In January I managed to read quite a few different books. In addition to a range of genres, I also read a good mixture of ARCs/new releases, backlist books from my physical TBR, and library books.
This month, although I anticipated would be a mainly backlist-focused month, appears to be a bit of the same! While most of the books I plan on reading are coming from my backlist, I also have several library holds, some being new releases.
My TBR looks a bit ambitious (especially while throwing a 700-page book into the mix), but I also have some shorter books I plan on reading. So without further ado, here are the 9 books I plan on reading this February.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows takes place in the same universe as The Grisha Trilogy. It follows Kaz Brekker, who has the opportunity to gain wealth beyond his imagination if he can pull off a dangerous heist. Except it’s not one that he can do alone.
This book has been on my TBR for two years now! Last month I finally finished The Grisha Trilogy so I could continue on with the next duology in this world. While The Grisha Trilogy was just okay for me, based on everything I’ve heard I think I’ll really enjoy this one.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The Power of Habit shows readers how they can rease bad habits and replace them with good ones by looking at patterns. It helps readers understand why habits exist, and what it takes to break them. The book also includes real-life examples of how this strategy works.
Something I’ve been working on lately is developing good habits (and breaking bad ones), and this book is well-known for achieving that. This is one of the better-rated self-help books out there, so I’m looking forward to seeing what it has to offer. This is also the first book I’ll be listening to on audio this year.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic that caused controversy upon its initial release in 1890. It follows the story of a young man that decides to sell his soul in return for eternal youth and beauty.
Admittedly, I couldn’t tell you much about this book before I researched the plot for this post. However, it has been recommended so many times based on my current favorites. That being said, I knew I had to pick it up sometime soon.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch follows a boy named Theo, whose mother is killed in an accident. After the accident happens and his father abandons him, Theo is taken in by a friend. Theo struggles to adjust to his new life, clinging on to a painting that reminds him of his mother. It is a painting that continues to follow him into his adult life, as he continues to mourn the loss of her and bring grief with him.
I’m finally planning on reading Donna Tartt’s other works based on my love for The Secret History. I plan on eventually reading her other book as well, but I figured winter is a perfect time to sit with a big book. And of all of the big books on my TBR, this one sits pretty high on my list.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Into The Wild is a true story that follows Christopher Johnson McCandless. In 1992, with $25,000, he hitchhikes to Alaska, spends all of his money, loses all of his possessions, and is found dead four months later. This is the story of what happened in that time.
This is an author that my boss recommended to me, and after finding at a library sale, I felt it was a great opportunity to pick it up. This pick was primarily based on her recommendation, but it looks like this book has some mixed reviews (mostly based on the actions of the man being described in the book), so I’m curious to learn about the story here.
Women in Long Island’s Past: A History of Eminent Ladies and Everyday Lives by Natalie Naylor
Women in Long Island’s Past is a non-fiction book all about the many heroines that were Long Island natives. From doctors to authors to the former First Lady of the United States, this book revives and remembers women from Long Island’s history.
This was a Christmas present to me by a friend of mine, knowing that I enjoy the history of Long Island as well as the famous women that have lived here! I think this will be a very informative read. Perhaps I may learn of some famous figures who I didn’t know lived on Long Island at all!
Aesop’s Fables by Aesop
Aesop’s Fables are a collection of well-known tales that date back to ~500 BC. Aesop was a slave and storyteller from Ancient Greece. Many of these stories are responsible for the idioms and lessons we still use and make reference to today.
While reading some fairy tales to my neice and nephew just a few months ago, I realized how different these stories seem from the adult lens. That being said, I wanted to revisit them as an adult and give them a bit more of an in-depth study. It seems like there’s many I might not have previously read as a kid as well.
The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata
The Lost Book of Adana Moreau follows science fiction author and Dominican immigrant Adana Moreau, who is living in New Orleans in the 1920’s. She publishes a science fiction novel that develops a following, and decides to write a sequel. However, she dies before finishing the second book – and her son destroys the manuscript. Decades later, Saul Drower of Chicago is cleaning out his dead grandfather’s attic when he finds the sequel’s manuscript. Unsure of what it is nor who Adana Moreau is, he sets out to find the truth.
I saw this book on a 2020 list and I found the synopsis interesting! This year I’m making an effort to add more new releases to my TBR (as well as balancing the backlist) and I couldn’t pass up this book. I’m not sure if my library will have a copy ready for me before the end of February, but we’ll see!
Apartment by Teddy Wayne
Apartment tells the story of a man who decides to offer the spare bedroom in his Manhattan apartment, rent-free, to another man from the Midwest. Their living together brings on a friendship the narrator never had, while at the same time, causes tensions due to their very different lifestyles and upbringings. It is a story of one of many of those feeling lost in the city, captured through the lens of an author.
Another book that I’m actually not sure my library will have on time! This is another new release that I found while browsing Goodreads Giveaways (and clearly, I did not win). But while I found the synopsis vague, it sounded like an interesting character study – and I tend to really enjoy those! Luckily, my library also seems to have a waiting list already for this book as well, so I made sure to place a hold in advance.
That’s everything on my TBR for February! Have you read any of these?
-Julie Anna
