February was such a short month and it's already time for another reading wrap-up. My reading year started off in the usual lackluster fashion, but by mid-month things finally began to get back on track. I finished four books in February and set one aside after 30%, but the last two books I read were both 4.5 stars. I hope that streak continues into March!
We also enjoyed visits from our NYC daughter and son-in- law, and an old friend from central NY.
BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY
Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books by Hwang Bo-Reum
nonfiction, essays
⭐⭐⭐💫
A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella
literary fiction, from my shelves
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman
literary fiction, connected stories, family drama
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Grown Women by Sarai Johnson
Literary fiction, book club selection
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The slow read of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy continues. I'm reading a chapter a day with a group at Footnotes and Tangents.
MARCH READING POSSIBILITIES
The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman (in progress)
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 7 by Beth Brower - reading project
Daughters of the Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demick - nonfiction
Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney - book club
I will also continue with War and Peace and hope to read at least one book from my TBR shelf.
How was your February reading? What was your favorite book of the month?
So glad your reading is finally hitting its stride. It's so frustrating when all the books are just mediocre. The Emma Lion books are high up on my list to read soon.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'm just getting started on Volume 7 of Emma's journals and they are just so entertaining! You're in for a treat whenever you get to them.
DeleteDare I say that I have no desire to read War and Peace - ha! Good luck with that one. Glad you had a good time with your visitors and hope you have a great March!
ReplyDeleteKay - You may certainly say you have no desire to read War and Peace and I completely respect that! For me it's become almost a bucket list book , and I'm starting to feel like if I don't do it now, when will I? The chapter a day approach has been relatively painless (!) and I really appreciate the daily summaries and thought. Approaching the 25% mark... that will be a milestone.
DeleteCongrats on reading War and Peace; it's a long book. I loved the movie version too.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - There are SO many W&P adaptations. Can you recommend one?
DeleteFebruary reading was great for you! I have not gotten some of the books on your list - yet. I think Les and I are going to buddy read Tana French this month but I will see what her schedule looks like what with recent events.
ReplyDeleteMy stack of books is large for the month, as are my goals, but with the heat being intense by afternoons I ought to be able to get some good reading time in.
Your March reading possibilities look good. I read Daughters of the Bamboo Grove and it was quite informative. Made me wonder about a coworker I had who journeyed to China to adoopt a baby girl during that time frame. Yikes!
Tina - I know what you mean about the heat. It has gone from cold to record-breaking heat in just a week - so weird! I remember your review of Daughters of the Bamboo Grove. It recently made the Women's Prize for Nonfiction longlist and that was the extra push I needed. I borrowed the ebook from the library and may use an audible credit, too. Hope to start it soon.
DeleteI am reading Daughters of the Bamboo Grove and finding it well written and super interesting. She does a great job of weaving the personal and the history.
ReplyDeleteHelen - I read her earlier book about life in North Korea, Nothing to Envy, and thought it was really well done. Glad to know one is good, too. I hope to start it in another week or so.
DeleteI'm glad to see that you enjoyed Allegra Goodman's book. It's one I want to read sometime this year. I need to get back to my "year-long" reads. I set The Winds of War and The Emperor of All Maladies aside a few weeks ago for my comfort re-reads. My mom is home from rehab, so I'm hoping to return to a more normal routine. At least I'm not having to drive 150 miles every other day! Oh, and she just got #5 in Beth Brower's books, so I'll have all of those to read later this spring/summer. Yay!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I can pick a favorite book for February. I read four and all but one were winners.
Les - Allegra Goodman's book is my favorite so far this year. Of course I love the Emma Lion books too, but they seem to be in a category unto themselves. I'm so glad your mom is back home! February was a tough month for all of you and i'm sure you're ready to get back to a normal routine.
DeleteWhat do you think of War & Peace so far? Is it tough reading or accessible? I'm also curious if you'll like Lake Effect. So keep us posted. Happy March reading.
ReplyDeleteSusan - War and Peace is surprisingly readable and I'm finding the daily email chapter summaries and notes to be very helpful. I can't say I love the book (maybe I will at some point?) but today for the first time I read an extra chapter... couldn't stop where we were supposed to!
DeleteOh I'm interested in Daughters of the Bamboo Grove, too. Look forward to your review if you do read it.
ReplyDeleteVintage Reading - I never got to Daughters of the Bamboo Grove this month, but will keep it on my list. It sounds like such an interesting read! Hopefully later this year...
Delete