TBR Mix & Mingle - What I'm Reading for March

TBR Mix & Mingle

March 2019

Find my March books:

The Locksmith’s Daughter | The Distant Hours | The Witch Elm | The Reckoning | The Case for Jamie

As we start blooming into spring and leaving that cold, wet winter behind, I’m gearing up for a great reading month.  While I didn’t exactly read what I planned in January and February, I did finish five books each month.  Now, with warmer weather around the corner, outside activities, and a month full of birthdays, we’ll see if I’m as successful this month!

I'm linking up with Literary Quicksand for March's TBR Mix & Mingle.

 

The Locksmith’s Daughter by Karen Brooks

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After her reputation is ruined, the locksmith’s daughter, Mallory Bright, has a questionable future.  It is 1580, Elizabeth I is queen, and Mallory gets swept up in the world of espionage that was famous during this time.  It turns out her unofficial training from her father has made her specially equipped to become a spy. 

I’m interested because… Elizabethan times are intriguing and mysterious, and I just read A Column of Fire (my review)… that has a backdrop of the spies and religious conflict surrounding Queen Elizabeth’s England. 

 

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

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I think I might be becoming a Morton-ite (is that a thing?).  After finishing The House at Riverton (my review) last year and The Forgotten Garden (my review) last month, I’ve picked up another of her books! 

Like other Kate Morton books an old house (in this case a castle) is a central character to a story that spans time to figure out the secrets of a family.  In the Distant Hours, Edie discovers a 50 year old letter that leads to questions about her mother’s time during World War II. 

I’m interested because…it’s Kate Morton, obviously, but also because of the connection to World War II.  Plus, the inside cover says, “Morton pays homage to the classics of gothic fiction”, and I’m interested to find out what that means and how she does that.

 

The Witch Elm by Tanya French

Find it on Amazon

Way back in October, I was looking for suspenseful reads for fall, and The Witch Elm was on my list.  However, I’m just now getting around to it!  Part of me says it’s not a book for spring, but since I have it now I don’t think I can wait. 

After Toby is attacked and left for dead, he decides to retreat to his ancestral home.  This turns far from restful for him, as a skull found on the estate leads to detectives asking questions about his past.  But how much can he trust his past?  Does he know who he is?

I’m interested because… knowing ourselves seems to hold us grounded to our past, present and future.  But, as the cover asks, what will we become, “when we no longer know who we are.”

 

The Reckoning by John Grisham

Find it on Amazon

Honestly, I’ve never read John Grisham because I view him as a “author for men”.  As I look back over the books I’ve read recently, an overwhelming number are by female authors.  So, as to not hold myself back, I am going to read The Reckoning this month!

After coming home from World War II, Pete Banning shoots Reverend Dexter Bell, pastor in the Methodist church.  And, afterwards, he refuses to shed any light on his motive.  While set in the middle of last century, it seems relevant to today’s turmoil surrounding gun violence.

I’m interested because… John Grisham is a celebrated writer, WWII is incorporated, and a legal mystery has to be solved.

 

Bonus: The Case for Jamie by Brittany Cavallaro

Find it on Amazon

Most of these books are a little dense (look how thick those spines are!), so I’m trying to be realistic about how much I will read this month.

BUT, I might just add this one to the list.  I have been wanting to read this third book in the Charlotte Holmes series after finishing Brittany Cavallro’s first two novels last January.  Charlotte is a teenager descended from the one and only Sherlock Holmes, and she finds herself to be much more like him than one might imagine.  Also, she inherited his knack for stumbling upon cases to solve, alongside another descendent of a famous character – Jamie Watson. 

I’m interested because…while Sherlock Holmes is interesting, Cavallro’s YA twist on the classic is exhilarating! 

What are your book plans for March?

Happy Reading!

Hannah

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TBR Mix &Mingle February

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TBR Mix & Mingle - What I'm Reading for February

TBR Mix & MingleWhat I'm Reading for February

If you’re anything like me, you have so many books that you want to read.  Sometimes, when I am browsing in a bookstore, I get a little bit anxious because I don’t know if I enough time in my whole life to read everything I’m interested in!

But, let’s just take it a month at a time – that’s easier to wrap your head around, right?! Today, I’m linking up with Literary Quicksand, Never Enough Novels, and My Novel Life for their monthly TBR Mix & Mingle.  These are the books I am planning on reading this month.  (However, I have my book swap next week, so not only will my TBR totally explode, but this list might change, too.  Oh well, the more the merrier!)

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

Find it on Amazon here

Apparently, a younger version of myself saw this, thought I would enjoy it, bought it on my Kindle, and promptly forgot about it.  Well, I discovered it in my library recently and immediately opened it up.  Eligible is a rewrite of Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice.  Count. Me. In! 

 

Kitchen Yarns by Ann Hood

Find it on Amazon here

I saw a book review on What’s Nonfiction? Featuring this book.  It seemed so intriguing, that I had to check it out.  Recently, I’ve found myself watching a lot of The Great British Baking Show, Chef’s Table, and various online cooking how-to videos.  An interest in cooking must be showing itself, hmm? Ann Hood shows how her life has been inextricably wrapped up with food and cooking.  Even though she grew up with a traditional Italian grandma cooking for her family all the time, she was never taught to cook.  This is her journey of learning, and growing, in food.  Also, recipes included. 

 

The Dust That Falls from Dreams by Louis de Bernieres

Find it on Amazon here

I found this novel from Gilmore Guide to Books.  She was recommending So Much Life Left Over, the sequel.  Both sounded equally interesting, so I decided to start with the first one. I love books about WWII, and I’ve read plenty of them of them.  But, I find that I don’t really know that much about WWI.  The Dust looks at the lives of friends who grow up together in the Edwardian era, but they all are changed and shaped by the first World War.

 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Find it on Amazon here

Well, like I said, I read a lot of books about WWII.  Knowing this, My sister-in-law gave it to me after she finished it.  It tells the story of Lale Sokolov, a prisoner in Auschwitz forced to tattoo the prisoner numbers on the other prisoners.  He risked his life to help and comfort others while struggling to survive.  I will never ceased to be amazed at the strength of the human spirit during this most dark time in history.

 

True Colors by Kristin Hannah

Find it on Amazon here

Sometimes all you need to at a book to your TBR is someone simply placing it in your lap.  Or suitcase, as my mom did with this one over Christmas.  When a crime threatens to tear the Grey sisters apart their true colors will shine through.  I expect it to be a great look into sisterhood and family.

Bonus book! Not pictured above, but I'm going to try to add it in as well:

 

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

Find it on Amazon here

Another rewrite!  This one is of the story of the Iliad, but from the female’s perspectives.  It is supposed to be raw and emotional, not glossing over terrible times for women in the midst of a war.  I am intrigued since most ancient writings glorify war and the warrior…but we all know there is another side.

What about you?  What are you looking forward to reading in February?

Happy Reading!

Hannah

Look out for my post “Valentine’s Day Gifts for Book People” coming soon!

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