February 2024 TBR
I used to post monthly TBRs over on Instagram but fell out of the habit some time ago. I’m going to experiment with trying it out again to help me keep track of what I need to get to each month and share my upcoming reads with all of you.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
This is something of a Feb must-read as it’s the pick for my local book club - and I’m hosting the next meeting! Thankfully, as I’m delayed in posting this (what’s new) I’ve already finished this one, so that’s one ticked off the list already. Go me!
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
One of two ARCs I ideally need to get to ASAP, this also falls under my goal to read some romance this month to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I’ve read some Ali Hazelwood before but DNF’d The Love Hypothesis on audiobook (I do intend to try it again soon) so the only book of hers I’ve completed is Stuck with You, one of her short stories. I’m interested to see how she takes on the paranormal aspects here.
The Eternal Ones by Namina Forna
The second of the two ARCs I need to read this month. This is a tougher call because it’s the third and final book in the Deathless series and I could really do with re-reading the first two books before digging into it. However, those two books are some of the most intense, vicious, and bloodthirsty books I’ve ever read and I’m not sure I feel like reading them back-to-back followed by what’s almost certainly going to be more of the same in the concluding volume. I’ll keep you posted on what I decide to do.
The King is Dead by Benjamin Dean
Admittedly not the best title to be posting given the news the other day! The February mini-challenge has been posted over at the 52 Book Club and while you don’t have to complete it in the month it is set, I’m going to attempt to do so. The first prompt is to read a book by a Black author in my favourite genre to celebrate Black History Month. I don’t really have a “favourite” genre but I do love me an LGBTQ romance and I’ve loved all of Benjamin Dean’s middle-grade books so far so I’m excited to give this one a try.
Neil Gaiman
The second prompt in the mini-challenge is to read a book by an author born in the Year of the Dragon. A quick search turned up that Neil Gaiman fits this prompt and as I have been meaning to get to more of his books, this seems like a great time to pick up another. I’m currently torn between his Fragile Things short story collection, or The Ocean at the End of the Lane so I’ll see what I end up being in the mood for.
Romance Books!
The third and final prompt is to read a book to fit the phrase “Be Mine, Valentine”. I’m planning to tie this in with the February Buzzwordathon challenge to read a book with a positive/happy word in the title. I’m currently looking at options including Love, Comment, Subscribe by Cathy Yardley and The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Finally, I want to continue reading Hilary Manel’s opus Wolf Hall which follows the life of Thomas Cromwell. I started at the beginning of the year as part of the slow read-along hosted here on Substack but quickly found I didn’t like the pace, so I’ve been reading at my own speed instead: reading one part and then going off to read something else before diving back in. I’m currently about to begin part five (1533: Anna Regina) and am curious to see where we’re headed next. While I know the story being told here very well indeed, this is a whole new perspective and although I’m finding the book tough to get through, mostly down to the unusual writing style, I am still thoroughly enjoying it.
Feel free to comment below with your reading goals for February.