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March 2014 books of the month

Books Editor Joanne Finney suggests 13 must-read books for March
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1

The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

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Penguin

Me Before You was the hugely loved tale of unlikely passion from Jojo Moyes - now she's done it again with The One Plus One. It's another pass-on-to-your-friends book in which a single mum and a self-made millionaire fall in hate at first sight. When they're thrown together on a road trip across the country - along with a sweetly geeky daughter, teenage step-son and smelly dog - a friendship flourishes between them. A funny, sweet and tender portrait of modern life in Britain, which covers tough issues with the lightest of touches.

2

Spare Brides by Adele Parks

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Adele Parks leaves chick-lit firmly behind with Spare Brides, her first historical novel. It's the story of four female friends, part of the generation of women who lost their husbands and brothers to the Great War. You'll love the drama, the gorgeous dresses, the grand houses and, in particular, the handsome but damaged love interest... 

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3

The Gospel Of Loki by Joanne M Harris

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Chocolat author Joanne M Harris has added the M to mark her first foray into the realms of fantasy. An unlikely move perhaps, but The Gospel Of Loki, a retelling of Norse myths, is hilarious. 

4

The Unpredictable Consequences Of Love by Jill Mansell

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Looking for an uplifting read? Pick up The Unpredictable Consequences Of Love by Jill Mansell. After a traumatic divorce, Sophie has sworn off relationships. So can Josh, freshly home in Cornwall from Los Angeles, persuade her to let go of her past?

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5

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith

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Daniel believes his parents are enjoying an idyllic retirement. Then he learns his mum has been committed to a mental institution, and his dad is trying to silence her to cover up a crime. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith is a pacey page-turner with an ending you’ll be dying to talk about. 

6

The Following Girls by Louise Levene

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Amanda Baker’s schooldays are definitely not the happiest days of her life – her mum’s run away and she too is desperate to escape 1970s suburbia. Louise Levene’s hilarious The Following Girls is a chance to relive the days of double maths, girl gangs and ciggies behind the bike sheds.  

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7

Mrs Hemingway by Naomi Wood

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Ernest Hemingway was the most famous writer of his generation, with a reputation for machismo and heavy-drinking. His four wives – each fascinating in her own right – are the focus of the luminous Mrs Hemingway by Naomi Wood. 

8

Season To Taste by Natalie Young

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Gone Girl kicked off the trend for husband-hating heroines. The latest is Lizzie Prain who, after 30 years of living with her overbearing husband, decides to kill him – then eat him, bit by bit… Season To Taste by Natalie Young isn’t for the squeamish, but it’s exquisitely written and shot through with dark humour. 

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9

Romany And Tom by Ben Watt

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Romany And Tom by Ben Watt vividly captures the characters of his larger-than-life parents, working class jazz musician Tommy and RADA-trained actress Romany. An intensely moving look at the ups and downs of marriage. 

10

Where Memories Go by Sally Magnusson

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Where Memories Go documents the final conversations between broadcaster Sally Magnusson (daughter of Magnus) and her mum, Mamie, before dementia swallowed her stories. It's a heartfelt memoir about the love between parents and children. 

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11

Letters To The Midwife by Jennifer Worth

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Call The Midwife is now a TV mega-hit but it began life as a series of memoirs by Jennifer Worth, who delivered babies in London’s East End in the 1950s. Before she died in 2011, Jennifer was inundated with fan mail. Much of it is reproduced in Letters To The Midwife, along with Jennifer's replies, her journal entries and a foreword by Miranda Hart, who plays Chummy in the TV series.  

12

Spilt Milk by Amanda Hodgkinson

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Amanda Hodgkinson, author of historical drama 22 Britannia Road, returns with Spilt Milk, a tragic tale of sisterhood, lies and illegitimate babies.

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13

Prayers For The Stolen by Jennifer Clement

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With Ladydi, Jennifer Clement has created a feisty teenage heroine who is an unforgettable character. Prayers For The Stolen is the story of her fight for survival in rural Mexico, where being a girl is a dangerous thing.

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