February 2020 Reading Wrap-Up

Time for another monthly wrap up! February, I really appreciate you – you’re short and sweet … unlike your January big brother who languishes in misery, bleakness, and coldness.

But anyhoo … here’s what February brought me:

• Tried to bake vegan, gluten free sugar cookies for Valentine’s Day that turned into cake which turned into me making about 4 more batches of said cake and now my pants seem to not want to fit as well …

• Little was home with me for an entire week for a school break in which I had super fabulous bonding-time fun planned … none of which happened, but we did watch movies and play a gazillion hours of Nintendo.

• Anyone else madly dash to the store the night before Valentine’s Day for cards?? No, just my family?? Why this day sneaks up on me every year I couldn’t tell you, but I do enjoy the clearance prices that my procrastination rewards.

• Really interested in starting to keep house plants, which my husband kindly supports and even bought me a plant for Valentine’s Day … I still haven’t watered it … Might need to look at my motivations here again.

As for reading, I brought some personal smack-down, devouring 10 books! Happy to say my audiobook addiction is continuing to thrive …

The Thirteenth Tale

Written by Diane Setterfield

Published by Washington Square Press

(High) There are no words and it feels odd to even rate this book, because it is one of my ultimate favourites and this reread has essentially ruined all books for me. The audiobook is exceptional.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Flatshare

Written by Beth O’Leary

Published by Flatiron Books

(Middle) Ok, I am the leader, founder, and sole member of the picky b!tch bookclub … so this one let me down a little. I really wanted to root for it but I took great issue with the central storyline of the leading lady rescuing herself from an abusive relationship by jumping straight into another one. Why this irked me so much? I can’t say … but it is a smart romance with a good balance of heft and lightheartedness, if not for that central issue this would’ve been much higher rated.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Written by Neil Gaiman

Published by William Morrow & Company

(High) Again, this is a master of story telling who does not need my meager praise, but if you haven’t read this yet, you need to. Or listen to the audiobook narrated by the master himself … so, so good. Another reread for me and just fantastic.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Dangerous Alliance

Written by Jennieke Cohen

Published by HarperTeen

(Middle) This regency romance started out with a great combination of a plunky heroine, romance, and mystery. But the plot became too muddled about half way through not knowing the direction it wanted to take while simultaneously stretching out nonexistent romantic tension.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Unmapped Chronicles: Casper Tock and the Everdark Wings

Written by Abi Elphinstone

Published by Aladdin

(High) An explosion of imagination – this middle grade adventure brings all the elements I love together for a fantastic read aloud experience. Often Abi’s imagination spirals ahead of her audience and it is easy to get a bit lost … but the second half is essentially flawless!

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock

Written by Imogen Hermes Gowar

Published by HarperCollins

(High) Straight up, this won’t be for everyone. But it will be for those who like to get lost in a character driven literary masterpiece with depth, magic, romance, and history. Check out the review for more details and a discussion on some of the harder content.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Such a Fun Age

Written by Kiley Reid

Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons

So I am not assigning a rating to this one. This one is tricky and difficult to vocalize a negative opinion without unintentionally offending. I personally didn’t enjoy this one while I tremendously appreciated the conversation of racism and white prejudice Kiley Reid was intending. As a white woman of privilege I’m not sure I was the intended audience and I think this book can start many excellent conversations and personal insights. My issue? There was no one to root for here – everyone was thoroughly unlikeable. Selfish, ego-centric, immature and consistently making poor choices … but blaming everyone else for it? Was this the point? I’m not sure. I do think we were supposed to root for Emira, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t get over her own selfishness and immaturity. And as I’ve seen many people of colour write – this book reads like it was written by a white woman trying to sound black. I felt it furthered prejudice and stereotypes, rather than dismantle.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

A Heart So Fierce and Broken

Written by Brigid Kemmerer

Published by Bloomsbury YA

(High) Ok, this was the hardest review this month because A Curse So Dark and Lonely was one of my top favourite YA Fantasies of 2019, so my expectations were off the charts high. It didn’t live up to them, but it was still a good sequel. Deepening the world, expanding some characters and introducing new ones. My only issue was the thread of destroying past characters … we will have to see if those threads are closed up in the finale.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

Scavenge the Stars

Written by Tara Sim

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

(High) I really enjoyed this one … I honestly wasn’t expecting to as I am very skeptical of fantasy less than 400 pages. But Tara Sim brought a great amount of political intrigue, deception, world building and conflicted characters that kept me invested!

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The City of Brass

Written by S.A. Chakraborty

Published by Harper Voyager

(High) This was just so bloody good, and I had to jump right into the sequel. Check out the review for my praises and discussions and warnings.

Full review HERE.

You can find it here: Bookshop.org

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