Show Us Your Books Reading Recap — What I Read in February

I’m shocked to report that I’ve already read 20 books this year! At this rate, I should probably up my 2021 reading goal, but I’m kind of loving that it can give me the luxury of finally checking out some of those reallllllly long books that have been sitting on my TBR forever — so for now I’m leaving it. This last month also gave me my first AND second 5-star reads of the year, which is awesome. Let’s dive into what I read and see if there’s any you’d like to check out.

First, a reminder of How I Rate and what I read last month.

5-Star Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw — This collection of short stories was absolutely amazing. Proof that I can like short stories! I returned it to the library and then immediately bought a copy of my own. Loved it so much. Look out for my full review (with recipe) this weekend. 
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig — I was a bit nervous about this book since it has had a lot of hype behind it, but for me, it definitely lived up to those expectations. I plowed through it and was able to finish it in less than a day. The story is very much in my wheelhouse, so it might not be for everyone but it was a big wow for me. (This one also caused me to buy my own after returning it to the library.) 
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon 

4-Star Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi — I have a hard time articulating my thoughts on this novel, which was otherworldly and a bit unsettling. Emezi does a lot with this story, which was their debut autobiographical novel. I don’t necessarily want to color someone’s opinion of this story before going in because it is a powerful novel that I think is an important read, but I don’t think it will appeal to everyone, both in its style and the feeling it evokes. I know that I have a deep respect for Emezi, and I will absolutely be on the look out for more from them.  
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon   

You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories About Racism by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar — This book title was so spot on. I couldn’t believe a lot of the stories Amber and her sister Lacey shared. Over and over, Amber and Lacey demonstrate the everyday racism they experienced just for being black in America, literally living their lives. It is a hilarious book but horrifying at the same time. Their purpose was not to educate white America but as a white reader I learned a lot. I love that Amber uses comedy amongst the seriousness to make her points, and I hope others will find this book accessible enough to give it a try. As Amber says at the end, "just because your Black friends aren’t sitting you down, going over all their trauma with you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist! ...Racist stuff happens all the time."
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon 

3-Star Reads ⭐⭐⭐

*Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, an Unlikely Family, and the American Dream by Tung Nguyen, Katherine Manning, Lyn Nguyen (3.5) — This is a memoir jointly told by Tung, a Vietnamese refugee who relocated to Miami and lived with Kathy, an American. Together they eventually opened a restaurant that became the award-winning Hy Vong. The back-and-forth of the narrative really rounded out the story. I, of course, loved the recipes that were included and can’t wait to try some of them!
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon 

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (3.5) — Clearly Gyasi is a masterful writer, but this wasn’t as striking to me as her debut Homegoing. The protagonist’s struggle with science and religion is one I can relate to, and I loved that exploration/focus. This was a really good read, just one that didn’t quite live up to my high expectations.   
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon 

The Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson — This is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility, which I’ll admit I’ve never read. But I was drawn to the storyline which revolved around women in politics. I liked the varying female relationships and the commentary on women in modern society, but apart from that, I found the plot a bit convoluted. I didn’t connect to it as much as I’d hoped. 
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon 

Deacon King Kong by James McBride — We read this novel for my office’s book club. While it wasn’t my favorite, it still led to a really great discussion. I found the number of characters and their backstories overwhelming, especially because the majority of them were introduced in the first few chapters. The story also hopped around between several storylines (that eventually converge) and I was just more interested in some characters than others, so it left me wanting part of the time.  
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon 

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah — More high expectations? Maybe. For me, The Nightingale (my first Kristen Hannah) will always be my favorite, and I have yet to read a novel by her that I’ve loved as much, though The Great Alone was a close second. This felt like a really slow build-up to a rushed ending, that I’m honestly not sure was worth it. But, as with many historical fiction novels I read lately, I was amazed at how little has changed in America over the years. We seem to move toward progress but step back when it counts. I appreciated the insight into the Great Depression Hannah provided because I realized I actually knew little about the period.
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon  

Currently Reading ????

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon — I’m not far enough into this one to make an assessment, but it’s a sci-fi fantasy about a spaceship organized like the antebellum South. There are comparisons to Octavia Butler, and the concept is overall just fascinating. I’m looking forward to diving in further!
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon 

What was the best book you read last month? What are you reading right now? I’d love to hear what you’ve read and loved lately! Please share in the comments, and if you’re interested, the linkup information is below:

Linkup Guidelines:
This linkup happens the second Tuesday of every month. The next is April 13, 2021.
1. Please visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & Steph
2. Please display the button or link back to me and the linkup hosts on your blog post.
3. Please visit a few other blogs who've linked up and get some book talk going!

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*I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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