We're approaching mid-March and I know it's late for a February reading wrap-up, but here we are... The month of February seemed to fly! We finished our Hurricane Ian repairs, furnished and decorated the ground level guest suite, and welcomed our first guests to that space since 2022. What a milestone! We loved having our oldest daughter and son-in-law here for two weeks at the beginning of the month. Then we were delighted to host an old friend from our days by the lake in central NY. And finally, just moments before February ended, Twin A and her husband (minus Winnie the Whippet) arrived for a 10-day stay.
As far as reading goes, it was a pretty slow month. I spent almost all of February on a long nonfiction classic and credit Tina for keeping me on track. On the fiction side, things were definitely lighter and easier reading!
BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY
Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain - nonfiction, classic, buddy read, 3.5 stars
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood - reread, fiction, 'UpLit', 4.5 stars
My thoughts on all three titles are here.
MARCH READING POSSIBILITIES
Three Apples Fell From the Sky by Narine Abgaryan (completed)
in translation, for World Lit Book Club
I'll Come to You by Rebecca Kauffman (completed)
fiction, new release
How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key (in progress)
nonfiction, memoir, MMD April selection
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
fiction, new release
You Are Here by David Nicholls
fiction, from my shelves
... and we'll see what else catches my eye!
What your your favorite February book? What are you looking forward to reading in March?
Currently reading Evenings & Weekends, quite good. Night Watch, really good and Red Dog Farm, which is beautifully written. My reading numbers are kind of lumbering along but the books have been good.
ReplyDeleteTi - Night Watch is the only one of the books you mentioned that I've heard of! Just looked up Red Dog Farm and it sounds like one I might like... will keep an eye out for your thoughts.
DeleteYou've had nice visits from friends and family, sounds like good times. It's always great to see the "children" and I can't wait for another trip to Nebraska.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning I kept you going on Testament of Youth but honestly, we were like Kate and Leo on that liferaft in Titanic! It wasn't what I expected but glad we made it through. You have some great books listed here and I want to put a hold on that Anne Tyler book. The library has a hold limit of 10 for the Kindle/audio books and I already have ten. The wait list is faorly long for the physical book. I have read some good things about that one.
I wanted to get to Pilcher's Winter Solstice before winter was gone, seems appropriate. You and Les had mentioned you liked it and I have enjoyed Pilcher's fat books more.
Tina - Laughing at your reference to the Titanic... quite a reading experience, for sure! I won that Anne Tyler book through a goodreads giveaway, the hold list is crazy long here, too. Winter Solstice is everything you want from a Pilcher novel!
DeleteWhat a treat to have so many visitors come stay with you. It's understandable that you didn't get as much reading time in. I'm sure you're very happy to have all your repairs behind you. Now you can relax and enjoy your time on the island. I read several "very good" books in February, but if I had to pick my favorite it would be All the Colors of the Dark. I've had a couple of mediocre books in March, but just finished one that stands out as a winner: Beyond That the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash. I loved it! Now I'm re-reading Olive Kitteridge. I thought I had re-read it a few years ago, but I guess not. Maybe I'm thinking of the TV series, which was marvelous. I also have the next Maggie O'Farrell book (The Hand That First Held Mine) in my stack for my personal challenge of reading all of her books.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your beach time. That's a stunning sunset!
Les - I'm happy to know you enjoyed Beyond That, The Sea. I bought that last year as a kindle deal and have been looking forward to reading it. Elizabeth Strout, Maggie O'Farrell... you're reading such good authors this year! My March reading has started out strong with a coupe of really good books, Three Apples Fell From the Sky and I'll Come to You, and I hope it continues!
DeleteSo nice to hear about your family and friends that have been able to visit. And I know you are so glad to get the repairs done and your guest area decorated. I finished the reread of the Ruth Galloway mystery series in February. This month I've caught up on two more series with the latest books and had a good time with those. Right now, I'm reading the book our mystery group will be discussing for April and will also read the 2nd book in the series as well (it was just published). Spring is here and we're happy with that. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteKay - It is such a relief not having contractors just dropping in at odd hours any more! Sounds like you've been enjoying your reading lately. I'm terrible at keeping up with series of any kind... I'm already looking forward to your bluebonnet photos - Happy Spring!
DeleteI enjoyed the Tyler. I also like this trend where some novels are allowed to be short rather than stretched out to meet 250-300 pages.
ReplyDeleteAmy - I'm all for these shorter novels, too! Tyler's is my third short work this month.
DeleteSometimes days aren't for reading as crazy as that sounds! It sounds like you had a good visit with Twin A and husband. I really want to read How to Read a Book. It sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - How to Read a Book is such a feel-good story... just what I needed after Testament of Youth!
DeleteGlad to see you gave Good Dirt four stars. It's on my list!
ReplyDeleteHarvee - I liked Good Dirt even more than her previous novel, Black Cake.
DeleteThat's great that you've finished all the renos and have had your guests stay. Fun. And that sunset photo is to die for. I look forward to your thoughts on Kauffman's novel and Anne Tyler's. I have read the novel You Are Here. My favorite part was the hike & scenery. March is going by swiftly so I need to up my reading. Enjoy your beach walks.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Finishing up all those repairs was quite an achievement, and now we get to enjoy having guests again! Hope to start You Are Here later this week.
DeleteIt must feel so good to have the Ian repairs finished and be able to house guests again! My reading has been virtually non-existant due to work and life. I am so ready for things to slow down a bit and allow me time to read.
ReplyDeleteHelen - It's great to have room for our friends and family to come stay again! I hope things at work slow down for you soon... I get cranky if I go too long without reading ;-)
DeleteI had three 5-star reads in February, two by Melissa Tagg and then Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard.
ReplyDeleteCindy - Wow, three 5-star reads in one month is great! Hope your March reading is off to a good start, too.
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