Let’s dig into my 2025 March reading wrapup and yap about the books that read this month and whether I was able to meet my reading goals.
March Reading Stats
While March was better than February I still struggled to balance my responsibilities and passions with my reading hobby leading to me not reaching my reading goal this month. However, it was a good reading month since I had multiple four-star and five-star reads. I’m also continuing to enjoy tandem or immersive reads exploring the world of audiobooks in a way that helps me focus on the book and concentrate better. Overall it was a delightful month!
March Favorites
This month’s theme was experimentation as I dabbled into genres I don’t regularly read from and tried a variety of new authors. I even gave mystery thriller books another shot after a little break and found two enjoyable reads including one from a debut author. Let’s chat about my favorite books of the month.
Book of the Month: Black in Blues: How A Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry
Reading this book was a transcendent experience that allowed me to connect with my culture in a new way. So this book is a nonfiction work that explores Black history, racial identity, Black culture, and the African diaspora as it pertains to the color blue. We learn how this color holds cultural significance for Blacks throughout history and the variety of ways it manifests in art, culture, music, and spirituality. Furthermore, this book was exquisitely written and the audiobook which was narrated by the author was an absolute vibe. I love this book so much and I’m so happy I picked it up on a whim at my local library. Can’t wait to add it to my collection. Check out Review: Black in Blues by Imani Perry
Most Memorable Book: Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
This novel has been etched into my memory because I adored how the generations of this family preserved their history through storytelling and the passing down of a historic family heirloom. This showcased the family’s resilience, strength, and character throughout various trials and tribulations. It was beautifully written with beautiful character development with epic scope as we explore multiple points of view giving this story a well-rounded feel. Check here for my Review Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
Best Debut Novel: You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego
A fascinating locked-door mystery/thriller ideal for lovers of Agatha Christie. I loved the nonstop thrills of this story and how all the characters had deadly secrets they were hiding. I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters however Fletcher was my favorite. He was absolutely unlikeable however was entertaining to read about. Review You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego
Fresh New Take On Vampires: Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
I have been anxious to read this book and I’m happy to say it lived up to the hype in my head. Not only did it feature Black vampires providing the representation I so desperately needed regarding this particular mythical creature. But, it explored the complexities of moral ambiguity and how far one will go to mete out justice for a perceived wrong and the morally grey nature that exists within many humans. Despite how “good” we deem a person to be we all have the propensity to do bad or engage in less than moral behaviors or actions. Plus Kidan was a fascinating and entertaining character to read. I ate this book up and I’m eager for the second installment of this series.
Best Plot Twist: Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
I’ve been struggling with the mystery thriller genre lately but this month has restored my faith reading two bangers. Not to mention I’m a huge fan of Mary Kubica since I’ve yet to come across a book by her that I didn’t love. And this was no different. I loved how this book was structured and that Kubica cast suspicion on all characters muddying the waters and making it hard to uncover what was really going on. I wasn’t prepared for the twist or the ending and loved the darker themes and foreboding atmosphere. Check out my Review Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
2025 March Reading Wrapup
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis | Historical Fiction
I started my month with this novel and I enjoyed it very much. I adored Charlotte and understanding a female perspective of being an archeologist in a male-dominated field during a time when women weren’t equal and didn’t receive credit for their contributions to the work. I also enjoyed the glimpses of the life of a curator for the famous Met Museum. Check out my Review: The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao| Cozy Fantasy
I was beyond excited to read this beautiful book but alas this fell flat for me. While I loved the premise of this story the whimsical and surreal atmosphere and the beautiful prose the characterization felt flat and one-dimensional. It lacked depth and emotion leaving me unable to connect with the characters and become fully invested in the story. The tug of war between these inconsistencies led to the novel feeling disjointed. Check out my Review Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
The Thorns by Dawn Kurtagich | Psychological Horror
An Amazon First Reads pick where I explored the horror genre. And this novel definitely delivered on psychological horror. It featured one of my favorite tropes an unreliable narrator and experiencing the same confusion and disorientation as her created a truly immersive reading experience. I enjoyed the exploration of the long-term impacts of childhood trauma and neglect. However, the twist gave me the ick. This is a common twist used in the horror and thriller genre and I never know how to feel about it. Aside from that, this story was excellent.
The Sublet by Greer Hendricks | Mystery
Another Amazon First Reads short story that I decided to give a try and I simultaneously regretted that I read. I didn’t appreciate the build-up to what could’ve been an epic, sinister twist for it to be a commonplace bland revelation.
Democracy in Retrograde by Emili Amick & Sami Sage | Politics
I saw this at my local library and on a whim decided to give it a read and I highly enjoyed it. It reads as an informative and inspirational guide for those who are burnt out on politics and want to become more active in their communities civically. You’re able to determine your civic personality to decide what level of engagement works best with your lifestyle and goals. I love that it’s not necessarily forcing you to become involved in a highly politicized way but also encourages you to enforce your civic rights through volunteering and showing up for others in your community. I highly recommend this for those that are wanting to explore ways to become more involved with their civic rights.
These are all the books that made March a highly interesting reading month. Let me know if you’re read any of these books are if you’re interested in reading them. Also, how was your reading month? Let me know in the comments below and until next time happy reading friends!
