Movies

12 Must-Read Books for March: From Memoirs to Thrillers

BBG News

With spring nearly upon us, you’ll find yourself enjoying the extended daylight more and more. This month, some captivating reads to keep you company include Amanda Nguyen’s debut memoir, a thought-provoking work from Torrey Peters following her 2021 blockbuster hit “Detransition, Baby“, and Abdulrazak Gurnah’s long-awaited new novel since his Nobel Prize win four years ago.

Notable releases in March also feature Karen Russell’s long-awaited second novel, “Swamplandia!”, Scaachi Koul’s eagerly awaited sophomore essay collection as a senior writer at Slate, and debut author Josh Duboff’s delightful exploration of the challenges of preserving friendships in your 30s.

Here, the 12 new books you should read this month.

Sucker Punch, Scaachi Koul (March 4)

Scaachi Koul’s subsequent work following her 2017 essay collection titled “One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter” offers an insightful perspective on the profound transformations she underwent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using wit, she narrates the dissolution of her marriage, unemployment, and her mother’s cancer diagnosis. In her book “Sucker Punch“, she delves into the numerous conflicts she encountered with her mom, ex-spouse, and excessive online bullies, pondering whether any of these struggles were truly worth enduring.

Saving Five, Amanda Nguyen (March 4)

Amanda Nguyen, both activist and astronaut, looked back on her life’s journey by reaching out to her younger versions. Her first book, Saving Five, creatively weaves in magical interludes to represent the perspectives she held at ages five, 15, 22, and 30. This approach aims to shed light on the lasting impact of her abusive childhood, an incident of campus sexual assault, and her relentless pursuit for justice, culminating in the approval of the 2016 Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act.

Count My Lies, Sophie Stava (March 4)

Sophie Stava’s initial work, titled “Count My Lies,” offers a gripping tale from the viewpoint of a habitual liar named Sloane Caraway, who happens to be an expert in manicures. However, her talent for twisting facts might not be enough when she stumbles upon a potential adversary. Initially, a seemingly harmless fib secures her a nanny position with a wealthy New York couple, whom she perceives as her lucky break. Yet, it doesn’t take long for Sloane to realize that her new bosses harbor secrets of their own—secrets they are determined to keep under wraps.

The Tell, Amy Griffin (March 11)

Using her first memoir titled “The Tell“, influential figure Amy Griffin endeavors to unravel the persistent anxiety that has haunted her for most of her adult life. Her quest for answers takes her back to her hometown, Amarillo, Texas, where she confronts a childhood trauma that had been buried so deeply it was almost forgotten. Employing alternative healing methods, Griffin tries to unearth the suppressed memories of sexual abuse inflicted by someone trusted, in a bid to finally achieve resolution.

Stag Dance, Torrey Peters (March 11)

Throughout a span of ten years, renowned author Torrey Peters penned “Stag Dance“, an engaging compilation of three short stories and a novella. Each piece delves into the consequences when individuals are compelled to conceal their gender and sexual orientations. The collection tackles various scenarios such as a hormonal catastrophe instigated by a vengeful former lover, a clandestine romance between pupils at a Quaker boarding school that takes a tragic turn, a young person’s journey to self-discovery during a Vegas night out, and a dance party organized by a band of lumberjacks where some opt to masquerade as females.

The Antidote, Karen Russell (March 11)

Karen Russell’s second novel, titled “The Antidote“, is a captivating tale set during the Dust Bowl era and serves as an allegory for our current climate crisis. After a catastrophic dust storm destroys a small Nebraska town, its inhabitants, including a Polish farmer, his orphaned niece, a magical New Deal photographer, a loquacious scarecrow, and a “Prairie Witch” who embodies the forgotten memories of the settlers, must unite to build a more sustainable future. On their arduous journey, they confront their personal and collective past mistakes.

Goddess Complex, Sanjena Sathian (March 11)

Sanjena Sathian’s second novel, titled “Goddess Complex“, starts off with a 30-something anthropology student ending things with her actor husband after choosing not to continue a pregnancy. However, before they could finalize their divorce, her absentee spouse vanishes. This triggers a perplexing quest for the woman to locate him, ultimately confronting her mirror image who is still pregnant.

Firstborn, Lauren Christensen (March 18)

Lauren Christensen, the editor of New York Times Books Review, started writing her first memoir following the tragic loss of her unborn child. The story picks up after she returns home from ending a risky pregnancy at 22 weeks. Titled “Firstborn”, this book serves as a poignant tribute to her deceased daughter, providing an incredibly honest account of her heart-wrenching grief.

O Sinners!, Nicole Cuffy (March 18)

In Nicole Cuffy’s latest book, journalist Faruq Zaidi ventures into a California cult after the passing of his religious father who was a devout Muslim. His aim is to unmask the enigmatic group; however, upon joining, he develops a friendship with the charismatic leader, Odo – a Vietnam War veteran. As their relationship evolves, Faruq finds himself questioning whether Odo’s unique, captivating teachings might offer solace from his sorrow.

Early Thirties, Josh Duboff (March 18)

In the first novel by journalist Josh Duboff, titled “Early Thirties“, the narrative revolves around two friends in their mid-thirties who are navigating their lives and seemingly drifting apart. After a heartbreaking breakup, Victor grapples with his mental wellbeing and the demands of his position as a celebrity journalist at a well-known print magazine. Typically, he’d lean on his longtime confidante Zoey for comfort, but she’s preoccupied with personal issues such as contemplating whether to end her engagement. As they both face their respective challenges, they eventually understand that in order to progress, they must reconnect with each other.

Theft, Abdulrazak Gurnah (March 18)

Abdulrazak Gurnah, a Nobel laureate, has penned his twelfth book titled “Theft.” This captivating novel, set in Tanzania at the dawn of the new century, chronicles the growth of teenager Karim. When he is reunited with his estranged mother, he becomes enamored with Badar, a destitute servant boy serving her household. A false accusation of theft lands Badar in trouble, causing him to be exiled. In this postcolonial narrative that explores themes such as truth, ambition, and self-identity, Gurnah traces the lives of these two men as their destinies intertwine across several decades.

Tilt, Emma Pattee (March 25)

Emma Pattee’s first book, titled “Tilt,” starts off at an IKEA in Portland, Oregon, where a heavily pregnant woman named Annie is buying baby furniture. Suddenly, something unimaginable occurs: a colossal earthquake that surpasses any seismic activity the Pacific Northwest has ever experienced. In the quake’s wake, Annie discerns that the only way to get home from the store is by walking, leading her to undertake a harrowing, nerve-wracking journey towards safety.

Read More

2025-03-01 16:06

Previous post Monster Hunter Wilds Has Less Large Monsters Than Rise And World
Next post Team Spirit vs Chimera Esports at DreamLeague Season 25