Again, a lower reading month. I DRAGGED through Circe and also am just trying to find a routine with work, fitness, and family that works for me. I really think March is going to be crazy because I am just feeling really excited to read again. Also, Wild Side by Elsie Silver comes out this month so that’s an immediate read for sure. Now onto my Feb reads…

Educated by Tara Westover – This was on my January TBR picked by my sister, and I finished the audiobook at work. This was such an interesting story that really made me value my education even more. This is a memoir about the author’s childhood and later adult years with a survivalist Mormon family in rural Idaho. Spolier, Tara is uneducated and way too sheltered from the world, resulting in struggles down the road fitting in and succeeding in the modern world. I was raised in such an opposite way and I found myself thanking my parents for prioritizing a quality education and a well-rounded childhood.

Tale of the Heart Queen by Nisha J. Tuli – This is the fourth and final book in the Artefacts of Ouranos series and it did not disappoint. I obviously don’t want to spoil, but I felt like this wrapped up the series well and did not drag it on at all. I loved these characters and I was almost glad when it was over because that meant they could just live their normal lives. This author has two other fantasy series, so I will definitely be trying to read those in the near future because I liked this one so much.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – THE THIRD BOOK! I’ve been waiting for this since I read Iron Flame last March, and I really don’t know what to think to be honest. I tore through this book and will definitely be reading the next one. However, I feel like it suffered slightly from “middle book syndrome” and there were several points that felt repetitive simply because the characters kept talking about the same problems. I love these characters, this world, and the feelings I experience when reading this series, so please do not take this as discouragement to read. I guess my expectations were just a bit too high?

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – I DNF’d this at 80% sadly, half because I didn’t want to finish it and half because my library took it back after the 14 days. It was SO BORING. I only picked it up as an audiobook because Meryl Streep, one of my favs, is the narrator. She did a great job but wow this story was just not keeping my attention. Our main character is an actress turned cherry farmer, almost like if Meryl hadn’t made it in Hollywood and married someone from Michigan. The entire book is her telling her grown children about her experience in the acting world. If you like slice of life, normal people living normal lives, this is your book. I just personally needed something that has a bit more going on.

Circe by Madelaine Miller – A 25 in 2025 read! I really struggled with this one. There was no true plot and it felt like I was reading so many different stories wrapped up in a 500 page book. Our main character was not likeable and she just kept making the worst decisions. She also like somehow had magic from plants? That was never really explained yet it was such a big part of the book. Maybe if you like the more complicated books?

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams – This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and it did not disappoint! This is the third book in her Rome, Kentucky series, and i think we’ll be getting one more for the last sibling. This was such a cute enemies to lovers rom com that I just could not put down. We follow Emily and Jack, academic rivals turned work rivals turned favorite of the town rivals. These characters met in college and have been fighting ever since, except they are slowly realizing they don’t ever want to fight with anyone else. Emily was so relatable as an older sister who struggles to take time for herself and has to feel needed. Just 300 pages of fun!

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough – This was maybe the best memoir I’ve ever read. I listened to the audiobook in one day at work. Julia Roberts and Riley Keough trade off narration and on top of that, the story was just so good. For those that don’t know, Lisa Marie Presley is Elvis’ daughter, a famous American rock and roll legend. This story follows Lisa Marie’s life from start to finish, all the good, bad, and ugly, as well as giving us the POV of her daughter, Riley Keough. It was a tearjerker and so attention grabbing. SIX STARS!!

A fun fact about me: the only music that ever put me to sleep as a baby was the Elvis Christmas Album.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – I just don’t even know where to start with this one. This is definitely going to be on my top 10 list for the year, and I don’t know if I’ll ever shut up about it. Kristin Hannah just knows what she’s doing! This story follows two sisters in World War II era France, through the Nazi occupation and eventual end of the war. both women are so strong in their own ways and we get to see a glimpse of how war impacts civilians, both from an occupation standpoint and then later from a fear of retaliation before surrender. This book is loosely based on a true story, and I just cried like a baby at the end. I truly loved these characters and was rooting for them in all aspects. This is a must read!

Definitely a half and half month but positive overall! Let me know if you read any of these in the coming months. Thanks for stopping by! See you soon!