This was my slowest month of the year so far for reading, but I still read some really good books! I did a lot more on audiobook than usual. Sorry to get a little personal here, but I lost my mom to cancer this month, so life has been weird. I’m appreciative that my friends, followers, and mutuals over here have provided me such an escape 🖤
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Best book of the month: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins- I am a Hunger Games girlie through and through. This book was devastating and beautiful and just everything I could’ve ever asked for in a Haymitch story, as a Haymitch girlie 😌
Worst book of the month: Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson- I wanted to love this book and I really did until the very end. I was so disappointed that such a good book died by its own sword like that 😭 Like Miss Tiffany, you didn’t have to do all that 💔
Most surprising book: Sinner by Sierra Simone- I thought this would just be a smutty romance, with some religious references, similar to Priest. Boy was I wrong. I literally wept through the end of this book. Yes it WAS spicy 🥵 but the bigger picture was heartbreaking and healing all at once 🫶
... Read moreHey bookworms! I wanted to add a bit more to my March reading wrap-up and share some thoughts on why I love doing these monthly recaps, and how you can make yours even more insightful.
For me, putting together a monthly wrap-up like my 'March 2025 reading wrap-up infographic' isn't just about showing off the '15 books read' or the '5,633 pages' I devoured. It's a fantastic way to reflect on my reading journey. Seeing my 'average rating' (which was 4.0 this month!) helps me understand my preferences better. I also love looking at things like my 'genre breakdown' to see if I'm diversifying enough, or my 'pages read daily' to gauge my consistency. And how about 'reading format distribution'? I noticed I leaned heavily on audiobooks this month, which was a change! If you're looking to track your own reading, apps like StoryGraph or Goodreads are amazing for generating these kinds of personal 'MY MARCH READING STATS'. You can even create a visual 'calendar for March 2025' like I did, placing 'book covers with titles and ratings' on the days you finish them. It’s super satisfying!
Now, let's chat a bit more about some of my standout reads. Sunrise on the Reaping was my best book, and honestly, if you're a Hunger Games fan, you need to pick this up. Suzanne Collins just has a way of crafting stories that are both brutal and deeply human. This prequel gave so much depth to Haymitch's character, and I found myself completely engrossed in the world again. It's a masterclass in how to expand a beloved universe without losing its essence.
Then there was Sinner by Sierra Simone, which was my most surprising read. I went in expecting just a steamy romance, and while it definitely delivered on the 'spicy' front, the emotional depth completely caught me off guard. It delved into themes of faith, healing, and redemption in such a powerful way that I literally shed tears. It's a testament to how some books can transcend their genre expectations and offer so much more than you anticipate. Don't judge a book by its cover, or its initial genre categorization!
And finally, Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson. While I called it my 'worst book' because of the ending, it doesn't mean the entire reading experience was bad. It actually highlights the importance of honest reviews. Sometimes a book can be phenomenal for 90% of the journey, but a single plot point can leave you feeling utterly let down. Sharing these honest thoughts (even when they're critical) helps other readers make informed choices and encourages authors to continue pushing boundaries.
Reading isn't always just for entertainment; sometimes, it's a lifeline. This month was particularly challenging for me personally, and these books truly provided an escape. Whether it's losing yourself in a dystopian world or exploring complex emotions in a romance, books have a unique way of offering solace and perspective. So, if you're ever going through a tough time, don't underestimate the power of a good story.
I'd love to know what your favorite reads were this past month! What books helped you escape, surprised you, or perhaps even disappointed you? Let's chat in the comments!
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