Our March 2025 Favorites!

Another month, another set of books that were the top of the top for us! I definitely knew my top two the moment I finished them (Maggie) and I don't think it would be a surprise to anyone which ones made it to the top of my list. I (Allison) went on a nonfiction bender and found some great, GREAT reads from my favorite authors. From a young adult heist novel to a mythology filled middle grade to some niche history/science books, March was a really great reading month. We are excited to see how April goes, with a lot of books expected to be released at the end of March into April (hello again Hunger Games!).

What were some of your favorite books of this month? Let us know!

To Steal From Thieves by M.K. Lobb - Maggie

5 / 5 Stars

It is really no secret that I'm obsessed with anything M.K. Lobb writes and this book was no different. It follows two, morally grey teens just trying to survive. Zaria is an alchemologist, who is working hard to catch up on all the things her father left behind when he passed. But Alchemology is illegal, meaning the people she owes are not the nicest. Kane is the number one man for the head kingpin in Devil's Acre in London. When he is tasked with stealing a priceless necklace from a world's fair, he has no choice but to succeed. Especially since it will give his best friend the freedom he deserves. To complete this task he asks for the help of Zaria, with every intention to double cross her in the end. But when someone starts trying to attack her, Kane needs to keep her protected, for the mission...right? I loved this book and am a huge fan of a heist novel. I loved seeing how the characters interacted and am excited to see where the next book goes because that ending was WILD.

Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infections by John Green - Allison

5 / 5 Stars

I grew up on a steady dose of John Green novels starting from Looking for Alaska (which made me sob like a baby) to Turtles All the Way Down (which I found incredibly relatable). I have watched more vlogbrothers videos and "taken" more Crash Courses than I care to share, stretching into my adulthood as well. And when Green published his first nonfiction book, The Anthropocene Reviewed, I devoured it. Green's writing style made nonfiction feel like storytelling, so I not only learned something, I felt something. This book is no different. I laughed and I cried, I learned and I felt, and his writing kept me guessing to the end (which, honestly John, RUDE - you know what you did). This book tackles history, stigma, infectious disease, world health practices, prejudice, and so much more. This book feels essential as a John Green fan but also as someone who is simply a citizen of the world. Read this and feel horrified at what we as a society refuse to do in the present and galvanized at what we as individuals can decide to do in the future. I know I've been moved to action. A must-read for everyone.

The Underwild by Shana Targosz - Maggie

4.5 / 5 stars

Senka is the ward of Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld who helps souls cross to the other side. She is hoping to one day be trained to take over his tasks, or at least help out, since he is immortal. But when she sees a soul on the Shore of the Living that needs passage, and Charon isn't around, she decides to try her hand at helping. The problem is the person on the shore isn't dead, but instead a mortal girl looking for her little brother, who happened to fall into the river a day before. When Senka tries to get the girl to go back, she refuses, which sends them down the river to the Underwild, a mysterious part of the Underworld where the worse of the worse go. Now Poppy and Senka must make their way through the Underwild while trying to her find her brother and their way back before Poppy suffers the consequences of being a mortal in the Underworld. I really liked this book, and the way the story moved through places we know from mythology and others we don't. I also liked how Senka's background played a huge role in the story and the twist at the end was great.

Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell - Allison

5 / 5 Stars

Fillers and swear words and pronunciation- oh my! This book was a knock-out. Sociolinguistics is a super interesting topic all around, and taking a feminist look at the words we use everyday was such an interesting approach to linguistic history. What is the deal with all the hate for the Valley-Girl tone and use of "like?" Why do some gender neutral words go unnoticed in our daily vernacular while others stir up so much hatred that words become coupled with shame? How have the mentalities behind catcalling or the gender and sexuality associated with pitch of voice changed over time? Not only did I learn about so many fascinating topics while reading this book, but I also felt so very validated in my own experiences of gendered language- both the positive and the negative. This was such a great read and I will be recommending it to everyone I know. If you especially like weird, niche science and history subjects or are trying to read more non-fiction this year, you will love Montell's humorous, informative, and encouraging approach in this great read.

Did you read any of these books this month and think they were fantastic? Let us know!