March reading wrap-up
March was a slow month for reading because I needed to finish my crochet beret for Comic Con this year. (I got to meet Frodo and Sam from Lord of the Rings!!) I also DNF'd my first book of the year, mainly because it was juvenile fiction. I'm okay with reading juvenile fiction if I'm checking out a book before my child reads it though.
A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons
Kate Khavari
Miss Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant and the first woman to hold the position at the University College of London. When she attends a dinner party regarding the upcoming expedition, she witnesses Mrs. Henry, one of the Professor's wives, drop to the floor from being dosed with an unknown toxin. With her mentor, Dr. Maxwell, being the prime suspect, Saffron must try to clear the Professor's name. On her search for clues, a fellow researcher comes to her aid named Alexander Ashton. Will she be able to uncover the truth, or will her investigation land her on the murderer's list?
Fugitive Telemetry
Martha Wells
No, I didn't kill the dead human. If I had, I wouldn't dump the body in a station mall. When Murderbot discovered a dead body on Preservation Station, it knows it is going to have to assist station security to determine who the body is (was), how they were killed (that should be relatively straightforward, at least) and why (because apparently that matters to a lot of people? Who knew?) Yes, the unthinkable is about to happen: Murderbot must voluntarily speak to humans! Again!
Badasstronauts
Grady Hendrix
After NASA's budget was cut and the International Space Station is abandoned with an American astronaut still on board, the astronaut Walter Reddie takes on the task of building a rocket and bringing his cousin home. Will Redneck NASA save the day or will it blow up in their faces?
System Collapse
Martha Wells
Am I making it worse? I think I'm making it worse. Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there's an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can't have the planet, they're sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize. But there's something wrong with Murderbot; it isn't running within normal parameters. ART's crew and the humans from preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza's SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they're going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what's wrong with itself, and fast.
#marchreads #crochetandbooks #lemon8bookclub #readersoflemon8 #bookrecommendations
March was a unique month where reading mingled with creativity and fan encounters. While the reading pace slowed, it allowed for an enriching experience beyond the books themselves. Finishing a crochet beret for Comic Con was not only a fun creative outlet but also a way to immerse oneself in fandom culture—meeting iconic characters like Frodo and Sam from Lord of the Rings added a special touch to the month. The books read this month spanned genres from historical mystery with "A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons" to gripping sci-fi adventures in the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells. These selections offered diverse storytelling styles—from the intellectual puzzle-solving of Saffron Everleigh's mystery to the humorous and emotionally nuanced narrative of Murderbot, which is known for its unique perspective in science fiction. One noteworthy challenge was encountering juvenile fiction that didn’t resonate as expected, leading to a deliberate decision to DNF (did not finish). This reflects an important aspect of personal reading—recognizing what serves your interests and purposes, such as screening books for younger readers. Adding to the eclectic mix, "Badasstronauts" by Grady Hendrix brought a fresh take on space adventure, blending humor with a down-to-earth American spirit. Meanwhile, "System Collapse," continuing the Murderbot narrative, deepened the ethical and thrilling sci-fi exploration of corporate influence and survival on new planets. Throughout these reads, there’s a sense of balancing personal hobbies with literary exploration. Having a knitting or crochet project can wonderfully complement reading, providing a tactile counterpart to the intellectual engagement of books. Plus, engaging with book-related communities and sharing insights on platforms like Lemon8 creates a supportive, vibrant space for readers and creators alike. For anyone who enjoys mixing their reading life with creative crafting and a touch of fandom enthusiasm, this month’s wrap-up serves as an inspiring reminder: embrace variety, trust your reading instincts, and let your hobbies enrich each other. Whether you’re uncovering historical mysteries, diving into sci-fi worlds, or crafting cosplay accessories, the joy is in the journey and the stories shared.
