The year started off not so great in the reading department, but every month it just keeps getting better. I had five favorites this month (out of nine books total), four of which were in print – which means all of my print reads were super successful. Of the other four, only one was a disappointment but I still enjoyed it. And I have high hopes for my April reading!
In this issue…
March book things, including
my best books of the month
books I added/borrowed
Most anticipated April book releases
Reviews of my favorite books this month
Everything I read in March
Books I hope to read in April
Books gifted to me from publishers
Okay, onto the books!
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March book things
Note: Reviews of my favorite books of the month can be found at the end of the newsletter. Other reviews will be posted on Instagram.
Best books of the month
📖 These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany
🎧 Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
If you haven’t tried audiobooks or don’t have an audiobook subscription, Libro.fm is my favorite way to listen to audiobooks, and my favorite audiobook company to support. Your purchase supports an indie bookstore of your choosing, and you can pause or cancel at anytime. Use my code (KATHARINE) or this link and get TWO audiobook credits for the price of one.
What books did you love this month?
Books I added/borrowed
In the interest of keeping my unread shelf at a manageable (for me) level, I’m using Laura’s shelf reduction template to keep track of the books I add to my shelf. I’m also using the library for some new releases and will then purchase a copy if it’s one I want to keep.
If you read my Weekly Wrap Up #6, you’ll know there was the Great Book Debacle of 2023, causing me to lose about 100 books from my unread shelf. Because of that, this month’s shelf reduction looks a lot different than I expected to (and allowed me to add quite a few books to my shelf without feeling too badly about it). At the beginning of the month I had 485 unread books on my shelf. I read 5, added 14, and unshelved/donated 100+, ending the month with 396. (One thing to note: I’ve decided not to include books sent to me by publishers, instead using this as a way to track the books I purchase and be more intentional.)
Library books
B.F.F. by Christie Tate
Purchased
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn, Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown, The Woman With the Cure by Lynn Cullen, Enchantment by Katherine May, Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown, Foreverland by Heather Havrilesky, Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel, All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue, Community Board by Tara Conklin, Sea Change by Gina Chung, Women Without Kids by Ruby Warrington.
What books did you add to your shelf this month?
Most anticipated April book releases
A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung (April 4)
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (April 4)
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith (April 11)
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez (April 11)
Games and Rituals by Katherine Heiny (April 18)
The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel (April 18)
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocomb (April 18)
With My Little Eye by Joshilyn Jackson (April 25)
Happy Place by Emily Henry (April 25)
Book reviews
Note: I’ll be reviewing my favorite books of the month, and only for paid subscribers.
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