March was a catch-up month for the 100 Books Challenge. I did decently in February, but January’s tiny list left me scrambling a bit for the year.
But I managed to get a good chunk read in March! Part of it related to the books I read for one of my current classes at Rosemont. More of it related to my internship — both books represented by the agency I’m at and books that might influence me there.
You may notice that the ratings of these books are extremely high, especially for my tastes. I’ve gotten pretty picky of late — if something starts to bore me, I just put it down. And out of these ten (!) books, there was really only one I found on the less-engaging end, but as a nonfiction book, it still delivered the necessary information.
You Branding by Mark Cijo. A good basic nonfiction on building a personal brand, but a little too overexplanatory in some aspects. Required reading for Rosemont College’s Branding & Social Media course for Spring 2015. 3 out of 5 stars
Lock In by John Scalzi. My first read of a Scalzi novel. This adult sci-fi explored social and ethical topics relating to physical disability as they related to social structure and civil rights in the US. Read as part of a project for the Branding & Social Media course mentioned above. 4.5 out of 5 stars
Lois Lane: Fallout by Gwenda Bond. This contemporary YA focuses on teenage Lois Lane before she becomes the investigative reporter in Superman. Review is forthcoming at Girls in Capes next month. A book I wish I could have read in high school. 5 out of 5 stars
Redshirts by John Scalzi. My second read of a Scalzi novel. (See above.) I enjoyed this adult sci-fi, which follows a group of characters who are basically extras on a terrible Star Trek ripoff, though I just didn’t like it as much as I liked Lock In. Read as part of a project for the Branding & Social Media course mentioned above. 4 out of 5 stars
Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez. A picture book biography of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who became a well-known drummer after breaking the taboo of female drummers. 3.5 out of 5 stars
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown and Frank Morrison. A picture book biography of Melba Doretta Liston, a musician and composer who toured with performers like Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. 5 out of 5 stars
Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes. This contemporary middle-grade novel was heartbreaking and touching and, like Lois Lane, was a book I wish I could have read when I was younger. Great for reluctant readers and a fantastic book overall. 5 out of 5 stars
The Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley. I’ve had this adult epic fantasy on my list for a while, and I definitely don’t regret it. A thought-provoking novel in a non-western setting. A definite read for fans of great world-building. 3.5 out of 5 stars
What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang. This re-read was the book club selection this month at Girls in Capes. A speculative young adult novel about a twin soul trapped motionless in the body she shares with her sister. 5 out of 5 stars
Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly. I picked up this one when I attended a signing, but the author’s reading of it indicated the bullying in this contemporary middle grade might hit too close to home. And it did, in th ebest possible way. Would highly recommend for middle school students. 5 out of 5 stars
Out of all the books I read this month, I’d have to say Lois Lane: Fallout was definitely my favorite! But you’ll hear more about that when my review goes up on Girls in Capes in April. What were your favorite books this March?
Feliza Casano 