Books Read
(3/6) The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Hoopla, 2013) – a surprisingly heartwarming book about two girls who find their parents dead and bury them in their backyard
(3/10) Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (★★☆☆☆ 1/2 – print, library, 2010) – this novel just wasn’t for me, but I can understand why the sparse writing and original plot work for some people
(3/12) Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2019) – a reread about the son of the U.S. president and the prince of England falling in love
(3/15) Vera Wong’s Guide for Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2025) – a super fun mystery (second in the series) about a very nosy teashop owner who is trying to solve a mysterious death
(3/16) Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson (not rated – print, giveaway, 2026) – what a delight to read a book written by someone I know – so much fun
(3/18) What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon (★★★★☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – this book made me fall in love with Amsterdam, and I love the themes of self-discovery and standing on your own two feet
(3/24) Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa (★★★★★ – audiobook, Spotify, 2022) – an incredibly important book about the effects of systemic racism on the health and well-being of people of color
(3/25) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2022) – the sweetest magical story about a witch who is hired to help three young witches understand their power
(3/27) Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (★★★☆☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – a sprawling novel about two people who meet in Shanghai in their youth and reconnect in their seventies
(3/31) Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford (★★★☆☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2024) – a sweet, heartwarming novel about a 77-year-old woman who is cast on a baking show and the secret that threatens to be exposed
(3/31) Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood (★★★☆☆ – e-book, Libby, 2025) – second-chance romance and enemies-to-lovers collide in this romance that takes place on a movie set
(3/31) Unmissing by Minka Kent (★★★☆☆ – print, Amazon, 2025) – a winding psychological suspense novel about a woman who is found alive after 10 years and tries to integrate back into her husband’s life, who has since moved on
Book Stats
- # of books read: 12
- # of pages read: 4,179 pages
- Genre breakdown: fiction (4), romance (3), mystery/thriller (2), science fiction/fantasy (2), nonfiction (1)
- Format breakdown: print (7), audiobook (4), and ebook (1)
- Fastest read: The Death of Bees and Unmissing (4 days)
- Slowest read: Red, White & Royal Blue (13 days)
- Star average: 3.9
Superlatives
- The best book I read in March: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
- My favorite romance in March: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- The book I thought I would love more than I did: Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
- The book with the best narrator: The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell
- The book I was most excited to read: Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson
Reading Miscellaneous
Unread Shelf Project | March prompt: A book with a one-word title: I went with Homeseeking, which I bought at The Book Lounge during my bookstore spree with Jenny in January. I didn’t love it, but I’m glad I read it, if that makes sense. (Books it beat out: Yellowface, Sipsworth, and Penitence.)
Where I traveled this month: In the United States, I visited California, Washington DC, and Oregon. I also traveled to Shanghai, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. I spent some time in moody Edinburgh, Scotland, snowy Calgary, and beautiful Amsterdam. And, as always, I visited many places throughout the UK.
DNFs: I had zero DNFs in March!
Something I learned from my reading: I learned about the Chinese Civil War and the Japanese occupation of China in the 1930s, which is something that was never covered in my history classes. I don’t feel as if I got enough historical context in Homeseeking about this conflict, though, and I’m eager to learn more!
What’s Coming Up in April
Want to know what I’m bringing on my reading retreat? Sure you do! I’m packing a wide selection so I have plenty to choose from:
- Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – This book is getting so much buzz! I already love Caro from her podcast, Diabolical Lies, and this book sounds insanely good. It’s definitely at the top of my list!
- First-Time Caller by BK Borison – I loved my first BK Borison book, and I have heard so many rave reviews about this romance. I can’t wait to read it!
- The Appeal by Janice Hallett – I bought this book in London, and it’s been sitting on my shelf, just waiting for the right time to be read.
- Wild Side by Elsie Silver – Another romance from a fave author! She hasn’t let me down yet, so I hope the same holds true for the third book in her Rose Hill series.
- Kin by Tayari Jones – Another super buzzy book that I’m looking forward to reading. I’m worried it might be a bit too literary for my tastes, but I’m going to give it a try.
What was the best book you read in March?
I read Red, White, and Royal Blue a couple of years ago and enjoyed it! I’ve also read Homeseeking and Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame, which I loved! Next up for me is also Yesteryear. I haven’t had as much time to read lately–I’m hoping to remedy that soon!
I am SO EXCITED about Yesteryear. The premise is so good!
I read The Appeal in March and really enjoyed it. It has a unique format, which I really liked but may not be for everyone. I’ll be interested to hear what you think about it. I also read Project Hail Mary (wait- was that February or March? Can’t remember and I’m too lazy to look back…) and that was really good.
I’m looking forward to The Appeal and I think reading it during my reading retreat when I’ll have time to reall immerse myself in the story will help. Hopefully!
I loved First Time Caller! I plan to read more by that author! You had a great great month of reading with several 5 star reads! My March was great, too. I read 12 books which way more than usual for me but I was traveling a lot and had downtime in hotel rooms to fill!
12 books is a lot of books for me as well! I haven’t hit that number in MANY months.
I’m really looking forward to reading First Time Caller on my reading retreat!
Sarah and I have read half of Kin and it started a bit slow for my tastes, but we’re both liking it SO MUCH. I don’t think it will be too literary for you. Yesteryear is on my list, too. We’ll see how it goes! I probably won’t be able to get a copy for like a year, though, so everyone will be over talking about it by the time I get it.
Ooh, I am glad to hear that Kin is going well for you and Sarah! It’s the next book I’m picking up.
Awwww xoxoxo
I have Kin and Yesteryear on my list, although I’m probably the only person in the world who didn’t love An American Marriage so I’ll just have to see how Kin goes.
Three five-star books in March – The Latecomer, Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon, and Consider Yourself Kissed!
I haven’t actually read anything by Tayari Jones, so Kin will be my first from her. If I love it, I’m looking forward to reading her other books!
I want to read Yesteryear and First Time Caller too. I really liked First Time Caller, and want to read the next in the series too! I think the best book I read in March was The Incandescent!
The Incandescent is such a great title – I love that word, ha.