February was one of the slower book months that I have had. I think being that January was so unproductive in my life-life (but very productive in my book-life) I just had a lot to do this month. I tackled and finished only 2 books, one I read, the other I listened to. I had one DNF as well. I am knee deep in two others that I will finish up in March but if you scroll down to my book of the month, there is a little surprise there – spoiler!
The Red Lotus – Chris Bohjalian
The Red Lotus was provided to me digitally as an advanced reader copy (ARC) by Netgalley. Alexis and Austin travel to Vietnam on a bike tour and Austin mysteriously disappears while out riding solo. The regional FBI attache and Vietnam police quickly get involved and when Austin’s body is found they consider it a hit and run on a mountain road. As we hear Austin’s account of what happens in the first few chapters that he is missing, we quickly know that there is so much more to the story. As an ER doctor, Alexis puts together signs that this was not an accident and is caught between mourning a man she believed she was falling in love with and finding out he wasn’t who she thought he was at all.
I found The Red Lotus to be a slow burn with a little bit of everything. I didn’t love reading about the rats, but understood their significance to the story line. I was intrigued overall as we watch on the news currently how fast a new disease can spread and it certainly makes you wonder. I originally started writing this review about 2 1/2 weeks ago and I have to say that throughout the month I have thought about it a lot as the fear of a new virus has spread throughout the world. I did enjoy the book and recommend!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher Doubleday Books for this complimentary advanced copy of The Red Lotus in exchange for an honest review. The Red Lotus will be released on March 17 and is available for preorder.
🍷🍷🍷 1/2
The House We Grew Up In – Lisa Jewell
I have not made it a big secret that Lisa Jewell is one of my favorite authors, however I have previously only read her domestic suspense thrillers. While a wonderfully written book, so.much.tragedy. SO MUCH. Major league family disfunction. This was very difficult read for me topic wise for so many reasons. Usually Ms Jewell is the queen of creepy for me but in this one, just a queen. So many taboo topics. I enjoyed this book in audible format.
🍷🍷🍷🍷
DNF – When We Were Vikings
This is a new release that is getting very mixed reviews. Some love it, others do not. I just couldn’t get into it. February was a busy, difficult month for me and the book wasn’t giving me what I needed at the moment. I may try it again another time but for now, I put it down.
February 2020 Favorite Book of the Month – That is tough. While I liked both I finished – I am reading a book now that so far is great – so I am will be unconventional and say that Long Bright River by Liz Moore is my February book of the month, even though I haven’t finished it yet. Let’s see if it remains my favorite of the month for March as well.
