Hey lovelies, how are you? Are you starting to feel those little hints of spring yet, or is it still feeling a bit grey where you are? Here in the UK we’ve still not seen a whole lot of sunshine, and the chilly, April showers and crazy weather seem determined to hang around. But despite the lingering gloom, there are finally are signs that the seasons are shifting.
It’s that lovely in-between time of year – still perfect for cosy evenings wrapped up with a blanket and a good book, but with the quiet promise of brighter, warmer days ahead (perhaps by a pool!). I’ve been continuing with my 2026 Crochet Book Blanket project, and honestly, these slower, snug evenings have been perfect for a few extra rows (and a few extra chapters!).
Reminder: The Vision for the Book Afghan
To maintain cohesion, I’ve used the same block pattern for the entire afghan (grab the free pattern here), working with yarn from my stash and selecting 3 colours that reflect and are closest to (as I’m not buying new yarn!) the book’s cover design, along with a white accent colour.
Here’s what I accomplished in March 2026:
- Total Books Read: and Squares Completed: 7 books read and 14 squares made
- Total New Authors to me this month: 4
- Running total of new authors so far: 8 out of 50
Pin for later:
March 2026 Reads and Squares
Book 15: Death Under A Little Sky by Stig Abell NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Death Under A Little Sky by Stig Abell follows Jake Jackson, a former London detective who retreats to a quiet countryside village hoping for a peaceful new start. But when a body is discovered in the idyllic surroundings, the calm of rural life quickly unravels. As Jake begins to investigate, he finds that beneath the village’s tranquil surface lie secrets, tensions, and motives that someone is willing to kill to keep hidden.
Review: This was very much a slow-burn mystery rather than a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller. The story takes its time building the atmosphere and characters, which I enjoyed. One of my favourite parts was the many references to well-known detectives and their sidekicks from classic crime fiction, which felt like a lovely nod to the genre. Overall, an easy read for anyone who appreciates a more quieter style of detective story.
Book 16: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer follows writer Juliet Ashton, who begins exchanging letters with a group of residents from the island of Guernsey after World War II. As they share their stories of life during the German occupation and the unexpected book club that brought them together, Juliet becomes deeply drawn to the island and its people. What begins as simple correspondence soon turns into a journey of friendship, healing, and new beginnings.
Review: I thought this was a lovely heart-warming story. I really enjoyed the epistolary format – once you get your head around all the characters who are writing letters it’s a really fun way for the narrative and the characters to develop. Also really interesting facts about Guernsey during the occupation during World War 2.
Book 17: The Echoes by Evie Wyld NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Echoes by Evie Wyld weaves together past and present to explore memory, loss, and identity. Following characters whose lives are shaped by hidden histories and lingering trauma, the story gradually reveals how echoes of the past continue to influence the present, building an atmospheric and emotionally resonant narrative.
Review: Review:
I did like this book overall, but it was definitely a bit of a strange story and a unusual narrative. It read very much like a literary novel, almost as if it was exploring how many different forms of “echoes” could be examined – echoes of people, places, trauma, and memory. It was quite a sad book unpicking a lot of present and past trauma, but it was a compelling and interesting read all the same.
Book 18: Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Synopsis:
Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden follows a story told through letters and hidden truths, centering on Debbie and the secrets that surround her life. As past and present begin to intertwine, the narrative slowly reveals dark revelations, unexpected connections, and the unsettling consequences of long-buried lies.
Review: This was a fun read, nice and quick with several twists at the end – some that I saw coming and other I did not which was great. I’m slowly working my way through all Freida McFadden books and they are usually a nice fun palette cleanser after something more involved.
Book 19: Hera by Jennifer Saint
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3.75 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Synopsis:
Hera by Jennifer Saint reimagines the story of the Greek goddess Hera, queen of the gods, from her own perspective. Moving from her rise to power alongside Zeus to the challenges of maintaining her position on Olympus, the novel explores themes of love, betrayal, power, and resilience, offering a more nuanced and human portrayal of a figure often cast as vengeful and jealous.
Trigger Warnings:
Contains themes of domestic and s*xual abuse, r*pe, and inc*st that some readers may find distressing.
Review: I always find anything to do with Greek mythology fascinating, and so I did enjoy this overall. It was interesting to see the story from Hera’s perspective and to get an expanded view of the mythology. However, I found her anger often felt misdirected toward the women Zeus victimised rather than at Zeus himself, which made her come across as quite unlikeable at times. That said, I appreciated the fresh perspective on a familiar figure. However if you’re looking for a clear feminist hero, this isn’t it.
Book 20: Truth or Dare (DI Helen Grace #10) by M J Artlidge
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.75 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Synopsis:
Truth or Dare by M. J. Arlidge follows DI Helen Grace as she investigates a chilling series of crimes where victims are forced into a deadly game of truth or dare. As the stakes escalate and the choices become more brutal, Helen and her team must race against time to uncover who is behind the twisted game before more lives are lost.
Review: Review:
I really enjoyed this Truth or Dare by M. J. Arlidge. As the 10th book in the series I thought it was a particularly strong instalment. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed addition to the Helen Grace series that kept me fully engaged throughout. The tension builds quickly, making it a gripping and entertaining read.
Book 21: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi follows Theo, a quiet and enigmatic man living in the small town of Golden. As he goes about his daily routines, his presence begins to subtly impact the lives of those around him. Through a series of interconnected moments, the novel explores themes of kindness, community, redemption, and the quiet ways one life can influence many others.
Review: I thought Theo of Golden by Allen Levi was a real gem of a book. It’s filled with brilliant character observations and beautifully written descriptions of people and places. The gentle writing style made it a pleasure to read, and the unexpected twists toward the end added an extra layer of depth. A quietly moving and memorable story.
All the books so far
Don’t want to scroll and look for all the books that I’ve read so far? Well I’ve put together a handy list in my Amazon storefront so you can see all the books in one place: Go to the book list
Looking Ahead to April
March turned out to be one of those quietly lovely months where everything felt a bit more in sync -the reading, the stitching, and those small pockets of time carved out just for me. Each square I added felt like a little snapshot, holding onto the mood of a story long after I’d turned the final page.
As I look ahead to April, I’m hoping for more of the same, with maybe a few unexpected favourites thrown in. I’d love to keep building momentum with both my reading list and my blanket, watching it all come together one square at a time.
Stay tuned for next month’s updates. Until then, happy hooking and happy reading!
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