Ohh two months in row, look at me! As I explained in my last post, January was a bit of a fluke on how many books I read because of Christmas break and having COVID (again) and being stuck in bed for a couple days.

This month wasn’t as prolific on the reading log, but it’s quality, not quantity, right? And I’m pretty happy with (most) of the books I read this month. So here we go.

Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah. I really enjoyed this book from the historical fiction perspective. The setting of the book is divided between present day, and the siege of Leningrad in the 1940s. I found the beginning a bit slow, but I was hooked once it started flashing back to Leningrad. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I really dislike when a character is self-sabotaging to an obvious degree that you just want to yell “JUST TALK TO YOUR HUSBAND.” This book has one of those characters that was difficult for me to get past, but like I said, I really enjoyed the historical fiction part. I love learning about history through “fictional” stories. A dear friend told me that The Nightingale is their favorite book by Kristin Hannah, so I’ve definitely added that to my reading list. I’ve also read The Four Winds by this author, and again loved the historical perspective it gave into the Dustbowl era.

The Making of Her, by Bernadette Jiwa. This book also spans two different time periods, but I’m not sure I’d call it historical fiction. It does give great insight into a time when women getting pregnant before marriage meant personal ruin, which makes me so thankful for the strides we’ve made. I really enjoyed this book, and it was interesting that this and Winter Garden both have mothers that lived with extreme guilt, to the point of ruining their relationships with their children.

Season of the Spirit, by Fern Michaels. This was one of those books that I finished but I was kicking and screaming while I did. I mentioned in my January reading log that I grabbed this book at the library because I wasn’t ready to let go of the Hallmark books. But I really should have been. I felt like this book was terribly written and super cheesy. Which, I know…holiday romance novels are supposed to be, buuuuuuuut this took it to a whole new level. I think this author has somehow managed to just churn out hundreds of books that somehow sell, so maybe this author is more quantity over quality.

Love & Other Words, by Christina Lauren. I’ve read two books already by this author (In a Holidaze and The Unhoneymooners) and unlike Season of the Spirit, they’re the right amount of romance and rom com. This book was another great, light, sometimes steamy read. I also really enjoyed that the two main characters were avid readers, and that many of their interactions as children/teenagers involved a library and reading. Not to mention, a vacation cabin house, which is a real-life dream of mine. Yep, right up my alley!

The Lost Ticket, by Freya Sampson. Another sweet and easy read. I loved following along with this unlikely trio of characters as they try to find one man’s long lost love. Also, I’m really starting to enjoy books set in England – I really want to find a little romance book that takes place in England and involves castles, ha! Any recommendations?!

Currently reading:

Spare, by Prince Harry. I’m listening to this on Audible and it’s narrated by Prince Harry. I think Audible is the way to go for memoirs that are narrated by the author. They provide nuances in how they read the text that I think would be missed otherwise. I can’t say I’ve followed the royal drama too much aside for general strokes, but listening to this is mostly sad. I think as sad as watching The Crown and seeing how isolating their lives are. It’s an interesting listen and if I had to pick a side, I’m on Harry’s side.

The Guncle, by Steven Rowley. I was on the waiting list for a while on Libby for this one, and so far I’m really enjoying it!

Next up:

The Reading List, by Sara Nisha Adams. I started this a while back, but it’s a book I own so it’s on hold while I get through some library rentals that have a time limit.

The Stories We Tell, by Joanna Gaines

The Lost Apothecary, by Sarah Penner. I joined a new book swap group on Facebook recently and picked this one up from that group. Looks interesting!

Also: I’m doing my first book giveaway on Instagram if you’d like to throw your name in!

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