What I Read in March [2023]

Most of March was reading some book club books. I started them in February but didn’t really get into them until this month. They’re both longer than the books I usually read so it took me awhile to finish. One book was for the town-wide book club and the other was for the Governerds book club. Of course, I started a few more but I’ll share about those next month.

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” – Maya Angelou

I frequently have friends ask me what I’m reading or what I recommend, so hopefully, these posts are helpful in giving you some ideas. If there’s a certain topic you’re looking for, let me know and I’ll see if I can direct you to a book. 🙂

*Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Being a life-long learner and bookwormish means I read some pretty random things sometimes. I mean, if I run out of stuff, I read the backs of cereal boxes or car magazines. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter if it is stuff I agree with or not. I really think we can learn something from everything.

Trigger warning: sexu@l assault – Both of these books have incidents of sexu@l assault in them. Actually, the entire Know My Name is about this topic. Even if you don’t read the book, please read my review of it.

📚 *Peach Blossom Spring

I’m reading this one with the town-wide book club at the library. It is a story of a mom and young son forced to flee from their home as enemies, the Japanese, advance during wartime in China in 1938. Meilin and Renshu make their way across China, only staying in one place for a short time before having to run again. Whenever things start to get better, they leave again. The stories from the scrolls that Meilin tell to Renshu are how they stay hopeful of the future. Eventually, the scrolls become a memory of the past and it’s hard to see how they fit into the present.

They were able to stay in one place for quite a time before they sail to Taiwan. Mother and son make their way with the help of strangers. Not knowing the language and the people, they do their best. Next, the story moves to the United States where Renshu becomes Henry Dao and struggles with his identity because of expected loyalties to the different countries and different families he is a part of. Read the book to find out about Henry’s life…

📚 *Know My Name

I’m reading this with the Governerds Book Club. This is a beautiful, hard read. It is a must-read for all. Without a doubt, the two book club discussions were two of the best I’ve been a part of…I actually attended both sessions of both discussions…and the meeting with the author was excellent. Even women who have shared that it was hard for them to read because they have been assaulted before said everyone must read this book. I’m so grateful for so many people in this group who are thinking through actions to take on how to improve…fix…this flawed system.

The book is a memoir of Chanel Miller who was assaulted by a young man on the Stanford University campus. It begins with her waking up in a hospital room not knowing what happened. She doesn’t understand most of what everyone is saying to her. As Chanel has to relive that night over and over again through the years that it took for this trial to be over, it doesn’t really end. From being an unknown Emily Doe to a survivor who has allowed the world to walk in her shoes, we get to know the name Chanel Miller and who she is fully as a person.. We also come to understand that the justice system is not always just. It can even pick apart the people they should be protecting.

If you have a chance, please read this book. Most recommend it for upper classmen, depending on how you feel about this topic, if it’s for your child, but it’s definitely a read for all college students.

This is a really hard read but Chanel’s writing is some of the most beautiful writing I have read. Her use of imagery brings you into her world. You cannot help but feel every single feeling that she feels. The scenes unfold before you as you read the words on the page. You walk through the halls with her, you drive to work with her, you attend art class with her, you watch her comedy show, you laugh, you cry, and you scream with her. Most importantly, her story will help you to see things from more than one side. You will be a better friend, you will be more aware, you will love others better, and you will fight for justice.

There you have it, my books for March 2023. If I end up not continuing with these posts on the blog, you can always find them on my social media accounts. Follow along on my FB page and/or IG account.

My 2023 Book Lists

Check out *my Bookshop lists to support local bookstores or my Goodreads list to see some reviews.

What are you currently reading? Do you set reading goals or have a book list?

*Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a tiny percentage if you make a purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure policy here.