March reads

I think I’ve said this every month so far in 2024, but I have no idea how I read so many books! Granted, one was a short story, but still. So we’d better get started. 

A Heart Sufficient by Nichole Van

What a satisfying conclusion to the Penn-Leith series! Loved this story of two headstrong people who come to find love with one another. And the twist at the end? I won’t saw more, but it made me so happy! (A few mild curse words, in case you need to know.)

The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese

This was my first Nicole Deese book—and it won’t be my last! While this is labeled romance, it was really a story of friendship and loss and grief and forgiveness. So, so good. And I definitely cried! 

While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden

My two favorite things about Elizabeth Camden novels are 1)strong, smart heroines and 3) obscure bits of history. This one continued in that vein. Looking forward to the next books in the Women of Midtown series. 

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

This book really does a good job putting you in the horror of the London Blitz. Add to that the plight of European refugees in England and you have a compelling story. But for me, the murder mystery in the midst of it concluded a bit melodramatically and didn’t quite ring true. But it was worth the read for Hugh and Alieda are great characters. 

The Faith in Flowers by Rachael Bloome

It made me so happy to go back to Poppy Creek. Another lovely book in a lovely series. Only three more to go. I wonder what couple will get together next? 

Barriers to Entry by Ariel Lawhon

This is a short story that is free on Prime Reading or in the Audible Plus library. I listened to it. What an absolutely fascinating bit of history! I loved it! 

The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith

If you’ve been around here long, you know I love Alexander McCall Smith’s books. This one is #22 in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. (I’m a few books behind.) I love returning to Botswana, Mma Romatswe, Mma Makutsi, Mma Pokane and all the other characters. 

Pretty Paper by Willie Nelson and David Ritz

This was my book club read for March. It was an interesting story, though I wasn’t totally thrilled with the method of telling some of the major backstory. Still, it was sweet. The only really confusing thing for some of the ladies in our group was that while many of the characters and places in the story are real, and Willie is a character in the story, the story itself is fiction. 

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I loved revisiting this classic children’s story. (Although I HATE this current ebook cover!) I truly believe this book is where my love of all things British began. It was especially fun to listen to it read in the Yorkshire accents of most of the characters. Be still my heart! 

Flora MacDonald: “Pretty Young Rebel” by Flora Fraser

This is a recent new biography of Flora MacDonald, who as a young woman helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape Scotland after the Battle of Culloden. I’ve been fascinated by her since we visited the Isle of Skye. Her life was truly a fascinating series of ups and downs. I was impressed by her intelligence and shrewdness but saddened how it all ended. 

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

We stumbled on this book while watching a show we found on Acorn called Britain by the Book. (So far only one episode, and I believe it’s also on Apple TV.) Martin Clunes and Mel Giedroyc travel to literary locations around Dorset. Most are books in the realm of classics, but one was contemporary, so they visited with the author. Her book, The Salt Path, details the time she and her husband spent walking a path that winds around the south coast of England after his devastating medical diagnosis and the loss of their home. She read a passage from it on the show, and when I noticed that she read the audiobook herself and that it was on a 2-for-1 credit sale, I got it. She goes on some political tangents and there are a few bursts of strong profanity, but I really enjoyed it overall. Although be warned—her accent is thick so you have to pay attention until you get used to it. Funny how I’m suddenly enjoying memoir. 

Did you count them? Eleven books this month. Eleven! The only thing I can attribute it to is so much travel this month. Many hours in planes and cars. 

On to April! What’s on deck? Karen Witemeyer’s new one, for sure. As well as Katherine Reay’s most recent release. Can’t wait to read both of those! 

What’s the best book you read this month? What book are you most looking forward to reading?