With the arrival of March, it seems as if the world wakes up and starts living again. At least, it applies to my little private world. Spring came out early this year. Although winter wasn’t too bad, I cannot say I’m sad it’s over. Reading-wise, March was surprisingly good for me. I read a total of 10 books, which is pretty amazing for me! This post includes my March 2024 book reviews.
If you read any of these, feel free to drop your comments in the box below. As per usual, we can respectfully differ in opinions, that’s what makes reading so much more enriching and fun. If we all read and liked the same books, we wouldn’t have very interesting conversations.
Without further ado, let me get to my March 2024 book reviews.
Bunny by Mona Awad
Curiosity got the best of me with this one! Do I regret reading it? Can’t say that I do, but I cannot unread it… those who read it know exactly what I mean!
That pretty much sums up my review.
I have to give the author props as far as her having a vivid imagination. The story is unique and beautifully written, but it was not for me. Sorry/not sorry to all of you who loved this book!
Everything Is Ok by Debbie Tung
I liked this illustration book that is like a mini-guide for those who need a little boost of self-esteem every now and then.
The author is transparent about her struggles with anxiety and depression. Having dealt with it herself, she created this book to help others cope with the same issues. As a talented illustrator and writer, she also uses this as a form of therapy. It has helped her get through the worst part of her life, and now she makes a living out of it.
A very short yet insightful book on affirmations for those who need it.
Other People’s Clothes by Calla Henkel
I started this book on my Kobo at the beginning of 2023. And I finished it earlier this month, finally. This is another book I was determined to get through, but it wasn’t what I expected.
The first quarter was pleasant enough, I just never felt drawn to the story. But somewhere after the first third of the book, it started to get weird. In this case too, curiosity got the best of me.
Don’t get me wrong, I liked the overall idea behind the story and the writing style, but I found the slow pace and lack of action a tad tedious. That is the reason I set it aside for the longest time and it took me forever to finish it.
I gave it three stars, so it was decent enough. But let’s be real, it’s not going to make my top ten of the year, not even the top 20.
Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal by Gretchen Schreiber
Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal
This is a young adult novel that centers around a teenager that suffers from an unusual disease, VATRS. It was interesting to find out more about the realities children that live with any disease have to deal with everyday. As an adult it’s so hard to handle tedious medical tests and hospital visits, so I can imagine that it is so much more difficult for a young person.
I enjoyed the pace of the book, the writing, as well as the way the author structured the book. The only issue I had with the book is that I didn’t like Ellie. Although I felt bad for everything she was going through, it was hard to relate to her. She was acting insufferable at times and made stupid decisions. Yes, teenagers are known for that type of behavior, but it didn’t resonate with me. Hence the three star rating.
It was ok overall, but I wouldn’t know what type of reader to recommend this book to.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
If you’ve been active on social media this past winter, then you’ve surely seen this book all over. I listened to this super hyped book on audio, and it was ok for me. It didn’t wow me, but it was highly entertaining.
I flew through it in one single day, which is awesome. I cannot honestly remember when was the last time that happened, but keep in mind that it is a fairly short book too. It is 340 pages, but depending on the audiobook speed you prefer to listen to, it can go pretty fast.
The storyline is definitely packed with lots of action and the plot is well executed. But I wasn’t a fan of any of the characters, therefore I couldn’t give it more than a three star rating.
Pick it up and judge for yourself, you might love it more than I did.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Based on the murderous spree caused by the infamous Ted Bundy, Bright Young Women tells the story of a couple of young women who fought to bring him to justice. Pamela Schumacher and Tina Cannon are relentless in their quest for justice. They both lost friends to the Defendant’s brutal attacks, and they do not stop until he is behind bars.
Told from dual timelines and both Pamela’s and Ruth’s points of views, Bright Young Women was engaging. Although the writing and the structure of the book were not lacking in action, I found myself losing interest in the story at times. Maybe it was the slower pace, or I was simply not in the right headspace for it, I don’t know. I’ve been a true crime fan for as long as I remember and Ted Bundy always intrigued me, so I’m a tad disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it more.
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster and Marysue Rucci Books for sending me a physical copy to read and review.
Black Wolf by Juan Gurado-Gomez
The author’s first book in the series, Red Queen, was a favorite of mine last year. But i must say, this one wasn’t as good. At least, I didn’t enjoy it as much as its debut until the last quarter of the book.
Action-packed, at least the pace was decent, but I could not relate to the new characters. They were very unlikable, and while that usually does not deter me from enjoying a book, it didn’t work for me in this case. Too bad, because I would like to continue with the trilogy and find out how the author wraps it up. I’m really hoping the third one will impress me more than this second installment.
All in all, I gave it three stars, but only because of its potential. If it was a stand-alone, there’s a chance this would be a dnf for me, unfortunately.
The Five Steps to Healing by Jacques Martel
The 5 Steps to Achieve Healing
This is a guide book that helps those of you who started the journey to healing. It is an eye-opening book that I plan to discuss in more detail at some point in the future. Hence, it is hard to review something like this. It is personal to each individual, as it involves some introspection as you are reading it.
I promise to do a non-fiction post later this year, where I will discuss similar books I’ve read in the last little while. I’m not a huge nonfiction reader, but every now and then I stumble upon something that catches my attention.
As they say, the book you need will find you when you need it. Or something like that, don’t quote me on it.
All Adults Here by Emma Straub
This is my second Emma Straub, and I loved it just as much as the first one I read by the author, This Time Tomorrow. While the book has mixed reviews, I loved everything about it.
I guess quirky and weird characters, as well as messy family dynamics is my new favorite go-to. Yes, the book is not perfect, like the previous one I read by the author, but that’s probably what made me love it even more. Just like in real life, relationships are hard work, and they are often complex and complicated.
The setting of the book reminded me of Stars Hollow. I also enjoyed the closeness of a small town, just like in Gilmore Girls. Many times throughout the book it made me reminisce of my comfort show.
I don’t care about what other reviewers think, I loved this one. I recommend it for those who are looking for an uplifting, feel-good book that is set in a small town.
Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura
Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for this advanced copy!
I enjoyed this book, even though I went in pretty blind. I didn’t hear much about it before digging in, so it made me get a feel for it without any biased opinions judging my experience.
The story is pretty slow-paced, a bit too much for my liking, but it is flawlessly narrated. It is told from the main character’s perspective in the form of a letter she writes to her former potential partner. She recounts her grievances in a farewell letter that she decides to send him a few years after their falling out. This gets prompted after she gets a call from a journalist who is planning to expose his accusations of sexual assault.
It is a coming of age novel that exposes the power dynamics at the core of an imbalanced and complicated relationship.
A great debut, it is an interesting read that will appeal to those who enjoy more of a character-driven novel. It is also a book that is about books, which I shall add onto my previous post:
Concluding Words
This sums up my March 2024 book reviews. It was a longer review post since I had more books than in a typical month, so I hope you stayed tuned until the end. All in all, I enjoyed most of my reads this month, with a few exceptions.
How was your reading this March? Let me know in the comment box below.
Until next time, keep reading fellow bookworms!
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