March Reading Wrap Up|| Bookshelf



March was a fairly good reading month for me. I didn’t read a ton of books but I really enjoyed everything I ended up reading!

I’ve started adding more independent and self-published authors to my TBR pile. In March I read three books by two indie authors, a romance by Tasha L. Harrison and two books in a cozy mystery series by Mairi Chong.

In Her Closet by Tasha L. Harrison, was the only 3-star read of the month. It’s a very spicy romance about a sex blogger, Yves Santiago, struggling to let go of some pretty heavy baggage from a previous relationship while attempting to write a book based on her blog. It was a quick read and overall, I was satisfied with it. However, the story felt a little bit dated with good reason. It was published in 2010.

I read the first two books, Death by Appointment and Murder & Malpractice, in the Dr. Moreland Mystery series by Mairi Chong. Dr. Moreland is a Scottish GP recently released from a mental health facility. She settles back into her practice and solves two murders while dealing with her hospitalization’s consequences on her professional reputation. I gave both of the books 4 stars. I enjoyed the mysteries of each of them. But, I enjoyed that Chong is writing a complex female main character.

56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard is a contemporary thriller set in Ireland. It’s also the first book I’ve read that has Covid and the resulting lockdown written into the story. We met Oliver and Ciara who meet just before Covid becomes the new normal. They decide to move in together as the shutdown forces people into “pods” to try to figure out if they can make their new attraction into something more. The timeline jumps as we get glimpses of their meeting, how the relationship progresses through lockdown, and when the police are ultimately called to the apartment when a decaying body is discovered. Can they figure out exactly what happened or has quarantine provided the killer with the perfect plan for murder? I initially gave the book three stars but as I found myself thinking about it for weeks after, I bumped it up to four! I know some authors have been reluctant to write about the pandemic because we’re still in the midst of it, but I think it worked well as a framing device for a thriller.

My favorite book this month was Finley Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano. This is the second book in a cozy mystery series. Finley Donovan is a recently divorced romance author. She is mistakenly hired as a hitman to kill a shitty husband in book one. She teams up with her nanny/BFF Vero to get to the bottom of the who and the why. The second book picks up right where the first one left off. It’s a face-paced, funny mystery with strong female characters and two potential love interests for Finley. I’m already looking forward to the third book!

Finally, I listened to the audiobook, The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. Foley is the new locked room mystery queen. I loved her first two books, The Hunting Party and The Guest List. I liked this one too. However, the first half of the book was really slow. I considered shelving it at the halfway point because it just wasn’t doing it for me. I hung in there and the last half of the book is what saved it. Like her previous two books, this one has mostly unlikeable characters. All of the suspects and the victim are pretty terrible people. The protagonist, Jess, is the only likable character. She turns up on her brother’s doorstep in a glamourous Paris apartment only to find him missing. The building’s other tenants are the suspects in what she fears may be the murder of her brother. Like Foley’s other novels, the twists are twisty and the backstory of each of the suspects gives them all a compelling reason to get rid of Jess’ brother, Ben. The reveal is what bumped this up from a 3 star to a 4 star read for me.

I seem to be on a thriller/ mystery kick! I joked with my daughter that I like my characters either falling in love or killing each other! There is no in-between. What have you been reading lately?




bookshelf{may edition}

in january, i set a reading goal. at the time it seemed perfectly reasonable to read a book a week for the year, however, i've fallen so far behind. 

now is the perfect time to play catch up. there is nothing better than sitting on the porch on a gorgeous spring evening with a glass of wine and a good book. 

these are my latest library picks.

bookshelf2.jpg

not gonna lie, i noped out of ELIGIBLE after about 75 pages. i'm totally bummed because i love curtis sittenfeld! but, if it's not doing it for after 75 pages then i sadly have to admit defeat! i've replaced it with the nest by cynthia d'aprix sweeney. i'm cautiously optimistic.

my kids gifted me with a barnes and noble gift card for mother's day. it was an unexpected and sweet surprise. i've been a faithful library book reader for several years now. it felt so indulgent to actually buy a book. particularly these two gorgeous coffee table books! 

i'm always looking to add to my TBR list so if you have any great book recommendations please leave them for me! 

bookshelf{january}

last year i set a 40 book goal for myself. i managed to read 35. so close! i thought that i would be able to rally those last few weeks of the year but ultimately i'm happy with my results. i also learned that there is no shame in walking away from a book. if i'm not feeling it it's okay to put it down. the book police aren't going to come and arrest me! it's kind of freeing to say i don't have the time or mental space to finish something that doesn't interest me. this year i'm challenging myself to read 52 books. one a week seems completely reasonable. i think.

here's what i've got to keep me company this month.

the first two books are recommendations from one of my favorite podcasts, all the books.

thirteen ways of looking by colum mccann is a collection of short stories and made plenty of "best of" lists in 2015. i've never been into short stories. they always feel so...short. abrupt. but these days my attention span is not that great and my days are full. a wonderful collection of short stories may be just what the doctor ordered.    

i don't remember why i added girl waits with gun by amy stewart to my list. or should i say i can't recall why i thought i would enjoy it other than liberty hardy's enthusiastic recommendation. it looks interesting so i remain hopeful that even though it's not my typical read it will be a good one!

for interesting non-fiction that often reads like a novel erik larson is kind of a no brainer. i'm a few chapters into his latest offering dead wake: the last crossing of the lusitania and i'm enjoying it.

do you have anything interesting to read this month? are you excited about any upcoming releases?

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