Overall mood: driven – with projects and plans on the horizon, I knew I wanted to get as many books as possible read in March. A big PhD milestone should be arriving in the next month or so, and with a lot of my attention and energy in April aimed at that, I figured I should spend as much time in March relaxing and reading as possible. Everyone deserves breaks and rests, so I took mine. I didn’t know I would read so much and I am still a little shocked that I managed 19 books and I’m currently reading the number 20.

Books read:

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett, 4.5/5

I loved reading The Tainted Cup – a detective mystery set within a fantasy world where the magic of the land and the scientific advancements make for some awesome and gruesome murders. It is a fantasy version of Sherlock Holmes and I am here for it, I cannot recommend it enough, and I will never stop encouraging readers to pick it up. A Drop of Corruption will be released in a few days, so you know I will not be shutting up about this series for a while.

All That We Know by Shilo Kino, 4.5/5

A powerful, loud, and emotional story of fighting for the right to one’s identity, All That We Know touches on hard topics, confronting social issues, and the influence and power of social media in this age of protest and advocacy. It is a New Zealand read that is well worth picking up, and I hope more kiwis read it – especially our younger generations.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells, 4.5/5

As soon as I started All Systems Red, I knew I would be reading the whole series within a few months. By the time I finished this novel, I had the next three lined up ready to continue my journey into Martha Wells’ incredible sci-fi space opera. It is a fantastic series which delves into very human concerns and questions, and considering our protagonist is a robot who shouldn’t be able to feel emotions, we get some pretty sharp tugs at the heartstrings. If you haven’t come across this series before, this is your notice to look into it.

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells, 4.5/5

Artificial Condition continues Martha Wells’ brilliant storytelling and character building while also providing funny interactions, great new additions, and a overarching story that does not disappoint. There isn’t much to say besides go pick The Murderbot Diaries up at your earliest convenience.

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells, 4.5/5

Okay, I said at your earliest convenience, but really I meant go pick it up today, ASAP, right now. Rogue Protocol is a tremendous tale on its own, filled with action and drama and sci-fi thrills, but the overarching storyline at play with this series is truly magnificent. Highly recommend if you couldn’t tell by now. You are missing out on a lot the longer you wait.

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells, 4.5/5

Stop everything you are doing. I want you to open a tab for your local library, bookstore, facebook book group – whatever it is, you will be typing The Murderbot Diaries into there. You will request all the novels or ask someone to borrow them for a weekend, or buy them. You will then sit down and read them. As soon as you get them. Do it. Exit Strategy is the start of a big story making its way into the picture, the pins being set into place for the final act. I know there is still a full-length novel and two more short novels to go, but it is addictive how good this series is. I had to stop myself from continuing because of all the other books I needed to get around to.

Cousins by Patricia Grace, 4/5

A key piece of New Zealand literature, Cousins is a moving family drama by our precious Patricia Grace, a novel so emotional and heartfelt that you cannot help but get swept up in the lyrical prose, the melody of her words, and the life of New Zealand throughout the mid-20th century. It is a tale of three girls, three women, but it is a tale of family and whakapapa too. If you are a New Zealand reader and you haven’t read Cousins yet, this is your sign to do so.

Tangi by Witi Ihimaera, 4.5/5

Tangi is another iconic kiwi novel, just as Witi Ihimaera is a national treasure. Tangi is full of love, grief, loss, emotion, family, longing, memory, and duty, and it will leave you teary-eyed at the very least. Tangi is full of heart and I know that readers wide and far will be able to empathise with the story’s main character for this novel deals with a topic many are familiar with. Check out Tangi today – after all, it’s been a beloved novel for over 50 years and it is deserving of such praise.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, 4/5

Here comes the romance train – The Kiss Quotient marks the first of the many romances I have picked up over March and I can safely say I had a wonderful time reading it. I love the representation in this novel, not just in cultures and characters, but professions and family dynamics too. It is a sweet story and a great showcase of character chemistry.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, 4.5/5

Finally got around to reading The Seven Year Slip and fell in love with the apartment, the emotional conflicts that arose, and the characters. Ashley Poston really knows what she’s doing with her romance books and I am definitely keeping an eye out for more works from her in the future.

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang, 4/5

I wasn’t expecting the tone and direction The Rainfall Market went in, but I appreciate it. It is a moral tale of longing for something, yet not seeing what is in front of your very eyes. It is a sweet story that is much deserving of a read, and I would highly encourage readers with pre-teen and teen children to give this to them to read. It is a story I think would resonate most with younger readers, not just for the teachings but the protagonist’s perspective.

Mile High by Liz Tomforde, 4.5/5

Yeah, I bit the bullet and picked up Mile High, a sports romance that has been all over bookish social media. For that very reason, I was hesitant to give it a go. Instead, I was more than pleasantly surprised at how multi-faceted the novel is, and I am eternally grateful I picked Mile High up. It is not a simple sports romance, there are many layers and conflicts to address throughout the novel, and it is a thoroughly enjoying read.

Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel, 4/5

Can you blame me? A love story between two gamers where DnD and all sort of other games and references are made on a regular basis? Of course I was going to read it. I supposed that is a warning in of itself – if you’re not a big gamer, then this read isn’t for you. If you are, well strap in, because the fun does not stop. I think this is a brilliant romance book and I hope more people come across is and give it the love it deserves.

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score, 4.5/5

Yeah, I wasn’t kidding when I said the romance train was in town. I also started the Knockemout books and oh boy, layered romance really does have a place in my heart. Between the Knockemout Series and the Windy City Series, my expectations for romance have been completely blown out of the water. I need detailed, complex characters and troubles in all sorts of areas of life. I need the interactions and the conflicts and the issues that make things difficult to navigate. I need all that this series is giving me. It is a fantastic read and I think it’s probably very late for me to say this but if you haven’t read this series then you need to.

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde, 4.5/5

You give me fan favourites from Mile High and throw them together for their own story in The Right Move and you expect us to not cry about it? The Right Move is great, it’s amazing, it is incredible. I don’t know if I would rate it higher than Mile High but it is certainly a great sports romance.

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood, 4/5

My curiosity was piqued when I found out Ali Hazelwood was doing a college sports romance, after all her STEM romances have been grabbing my attention over the last few months and I obviously like sports romance. Deep End was an interesting one. I think my preference for more detailed romance skewed my enjoyment a little, but it was still a great read. It isn’t quite as well-rounded as The Love Hypothesis or Love, Theoretically, but it is pretty good.

Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score, 4.5/5

I really liked Things We hide From The Light – not only do we get to delve into the darker aspects and events of Things We Never Got Over, but we get to see a different side of Nash and Lina than we saw before. I really like the dynamic between the Knockemout crew, from the Morgans and Lucian to the girls and their girlbossing. All I can say is I am more than ready to ready Things We Left Behind.

Emily Wildes Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett, 4/5

A lovely conclusion to the Emily Wilde trilogy that is as magical and adventurous as Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands. the setting is picturesque, the characters are complex and mysterious, the relationships are strained and tested, and the twists and turns make things interesting. It has been a treat reading these light academia fantasy stories and a great way to diversify my more intense reading.

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison, 4/5

Craving a sci-fi fix, I picked up The Book of the Unnamed Midwife as a book rec from bookish social media. It is dark and intriguing and written in a way that is compelling and immersive. I highly recommend it to sci-fi readers wanting something akin to The Handmaid’s Tale.