PEOPLE’s Best Books to Read in March 2024: Pope Francis, Christine Blasey Ford Share Life Lessons in New Memoirs
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Step into spring with our picks for the best books of the month
A twisty thriller, a memoir of survival, an impactful historical novel— plus the Pope’s life story. Here are PEOPLE's picks for the best books of March.
'What Happened to Nina?' by Dervla McTiernan
Buckle up: This psychological page-turner is no ordinary whodunit. When beloved daughter Nina goes missing, her boyfriend Simon becomes the prime suspect. But did he do it? No matter, because McTiernan’s focus is on a deeper, more shocking tragedy, pitting Nina’s grieving folks—frantic to find Nina and attain justice—against Simon’s privileged parents, desperate to protect their son, no matter what. A tense read with a stunning ending. — Caroline Leavitt
'One Way Back' by Christine Blasey Ford
Ford faced death threats after her 2018 Congressional testimony on an alleged sexual assault by then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. In this insightful tour de force, she details her painful journey and emerges a guiding light for sexual violence survivors. — Claire Martin
'The Stone Home' by Crystal Hana Kim
Based on the brutal state-run “reformatories” in 1980s South Korea, Kim’s propulsive depiction of innocence lost begins in 2011, when Narae arrives on the doorstep of a stranger named Eunju, sent by her dying father to uncover long-hidden truths. — Marion Winik
'Life: My Story Through History' by Pope Francis
This meditative memoir travels the Pope’s own eight decade journey alongside the history of the world he's observed and participated in. The pope's eventful life story, his calling to the priesthood and rise to the highest office in the church is interwoven with his involvement with world events from sports to politics.
'All the World Beside' by Garrard Conley
In Cana, an 18th-century puritan utopia, two men fall in love. But one’s a minister, the other is, well, another man and so their bond is deeply illicit. A heart-wrenching story that explores what happens when two people fall in forbidden love, what it can do to their families and the role spirituality plays in it all.
'Finding Margaret Fuller' by Allison Pataki
A glittering portrait of the woman who was a muse to Emerson, friends with Thoreau and Poe and rubbed elbows with a veritable who’s who of global history. Historical fiction fans will enjoy spotting all of the familiar faces.
'The Anxious Generation' by Jonathan Haidt
Haidt, a social psychologist, examines the effects of the "great rewiring of childhood" — how technology has shaped today's youth, the ways it interferes with neurological and social development, and how to take action moving forward.
'A Very Private School' by Charles Spencer
Spencer, the younger brother of the late Princess Diana, gives an honest, and heartbreaking, look at his experience at the elite boarding school Maidwell Hall.
'Expiration Dates' by Rebecca Serle
Each time Daphne meets a new beau, a slip of paper appears with the time they have before they part ways. There’s comfort in predictability, until she meets Jake, who, for the first time, doesn’t come with an expiration date. But Daphne has a secret that keeps her from committing, and as their relationship unfolds, she must decide whether to break his heart— or her own. A passionate story about love and trust that will have you sniffling long before the twist.
'Notes From the Henhouse' by Elspeth Barker
This enchanting posthumous collection of autobiographical essays (and four stories) by the acclaimed Barker (O Caledonia)is a witty, lyrical and moving foray into Barker’s Scottish childhood, marriage, widowhood, farm life and more. It’s a love affair with words—and life—that makes the writer seem like a treasured friend. — Caroline Leavitt
'The Divorcées' by Rowan Beaird
When Lois Saunders’s marriage fizzles, her wealthy father sends her to a so-called divorce ranch in Reno. There she whoops it up at the casinos with a gaggle of other soonto-be-single women—forming a close but complex friendship with one. A rollicking thriller and poignant coming-of-age story. — Claire Martin
'Memory Piece' by Lisa Ko
This evocative novel follows three outcasts whose weirdness and artistic collaboration unites them as teens in the 1980s. As they grow older and the world tears them in different directions, their paths diverge by the 2040s, forcing them to confront their values, the meaning of success and what really matters.
'The Morningside' by Tea Obreht
In a dystopian near future, Silvia investigates her once-grand building and its enigmatic residents. As she learns more about the people who surround her, their lives and the city they all inhabit, secrets about her own past and family emerge. A touching, inventive novel about belonging and loss.
'Annie Bot' by Sierra Greer
A robot girlfriend grows more and more human, bringing up complex questions about intimacy, autonomy and AI in this fun, unsettling novel. Perfect for anyone with misgivings about artificial intelligence and its impact on our world.
'The House of Hidden Meanings' by RuPaul
Dey Street Books
'The House of Hidden Meanings' by RuPaulThe Emmy Award-winning host of RuPaul's Drag Race delves into the ups and downs of his storied life, from his childhood in San Diego to the birth of his drag persona. An intimate look at an icon.
Related: How RuPaul Became a ‘Supermodel’ — and How His Mom ‘Mean Miss Charles’ Reacted (Exclusive)
'A Good Bad Boy' by Margaret Wappler
Simon & Schuster
'A Good Bad Boy' by Margaret WapplerWhen Luke Perry died in 2019, the Beverly Hills 90210 and Riverdale actor left a lasting impact on his many fans. Wappler interweaves the loss of her own father with that of Perry, in this moving tribute to the beloved star.
Related: Luke Perry Is a Fatherly Figure in New Book: 'Actors Teach Us How to Be in the World'
'Help Wanted' by Adelle Waldman
W. W. Norton & Company
'Help Wanted' by Adelle WaldmanLife behind the scenes of big-box retail is plumbed with wit, wisdom and humanity in this fresh workplace drama. When rumors swirl of an opening at the top of the heap in the team who restocks the store overnight, the secret dreams of some of the workers become crafty schemes. Waldman’s depiction of the routines, backstories and relationships among a group of wonderfully believable characters could not be more fascinating or more fun. — Marion Winik
'The Sky Was Falling' by Dr. Cornelia Griggs
Gallery Books
'The Sky Was Falling' by Dr. Cornelia GriggsIn early 2020, when a pediatric surgeon’s N.Y.C. hospital is overrun with COVID-19 cases, she decides to live separately from her own young children while caring for patients. A riveting take on the sacrifices and heroism of those on the front lines of a historic crisis. — Claire Martin
'James' by Percival Everett
Doubleday
'James' by Percival EverettFrom the author behind American Fiction, an ingenious riff on Huckleberry Finn as told by Jim, the enslaved man who rafts with Huck down the Mississippi. Turns out, dat good ole dialect is a put-on: James talks like a professor. Dominic Hoffman’s audio version is perfect. — Marion Winik
'American Spirits' by Russell Banks
Knopf
'American Spirits' by Russell BanksIn three interwoven stories of blackmail, subterfuge and suspicion, Banks dredges the undercurrent of darkness that can lie beneath small-town life. An unsettling page-turner with lyrical intensity.
'The New Couple in 5B' by Lisa Unger
Park Row
'The New Couple in 5B' by Lisa UngerInheriting an N.Y.C. apartment in a coveted luxury building sounds like a dream. But when a neighbor turns up dead and things start to seem a little off, the new tenants find themselves living a nightmare. Spine-tingling fun.
'Murder Road' by Simone St. James
Berkley
'Murder Road' by Simone St. JamesBuckle up for a grisly ride: When a couple pick up an injured hitchhiker who later dies, they’re suddenly murder suspects. But there’s more going on than meets the eye. Pro tip: Read this one with the lights on.
'American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden' by Katie Rogers
Rogers, a New York Times White House correspondent, examines the role of the First Lady in this in-depth book — and gives an inside look into their lives as well.
'Anita de Monte Laughs Last' by Xochitl Gonzalez
Art history student Raquel is struggling to find her place as a Latina in a predominantly White university. When she learns of Anita de Monte, a Cuban artist with a tragic past, she discovers there may be more to both their stories. Unflinching and thought-provoking. — Carly Tagen-Dye
'This Could Be Us' by Kennedy Ryan
Divorcees Soledad and Judah are devoted parents— brought together by betrayal and given a second chance at passion. You’ll fall for them while they fall for each other, as Ryan dives into the complexities of rediscovering oneself in adulthood. A slow burn with a searing payoff. — McKenzie Jean-Philippe
'Fruit of the Dead' by Rachel Lyon
When a pharmaceutical company CEO hires wayward camp counselor Cory, 18, to nanny on his private island, she leaps at the chance. But her mom, Emer, smells danger brewing and sets off to find her. This unsettling novel about addiction, sex and desire, power dynamics and control is a reimagining of the myth of Persephone and Demeter, but still delightful for the myth-averse.
'The Extinction of Irena Rey' by Jennifer Croft
When author Irena Rey disappears into a Polish forest, eight translators must use its clues—and Rey’s own—to find her. Absolutely bizarre in the best way, it's a fever dream of deception and desire.
'Listen for the Lie' by Amy Tintera
Lucy didn’t kill Savvy. Or she doesn’t think she did. But when true crime podcaster Ben takes on the case and Lucy is forced to return to her hometown, long buried secrets come to light. It's a sleekly satirical novel perfect for true crime podcast fans and haters alike.
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