February was a snowy month in Denver which kept me indoors and between the pages. I finished ten books this month and should tell you that I am all caught up on the tv series I choose to watch and instead gravitated back to the books.
Most of my book picks in February were pretty good with one clear stand out. There was only one true dud this month that was not a fit for me. I feel like I am back in a groove with picking some great reads and making the time that I want for reading.
Here is what I read in February:
The Lincoln Highway – Amor Towles
So, so close to a 5 for me but just a tad too long. At first I felt that some of the side stories did detract, although I understand their significance and did like the way the layers came together. Towles is a very gifted writer, but I do hope the next one is a wee bit shorter. While we think we are going to take a road trip to California, much like real life, things are derailed and the side tracked journey becomes much more important than the destination. The Lincoln Highway was on my 2022 Hopefuls list, but popped to the top of my list when it was selected for one of my book clubs.
🍷🍷🍷🍷1/2
The Night Shift – Alex Finlay
The Night Shift is a 2 timeline, multiple POV mystery/thriller that will keep you flipping the pages. It did take me a bit to get really caught up in it, especially in the more current timeline, but you will be going down memory lane in the past. It is New Year’s Eve, Y2k and 3 teenage girls and a manager are brutally murdered in a Blockbuster video store – there is one survivor. The prime suspect, another teen, disappears. 15 years later, another brutal murder, this time in an ice cream shop. Is it possible the original suspect is back to strike again? And if so, why? I especially loved Agent Keller and hope we will have additional stories with her. Parts were a bit predictable, other parts a total surprise. The one thing that I struggled with a teeny bit is there are so many characters – so many! I found myself flipping around much more than usual for a quick refresh of who is who. Otherwise, great read. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. The Night Shift is now available.
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Unmissing – Minka Kent
This was a twisty, dark tale that spins round and round. I was fairly entertained through the whole book and could easily visualize this one becoming a movie. I can’t say too much, it will give it all away. If you like reading about totally crazy people that you are very happy are not in your life whatsoever, enjoy! Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an early release copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Unmissing is now available.
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Rigged Justice: How the College Admissions Scandal Ruined an Innocent Man’s Life – John Vandemoer
Excellent read for anyone involved in collegiate athletics or academics as well as fundraising. Vandemoer was a former Stanford University sailing coach that was the first convicted in what became known as the Varsity Blues scandal. While excelling as a club sport coach, he was caught up in the elite university pressure of fundraising and became involved without knowing in the admissions scandal, thus ruining his life. It is an honest, no-excuses retelling that highlights how naive he was to such wrong-doings and is really quite heartbreaking to see someone caught in the cross fire.
🍷🍷🍷🍷
Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person – Shonda Rhimes
The Year of Yes explores the basic premise of opening yourself up to opportunities by saying Yes (as opposed to No) and seeing what direction that can take you and potentially change your life’s course. Rhimes’ very wise sister subtly pointed out one Thanksgiving morning that Shonda had immense opportunities continuously in front of her, yet she almost always said No. Through reflection, she vows to herself to say Yes, to everything. Everything! While at times I found the repeated bits tiresome, overall it was a good display at how opening ourselves up to opportunities can change our course and bring us to where we are meant to be. It isn’t rocket science but a practice that can get lost in the distractions of every day life. Year of Yes has been on my TBR for some time and I did include it in my 2022 Reading Goals this year.
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The Comfort Book – Matt Haig
I had checked this one out several times since its release and finally finished it. Haig has been a favorite author for me and it is known he has struggled deeply with depression. The Comfort Book explores short stories, thoughts and ideas that are meant to bring comfort and hope, something we all need more of in today’s world.
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One Night on the Island – Josie Silver
One Night on the Island is a quick read that covers not only love but life, personal growth and acceptance of oneself. I did enjoy meeting Cleo and watch her grow from her personal struggles to a much better sense of self. Mack has a lot of growing to do as well and while the overall story was highly predictable, I thought it was a good, solid read. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for my early release copy in exchange for my honest opinion. One NIght on the Island is now available.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
Take More Vacations: How to Search Better, Book Cheaper, and Travel the World – Scott Keyes
Due to the title, I expected this book to explore methods for full travel tips to save money – such as lodging, rental cars, activities, food AND flights. However, it really is just flights. There wasn’t a ton for me to learn personally as I am a pretty seasoned budget flight searcher. It did serve as a good reminder to search for flight price/deals first, not necessarily destination or dates. While that seems like a no-brainer, it is probably the #1 way people get caught up in over-paying for a trip. If you do not have experience searching for cheap(er) flights, this book will likely be more informational for you than it was for me.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
Ugly Love – Colleen Hoover
Quick read – chick lit romance – a bit steamier than what I usually gravitate to. I probably wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t a pick for a book club. Tate is a nursing student and meets Miles, a pilot and friend of her brother’s. There are obviously very into each other but Miles is resistant to a relationship. That seems fine to Tate as between work and school she really doesn’t have time for a relationship. They agree to “rules” that are intended for them to never have a real relationship with a future. That never ends well, it generally gets ugly instead.
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This Might Hurt – Stephanie Wrobel
This Might Hurt was not for me. While I love a good dark, twisty, crazy book – every now and then it ventures down a path that I would rather not take or read about. I did finish this one, but almost stopped a few times. It is a fairly quick read and is well written despite that it didn’t click for me. Two sisters, a crazy cultish community, a past timeline with a mystery character that includes a horrific father. It was this last storyline that did me in. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. This Might Hurt is now available.
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Book of the Month: The Lincoln Highway
