March 2022 Reading Wrap-Up

It’s been a minute since I’ve consistently read a string of books one after the other. I’ve read many here and there, but I wanted to get back into the habit of consistent reading this year. I didn’t exactly start “on time” at the beginning of the new year, but it’s never to late to start a new habit, so I figured this month was as good a time as any.

I was able to read six books in March and for the most part, they were all really enjoyable. Two psychological thrillers, one literary fiction, one contemporary fiction, a crime based fiction, and one fantasy/magical realism. I really nice mix and I’m excited to keep this habit going!

Here’s a quick wrap-up of this month’s reads (click the links for a more detailed review).

My least favorite book this month was French Braid, by Anne Tyler. This one is a character heavy book with no real arc. Truly well written, but I didn’t really enjoy any of the characters and the story felt a lot longer than it actually is. Enjoyable overall, but not something I’d read again. 3/5 stars.

The quickest read this month was The Body in Question, by Jill Cement. This crime based fiction was easy to digest and super fast to read. Only 195 pages. I really liked this one a lot. Different than I anticipated which I really appreciated. I read this in one sitting. 4/5 stars.

Between the two psychological thrillers I read this month, I liked The Family Across the Street, by Nicole Trope the best. This one checked all the boxes for me. Fast paced. Quick to get into. A lot of tension. A good twist. Likable characters. A really solid read. 5/5 stars.

Baby Teeth, by Zoje Stage was a good read as well, but this isn’t a book for everyone. I personally enjoy the evil child trope, but I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Hard to read in parts, but I liked it overall. Reminded me a lot of The Push. 4/5 stars.

My favorite books of the month are tied and I loved them both for such different reasons. Hard to compare as they’re nothing alike, but I enjoyed them both the same.

One Italian Summer, by Rebecca Serle was a magical adventure through love, loss, and starting over. The descriptive details of Positano…the food, the sights, etc…. found me planning an Italian vacation (but only on Pinterest for now). I love stories that infuse magical realism into its pages and this one was brimming with it. This one gave me all the feels. Endearing. Charming. Belissima. 4/5 stars.

Finally, The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith was so great! I loved everything about it. Again, another book with vivid descriptions & details, but this time in Alaska. This would be a great book club pick…lots to discuss! Especially the father/daughter relationship. This one felt very real to me. A really moving story that made me reflect on the relationships in my life, too. 4.2/5 stars.