It’s February! And it’s also time for the post that often does some major damage to our TBR pile and our wallets. We hope all of you have been enjoying some good books. If you’re in a slump, though, maybe something in the comments will be able to pique your curiosity! And of course, tell us in the comments what you’ve been loving or hating this month.
Carrie: The Burning World by Issac Marion ( A | BN | K | AB )
Elyse: I’m reading The Dry by Jane Harper ( A | BN | K | AB ). It’s a mystery set in the Outback that involves a cold case. So good!
Amanda: I started To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before ( A | BN | K | G | AB | Au ) for the book club chat and I’m really enjoying it.
Then I’m having some major TBR anxiety because there’s too much choice! I’m torn between All I Am ( A | BN | K | AB ), which was part of our Harlequin Valentine’s Day sale and Master Professor by Tara Sue Me (a new BDSM romance series, yay!) Total opposite books, haha.
Sarah: I’m reading To All the Boys, but I started Passion Favors the Bold ( A | BN | K | G | AB ), and it’s so freaking charming. SO CHARMING.
It is it own charm bracelet, there is so much of the charm.
Plus it’s a sort of heist/adventure historical which is a hefty dose of my catnip.
Redheadedgirl: PASSION FAVORS THE BOLD IS SO CUTE
I am reading Bedchamber Games by Tracy Anne Warren (cross dressing barrister adventures!) ( A | BN | K | AB )
And I just got Nadiya Hussein’s book The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters, which I am excited to start.
And also I picked up Frommer’s England and Scotland ( A | BN | K | AB ).
By request, since we can’t link to every book you mention in the comments, here are bookstore links that help support the site with your purchases. If you use them, that’s so great of you, and if you’d prefer not to, that’s cool too. Thanks for being a part of another year of SBTB and hopefully, you’ve found some great books to read!
I had a great reading month. I read a lot of good books and got two authors cleared off my tbr pile. I also added to the tbr pile a little too much, but that’s okay. Now I just have to resist buying Passion Favors the Bold… it sounds so good…but I still have Romain’s last two full-length books plus her last novella sitting waiting to be read… must resist…
Here’s the majority of what I read this month:
The Good:
Someone Like You by Lauren Layne- I absolutely loved this one. It took me a while to get through it since I was in the middle of a big slump when I started it, but it was great. The hero and heroine both have previous relationship issues to work out. The way they moved on and found love with each other was just wonderfully done.
Burred Lines by Lauren Layne- This was a sweet friends to lovers book that really grew on me as the story unfolded. The hero and heroine have been best friends since freshman year at college, but decide to become friends with benefits with the heroine is dumped by her long-term boyfriend. It has the great writing and character development that I’ve come to expect by Lauren Layne.
Isn’t She Lovely by Lauren Layne- I had this one for a long time before I read it and it was slated dead last when I decided to work through all my Layne books. For some reason, I was really dreading the fact that it was NA. It’s a fake relationship story. The heroine pretends to be the hero’s girlfriend so his mother will get off his back about getting back together with his ex. In exchange for the heroine gets to live rent free in the hero’s extra room while her dorm is under construction. It’s a sweet story with characters that seemed their age, but weren’t annoying.
Jockblocked by Jen Frederick- I really loved the hero and heroine in this one and the way the were with each other.
Downed by Jen Frederick- This was one of my free monthly Prime books. When I read that it was going to be Ace and his new coach’s daughter, I was a little worried. I wasn’t sure Frederick could pull it off to my liking. She definitely got me to root for Ace and Bryant. I will say that some of Bryant’s southern expressions/ways did get to be a little annoying at times.
Maiden Lane Series Books 7-9 by Elizabeth Hoyt- I worked my way through my backlog of Elizabeth Hoyt books this month. Darling Beast, Dearest Rogue, and Sweetest Scoundrel were all what I expect from the Maiden Lane series. They were all very enjoyable, fast reads.
Hot and For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper (aka Elizabeth Hoyt)- Both of these were funny, madcap (in a good way) romantic comedies that I enjoyed.
Crossing Hearts by Kimberly Kincaid- I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and had some issues with it but liked it enough to put it in the good category. It’s a second chance romance, the hero asked the heroine to marry him and stay in their small town after high school but she leaves to escape her parent’s influence. The heroine returns to her hometown many years later after a MS diagnosis forces her to make a career change. I appreciated the fact that the book has a heroine dealing with a chronic disease. I also enjoyed how well-developed the characters are. The hero is very supportive and I liked the parts that dealt with his running of the family farm (along with his two brothers). The one big thing I found lacking in the story was romance. The hero and heroine fall back into a relationship rather easily and, while I appreciated the lack of angst when it came to their past, I just needed some more wooing or emotion or something.
One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews- Another solid entry into the series.
The Okay/Meh:
Just One Kiss by Rachel Gibson- Gibson used to be an auto-buy for me, but I’m glad I got this one from the library. There’s nothing really bad about this book, but nothing really good either. I never really felt any chemistry between the hero and heroine and I never got invested in their romance. It was pretty meh.
Good Girl by Lauren Layne- I liked the heroine in this one, but the hero wasn’t developed enough for my liking. This was another one where I never felt invested in the romance.
The Devil in Denim by Melanie Scott- This one was better than the previous two I listed in this category. I did like the hero and heroine and the romance was decent although it could have used a little more development. They went from the enemies with chemistry to full-on relationship phase pretty fast without showing a solid foundation for that relationship.
To Have and To Hold by Nalini Singh- Quick, decent read, but nothing special.
The DNF:
Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh- I just couldn’t get into this one. I made it not quite halfway after trying to read it for five days when it wasn’t holding my interest. I finally gave myself permission to give up on it. I also decided to give up on my plan to read through the Balogh books I have sitting on my kindle for now. I did just get her latest book from the library so I’ll have to read that in the next month then tackle the rest of my backlog of her books.
Once and Always by Elizabeth Hoyt writing as Julia Harper- I only got 16% in to this one before giving up. I wasn’t enjoying the writing style and the hero’s actions were annoying me right from the start (we find out that he had a one-night stand with the heroine and now he pulls her over every time she comes into town). I may eventually give it another try, but my tbr list is so crazy long that I didn’t want to waste time on a book that was going to have to improve significantly just for it to be okay in my eyes.
Right now I’m reading Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh then it’s onto Singh’s Rock Wedding. After that I plan on doing some library books along with some Sarina Bowen (I have seven of her books sitting on my kindle) and Penny Reid (also at seven).
Lots of varied reads this month. Some, absolutely amazing!
– “Amberlough” by Lara Elena Donnelly – this was featured in the February’s New Releases post and I literally screamed and flailed when I read the description. Cabaret/Weimar Berlin meets John le Carre? Yes, yes, YESSSSS. And it’s exactly that and it’s sexy and terrifying, especially in today’s political climate and I LOVED it.
– “A Fashionable Indulgence” / “A Seditious Affair” / “A Gentleman’s Position” by KJ Charles – So, I inhaled this trilogy. It’s thoughtful and smart and kind and oh, so sexy. I particularly loved “Seditious.” I haven’t read BDSM romance this good since Alexis Hall.
– “The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade” by Ann Fessler – my mother was surrendered for adoption in 1955 by a single teenager and she’s currently searching for her, so this book was useful (we’ve since engaged a reunion organization noted in this book), but it’s also just an amazing book. Completely shifted my view of, well, the whole ordeal. Read it.
– “Passing Strange” by Ellen Klages – mentioned in January’s New Releases post! The lightly magical story of queer women in San Francisco in the 1940’s. I loved all the queer history I didn’t know and the end reminded me of, like, a particularly progressive Doctor Who story, or something.
– “The Traitor Baru Cormorant” by Seth Dickinson – grimdark fantasy to the enth degree but I loved it because the heroine (antiheroine?) is an accountant (!!!) and she’s gay. And the woman she loves is dreamy. But still, grimDARK.
– “The Last Summer at Mars Hill: and Other Short Stories” by Elizabeth Hand – I read and listened to Hand’s “Wylding Hall” and adored it. These stories have that same horror, mythical flavor and now I really want to pick up another of her novels.
– “The Lawrence Browne Affair” by Cat Sebastian – this didn’t *quite* compare to “Soldier’s Scoundrel” for me, probably because grumpy “Beast” stories aren’t my top fave, but it was sweet and sexy and light in a very Tessa Dare sort of way.
– “The Black Tower” by Louis Bayard (audiobook) – a historical thriller set in post-Revolutionary France and a super fun
, especially since Simon Vance is narrating. Reminiscent of Dumas and Dan Brown.
– “Sweetheart, Sweetheart” by Bernard Taylor (audiobook) – published in 1977, this is a classic of gothic horror and I enjoyed it, but the role of women was a little dated. Nearly everyone wanted into the hero’s pants, for example.
– “The Impersonator” / “Silent Murders” by Mary Miley – I loved the 1920’s / Old Hollywood setting, but I’m not sure cozy (?) mysteries are for me.
– “Design for Dying” by Renee Patrick – see above.
– “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” by David Lagercrantz (audiobook) – another Simon Vance joint, which was great, but the book was not. A continuation of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy, this book drowns the story in too many characters and relegates Lisbeth Salander to the role of babysitter to a nonverbal austic boy who is, nonetheless, the only witness to a crime!!! It’s a careless disaster, from start to finish.
Currently Reading
– “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name” by Audre Lorde – a gorgeous autobiography, Lorde writes about growing up the child of West Indian immigrants in early 20th century Harlem. She’s Black, lesbian and hers is a coming of age story I have not read before. I love it. Love it. And I want to read all the Audre Lorde now.
*Technically* I’m reading “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller. But because it is breaking my heart in all the ways and it’s so good but we all know that story cannot end well, I’ve started reading other books on the side.
Yesterday I finished “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” and at the moement I am reading Olivia Kelly’s “Look to the Stars”, which was recommended here a few days ago and just sounded like my absolute catnip.
Elyse – The Dry is amazing! It’s one of those rare books that lives up to all the hype about it.
This month I read Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet – I didn’t think this was quite as good as the first in the series, and one of the plot twists (or at least I assume it was meant to be a twist/surprise) was so flipping obvious to me. But I still enjoyed it and am looking forward to the third book.
I just finished Alien Diplomacy by Gini Koch. I am NOT a sci fi girl at all but you cannot beat Koch’s cheeky and believable Kitty as a main character. She’s funny and street smart and all those guys have to learn to respect her which is fun for me. Plus I’m sort of in love with Reader, the gay bff.
I’m rereading Raisins and Almonds right now because Phryne Fisher is a comfort read for me. Murder in MOntparnasse is my fave of the series, but this is a close second.
Due to some medical issues, I haven’t read much since late January. (I did finish 41 out of 43 of the Star Wars books I’d started last month, before then, so I’m way ahead on my reading goal.)
I did read Echoes in Death, once ILL finally delivered my copy. Decent mystery, but probably a bad choice if rape is triggering for you.
I’m currently reading Six of Crows, by Leigh Bardugo which seems to be a fantasy heist book. I like it so far, but I’m wondering if I should have read her Grisha trilogy first, since I feel like I’m playing serious catch up on the world building.
I read Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo.
I also finished reading the original run of Alias/Jessica Jones comics, which were really good. And I read the first volume of the DC Comics Bombshells series. Bombshells had a cool idea, but the stories were all over the place and a bit disjointed for my tastes, especially the ones with Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
As far as February books go, I’m looking forward to The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro, which is a YA take on Holmes and Watson. I’m also looking forward to Royally Matched by Emma Chase.
I also want to read some Iron Fist comics before the Netflix series comes out in March.
Thanks to a small, mostly used bookstore that doesn’t care about release dates, I’m reading DEVIL IN SPRING by Lisa Kleypas. Woot!
I really enjoyed Wake of Vultures – Buffy meets Lonesome Dove. The only problem is not being able to share it with my dad, who it was clearly made for.
I started a Sarah Mayberry and couldn’t make it out of the prologue. I don’t know what happened! The heroine is stuffing toilet paper down her dress halfway through the prom, agonizing over some dude she’s already humiliated herself in front of, and I don’t know how to explain why this was such a world of no to me.
I read a Suzanne Brockmann that I hated, which has never happened to me before, and the universe is upside down. The heroine of No Ordinary Man was tstl and a terrible mother as a result, there was ridiculous plot moppetry, the hero and his ”mystery” were a waste of space, plus all of the law enforcement personnel were unspeakably incompetent. It was like a parody of the Suzanne Brockmann I adore.
I finished the Sarah Morgan New York trilogy, and while the last one was better than the second (wow I hated that hero), it’s all very much not my New York, but a kind of soft, accommodating New York with no garbage and all the money. Which seems like a pleasant place, don’t get me wrong, but it never feels like New York.
Also of course lots of Georgette Heyer.
In non romance worlds I’m wondering if anyone has thoughts on China Mieville.
February has been a good reading month for me. Here’s what I finished:
The Joy Plan by Kaia Roman (ARC)
The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury
The Best Laid Plans by Sarah Mayberry (the sale post the other day reminded me that I bought it when it was released)
Bare Necessities by Marie Donovan
Snowfall by Mary Ann Rivers
Currently reading Seeking Mr Wrong by Natalie Charles. Was featured on SBTB as a sale book but I got it through Scribd.
My Goodreads goal is 2 books per week and I still need to keep reading about 10 books a month to catch up!
Currently reading Married by Morning (Hathaways #4) by Lisa Kleypas.
Before that, I read Space Captain Smith by Toby Frost, which is the first science fiction novel I’ve read in…I can’t remember how long. It’s a bit like a very British version of Guardians of the Galaxy, perhaps? Anyway, it’s very funny.
Also recently read Ruthless by Gina L. Maxwell and Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. Both were pretty good.
And Lisa Kleypas’s Brown Eyed Girl! I loved that one. Love her writing style.
My favorite for the month was Yoon Ha Lee’s Ninefox Gambit. A captain with a talent for math is paired with a disgraced general (not a romance) to quell a rebellion in a really unusual SF universe.
Ilona Andrews’ One Fell Sweep – Innkeeper is definitely my favorite of their series, I just love how it embraces its silliness and takes it seriously.
Lisa Servon, The Unbanking of America: How the New Middle Class Survives – The author is a prof who studies financial systems. She worked in a check cashing outlet and a payday lender to better understand how customers see these services. (Spoiler: it’s not just that the customers are too dumb to know better.)
Mishell Baker, Borderline – the protagonist has Borderline Personality Disorder and physical disabilities resulting from a suicide attempt. She gets drawn into an investigation in fairy-ridden Hollywood. An enjoyable narrator’s voice, though not a nice one.
I read Tangled in Texas, which was in the Feb new releases post, and I thought it was really good! I liked it despite the fact that the main conflict derives from the two leads refusing to tell each other how they really feel, which would normally drive me crazy. But it was so well done here, and this is high praise from me.
I read Leah Remini’s memoir Troublemaker, which was compulsively readable. I couldn’t put it down even when I was supposed to be doing other things.
I also read Annabeth Albert’s Christmas novella Wrapped Together, which I loved.
I started reading A Change of Heart by Sonali Dev, which I’ve heard is good, but it’s so depressing in the beginning that I am having a lot of trouble getting into it.
In late January, I discovered accidentally that I had a large promotional credit on Amazon that could be used for digital content, including books published by Amazon. This was a very pleasant surprise! If you are a Prime Member and a regular amazon buyer of things besides books, I encourage you to check with customer service to see if you have unused credits. So, I went on a book buying binge, to use up the credits. Among other things, I bought some of Kristen Proby’s backlist and some of Penny Reid’s backlist, as well as some 1001 Dark Nights novellas by authors that I like and had somehow missed buying. So, I have now added significantly to my TBR folder.
In terms of my 2017 goal of reducing my TBR shelves and folder, I read the King’s Courtesan by Judith James. It is a historical set in England during the end of Cromwell’s protectorate and the early years of the Restoration (1650s – 1670s). I really enjoyed it and will read more of her books. I also read The Winter Mantle by Elizabeth Chadwick, which is medieval (set during the reign of William the Conqueror). Again, another non-Regency historical with lots of actual historical figures and very enjoyable.
As a change of pace, I read Laura Florand’s A Crown of Bitter Orange. I just love Florand’s books and her descriptions of the French countryside are gorgeous.
Earlier this week, I renewed my membership in the Bad Decisions Book Club, when I bought and read Sarina Bowen’s Rookie Move because it was on sale and started reading immediately. Then, I bought the next book, Hard Hitter, even though it was only reduced and not on sale while I was still reading Rookie Move, because (a) I was really enjoying the book even though it was way past my bedtime; and (b) Elyse wrote such a great review of Hard Hitter that I decided I could not wait for a sale to buy it. Even though I’ve been sleep deprived for a couple days (and a little cranky), I think it was worth it. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Last night, Ifinished The Laws of Murder by Charles Finch. This is a mystery set in Victorian England (1870s). It is part of a series about a fictional detective that I really enjoy. I will start the next book in that series, Home Before Nightfall this weekend. Both have been on my TBR shelf since last year.
I’m also reading Friends Without Benefits, which is one of the Penny Reid backlist books that I bought with my promotional credit. It is hilarious (as usual) and because it is portable, I am reading in bits and pieces on my phone and kindle, while waiting in line or commuting.
KateB – I added a lot of those, thanks! Amberlough sounds amazing.
I really liked Gays of Our Lives by Kris Ripper. I’ve been so picky lately (and prone to rage-quitting over minor details) but I enjoyed every moment with this grumpy hero. Will be buying the rest of the books in the series as soon as my budget allows it.
Fly With Me by Chanel Cleeton wasn’t bad at all – it just wasn’t for me. There was too much of “I’m a feminist BUT” if you know what I mean.
And I’ve been comfort reading old Maria Lang novels. She’s the Swedish Agatha Christie basically. A few of her books have been translated to English so if you’re interested in mid 20th century Swedish Crime then I strongly urge you to try her. Amazon has Death Awaits Thee, No More Murders! and A Wreath for the Bride for kindle. (There was also a tv series based off some of her books a couple of years ago – it’s in Swedish but I know it’s been on BBC4 so you might be able to dig that one up somehow if you’re interested, it was called Crimes of Passion.)
February has not been a successful reading month for me so far. A majority of the books have been m’eh. I’ve just started Hot Pursuit by Lynne Rae Harris and so far it’s not too bad. Reminds me of a classic Sandra Brown from back in the day.
I’ve needed some good comfort reading this month, so I’ve been munching my way through Lynsay Sands’ Argeneau backlist. I’ve probably read 6 of them in the last 3 weeks, and they are predictable, light, and enjoyable. I’d say I’ve liked “The Accidental Vampire” and “Hungry for You” best out of the lot.
I also read “Breathe” by Kristen Ashley. Not sure why some of her books work for me, but this was one that did. She’s very hit or miss for me.
Next up is “White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America” by Nancy Isenburg
OMG I’m only a few chapters into On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins and I just want to limit myself to a few chapters a day because it is THAT GOOD.
I picked up Managed by Kristin Callihan. I’ve been looking for a rock music romance that hit all the notes for me and her VIP series is doing it for me.
Then there was the unplanned Deanna Raybourn mini binge that came about when the GBPL coughed up the second Veronica Speedwell book when I was two chapters in on City of Jasmine. Both were excellent historical reads with SRE.
Started Dead to the Max by Jasmine Haynes this morning. A little mystery, a little paranormal & hopefully a little of her trademark erotica touch.
Finished out the week with Gambled Away: A Historical Romance Anthology. The stand outs being, as one might expect, the stories from Molly O’Keefe, Rose Lerner and Joanna Bourne (Hawker as a kid!!).
I picked up Managed by Kristin Callihan. I’ve been looking for a rock music romance that hit all the notes for me and her VIP series is doing it for me.
Then there was the unplanned Deanna Raybourn mini binge that came about when the GBPL coughed up the second Veronica Speedwell book when I was two chapters in on City of Jasmine. Both were excellent historical reads with SRE.
Started Dead to the Max by Jasmine Haynes this morning. A little mystery, a little paranormal & hopefully a little of her trademark erotica touch.
Finished out the week with Gambled Away: A Historical Romance Anthology. The stand outs being, as one might expect, the stories from Molly O’Keefe, Rose Lerner and Joanna Bourne (Hawker as a kid!!).
I’ve always heard great things about Joanna Bourne so I bought The Spymaster’s Lady on sale earlier this week. I really enjoyed the first book and am now reading the rest of series in chronological order, which is different than the order in which they were written according to the author’s website.
Can’t wait to read the new releases Pretty Face by Lucy Parker and Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas this week!
This is always one of my favorite posts of the month, I’m going to try to participate every month this year. Hash tag life goals.
I spent most of the last month (two months?) inhaling Tessa Dare. Castles Ever After AND Spindle Cove. I read most in a day or two. I haven’t glommed onto an author like that in a long time, but I needed light hearted historicals with strong heroines right now.
I read “Scandalous” by Patricia Burroughs for the TBR challenge (new to you author). It was cute. I’ve already started “A Baby for Christmas” by Anne Mcallister for the March challenge (comfort reads).
I skimmed”Cold Hearted Rake” by Lisa Kleypas. Too big a power difference between hero and heroine to appeal to me. I’m still looking forward to the next one in the series. Also gave up on a Suzanne Enoch that was just not grabbing me.
I’m currently reading “Vita Brevis” by Ruth Downie. Also light hearted historical, but a mystery in ancient Rome instead of a romance. The mystery in this one is pretty good, but I’m more here for the detective Ruso (a sarcastic Roman doctor) and his wife Tilla, who is a Briton. They are an entertaining couple and Downie always sneaks in some enjoyable comments on human nature and society.
I listened to “A Study in Charlotte” by Brittany Cavallaro on audio and enjoyed it. My current audiobook is “Four Nights with A Duke” and I’m enjoying it, even though I haven’t read the Desperate Duchesses series.
And finally, next on the TBR list is the most recent Bryant and Mays mystery by Christopher Fowler. I have mixed feelings about this because I was led to believe the book before this one was the last. But I love these characters so much.
As part of this year’s goal to read 20 books I’ve never read before (I have a habit of continually re-reading all my old books), I added a bunch of new historical non-fiction books. Actually it would be more accurate to say I moved through the library like a big mouthed bass, it was as dignified as it sounds. From the pile, so far I’ve read The Tigress of Forli about the life of Caterina Sforza, The Borgia: Hidden History which turned out to be something of an attempted rehabilitation of the Borgia family. And lastly Wintersong which is exactly as good as everyone is saying, and OMG my feelings!!! I can’t decide if I’m hoping for a sequel, or if it should stand as is. Either way, it was awesome.
Still to go this month is King’s Cage and Victoria: The Queen ….. dear gods what have I done to myself?
Oops, meant “Marrying Winterbourne” not “Cold Hearted Rake”!
Highlights from January were Wolfsong and Bitter Legacy. So, far February highlights are The Raven Boys. I’m in the middle of Dark Horse and next is The Bear and the Nightingale. I’m eagerly anticipating the new Parker and Kleypas books.
I really liked To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. I thought Lara Jean was great and like the family relationships. Can’t wait for the third book.
We all now know what “Good book noise” is, thanks to The SB, but I submit that the problem with “GBN” is that it is usually followed by the “Good book hangover” in which you can’t find anything to give you that good book high again RIGHT NOW, so you get all depressed and start re-reading stuff. Anyway, I had a GBH from “One fell sweep” (how can you top giant hedgehogs, murderous poultry, and muckrats with a fart gun?). Reading “Echoes in death” helped. I love how the characters keep evolving, especially Eve, who has gone from seriously fucked up to relatively normal. Then I unearthed “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” which has been in my TBR pile forever, and it was very good. That led me to “84, Charing Cross Road,” which seems to be a comfort read for a lot of people, but just didn’t do it for me. That led me to some vintage mysteries: “No. 9 Belmont Square” and “Harriet farewell” by Margaret Erskine, “The black coat” and “The black goatee” by Gwenyth and Constance Little (I heartily recommend most of their books. They’re screwball mysteries written from the late 30s to the early 50s. As in “mysterious things are happening in the room across the hall. Let’s stake it out. I’ll bring the pitcher of martinis.”) There was also a 1930s vintage Mary Roberts Rinehart in there, “The great mistake”–not one of her best, plus the charming 1933 “The mummy case mystery,” set in a fictitious college of Oxford University (for comparison, this was written within a year of “Gaudy Night”). I also read 1934 mystery called “Murder in the stacks,” also set in Oxford. Oxford, Ohio, that is. Specifically in the old library at Miami University. Oh, and for nonfiction, I read a very interesting book called “Birth of the chess queen,” about, well, how the chess queen came to be, and what allowed her to become the most powerful piece on the board. Then I re-read “The undoing” because I cannot wait for “The unyielding” next month.
Read Kelly Bowens Lords of Worth series which were different and enjoyable.
Also based on the post from a few days ago I read King’s Captive. Holy guacamole was that good!!
DNF When strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas. Could not get into it
Still reading Five Came Back by Mark Harris. It’s about five directors and the work they did in WWII and how it affect the war and Hollywood after the war. The directors are: John Ford, George Stevens, John Huston, William Wyler, and Frank Capra. Ford filmed the Battle of Midway. And Stevens pushed to the front lines in order to film the liberation of Dachu. His footage was used at Nuremberg. It’s a fantastic look at Hollywood history and how propaganda was used by both sides.
Self Control, by Mary Brunton, a contemporary of Jane Austen, was unexpectedly a roller coaster of feels and triggers. Just goes to show that NA romances have been around a lot longer than the genre by that nomenclature.
Troublemaker by Leah Remini: Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
Finding Your Feet by Cass Lennox: This author! Transgender representation! Ace representation! *kermit flails* Loved it.
The Assistants by Camille Perri: Enjoyable and if it ends up being made into a movie please please Melissa McCarthy as that one character who I can’t remember the name of right now.
Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang. This is the short story that the movie Arrival is based on and I can’t recommend them both highly enough. If you are passionate about language and speculation and connection — beyond catnip.
I called it last month on the fact that I wasn’t going to get as much reading in, because, well, job, school, kids, need to sleep once in a awhile. And I started a cross-stitch, so that’s eating a little bit of attention, too. Nevertheless, here we go.
After finishing the (SO STABBY) Nevernight, I read The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, which was beautiful and lyrical and all the best things about fairy tales. Then I DNFed two books in quick succession (The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman was when of them, because my brain does not accept steampunk). I one-eightied like a boss and then read Sustained by Emma Chase. The narrator read as a douchebag at the beginning of the book, but as the book got in, he gained some complexity and learned from his experiences and worked at being a better person, and I appreciate that kind of character development, especially in a book that is in the first person. Then another DNF (it was a rough month for DNFs, but I just have no patience for frippery at the moment, just tell the story dammit). Then I picked up Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham and I adore her and we are meant to be best friends. Her stories from Gilmore Girls are lovely. Then I read Breathless by Beverly Jenkins and she is killing it with this trilogy and I want Regan’s book NOW PLEASE. Since I was already on a roll with Beverly, I turned around and read Topaz, one of her earlier works, and I liked the characters, but found the prose a bit purple, even by romance standards. That said, the parts that related to the characters’ journey west and their experiences once they got here were extremely effective (I like me a Western). Then I blew through the newest JD Robb, Echoes In Death, and well…it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t as good as the last couple, either. Then I tried to read Caraval by Stephanie Garber, since it has all these comparisons to The Night Circus, which I LOVED, and womp womp. DNF. Like I said, it was a bad month for DNFs. It was 100 pages in and nothing had happened, the narrator was a whiny type, and the prose was just too purple. I’m now reading Javelin Rain, by Myke Cole, which is the latest in the Shadow Ops series. They’re modern military fantasy. Basically, people have started manifesting powers, X-Men style,, and those that do basically get conscripted. In Gemini Cell (which was the precursor to Javelin Rain) a soldier that died was essentially brought back as a zombie supersoldier and in this one, he’s on the run. They’re very good (my favorite was Fortress Frontier, followed closely by Gemini Cell). I also have Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson in the CD player.
I’m currently reading Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Someone on here recommended it and I’m loving it so far! It’s been ages since I’ve read a romance with older MCs, and having it be a interracial relationship is such a treat.
I just finished the Soldier’s Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian which is one of those books that made be happy for the invention of ebooks since the cover is truly, embarrassingly terrible. Super sweet Regency gay romance, with some delightful class commentary woven in.
I devoured The Wonder by Emma Donoghue in two days and have been recommending it to everyone I know.
I’ve been reading Sofia Khan is Not Obliged on and off this month. I really like the idea of the book (Bridget Jones + Muslim South Asian British heroine) but I’m finding it hard to get into and the choppy format is annoying me. Maybe I’m too old.
Change of Heart by Sonali Dev was the first book I read in Feb and I was surprised by how much I liked it. I know it’s gotten mixed reviews but I must have a high tolerance for angsty romances.
I also read Glass Tidings by Amy Jo Cousins (gay romance) and Again by Kathleen Gilles Seidel, both of which were meh. I was particularly annoyed by the character of color fake-out in Glass Tidings where Eddie Rodrigues insists on explaining to a total stranger that his name is Portuguese not Spanish. Whatevs.
I recently read and loved The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. I went into it expecting a nice story about a 50 YO French bookseller who runs a floating bookshop on a barge on the Seine and instead got a book that really made me think about life, love and loss.
After that, I was on a bit of a France kick, so I picked up Once Upon a Rose by Laura Florand. I’ve tried a couple of her previous books and liked but didn’t love them, so I was surprised at how much I loved this book. Maybe I was just in a French mood? IDK, but the descriptions of the countryside, the sweet, but growly hero, pretty much everything worked for me.
Other books I’ve read and loved in the past few weeks include:
– Baron by Joanna Shupe (really loved the strong heroine in this one)
– Rise by Karina Bliss (the hero was pretty arrogant, but he’s a rock god so that’s not surprising and I loved the academic heroine who refused to just let him phone it in.)
– The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin (loved the Tang Dynasty setting, looking forward to the next book, The Jade Temptress)
– Under Her Skin by Adriana Anders (angsty, deals with spousal abuse and moving on afterward)
– Wilder by Rebecca Yarros (adored the cocky, sexy, extreme sports star hero)
– Truly by Ruthie Knox (Reread. I’m so excited she’s writing again and looking forward to Madly!)
Finally, I’m in the middle of a fascinating non fiction book called Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are by Frans De Waal, a top animal scientist that explodes all of those human-centric notions that animals can’t possibly be as smart as humans are. It’s very well-written although admittedly a bit dense and would be great for anyone who wants to know more about what animals are really capable of.
I had a long trip (2 8-hour flights with a layover in between – flying from Chicago to Nairobi – for work but with time to sightsee a little) and I read SOOOO MANY BOOKS.
Highlights include:
Dawn by Octavia Butler for my queer genre fiction book club – sf – all of the human pairings are m/f but the aliens have 3 different genders and it’s beautifully written and seriously crazy and no hea for anyone.
Fair’s Point by Melissa Scott – m/m fantasy / mystery set in an alt European renaissance world with a matriarchy and magic. I love this series, although the mystery didn’t work quite as well for me as previous books.
Between the World and Me by Ta-nahisi Coates – non-fiction for a different book group. Well written and thought provoking and devestating.
Hard Wired by Megan Erikson and Santino Hassell – m/m contemporary. I was kind of meh on this one, even though I loved the previous books in the Cyber Love series.
@LB@Cas: I saw Leah Remini on Bill Maher last and immediately downloaded her book Troublemaker. I was happy to see your recs….I knew it was going to be good!
Quite a few good ones this month. I just read “Smooth Talkin’ Stranger”, not the Kleypas book, this one is by Lorraine Heath. It’s got a widow heroine and an undercover CIA hero, a one night stand turns into an MOC. I liked it a lot, reminded me of Linda Howard or Suzanne Brockman’s early books. I read the 1st 3rd of Marguerite Kaye’s “Never Forget Me”, also good, it’s 3 connected novellas set during WW I.
Also, “Look to the Stars”, the Olivia Kelly novella with a Jewish heroine, I picked it up because of Elyse’s “A” review, and totally by coincidence “In the Stars”, a very charming novella by Ava Stone. I need a 3rd book with “Stars” in the title, any ideas?
Also, a great Patricia Wentworth book from the golden age of British mysteries, “Miss Silver Deals With Death”.
I am slowly-very slowly-getting into “Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life” by Karen Armstrong. I really want to read it, but escapist fiction is so much easier right now.
On my TBR, Helen Simonson’s “The Summer Before the War” and D.E. Stevenson’s “Miss Buncle’s Book”.
Currently reading: Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloisa James and loving it!
Just finished: All I Have by Nicole Helm. Bought that and the sequel in the Harlequin sale. Enjoyed it and will start the second one after I get through some library books.
Put aside: Dark Horse by Michelle Diener. I was excited for it, but I just wasn’t in the right mood for it.
Previously this month: The Bride Wore Pearls by Liz Carlyle. Working on finishing up the series! Liked it, but it’s been too long since I read the previous book and was a bit lost.
-Laird Wolf and A Lady’s Heart by Vivian Arend. Both a bit meh – I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and thought some of the “problems” were too clunky.
-The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean. Loved it!!!! Don’t know why it languished in my TBR pile for so long, but I have the second book and have moved it up the list.
-Hope Flames by Jaci Burton. Pretty good, liked the characters and the dogs. Will probably borrow the others as well.
-The Thing About Love by Julie James. Won this in an Instagram giveaway and there was SO MUCH SQUEE!!!! Absolutely loved it.
Next up: Right Wrong Guy and Best Worst Mistake by Lia Riley, both from the library, and I just got the ARC for the new Kit Rocha book, Ashwin. So excited for that one!
@Cas: I’ll join the Kermit flail chorus for “Finding Your Feet”! In fact, anything by Cass Lennox. And the covers. Sigh. So right.
I was lucky enough to win Pretty Face by Lucy Parker from an awesome SB giveaway (Thanks ladies!). So that finally got me around to reading Act Like It and then Pretty Face. I really enjoyed both! These two and Prime Minister by Ainsley Booth and Sadie Haller started a contemporary kick for me. I’ve been grabbing mostly historicals for the last several months (my ecsape from reality).
I also joined NetGalley and signed up for an early proof of Suzanne Brockmann’s upcoming Troubleshooters novel. I’m having a hard time getting into it though and I usually love Brockmann’s novels. I recently gave my mom The Unsung Hero because she’s never read any Troubleshooters and is on a military romance kick. I was thinking about re-reading the series along with her. Maybe getting back in touch with the characters will help me get more interested in Brockmann’s latest offering.
I also picked up A Curious Beginning and A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn at the library and am excited to start those. And I’m first on hold for Devil in Spring so I know what I’ll be doing this coming Tuesday.
But next up is To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before for the book club. I’m not usually a YA fan but admittedly haven’t read much of the genre. Hopefully this book will be the one to change my mind.
@cleo Your book groups, I want them. Also your travels!
I loved Between the World and Me, like stand on a street corner and pass out copies of it loved that book. Just push it into the eyeballs of people who haven’t read it kind of love. That’s what love looks like, right?
What did you think of H is for Hawk?
I really enjoyed Baron by Joanna Shupe. It had been in my TBR file. I had one of those “hey I missed this one” moments and I also liked the strong heroine. For the Valentine’s holiday, I read My Reckless Valentine by Olivia Dade with a rather non-traditional librarian heroine involved in an office romance. Was spicier than I expected! I also read Be Mine in Good Hope by Cindy Kirk, which was a tamer second chance story.
I just finished My Scandalous Duke by Theresa Romain which also had been in my TBR file too long. I am looking forward to Passion Favors the Bold in a few weeks. Meanwhile, I’ll be checking the TBR file on my Kindle to see what else I missed….
I am reading a new Mary Balogh, Someone to Love. Her books never disappoint. Very excited she is starting a new series!
I’m listening to the audiobook of Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristof. There are lots of readers for different characters (it’s a sort of variant on an epistolary novel). I finally broke my month-long Hamilton binge with an Elizabeth Hoyt audiobook, and now this. No guarantee I won’t be back to Hamilton next though. 🙂