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March Reading List
Highlanders Without Kilts by D. Dauphinee
My mom recommended this 99 cent Kindle book to me. It’s about two Canadian brothers and their cousin who head to France to fight for king and country during World War I. I haven’t read much about this time period, so Highlanders Without Kilts was interesting. From trench warfare to the 1917 Halifax explosion that claimed 2000 lives and injured another 9000, this novel is full of historical detail and emotion.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
I read this novella with my 8th grade reading classes. It’s short, but there’s so much to discuss–theme, characterization, mood and tone, and much more. The novel follows Kino and Juana, a simple couple who don’t have much, but who are happy with their lives. Their baby, Coyotito, is stung by a scorpion, and everything changes. The doctor won’t help without money, and Juana, being superstitious, will not pray for the baby’s health. Instead, she prays that Kino will find a large pearl, which he does. The Pearl is 20th century classic.
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Refugee is a historical fiction novel that has three different narrators from three different time periods. Josef leaves Nazi-ruled Germany on a ship headed to Cuba where he and his family hope to start a new life. Isabel travels in a homemade boat from Cuba to Miami in 1994, and Mahmoud and his family leave war-torn Syria in 2015 looking for somewhere safe to live. Each of these families suffers loss in their quests to find a new home.
This was my third time reading Refugee this year. I like to use the Audible audio book because of the narrators’ voices. Because of that, it’s easier to use one audio book at a time so I don’t have to try to go back and forth within the book. Refugee is great to use with students because you can easily pull in current events and non-fiction articles to supplement what they are reading.
The Ex Effect by Karla Sorensen
The Ex Effect is a light-hearted romance about a woman who falls for her sister’s ex-fiancé. It was a such a cute book that I read another book by the same author featuring some of the same characters, The Bombshell Effect. Although it doesn’t really matter, The Bombshell Effect should come first.
The Bombshell Effect by Karla Sorensen
Allie inherits her father’s football team, and the quarterback, Luke isn’t happy about it. Sparks fly in this cute romance.
The Secret Orphan by Glynis Peters
Another historical novel–this one set in England during World War II. Honestly, I picked it because it was 99 cents and I knew someone with one of the main characters’ name. Elenor becomes attached to little Rose, and when her parents are killed, works to save her life, keeping her from all those who would harm her.
First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of my favorite romance authors, and I can read her books over and over. First Star I See Tonight is about aspiring detective Piper Dove and the man she has been paid to spy on, retired quarterback now turned nightclub owner, Cooper Graham.
Down a Country Road by Inglath Cooper
Down a Country Road reminds me of the movie Sweet Home Alabama. It’s about a small town girl who leaves her childhood behind as she makes a new life in the city. Returning home, she must face make peace with her past while falling in love.
Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge
I’m always looking for books my boys will like, and this novel in verse fits the bill. Shakespeare Bats Cleanup is about a young baseball player, Kevin, who is benched because of a bout of mono. While he’s stuck in bed, Kevin flirts with writing poetry.
Solo by Kwame Alexander
Blade, the son of rock and roll legend and addict, Rutherford Morrison, finds out he’s adopted and journeys to Africa to find his birthmother.
My students love Kwame Alexander, and with good reason. Honestly, I never wanted this book to end, and I hope Kwame Alexander writes a sequel.
Her Perfect Revenge by Anna Mara
A former bully, his victim, and a scheming old man…what could go wrong? Christina finds herself engaged to the man she hates the most in the world in this romantic comedy that proves that people can change. This was a free Amazon Prime title, and I enjoyed it.
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Say You’re Sorry by Melinda Leigh
I borrowed Say You’re Sorry for free from Amazon Prime Reading, and I was immediately hooked–so much so that I downloaded several more of Melinda Leigh’s books.
Say You’re Sorry is the story of a young man accused of a heinous crime, his lawyer and next door neighbor Morgan Dane, and private investigator Lance Kruger. This story is full of twists and turns, and just when you think you know who did it, you find out you’re wrong.
Hour of Need by Melinda Leigh
Hour of Need starts with the cold-blooded murder of small-town attorney Lee Barrett and his wife Kate. Lee’s brother Grant comes home from the Middle East to take care of the couple’s two small children and finds that the killer is still searching for something. Neighbor Ellie Ross works at Lee’s law firm and is drawn into the mix when she and her family are threatened unless she finds and turns over the missing case file. This is book one in the Scarlett Falls series, and it does not disappoint. I look forward to reading more about Grant and Ellie in the future.
Death in Zion National Park: Stories of Accidents and Foolhardiness in Utah’s Grand Circle by Randi Minetor
This was the only nonfiction book I read this month unless you count skimming through three different guidebooks about the American national parks. I purchased this book in Bryce Canyon City because of an earlier book I’d read about Yellowstone National Park. Death in Yellowstone by Lee H. Whittlesey is horrifying, yet fascinating. I read parts of this library book aloud to my 8, 12, and 14 year old children the three day drive to Yellowstone almost 15 years ago, and then reread it after my daughter purchased a copy on a college geology field study trip. It definitely made the kids stay on the boardwalks!
Death in Zion National Park wasn’t quite as gripping as Death in Yellowstone (there seem to be many more ways to die in Yellowstone), but it was interesting. I determined that climbing to Angel’s Landing definitely wasn’t for me because of this book, and I learned about the dangers of flash floods. Despite these titles, the national parks are quite safe for most people–the people who listen to safety warnings and who are aware of their surroundings.
Secrets Never Die by Melinda Leigh
When I read Say You’re Sorry, I had no idea that it was part one of the six book Morgan Dane series. Secrets Never Die is the fifth book in the series. I do plan to go back and read the ones I’ve missed.
Morgan and Lance are back in action in the book, hoping to solve the murder of a former law enforcement officer friend and find his missing stepson. Once again, Melinda Leigh does not disappoint–lots of action and intrigue here!
Conclusions about my March reading list
In conclusion, I’ve finished seventeen books this month. In retrospect, my March reading list contains more titles than usual due to our week of spring break vacation and the lack of quality internet while traveling. It would be hard to pick a favorite book this month–there were so many good choices. However, I’ve found a few new favorite authors: Melinda Leigh and Karla Sorensen.
What have you been reading lately? I’m always looking for new titles.
Happy reading!
To date, I’ve read 37 books in 2019. Here’s what I read in January and in February.
I look forward to your monthly reading round-up. Wonderful list of books, perfect for different categories of readers. I am looking forward to reading a few from this list.
I’ve not read any of these, I guess I better get started!
Your list is becoming my favorite reference before my trip to Barnes and Noble. The book of Anna Mara, ‘Her Perfect Revenge, seems really interesting!
Wow, I’m impressed by the number of bok’s you’ve gone through so far this year! It’s inspiring to me, someone who likes to start books but fails to finish them (I’m curently in the middle of five that I started last year).
Death in Zion National Park: Stories of Accidents and Foolhardiness in Utah’s Grand Circle by Randi Minetor sounds particularly interesting to me – I like nonfiction and backpack in the national parks so I’ll have to check that one out before I go back to Zion or Yellowstone!
Sarah from https://happylittletadpole.com/
The Yellowstone one is really interesting. Bear attacks, hot spring mishaps, falls, buffalo charges, poisonous gases and more…
I would love to have the time read 17 books in a month! Thank you for sharing your book reviews I think I will try some of these books too. Happy Spring, Kippi #kippiathome
I’m not sure when I find time–I work full-time and blog part-time. I did have a week off for spring break. That definitely helped.
I love the pearl. It’s always on my recommend list. Kwame sounds interesting. I am definitely getting a hold of it. Thank for this list. It’s going to come in handy for me for new reading material.
Wow… Your list makes me want to read them all!! I already have like 300+ TBR but I don’t care, I am gonna add these goodies anyways. Thanks for sharing! 💓
Wow girl! You crushed this month! I read 4 books. My favorite was Five Feet Apart.
Lauren | https://www.laurelandiron.com/
I’m struggling to read the book I started when my daughter was a newborn. But this list is full of great reads to add to my want list!
Ahh always so impressive! I finished one book & am now reading The Lucky Years by David B. Agus! Will definitely be looking into some of the ones you mentioned here!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
This would make a great summer reading list too, I wish I had more time to read a book but I do listen to audio books while driving, it is a win win for me.
I have a goal this year to read 2 books every month. For now it is going great. I am more focused on a self-developmental and self-help books for now, but I would need some novels for the summer vacation. Great ideas! XO
I’m hoping to add more nonfiction once school is out.
Wow,17 books is a long list. Thank you for sharing, I haven’t heard about most of the titles and I was actually looking for some reading material. Great post!
A lot of great books on this list! I was curious about Refugee – what is it about the book that’s made you re-read it so often?
I teach, and with audio, it’s much easier not to “rewind” and try to find a spot. So, each class read it at a different point in the school year. It is a great novel though. I feel like it shows students that refugees don’t leave home because they want to—they leave because they have no other choice. The three different settings illustrate that refugees aren’t a new “problem”—throughout history, there have been people who have had to flee their homes for various reasons to survive.
Such round ups really push me forward to read more. it is important to do so and the books here seem interesting
The Ex-Effect will be an interesting read. i’ll check it out.
Wow! you are my reading hero! 17 books in a month is cool. Will be trying your Audible audio books way, maybe I can read as much as I would like to.
OMG so many books! I’ll definitely be checking a few of these out
These are great, I’m always looking for new books to start and recommendations are the best way to go. I’ve just recently started the Poldark series, hopefully it will be a good one!
I haven’t read the books, but I watched a lot of the series (on either Netflix or Amazon Prime). I did enjoy it.
Thanks for the book suggestions! Without a good read on my nightstand I’ve resorted to Netflix binge watching. I’m looking forward to picking up a few of these recommendations to get back into my reading for pleasure routine.
Wow, that’s a lot of book-reading in 1 month! I can barely finish 1 book in 1 month! I think Highlanders Without Kilts seems the most interesting to me.
Some awesome book reading compilation you got! I want to read First Star I See Tonight next. 😊
Wow, so many great book suggestions! Adding a few to my list!
That’s a lot of reading in one month. I don’t think I could manage 17 books in a year. I like the look of a few of your choices, so will probably be looking out for them.
17 books? How?!! I haven’t read The Pearl in years!
Ten hours on planes helped, plus time in the airport. I teach reading though, so I sometimes read when the kids are reading independently (modeling). Plus, I read at night.
I’m starting to train myself to read books. I’m more of an audio book lover. Got my eyes on the secret never dies.
Audio books count! I did listen to the audio for Refugee this time, but it’s the fourth time I’ve read it since September.
17 books in one month is SUPER impressive! I tend to mostly read self help, nutrition, and business books, but I was inspired to read The Hate U Give recently. I am so glad I did. Since reading the book, I have watched the movie twice! And I almost never watch movies. It just goes to show how important it is to break up your routine every once in while 😉
I read The Hate U Give last year, but I haven’t seen the movie yet. Sounds like I need to watch it!
Wow this is a great list I have never heard of any of these!
Wow! I have def bookmarked this page – fab reading list!
That’s just an awesome number of books that you have read in a month. Your list has so many books that I would love to read.
I’m impressed that you were able to finish 17 books in a month! That is incredible. The Pearl is definitely required reading for everyone. I remember it well from school. A few in here to check out for me.
i love reading on kindle and you have given me some wide array of books and various topics to look at. Continue to do this service as it is amazing and i do not need to to go through lists
Love the Pearl! I just got Educated and I cant WAIT to start it! I’ve heard such good things, I will def add some of these to my list!
Natalie E
http://www.thegracereal.com
There’s a lot of books here I’ve never heard of before. But as for now I’m trying to finish up a list of self-improvement books before I start on novels.
The Pearl looks pretty good! Plus, I love the author. 🙂