March was the first month of the coronavirus quarantine, so I definitely had a lot more time on my hands to read!
I read 12 books in March! I feel like I could’ve read more, but with all the craziness going on in the world, I think this is a solid amount.
In the order I read the books:
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys / 3 stars– I’ve read all of Sepetys’ books so far and this was my least favorite. There were too many perspectives so I couldn’t connect with the characters.
The Queen’s Vow by C.W. Gortner/ DNF– This is a novel about Isabella of Castille, and I was really hoping for some kickass queen stuff, but it was largely about Isabella’s childhood and meeting her king, so it was less than thrilling.
Hunting Prince Darcula by Kerri Maniscalco / 3 stars– Definitely preferred Stalking Jack the Ripper to this one. This one didn’t keep my attention and was just forgettable.
Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin / 2 stars– This was a World War II novel that was nothing new. It was mostly a love story with the war playing in the background, and I was looking for more of a war driven story.
The Toll by Neal Shusterman / 3 stars– This was the final installment of the Arc of the Scythe series and I was a bit underwhelmed. The story dragged and moved very slowly. I feel like the author could have cut out a large portion of the book and we wouldn’t have missed much. Definitely my least favorite in the series.
Romanov by Nadine Brandes / 3 stars — This was an Anastasia retelling with a hint of magic. The magic element didn’t work for me as well as I would have liked, and the author didn’t dive much into the history of the Romanovs or the Russian Revolution.
The Dutch Wife by Ellen Keith / 4 stars — A very difficult novel to read, but very impactful. This is a World War II novel that takes place in a Nazi concentration camp and is not for the faint of heart.
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon / 5 stars– I felt like all the books I had read in March up to this point were very underwhelming, so I decided a reread of one of my favorite books was permitted. This was my second time reading this novel and I loved it as much as the first!
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg / no rating — I read this book in elementary school and read this book purely for nostalgia’s sake. It was lots of fun and quick due to it’s middle grade pacing!
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan / 5 stars — I LOVED this one! One of my favorite books of the year so far. This book deals with grief, identity, and has a hint of magical realism. The writing style was gorgeous. This book was like reading a piece of art.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black / 4 stars– I’m so late to the game with this one but better late than never right? I didn’t like this one as much as I thought I would and honestly felt a bit underwhelmed. I really hope I like the Wicked King better.
Dominicana by Angie Cruz / 4 stars– I really loved this one! The writing style was so unique and the story had such an important message. This is definitely a book I would recommend if you are looking for an impactful story!
The Journeying Bibliophile 