My goal this month is to get through 3 books that I have recently picked up from my public library. I was debating whether to pick up a fourth, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself here. Definitely next month though…

I’m going to get there sometime this year for sure.

Let’s get into my picks for the month of March!

The Elite

By: Kiera Cass

Good Reads Synopsis: The Selection began with thirty-five girls. Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon’s heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America’s chance to choose is about to slip away. 

Thoughts Before Reading:

I’m super excited to start reading the second book in this YA Trilogy! Last month, I had a chance to read the first book in the trilogy and couldn’t put it down. This book seems to hold some the same elements of one of my favorite shows, The Bachelor, such as 35 girls being chosen for the selection, the girls staying in the palace, and the elimination process that leads to the outcome of there being one girl remaining. I love the fact that there are two love interests. Also, I love that America can’t make up her mind on which person she wants to be with, all while being one of the many girls trying to win the heart of the prince. I’m just ready to see what book #2 could possibly have in store.

Anticipated Star Rating:

Anxious People

by: Fredrik Backman

Good Reads Synopsis: Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As the pressure mounts, the eight strangers begin slowly opening up to one another and reveal long-hidden truths.

First is Zara, a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else until tragedy changed her life. Now, she’s obsessed with visiting open houses to see how ordinary people live—and, perhaps, to set an old wrong to right. Then there’s Roger and Anna-Lena, an Ikea-addicted retired couple who are on a never-ending hunt for fixer-uppers to hide the fact that they don’t know how to fix their own failing marriage. Julia and Ro are a young lesbian couple and soon-to-be parents who are nervous about their chances for a successful life together since they can’t agree on anything. And there’s Estelle, an eighty-year-old woman who has lived long enough to be unimpressed by a masked bank robber waving a gun in her face. And despite the story she tells them all, Estelle hasn’t really come to the apartment to view it for her daughter, and her husband really isn’t outside parking the car.

As police surround the premises and television channels broadcast the hostage situation live, the tension mounts and even deeper secrets are slowly revealed. Before long, the robber must decide which is the more terrifying prospect: going out to face the police or staying in the apartment with this group of impossible people.

Thoughts Before Reading: I picked this novel up because the synopsis kind of gave me the feel of Normal People by Salley Rooney in the context of possibly being a fly on the wall while seeing the plot develop and hearing people’s secrets. I have heard a lot of things about Fredrik Backman and have wanted to check out his work for a while now. I’m really hoping that I love it and him as much as other people do.

Anticipated Star Rating:

Himawari House

By: Harmony Becker

Good Reads Synopsis: Living in a new country is no walk in the park. When Nao returns to Tokyo to reconnect with her Japanese heritage, she books a yearlong stay at the Himawari sharehouse. There she meets Hyejung and Tina, two other girls who came to Japan to freely forge their own paths. The trio live together, share meals, and even attend the same Japanese-language school, which results in them becoming fast friends. But will they be able to hold one another up as life tests them with new loves, old heartbreaks, and the everyday challenges of being fish out of water? 

Thoughts Before Reading: I picked this book up for simply two reasons: I haven’t read a graphic novel in a very, very long time, and I want to read a slice of life book. I remember loving to read them in the past but have found myself distancing myself from them over the years. Also, I don’t read slice of life books a lot, and I want to get out of my comfort zone this month when it comes to reading.

Anticipated Star Rating:

I would love to know what you plan on reading this month. Are there any books that you are anticipating a 5-star rating for? Let me know in the comments below.