Reviewed: Everything I Read in February

Unbelievably, I’m sitting here writing a February reading wrap-up. How are we already staring down the barrel of spring? This winter has felt strange — much busier than normal. Taking on a few new things, my days have been full, with very little of the hibernation I usually associate with this time of year.

February brought several opportunities to step in and support my adult kids — something I don’t get to do as often these days. They brought me along to a few fun outings, too: a traveling tango performance, a round of line dancing lessons, and a shopping trip to Boise. (Fun was had at all three.)

Jeff and I also spent a long weekend in Salt Lake City for StoryCon, a literary conference for writers — and it was so good. The main stage keynotes were excellent, and I even got Meg’s book signed by Brandon Sanderson. Of the sessions I attended, my favorite explored the hero’s quest cycle and how it applies to writers. More than anything, the conference gave me that gentle nudge (or maybe a needed kick in the pants) to move forward on some writing ideas I’ve been circling for a while. It also reminded me that it's okay to write just because I want to. 

While we were in the big city, we packed in even more experiences: the Twenty One Pilots IMAX film More Than We Ever Imagined and comedian Zarna Garg’s fantastic set at Wiseguys. Between the two of us, I’m definitely the stand-up fan — Jeff mostly humors me — but even he admitted Zarna was hilarious and seemed genuinely surprised at how much he enjoyed it. It was a very fun, very full trip!

With that much activity, it probably won’t surprise you that my reading volume dipped a bit this month. I listened to five audiobooks and read two physical books, enjoying all but one of them. If you’re curious which title missed the mark, you’ll find the full list below.

Reading Riches: Everything I Read This Month

 

    

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volumes 4 - 8

by Beth Brower

The month's listening was almost wholly devoted to Miss Emma M. Lion and her continued saga. Maybe saga is too strong a word? Chronicles, then. 

I listened to five installments in February, finishing up everything that has been published so far. Quite a few threads were tied up in the last two books and can I just say how impressed I am with Beth Brower? I think she did a great job of keeping this series on an even keel, neither taking herself too seriously nor letting the story get away from her in silliness. She has clearly spent a lot of time with these characters and knows them well. I read an interview she did, where she said that already knows where the story will conclude. Exciting! 

I will say, as much as I've enjoyed listening to these books, I'm glad for a break. I've spent enough time in Victorian England for the time being. 

This series would make a great mother-daughter buddy read. The books are funny, engaging, and spice-free (such a rarity these days!). 

My rating: 4/5

The Bookshop on the Corner

by Jenny Colgan

Our book club selection for the month, this novel has a fantastic premise: after being made redundant from her library job, Englishwoman Nina must figure out what to do next. Rather than choosing the “safe” options that bore her, she decides to chase her dream. She buys a bus, fills it with books, and travels through rural Scotland selling them to communities that have been without libraries for years.

In Scotland, Nina discovers a slower pace of life, quietly interwoven communities, and charming local traditions.

That’s the good part.

The rub is the romance. This subplot runs alongside all the charm and quaintness, and it had me cringing so hard I had to put the book down several times. I’d be happily reading along when—BAM!—another cheesy, eye-rolling love scene would land with a splat. I don’t want to brutalize an author’s work, but for me, those moments were rough.

So while this book wasn’t for me, I’ll still give it an extra point for the delightful bookish premise and the beautiful Scottish setting.

My rating: 2/5

Theo of Golden

by Allen Levi

In last month’s post I said I wanted to spend some time thinking about this book and hopefully find a way to explain why it impacted me so deeply. I’m not sure I’ve fully managed that but will start here:

Theo of Golden begins with a wealthy elderly gentleman arriving in a small Georgia town. We don’t know who he is or why he’s there, only that he seems likely to stay awhile. He discovers a coffee shop whose walls are covered with paintings of Golden’s residents, and inspiration strikes. Over the course of the novel we meet many of these townspeople, learning their stories while slowly uncovering pieces of Theo’s as well.

After finishing the book, I kept wondering how to explain what it did to me and why it's a worthwhile read for you, too. Then I came across a review on Instagram from a young Bookstagram reviewer, Harry, who said it better than I could:

“This book dismantled me. This book is about grief, but not the kind of grief that announces itself. It's that quiet grief that settles into your bones and pretends to be your personality. Theo isn't a character—he's like a wound who learned how to speak. There were moments when I had to stop reading because I recognized myself in its sentences, and it was terrifying. To feel seen, by a book, when you've spent your whole life trying not to examine yourself or look too closely. It's not just a story about healing, but about how to live.”

That captures the spirit of the book better than anything I could add.

Theo of Golden will likely go on my personal Mt. Rushmore of greatest books of all time. I recommend it to everyone.

My rating: 5/5

Library Additions: The Books I Bagged in February

I found a handful of books from my TBR list this month, all at the DI thrift store. I think I was only able to pop in twice, so not a bad ROI, I'd say!

Marked Passages: Thoughts That Made Me Feel, Think, or See Things Differently

I only wrote down one this month:

Okay, that'll be all for February's reading. What books would you put on your reading Mt. Rushmore?