I’d like to thank my Audible subscription for keeping me on the straight and narrow this month. Definitely wouldn’t have come anywhere close to meeting my reading goals in February if it weren’t for audiobooks.
What I Read in February
All Adults Here by Emma Straub
I’m usually a sucker for a multigenerational family drama. Though this one fell a bit flat for me. I didn’t really care for any of the characters or their struggles. It also felt like the author took every type of topical issue possible and blended it together to make one very mediocre story. However, it was still bingeable. Weird how that works, huh? 3 out of 5 stars.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
So good. Not only was the premise fantastic but it was very well done. I really enjoyed this. 4 out of 5 stars.
Pretty Things by Janelle Brown
I listened to this as an audiobook, mainly because one of my favorite narrators, Julia Whelan, was the voice of a main character. I don’t even care what the book is about, if I know Julia Whelan is narrating it, I’m going to enjoy it. As for the actual book itself, it was quite interesting until it wasn’t. I was pretty bored halfway through, guessed the ending, and wanted it to be over. But it was still captivating and I plowed through it quickly. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, only because of Julia!
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
HATED THIS. I have so many thoughts. First and foremost, how is it possible to love love love a prequel only to hate the main book? Practical Magic and Magic Lessons do not feel like they were written by the same person. I feel duped and I’m a bit bitter about it. Many GR reviewers said the same thing: loved the movie, didn’t enjoy the book, in fact they are wildly different. Sigh. 2 out of 5 stars.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Creepy and horrifying. Cannot wait for someone (LOOKING AT YOU REESE WITHERSPOON) to decide to turn this into a mini-series. Thanks for the recommendation AP & MG, would be lost without both your recs! 4 out of 5 stars.
Toddler Books of the Month
Our toddler is really into books, so it’s hard to narrow down favorites, but these three have made it into the daily rotation all month long:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numberoff
This is a really cute story. My husband isn’t a fan, but oh well. Our toddler adores it and the illustrations (by Felicia Bond) are very charming.
Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies
We LOVE Bats at the Beach. A really fun story about a bunch of bats having a night at the beach. ADORABLE.
Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Suess
Our toddler has recently gotten into Dr. Suess books and seems really taken by Ten Apples Up on Top. I prefer it too, because it’s not super annoying to read out loud in that Dr. Suess way. Ten Apples Up on Top also has somewhat of an arc, where as most of Dr. Suess’s books are so weird and random and don’t connect.
And our Baby Book of the Month = Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. It seems to be the only book our eight month old can get through without screaming or squirming. It’s also awesome that our toddler can read the full book, cover to cover, to the baby.