What I Read in March

In February, my ever so lofty ambition of reading just a mere 15 minutes a day dwindled to occasionally picking up a book every now and then! You can read more about that here. And although I wasn’t consistent with my goal, what I did read was enough to reinvigorate my love for reading. And I carried that into the month of March. Choosing to read at night instead of watching tv or instagram stories was a lot easier because I had rediscovered how utterly transported you can be with a good book. And I didn’t time myself this month…I didn’t find that I needed to because I kept diving back in for the next chapter. So, here is what I read in March…

**this post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to make a purchase**

It Starts with the Egg (2nd Ed) by Rebecca Fett

Perhaps not a transporting book, per se, but this book came recommended by our doctor when we had our consultation after our third miscarriage (you can read more about that here). I breezed through it in two days because I was so engrossed by all the information. I had no idea that the female egg was so complicated. The author, who has her degree in molecular biochemistry and biotechnology, dives into the importance of female egg health at the cellular level and what was comforting was that she dispeled a lot of myths that say that egg health is not something we can change. And she outlines the ways that women can improve their egg health in a non-paranoid way and helped me make some really practical changes in our home environment, diet and beauty products. This book was remarkably encouraging and if you are dealing with PCOS, IVF or recurrent miscarriage, this book is for you. This is the second edition that just came out in February with updated information and research on BPA and phthalates.

You can find the book here: https://rstyle.me/+IIjsvk9QXxF4qVlCzypLnA

Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins

This is a memoir of a homeschooling mom who has eight boys and one girl. And while I’m on the fence about whether or not we will end up homeschooling Caroline, I was deeply intrigued to read about how she did it. I think because these toddler years are hard, it is reassuring to read about how another mama got through. She survived! She thrived! She had her days too but she made it! Its the kind of memoir that gives hope to the weary mama heart. I’ve also been considering the idea of how motherhood is a form of sanctification…and she touches on that in this book. In the same way, its the kind of book that inspires ideas about how to engage with your children. Perhaps idealistic. But where would we be without ideals? She writes with a beautiful narrative and it is easy to be inspired by her self education.

You can find the book here: https://rstyle.me/+S8CwuiMz5LANaV0l3JsOTw

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

I have no idea how I have missed reading this book over all these years. Its a slim volume, with a series of letters between an American writer and a bookstore. She needs books that are hard to find in New York and so she reaches out to Marks & Co. Booksellers in London, thus sparking a correspondence that lasts 20 years. The letters are witty and funny and the exchange is so heartwarming. I ended up watching the movie and that was just as enchanting…truly bringing the book to life. If you enjoyed The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society, you would probably enjoy this book…there is something so delightful about a story unfolding through letters.

To buy the book click here: https://rstyle.me/+C1eFhLrpYhLY00HjcsLUAA

To view the movie click here:https://rstyle.me/+WjmXcC0nblZ4hkmHBCXhhA

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

One of the ways I like to keep my reading interesting is by listening to

podcast called Close Reads where they choose a book and then the three hosts discuss each section. Its almost like a book club! But I love how they choose books that would have otherwise been rather intimidating to me, and deconstruct them in a way that is accessible and fun. There are lots of deep thoughts, but the banter is hilarious and I feel like this has enriched my reading experience so much more. Anyway, the book they read recently was The Remains of the Day…which isn’t something I would have normally picked up to read. But I’m so glad that I read it…it was such a beautiful and haunting read about a butler who is reviewing his life and the choices he has made.

You can find the book here: https://rstyle.me/+jLvIbi8z0cKQXeDj2xJeHw

You can find the podcast here: https://www.circeinstitute.org/podcasts/close-reads

What have you been reading lately!?