What I Read in March

While this is a shorter reading list than January and February, it’s my favorite one yet. I LOVED all three books that I read and couldn’t recommend each of them enough.

LILAC GIRLS: 4/5 Stars

I think every time I ask for book recommendations, this always comes up. I don’t know why I hadn’t read it sooner. I got off the waitlist for it at the library and immediately dug in. It follows the lives of three women through WWII and beyond. Each woman has a very different story and perspective throughout the war. Was it the best book I have read about WWII? No, but was it still good? Yes. I think that’s why I hesitated to give it the full five.

I think the best part is that it’s loosely based on an actual woman: Caroline Ferriday.

BAD BLOOD: 5/5 Stars

Okay, this is the story that’s got everyone talking. Bad Blood is a behind the scenes account of what really happened with Theranos, the “healthcare” startup that was a Silicon Valley darling turned disaster. It goes into such great detail about the downfall of the company at the hands of Elizabeth Holmes. It’s written by the journalist who originally broke the story for the Wall Street Journal and it kind of reads like an extremely long newspaper expose. At first, the volume of names and details overwhelmed me, but I quickly got used to the style of writing. And then I simply couldn’t put it down. Truly, it’s an insane story that’s almost too crazy to believe.

As I was reading this book around town, so many people were coming up to me to say that they were reading it or they had it on their nightstand or that their partner had just finished it. And everyone could agree: what happened at Theranos was so, so crazy.

DAISY JONES AND THE SIX: ALL THE STARS

I know we’re only 25% done with the year, but I have a feeling this is going to be my number one favorite book of the year. It’s Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club’s March pick and I was excited to give it a try. It blew my mind and not because it’s some amazing story. The story itself was nothing too special, but wow, the storytelling is simply incredible. Taylor Jenkins Reid did such a great job telling the story that (I can’t even believe I’m admitting this), I didn’t realize it was a work of fiction.

The book is told through multiple perspectives of a fictional band and various characters that touch their lives (managers, girlfriends, reporters, etc.). Even if you’re not an audiobook person, I think this is worth listening to rather than doing a traditional book. Why? Each person’s story is told by a different actor. Within fifteen minutes of the audiobook starting, I was familiar with the voices and it felt like an actual interview. So, so smart.

By the end of the book, I was literally coming up with excuses to listen to the audiobook more: cleaning the kitchen one more time, taking the long way to the store so I could listen while I walked, and even opting for an extra workout session to listen. I thought it was just so good. I have been telling everyone to read it.