What I Read and Loved | March 2025

Six books, a spring playlist, and more

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

Welcome to my March wrap-up! As I mentioned in this post about suspense novels, most of what I wanted to read last month fell into the mystery and thriller genres. By the middle of the month, I craved books I couldn’t put down. Thankfully, I read several good ones, including one I’m obsessed with that doesn’t come out until June. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

But first, I’d like to try some book matchmaking in a future post. If you’d like me to choose some books for you, would you please fill out this short form? Thanks so much!

What I Read

The Winner by Teddy Wayne: Conor is a twentysomething living in New York with his diabetic mother. He's studying to be a lawyer, eager to better his life. When he's invited to spend the summer in an exclusive gated community near Cape Cod giving tennis lessons to the wealthy residents, he can't believe his luck and says yes immediately. Once there, Conor is disappointed that more people aren't asking for lessons. He hoped to make more money to send home to his mom, so when an older woman approaches him insinuating that she wants more than tennis lessons, he agrees. An already complicated situation gets even worse when Conor falls for another woman.

The Winner is a tightly written thriller I devoured. Conor's behavior becomes more and more despicable as he gives into his greed and lust, leading to devastating consequences. If you need your books to have a protagonist to root for, this is not the book for you. The Winner will be best for readers who appreciate satire and applaud sly commentary on wealth and privilege. (ebook, 4/5 stars)

Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin and translated by Aneesa Abbas Higgins: This quiet story follows a young French-Korean woman who works in a small motel. When a French writer and illustrator checks in, she's intrigued by him and wants his attention. He asks her to accompany him around Sokcho, hoping to see the "real" Korea to get inspiration for his next book. While there's tension between the two characters, Winter in Sokcho is really about one's relationship with themselves. This slim novel tells a tender and moving story of longing and identity. (ebook, 4/5 stars)

Quicksand by Nella Larsen: When we meet Helga Crane, she’s a teacher at a boarding school in the South. Despite having a good job and a man who wants to marry her, Helga is restless. She doesn't fit in at school, so she leaves before the year is over and heads north. First, she tries to reconnect with an uncle in Chicago, but his new wife is appalled that Helga is half-Black and refuses to let her stay. Next, Helga ends up in Harlem, but that isn’t home, either. She decides to venture to Copenhagen, the birthplace of her white mother, and there she finds a place to belong, but only for a while.

Quicksand is an engrossing look at belonging, colorism, and the struggle to find a home. It’s a shame we don’t have more books by Nella Larsen. I love her work. (Print, 4/5 stars)

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham: Isabelle Drake is still reeling one year after her young son disappeared from his crib in the middle of the night. The case still hasn’t been solved, and she’s desperate for answers. When a podcaster runs into her on a plane while she’s heading home from a true crime conference, he says he wants to tell her story. Isabelle agrees to the podcast, hoping to keep her son’s case in the news. When the podcaster starts digging into Isabelle’s past, she gets uncomfortable about what he might uncover and why he wants to know so much about her.

This fast-paced thriller was exactly what I hoped it would be when I picked it up. Isabelle is a fascinating, complex protagonist who’s not only grieving her son but also her marriage. As a podcast fan, I always enjoy a podcasting subplot, and the one in this book is well done. I read a physical copy of this book, but my favorite narrator, Karissa Vacker, does the audiobook, so I’m sure that’s a great way to consume it too. (Print, 4/5 stars)

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown: It’s the mid-1990s and teenage Jane lives in a small cabin in the Montana woods with her survivalist father. Jane doesn’t know much about her past, only that her mom is dead and her parents used to work in the tech industry. Now, her dad is anti-technology and limits their contact with the outside world, believing he can teach Jane everything she needs to know all on his own. As Jane approaches adulthood, she starts asking more questions and sneaks into her dad’s office when he’s away on his mysterious trips away from the cabin. She finds a clue to her past in one of his drawers that sparks questions about her identity and what her dad is doing when he’s gone.

The publisher, Random House, very kindly sent me an ARC of this book, which comes out on June 3. I’d read a couple of other books by Janelle Brown that I hadn’t loved, but I decided to try What Kind of Paradise anyway because I was in the mood for another thriller. I’m happy I gave it a chance because it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a while.

Brown’s characters are memorable and fully fleshed out. A story about a dad and daughter living in the woods would be interesting all on its own, but the novel also addresses extremism and technology and revisits the early days of the internet. I can’t say enough good things about this book and can’t wait to own a physical copy. Get your preorders or library holds placed now. I can see What Kind of Paradise being a buzzy title this summer. (ebook, 5/5 stars)

The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner: Tash is a young wife, mother, and freelance journalist living in London. When a local nanny mysteriously dies, her death is ruled an accident, but Tash isn’t so sure and starts looking into the case. Around the same time, she gets involved with a group of moms at her son’s daycare. They’re polished, successful, and wealthy, and Tash finds herself longing for what they seem to have. When someone else ends up dead, Tash starts to wonder if one of her new friends might have had something to do with it.

The Other Mothers isn’t exactly great literature, but it delivered exactly what I wanted which was a fast-paced story with a vivid setting. Tash is a believable and complicated protagonist, and I enjoyed seeing how her envy affected her relationships and marriage. Give this book a shot the next time you find yourself in a reading slump. (ebook, 4/5 stars)

What I Loved

MUSIC: My Spring Sounds playlist

I like having a playlist for each season, and now that spring is here, I’ve been listening to this one. What makes a spring song, you might ask? I have no idea. Just vibes. I’m one of those people who will be sad if you shuffle a playlist I’ve made, so don’t tell me if that’s your preference.

PINTEREST BOARD: Spring Mood

Another seasonal thing I enjoy is creating mood boards. I love my spring board so far, thanks to all the bright colors. Creating a board like this is a free and easy way to find some inspiration and joy in the present moment, something that always helps my often anxious mind.

PODCAST: Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Blessing all of us, Amy Poehler launched a new podcast. I’ve loved Poehler for a long time, so I had high expectations. So far, it’s delivered. Her guests have included Tina Fey, Martin Short, Rashida Jones, and Ike Barinholtz. Check it out if you need a laugh. You can listen or watch.

What I Wrote

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What did you read and love last month? Do you have thoughts on anything I shared? I’d love to hear what you have to say.

One more reminder to fill out this form if you’d like to be considered for a book matchmaking post.