March Round-Up – The Books I Read In March 2018

This month I managed to read and review seven books. Here is a reminder of what I blogged about this month with links to each in case you missed any!

The first book I read this month was The Mermaid And Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar, a wonderfully written historical fiction novel set in Georgian London. It tells the story of two people from different walks of life, and how their lives become intertwined following an unusual acquisition – that of a mermaid. This was an intriguing and enjoyable read. I then went on to read The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert which was the book featured in February’s ‘Twisted Tales’ box from Fairy Loot. In this story we meet a girl named Alice whose life changes dramatically following the death of her grandmother, a reclusive author famous for penning dark fairytales. And Alice soon finds herself immersed in this world, as she searches for answers regarding her mother’s disappearance. Whilst I didn’t love this book as much as I had hoped, it was an intriguing story which takes inspiration from classic fairytales.

Next up I read Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo which was my book club’s chosen read for the month. Shortlisted for the Baileys Women’s Prize for fiction, this is a fascinating and moving story set in 1980’s Nigeria. In it we follow the lives of Yejide and Akin, a couple who are desperate to have a child but have been unable to conceive.  As the months and years go by their situation becomes more desperate, and we realise there are more layers to the story than first thought. This was a compelling story which deals with various themes surrounding family, grief and motherhood and it was one that had me gripped. Another moving, poignant book I read this month was Drift Stumble Fall, the latest novel from M. Jonathan Lee. In this novel we are introduced to a man who seemingly has it all, but longs for something different, envying the life of a neighbour who lives a more tranquil existence. As the days go by we get a glimpse into the mind of Richard Brown as he contemplates his life, and that of his neighbour, but as their stories progress we discover that there is more to their stories than what it seems.

I also read the latest novel from Harriet Evans this month. The Wildflowers is an epic family drama which follows the lives of a high profile family over the years and the secrets that they hold. They spend their summers together in a peaceful beach house which is a far cry from their hectic daily lives and complex relationships. As the novel progresses we delve deeper into their lives and uncover the secrets which threaten their family bonds. A lengthy but enjoyable read about a family’s history. I am still waiting on the arrival of the March Fairy Loot box but I did get to unbox something a little different this month. The Wonder Crate from Ink and Wonder Designs was a box filled with beautiful book inspired goodies including wooden bookmarks, tote bag and prints amongst others. I loved this box!

And finally this month I read two books as part of blog tours. The first was We Were The Salt Of The Sea by Roxanne Bouchard, the first of her novels to be published in English. It is also the first in the DS Joaquin Morales series, in which Morales is thrown into an investigation surrounding the mysterious death of a woman who is well known within the small fishing community. To make matters more complex the discovery of the body coincides with the arrival of a woman who is looking for answers about her past. This was an atmospheric mystery novel with plenty of intrigue and secrets to uncover which had me hooked. Then I reviewed The Stranger, the latest novel by Kate Riordan who is becoming a favourite author of mine. Set in Cornwall in 1940, it follows the story of three women who are brought together due to the outbreak of war, and who all have their own secrets and storied to tell. This is a wonderfully written book, with a few revelations and surprises along the way.

As always I would like to thank everyone who has visited my blog this month and shared my posts, I really appreciate it; I will be back next month with more book reviews and subscription box unboxings! Let me know if you have read and of my March reads!