Happy Tuesday! It’s almost the end of the month, so I am sharing the books I read this month and what I am currently reading. I am linking up with the Share Your Shelf ladies – Joanne, Marilyn, Tanya, and Jenn – so be sure to check them out on the first Thursday of the month for other great bookish posts.

Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

This reminded me of my favorite series by Jenny Colgan, The Beach Street Bakery. It is the story of a woman, down on her luck, that rallies herself and community when she opens a cafe in a building that has had little commercial success. Issy grew up in her grandfather’s bakery and has inherited his knack for baking delicious treats. She is tough as nails and determined to succeed after she’s been fired from her corporate job. There are moments of tenderness, humor, friendship, and love. It was a great choice for me and super book!
The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight ☀️☀️☀️☀️1/2

I wasn’t sure what to think about this book, but I quite liked it. It is about a Canadian student that decides to go to Scotland for college. While there, she is trying to figure out why her father has lost touch with an old friend, how she is connected to the old friend, and who she is in the whole situation. Pen goes through all the wonderful things college students do as she figures out love, friendship, being more adult, and still being her parents’ child. I thought it was a good book, and perfect for a winter read.
The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

I did it! I finished the book about procrastination! Finally! I actually bought it right after I finished it because I want to keep going back to it. No more library overdue notices for me.
Spy School Goes Wild by Stuart Gibbs (kids audio)

This is the most recent in the Spy School series and we loved it. Luke and I listened every time we were in the car together and while we were hanging out during his surgery recovery. It was full of suspense, geographical information, and laughs. We still love this series!
Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renee Rosen ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

I have been a Barbie girl for as long as I can remember. I played with Barbies, not the special holiday Barbies because they stayed safe in their collector’s box. I loved the Barbie movie. I love everything Barbie stands for – that all girls can be anything they dream to be. This was a fun historical fiction account of how Ruth Handler and Mattel introduced the first doll that wasn’t a baby to all the girls of the world. I thought the people that worked at Mattel were so interesting and felt like I really knew Ruth through the whole book. If you are a Barbie girl, or even if you aren’t, this is a great book!
When I mentioned this book in my Friday Favorites last week, Renee Rosen’s books about other historically important women were also recommended. I’ve got them on my TBR list now.
A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost (audio) ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

I love Colin Jost on SNL and think he is hilarious. This book was just like that. He was funny and told some stories that had me laughing out loud. His mother is an incredible woman – whoa! He has barely lived through some wild adventures. His descriptions of Staten Island and its residents are too funny. This was an easy listen and I thought it was fun.
Currently Reading: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

Currently Listening: Big Game by Stuart Gibbs

You can always checkout what I’ve been reading on my Books 2025 page. I have all of my yearly reading pages linked here if you want to see what I’ve been reading for the last 7 years.
Six books is a great reading month for March. I only had one swim meet to read through and I am taking a class online about the science of reading so that took up a bit of my time. Next month’s books are probably going to look very different. I am on a committee to pick books for a fourth and fifth grade reading battle. The 10 novels and 10 graphic novels that we choose from will dominate my reading for part of April and May. They are always great books and I enjoy reading them! I am getting excited about spring and summer reading and thinking about my summer beach reads list. What have you read recently that you loved? Any recommendations for me? Please keep in mind that I can barely read mildly suspenseful books and DO NOT READ SCARY! Have a great day full of sunshine and books!

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.
Thank you for reading and supporting Sunshine & Books.

I’m currently reading beg, borrow, or steal too and I’m heading to pick up the hunger games prequel today!
Thank you! I requested a few! I have needed to add to my library requests!
Ooh I’m adding The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus and Let’s Call Her Barbie to my list!! I love all things Barbie, too!
I have several of these on hold at the library. The computer catalog system at the library is STILL down. I can get audio or ebooks, but not physical books. Frustrating! I’ll have my books post out tomorrow.
Oh no!!! That is maddening!!!!
Thanks for sharing- Going to Add “The Five Second Rule” to my list- Just love her!
I’m on the waitlist for the Barbie book…thanks for the recc
Some really good-sounding fiction recommendations!
Looks like a great reading month! The Colin Jost book is going on my TBR list.