February 2023 Reading Wrap Up

Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog!

Another slower month, reading wise. Like last month, I read nine books in February: 5 novels, 2 nonfiction (1 graphic novel, 1 memoir), 1 poetry collection/letter collection, and 1 novella. Only one of these books was translated, and I would consider 2 of them to be classics. 2 of the books were also rereads for me. I also wrote a review for one of these books, which will be linked alongside the stats. 

Alright, I have nothing left to say, so let's just get into it!

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Novels

1. Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynn Jones (Reread)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Classics, Middle Grade
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.86 CAWPILE
Page count: 429 pages
Day(s) read: 2.02 - 2.07
Final thoughts: This was so much better my second time around. It's still not quite a favorite like the Ghibli movie is, but I appreciate it nonetheless. I like how sassy Sophie is, and how dramatic Howl and Calcifer are. There were a lot more characters and relationships than the movie had (which is one reason I think I prefer the movie), but I like the exploration of the magic in the book far more than the movie. Overall it was a fun read and I'm looking forward to continuing in this series.

2. Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes (Review Here)
Genre: Mythology, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4 stars/7.14 CAWPILE
Page count: 256 pages
Day(s) read: 2.11 - 2.16
Final thoughts: I thought this was brilliant and refreshing. At this point, I trust Natalie Haynes with any and all myth retellings, because I know she'll approach it in a feminist way without preaching to the choir. I feel like she has given Medusa her voice back.

3. The Red Palace by June Hur
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 3.5 stars/6.43 CAWPILE
Page count: 333 pages
Day(s) read: 2.18 - 2.20
Final thoughts: Another excellent historical fiction novel from June Hur! I love how her focus on Joeseon era Korea and all of the intricacies in the investigations from that time. And her author notes always drag me into a rabbit hole. I’m very much a fan.

4. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (Reread)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.14 CAWPILE
Page count: 456 pages
Day(s) read: 2.22 - 2.22
Final thoughts: This made my heart so happy. I had forgotten so much about the actual plot of the book, but I remembered the characters and their little quirks and how they acted, especially around each other. I loved diving back into this world, and it really just reaffirmed that this is a five-star book for me.

5. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 4.5 stars/8.57 CAWPILE
Page count: 1007 pages
Day(s) read: 2.08 - 2.28
Final thoughts: I’m so late to the hype train but this was SO GOOD! I want to reach through the pages and hug Kaladin and protect him from the world, he’s too precious! I am so excited to pick up book two!!

Novellas

1. Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: 5 stars/9.00 CAWPILE
Page count: 192 pages
Day(s) read: 2.23 - 2.23
Final thoughts: This was just pure delight. I love how simple it was at its core - just Elisabeth and Nathaniel trying to get the manor house back in order. But I learned so much about the magic system and how it worked, and how emotionally based it was. Everything about this little novella gave me the warm fuzzies inside. I am perfectly content with how it ended, but I am also the kind of person who wouldn't mind have ten more novellas in this world, about Elisabeth and Nathaniel and Silas just living their lives. Absolutely wonderful, and the exact kind of pick-me-up that I needed.

Graphic Novels

1. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 425 pages
Day(s) read: 2.08 - 2.08
Final thoughts: TW: sexual violence, sexual assault, verbal harassment

This was so raw and bleak in the best way. I hesitate to call such a memoir such as this "enjoyable" because it's a very awful thing that is being talked about, but I liked the art style very much. I've seen a lot of people say that the title is misleading because the ducks are only mentioned once, but I have to disagree. I think the point of the title is that everyone working at the oil sands are ducks themselves. Everyone is ruined by this kind of work, one way or another. The only difference is that the general public cared about the actual ducks, and not about the workers there.

Poetry

1. Letters to a Young Poet by Ranier Maria Rilke
Genre: Poetry, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Classics, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A 
Page count: 123 pages
Day(s) read: 2.27 - 2.28
Final thoughts: There were some extremely poignant lines, but I didn't find this particularly moving. I know that these were private letters that eventually were published, but there wasn't anything in here that will stick with me, I think. Still, I'm glad to have read it.

Nonfiction

1. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Genre: Memoir, Humor, Adult
Star rating/CAWPILE: N/A
Page count: 304 pages
Day(s) read: 2.03 - 2.06
Final thoughts: This was incredibly hard to read but so, SO important. And weirdly soothing/liberating. Jennette clearly has a talent for writing and I hope that she'll continue to pursue it. I know I'm a little late to the game, but I agree with all of the praise this book has received in the past however many months it's been out. Truly one of the best books I've ever read.

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Total page count: 3,525 pages

Favorite book of February: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (I know it's a reread, but it's still so good!)

No DNF's this month

No unfinished books this month

February book haul: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

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Okay, that's a wrap on February. Unfortunately, March is a super busy month, and there is going to be a lot of emotionally draining things happening, so it looks like it'll be another slow month for me. Please spare a kind thought for me!

What was your favorite book that you read in February? Let me know in the comments below, or DM me on Instagram (link in sidebar under "More Media"). 

Until next time, friends.