I have to admit I’m kind of shocked by the amount of reading I did during the month of February, particularly since most of it was done in the first three weeks of the month. I read plenty of enjoyable books in February but by far the highlights were my two five star reviews and that I made it to the CASA Book Club event which had a really good discussion of Orbiting Jupiter.
I finished two books this month that I selected as part of the Bloom Reading Challenge 2020 which brings my total to 7 of 24.
I haven’t finished my February BOTM selection, “American Dirt”, but I’m about halfway through it now and expect to finish it up the first week in March. My March BOTM selection is “A Good Neighborhood.”
What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
All I can say is that I can’t wait until the next book in the series is released!!!!
Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I kept saying to myself over and over in my head “please find Bernadette….please find Bernadette….please find Bernadette…” I had some issues with the story timeline that didn’t make logical sense to me, but I’m thinking maybe it was a creative choice based upon who ultimately was telling the story. Despite being slightly hung up on this, I definitely enjoyed the book and now want to make sure I see the movie. Listened to it on Audible and give the narrator 4 stars as well.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this for the Bloom Reading Challenge 2020 (6/24) – “a book with less than 4 star review”. I actually want to give it 4.5 stars because I really enjoyed getting lost in it. Not a super complicated plot but sometimes the simple stories are the best IMO.
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Such a fun read and a good one if you enjoy reading romance particularly during the month of February!!!! I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did (for no reason other than the cover isn’t my cup of tea) so I was pleasantly surprised. I love this period in history, as well as all of the literary references to ancient Greece, contained within. The story was predictable but lovely in every way. I will be looking forward to the next in the League of Extraordinary Women.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Is this my first five-star review of the year? I think so, but either way, it is absolutely my favorite book read so far in this new decade. A story of family, love, loss, healing….characters to be adored, a touch of mystery and suspense all wrapped up with some alien induced magic. This gem was everything I could want for getting lost in a story. Bloom Reading Challenge 2020 (7/24) – “a book by a Bloom author.”
The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
February “Hello Sunshine” book club selection. For whatever reason, this was a book I didn’t connect with. Maybe my nose isn’t sensitive enough for me to relate? In any event, there was some really good storytelling going on within and I can totally see many people LOVING this novel.
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am a foster youth advocate through CASA Orange County and we have an annual continuing training requirement. One option for getting in training hours is through their monthly book club. Last year it was why I read “Educated” and “Behind the Count.” “Orbiting Jupiter” is the February selection and I’m so glad I picked it up! Such a beautiful story of “what greater love is.” It’s a super quick read, the story is soooo good, but it ends a bit abruptly. I knew that the fact the narrator was Jack was likely a foreshadowing but it didn’t make the tail end of the book any less heart-wrenching (#uglycry). I’m haunted by – in reference to the Angels – “Where the hell were they?” I’m just glad that this one was a work of fiction.
The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I really related to Amy (so much so that at times it made me laugh and other times it made me uncomfortable). I really need a #momspringa.
The Light and the Glory: Did God Have a Plan for America? by Peter Marshall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. I feel like this should be required reading for everyone in the US but particularly for anyone who is running for public office. With the exception of the Bible, I’ve never dog-eared or highlighted any book while I was reading it more than this.
“‘There are two methods of curing the mischief of faction: the one, by removing the causes; the other by controlling its effects.’…The alternative to removing the causes of faction was to control its effects, and this was what the Constitution was all about. In contrast, all totalitarian governments – whether Nazi, Communist, or Islamic – always attempt to remove the causes of faction by removing liberty and, as much as possible, freedom of thought. And through intensive indoctrination of the young, they also attempt to impose a sameness of opinion.” Quoting Madison from the Federalist Paper #10.
Currently, I’m reading “American Dirt,” “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” and “Ripple Effects.” The next library books to arrive off of my hold queue through the Libby app appear to be “This Tender Land” and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.”
I need to find a “banned book” for the Bloom Reading Challenge….please leave a comment if you have any suggestions for me!
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