that I thought I'd see it through). I would give it a 6 out of 10.
- Bride by Ali Hazelwood - I was excited when another one of this author's book became available on my Libby app. They're a little spicy, but I still always enjoy the wit and character development throughout the stories. This is sort of like a vampire and werewolf version of Romeo and Juliet. The two main characters, Misery and Lowe, are forced together as a way to keep peace between the two species. As I'm sure you can guess, the contractual marriage eventually turns into a full blown romance between the two and drama ensues. Although I'm normally not a paranormal/ sci fi fan, this was fun, quirky and creative. All of her books are full of twists and turns, fast paced, sexy and this is no exception. If you have read (and enjoyed) this author before, you know what you're getting, this time just with some 'mythical creatures' involved ;) I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- How to Read a Book by Monica Wood - A friend of mine, who is an avid reader, recently mentioned this book and gave it rave reviews, so when I saw that it was available on my Hoopla app I snagged it up. I can see why she liked it, I thought it was great. It revolved around twelve incarcerated women and a book club. The character development was spot on (they all felt so real and raw), I loved that it was told from three different points of view (Violet, one of the women in the book club, Harriet, the book club leader and Frank) and the themes of forgiveness and chance encounters made my heart smile. It was definitely heartwarming. I also appreciated that some of the characters were a bit more 'mature' in age (more often than not the older generation tends to be forgotten so I enjoyed that they were just side characters). There were a few plot twists that I wasn't expecting that kept me on my toes. Tragic and inspiring all at once. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez - Last month I read the first book in this series, so got in line on my Libby app for the next book so was excited when I got the notification that it was ready to be checked out. As with most of this author's books, they can be standalone stories, but some of the characters make an appearance so if you are familiar with their backstory you will probably know and love them a little more ;) This follow-up book is about Sloan and Jason (in the previous book Sloan had lost the love of her life in a motorcycle accident and this is set two years after). The two meet haphazardly, when Jason's dog jumps into Sloan's car and sort of adopts her. Jason ends up being a famous recording artist and the two fall in love. Obviously I don't read this author's books because they are something similar to my own life - they are an escape from reality, funny and romantic (don't get me wrong, my life is full of fun and love, it's just not the stuff of a romcom ;)). As I expected, I really enjoyed this cute little love store and am stoked for the third book in the series (if it's ever available on either of my audiobook apps #FingersCrossed). I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - If you know my favorite books (or at least favorite series), you know The Hunger Games is right up at the top. When one of my pen pals told me that they were releasing another book in the series I was STOKED! I am normally not a prequel sort of girl (it sort of ruins some of the surprises/ suspense if you know the character(s) survive), but I knew I had to check this one out as soon as I could. Thankfully my Hoopla app had it available (because I would've been over 40th in line if I had to wait for it on my Libby app) and I was able to snag it almost immediately. This is the story of Haymitch's time in the second quarter quell (the 50th anniversary of the original Hunger Games). If you've read/ watched this series, then you know Haymitch is one of District 12's only mentors (meaning he is the only surviving victor from that district who can guide that district's tribunes to potentially surviving the games). You won't get any spoilers from me (I mean, like I said, seeing as Haymitch is a mentor in the original series you know he somehow has to live), but I will say that I liked this one much more than The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (I was not excited to have Snow a main character in that book). Also, let's just say I've already added it to my Amazon wish list so I can put it in my personal library with the other books in the series. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus - Back when I read the second book in this series I added an alert on my Libby app to notify me when the third book was added to the app (it was released back in 2023, but none of my apps had to in stock). I got the notification and downloaded it since I had just finished my previous book. Well, let's just say I probably should have reminded myself about the previous books a little better than I had. Although this one jogged your memory a bit, it definitely wasn't as much of a standalone story as I would've liked. It also didn't grab my attention as much as I would have expected. It's a novel about revenge, murder, and the like, which you would think would have you on the edge of your seat, but I was sort of bored with it all. Maybe it's just a bit too unbelievable for me or maybe I just wasn't in the right mindspace for this type of book (especially since the ratings on Amazon and Goodreads seem to be a heck of a lot higher than I will give it). At this point, I think I'm probably done with this author too - just ot my jam. I would give it a 5 out of 10.
- Only Say Good Things by Crystal Hefner - When I was scrolling through the new releases on my Libby app this one caught my eye. It's a memoir from Hugh Hefner's widow. I usually really enjoy memoirs - it's like a look behind the curtain - and what a curtain to look behind it was! Crystal attended a Halloween party at the Playboy Mansion in 2008 when she was 21 and got 'stuck' in that world for another ten years. This is her telling of life in the mansion as one of Hugh's girlfriends turned wife. I'll be honest and say that I hadn't much thought about the life of Playboy "bunnies", but this was pretty interesting. It was eye opening to see how people with power (whether that be money, prestige, influence, etc) control the narrative. I'm glad Crystal was able to gain some of her agency back, even if it took her years to find voice and herself. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- As Many Nows As I Can Get by Shana Youngdahl - I don't remember how this book ended up on my "for later" list on my Libby app, but it was available for checkout when I didn't have anything in particular lined up so I grabbed it. This is the story of two high school overachieving seniors, Scarlett and David, and the different directions their lives took. The novel is told out of order, jumping from current to eight months ago when the two were getting ready to leave for college and back to other times in their relationship as well. If I remember correctly I don't think they ever defined their relationship, so I wouldn't say they were a couple, but they were friends for as long as either of them could remember. The story is both heartbreaking and hopeful (along with #AllTheFeels) all at the same time. I would say I wasn't as invested with the characters as I would've liked. Normally I'm all in, hook-line-and-sinker, but this story didn't pull at my heartstrings as much as it could have and I think it was the fact I actually liked Mina, Scarlett's roommate, most. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus - During one of my last "browse and save" sprees in the Young Adult genre section of my Libby app, I had added this book to my "for later" list. The title caught my attention and I'm so glad it did. This is a story about a teen who was growing up in a Christian Fundamentalist home while exploring her sexuality. The title is a play on the idea that many Christians have, believing you can "pray the gay away". I love that the queer book Natalie finds which starts her on her journey is also one of my fave queer YA books. The character development was great and I appreciate how real/ raw all of the experiences and situations felt (not everything is always rainbows and unicorns, even in novels). I would give it an 8 out of 10.
With that, March is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list!
What's the best book you've read lately?
