March Reading Recap

Or a persnickety month in review

March wasn’t my best reading month. Some weeks, I felt like I’d found a steady reading rhythm and some weeks were all over the place. I also read quite a few books where there were one or two elements that didn’t click for me, in the midst of something that I was otherwise enjoying. A relatively minor problem to have in one’s reading life, true, but I’m hoping to find a few titles I can be absolutely obsessed with and frantically shoving into my friends’ hands in April or May.

I had one DNF this month: The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest, which was really disappointing. I’d been looking forward to this one a lot, especially because of the epistolary and bookish elements, but at p.120, it wasn’t working for me, mostly due to the pacing and the fact that the voice felt so young for a story centered around two twenty-somethings. I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews for it, though, so it may have been a case of timing.

Favorites of the Month

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

A smart, feminist retelling of the story of Medusa that's wonderfully paced and told in a strong, occasionally snarky narrative voice. Between this and A Thousand Ships, I love what Haynes has been doing with her feminist take on Greek mythology and her ability to make these stories feel fresh. She really leans into the messiness of the Greek gods--they're petty and sometimes ridiculous and all the more dangerous for it--and never shies away from showing the consequences of their actions. It's sharply funny, especially in its depiction of Perseus as a bumbling hero, but also a bit devastating as it delves into the bonds between the Gorgon sisters. A must-read if you’ve also never quite gotten over your childhood mythology phase.

The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews

A deeply charming, sincere romance about a shy heiress and a captain with a mysterious past that I enjoyed every single page of. Matthews is very talented at writing romances that feel period-appropriate and well-researched but still have a modern sensibility. I loved seeing Julia come into her own over the course of the story and the depth of emotion between her and Jasper was just exquisite. The yearning! The tension! The feelings!  I also loved the Gothic tinge this has to it, complete with possibly haunted house and Victorian sensation novels. The writing has a gorgeous flow and specificity to it and even the minor characters are precisely drawn. (Closed door.)

Really liked

Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks

A sweeping sci-fi novel with a clever structure, amazingly creative world-building, and memorable characters. Banks throws the reader in at the deep end at the beginning but he also gives them all the pieces they need to figure out what's going on and I really enjoyed puzzling out the world and the structure. The Culture is fascinating and a really insightful look at what a society where artificial intelligence is fully integrated might look like. I read this in two days and was pleasantly surprised at how absorbed I was. I could have done with maybe 15% fewer bloody battle scenes but this is the kind of sci-fi I really enjoy and sometimes have a hard time finding: interesting and complicated central characters, an imaginative world that's delightfully not beholden to scientific realities, and intricate interstellar politics. (All credit here goes to my boyfriend, who loves the Culture books and accurately thought I might like this one.)

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

A mind-bendingly clever mystery about a true crime author on the trail of a cult eighteen years after an infamous murder-suicide. This is told entirely through emails, texts, and transcripts and packed with unexpected twists, inventive storytelling, and an ever-increasing atmosphere of tension and dread. I really enjoy how creative Hallett's novels are and can only marvel at what the inside of her brain must be like in order to pull these plots off. I also got surprisingly attached to flawed but determined Amanda and her relationship with her assistant Ellie and was impressed by how well the characters are drawn in the epistolary format.

Begin Again by Emma Lord

A deeply sweet, gentle story about a girl in her freshman year of college finding her voice and redefining her relationships. One of my favorite things about Lord's YA novels is her relatable and endearing main characters and Andie is no exception. I so loved seeing her come into her own and reassess the things that she thought were fixed about herself.  I also really liked the group of close-knit friends that forms, the underground radio station, the romance filled with pining, and Andie's two quirky grandmas. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself immediately craving a bagel as soon as you finish it.

Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire

This is the latest installment in McGuire’s Wayward Children series, a set of fantasy novellas about children who cross into magical worlds and then are thrust back into the one they came from, and it’s my favorite since book four. The series alternates between an ongoing storyline and stand-alones that serve as prequels for various characters. This one is the latter, so you could easily start here. What made this stand out for me was its lovable heroine Antsy and the vividly imagined world of the Shop Where Lost Things Go, which captures both the wonder and the cruelty of fairy tales. I also thought this had some interesting things to say about trust and the duty of care and packs a lot of feeling into a short number of pages. Check out content warnings before picking this one up.

Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi

A strange, poignant novel about a woman who fakes a pregnancy to get out of the endless office tasks that get piled upon her as the only woman in her division and discovers both newfound community and isolation. I thought the way this book discussed loneliness was powerful and memorable and was fascinated by the window onto contemporary Japanese society it provides. I also liked the pointed commentary on gender and found Shibata to be a very appealing main character. Pick this up when you’re in the mood for something a bit weird or to dwell in ambiguity for a while.

Liked, with very minor quibbles (seriously, so minor)

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

A reality show-set romance that takes place on a Dancing with the Stars-esque show and features a talented professional dancer and the burly survivalist she’s paired up with. This really delivers on the things Alexis Daria does best: a determined, ambitious heroine and sizzling chemistry between the two main characters. I really enjoyed the dance competition show setting and all the behind-the-scenes detail and drama. Although the third act misunderstanding feels a bit shoehorned in just for the sake of having a third act misunderstanding, I quite liked Gina and Stone together. Daria skillfully shows how they bring out the best in each other and their deep attraction. If you’ve been looking for some steam in your contemporary romance, give this a try. (Open door.)

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

A deeply felt, lush queer historical romance between a trans woman who takes the opportunity to live as herself after being thought dead during the battle of Waterloo and her former best friend, a duke still suffering from the scars of war. This book overflows with yearning, pining, and people trying to do their best. The central relationship is just suffused with respect and affection. Viola and Gracewood's scenes together are wonderfully done and feels very true and specific. The writing is lovely on a sentence level and there are just enough humorous moments, mostly from the delightful supporting characters, to provide levity when it's needed. My only issues are that that this sags a little in the middle and the last minute 'there are dastardly plans afoot!' subplot felt unnecessary. Overall, though, I’d really recommend this, especially if you’re on the hunt for queer historical romance. (Open door.)

The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older

A Holmesian mystery set on Jupiter, with a pair of appealing main characters, a vividly rendered and surprisingly cozy setting, and a beautifully understated romance. The world-building in this novella stands out for how elegantly it's executed. The world fully comes to life, complete with a zoo containing Earth animals and copious amounts of scones on order, but it never feels like Older is overwhelming you with information. Mossa and Pleiti are both clever nods to Holmes and Watson and characters that stand on their own. Following Mossa's investigative process is one of the highlights of the book, even if the central mystery has a somewhat rushed conclusion and a villain that comes out of nowhere. What ultimately stayed with me was the characters, the setting, and the overall atmosphere.  I've been delighted to see the nascent sci-fi mystery trend and hope this is a sign of more to come. 

Liked, with some quibbles

Portrait of an Unknown Lady by Maria Gainza

My favorite thing about this Buenos Aires-set novel told through the perspective of an art critic as she traces the path of a legendary forger was the FictionMatters book club discussion we had around it. This was a slippery, twisty reflection on art and authenticity. I found myself wanting to underline phrases throughout the book, especially some of its insights on art and memory, but I also finished it not quite sure what I'd just read or what it all meant. There's a distinct lack of characters to latch on to. Then again, it's not the kind of book that necessarily requires you to feel attached to the characters? But I tend to prefer books where I can get attached to the characters or at least feel like I'm being given a lot of insight into them. Two days after finishing it, I’m still filled with questions.

Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen

The story of Irish teenager Maeve and the summer she spends working at her town's shirt factory while waiting for the exam results that can get her out of Northern Ireland and catapult her into the future she longs for. This had a great voice but felt somewhat underbaked story-wise. Maeve is a distinctive main character with a fierce narrative voice, a turbulent mix of rage and determination and pure want. The way Gallen conjures Northern Ireland in the 90's is excellent. I felt totally immersed in the world of this town and the sense of danger lurking just beneath the surface. But I found myself wanting a bit more from the plot, as most of the action comes near the end and there are some narrative threads left dangling, and for Maeve to go through more of a transformation over the course of the story. 

For Her Consideration by Amy Spalding

A queer contemporary romance between an up-and-coming star and an aspiring screenwriter. I liked the hyper-specific LA setting--you can just tell that Spalding knows the city really well--the found family elements, and Lorna, the fabulous and eccentric aunt who was definitely my favorite character. I also thought that Nina and Ari were very cute together and liked that the book ended with Nina still in the process of growing and figuring her life out. Where I struggled was with Nina's reaction to her bad breakup and the aftermath of it. It was so frustrating to see her take her ex's word about her supposed toxicity as gospel and isolate herself from her entire life for three (!) years. It also didn't make sense that her friend group, who are supposed to be so close and loving, would just leave her alone for three (!) years. I simply couldn't suspend my disbelief on that one and although we get somewhat of a reckoning between Nina and her best friend, I wanted that storyline to be a lot more fleshed out. 

The Key to Deceit by Ashley Weaver

Another tightly paced, entertaining installment in this historical mystery series. Like the first installment, I enjoyed the zippy tone, the espionage and intrigue, and the back and forth between Ellie and the major, although I wanted a bit more character development from the main players now that we're into book two. Ellie never really wavers or doubts herself, or even engages in much self-reflection. I tend to prefer historical mysteries where we can see the main character and their world changing over the course of the series and so far this isn’t quite delivering on that. Even the stiffest of British upper lips have to crumble eventually.

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Currently reading: To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins. We have a grifter heroine who has to fake being married to the hero in order to steal back a copy of the Declaration of Independence. At the moment, they can’t stand each other and it’s absolutely delicious.

It took me a little while to come up with the next section, because it’s been yet another hard week to live in America. This essay by Olivia Muenter resonated with me a lot and maybe it will with you too. But here’s what’s bringing me joy this week, in spite of it all:

• The return of my absolute favorite podcast, You Must Remember This. Their new series, Erotic 90’s, continues the exploration of sex and sexual mores on screen that began with the Erotic 80’s series and as someone who’s fascinated by the depiction of sex and relationships in popular culture, I can’t wait to listen.

• One of the top meals of my life at Bardea Food and Drink in Wilmington. A friend and I went to Delaware for the weekend and this was probably the highlight of the trip. I’m still thinking about the burrata pop tart, mushroom m’hanncha, and baklava panna cotta.

• This profile of Emily Henry in Vulture. Like legions of others, I can’t wait for Happy Place later this month.