So, for obvious reasons I didn’t read as much in February as I did in January. For 2-3 weeks after Mom died I barely was able to finish the books I was reading before she died, much less pick up new ones. BUT! I did read a few and I’ll share with you the ones I’d recommend.
I finally got The Starless Sea from the hold list at the library and it was the perfect escape I needed. It definitely falls into that category of Books I Recommend To People Who Loved Harry Potter But Want Something More Grown Up. It’s got elements of “Kids Who Found Out They Were Destined For Greatness” to it and elements of “Evil Who Wants To Change The Magical World” to it. But really I loved the way the story was told. There’s the main story following the main characters but every other “chapter” is an excerpt from a book/diary/etc that exists within the story itself and I just found that to be such an entertaining way for a story to unfold for a reader.
One funny note: I saw this tweet from Alix E. Harrow a week after I read the book she’s referencing: The Ten Thousand Doors of January.
After I read The Starless Sea I went back to find the tweet again because I was certain it had to be about this book and I was right. Reading two books that have magic doors existing as portals to other worlds/dimensions this close together was a little confusing at times. I’d definitely put a few more months between the two books if I were you! I kept getting my Door Lore mixed up.
I read my first Fredrik Backman book: Anxious People. I can see why this one was on so many Best of 2020 lists last year. It was another book that unfolded in an interesting way. It was riveting, I probably would have read it in one day if I could have, I definitely was hooked from the first page. If you’re having trouble getting into books, this one might be a good one to try.
I did roll my eyes a little bit about how extreme the characters were. I mean, I get it, that was kind of the point…but every once in awhile they were pushed so far into the direction of…I don’t know how to describe it…off? That it almost pulled me out of the story. I get that’s what he was trying to do, because they’re all like that, I don’t know. It’s hard to explain, but I held off with a 5-star review because every once in awhile I’d just scoff a bit too much to shake the illusion, if that makes sense. But still…I highly recommend this book! It was a VERY easy ready with some fun mysteries to pull you along.
This is another adorable queer YA read that I love to recommend. It was charming and lovely. This character is Black (obviously) and she’s navigating her senior year and an insane Prom Queen competition to try to get scholarship money. It’s very cute and definitely has one of the best First Kiss scenes I’ve ever read in a YA book. If you love a good YA “Finding Yourself” book, especially one that talks about the extra challenges of being Black and Queer…this is your book.
This book - Who Fears Death - will definitely go on my End Of The Year Best Reads list. I put it on hold at the library because I loved the author’s YA Series Akata Witch and I saw Tessa Thompson’s new production company signed on to help bring it to HBO. Since I adore her and I love reading books before they become A BIG THING, I figured I’d grab it and I’m so glad I did. NOW: There should DEFINITELY be a Content Warning for Rape and Mutilation. And, in my opinion it’s quite graphic, but I’m very sensitive to those things so I’m not sure how others would describe it. But, it’s definitely there…be warned if you have a hard time with those kind of scenes.
And while those things are big parts of the story of Onyesonwu, she is also so much more. To me, her journey learning to understand her magic and her powers and the spiritual realm are so profound, I was able to keep moving forward with her story. There’s oppression, there’s loyalty, there’s friendship…and just so many rich variations of love that can happen between people. It’s not going to necessarily put rainbows and glitter into your days, it’s definitely dark. But I found it weirdly beautiful and uplifting…even in it’s tragedy. It’s definitely along the lines of Parable of the Sower and Jemisin’s The Broken Earth trilogy. It even felt a little like they YA book Children of Blood and Bone. I really enjoyed this book and can not wait for the adaptation.
Did you read anything exceptional in February? As always - you can see my full book lists on Goodreads.
Thanks for posting this! I read A Thousand Doors of January based on your recommendation and I LOVED it!
Two recommendations, though not from February. First, in December I read a series of books The Network Series by Katie Cross. As far as genre, they reminded me a little of the darker parts of Harry Potter. Secondly, in January I devoured every book I could find by Sarah Addison Allen. Every Sunday she shares a very short snippet of a story idea on Facebook, and I saw one and loved it. Think light, but not fluffy really? Real world, with a little bit of magic but it's just...normal, even though not everything is magic.