As I shared recently, I love to read. It’s something I do simply for pleasure because it brings me joy. Reading forces me to slow down, disconnect, and step into another world. I just love it. Last month, I really got into audiobooks and I shared everything I read and listened too. I thought I would try something different for this month. I’m going to share all the books I read, but highlight my top 5 favorite reads in March!
Recently, I’ve been loving rom-coms and historical fiction. I know, I know. They are on very different sides of the spectrum. But I love the lightheartedness of a good rom com that sucks me in and keeps me laugh. While historical fiction books, draw out my inner empath. What’s your favorite genre? Tell me in the comments below. Better yet, let’s connect on instagram and goodreads to share recommendations.
Did you know you can shop all of my books right on my Amazon Storefront? I have a whole list titled BOOK TALK where I save all of the books I’ve read. From that page, you can purchase a physical copy, e-book, or the audio version. You can sign up for audible or purchase a kindle as well.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may make commission off of purchases made through the links in this post.
My Top 5 Favorite Books This Month
The Layover by: Lacie Waldon
The Layover is perfectly witty, fun, and romantic. It’s a quick and easy read that keeps your attention the whole way through. I found myself relating so much with the main character, Ava, trying to find the balance of stability and adventure. She finally is about to have the life she always wanted, but what will she sacrifice herself to get it?
I’ve been so into Rom-Coms lately and this was one of my favorites. I got caught up in the charm of Alexander, but was secretly rooting for Jack. I cheered when Ava learned the truth about him. Not to mention, the adventures they go on in Belize sound so dreamy. Adding them to my bucket list!
I Must Betray You by: Ruta Sepetys
I Must Betray You is heart-wrenching, suspenseful, conflicting, and brave. It keeps you on your toes and feeling deeply for the people of Romania. A 17-year-old boy, Cristian Florescu, is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer and spy on the American’s his mother works for. Through his friendship with Dan, an American, he realizes just how terrible the conditions are in Romania and he risks everything to fight for his country, his family, and his freedom. It’s a story of life or death.
I had a hard time wrapping my head around all of this happening in 1989. That was just a few years before I was born. And to think people in other parts of the world were that severely oppressed is sickening. I hope I never have to live through something like that.
The Last Thing He Told Me by: Laura Dave
Hello mystery and suspense! The Last Thing He Told Me really kept me on my toes. I couldn’t put the book down. So many things happen and there were so many twists and turns, I couldn’t predict what was going to happen. And the very end (insert mind blown emoji)!
Hannah and Owen got married a little over a year ago and were still learning how to be a family with Owen’s 16-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey and Hannah don’t have a great relationship, if any relationship at all, when they are forced to come together to solve the greatest mystery. Why did Owen disappear and who was he really?!
Beach Read by: Emily Henry
A romance writer and a literary fiction novelist meet at a lake, will they fall in love? January Andrews and Augustus Everett went to college together and had a one night fling of sorts. Years later, they find themselves with writers block, living next door to each other. They begin a summers long challenge to get them out of their rut and the unravel the mess that is each other’s lives.
Other Reads In March
Take Bake Your Time by: Christy Wright
There was a lot of good takeaways and practical tips in this book, but I find ‘self help’ books so incredibly boring to read. This was my first book that I went back and forth between audio and the physical book. It’s the only way I could get through it. If you’re into these kids of books, I would definitely recommend purchasing the book to highlight, add notes, and get the free workbook.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by: India Holton
Okay, so I didn’t hate this book like I was expecting. It’s a historical romantic fantasy and I’m not into fantasy. It took me a solid 100 pages to wrap my head around pirates, flying houses and magic fairy dust. Okay, so maybe the book doesn’t have magic fairy dust, but you can see where I’m coming from. Once I got passed that, there was a good story line. It was adventurous, mysterious, and a little steamy.
This book is part of the Dangerous Damsels series (two books) and I’m still debating whether or not I’ll read the second, The League of Gentleman Witches.
The Color Purple by: Alice Walker
This was a really tough book to read for two reasons. First, the content and context was hard to digest. I was disgusted by the treatment of black women and the roles they were expected to fulfill in that time period. Second, it was literally hard to read. Alice Walker wrote it in the voice of an uneducated black women. I had to read sentences a few times to understand what the characters were saying. It took me a lot longer to read this book than it should’ve for that reason. But, the story ends with hope and redemption and you can’t help but celebrate with Celie for her accomplishments.
The Color Purple is banned from public schools for its language, sexual content, and abuse. While I understand why it is not appropriate for a school setting, I highly recommend you read it with your high school aged children. It would be a great homeschool book study for black history month or women’s history month.
The Making of Us by: Lisa Jewell
The Making of Us was a good book and an easy read, but not one of my favorites because of how it ended. Once you meet all of the characters, you can mostly predict where the story is going. There are some plot twists and moments of suspense, but overall I was a little disappointed with it. I felt like the story just kind of ended and left you hanging. Maybe a book two?
Good In Bed by: Jennifer Weiner
I listened to the audiobook for Good In Bed and it was definitely one of my favorite audiobooks so far. It keep be entertained and on my toes. I just wanted to get in the car and listen. For someone who isn’t an auditory learner, this is a huge compliment to the author. It was an easy listen and I can only imagine it would be a fun and easy read as well.
What’s on my reading list for April you ask? That Summer by: Jennifer Weiner, The Silent Patient by: Alex Michaelides, The Four Winds by: Kristin Hannah, One Two Three by: Laurie Frankel, The Reading List Sara Nisha Adams, Beautiful World, Where Are You by: Sally Rooney
I’m reading The Silent Patient with my in-person book club and i’ve been tossing around the idea of hosting an online book club. What do you think about a weekly “book club” on Instagram? Starting in stories and then maybe move to zoom or IG live if there are enough people interested? Send me an email or DM if you’re up for that!
Let’s Connect!
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