Book of the Month is a subscription box in which members choose up to 5 hardcover books to receive each month.
You can sign up here to get your first book for $5.
This month, Book of the Month (BOTM) chose 5 main selections and 4 initial add-ons.
Main Picks | Add-Ons | Predictions | My Choices
Main Picks
Count My Lies
Sophie Stava
You’ll lose count of all the lies told in this suspenseful story about a woman who infiltrates a wealthy couple’s home.
Thriller | Debut
Our Infinite Fates
Laura Steven
Two souls are bound by a curse in this enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies (shall I continue?) journey through infinite lives.
Young Adult | Fantasy
Liquid: A Love Story
Mariam Rahmani
In this provocative, cerebral debut, a witty academic fed up with the adjunct lifestyle embarks on a plan to marry rich.
Literary Fiction | Debut
Wild Dark Shore
Charlotte McConaghy
On a remote island, a mysterious woman is sheltered by a struggling family. Will she unite them, or break them apart?
Contemporary Fiction | Repeat Author
Care and Feeding: A Memoir
Laurie Woolever
A delectable tell-all detailing the triumphs and blunders of an ambitious writer’s journey through the NYC food world.
Memoir
Add Ons
Promise Me Sunshine
Cara Bastone
Have tissues on hand for this tear-jerking and uplifting read about finding love and connection after grief.
Romance | Repeat Author
Broken Country
Clare Leslie Hall
Small-town secrets meet a years-long love triangle in this harrowing historical drama of murder, envy, and deceit.
Historical Fiction
Jane and Dan at the End of the World
Colleen Oakley
A struggling couple’s date night takes a shocking turn. Will they save their lives or–harder yet–their marriage?
Contemporary Fiction
Oathbound
Tracy Deonn
In this epic, explosive third book in the Legendborn series, it takes supernatural strength to face the past.
Young Adult | Fantasy | Repeat Author
Predictions & Thoughts
There are five main and four initial add-on Book of the Month (BOTM) selections for March, including two debuts and three books by repeat authors.
This month, I predicted 4 of the 5 main selections as well as 4 of the 4 add-ons. The one book I did not include in my predictions (Care and Feeding), I started with in my predictions and then ruled it out.
I thought this month BOTM did a good job curating a selection that would appeal to a broad audience. There was at least one book from each of BOTM’s most popular genres included in the selections. While there are two young adult fantasy novels, they seem like they would also appeal to different readers.
Let’s talk about what books were not among the picks. I was a bit disappointed to not see Tilt among the selections; however, I am betting it will be among April’s picks. Based upon their synopses and comparisons, I thought Malinalli, Summer in the City, and Killer Potential were highly likely to be BOTM selections. There were also a slew of books by repeat authors that were not picked for March: The Story She Left Behind; Salt Water; The Unlucky Ones; The Haunting of Room 904; Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things; and Everything Is Tuberculosis. It is possible that we will see The Story She Left Behind as a late add-on and/or The Unlucky Ones as a April pick. I am not too surprised that BOTM did not choose Everything Is Tuberculosis, as The Anthropocene Reviewed was an end-of-the-year look back selection. Plus, I think the general public is not super keen on epidemics or pandemics after COVID-19.
My Choices
As I mentioned last month, I am trying to be more selective and thoughtful in choosing books for my little blue box. Since I either have read or own all of the Book of the Year finalists, I will be selecting which ones I think my mom would like and give those to her.
I really want to read Wild Dark Shore, as it is my most anticipated book of 2025. However, all of my other books by Charlotte McConaghy are non-BOTM versions. So I will likely order a non-branded edition from Bookshop.org instead. I need those books of my shelves to match sometimes.
The two books I will be adding to box are Liquid and Count My Lies. While I am not a big fan of unreliable narrators, I am hoping that Count My Lies is a story that screws over wealthy people. I could really use some of that energy in my life right now. I also want to support BOTM for choosing Liquid, a debut by a BIPOC author from a smaller publishing house. Plus, it sounds fun!
Since I am not a big fantasy reader, I will be skipping Our Infinite Fates or Oathbound. I could be convinced to read Our Infinite Fates if I see a lot of positive reviews from people I trust, and those people assure me it is not super similar to Addie LaRue.
I generally do buy BOTM’s nonfiction picks; however, I have no desire to read another book about NYC kitchens. (In addition, I have this unfounded hatred of Anthony Bourdain.) I also am tired of memoirs about women that strongly emphasize motherhood. There is no judgement, just my personal preference as a childfree feminist!
As far as add-ons go, I initially considered Promise Me Sunshine and Broken Country. Upon closer inspection, I realized that Promise Me Sunshine includes a storyline about losing someone to cancer. Since I was in that position last year, I do not feel like reading about a similar experience. A friend’s review of Broken Country clued me in to a dog death (actually, a character shooting a dog), and that is generally something I avoid. I am also curious about Jane and Dan at the End of the World but will wait to see what the general consensus is regarding the book before buying it.
What books did you choose for your March BOTM selections? Let me know in the comments!
