March 2020 Reading Wrap-Up

Okay, so … March 2020.

(While we are all dealing with this absolutely anxious time, I’m not going to focus on that too much here. I’m trying to keep focusing on the positive, trying to keep reminding myself there will be “the other side”, and constantly trying to keep the news to a minimum).

So in light of that, here is what March brought me:

• Celebrated my wonderful hubby’s birthday … thank goodness I have found a vegan, gluten free yummy cake recipe – last year was a little bleak. How can you birthday with no cake??

• Watched Anne of Green Gables with my 9 year old daughter for the first time with copious buttery popcorn. My beloved grandma gifted me Anne of Green Gables when I was about her age and I watched those two VHS tapes into the ground. It was so special and made me miss her terribly, but also felt connected to her somehow …

• Animal Crossing became the fifth member of our family, replacing my daughter’s affections for me. I have started to play it more myself and it is simply a much needed adorable escape right now.

• Due to the need to homeschool, we finally rearranged my daughter’s bedroom and bought her her own desk … something I’ve been wanting to do for years. I’m so excited by how it all turned out.

• Increased our family walks by 90%. These are a daily joy and I will actually look back fondly on them.

• Finally read my white whale – The Priory of the Orange Tree!

High

The Kingdom of Copper

Written by S.A. Chakraborty

Published by Harper Voyager

I continue to be blown away by the talent of this amazing author and this sequel is equal to or even better than the first book. This series has me caught in its magical web.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Priory of the Orange Tree

Written by Samantha Shannon

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing

I started listening to this on audio which was the wrong decision because it was just too much to sort out and I kept getting lost. It did get better and better as it continued (especially when I switched to reading from listening) and is an amazing fantasy, but it was hard to keep track of the copious worlds and characters, which is why it wasn’t a “perfect pickle”.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Three Things About Elsie

Written by Joanna Cannon

Published by Scribner Book Company

I simply adore this heartfelt little novel centring around an excellent cast of characters in a nursing home. Will definitely be a favourite read of 2020.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Hating Game

Written by Sally Thorne

Published by William Morrow & Company

This was a really nice steamy romance. I enjoyed both characters, enjoyed their dynamic, and was a great escapist read for me.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Middle

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe

Written by Heather Webber

Published by Forge

It was a perfectly enjoyable light hearted magical romance, but I feel it bit off more than it could chew by focusing on two women’s storylines. Still a good read, but there are better in this space.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Midnight Hour

Written by Benjamin Read & Laura Trinder

Published by Chicken House

I liked it, I had some problems with the beginning and connecting to, well, anything. But it was fun, imaginative, and would make a great entry for young readers starting chapter books with no pictures.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Low

Keeper of the Lost Cities

Written by Shannon Messenger

Published by Aladdin

I really had some problems with this middle grade. There was just so much boy-crazy romance here and it tended to overwhelm the plot, leaving me disappointed. I rank it Low for younger middle grade and Middle for the older audience.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs

Written by Katherine Howe

Published by Holt McDougal

Nope. Not for me, really didn’t appreciate this one for many reasons you can read at the link below.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

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