Best In Books | March 2017


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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Welcome to my Best in Books for March! 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...
I. Loved. This. Girl.
I related to Molly *a lot.* Sometimes it felt like reading a book about teenage me. The insecurities, the uncertainty... it was all there. She felt utterly authentic and her growth throughout the book had me cheering for her. I want to be friends with this girl.

Park from Eleanor & Park
Ever since my first read of this gem of a book I have maintained that every girl should be so lucky as to have a first love like Park. Park, with his love of music, of comics, and eventually of Eleanor. He was so adorably open in his feelings for Eleanor, so willing to put himself out there, and so determined to be her knight and 'save' her even when it meant saying goodbye and breaking his heart.


Emma's Mother from Barely Breathing

OMG, the woman was a train wreck! After her appearance in the first book it's not like I had any warm and fuzzy feelings toward her but her actions in Barely Breathing pretty much crushed any hope for a Mother of the Year award. She was manipulative, she was unstable (alcohol and drug use), she was emotionally and physically abusive and basically an all-around failure as a stable, responsible parent. When it came to providing a safe place for Emma she was a giant failure.

The Upside of Unrequired by Becky Albertalli


When Patty came out, the first thing Grandma did 
was try to set her up with the cantor's daughter. 
Who is actually straight, but Grandma gets thrown off 
when women have short hair.

The Elite by Kiera Cass
Not exactly a plot twist but there was a scene within The Elite that surprised me. One of the girls was punished in a very public and very brutal way I did not see it coming and it definitely took me by surprise. 


Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
I was completely and utterly charmed by Eleanor & Park - the book and the characters. Rowell managed to convey the feelings of first love, the feelings of being 16, and all that entails, so perfectly. There were so many scenes that warmed my heart and others that broke my heart. I mean, if this doesn't give you the feels, what does?

“I don't like you, Park," she said, sounding for a second like she actually meant it. "I..." - her voice nearly disappeared - "think I live for you."

He closed his eyes and pressed his head back into his pillow.

"I don't think I even breathe when we're not together," she whispered. "Which means, when I see you on Monday morning, it's been like sixty hours since I've taken a breath. That's probably why I'm so crabby, and why I snap at you. All I do when we're apart is think about you, and all I do when we're together is panic. Because every second feels so important. And because I'm so out of control, I can't help myself. I'm not even mine anymore, I'm yours, and what if you decide that you don't want me? How could you want me like I want you?"

He was quiet. He wanted everything she'd just said to be the last thing he heard. He wanted to fall asleep with 'I want you' in his ears.
Written In Red by Anne Bishop

When it comes to genres, I'm a contemporary girl. And I don't often stray. When I do, it's for the rare paranormal or fantasy, but it doesn't happen often. But on a whim I downloaded the audio version of urban fantasy Written in Red. And I loved it! I was immediately invested in the story and the characters and the totally unique world that Bishop created. I'm loving the relationships (Simon and Meg!) and all the distinct personalities of the inhabitants on the Lakeside Courtyard. I just downloaded the second book in the series and I'm so ready for more!
it rode in on

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

I don't know how she does it, but when it comes to spot-on portrayals of teenagers and all the highs and lows they experience, Becky Albertalli is the master. Just like with Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Albertalli created a completely authentic voice for Molly and surrounded her with family and friends that leaped off the page. It had humor, it had heart, it was honest and just so, so good.    
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Now it's your turn: What was the best book you read in March? 

25 comments

  1. Oh what a good month for you!! I have The Upside coming up and so excited for it. I have been thinking of listening to Written in Red because my library has them. If you like it maybe I will try!! Happy reading!!

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    1. It really was a good reading month! Written in Red was so good! So different from what I usually read. I just started the second book (on audio) yesterday.

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  2. Ooh, I love love LOVE The Selection series SO MUCH - well, the first three books, because the latter additions? Freaking unnecessary. ARE YOU TEAM MAXON OR TEAM ASPEN? I was team Maxon all the way, even though he pissed me the hell off quite a few times... but so did America haha. I can't wait to finally read The Upside of Unrequited!

    Veronika @ The Regal Critiques

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    1. I love hearing that you love The Selection series! I feel like is gets a lot of hate? (Maybe I'm wrong.) But I've really enjoyed the first two books and can't wait to dive into the third. Sounds like maybe I could skip the rest. I am so Team Maxon! Aspen annoys me to no end. (Then again so does America. LOL)

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  3. I'm so glad you loved The Upside of Unrequited because I LOVED Simon Vs. and I really need to get this one!

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    1. Simon actually makes a very brief appearance, Lauren! And it's so adorable. And Abby shows up here and there since she's Molly's cousin. I hope you'll love it!

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  4. I'm so excited to read The Upside of Unrequited. It sounds like you really loved it!
    Megan @ http://wanderingsofabookbird.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. I hope you'll love it, too, Megan! My review posts tomorrow and I'm already excited about whatever Becky publishes next. :)

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  5. The Truth About Love and Dukes by Laura Lee Guhrke was my favorite March read. Just because it's set in Victorian England and the heroine runs a gossip newspaper. :) Great list! ~Aleen

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    1. I bet running a gossip paper in Victorian England could equate to all kinds of interesting scenarios! :)

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  6. I. Love. This. Feature. Is there a meme or just you two doing it, because it's such a fun way to wrap up your reading month. Upside was adorable, and Molly was such a great MC. Albertalli always creates such awesome characters. My favorite March read was When Dimple Met Rishi. This book was perfection for me.
    Sam @ WLABB

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    1. Aw, thanks Sam! :) Hope started the feature and I'm not sure if other Booktubers picked up on it as well or not. I always loved it so got her permission to carry it over on my blog. Feel free to join in, though! It's such a fun feature and I'd love to see your monthly favorites. I used some of Hope's topics, added some of my own, and I switch them up month to month.

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    2. Forgot to add - I am so excited to read When Dimple Met Rishi!

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  7. YESSSS to Upside! Seriously, Molly WAS teen Shannon completely! I related to her SOOOO much. SUCH a good book! And I have heard THE best things about Written in Red, I have got to grab a copy! I can't decide what the best book I read in March was- SO many were good! Upside, Goodbye Days, Defy the Stars, Given to the Sea... choosing is too hard!

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    1. I'm now convinced that Albertalli can do no wrong. Simon = Perfection. Upside = Amazing. I'm in love with both books/characters. Written in Red was so, so good. Highly recommend. I just started the second book. I'm so excited for Given to the Sea!

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  8. I'm so happy to see The Upside of Unrequited on so many of your favorite spots for March, Tanya. I loved Molly, too, and could have totally been her in my teenage years. I was such a serial-crusher from afar, only knowing the name of the guy I crushed on, and that's it :D
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. It's amazing how relatable everyone is finding Molly. How in the world does Albertalli do it? I was definitely a Molly. :)

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  9. Wasn't Emma's mom just crazy! She drove me nuts just reading the book. I have been seeing The Upside of Unrequited a lot, I'll need to read that soon. Great list of books, Tanya. :)

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    1. Oh my gosh, Jess, the woman was psycho. And poor Emma was determined to make excuses and hang in there with her. The Upside was excellent. Hope you get a chance to read it soon!

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  10. I am very excited about The Upside of Unrequited especially since you seem to like it so much :)

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  11. I really can't wait to read Written in Red!

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    1. I loved it, Jazmen! I picked it up on a whim and it was one of those total surprises. I'm listening to the second book now and am so invested.

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