Your Next Read | March 2023

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This month was one where I was able to get in tons of reading. We spent a long weekend at the beach, plus I discovered that I can actually listen to audiobooks. I have tried audiobooks before, but I always tried fiction, and wasn’t very successful. But I read a suggestion somewhere to try audiobooks with nonfiction and to increase the speed to 1.5x. And it worked like a charm!

Here are my March reads and my thoughts.

March Books

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult

I’m not sure what I expected this book to be about, but I guess I didn’t read any reviews before reading it. I was surprised halfway through by one of the plot points (I might not have chosen to read the book had I known this plot point), but I’m glad I didn’t know about it and read the book, because it was a beautiful book that helped me see a perspective I had never before considered on a hot-button topic. I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone SO STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW, but there is a character in the book who is transgender. The book is not about being transgender, but the topic is definitely a part of the story.

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

A cute rom-com about two people who work in a publishing house. You know I’m always a a fan of a good rom-com – add in a literary element and I’m all in. Really enjoyed this one!

The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

Two girls meet at a summer camp, only to discover that they are sisters. One has had a gilded life, the other not so much. When their father dies, after years of estrangement from one daughter, he leads them both a dilapidated beach house to share. Together they have to decide what to do with it and how to move forward with this newfound sisterhood. I really liked this one, too. I flew through it and it had all the elements of a story I love. Perfect beach read!

This Girl by Colleen Hoover

After I read this, I realized it was the third in a series by Colleen Hoover. It was an okay read on its own, but I’m sure I would have done better having read the series in order. It wasn’t so great that I’d pick up the other two, though. It’s Colleen Hoover trademark – easy to read, a little predictable, and a happy ending.

Home Again by Kristin Hannah

I’ve read a few of Kristin Hannah’s books over the years and I usually love her writing. While reading this one, I felt like it was a little flat, but when I looked it up, it had been published in 2005 – you can definitely note the growth in her writing. It was a heart-wrenching story, but a little cheesy.

What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline

Okay, this book kept me UP at night. Jason’s family is involved in an apparent car jacking and his daughter is murdered. But after receiving a visit from the FBI, they discover the killers are part of a crime ring and must go into witness protection. When Jason discovers the FBI is keeping information from them, he decides to take matters into his own hands and protect his family himself.

Audiobooks

Wake Up With Purpose! by Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt

Sister Jean is a spry nun with the order of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is 103 years old, and published this book a couple of years ago, detailing some of the lessons she has learned throughout her first one hundred years of life. I loved hearing her perspective on certain things, and it was a great listen.

The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman

I have read The Five Love Languages, and while it didn’t completely change my life, it did give me a lot of insight into how I receive and express love. It also helped in my marriage to recognize these qualities. I figured it would be helpful to do this for the kids, too. And it was definitely eye-opening! I’d recommend The Five Languages for anyone looking to improve relationships with those around them.

xoxo