Despite being the shortest month of the year, February has proved an incredibly productive reading month! I have read NINE books, which may be a new record at least since I started tracking. 

I’ve read a lot of okay books this month, ones I enjoyed but didn’t love. That always makes it a bit tricky to come up with these best books lists, because so many of them are fine but there aren’t many true standouts. Sometimes, I think this has more to do with my general mood and the winter vibes than with the books themselves. But, so it goes. 

I also read so quickly that I’m ahead on book reviews and have several in the queue, waiting for when I have space in my posting schedule for them. It’s a weird feeling to be ahead on reviews for once, but it makes sense given that I no longer work full time or have a commute. 

Anyway, here are the books I liked best this month, as well as a quick recap of all the rest!

(Full disclosure: This post uses Bookshop.org affiliate links. Book received as advanced review copies are marked with an asterisk).

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True Biz by Sara Novic

Format Read: Hardcover 

Why I Read it: I heard about this book on a podcast ages ago and have been eager to read it ever since.

True Biz follows the stories of several members of an Ohio school for the Deaf. I really enjoyed learning about all of the different characters and their experiences within the Deaf community, and there was a bit of a mystery pulling the story along as well. I thought this one ended a bit abruptly and would’ve liked to see a little more in the way of a conclusion, but I really enjoyed it overall. 

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The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting by Evanna Lynch

Format Read: Audiobook (LibroFM, narrated by the author)

Why I Read it: Evanna’s portrayal of Luna Lovegood is… kind of everything? I’ve always been curious about her story, so naturally I grabbed at the chance to hear it in her own words. 

The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting is such a powerful and raw memoir. Lynch doesn’t pull punches, at all. I found this really eye opening and fascinating, and highly recommend the audio as narrated by Lynch herself. I wrote a mini review earlier this month, which you can check out here.

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The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

Format Read: Audiobook (Libby)

Why I Read it: I loved Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by the same author, so I just had to check out this previous novel.

The Authenticy Project is such a fun read! It follows different characters as they encounter Julian’s notebook, which contains his “true” story and the call for whoever finds the book to write their own. I loved seeing these different characters come together and for their own community, and there’s some fun surprises in the plot of this one as well. 

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HausMagick: Transform Your Home With Witchcraft by Erica Feldmann

Format Read: Hardcover

Why I Read It: I fell in love with the store HausWitch when I visited Salem and would love advice on how to capture those same cozy witchy vibes for my own home. 

HausMagick is just stunning to look at. Beautiful, glossy pages and full color photos abound. I’ve read a lot of intro to witchery books at this point, so some of what’s covered was familiar to me, but I did enjoy the homespace focus of this book and definitely learned a few things. It also just feels good to hold this book and flip through it. I know I’ll be going back to it whenever I need a little inspiration for the house. 

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Honorable Mentions

• Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade. Just didn’t work for me. Review in Your Book Friend. 
• Just My Type* by Falon Ballard. This one was cute, but it won’t go down as an all time favorite rom com for me. Mini Review in Your Book Friend. 
• Initiated: Memoir of a Witch by Amanda Yates Garcia. This one was just a weird ride and not what I expected/hoped for. I’ve got a mini review slated to go up here shortly and will link to it when it’s ready. 
• The Friendship Breakup* by Annie Cathryn. This book was fun but had a bit too much going on to be a five-star read for me. Review in Your Book Friend. 
• The Quarantine Princess Diaries* by Meg Cabot. A super fun nostalgia read, but not one I’ll be thinking about for a long time or anything. Review to come a bit closer to its March 28th release date, so check back!

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And there you have it, my month in books! I am pretty happy wtih my reading month and can only imagine that next month will bring more great books, as I have so many ARCs I’m excited to dig into. 

How was your reading month? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading and what your favorites were!