February 2023 Reads & My March TBR

This February, the most magical thing happened. While I didn’t read as many books as I did in January (which is probably to be expected because February has, you know, less days), somehow, I managed to read nine books, bringing my total books read for the year up to 21 books - which if I didn’t mention it previously, is my total number of books read in 2022. So that means, if I read even one book this March, I’ll beat my reading count from last year, and it’s ONLY March!

Something difficult I've encountered in my newly found pursuit of reading has been that I keep thinking I want to raise my book count above all else, and it’s deterring me from buying longer books. However, considering the 500+ page read like Babel by R. F. Kuang and the 13 hour audio book that was Crazy Rich Asians, I would have really missed out had I chosen not to pursue those books. Still I struggled with reading them, thinking the had I chosen shorter books I’d have had a higher book count this month.

I’m slowly (and mostly failing at) trying to accept that it’s not about how many books I’m reading, but rather that I’m reading at all because ultimately, pursuing reading grows my heart, my intellect, and my understanding of people and the world. Now, without further delay, let’s chat about the books that I read in February 2023!

— Disclosure: I may receive a commission from purchases made via the links in this post. —

My February 2023 Reads

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Whoops, nothing like started off the year with a memoir about tragedy and grief. I had never read any Joan Didion, and I went into the book knowing nothing of its content.

While I expected it to be something akin to Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert for some reason, it was, most certainly, the furthest thing from it. But that’s alright, because Joan’s writing is incredible, and she sews her knowledge and experience into her memoirs like a common thread and it’s… well… kinda magical. This book struck me as something that would be very helpful to someone going through grief—maybe not right away, but certainly over time.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Oh, another book about grief? Who knew. What a lucky and upsetting way to continue into February. This book speaks on grief, and food, making me want to make kimchi, but also maybe just buy it at the store because the process seems lengthy and smelly.

This book in particular sparked in me an interest for Korean culture and gave me a deeper understanding for those who are Korean or children of Korean immigrants to the US. There was something very rich about this book, and I think it extended beyond the explicit explanations of food, but rather the importance of relationships, family, and how those relationships shift over time.


Wintering by Kathering May

I randomly saw that a friend was reading this book, and I liked the cover so voila I put in on hold at my library. This little one was such a gem, I immediately purchased two copies as soon as I was finished with it. One for a friend, and one for myself.

This was my third memoir of February, and I was actually surprised to find it was categorized as such. From the title, I assumed it would be more along the lines of a self-help book, but really it was about how the author, Katherine May, navigated winter one month at a time, taking personal explorations into herself as well as other countries that seem to winter well.

I felt like it was packed with wisdom and insights that I can so easily forget when winter feels long and difficult, hence the purchase I made with abandon!

The Genesis of Gender by Abigail Favale

After hearing about this book on a podcast and hearing an interview with the author, I became curious about what this educated Christian had to say about the perspective of gender in light of culture’s current approach to the topic. While the book would probably be considered progressive in Christian cultures, the general public might see it as being somewhat conservative.

This book helped me understand gender on a broader scale, not just from a Christian perspective, but I thought that ultimately, as a Christian book, it was rather open to acceptance of those who are non-cis and non-hetero. Without spoiling too much of the book, it did walk a fine line between being informative about the topic while also being cautious to those considering sexual reassignment surgeries.

Favale most definitely had a bias, but I think that for many in the church, it could a beneficial read to understanding and loving those who differ from the “norm”.

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais

Did I follow a Christian book with a book about witches? Why, yes I did. But would it really be a reading list from me if I didn’t?

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor was all in all a delight, and much to my surprise, also confronted the topic of gender. Many of the characters were much older in age that most books and movies that I’m accustomed to, and that was unexpected but also quite refreshing. Seeing women who are written to be beautiful, equipped, and live with purpose, while also being in the winter of their lives made me feel as though the entirety of life (not just the times when our bodies function well, and we’re culturally seen as beautiful) has meaning.

The story was just lovely, it was an easy read, and it read like watching Charmed feels—except it was quite a bit less cheesy. I’m so glad it wandered it’s way into my February reads!

Babel by R. F. Kuang

Fun story, I was listening to a podcast when the host mentioned this book. I knew absolutely nothing about it, and I certainly had no idea that it was such a popular book. I placed in on hold at my library back in December, and I was elated the day it became available—some six weeks later.

Did I know it was 500+ pages? Lol no. No I did not. But I’m not sure R. F. Kuang could have adequately told the story in less. While the book is categorized as Science Fiction or Fantasy, it felt more like a historical novel. To me, the otherworldly aspects of the book were merely something that steer the plot. The larger focus was one of elitism, racism, and bias overall.

This is the kind of book that got my wheels turning and had me asking many questions about the influence of trade of the cultures of the world, and also what that looks like today. I would hate to spoil anything, but I’ll just say, while this book felt like it took me a while to get through, I was largely grateful for what the author felt compelled to tell us. You better believe I’ve put myself on hold at the library for her next book, Yellowface!

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

This book was on my mental TBR for quite some time, but seeing as I wasn’t a big reader, I didn’t imagine I’d ever get around to reading it. Since I had a few trips booked out of town for business, I was decided to finally read it as an audiobook while I was on the road. My goodness, it was a true and utter delight.

It opened my eyes to what it means to be like… really rich. Like reeeeally rich. It made me wonder how much of the book aligned with the reality of the super wealthy of the world, because seriously, what they talk about in this book far exceeds anything I could have fathomed.

All talk of riches aside, it was just freaking fun, featuring romance, shopping, and culture, and because of that, I think it’d be a super great vacation read (especially since the book involves a good amount of travel).

As a reward for finishing it, I decided to watch the movie, and I kinda hate that I’m saying this, but, ahem… the book was better.

The Audacity by Katherine Ryan

As my fourth and final memoir of February, and by no means my first comedian memoir, I was just so deeply happy with this book. Katherine Ryan was someone I was first introduced to via her Netflix show The Duchess, and then her stand-up. Something about her humor was really unique and honest to me, so it really piqued my curiosity when I saw she’d written a memoir.

Something that sets her memoir apart from others is the way she just seems to be… real. Even though she has wealth and fame, she still seems oddly down-to-earth. The way she spoke about plastic surgery (which I’ve never had), pregnancy (which I’ve never had), and complicated family dynamics (…) felt so honest. I didn’t feel like she was being gratuitous or self-serving. She was just sharing, and I’m honestly grateful that she chose to be vulnerable and forth-coming in that way.

The White Friends I Couldn’t Keep by Andre Henry

A friend of mine posted about this audiobook, so I too, once finishing Crazy Rich Asians, decided to do give it a listen. It was an informative 7 hours of healthy perspective regarding the Black Lives Matter movement as well as what it looks like to a black person in America.

As a white lady, it was just good to hear, it was healthy to know, and it kind of sucked at times too, but I think as a whole, much of what he wrote about needed to be heard. Because I feel I can’t really speak to the issues regarding racial injustice, I feel I can’t say much about the book or about the issues it raises, but I will say that it strengthened my personal convictions and provided healthy perspectives I wouldn’t have found otherwise.

My March 2023 TBR (To Be Read)

1. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
   I saw this on a list for books regarding indigenous people, and with a cover this beautiful, I feel like it’s got to be pretty great.
   

2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
   I’ve never read this classic and am super pumped to be diving into it. I’ve only read one of L’Engle’s memoirs, so reading her fiction is like, super cool. I’ve already started it, and just adore it.
   

3. The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
   I have no clue how I found out about this author, but the cover is cute and so is the title, so hey-oh.
   

4. Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
   My library had this book listed alongside some other witchy books, so we’ll see how I like it.
   

5. Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod
   This book was on a shelf of recommendations at my local library, so I snagged it. As someone who a) wants to travel to Paris, and b) loves memoirs and the concept of going slowly, I’m really excited to see what it’s all about.
   

6. I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist
   This one had been on hold my library for ages, so I’m really excited to finally be reading it, as I’ve read and loved Shauna’s memoirs in the past.
   

7. The Modern Cottage Garden by Greg Loades
   I’ve already read parts of this book, but as gardening season will be here before I know it, I plan to probably divulge in all it has to offer and hope shape a truly magnificent garden at my current abode.
   

8. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
   This is a book I’ve heard about over the years and have been resistant to. Probably because I didn’t like the… cover? I have no idea. But after watching a couple YouTube videos on morning pages, and hearing that it resulted from this book, I decided to look into it.

Watch the full video on YouTube detailing my reads from February as well as my March TBR! All the books mentioned in this post are available for purchase via my Amazon Storefront.