Books I read in March 2023

I read a lot of great books in March and found a new genre that I enjoyed. My thoughts on the books are listed below.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Blurb:

She was fifteen, her mother’s golden girl.
She had her whole life ahead of her.
And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.

Ten years on, Laurel has never given up hope of finding Ellie. And then she meets a charming and charismatic stranger who sweeps her off her feet.

But what really takes her breath away is when she meets his nine-year-old daughter.

Because his daughter is the image of Ellie.

Now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.

What really happened to Ellie? And who still has secrets to hide?

My thoughts:

I would recommend this being read in audiobook format as the narrator is great. While the plot is slightly predictable, I think it’s well executed. I couldn’t put this down as it had everything you want in a thriller and it made me second guess everything and everyone. This is quite a sad and unsettling read at times so I would be wary of some trigger warnings if you do plan to read it.

Rating: 4/5

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

Blurb:

When there is no choice, all you have left to do is walk.

Kiara Johnson does not know what it is to live as a normal seventeen-year-old. With her mother in a rehab facility and an older brother who devotes his time and money to a recording studio, she fends for herself – and for nine-year-old Trevor, whose own mother is prone to disappearing for days at a time. As the landlord of their apartment block threatens to raise their rent, Kiara finds herself walking the streets after dark, determined to survive in a world that refuses to protect her.

Then one night Kiara is picked up by two police officers, and the gruesome deal she is offered in exchange for her freedom lands her at the centre of a media storm. If she agrees to testify in a grand jury trial, she could help expose the sickening corruption of a police department. But honesty comes at a price – one that could leave her family vulnerable to their retaliation, and endanger everyone she loves.

My thoughts:

If you’re looking for a book to make you cry or something that’s gut-wrenchingly sad then this is the one for you. The whole plot is heartbreaking, with little hope throughout. I loved the main character, her strength in particular was inspiring. I also love the bond she built with Trevor and her brother Marcus. There are a lot of sweet moments in this book but also so many difficult moments to read too. It’s beautifully written and felt like a quick read, as the writing flowed effortlessly.

Rating: 4/5

Heatwave by Victor Jesin

Blurb:

Leonard is an outsider, a seventeen-year-old uncomfortable in his own skin who is forced to endure a family camping holiday in the South of France. Tired of awkwardly creeping out of beach parties after only a couple of beers, he chooses to spend the final Friday night of the trip in bed. However, when he cannot sleep due to the sound of wild carousing outside his tent, he gets up and goes for a walk.

As he wanders among the dunes, he sees Oscar, one of the cooler kids, drunk in a playground, hanging by his neck from the ropes of a swing. Frozen into inaction, he watches Oscar struggle to breathe until finally his body comes loose and falls lifeless to the ground. Unable to think straight, he buries Oscar in the sand and returns to the campsite where, oppressed by the ferocious heat and the weight of what he did and did not do, he will try to spend the remaining hours of the holiday as if nothing had happened.

My thoughts:

This is a disturbing read and one that fell flat for me. I didn’t care much for the characters or the plot. Even though it’s just over a 100 or so pages, it felt like a chore to finish it.

Rating: 2/5

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

Blurb:

It’s the last season of high school life for Nadia Turner, a rebellious, grief-stricken, seventeen-year-old beauty. Mourning her own mother’s recent suicide, she takes up with the local pastor’s son. Luke Sheppard is twenty-one, a former football star whose injury has reduced him to waiting tables at a diner. They are young; it’s not serious. But the pregnancy that results from this teen romance – and the subsequent cover-up – will have an impact that goes far beyond their youth. As Nadia hides her secret from everyone, including Aubrey, her God-fearing best friend, the years move quickly. Soon, Nadia, Luke and Aubrey are full-fledged adults and still living in debt to the choices they made that one seaside summer, caught in a love triangle they must carefully manoeuvre and dogged by the constant, nagging question: what if they had chosen differently?

My thoughts:

I have yet to find a book written by Brit Bennett that I can fault. I adored The Mothers and the wonderfully written story about Nadia and the difficulties she faces throughout her late teens and adulthood. The writing flowed effortlessly and the characters felt real. The religious aspect of the novel made it an interesting read too and how different people react to different circumstances depending on their upbringing. There are trigger warnings in this novel for abortion and death of a loved one.

Rating: 4/5

Medusa by Jesse Burton

Blurb:

If I told you that I’d killed a man with a glance, would you wait to hear the rest? The why, the how, what happened next?

Monster. Man-hater. Murderess. Forget everything you’ve been told about Medusa.
Internationally bestselling author Jessie Burton flips the script in this astonishing retelling of Greek myth, illuminating the woman behind the legend at last.

Exiled to a far-flung island after being abused by powerful Gods, Medusa has little company other than the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. Haunted by the memories of a life before everything was stolen from her, she has no choice but to make peace with her present: Medusa the Monster. But when the charmed and beautiful Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is blown apart, unleashing desire, love… and betrayal.

My thoughts:

I devoured this and can’t wait to read more books in this genre. It’s interesting to see Medusa as an innocent woman who had insecurities and felt hurt by the harm she experienced in her past. The feminist retelling of this mythological story had a powerful message – one where the main character has to learn to love herself instead of caring what others think of her.

Rating: 4/5

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

Blurb:

It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him – and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church.

My thoughts:

This is quite a heart-wrenching read and even though it’s fairly short, it’s extremely powerful. I liked Claire Keegan’s writing style and I’m definitely going to pick up more of her work. I didn’t know a lot about the Magdalene laundry going into this book but I thought the author dealt with the heavy topics well. In particular, I thought it was interesting how some chose to turn a blind eye, instead of helping someone in need.

Rating: 4/5

I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel

Blurb:

I’m a Fan tells the story of an unnamed narrator’s involvement in a seemingly unequal romantic relationship. With a clear and unforgiving eye, Sheena Patel makes startling connections between power struggles at the heart of human relationships to those in the wider world, offering a devastating critique of social media, access and patriarchal systems.

My thoughts:

Unfortunately, I didn’t gel with this one. I did like the writing style, it’s unique and easy to read. I also don’t mind an unlikeable narrator usually because it can make the story even more entertaining. However, I found myself feeling frustrated by the protagonist. Her obsessive behaviour became repetitive as well. I wasn’t drawn into the story like a lot of people and it just wasn’t for me.

Rating: 2/5

Galatea by Madeline Miller

Blurb:

In Ancient Greece, a skilled marble sculptor has been blessed by a goddess who has given his masterpiece – the most beautiful woman the town has ever seen – the gift of life. Now his wife, he expects Galatea to please him, to be obedience and humility personified. But she has desires of her own, and yearns for independence.

In a desperate bid by her obsessive husband to keep her under control, she is locked away under the constant supervision of doctors and nurses. But with a daughter to rescue, she is determined to break free, whatever the cost…

My thoughts:

Galatea is a short novel, which I think could be read in under 20 minutes but it’s definitely one that is worth the read. I just wish it was a full novel as I wanted to read more once I finished it.