what i read in february
the books i read in february & brief thoughts
Although I have a few different reading goals for this year, they can really be summarised into 2 main points: 1) read books I already own and 2) read the advanced copies I’ve been sent by publishers on time. From this list, I would say I’m making steady progress on those 2 goals (which hopefully continues, as my overflowing bookshelf situation is getting out of hand).
Here’s everything I read in February:
Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry
One thing i’ve always enjoyed about Emily Henry’s romances is that they are not strictly romances. In each of her books, she weaves in an equally as compelling story between the main romance plot. Great Big Beautiful Life takes a step in a slightly different direction from Henry’s previous work: the narrative structure is very different to her other books, it’s somewhat of a family saga, and even brings in an element of mystery towards the end. I was practically racing through the last few chapters to find out what would happen.
It’s a very touching story - perhaps her most heartfelt yet - with Emily Henry’s trademark penchant for writing a sexy, tension-filled, and emotional romance. I had a blast reading it.
(I also don’t like to compare books, but if I said it has subtle vibes of Beach Read meets The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo…..then what).
Thank you Penguin UK Books / Viking for the advanced copy!
A Promised Land - Barack Obama
This is a mammoth of a book (700+ pages) which I mostly read throughout January and finally finished in February. As a rule I don’t believe we should deify or idolise politicians, because they are not celebrities and should not be treated as such. It’s also worth remembering that due to the power they wield, world leaders can make a lot of good, beneficial changes, but they can also enact a lot of harm.
Nevertheless, as someone who’s British and was only 8 years old when Obama was first elected as president, this was an interesting read. While I agree with some of his political decisions and disagree with others, it’s clear that Obama is fundamentally an intelligent, amiable, and competent man, something that today’s American political landscape is sorely lacking.
Open, Heaven - Seán Hewitt
Set in a remote village, Open, Heaven follows two sixteen year old boys who meet and transform each other’s lives. It’s a bittersweet and touching little novel about unrelenting yearning and the agony of first love. It has Hewitt’s typical poetic writing, and the story itself is beautiful in its simplicity.
Thank you Vintage Books for the advanced copy!
Airhead (trilogy) - Meg Cabot
I re-read this series last weekend for 2 reasons: 1) I’m planning a (very in the future) post about re-reading my childhood favourites and seeing if they hold up, and 2) I had a hard week and needed the nostalgic comfort. I probably initially read these books slightly too young, but they really bridged the gap from me reading children’s books to more teenage/YA books. I fear I can’t be objective with these as I loved this series so much as a child, but upon re-reading I do still believe Meg Cabot was ahead of her time with these books.
Pathemata, or The Story of My Mouth - Maggie Nelson
My first Maggie Nelson! I can’t believe I haven’t got around to reading her work before now because her writing style is exactly up my street. From reading this we seem to have a few things in common: dealing with chronic pain, being sent to speech therapy as a child for talking too fast (a habit i still have so it clearly didn’t work). I'm excited to read more of her books after this, especially Bluets and Jane.
Thank you Vintage Books for the advanced copy!
Rejection - Tony Tulathimutte
There’s not much I can say about this book that’s not already been said; it’s truly one of the most unique books I’ve read in a while. It’s a collection of loosely interconnected short stories, exploring identity, dealing with rejection, and the search for human connection in the digital age. I can’t decide if Tulathimutte is a genius or just very weird. Maybe both.
A Leopard-Skin Hat - Anne Serre
My first read from the 2025 International Booker Prize longlist! I haven’t committed to reading the longlist or the shortlist yet, but many of the longlisted titles are very short, so my current plan is just try to get through as many as I can. A Leopard-Skin Hat is a slim novel following an unnamed ‘narrator’ as he reflects on his longtime friend Fanny, who suffers from a number of psychological disorders.
The book is essentially a character study told from the narrator’s point of view, sharing his examinations of Fanny’s behaviours and idiosyncrasies from the years of their friendship. With beautiful yet simple writing, it’s a novel about how we can never fully know another person, no matter how much we love them.
In case you missed my note announcement, I am a shadow panel judge for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award 2025, which is very exciting! The 4 shortlisted titles are:
The Borrowed Hills - Scott Preston
Fast by the Horns - Moses McKenzie
Rural Hours - Harriet Baker
Strange Relations - Ralf Webb
I read all 4 books throughout February, and will share my reviews on them after the winner is announced!
I would love to know what your favourite book/s was from February, so leave a comment and let me know 💌
wait now i'm so invested in your maggie nelson journey
Airhead trilogy!!!! Hahahaha it was one of my FAVOURITEEEE as a child!