March 2020 in Books.
“So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.”
- Matilda, Roald Dahl.
March probably felt longer than January this year due to the developing pandemic. It's such a frightening time that we're all watching unfold from our homes. Right now one thing is for sure, books are a fantastic escape from the world outside and I know I'm not alone in taking comfort from the stories we're reading. I'm going to try and allocate more time to the books in the upcoming weeks! In March I read 4 books, I'm currently reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire which is taking longer than I had anticipated finishing. I've got a hefty TBR pile for April I'd like to get through so hopefully that book will be completed soon.
Anyhow, let's get into my March reads!
Strangers by C.L. Taylor*
★★★
[GIFTED ON NETGALLEY IN RETURN FOR A REVIEW]
This book is the second I've read of C.L.Taylor and I was intrigued to see whether I'd enjoy it as much as the other I've read. Unfortunately, Strangers was a real slow burner for me and I found it difficult to stick with if I'm honest. There are three main characters in this story and each tells their stories in alternating chapters. I liked this style of writing but I felt as though there was a lot to digest and remember for the final conclusion.
The way in which their lives connect with one another happens early on in the story but its conclusion is well constructed and definitely comes out of nowhere. It wasn't my favourite from the author but I could see others enjoying it more than I did.
READ MORE: WHAT I READ IN FEBRUARY 2020.
The Prison Doctor by Amanda Brown
★★★★★
A definite 5* review for this book! After reading Unnatural Causes last month I was looking for another book on a similar stall to this one and definitely found it in Amanda Brown's story as a doctor in the UK's most infamous prisons. Amanda Brown's career spans through young offenders institutions to Europes largest women-only prison after quitting as a GP. The book gripped me from the get-go and it moved me at moments too when we witnessed stories of mental health.
It's definitely a one sitting kinda book, I couldn't put it down and I wanted to savour everything Amanda was telling us in her story. It gave us a great insight into a profession we probably pay little attention to if we're honest.
The Rip by Mark Brandi*
★★★★★
[GIFTED BY PUBLISHER IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW]
Thanks to Legend Press for posting me a copy of this book during March, it was a fantastic read. This book is a very real and emotional book about homelessness and drugs. This takes on an adult perspective, Dani is a character that will stick with you long after you've finished the story. The Rip does a fantastic job at addressing the way of life that people more unfortunate of us experience, it's a very real account and it's a book that everyone in society should dive into. It's a short story but so much happens in that space, Brandi has captured a crime based mystery in all of the struggles of being homeless. The writing style is simplistic and easy to follow - it's not a hard one to get immersed in and I definitely would recommend this book from my list onto your to be read pile!
The Taking of Annie Thorne by C.J. Tudor
★★★★
This new spine-tingling, sinister thriller is one I have highly anticipated reading since the announcement. I loved reading The Chalk Man by the same author last Autumn. The Taking of Annie Thorne has great foundations for a great thriller and it kept me gripped from the first chapter. It draws on similarities of The Pet Sematary by Stephen King. Tudor's writing style has a fantastic way of building on the tension and throwing out revelations in a great way. I couldn't put it down but I did find parts of it quite long, I definitely enjoyed The Chalk Man more but it's still a great book to dive into!
What did you read in March?