There was some variety in the books I read for this month, I like that! Most of these books have been very popular best-sellers. While I agree with some of the high ratings, I’m definitely questioning others. Do I just not “get” how amazing these pieces of literature are? Or are people just buying these books because of the author’s previous works or because of recommendations by influencers? Either way, there are books below I definitely recommend and others I would say to pass on. Here are my March book reviews;

   

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Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When you Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live)

I think all married women (especially those with children) should read Fair Play. The author has developed a new system for assigning, planning, and executing household tasks. The biggest change in this division of labor is that tasks are assigned to one spouse and that person is responsible for every single part of the job. For instance, “children’s birthday parties”. If you take on that job this week, it is entirely your responsibility to rsvp to the party, buy a present, wrap the present, transport your child to the party, etc.

With this system, there are clearly assigned tasks and roles. It is supposed to get rid of spousal resentment and help partners realize how each person’s time is equally important. Cards (tasks) can be redealt as often as needed in your family.

While the concept is great and I agree with many things in the book, I don’t think the game is efficient. Also, the constant reshuffling of cards seems like a lot of work. This book has wonderful points and I do recommend reading it but personally, I won’t be playing the game as it is presented in the book.

   

The Giver of Stars

The Giver of Stars is about a library in the backcountry of Kentucky whose librarians bring books to community members on horseback. While this service is greatly appreciated by many, others (mostly prominent men in the community) have objections.

The story focuses on the female librarians and their unique backgrounds and lives. Included in the book is a little romance, murder, a trial, and politics surrounding a coal mining town. These women are fighting to give the gift of reading to citizens who might otherwise have no way of getting books (or the chance to learn how to read).

This is a wonderful book to read before bed. It’s an interesting historical fiction piece that is simple to read and doesn’t get too intense. The strong female characters were certainly a breath of fresh air.

   

The Dutch House

Maybe it is because I listened to The Dutch House on Audible but I thought the book seemed to drag on forever. The story was fine, plus Tom Hanks has a fantastic storytelling voice, but there are definitely books I would recommend reading before this one.

The story centers around a family and the amazing house they once lived in. Spaning a number of decades, two siblings have a very close bond after being thrown out of their family home by their stepmother. Through medical issues, college, marriage, and kids, the sister and brother continue to support one another throughout their lives. Together they also obsess over the house they grew up in and visit it regularly (while sitting in the car) to discuss the past.

As a reader, I just wanted to shout, “Forget about the house and the past, move on!”. Though I certainly have never been through the traumas the siblings went through at such young ages, family drama and the house seem to be issues they can’t let go of. The story was alright if not a little long but I did enjoy the ending so that’s saying something.

   

The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett

Written from the viewpoint of a high school outcast, this young adult book really annoyed me.

The main character, Hawthorne, becomes obsessed when a former classmate goes missing.  Initially, everyone in town is talking about it.  Why did she disappear when camping with her boyfriend? Did an animal get her?  Did she get lost?  Hawthorne has a different theory, that the once super-popular teen has turned into a werewolf.  This theory makes Hawthorne even more unpopular at school than she already is.  One person who will entertain the notion is the missing girl’s boyfriend who Hawthorne now spends a lot of time with. 

The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett was not for me. I found the main character irritating and I was mostly unsympathetic to her problems.  Some of the storylines were interesting, such as the hippie caravan camping out in her backyard and how her brother was so concerned about her well-being. But overall this high schooler’s problems just seemed pathetic to me.

   

Need more book recommendations? Take a look at my February book reviews and recommendations.