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.
