Three Song, Book, and Film Recommendations For March

As the weather warms and blue skies stretch, my desire to consume heightens. These past few days, I’ve caught myself wanting to take a walk, read a good book with some good music, and come home to cuddle up and watch a good movie. Surely, I can’t be the only victim of seasonal happiness, so I thought to share three of my favorite books, songs, and films for the third month of 2025. 

Songs

“Four Leaf Dream” by Matilda Mann - “I painted pictures with the words that you prepared”

This has been one of my favorite songs for three years now. It was first released in February of 2022, just in time for spring. Listening to this feels like jumping on freshly bloomed clovers. The stomping percussion amidst the swirling, whimsical tune is addictive. If you like what you hear, Mann recently dropped her debut album, Roxell, where there are plenty more gems. 

“Old Recliners” by ROLE MODEL - “Kicking heels up to her favorite song”

She’s fun, she’s cool, she’s nostalgic. Recently released in the deluxe version of Kansas Anymore, “Old Recliners” has to be one of the catchiest, fun songs I’ve listened to. Upon first listening, I knew I would be streaming this on repeat. Simply put, it feels like a fresh breeze of 5 PM spring air. There’s a bittersweet gloom that soon turns into a head-bopping, body-swaying “thinking ’bout you.” I love a good voice-focused chorus, and the song has exactly that. I want to clap and scream along at the same time. Everyone say, ‘thank you, Tucker!’

“Perfect Day” by Lou Reed - “Just a perfect day, you made me forget myself” 

I honestly might die listening to this song. What better way to start March than with Lou Reed? A classic and the definition of perfect, this song is the best way to end your day. Reed’s voice is soothing yet rough, creating an ideal balance. Plus, the instrumental section starting at 2:22 quite literally solves all my problems. Then, the outro with “you’re going to reap just what you sow” pulls the listener back into reality, giving you a piece of bitterness to balance the sweetness from the rest of the song. 

For a long time, there was speculation that the song hints toward heroin use. In a radio interview from 2000, Reed clarified the song’s meaning: “the girl, sangria in the park, and then you go home; a perfect day, real simple. I meant just what I said.” I think its simplicity makes the song all the more beautiful—an ode to a mundane life; what more could you ask for? 

Books

10 Minutes and 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

It’s believed that our brains remain well alive in this world for 10 minutes and 38 seconds after our death. This book follows the post-mortem journey of, Leila, a sex worker. This book was genuinely the most moving read I have ever read. It’s tragic and heartbreaking and frustrating, but also beautiful and heartfelt and everything in between. The first half is incredibly compelling, especially with its ability to be so cogent in its message. 

Admittedly, the second half fell short due to its drastic shift in tone, setting, and perspective. While the first half focuses on the protagonist, the second half follows the protagonist’s friends. It takes a comedic and fun turn, though an unnecessary one that didn’t hit for me because of how detached it felt from the first half. Still, I loved this book so dearly, and despite its slow beginning, I easily devoured the book in a couple days. It’s a pretty unforgettable read.

The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

This is the first book I recommend to any friend. Gorgeously written and a true classic, The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray follows a young man’s path into debauchery and depiction through immortality. We read about the desire to remain forever young, vanity, decadence, and life itself. It’s a classic for a reason.

The uncensored version includes material, such as “explicit” homosexual content, that was extracted from the original version due to the editor’s fear of it offending readers. If you decide to read this, I highly suggest you pick up the uncensored version, as it adds more complexity to character dynamics, motives, and the overall plot. I found the content neither “explicit” nor offensive. When I first read this, I bookmarked every page and underlined Wilde’s oh-so-lovely writing style. No other words—just read this! 

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

I don’t know about you, but the spring weather refuels all the motivation I lost during the winter slump. If you’re like me and itching for a good book to get into, the Red Rising series is one you won’t forget. In a post-Earth world, Darrow is a lowborn Red living on Mars, where he mines to support his family and wife. With a dream of breaking oppressive societal chains, he infiltrates the elite Golds, who control society.

This book came up several times through word-of-mouth, social media recommendations, and even bookstores before I properly gave it a go. I started reading this book on a twelve-hour flight, and needless to say, tears were shed, and half the book was consumed. The first third of the book quite literally grabbed my heart and wrenched it to pieces. I have never cried as much as I did within those first pages. 

Brown’s short, one-line hitters are incredible, making it all the more exquisitely painful. Though only in the third book of the series, I found that the first two had me running to the next. These books are surprisingly easy to get into and beautifully addictive. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to get their reading going or hoping to fall into yet another masterfully created sci-fi world. 

Movies

Dead Poets Society

A little dark academia before the last hints of chilly weather slip away. This movie is life-changing, and I mean that. Also a classic, this movie is about friendship, literature, conformity, rebellion, and, of course, carpe diem! If you’re feeling trapped in your life’s trajectory, as if you’re not living life to the fullest, this movie is perfect. 

Tears fell and squeals were heard. I caught myself giggling at their happiness, resonating with their turmoils, and tearing up at their sorrow. Especially the end. Heartwarming and heart-wrenching, Dead Poets Society is a must-watch. 

Good Will Hunting

As college students, it’s easy to fall into a spiral of having nothing figured out, and that must mean you’re a failure. Well, Will Hunting is one of the naturally smartest people alive, and he has nothing figured out. Good Will Hunting is a classic that navigates youth, identity, emotional blockage, friendship, and many other timeless themes. Will, the protagonist, is a genius who works as a janitor at MIT. One day, he solves a nearly impossible problem, gaining the attention of a professor. When Will gets into a fight and ends up arrested, the professor strikes a deal to free him as long as he learns under him and attends therapy. These therapy sessions are where it’s at. Our beloved Robin Williams plays the therapist, with Matt Damon as Will. The film portrays Will’s character development and acceptance of his intelligence well without sacrificing the true reality of life—his friends remain trapped in a small town cycle. The movie is intense, emotional, and gripping. 

One thing is, I found Will’s subplot romance underdeveloped, though I appreciate that it didn’t overshadow the primary plot. I just didn’t feel connected to the two as a couple. Otherwise, I thought the movie was good. It isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s delightful, and Williams’s performance alone is worth watching.  

After Hours

An adventurous yet intense film, After Hours is about a man who finds himself trapped in an unexpected night. While going downtown to meet a woman, Paul Hackett loses the money he intended to pay the cab fare with. He’s left in a series of chaotic events while he attempts to make his way back uptown. 

This film is the embodiment of crazy. There are moments of humor, seriousness, and overall insanity. Still, the absurdity of the plot is hilarious. Combined with the script, the film is so fun to watch. Each character’s uniqueness brings a new umph to the film, all together escalating the craziness of everything. The movie gets crazier by the minute all the way to the end. Absolutely hilariously insane. After Hours is perfect if you want to go on a crazy adventure for one night in SoHo, Manhattan. 

I hope you find the time to give one of these recommendations a try. It’ll add five years to your life, trust me!