March 2021 Book Review

My March 2021 book review is short and sweet compared to last month’s review. Unfortunately vegging on my couch binge watching The Crown cut into my nightly reading time. I need to figure out some kind of balance between staring at a screen and reading!

I made it through four books this month, and had a clear favorite at the end of the month!

For full transparency this post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you happen to click on a link and make a purchase (at no cost to you). It also allows me to see what things you are interested in and helps me create future relevant posts. I am so grateful to you for following along!

The Reckless Oath We Made, by Bryn Greenwood

Bryn Greenwood definitely writes some interesting books. Last month I reviewed her book All the Ugly and Wonderful Things which you can find here along with my reviews for January and February. I had mixed feelings about that book, so I thought I would give another of her books a try this month.

I almost ditched The Reckless Oath We Made in the first few chapters because of the way one particular character’s chapters are written. They were literally hard to read! 😉 But I’m glad I stuck with the book. Bryn Greenwood’s characters are so different than the ones I usually take interest in, and I think that is why I am drawn to her books. She takes me out of my comfort zone a bit and I know that is a GOOD thing.

The Reckless Oath We Made introduces us to Zee, who has a bit of a temper and a lengthy list of worries. Zee is trying to take care of her sister, her five-year-old nephew, and her housebound mother. Meanwhile bills are piling up and she is trying to make ends meet working for a drug dealer.

Two years ago, Gentry hears voices calling him to be Zee’s champion. Although he is shy and autistic, he is always watching over her. When Zee’s family is torn apart, Gentry literally becomes her knight in shining armor. There are so many layers and complexities with the characters in Greenwood’s books. I like that she writes about complicated, flawed characters because really, aren’t we all in some way?

Carry On, Warrior Thoughts on Life Unarmed, by Glennon Doyle

Do you ever read a book that receives glowing reviews from just about everyone you know, but just feel like it was meh…? Years ago I read Glennon Doyle’s book Love Warrior and despite the postive reviews I heard from friends and social media, it just didn’t resonate with me. One day I admitted this little secret to a couple friends of mine who are fans of Doyle’s books. They encouraged me to try her book, Carry On, Warrior, (of course after teasing me about the fact that I am perhaps not “broken” enough to connect with her writing – ha ha!!).

Doyle is raw and relatable, sharing her honest reflections on her life struggles, motherhood, marriage, and friendships. She encourages you to stop hiding from who you are, and to let go of society’s idea of perfection.

I did end up liking this book (thanks friends!). There were parts that made me laugh out loud, and parts that made me want to cry. I loved her message of living life with honesty. She bares her crazy, messy, and sometimes ugly life for the world to see and has no apologies about it.

All Adults Here, by Emma Straub

I picked up All Adults Here on a whim at our local library. Our libraries still are not 100% open yet, but we can pick up holds, return books, and browse a very small section of selected books. Anyone else waiting for their library to open up at full capacity yet? Library visits are one of the things I have missed most in the last year!

Astird Strick realizes she was not the parent she thought she had been to her three grown children. After witnessing a bus accident, she decides to become more honest with herself and her family. Her youngest is making parenting mistakes of his own, her daughter is pregnant yet still behaving irresponsibly, and her oldest is trying to live up to impossible standards he has set for himself. This charming book tells the story of adult siblings, aging parents, high school boyfriends, middle school mean girls, and all the things that remain with us as we move into adulthood.

I really enjoyed this book. Liked the characters, the plot, and especially enjoyed seeing how the relationships changed and developed within the family. Each chapter is told by a different family member, which gives you insight to all of the character’s perspectives.

The Hate You Give, by Angie Thomas

The Hate You Give had been on my to-read list for awhile. AND my teenage daughter highly recommended it to me. I love books that we can both read because it gives us one more thing to chat about. Anyone who has a teenager knows how precious that talk time is at this stage in the game!

This is a definite must read. A timely, powerful, and unforgettable book. Sixteen year old Starr is trying to balance living between two worlds. The poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy prep school she attends with her two brothers. When Starr is the lone witness to her childhood best friend, Kahalil’s, fatal shooting at the hands of a police officer, her world falls apart. Kahalil was unarmed and his death soon becomes a national headline. Starr is put in a position where what she does or does not say could endanger her life.

Honestly, there are so many things about this book that I loved. Starr is an inspiration. Even as she struggled internally to figure out how to use her voice and fight for justice, she remained resilient and strong. I loved the relationships she had with her family. Her parents, her siblings, and her uncle (who is a police officer and works with the officer who killed Kahalil) are all big influences in her life. And I loved watching her navigate her relationship with her white boyfriend as well as her complicated friendships at school.

After finishing this book I had new perspectives and new questions. It made me think about some things differently. The Hate You Give made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me angry. At times it even made me a little uncomfortable, but in a good, learning and educating myself type of way.