Kickin' It: March 2018 Wrap Up

Wednesday, April 04, 2018


Kickin’ It is a feature at The Bucket List where I round-up the whole month in one post, bringing you reviews you may have missed, other awesome bookish things, and even what I’m currently obsessed with in other media besides books. March was such a fantastic reading month. I participated in the 24-hour Readathon By Zoe that took place of March 3rd and was able to whisk through five books. Can you believe it? My first  ever readathon and I say, it’s definitely a success. From there, I was able to finish 12 more books, in total 17 books for the month—that’s the most I have ever read in an entire month! I was supposed to be taking it easy on reading this year, not stressing myself out with all the numbers but 17 books in a month is so outstanding, I surprised myself.

Every Thursday from March 1st and May 24th, Jackie, my friend, and I discuss A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. It would be awesome if you joined us and read along too. And, to top off that cake with whipped cream, we are giving away a paperback copy of the book to one lucky winner. So, be sure to follow along and enter to win the book!

Here’s what my March looked like:



As You Wish by Cary Elwes (4 stars): As a fan of The Princess Bride, the book and the movie, I could not pass the opportunity of reading this one up. Some of the stories from the set of the film made me believe I was coming home to some very old friends. It was a lot of fun!

After You by Jojo Moyes (4 stars): I've been telling everyone for years that I'm not ready for this sequel but it found its way to the top of my TBR and it was pretty good. Now I'll wait another year to read the sequel, Still Me.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (4 stars): This one took me a little longer than expected but I did it. I finished it and I liked it!

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale (3 stars): I wanted to love this as Hale, author of the fabulous Austenland, is such an amazing writer. However, I was not familiar with the retelling and found most of the fantastical elements a bit strange.

Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 13, 14, 15 by Hiromu Arakawa (4 stars): I watched both of the animes back in college and am slowly working my way through the series.

Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby (4 stars): This was such an unique concept. When her boyfriend dies, she cannot cope and begins searching for his heart, having been donated to someone in need. She finds the heart in a young boy who teaches her how to live life to the fullest.

Maid of the King’s Court by Lucy Worsley (2 stars): This historical fiction sounded so promising. Yet, with a protagonist that was inconsistently mature one minute and then wildly childish the next, the slow pacing of the story, and confusing direction it took, Maid of the King's Court fell short.

The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton (3 stars): I had high expectations going in because of a lot of review's high praise of her debut. Unfortunately, those expectations were not met.



Now a Major Motion Picture by Cori McCarthy (4 stars): This one was such a surprise; it was heartwarming and lovely and I want more! And it's set in Ireland so what could go wrong?

Kiss and Blog by Alyson Noel (3 stars): I'm over high school drama and the whole mean girls clique.

Catherine by April Lindner (4 stars): A retelling of Wuthering Heights and a superb one at that!

Lying Out Loud by Kody Keplinger (3 stars): The companion novel to The DUFF was not exactly what I was expecting. The protagonist was borderline unlikable with her tall tales and white lies.

Bang by Barry Lyga (5 stars): Give all the stars to this book! The story of a boy who accidentally shoots his little sister is incredibly timely, relatable, and heartfelt.

The Heir by Kiera Cass (3 stars): Cass could have stopped at The Selection series being a trilogy and I would have been find with that.

The Crown by Kiera Cass (3 stars): It got better towards the end. I was happy the main character grew a little since we first met her in the fourth book.

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion (4 stars): The sequel to The Rosie Project was everything I could have hoped for!

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick (3 stars): I really wanted to love this one because of I adore Anna Kendrick in almost every movie I've seen her in. I didn't find her memoir hilarious, like a lot of other reviewers thought it. It just wasn't my cup of tea.



The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye WaltonThe Price Guide to the Occult started on such a high note but fell flat with lack of depth and character complexity. The writing was incredibly gorgeous, which makes me want to check out her other novel, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender.

Now a Major Motion Picture by Cori McCarthyNow a Major Motion Picture by Cori McCarthy is a gem. With its fun writing, complex elements, and gorgeous setting, this book is an absolute must for all readers.



The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel: Our protagonist had a recent heart transplant but her life continues on like it always had. Until, of course, the parents of the heart donor shares with her their child's journal filled with a bucket list of places and things to do, she believes she owes it to her new heart to go on an adventure of a life time.

Still Me by Jojo Moyes: I finished After Me this month and noticed that the series is not over, like I had originally thought. 

In A World Just Right by Jen Brooks: Ever since reading A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray which tackles the concept of alternate universes, I knew I wanted to read more fiction that deals with that. The protagonist in In A World Just Right can create alternate universes and since he has a crush on a girl at school, he creates a world where the two of them fall in them. It sounds so original and intriguing, I can't wait to read it!



So I didn't watch many movies this month. I've been working slowly through Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt which I enjoy. I was able to rent Coco since it's finally out on DVD. And it was absolutely amazing; I loved everything about it. The songs were fantastic, the animation flawless! Black Panther finally came to my local theater and I finally went to see it, after it seemed everyone else already saw it. As far as super hero movies go, it wasn't my favorite. But please give Angela Bassett and Andy Serkis an Oscar. And, oh my, Michael B. Jordan is downright gorgeous. I, also, went to see Death Wish, which is a remake of a movie that was based on a book. It was okay, a bit stressful since the whole last part of the movie, I thought he was going to be murdered. Overall, it was the month of good movies!

day of the dead musica GIF

How was your March? What books did you read? Did you watch any shows/movies?

You Might Also Like

2 comments

  1. I don't think I can read the Me Before You sequels. I thought the original was pretty perfect, and I don't want that to change! I wish the Selection series had stopped after 3 books, too. I read The Heir, but wasn't impressed enough to continue. I'm hoping to get The Heart Between Us from the library soon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I read As You Wish when it first came out and it was hilarious and wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well. Also, your book photography is BEAUTIFUL.

    ReplyDelete