I read more books than there are days in February. Things have not been great recently, so of course I’ve sunk into my version of comfort, which means reading pretty much all the time. Plus, hubby works from home now, so I can’t really watch TV or play games because it’s too distracting for him, and thus all I do is read and apply for jobs. It’s exciting, let me tell you (not really).
On the brighter side, we have a new kitchen floor, and our flat is almost ready to go up for sale. Just some cleaning and exiling a lot of our miscellaneous stuff to my MIL’s loft before we go to see the real estate agents. We’ve been doing a little research into locations around hubby’s job and have found some reasonably cheap renting options, so we’re probably not going to be desperately poor again, and since he got paid yesterday, I can breathe a little (and finally spend the last of my birthday money on my book club books). Still can’t afford BEA, but at least I know we can pay the bills and eat without cutting into our tiny amount of savings. That should mean I’ll get some motivation back and be a more active blogger, rather than just a reviewer, but I’ll see where life takes me.
So, February’s reading:
Literary Fiction
- Mudbound, Hilary Jordan
- The Boy Next Door, Irene Sabatini
- Ella Minnow Pea, Mark Dunn (dystopian but also quite literary)
- I’m Not Scared, Niccolo Ammaniti
- The Crossroads, Niccolo Ammaniti
- The Other Hand, Chris Cleave
- I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith
Historical Fiction
- The Stolen Crown, Susan Higginbotham
- Shadow of the King, Helen Hollick
- The Highest Stakes, Emery Lee
- Pearl of China, Anchee Min
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
- The Ivory and the Horn, Charles de Lint (short stories)
- Frostbite, Richelle Mead (YA)
- Shadow Kiss, Richelle Mead (YA)
- Blood Promise, Richelle Mead (YA)
- Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh
- Soulless, Gail Carriger (actually this book is about a million genres)
- Angels’ Blood, Nalini Singh
- Magic Burns, Ilona Andrews
- Magic Strikes, Ilona Andrews
- Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris
Historical Romance
- To Desire a Devil, Elizabeth Hoyt
- Goddess of the Hunt, Tessa Dare
- My Wicked Marquess, Gaelen Foley
Women’s Fiction
- The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Sarah Addison Allen
Fantasy
- Dragon Keeper, Robin Hobb
Non-fiction
- The Devil and Sherlock Holmes, David Grann
- The Long March, Sun Shuyun
- Cherries in Winter, Suzan Colon
- The Computer, Mark Freuenfelder
- Mr. Langshaw’s Square Piano, Madeline Goold
Classics
- Nadja, Andre Breton
There are definitely a few continuing trends this month. All the historical fiction I read was for review; I haven’t been at all inclined to read it for myself even though I enjoyed all the books that I read. In contrast, my biggest genre this month was urban fantasy (and I counted the paranormal romances in there for simplicity), and I had none of those for review. Clearly, publishers should start sending me more urban fantasy! I read a lot more non-fiction, which I’m pleased with, but I’ve been holding back on my classics, saving them for classics month. I’m almost finished with The Warden by Anthony Trollope, so I’ll have three more left to read in March to hit my target of four. I still have space for guest posts if any classics lovers are planning on joining Tasha and me!
For once, a favorite book popped right out at me, and that would be The Other Hand by Chris Cleave. This book is known as Little Bee in the US and I read it yesterday – my online book club is discussing it next weekend. It was just amazing, deep and meaningful and heartbreaking even as it was beautiful. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about various aspects, but it’s my favorite book all year already, and I’m really looking forward to our discussion.
How was your reading month?
Yay for paychecks and lots of reading!
Ever since I was laid off, I’ve been reading a lot–I’m a little less than 1/4 way through Lorna Doone (which is a big accomplishment, believe me), and I’ve been averaging maybe a book every other day in addition to that. It’s quite exciting.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Musical Notes: Darkfever & Flat-Out Sexy =-.
My goodness you’ve read a lot of books this month! I look forward to your reviews on The Stolen Crown and The Shadow of the King! I really, really enjoyed the latter, but haven’t started TSC yet.
I need to get my hands on Little Bee – I’ve heard such great things.
Good luck with your job hunt Meghan!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
Man, I thought I was doing good with 20 books read! My best month by far in a long time…
.-= Lenore´s last blog ..Book Review: Exodus by Julie Bertagna =-.
Wow, that’s a lot of reading! I hope your flat sells quickly! I’m starting Little Bee next and now I can’t wait!!
Wow ! That’s a LOT of books ! Congrats !
Since I slacked off in January, I tried to get back on track in Feb. Unfortunately, I picked the shortest month to do it !
Oh well, maybe March will be better !
.-= Maphead´s last blog ..Maphead’s Book Blog-Now on WordPress.com =-.
I spend too much time blogging! I must get back to reading….
I really need to read some Charles DeLint. I am clearly missing out on an amazing fantasy force.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: The House Behind the Cedars [TSS] =-.
You did a lot of reading. I read only 8!
Have a great march…
TSS: February Wrap-up
I am amazed that Little Bee is called something else (The Other Hand) overseas. Not having read it yet, however, I don’t know which title seems better. While traveling this past week, I saw it everywhere – it kept calling out to me. Although I don’t really want to spend any more money on books for awhile with so many unread books in piles, I think I can’t hold out much longer!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Black History Month: February 27, 1902 – Birthday of Marian Anderson =-.
Wow–I continue to be amazed at the amount of reading you accomplished in February! Glad everything is starting to work out for the better.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: French Milk =-.
Hi Meghan, and wow! Thanks so much for including my book in your reading list! That is so exciting, and I’m thrilled to be in some excellent company there. I know how you feel–one of the good things about getting laid off was having a LOT more reading time (though I used to do okay on my 45-minute-each-ways commute to and from work). I hope you like “Cherries in Winter,” and if you do, or if you and your visitors have any questions about the book, please drop me a line at info@cherriesinwinter.com.
Thanks again, and good luck with the job search!
All the best,
Suzan Colon
Author of “Cherries in Winter”
Glad to know that you will be able to loosen the financial belt! I know what you mean about scrimping. My husband has been out of work for awhile, and we have had to cut back on pretty much everything. I hope that things continue to improve for you and that you are able to find a nice new home for yourself. I wish you lots of good luck!
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