Books

Thu Feb 27 2025

Clare Mulroy | Books Reporter

Happy Thursday booklovers! Clare Mulroy here, USA TODAY's books reporter.

It's almost time for the Oscars, and whether you're following the race closely or you just really loved "Wicked," I figured it was time for some book recommendations based on your favorite nominee for best picture.

I loved "Conclave," so I'll be checking out "A Burning" by Megha Majumdar, which also follows several main characters who will risk everything to rise from their current standings.

If "The Substance " was your favorite, I'm practically begging you to pick up "Natural Beauty" by Ling Ling Huang because it captures that same horror-tinged conversation about gender and beauty standards.

If you liked "Anora," I think you should read "Soft Core," a new release from Brittany Newell that has a similarly exhilarating romp through nightlife scenes. Read our entire recommendation list for every best picture nominee, including "Wicked," "The Brutalist," "A Complete Unknown" and more. Or if you're more of a TV watcher, check out these books that read like an episode of "Yellowjackets."

Some of the titles on Clare's shelf for March.

Clare Mulroy

It's almost the end of the month, and that means it's time to get new March releases on your radar. Here's what's on my TBR shelf this month, including "Stop Me If You've Heard This One" by Kristen Arnett, "O Sinners!" by Nicole Cuffy and "The Unworthy" by Agustina Bazterrica, the author of the en(gross)ing "Tender is the Flesh."

What are you reading this month? Send me an email at cmulroy@usatoday.com with a picture of your TBR shelf or some titles you're excited about and you might be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

And, as always, you can stay up to date with the latest in books by checking out our recent articles or by following me on Instagram.