This was a good reading month, but what made it even better was seeing my bestie and talking about books at the beach!!!!
Emily and I are book nerds and we’re proud of it! We spent a week together in Florida, comparing our book journals and filling them out. I took her to the independent bookstore in Seaside and we hit up a Barnes and Noble. I didn’t know how much I needed the sunshine, friend time and book talk! I left Florida filled up (but I’m ready to go back anytime!)
Here’s what I read in March…
Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully by David Platt
This book really challenged me to think about a lot of things in my Christian walk. Platt does a great job explaining the difference between the American gospel and the Biblical gospel. I feel like this is a must-read for Christians in America as politics, presidential candidates and commitment to country becomes more important than Jesus. MY RATING: 4/5 STARS
Friends from Home by Lauryn Chamberlin
This book was just kind of blah for me. Two friends since childhood struggle to stay connected as they enter adulthood with very different views on marriage, kids, careers, politics, etc. The main characters both kind of got on my nerves. I probably should have quit the book, but it was my pick for the Read Around the USA challenge I’m participating in this year. MY RATING: 2/5 STARS
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Alexis is a rich doctor who finds herself being towed out of a ditch by a hunky small-town boy. Daniel doesn’t fit into her world and she doesn’t fit into his, but sparks fly. Alexis is coming out of a bad relationship and something about Daniel makes her feel safe/wanted for the first time in her life. Will she let him into her world? I really loved this book. I’ll be honest, I had a little bit of a hard time with the age difference between the two main characters, but it was a sweet rom-com that had me hooked from page one! MY RATING: 5/5 STARS
Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter
Olivia gets a text from a wrong number and suddenly she finds herself flirting with the stranger. The banter is about the best thing that’s happened to her since her boyfriend walked out on her, she lost her job and she’s sleeping on an air mattress in her brother’s apartment – who he shares with a hot guy who gets on her nerves. She’s hit rock bottom, but maybe Mr. Wrong Number could be her Mr. Right? MY RATING: 4/5 STARS
The Infinity Between Us by N.S. Perkins
Violet and Will’s families have spent 18 summers together at the beach. They are best friend’s, but on that 18th summer, they become more – they feel like they have the whole world in front of them until tragedy strikes and rips the two families apart. Five years later, Violet and Will find themselves back at the beach house facing the trauma and the love that never died. I loved this book! I can see it being a top read of 2023 for me. MY RATING: 5/5 STARS
Off the Map by Trish Doller
I’ve been waiting months for this release! I loved Doller’s previous books and even named Float Plan my favorite book of 2021. I fall in love with her characters and this book was no different. Carla and Eamon are in Ireland on their way to Anna and Keane’s wedding (the main characters from Float Plan). The two instantly hit it off. Carla is a traveler at heart – always running from anything that could tie her down. Eamon only dreams of traveling. The two decide to take a few detours on the way to the wedding and discover that life it too short to stick to the map. MY RATING: 5/5 STARS
Odder by Katherine Applegate
This was our homeschool read aloud this month. It’s a great story about a curious sea otter and her adventures. When she comes face-to-face with a great white shark, she finds herself in a new place – it smells a little like the ocean, but who are these animals feeding her? The book was inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers. MY RATING: 4/5 STARS
