March marked a return to more typical reading habits with a total of six books completed – quite a contrast to the whirlwind of sixteen in February!
Along with a slower pace came some personal reflections and decisions. I have to acknowledge that certain content – especially profanity and sexually explicit material – leaves me feeling unsettled, particularly when it involves the misuse of Jesus’ name. While I can usually navigate around explicit content, the language is much harder to avoid and I’ve been convicted to reconsider my reading choices. Unfortunately, I’m not generally a fan of faith-based fiction; spiritual themes often feel forced and the writing can be lackluster. I suppose (partially subconsciously?) content concerns are part of why I’ve tended toward non-fiction for the last few decades.
I’m committed to taking a more intentional approach going forward. I’m going to screen books more carefully before they enter my home while giving myself permission/encouragement to put them down if the content feels uncomfortable or doesn’t align with my values. And I’ll continue to give trigger warnings as part of my reviews!
Now, let’s talk about the books I read in March.
BOOKS I READ IN MARCH – THE SHORT VERSION
- Beyond the Wand: The Magic & Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard – Tom Felton ★★★★☆
- Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant – Stephanie Kiser ★★★☆☆
- A Hunger to Kill: A Serial Killer, a Determined Detective, and the Quest for a Confession That Changed a Small Town Forever – Kim Mager, Lisa Pulitzer ★★★★☆
- Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn’t Food – Chris van Tulleken ★★★★★
- None of This Is True – Lisa Jewell ★★★☆☆
- Rewind – Catherine Ryan Howard ★★★☆☆
BOOKS I READ IN MARCH – THE LONG VERSION
Beyond the Wand: The Magic & Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard – Tom Felton (non-fiction, memoir) ★★★★☆
This memoir reads like two distinct books – Tom Felton portraying Harry Potter’s nemesis Draco Malfoy and Tom Felton describing his off-screen battle with addiction and mental health.
As a long-time Harry Potter fan, I really enjoyed behind-the-scenes descriptions of his experiences growing up on the set of these iconic movies. It wasn’t the most gripping memoir I’ve ever read and I’m not sure I would have appreciated it nearly as much without a deep connection to the Harry Potter series – but I did enjoy the book and couldn’t put it down.
That said, it was graphic and raw when it came to discussions of substance abuse and mental illness – I wouldn’t recommend it for young audiences (i.e. kid fans of his character Draco).
- Trigger warnings: candid discussions about mental illness, substance abuse/alcoholism, profanity.
Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant – Stephanie Kiser (non-fiction, memoir/exposé) ★★★☆☆ (3.5 stars rounded down to 3)
I have mixed thoughts on this book – I found some of the behind-the-scenes insights about nannying for the rich and famous extremely interesting. That was juxtaposed by personal narratives about Kiser’s childhood that seemed to veer into “dirty laundry airing” territory. I vacillated on my rating; in the end I landed on 3.5 stars rounded down to 3.
- Trigger warnings: profanity, abortion, mental illness.
A Hunger to Kill: A Serial Killer, a Determined Detective, and the Quest for a Confession That Changed a Small Town Forever – Kim Mager, Lisa Pulitzer (non-fiction; true crime) ★★★★☆
This is a true-crime story that mirrors (to a certain extent) the depiction of Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs.
Shawn Grate is arrested when a surviving victim is able to call 911 with a plea for help. But Grate will only talk to one detective – Kim Mager – and his obsession with talking with (and being around) her might have sinister undertones.
I had never heard of this case and found it both horrifying and riveting as Mager pulls back the curtain on interrogation techniques and the timeline of identifying a serial killer and seeing him brought to justice. Mager is a Christian and there were clear faith undertones in a book that is admittedly about a very horrific topic.
- Trigger warnings: criminal violence (including murder, rape, mind control, physical/sexual abuse, grooming).
Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn’t Food – Chris van Tulleken (non-fiction; nutrition) ★★★★★ (4.5 stars rounded up to 5)
This was a well-researched book that shines a light on how most of what we’re consuming isn’t actually “food”. I appreciated that van Tulleken didn’t come across with a tone of judgement. He doesn’t even present a straightforward plan that he suggests is best for others to follow. But he does offer an engaging overview of the ingredients in ultra-processed foods that may be impacting our health, the billion dollar conglomerates competing for our money, and why both of those things matter.
I will look at ingredient labels differently moving forward.
None of This Is True – Lisa Jewell (fiction; thriller) ★★★☆☆
This was my least favourite Lisa Jewell book to date. Too much profanity for my taste, and I did NOT like the ending. At first I was really hooked by the story, but it started to get cumbersome as the book went on and on and on. It has high ratings, but wasn’t a winner for me.
- Summary: On her 45th birthday podcaster Alix Summers unexpectedly meets her “birthday twin” – Josie Fair. A few days later they run into each other again. That was probably just a coincidence, right? Josie has started listening to Alix’s podcast and thinks she would make an interesting subject for an upcoming series. Before long, these “birthday twins” are spending a lot of time together. Eventually, Josie moves in to Alix’s house and weird things start happening. Things are going missing, and why does Josie insist on wearing Alix’s clothes? Alix is devastated when Josie reveals decades of abuse at the hands of her (much older) husband, but something doesn’t add up. Why is there a bloody key hidden under Josie’s mattress, and why have both their husbands suddenly gone missing?
- Trigger warnings: profanity, violence, mind control, child abuse, alcoholism, grooming, murder.
Rewind – Catherine Ryan Howard (fiction; thriller) ★★★☆☆
This book is all over the place – literally. A murder is caught on video and then the book hops around between the past, the present, and the future in varying order, slowly relaying more and more details. I really liked the premise of the book, but the plot line was a bit of a stretch and I didn’t feel like character development was well thought out. By the halfway point of the book, I could guess the punchline. I was also put off by one of the main story arcs about child grooming which was, in my mind, trivialized in a deeply unhealthy way. That said, I did want to read through to the end to see how it all played out. My least favourite of Howard’s books so far.
- Summary: The manager of a cottage complex watches as one of his guests – his only guest – is murdered. He’s watching the murder happen from a hidden camera that only he knows about. So how does the killer know to turn and walk straight toward the camera and turn off the video feed? And why is there a hidden camera to begin with? Could it have anything to do with a popular influencer who checked into the cottage and is now missing?
- Trigger warnings: profanity, violence, grooming, murder.
Your turn.
- What was the best book you read in March?
- Have you read any of the books listed above? If so, what did you think?!
- What is most likely to cause you to DNF a book?
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Grateful Kae
I think these all sound like great books! Honestly even the ones you rated lower “sound” really good in the descriptions! I didn’t finish a SINGLE book in March… argh. I did read almost all over Harry Potter #2 in March, though (and besides some on the flight home, I didn’t read a single bit during the ~10 days we were traveling). I started reading Matthew Perry’s memoir “Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing” now in April. Since we got home from London though I feel like I haven’t had a ton of time to read for whatever reason (or I guess I have been choosing other things/ work has been busy/ etc). I want to get back to reading more again though! I had a strong start for the year (for me) and my goal for 2025 was to make sure that I’m reading at least 10-25 minutes a day if nothing else, which at least keeps the needle moving on things I truly do want to read. But some days I haven’t even been doing that. I don’t DNF books often. I guess maybe I don’t read enough books for it be as common for me as for those who reads dozens a month. I can see how it would come up more often then! Since I only read maybe 1-2 books a month usually, statistically by chance I guess it maybe it just doesn’t happen as much? I do prefer to finish books whenever possible too, which I know is silly, but I like to mark it off on my tracker. HA!
Elisabeth
Harry Potter books are LONG.
When John travels I almost never watch any shows, so that tends to be when I fit in the most of my reading time. I wish my kids wanted to pile on the couch for hours and read, but they don’t, so I have to make time in the evenings!
mbmom11
I read the Lisa Jewel book, and did not like it at all. Interesting premise but the story felt forced and I didn’t like any of the characters. I really loved her novel “Watching You” and keep hoping for a similar feeling when I pick up her other ones.
I’ll have to look for the Tom Felton book- I don’t think that the movies would have been as good without him. He did such a great job of being obnoxious but then vulnerable.
I read a lot of books in March- most of which I can’t remember now! “Unquiet Bones” a mystery set in BC “FirstBorn” memoir- unexpectly tender but with something that made me extra sad, “All the light We cannot See” just great. To Say Nothing of The Dog- funny sci fi time travel with WWII setting sort of? Macbeth- the Scottish play for you theater people out there.
I think, Elisabeth, most of these would not be up your alley.
Elisabeth
I do love heartbreaking memoirs. I just can’t seem to get enough.
I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one with that Lisa Jewell book. Agreed that it felt “forced” and I also didn’t connect with any of the characters even the “good” ones. I’ll have to look up Watching You.
Birchie
I feel like my reading slowed in March, and that’s fine – I’m not in school anymore! The best book that I read in March is an easy answer – The Secret Book of Flora Lea.
I haven’t read any of these books, but I have something to say about Lisa Jewell and Catherine Ryan Howard. They have both written books that I loooooooved, but I feel like I hit a burnout point with both of them. It’s definitely a case of it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. The books of theirs that worked for me REALLY worked for me.
I will DNF a book at any time for any reason, simply because my time on this earth is limited and there are so many great books out there. The more time that I spend reading a book that’s not working means that I will spend less time reading the great books that make my toes curl and warm my soul. There is no reason to stick with the losers.
As far as your content triggers, I don’t think it’s any different than real life. If you were introduced to someone who talked like that, you would probably say “it was nice to meet you” and cut the conversation short. You wouldn’t spend the day hanging out with them. You also wouldn’t leave them and start talking to someone that you’ve had lackluster conversations with in the past (aka the faith based fiction that isn’t hitting the mark).
Elisabeth
Wasn’t The Secret Book of Flora Lea SO GOOD! That’s been my favourite book of the year so far, 100%.
What an incredible perspective, as always, Birchie! Yes. I have never thought about the content triggers and how that would carry over to “real” life but you’re so right!
Michelle G.
I haven’t read any of your March books. I’ve been listening to a compilation of Agatha Christie mysteries. It started with The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which was fair. Then The Man in the Brown Suit, which was good. Now I’m in the middle of The Secret Adversary, which I’m really enjoying.
I DNF books all the time. I can’t tolerate gore, demons, or ghosts. Some swearing is fine, but it can be overused and take away from the story. I’m really noticing an increase in swearing on TV!
Elisabeth
Like you, I don’t mine some swearing (aside from religious profanities – those always bother me!), but I remember reading the first Galbraith book and it seriously felt like every other word was a swear word. Ugh. Let’s get more original with our vocabulary!
Nicole MacPherson
I read None of This Is True and gave it four stars, so I must have liked it. I am not at all bothered by profanity though unless it’s constant.
*just had a sudden surge of fear about you reading my profanity in my blog/ book*
What makes me DNF is if I can’t get through the first few chapters without being bored. Also I remember nearly throwing a book across the room when I realized in the first chapter that it was going to be a book about a father sexually abusing his daughter, can’t remember the book though. I find child abuse very very hard to read, but that’s not always a DNF. Graphic depictions of addiction usually make a DNF for me.
I haven’t been reading much non-fiction lately, and I am not much of one for thrillers/ mysteries. Despite what I just said about addiction, I’m currently reading a book called Loved and Missed and it is about a woman loving her daughter, who is an addict. It’s gripping!
Elisabeth
Don’t be fearful. Again, aside from religious profanity (which does ALWAYS bother me – as I think it should!), I recognize that swear words are just words. I don’t choose to use them regularly, but in certain contexts I am fine with it. I swear sometimes! It’s the overuse that bothers me. Also, we have different life journeys. You could easily say you weren’t going to talk to me or read my blog content because I reference faith truths that you don’t adhere to but you don’t. Also, I suspect if we were hanging out for coffee you would naturally NOT swear around me. Not out of some moral hinderance but because that’s what friends naturally do – we support each other and look out for what will make the other comfortable. What I’m saying is you can wear your f-bomb Pride and Prejudice shirt with no guilt, but I also suspect you’d never gift me one 🙂
Domestic violence and child abuse are big triggers for me. What really bothers me, though, is if an author has those sorts of themes and glosses over it. Then I just get mad because it can seem like partial tolerance/acceptance for abhorrent behaviour.
Nicole MacPherson
Lol, no I would never gift you one of those tees!
I do OMG quite a bit in its full form, but I do try to Oh My Gosh when talking to friends who I know are religious.
Elisabeth
As someone who is a Christian, I very much appreciate when people change their speech to make me comfortable. I feel loved and respected. Especially if I know this person would often use different words if I weren’t there! I don’t want people to feel uncomfortable and censored around me out of fear or shame, but out of respect and love. Does that make sense?!
Jenny
I haven’t read any of these. I’m mildly interested in the Tom Felton book, but only because I’m a huge HP fanatic (although I’m more a fan of the books than the movies). The food one sounds REALLY good. I’ve read something else by Lisa Jewell but I can’t remember what it was- this one doesn’t sound great.
I rarely DNF books. I guess I’m pretty careful about what books I choose, and if I’m not sure, I’ll read a couple pages just to make sure I don’t hate the writing style before I actually commit to the book. The one thing that really bothers me in books is cruelty to animals or children- I don’t want to read about that.
Elisabeth
10/10 recommend the food book, Jenny! I think you’d really enjoy it.
Abuse of any kind is HARD to read. In memoirs, I tend to stick it out because that is someone’s truth, but in a fictional context I’m very sensitive to how it’s handled. That’s what really bothered me about Rewind. There was a pedophile and they never really tackled that what he had done was WRONG. HORRIFIC. And that bothered me.
Katy @ Practical Walk
The best book I finished this month was Surviving Religion 101 (although I started it months ago). My review of it and the 2 others I read are here: https://practicalwalk.com/2025/03/28/march-book-stack/
I haven’t read any of the above, but the Ultra-Processed People piques my interest.
If I find a book really boring and I start to realize I’m only reading it to say I read it, I’ll stop. Or what’s more likely, I start reading other stuff and just never finish it, not really a conscious decision.
Elisabeth
Yes! I definitely find myself putting a book down and when it’s not interesting enough to make me WANT to read it, I know it’s time to move on.
Central Calif. Artist Jana
Elisabeth, you described my reading preferences to a T (what does that actually mean?)! Love memoir, dislike “Christian fiction” (why do I dislike even that title for the genre??) for exactly the reasons you named, that unsettled feeling from reading stuff that just isn’t edifying. . .
And yet I escape into mountains of mindless fiction. My life is great—why the need for escape?
I reserved Ultra-Processed People from the library—thank you for the recommendation.
Have you looked up the Yada Yada Prayer Group series by Neta Jackson? This is the most realistic and captivating—nay, the ONLY—of the genre I’ve ever read. Wanted to know these people and hang out with them! She has several series and the same characters appear in all the books.
Are you on GoodReads? I’d like to follow you!
Elisabeth
I have put a hold on the first book of the Yada Yada Prayer Group series and will report back once it has come in and I’ve had a chance to read it.
I wonder it the “to a T” relates to jot/tittle? It’s exacting and perfect, much like it would be if you were careful to make sure every i was dotted and t crossed.
I think the fiction allows us to use our imagination (a God-given gift) and I think it can open us up to new ideas. Also, it’s fun! And it’s great for things to be “fun”. There doesn’t have to be an ulterior motive. So I say enjoy your fiction.
I sent you a friend invite on Goodreads <3
Ernie
I think I’m similar to Grateful Kae – I don’t read a ton of books every month, so I don’t DNF very often. I just read The Rose Code. I liked it, but I started to get annoyed with some of it towards the end. I guess it was the way it all fell together. Parts of it also seemed to drag on while others seemed emotionally. Right now I’m reading The Many Lives of Mama Love. It’s a page turner, but so sad. A true story about a mom who steals from her neighbors because of her addiction to drugs. Eye opening stuff.
That one about food sounds interesting. The older I get, the more I am drawn to nonfiction. I am turned off by fiction stories that feel contrived.
Elisabeth
I know it was a smash hit, but I was NOT a fan of The Many Lives of Mama Love. Something just felt…off about her story. I still can’t put my finger on it.
I think I also appreciate that non-fiction *tends* to be easier to put down. I can’t escape into a book for hours and hours like I used to (I can more now that the kids are older but basically never for my first 10ish years of motherhood).
Lisa's Yarns
I haven’t read any of these books! The Felton memoir could be worth checking out after I’ve watched the movies. I’ve only read the books but Paul and I plan to watch the movies as we read the books. We are close to being done with book 2 so need to find time to watch the movies. But I need to find a time when Taco isn’t in the house as I think it would be too intense for him.
My best March reads were The Blue Castle and Broken Country! It was a very uneven month as I abandoned 4 books which is A LOT for me. I typically abandon because of the voice or vibe of the book. If it’s not drawing my attention, I give up. Sometimes I give up quite fast, one book I abandoned around 50%!
Elisabeth
YES! The Harry Potter movies are so intense. You know how much I love the books (and Belle has read them…a dozen times?) and I loathe the movies. Loathe them. I hope to never watch any of them again. My kids love them, but I find them so dark and just greatly prefer reading the books to watching the movies.
The first movie isn’t too bad, but by the end – yikes. They are so, so grim. I guess the books are to? I just could always soften the edges in my mind a bit.
I hate abandoning at 50% and find it so hard, but I need to do that more often. I understand sunk cost fallacy intellectually but still…
Maria
I’ve just put the ultra-processed food book on hold at the library. Thanks!
I’m with you on content and it sometimes feels really hard to find books that don’t contain a bunch of stuff I’m uncomfortable with. I’ve enjoyed the Mrs Pollifax books recently – they’re definitely very clean and they’re in the brain candy reading category for me.
In March I finished exactly zero books. I spent a lot of my reading time studying for the citizenship exam (it paid off, and I got a perfect score). Could have studied less and done very well I’m sure, but I felt like I need to actually know this stuff. Then, two books I was almost finished reading disappeared. Turns out the 1 year old stashed them, but I didn’t find them until April. Hopefully April will be a better reading month for me!
Elisabeth
You’ll have to report back what you think about the book!
Congrats on the PERFECT score. I bet I would fail the exam. I remember precious little from my Canadian history courses.
I remember when I was a tween I had borrowed a book from someone and couldn’t find it for the life of me. A few weeks later…I found it in THE FREEZER.
Ally Bean
What was the best book you read in March? How Georgia Became O’Keeffe by Karen Karbo
Have you read any of the books listed above? If so, what did you think?! I’ve never heard of any of the books on your list. 🤷♀️
What is most likely to cause you to DNF a book? If the characters seem contrived, in no way realistic within the context of the story, then I put down the book.
Elisabeth
I don’t mind character-driven novels, but if they are based on that style…those characters need to wow me. I don’t have to “like” them, but I need to feel like I know them.
Stephany
I used to SOLELY read Christian fiction when I was younger. Like, I thought I was sinning if I read non-Christian books. (That’s what growing up evangelical Christian will do to you!) There were some Christian authors I really liked, though! I think there are some really good Christian authors, although yeah, sometimes the Christian themes feel forced.
My best book in March was Crow Mary!