March Book Roundup
I'm a bit late getting to my monthly book roundup because, well, life happened. You'll notice I've been away for a few weeks while waiting for work to settle, evaluating what I need to say no to in my life, and dealing with some family health things. I may share about all or some of that later, but this is a book roundup post, not a life update one.
In March, I completed 10 books, all consumed via audio. All of the books are on my Bookshop.org list which may toss some money my way if you buy from the link.
Sea of Tranquility
Rating: 5 ⭐️ (first of the year!)
Genre: science fiction
How I Read It: Audiobook via my local library's Libby subscription
Summary: The book follows several people with seemingly unrelated parallel paths through life, from the 1800s to 2200. The fun is working out how they're all part of a single story.
Mini Review: I really loved this, though time travel novels are often not for me because I get confused about who knows what when. Not the case here. It's a quick read that twists and turns but comes together in the end.
Return, Recommend, or Re-Read: Re-read very likely
Babel
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Genre: fantasy, historical
How I Read It: Audiobook via my local library's Libby subscription
Summary: A small cohort of students enter the prestigious Translation school at Oxford and uncover the tower where they study not only their selected language(s) but also silver-work, using the power of translation to embed magic into silver bars.
Mini Review: I loved the world of this book and the four main characters. You get to learn about how they came to study their chosen languages and how they do (or do not) get pulled into the rebellion that is trying to take down their school. I'd probably have the book at 5 stars except for the ending which was necessary but not what I was hoping for.
Return, Recommend, or Re-Read: Recommend for anyone who enjoys fantasy/magical realism and/or loves languages and linguistics
Glass and Steele Series (Books 1-7)
Rating: Most 4.5 ⭐️
Genre: fantasy, historical, romance
How I Read It: Audiobooks via Kobo Plus
Summary: Matthew Glass is an American who has moved to London with his cousin and three friends not only to run away from trouble back home but to start to assume his place as heir to a title. India Steele is a watchmaker's daughter whose fiance left her as soon as her father signed over the family business to him. With their group of friends, they help to solve murders across London which all relate to the hidden magical community.
Mini Review: I love watching not only the relationships between the characters flourish but also how there's an underlying big mystery they're exploring hints of. These are pretty light despite the fact they're murder mysteries. They make me really want to learn more about the British guild system.
Return, Recommend, or Re-Read: Recommend for lovers of somewhat-cozy mysteries who will enjoy a magical element and/or the historical London setting
Swordcrossed
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Genre: historical, romance
How I Read It: Audiobook via my local library's Libby subscription
Summary: As I'm sure you can guess from the title, the book follows the pair of Matti - a wool merchant whose family business is hanging on by I thread (sorry) - and Luca - the hired sword who is contracting to ensure Matti's marriage goes smoothly. Except, of course, they fall for each other. But is Luca, the man who shows up out of seemingly nowhere?
Mini Review: Enjoyable, very spicy story of these enemies who become friends who become more. The audiobook may use British accents for everyone but it's a fictional world where you have to hire a guy to duel with someone who rather marry your betrothed.
Return, Recommend, or Re-Read: Recommend for historical romance fans, especially if this would be their first M/M romance (though also some Sapphic elemnts)