Does anyone else feel like February absolutely flew by? I spent it extremely focused on adding words to the second Dragons of Ivria book to meet the JeRoWriMo challenge...and because I really need to finish writing this book, of course! But I still did some reading. Even when I'm busy writing, I need to read as well to get out of my own head and to escape into someone else's world and refill the creative well. Here are some books I enjoyed in February:
Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow (Nonfiction): If you're listened to Maddow's fantastic podcast Ultra, you'll find a lot of the material of this book familiar, though the book allows for a lot more expansion and detail (if you haven't listened to the podcast, it really is fantastic—listen or read this book). The book details the rise of far right authoritarianism and fascist plots in the US in the lead of to World War II and the everyday Americans who worked to thwart them. It is history that is incredibly relevant to where we are now.
Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders and Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances by Aliette de Bodard (Fantasy): I saw the author describe the first of these novellas as something like dragon prince brings murder-happy husband to see his family at Lunar New Year and gets dragged into a murder investigation. I decided it was something I should read immediately—then decided I should dive right into the second novella, so you can see how much I enjoyed them! These novellas (the Dragons and Blades series) are a spin-off from another series, Dominion of the Fallen, which I haven't read but am going to dive into as well. They stand alone well, but they've made me curious about the world and how it ended up as it was in these stories.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree (Fantasy): Bookshops & Bonedust is the delightful, cozy prequel to the absolutely delightful, cozy Legends & Lattes, which was one of my favorite books last year. This book takes us years into Viv's past when she was just starting out as a mercenary. Injured, she's left to recuperate in a seaside town where she makes friends, had a fling with a baker, has an unexpected adventure, and discovers a love of reading (and a lot about herself). Both of these books are wonderful.
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope (Historical Fantasy): Another wonderful book, this one a fantasy heist novel set in 1920s Black Washington, DC, and steeped in African American folk magic. The protagonists of this novel have all made deals with spirits, which, like deals with the devil, gave them what they wanted but also left them cursed in some way. They come together to steal a ring and by doing so will both save kidnapped members of their community and get their own curses lifted. An engaging story and characters and a well-built world combine to make a really enjoyable read.
I have to get back to writing, but tell me what you've read and loved lately?
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