10 New Books You Should Read in March

As we transition into March, caught between winter and spring, many of us are turning to books to help pass the time. This month’s new releases include honest and revealing memoirs by a television star and a figure from New York City’s vibrant 1980s art scene, as well as novels that offer unique viewpoints and a moving true story about the complex relationship between a father and son.

Here comes the sun, plus 10 March titles you don’t want to miss.

You With the Sad Eyes, Christina Applegate (March 3)

Christina Applegate’s memoir is honest and insightful, covering everything from her unconventional upbringing in Laurel Canyon to her early days navigating Hollywood and her successful roles in shows like Married… with Children and Anchorman. She also bravely shares her experience living with multiple sclerosis. The book is filled with amusing stories about celebrity encounters and reflections on her life, which she says have been made possible by the time and space afforded by her illness. Applegate writes that looking back has helped her understand her life, recognize patterns, and find meaning.

Everybody’s Fly, Fab 5 Freddy with Mark Rozzo (March 10)

Fab 5 Freddy, a key figure in the birth of hip-hop, shares his incredible story – from a young, church-going boy in Brooklyn to a passionate music lover (his first concert was Sly and the Family Stone) and eventually a central part of New York City’s vibrant 1980s art and music scene. He vividly remembers a time when the East Village was buzzing with musicians, artists, and fashion icons like Blondie, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Grace Jones, Public Enemy, and Keith Haring. In his memoir, Freddy captures the energy of the era, detailing everything from exciting nightlife and risky deals to ambitious ventures and hopeful newcomers, describing it simply as a time when ‘things were really happening.’

No Friend to This House, Natalie Haynes (March 10)

Natalie Haynes, author of A Thousand Ships and Stone Blind, retells the Greek myth of Medea as a dramatic and intense story of love, anger, and murder. She gives rich backstories to the characters – Jason, the charismatic leader of the Argonauts seeking the Golden Fleece; Medea, the powerful and cunning sorceress; and the gods who manipulate human lives. Haynes portrays even the deities with relatable, modern emotions – for example, she describes Aphrodite controlling her anger by subtly biting her lip to maintain her composure.

In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man, Tom Junod (March 10)

Tom Junod, a two-time National Magazine Award winner, begins his first memoir with a simple statement: “Everybody knew.” He’s referring to the family secrets surrounding his father – a charismatic but troubled traveling salesman from Long Island who was known for his affairs and connections to celebrities like Frank Sinatra. Junod explores his complicated relationship with this father, a man who was both generous to his son and abusive to his wife. The book vividly brings to life the glamorous, yet often scandalous, world of mid-century Manhattan and Hollywood, and ultimately offers a revealing look at the challenges facing men today.

Under Water, Tara Menon (March 17)

This captivating first novel follows a young girl named Marissa and her father, a marine biologist, as they move to Thailand. There, Marissa finds friendship with a brave girl named Arielle and together they discover the beauty of the local wildlife—from playful monkeys and graceful manta rays to vibrant coral reefs. Their peaceful life is disrupted by a devastating tsunami, and years later, Marissa, now living in New York City, must face the emotional aftermath and revisit the powerful memories of her time in Thailand and the special bond she shared with both the natural world and her friend.

Darkology, Rhae Lynn Barnes (March 24)

After ten years of research, Princeton scholar Rhae Lynn Barnes’ groundbreaking history reveals the troubling story behind blackface minstrelsy and its impact on American culture. Her meticulous work connects this once-commonplace form of white supremacy to a wide range of historical events – from early films like The Birth of a Nation and The Jazz Singer, to wartime experiences, domestic protests, and even political scandals like Watergate. Barnes demonstrates how blackface allowed white audiences to comfortably express and reinforce their racial biases, masking underlying anxieties about a changing nation.

Almost Life, Kiran Millwood Hargrave (March 24)

I was completely captivated by Erica and Laure’s story. It began in 1978, a chance meeting between an English student on vacation and a doctoral candidate from the Sorbonne, right outside the Sacré-Coeur in Paris. Paris itself felt like another character – a city of romance, with hidden corners and a beautiful, almost tangible atmosphere. They fell for each other while exploring it together. But their happiness wasn’t simple. Not only did the English Channel separate them when Erica returned home to her studies, but Laure also faced the difficult task of coming out to her family, even though she found strength in her queer community. I kept wondering if their connection would survive all of that. Kiran Millwood Hargrave writes so beautifully, and really captures how deeply this affair affected both of them, making it a story that stays with you.

Upward Bound, Woody Brown (March 31)

This lively first novel takes place at an adult daycare center in Los Angeles—a somewhat rundown building with a retro aqua and peach color scheme and wheelchair access. It focuses on the lives of the center’s diverse group of clients with disabilities and their caregivers, including Walter, a brilliant but nonverbal man; Tom, who has cerebral palsy; Mariana, a quiet and dedicated aide; Anthony, who craves attention; and Dave, the supervisor—a former actor—whose ambitious plans for a Christmas show quickly spiral out of control. Author Woody Brown, who is also nonverbal, gives voice to stories often overlooked.

American Han, Lisa Lee (March 31)

Lisa Lee’s debut novel follows Korean American siblings Jane and Kevin Kim as they grow up in the Bay Area during the 1980s. Driven by their immigrant parents’ hard work, both siblings strive for success, but they choose very different paths: Jane goes to law school, and Kevin joins the police academy. When Kevin disappears, the family is forced to examine their complicated relationships and the cultural pressures that have always shaped them. The story highlights the sacrifices made by immigrant parents, as Jane observes her mother built a life despite facing judgment and limited opportunities in America.

The Elusive Body, Alexandra Sifferlin (March 31)

This book follows a journalist as they explore the challenging world of diseases that are difficult to diagnose, and the dedicated doctors and researchers working to help their patients. Through compelling stories—like those of five Kentucky siblings struggling with unexplained muscle pain, a young man in New York experiencing Parkinson’s-like symptoms, and a doctor facing her own health issues—the author highlights a growing “diagnosis crisis.” The book investigates the common mistakes made in diagnosis, the shortcomings in medical training, and the promise—and potential pitfalls—of using genetics to understand and treat illness.

2026-03-03 21:06