I'm a bit later than I meant to getting this post written...but that seems to be normal for me lately! But putting aside my scattered self, let's talk books. I didn't read many new-to-me books in February, both a combination of having trouble getting into things and spending more time trying to write for the JeRoWriMo challenge. I reread some favorite books in audiobook during the month and read a few books for the first time:
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall: This book was described to me as a fun romp in which the woman Valentine is supposed to marry runs away and he and her brother chase after her and end up falling in love. A lot of it is fun, and I adored Valentine, and not only because it's great to see another well-written demisexual character. I did spend a lot of time wondering why he didn't just let her go and go back home where he could live happily on his own or with the love interest, mostly because the woman he's meant to marry spent a lot of the book actively trying to get him killed and turning people against him and faces no consequences for that at all. (The second book in the series will be about her, but I'm not sure I'll read it.) So, some mixed feelings about this one. I loved Valentine and Alexis Hall's writing is always lovely, but Valentine spends the whole book apologizing for being his quiet self while Belle throws a tantrum and tries to get him killed and her brother mostly sides with her, even as he falls in love with Valentine.
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson: This is an incredibly honest, powerful memoir about growing up Black and queer and the intersection of those identities. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author, something I think added to the impact.
The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennet: In this cozy mystery, a body is found in a compromising position the morning after a dine and sleep at Windsor Castle. When the queen doesn't think the police and MI5 are looking in the right direction, she decides to investigate herself. This book was delightful and lots of fun, and the narration in the audiobook was excellent. I just grabbed the next in the series, which I hope will be just as amusing.
What have you read and loved lately?