February 2024 Reading Wrap-Up

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it turned out to be a big month for reading (at least for me). I finished five books!

What I read in February:

• Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher — This one took me a little while to get into, but once I got through all the backstory stuff and the characters started off on their adventure, I really enjoyed it.
• Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett — Emily Wilde is exactly the sort of cozy fantasy that I love. This second book in the series had a solid mystery plot in addition to the usual exploration of fairy lore that results in an adventure. Emily Wilde (the main character) reminds me a lot of Veronica Speedwell in Deanna Raybourn’s Victorian cozy mystery series. The two characters have a lot in common, including their relationships with their much more domestically inclined partners.
• The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi — I listed to this on audiobook, which I think worked really well for the sort of dream-like, lyrical storytelling in this book. This is definitely one of those books that delivers on the vibes. Creepy, possibly sentient house? Check. Unreliable narrators? Check. Characters who are so into folklore that they have nearly made themselves otherworldly? Check. Family mysteries and drama? Check. If that sort of thing is your jam, and you haven’t read this book yet, definitely check it out. But note, I think the less you know about the story going into it, the better.
• The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation by Cory Doctorow — Well, if you think you’re already frustrated with tech monopolies, this lays everything out in a way that will have you wanting to delete your Facebook account even more than you already do. Not to mention the effect it will have on how you feel about your phone, computer, internet browser, and operating system. Upside is, there are some suggested solutions. I may be pessimistic about the chances we’ll be able to change anything, but I think this is a good read, especially for an election year.
• Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett — I’ve really enjoyed this author’s other mystery series, and had been meaning to check this one out for a while. It did not disappoint. This was a solid mystery with good twists that kept me turning pages and thinking about the story and characters long after I put it down. I was really excited to see that she has another mystery coming out at the end of April, and I can’t wait to pick it up!

Overall, a solid reading month. Lots of good books, with one stand-out fave (Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands) and zero duds. Here’s hoping that March will bring more of the same!