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Books Read in March 2021

April 29, 2021April 30, 2021 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Books Read in March 2021

Once again, we’ve reached the end of April, and I’m finally ready to share book reviews from March. Maybe next month I’ll get this post up earlier. 🤞🏼 As always, I started with my review of each break–going through the notable books from the month first and then finishing with the rest. At the end you can find my thoughts to the synopsis, but if you’d like to read the official synopsis from the publisher just click on the book title for each books Goodreads page.

Fave Book: Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

I smiled when I realized this was my favorite of the month. When I read it, I thought I’d end up designating this “Book That Captured My Heart” or something like that. When I started listening to it I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but Britt-Marie just… captures your heart. She and I are completely different people and yet some of her fears and concerns are so relatable that I still saw myself in her. Love, love, loved this!

Least Fave: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

I loved the premise, but this just didn’t pay off for me. I loved Tate and seeing how she handled the events of her past and how that shaped her. If it had just been about her I think I would have liked it more, but it’s a romance and I thought she deserved more in her relationship.

Listen to On Audiobook: Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

This is a dual-narrated audiobook. Elizabeth Acevedo narrates part of it and her narration is always 100% worth listening to. Her debut—The Poet X—was one of my top books the year it came out and I think this one topped it. I loved following these two sisters as they dealt with their grief and also how they felt about having a sister out there. TAnd I definitely teared up as I read this.

Most Unique: This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.

I was about to write “this is probably the most unique story I read this month” and then I realized that’s the category I created for it. This is one that I would recommend reading if you can, instead of listening to the audiobook. I was intrigued and really into it, but I think I missed out on some things by listening to it.

Other Books:

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas: This had dark academia vibes. and is about a small, secretive school. Everything that I love. And it definitely had me hooked but there was something that was lacking. I can’t figure out what it was, but something was missing.

Finding God in the Waves by Mike McHargue: I heard McHargue talk about this book a while back but I was in a place where I was questioning a lot of things spiritually. I didn’t think it was the right time to read it. This year, I was ready for it. I absolutely loved this and I loved how he talks about being in a position of doubt. I don’t agree with a lot of what he talks about toward the end, but I definitely indentified with his story as he wrestled with his faith. I think this is worth the read for the information he shares about how to talk to—and how not to talk to—someone who’s questioning their faith.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Frederik Backman: This is a short and heartbreaking novella about a grandfather and his grandson as the grandfather is growing older and struggling to hold onto his memories. I think this would be a poignant read for anyone and it will especially be that way for anyone who has watched someone they love live with Alzheimers or dementia.


Here’s a summary of the books in the order that I read them:

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas: Catherine House is a “school of higher learning” hidden deep within the woods that has produced some of the world’s most high-profile people. For three full years (including summers) students leave their family, friends, and everything about their lives (including their clothing) behind, but they’re promised a life of power and prestige once they leave. In this book, we follow Ines, who’s in her first year at Catherine House.

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: In a futuristic world at war, two agents from warring factions begin a correspondence that turns to love.

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren: While on a vacation abroad with her grandmother, Tate meets Sam and falls in love. They share their hopes and dreams with each other and Tate shares her identity as the daughter of one of the world’s biggest movie stars, only to have her trust broken. Fourteen years later, Tate is now an actress, and she lands a huge role… only to find out the screenplay was written by Sam, who will be on set throughout filming.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: Two sisters—one living in New York City and one in the Dominican Republic—deal with grief and an uncertain future when their father is killed in a plane crash. 

Finding God In the Waves by Mike McHargue: This is McHargue’s story of losing his faith and living for two years as an atheist (while still acting as a leader in his church and teaching Sunday school) and how he found his faith again.

Britt-Marie Was Here by Frederik Backman: After separating from her husband, Britt-Marie decides to get a job so that someone will notice if she doesn’t show up one day and gets a position that was supposed to be canceled in a town in which businesses are closing.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Frederik Backman: This is the story of a grandfather and a grandson (and their son/father) as the grandfather is advancing in his memory loss.

What did you read in March?

And if you’d like to see what I read in previous months, click on the links below to go to the post and see my thoughts.

JANUARY 2021 | FEBRUARY 2021

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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