What I Read in March
March was a good reading month. After finishing two books within the first two days, I decided to break up my thriller obsession with a few non-fiction books that I’ve had on my shelf for a while. So while there are a few thrillers are on month’s list, I’ve also included books on mindset and creativity, as well as two memoirs, one of which I bought over two years ago but never sat down to read.
I also finally jumped on the GoodReads train, so add me as a friend here.
what i read in march
the creative act: a way of being by rick rubin
5/5 stars
This is not an autobiography; it’s Rick Rubin’s take on creativity in 78 different topics, which he refers to as areas of thought.
This book reminded me of “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, but this felt less woo-woo/ out there to me. This gave me insight into how a creative views and lives life, whereas Big Magic just read like a head-in-the-clouds monologue.
Rick Rubin discusses creating not just in an artistic sense, but how you create your life through intentions, daily habits, and doing what you enjoy, so I would recommend this to anyone, not just those who work in a creative field.
Biggest takeaways:
“Discipline is not a lack of freedom, it is a harmonious relationship with time… it could even be said that a focused efficiency in life is more important than one in work.”
“The practice of never assuming an experience you have is the whole story will support you in a life of open possibility… Zoom in and obsess. Zoom out and observe.”
“The only practice that matters is the one you consistently do.”
Read it here.
too late by colleen hoover
3/5 stars
Everyone loves Colleen Hoover and can’t seem to put her books down. I personally hated Verity and I’m not one for romance books (what she mainly writes about) but this is a Kindle top seller and a few friends recommended it.
I tried to go into it with a neutral mindset but I was a little critical and skeptical from the get-go, even though the idea of a thriller surrounding an undercover police officer trying to take down a drug ring is intriguing.
There are three different narrators but you can clearly keep track of who is who. The writing does feel a little immature, but not so much that you can’t look past it.
All of the chapters are short, so the pacing is quick.
It was good and I was pleasantly surprised, especially since this seemed to have a little more heart than Verity did, but I wouldn’t say I obsessed over this book.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the truth about aaron by jonathan hernandez
5/5 stars
I’m from Boston and typically a true crime fan but the stories/ actions surrounding Aaron Hernandez have always left a pit in my stomach and just feeling sad all around. The Netflix documentary made me uncomfortable because he’s not able to speak for himself at this point. And while some may argue that it was his choice, he has a young daughter who will see and hear all of this without being able to speak directly to her dad about it.
This book is written by his brother, who delicately finds the balance between sharing Aaron’s story and acknowledging some of the speculation with respect to what Aaron wanted kept personal. He’s honest without giving into the gossip.
Overall, this book just made me sad. The deaths, the abuse, the CTE findings.. it all was so sad to read about - but it is a good book with a lot of truth and heart, and I respected the overall message of seeking help and striving to find happiness from within.
Read it here.
shore lodge by susan oram
5/5 stars
Completely hooked from the first page; I finished this in less than 24 hours.
This book left a pit in my stomach as it’s about a widow who is tricked by her family to moving into a mental health facility and unable to check out. What happens to the main character is something that could happen to anyone, and it reminded me that you really need to have your ducks in a row regarding future plans who you trust to execute them.
This is not so much a thriller in the “who did it” sense as it is that it’s so realistic. While it is marketed as a psychological thriller, the psychological aspect feels like it’s derived from you asking yourself what you would do in the situation, and knowing this has probably happened to many people in real life.
This is a standalone book, but the author has two additional books (The Thieves and Cabin Eight) listed as part of a “series” because they all take place in the same town. Read Shore Lodge and skip the other two - they’re shorter, not as well-thought out, and don’t feel connected in any way. They’re just not worth it and I wish I hadn’t spent the time reading them.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
no exit by taylor adams
5/5 stars
Once I started this, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. It’s fast-paced with lots of twists and turns, some of which you saw coming but that didn’t cheapen the suspense or payoff. I thought this was good until the last page, whereas some books fall short or end up disappointing when they start off so good.
Some parts are pretty gruesome and violent - just a head’s up.
This book was adapted into a movie for Hulu; I’m not sure if it’s any good, but the book did remind me of movies like House of Wax or Wrong Turn that I watched growing up and I thought it would make a good movie as I was reading it.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the gucci mane guide to greatness by gucci mane
4/5 stars
I will read anyone’s book on success and how they’ve gotten to where they are. While the advice can sometimes be repetitive (go to bed early, don’t give up), there’s something to be learned from the details and everyone’s journey is unique.
Gucci Mane has a very simple, conversational writing style; it’s no-nonsense and straight to the point. The chapters are maybe 1-4 pages each.
This felt like a hybrid between coffee table book and advice; it’s not large in size but there are lots of pictures (almost every other page). It would be a good graduation gift.
This book felt like a self-help book/ motivational writing for the kind of people who don’t gravitate towards it or want a no-BS approach, and it only takes a few hours to read.
Biggest takeaway: avoid lazy and miserable people.
Read it here.
the guilt trip by sandie jones
2/5 stars
The best way I can describe this book is messy; there were so many secrets and lies.
You don’t have to pay close attention to this in order to get the full effect of the story, but there was a lot of ‘reading between the lines’ in that there were two sides to everything; the author does a good job of suggesting one narrative and then spinning it later on.
The first 3/4 of this book was very slow. The pace picks up at the end but the ending just feels abrupt and less detailed than the majority of the book.
I didn’t love this as much as I thought I would, but it would make for a good spring break read or book club discussion.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
what she knew by miranda rijks
3/5 stars
I’ve read a few of Miranda Rijk’s books, and they typically remind me of a Lifetime movie. This book was no different - a little cheesy, a little bit over-dramatized, and you could definitely see it being made into a TV movie. All of this author’s characters are a little dumb and caricatured, but not to the point that you can’t finish the book.
Without wanting to spoil it, there was a subplot to this book that I didn’t anticipate and don’t know much about, so that kept my attention towards the end. Other than that, the main plot felt a little drawn out and like it was just going in circles as you got about half-way through.
I also read her book The Influencer this month and would give it 3/5 stars. It was also reminiscent of a Lifetime movie, probably even more so than What She Knew. The influencer is not likable but I was annoyed at how much of a pushover the other main character, Nathan, was.
I liked the big twist. Kind of saw it coming, but it was still enjoyable for a quick read.
Overall, this book was very surface-level; it isn’t “scary” and the tension doesn’t build super-high. It’s cheesier and more melodramatic than anything.
Both books are available for free on Kindle Unlimited - read What She Knew here and The Influencer here.
down the rabbit hole: curious adventures and cautionary tales of a former playboy bunny by holly madison
4/5 stars
This was a really interesting read; it was a good mix of tell-all without being a complete put-down. I think Holly was gracious and acknowledged that Playboy and Girls Next Door granted her opportunities, but that there was a price to pay. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows by any means.
My favorite part was seeing how she transitioned out of the Playboy house and made something of herself. As a list person, I like how she had 3 goals she wanted to accomplish and how she described the process of accomplishing them, and how each goal built upon the next to create an independent, post-Playboy future.
The Playboy brand has always creeped me out and this book definitely added to that.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).