Books We’re Looking Forward to Reading in February
Let me start by saying that I’m having so much fun writing these blogs. I was already a big book nerd, making lists, scouring the internet for lists of new writings that are coming out, grabbing every possible excuse to go to a bookstore… But now that I have this monthly recommendation list, I feel like a professional book nerd. And that’s pretty much the best feeling ever. I selected four books for this blog, but if you want to see what I’m reading and wanting to read, follow me here!
#1: Every Gift a Curse, by Caroline O’Donoghue
I can’t even express to you how much we’ve been looking forward to the final part of this incredible young adult trilogy. How is this trilogy not more popular than Harry Potter yet? In this trilogy, we follow the story of Maeve and her friends. In the first book, Maeve discovers her powers as a ‘sensitive’ after finding a deck of tarot cards. What’s so cool about this book is that the way magic is being described and used is mostly about getting to know yourself, finding your inner strength and how that strength is multiplied in connection to the people you love. If it was up to me, this trilogy would be required reading for all high schoolers. Even if you’re not big into young adult books, this one will definitely get you through the cold of this last month of winter.
#2: The Writing Retreat, by Julia Bartz
A book about a writing retreat? Sign me up! Although this is a very different experience than going on a WOW retreat…
‘Alex has all but given up on her dreams of becoming a published author when she receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: attend an exclusive, month-long writing retreat at the estate of feminist horror writer Roza Vallo. But when the attendees arrive, Roza drops a bombshell - they must all complete an entire novel from scratch during the next month, and the author of the best one will receive a life-changing seven-figure publishing deal. When one of the writers vanishes during a snowstorm, Alex realizes that something very sinister is afoot.’
This sounds like my biggest nightmare and yet I cannot wait to read it. We humans are strange things, aren’t we?
#3: Losing the Plot, by Derek Owusu
I have this rule and it’s that if something crosses my path three times, I’m meant to be doing something with it. (I’ll admit it’s mostly a great excuse to buy a lot of books.) This one must have crossed my path at least ten times by now, so that must mean we should all be reading it.
‘Driven by a deep-seated desire to understand his mother’s life before he was born, Derek Owusu offers a powerful imagining of her journey. As she moves from Ghana to the UK and navigates parenthood in a strange and often lonely environment, the effects of displacement are felt across generations.’
And as if this powerful plot isn’t enough to draw us in, Owusu is a master at playing with form. One of the tools he uses in this book are footnotes. I love a story that can only be told using its own rules of language and I’m really happy we’re seeing more and more of those kind of books in stores.
#4: Beyond Black, by Hilary Mantel
When I do my research on what books to recommend, I try to make a selection of different kinds of stories, authors and genres. So if there’s already a witchy book on my list, I try to avoid adding a second one. But this month I just couldn’t help myself! This one could not be missed.
‘Colette and Alison are unlikely cohorts: one a shy, drab beanpole of an assistant, the other a charismatic, corpulent psychic whose connection to the spiritual world torments her. When they meet at a fair, Alison invites Colette at once to join her on the road as her personal assistant and companion. Troubles spiral out of control when the pair moves to a suburban wasteland in what was once the English countryside. It is not long before the place beyond black threatens to uproot their lives forever.’
Maybe it’s also just what this month asks for. The days may have started to get longer and we may be dreaming of new life sprouting up from the earth, but it’s still winter. It’s still cold and icy and spiritual stories complement that vibe very well. We’re in between. And that’s where most of the magic happens.