We’ve made it to my March 2025 Wrap-Up post! This was honestly such a fun month for me. I didn’t have to work much this month, so I had loads of time to devote to my hobbies and interests, and it was great! I read lots of books, did lots of crafts, and even took a little vacation. Here are some of the best moments:
General Highlights
- A pair of mourning doves built a nest and laid eggs in our backyard! I kept an eye on the nest while the 2 chicks hatched and grew up. 10/10 adorable and made my heart so happy. The chicks left the nest while I was out of town, but they’re still hanging around the yard on occasion 🙂
- Speaking of going out of town, I went to see the famous Redwoods up in Northern California! I’ve lived in the Los Angeles area for most of my life and have never actually seen the Redwoods before. As a nature lover, I found that they were everything I’d hoped for and more.
- I learned how to knit lace! I’ve been knitting on-and-off for roughly 12 years, and I finally attempted a lace pattern. It is gorgeous, and I’ll probably share the results next month when I’m done with the whole project.
With all that said, let’s get into the section of this wrap-up that you’re probably here for: the bookish stuff!
March 2025 Wrap-Up
On The Blog in March 2025:
What with going out of town for a bit, I didn’t write a whole lot for the blog this month. I was far more focused on being present and experiencing life, and I have zero regrets.
Nonetheless, I did publish 3 posts this month, including last month’s wrap-up and two book reviews for absolutely incredible novels! Here are the links to this month’s posts in case you missed them:
Books I Read in March 2025:
I don’t feel like I did a ton of reading this month, but I guess I did? I finished 7 books, so I’d call that “a lot.” Anyway, here’s everything I read, in chronological order of when I finished them:
Where Only Storms Grow by Alyssa Colman
★★★★☆ 4 stars | Middle Grade Historical Fiction | Read My Review
This book was utterly endearing. Twins Joanna and Howe Stanton have to save their family’s farm during the worst of the Dust Bowl, and they mend their broken relationship along the way. Where Only Storm Grow is filled with heartbreak, adventure, and above all else, hope. It also sent me down quite the rabbit hole of learning more about the Dust Bowl Era.
I would highly recommend this novel if you’re looking for something both heartwarming and educational.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
★★★★✬ 4.5 stars | All Ages, Classic
Can you believe that this was my first time ever reading The Secret Garden? I sure can’t! How I managed to avoid this beautiful story for nearly 24 years is beyond me, but I’m elated that I finally picked it up.
This was one of the two group books for Middle Grade March, so a HUGE thank-you goes out to the hosts for picking this book!
While the characters aren’t always likable, I love to be frustrated with them, and the growth they experience is simply unmatched. This novel explores themes of the healing powers of nature and a strong mindset. I completely understand why this is such a classic novel, and it is quickly becoming a new favorite.
Moongarden by Michelle A. Barry
★★✬☆☆ 2.5 stars | Middle Grade Science Fiction
This novel is a retelling of The Secret Garden and the second group pick for Middle Grade March. After adoring the source material so much, I was deeply let down by Moongarden. I honestly believe that the concept is really strong and compelling, but the execution left way too much to be desired. There’s excessive melodrama, the worldbuilding is kinds… whack?, and many parts of the story were straight-up confusing. I often felt like entire scenes were missing, and while I believe this was meant to add ~mystery~ it really just feels like poor writing (speaking of poor writing, the incorrect use of the term “light-years” several times irked me soooo much).
I really wanted to like this book, so that’s too bad 🙁
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
★★★★✬ 4.5 stars | Young Adult Dystopian | Review Coming Soon?
Honestly, I’m still teetering between 4.5 and 5 stars for this one. This novel is incredible. This was my first time ever reading it, and my expectations were blown out of the park. Not only is the plot itself enthralling (despite being a bit predictable, imo, but this was not necessarily a negative), but the political commentary woven throughout has never been more pertinent. I will forever be a huge fan of the Hunger Games series and Collins’ expertise, and I am quite impatiently waiting on my hold for Sunrise on the Reaping at my local library.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
★★★★★ 5 stars | Nonfiction, Nature | Review Coming Soon?
I’ve been listening to this audiobook over the last few months, and I simply cannot praise it enough. I’ve never, ever heard a professional speak about nature from such a deeply heartfelt place, and finally hearing it was eye-opening, heart-warming, and mind-blowing. Additionally, I learned soooo much about indigenous relationships with the land, including several entire worldviews that were completely new to me. This book brought me to tears, it fueled my passion for the earth, and it opened countless new avenues for further learning. I now understand why this is often the #1 recommended book on environmentalism, and I am joining those who promote it endlessly.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
★★★★☆ 4 stars | Middle Grade Sci-fi | Series Review Eventually?
The Time Quintet is a series that my dad, like many other people, grew up reading and loving. Several years ago, he gifted me a signed copy (addressed to him! He got it signed in-person as a kid) of the third book in the series, A Swiftly Tilting Planet. So, far too late, I’ll admit, I have finally gotten around to reading the series for the first time ever. A Wrinkle in Time was such a fun journey and also incredibly fascinating given the cultural context; written in the 60s, L’Engle uses communism as essentially a horror concept, and it fits well into the rest of the story. Overall, this book was cute, adventurous, and thoughtful. I can’t wait to continue the series soon!
Gradchanted by Morgan Matson
★★★★☆ 4 stars | Young Adult Contemporary
I read this entire book while sitting in an airport (my flight was delayed 6 hours), and frankly, that was a great way to read it. I’ve been a fan of Morgan Matson ever since she released The Unexpected Everything, and it was so much fun to see her writing shine through in this story. I love how Matson writes about teenagehood and female friendships in such a vivid way.
Gradchanted is more or less a companion novel to Promchanted, and I am pleased to say that I enjoyed this one more. However, I may be a bit biased since my own high school Grad Nite was at California Adventure, which is the premise of this novel (I did not get stuck in a time loop, though…).
Other Media I Enjoyed in March 2025:
FOBBV CAM YouTube Channel
If you haven’t been following this story, here’s the rundown: Jackie and Shadow, a mated pair of Bald Eagles located in Big Bear Valley, laid and hatched three eggs this spring. The best part? There’s a live video feed of the nest online! I have been an avid watcher of the eagle cam, and I have grown incredibly fond of the family. Unfortunately, only two of the chicks have survived, and I was completely crushed when the third was lost in a snowstorm (I might have shed a few tears at the news). But the remaining two chicks are alive, well, and growing bigger by the day. I still check in on them several times every day.
Coming in April:
Upcoming Releases:
Wishing Well, Wishing Well by Jubilee Cho
Release Date: April 8, 2025
My Rating: ★★★★★ 5 stars
Fantasy, All Ages
On the Blog:
I honestly don’t have a ton planned for the blog in April yet, but I am making a change that I want to note here:
As of March 28, I am thrilled to say that I am no longer using Goodreads! Like, at all! Ever since I found out that Goodreads is owned by Amazon, I have been slowly transitioning to using The Storygraph instead. I might write a full post about why I switched and how the platforms compare from a user standpoint. I also might not.
If you want to be notified when I publish a new post, I encourage you to subscribe to Shelf of Pages by entering your email above. I post a new article every Tuesday and every second Friday (as well as my monthly wrap-ups on the 1st of every month).
Anyway, that concludes my March 2025 Wrap-Up! Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite books or other media from this month.
As always, my next monthly wrap-up post will be in one month, on May 1. Until then, I will continue posting my usual content. I hope you have a wonderful April!
With love,
Corinne <3