The best authors are those who read extensively. Here is what I’ve been reading lately.

If you're interested in learning more about the non-fiction books I've read and the insights gained from them, be sure to listen to the Two Booked Up podcast.

March started well with a quiet weekend spent devouring new library books, 80% of which were non-fiction, which set the tone for this month.

Unlike last month, where I read a lot of fiction, March leaned heavily the other way. But similar to February, many of the books I read in March were chosen to meet the prompts in the 2025 Reading Challenge, or slotted against the prompts after the fact, continuing the diversification of my reading.

Fiction Reads

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

This book was chosen for the prompt, ‘45. 2025 New Release’ but also because I loved ‘Weyward’, Emila Harts’s first novel and was very excited to read The Sirens. Lucy is fleeing her past and a traumatic event. She hopes her sister Jess will understand, but when she arrives at Jess’s cliff-top house, she finds her missing. Alone in a town filled with unsettling rumours of men vanishing and a foundling in a cave, Lucy seeks her sister. With mystery, history and a compelling story across multiple timelines, including female convicts being sent to Australia in 1800, I couldn’t stop reading this book and finished it in one (long) day.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

Meeting the prompt, ‘24. 2024 Bestseller’, this was another book I’d been looking forward to reading, as (like much of the world!) I enjoy Liane Moriarty’s writing. It begins on a smooth flight from Hobart to Sydney. All passengers will land safely, but almost all will be changed forever. An ordinary lady predicts when and how many will die—some far in the future, others very soon. It was a page-turning story, albeit quite long. As an author, I admired not just the story but also the brilliant structure that kept the narrative tension constantly tightening.

There’s Something About Mira by Sonali Dev

A new release from one of my favourite authors helpfully met the reading challenge prompt, ‘42. Author You Love’. Mira Salvi seems to have it all—a job she loves, an adored fiancé, and a perfect future. However, her engagement trip to New York takes an unexpected turn when she finds a lost ring and her social media post to locate its owner goes viral. Amid the chaos, journalist Krish Hale, who is keen to write the story, joins forces with Mira. As they work together to trace the ring’s owner, Mira begins to question if her life is truly on the right path. Heartfelt and with Sonali Dev’s trademark style, I really enjoyed this book about Mira finding not just the ring, but herself too.

The Bad Bridesmaid by Rachael Johns

After reading and loving ‘The Other Bridget’, I knew I had to read this new release from Australian author Rachael Johns. Primarily set over one week in gorgeous Norfolk island, Winifred ‘Fred’, a serial dater and author of “21 Rules for Not Catching Feelings,” is the maid of honour at her mother’s sixth wedding. Determined to prevent the marriage, she teams up with Leo, the groom’s handsome son, who shares her doubts. But of course, as they execute ‘Operation Break-Up,’ Fred and Leo develop unexpected feelings for each other, and Fred finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about romance and family, becoming the star of her own romantic comedy. I loved it!

The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George

After thoroughly enjoying ‘The Good Wife of Bath’ by Australian author Karen Brooks, I was keen to read this retelling of one of literature's great novels, Oliver Twist, from the point of view of Nancy, also by an Australian author. Nancy is one of the most sympathetic, most maligned and most tragic of Dickens's characters, and does what she has to do to get by. A page-turner of a novel, it’s a tale of love, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil - showcasing the power of compassion in a world tainted by darkness. Thoroughly enjoyable.

The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman

Some years ago, I read The Bookstore Sisters, so I was keen to read this latest update in the sister’s lives. It was a perfect read one evening when I felt the need for fiction (amongst all the nonfiction I’d been reading). The sisters reunited and run their family bookstore on Brinkley’s Island, Maine. Five years into Isabel’s marriage with Johnny, their life changes dramatically after a profound dream. As he struggles with this new chapter, Isabel supports him while grappling with her own emotions. With themes of love, family, and the resilience of relationships, a lot is packed into this short story.

Non-Fiction Reads

The Plan: Manage Your Time Like A Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi

My good friend, podcast co-host and biz-bestie Shelley loves this book and couldn’t stop raving about it, so I knew I had to read it. Delivered in Kendra’s no-nonsense, big-sister tone, this book presented a new way to think about time management - a way that feels far more intuitive, practical and compassionate than the usual time managment books. I enjoyed it, and was immediately able to implement some of her suggestions, which is always a sign of a well-written non-fiction book.

The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler

This book was a recommendation from a coach I worked with a few years ago, who is incredibly well-read and devours books (even more than me!). She raved about it, and included it as her top/favourite books of 2024. That was a more-than solid recommendation, and it was spot on. With plenty of aha moments, and sentences and paragraphs that made me want to take photos of the page, this book delivers big time. Psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler presents a positive view of perfectionism as a potential superpower. Instead of advising readers to abandon perfectionism, she identifies five types —Classic, Parisian, Messy, Intense, and Procrastinating — encouraging women to recognise their unique profiles, and enjoy the gift of perfectionism. Thoroughly recommend for all women, and especially those of us who have been called a perfectionist as a criticism.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Selected to meet the reading challenge prompt, ‘30. Popular Book You've Never Read’, I didn’t know anything of Jennette McCurdy. In her memoir, she shares her challenging journey into acting, starting from her first audition at six, driven by her mother’s ambition. Her childhood was marked by control and extreme measures, leading to anxiety and unhealthy behaviours as she gained fame from ‘iCarly’ (a kids show on Nickelodeon). After her mother’s death from cancer, Jennette steps away from acting and seeks therapy, embarking on a path of recovery and self-discovery. I listened to the audiobook, read by Jennette, and was astounded at her delivery of candid stories and horrific moments with a deadpan, dark humour. Ultimately, her story celebrates her resilience and independence.

Behind The Seams: My Life in Rhinestones by Dolly Parton

My library app recommended this audiobook for Women’s History Month. Read by Dolly Parton and with interviews and recordings with many of her team including those who make her signature, stunning looks, and her niece Rebecca Seaver who manages Dolly’s clothing archive, this was a very enjoyable listen! With snippets of her songs as well as her trademark humour, her clothes, hair and makeup are clearly passions Dolly has explored during the entirety of her six decades plus as a phenomenal song-writer, performer, actor, author, philanthropist and more. I’m excited to read the print version now and see the beautiful outfits discussed! Even so, the audiobook was completely satisfying and has given me a new appreciation for how strong, empowered and kind Dolly Parton is. And as a bonus, completes the reading challenge prompt, ‘32. Audiobook with Multiple Narrators’.

The Swedish Art of Ageing Well by Margareta Magnusson

I read and enjoyed Margareta Magnusson’s first book, ‘The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning’ so when I saw this book at my local library, it had to come home with me. The key message - it’s never too early to start preparing for the ageing process! While downsizing and decluttering are important, Margareta’s main message is to embrace life: appreciate beauty, connect with loved ones, and enjoy your time together instead of fearing death. I enjoyed her sense of humour (one of the reasons I loved her first book) and the anecdotes she shared. A slim little book for a quick read.

Stoic at Work: Ancient Wisdom to Make Your Job a Bit Less Annoying by Annie Lawson

A workplace ‘survival guide’ that distils the wisdom of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius into 49 modern rules. Using Aurelius’s insights, Annie Lawson encourages us to focus on what we can control, accept others’ shortcomings, and maintain a cosmic perspective during challenging times. The rules, which include thinking less, navigating office politics, avoiding unnecessary meetings, and finding a balance between fear and boredom, aiming to transform work from a source of irritation to joy—or at least greater tolerability. A short, fun read; at times I was laughing out loud.

Wow It’s All A Lot by Samuel Leighton-Dore

Super cute, inspiring, Australian and meeting the reading challenge prompt, ‘31. Illustrated Book’. A short book, but not necessarily a quick read. Rather, this one is for anyone going through a tough time. It's about celebrating the middle bits - the messy, awkward, uncomfortable bits - while navigating our way through the uncertainties of life. With gorgeous hand-made tiles (made by Samuel) and essays drawn from his own experiences with mental health and human connection, it's funny, sad, hopeful, inspirational. A lovely book either for yourself, or as a gift.

She Sheds: A Room Of Your Own by Erika Kotite

Browsing my local library shelves early one Sunday morning, I saw this book and immediately wanted to flip through the beautiful images and read it. So I did! A very happy Sunday was spent reading about She Sheds in the USA, UK and Australia and dreaming about creating my own. The fact that many completed their project with zero budget and used recycled elements made it even better. With gorgeous photos and loads of practical advice and case studies, it was a fun read for a quiet Sunday at home.

What have you been reading lately? Do you have a recommendation for a book you read and loved?

*Please note that while I enjoy supporting local bookstores and libraries, I also recognise and appreciate the convenience of purchasing books online. This post may include affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase using one of these links.