Best In Books | March 2018


Best in Books is a monthly feature created by BookTuber Hope Ortego
A playlist of her Best In Books videos can be found HERE.
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Best in Books was created by my friend Hope and she was kind enough to let me join in on her feature (because she's awesome that way). Her BookTube channel is linked above and I hope you'll check her out. Now on to all the best bookishness in March...




Macy from Love and Other Words
It's hard to come up with concrete, specific reasons why Macy was such a stand-out character for me. She wasn't fighting wars or saving kingdoms (but she was a pediatric doctor so she was saving kids). She was just a regular woman and I think it was the fact that she was so real, and felt so totally realistic, that I cared for her so much. I totally pulled for Macy and wanted a happy ending for her so much. Because goodness knows she deserved it.


Elliot from Love and Other Words
Could I love this guy any more?! I adored Elliot. Teenage Elliot was what every girl should have for her first love. Sweet and kind and patient, smart and funny and fun-loving. He was just So. Good. Yes he made mistakes but I loved his openness and his honesty. Adult Elliot was every bit as lovable. Laid back, incredibly patient, and heartbreakingly honest about his feelings. Elliot took my breath away.


Lake Silence by Anne Bishop
Something about this cover just conveys a kind of ominous feel to me and I love it. While there may be some confusion as to who is depicted on the cover - a blogger friend assumed it was the main character while I thought it was the Lady of the Lake (in human form) - I think the look and feel totally fit the story.



What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Clinton wrote these lines speaking about women in politics, but I felt it really spoke to all women.

In my experience, the balancing act women in politics have to master is challenging at every level, but it gets worse the higher you rise. If we’re too tough, we’re unlikable. If we’re too soft, we’re not cut out for the big leagues. If we work too hard, we’re neglecting our families. If we put family first, we’re not serious about the work. If we have a career but no children, there’s something wrong with us, and vice versa. If we want to compete for a higher office, we’re too ambitious. Can’t we just be happy with what we have? Can’t we leave the higher rungs on the ladder for men? Think how often you’ve heard these words used about women who lead: angry, strident, feisty, difficult, irritable, bossy, brassy, emotional, abrasive, high-maintenance, ambitious (a word that I think of as neutral, even admirable, but clearly isn’t for a lot of people)."


Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
Listening to this one on audio provided so many laugh out loud moments. I listened on my daily commute so I'm sure the drivers in the cars around me thought I was an absolute loon if they happened to look over while I was giggling or guffawing at something Anna said. Here are a couple of my favorites:

"Jessica became my first enemy. Like most enemies in my life, I hoped to punish her with passive-aggressive glances and silent-but passionate!-resentment. She retaliated by forgetting I existed. Ah, the moral victory.” 

"People who grew up in major cities may wonder why the hell I would act like it's a big deal to be unaccompanied in New York City at that age. It's populated with both adults and children, it's a functioning metropolis, Kevin McCallister was only ten in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and that kid saved Christmas. Conversely, people from suburban areas act like my parents sent me wandering around the site of the Baby Jessica well, blindfolded and holding a flaming baton. So pick a side and prepare to judge me either way!” 

Seth: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I don't know if Seth is actually supposed to be a bad-boy type but he's definitely edgier than the other male lead, Aiden. I suppose I'm supposed to be swooning over Aiden and considering he and Alex the total OTP, but Aiden is a little too perfect. Seth is far more interesting and entertaining.  

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
This mystery-thriller had so many surprising revelations that my head was spinning. Even some that I suspected were revealed in such a way that it was still shocking. There were characters who were shady, whose motivations weren't always clear, and whose actions sometimes took me by surprise. Each event kept me itching for more and the moments I never saw coming were twisted but satisfying. 

Royally Endowed by Emma Chase
Okay, typically I would not include a scene (or quote or anything else) that could not be explained or be put into context because of possible spoilers. But this particular scene just got to me and it was certainly a notable swoon-worthy moment. So, sorry I can't provide any context or explain what or why this is swoon-worthy, but just take my word for it. And if you've read Royally Endowed, then you know.

So here's my oh-so-cryptic moment: The scene near the very end when Logan tells Ellie to close her eyes. He does this so she won't have to see what's about to happen and that just killed me. It was so completely selfless, and so completely swoony, that it did me in.
it rode in on
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Simply put, I fell in love with Love and Other Words. I tumbled hard and fast into Macy and Elliot's story - hurting for them both in the present-day chapters and reveling in the past chapters, even though I knew something devastating had to be coming. These were two special people who found one another early in life... until circumstances bisected them. I hesitate to call this a second-chance romance because that reduces it to a simple trope when it's so much more than that. Macy and Elliot came alive for me and I loved their story.

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Now it's your turn: 
What is the best book you read in March? 

28 comments

  1. I love this! It's been awhile since I've read Half-Blood, so I'm having trouble picturing Seth. Clearly this means I'm due for a re-read! I keep seeing Love and Other Words floating around, and it seemed to win in a lot of your categories, so... *searches library for audiobook*

    I love Anna Kendrick!

    Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Thanks Lindsi! Best In Books is pretty much my favorite post to do each month. :) Seth = The Apollyon. And I think he even has his own series after the Covenant series. Might be called the Titan series? But don't quote me on that. I can't believe I haven't read the whole Covenant series by now... JLA is one of my favorites! I hope you'll love Love and Other Words as much as I did. (Btw, I think it releases on April 10.) I might have to check out the audio version, too!

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  2. Didn't Seth get a spinoff series??

    My favorite read for March was Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World. it was mid-grade, which I don't normally read, but it was so adorable.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Yep, I think it’s called the Titan series and the final book was just released a couple weeks ago.

      I hardly ever pick up middle grade but sometimes there are some real stand-outs.

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  3. I love this post! It looks like you read a lot of great books in March. I especially like that Hillary Clinton quote. I sill need to read that book.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Thanks AJ! My Best In Books is my favorite post to do all month. :)
      The Clinton book was definitely worth reading (or listening to).

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  4. Oooh this is such an awesome feature! I ADORE Anna Kendrick--she's one of the funniest, realest actresses I know. And it's definitely clear here that I NEED to read Love and Other Words--characters that are already amazing on their own (without the love interest)? Yes please!!! ♥

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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    1. Thanks Aimee! I started it a year or so ago but had a hiatus for a few month when I was in that awful reading slump. Thank goodness it’s over because I love doing my Best In Books posts! I totally agree about Anna Kendrick - she seems so completely down to earth!

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  5. Love and Other Words was just so good and Elliot!!!! I just love that sweet cupcake of a man. I actually adored him at all his ages in that book.

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    1. Oh my goodness, Elliot was just the best! As a teenager he was just the sweetest thing ever and as a man... even better!

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  6. Wow, it sounds like you really loved Love and Other Words. That's awesome! Love the quotes you shared from Anna's book. I still need to read that!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Love and Other Words really was excellent. And the Anna Kendrick book was a great listen - a lot of fun. :)

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  7. This is a great post because it gets us (or at least me! ;) ) interested in books in a different way than reviews. Scrappy Little Nobody is definitely on my TBR but you just put Hilary's on it as well. Oh, and Love and Other Words. I love what you have to say about Seth because I completely agree. It's been a looong time since I read Half Blood but I know Seth was the guy who tripped my trigger. I think I'm going to have to re-read that one before I finish the series since it's been so long. LOL Hope you're having a great week, Tanya!

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    1. Thanks Brandee! And I never thought of it that way, but you’re right. It helps that Best In Books is my favorite post to do all month. :)

      Scrappy Little Nobody was fun. Nothing profound or earth shattering, but really entertaining. And the Clinton book was incredibly interesting. So informative and really gave a peek at the inner workings of the campaign. And I learned quite a bit about Hillary that I didn’t know.

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  8. seems like Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren is very popular :D I just got my hands on an ebook copy and I am excited on getting to it

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    1. I hope you'll love it as much as I did, Lily. I totally fell for Macy and Elliot. :)

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  9. I have got to get this series from Chase read. I have them and enjoy hers but there they sit waiting. lol

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    1. I have so many books/series like that, Anna. I'm dying to read them but there are just so many other books. But the Royally series by Emma Chase is totally worth it! :)

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  10. Sounds like I need to add Love and Other Words to my TBR. I like second chance romance stories, but I'm also excited to hear that it's so much more than that :)

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    1. Oh my goodness, Suzanne, Love and Other Words was just so, so good. I was totally wrapped up in those characters and their story.

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  11. Oh my god! Your post just makes me want to read Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout even more. I just don't have time though (ARCs and stuff). Aghhh!!

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    1. Don't you hate when ARCs get in the way of what you're dying to read? And we do it to ourselves. LOL

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  12. OMG yeay Seth!!! Definitely a bad boy type. ;)
    I loved that Hillary quote. I think it's applicable to any woman no matter what field she is trying to thrive in.

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    1. I'm actually kind of anxious to get through the Covenant series so I can start the Titan series all about Seth. LOL
      And I totally agree about that quote from Hillary - I think it applies to all women.

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  13. Half-Blood reminded me a lot of Vampire Academy so I didn't finish it but I really, really, really want to read Love and Other Words!

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    1. I’ve heard that *a lot* about the Covenant series but since I’ve never read Vampire Academy it was no issue. You definitely need to read Love and Other Words! I think you would like it.

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  14. First off, this feature is amazing!! I wonder if she minds if I join in?? I'm super excited to read Royally Endowed. Just need to find time to squeeze it into my schedule. AMAZING post!

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    1. You should totally join in, Jessica! I’m sure Hope wouldn’t mind (as long as credit is given). Best In Books is my favorite post I do every month. I’d love to see yours! :)

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