Hi all. Happy February. I know it’s been chilly on the East Coast — and freezing in the Toronto area — but it’s been mild out here in the West. Go West, they say.
I think we’re warmer this weekend than parts of Florida. Go figure. We’ve made it into the 50s and they’ve apparently been under a pile of blankets. Sorry to those out there, like Tina at the blog Turn the Page, I hope it warms up soon and that the citrus trees don’t get damaged.
This month should be short and busy. Along with the Olympics hoopla, I have a few doc appointments and we’ll be going on a short trip mid-month for a family reunion that we’re gearing up for since our senior dog Stella (pictured above with Willow) will need a house sitter. We’re hoping she can handle it. Stella is a proud, stubborn girl who needs things just so and has trouble with her wobbly legs. Still she is happy and bossy and we’re trying to give her her best life possible.
And now let’s see what’s good that’s releasing this month. There’s new novels by such popular authors as Anna Quindlen, Kate Quinn, Sadeqa Johnson, and Allegra Goodman among others. These should be good, but I’m steered to the commotion over the debut novel Good People (due out Feb. 3) by Patmeena Sabit.
Apparently it’s about an Afghan refugee family who comes to live in Virginia but then when the older daughter of the family is found suspiciously drowned, it turns into an electrifying whodunit. The novel is said to be written like an oral history in which a complex portrait of the family emerges from interviews along with others in the community. Authors Ann Patchett calls it a “thrilling tour de force” and Khaled Hosseini says it’s the Afghan novel he’s been waiting for. So I need to check it out.
Next up I’m curious about Tayari Jones’s new novel Kin (due out Feb. 24) about two motherless lifelong friends from Louisiana in the 1950s whose worlds converge after many years apart in the face of much adversity. In it Booklist says “Jones deftly conveys the nuances of Southern Black culture in her novel full of depth, pain, and beauty.” And calls it a “tender love song to southern Black families, communities, and female friendships.”
I read and liked Jones’s writing from her last novel An American Marriage in 2018 — and though this one is said to be much different — I’ll have to check it out.
There’s also Lauren Groff’s new book Brawler (due out Feb. 24), which is a collection of nine short stories about “families transformed by desperate circumstances,” according to Publishers Weekly. Granted I’m not a big short story reader, but every once in a while when something is praised to the rafters — a bit like this one, I’ll go there.
In short stories, I last read Amor Towles collection Table for Two and Fannie Flagg’s Something to Look Forward To, so now I plan to check out Groff’s. I haven’t read Groff since her 2015 novel Fates and Furies and that one was a bit crazy about a marriage gone haywire. But she likes writing short stories — her collection Florida from 2018 was a finalist for the National Book Award and this one might follow perhaps.
Lastly in books, I’m looking at the darkly humorous unhinged novel Evil Genius (due out Feb. 17) by Claire Oshetsky about the volatile inner world of a 19-year-old woman in 1974 San Francisco who fantasizes about a life beyond her abusive marriage. Apparently “Celia is a fetching character for whom the reader dearly wishes a positive outcome, despite all the dead bodies that seem to be accumulating around her,” according to Kirkus Reviews.
The novel sounds different and unsettling and one in which author Chelsea Summers says is “perfect for comic-horror girlies who’ve read Ottessa Moshfegh’s Eileen and Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle and want more mayhem.” I’m not sure if that’s me, but I will investigate it.
Meanwhile, there’s much to watch this month especially if you’re into sports … such as the Winter Olympics in northern Italy (Feb. 6 to 22) — I say bring them on! I love the action. Or there’s the Super Bowl (on Feb. 8), which drew an estimated 127.7 million viewers last year. Sadly, my NFL teams did not make the big game, so perhaps I will opt for the Puppy Bowl XXII instead, which happens a couple hours before the “other game” and features 150 puppies from 72 shelters competing in a friendly game on Animal Planet. It’s for a good cause (dog adoption) and will introduce some senior dogs at the halftime show, yay.
But if you’re allergic to sports watching, you might opt for checking out one of these TV series: The Lincoln Lawyer – Season 4 on Netflix starting Feb. 5; or Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette on FX/Hulu starting Feb. 12; or maybe The Last Thing He Told Me — Season 2 with Jennifer Garner on AppleTV+ starting Feb. 20. There’s also The Gray House (on Prime starting Feb. 26) that’s an eight episode Civil War drama about four unheralded women who helped turn the tide of the war in favor of the Union. But maybe the series about JFK Jr. might be the juiciest and most tragic of these.
There’s also the new major movie of Emily Bronte’s 1847 classic Wuthering Heights out Feb. 13 in time for Valentine’s Day, lol. Apparently it has a production /distribution budget of around $80 million and stars Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as the brooding Heathcliff. I think it will be the fourth movie version of Wuthering Heights — which has been done in 1939 with Laurence Olivier; in 1992 with Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes; and in 2011. There was also apparently a TV series of it in 2009 with actor Tom Hardy as Heathcliff.
I admit I have not seen any of these productions — have you? But I plan to check out the new movie, which looks to be a doozy. I hope it will be up to the snuff of Emily Bronte’s turbulent tale of obsession on the West Yorkshire moors. What do you think — will it be able to make the cut?
Lastly in music this month, there’s new albums by Mumford & Sons, Moby, Bruno Mars, Iron & Wine, Jill Scott, and The Sheepdogs among others. I’ll change my pick (thanks to Carmen’s wise words) and choose Bruno Mars’ new album The Romantic, which is his first full-length solo project since 2016! It’s his fourth solo studio album and features the single I Just Might which you can see performed here. He’s a great performer and I was lucky to see him in concert back in 2016. It was a really fun show, lol.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases are you looking forward to this month?
I think a teacher showed the oldest of the Wuthering Heights movies when I was in seventh grade. I hope the latest remake will be good. The other upcoming books and films you discussed all look promising.
best… mae
Hi Mae, thanks. That’s interesting that you were showed the old movie. I think I might like to watch that one or the 1992 version …. before I see the new remake. I didn’t realize it had been done several times. I hope you have a nice February!
Too bad Stella can’t go on the road trip with you, but hopefully she’ll have a good stay at home. I’m not sure about any of the February releases yet, maybe Brawler, but short stories… hmmm. I didn’t read Fates and Furies, or Florida, but read The Matrix and The Vaster Wilds, both of which I enjoyed. I still have to read any of the three books I wanted for January and already February is beckoning. I really want to see this latest Wuthering Heights adaptation. I saw the Ralph Fiennes one and Tom Hardy’s. I’ve read there’s great chemistry between Robbie and Elordi, and early viewers have raved over it being beautiful shot and heartbreaking. Music-wise, I’ll go for Bruno Mars.
Hi Carmen, you’re (so) right I should’ve chosen Bruno Mars! What was I thinking?! I might have to edit & change that. Bruno was good at the Grammys last night and he hasn’t put out a full album in like 10 years! Where has he been? I once was invited by a friend to see him in concert around 2016. He was really fun. lol. We sang like crazy people. (Glad he came to Canada then.)
As for Groff, I remember you reading her last books … but I didn’t get to them. We’ll see about this one. And I’ll probably see the new Wuthering Heights movie in the theater. We might watch one of the earlier adaptations first. Hmm if I can find it. Have a great week.
You’re warmer than SW Florida today. Our wind chill on Sanibel hasn’t been above 31 all day (though the temp reached the mid 40s) and there were snow flurries in interior sections of Naples last night. Brrr! I’m looking forward to all the titles you’ve mentioned here, plus The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman. She’s become a favorite in recent years. The Olympics will also be amuch-needed diversion this month. Stella and Willow look so sweet!
Hi JoAnn, Wow snow in Naples …. I can’t even imagine. The wind in Sanibel –yikes. Even the LPGA were playing in Orlando and they looked freezing too. And here we are mild as ever in Canada. I’m liking the walks.
I will see what you think of the Kauffman novel. It looks promising. And I’m hoping the Olympics can be a big diversion from all the awful stuff. My mind is like swirling at this point. Hope you have a great (but warmer) month in Fla. Cheers.
Poor Stella. I hope you find someone who can meet her needs. Evil Genius looks intriguing, but I’m not sure about all of the dead bodies. I’m glad it’s warmer in the west; it’s cold here in the Midwest, but at least we aren’t getting the second round of snow they are getting on the East Coast. Have fun at your family reunion!
Hi Ms. Yingling, thanks for stopping by here & your greeting. It’ll be good to check out your site as well. I gather you’re a librarian, hooray. Hopefully our four day family reunion will be short enough for Stella to manage — we have found a sitter for her. Stay warm and have a happy February!
Good People sounds so good. Adding to my TBR.
I remember going to see Wuthering Heights with my high school boyfriend and crying and crying. I look forward to a new version of the movie.
My Sunday Salon has a link to my review of Mother Mary Comes to Me, which I recall you’ve also reviewed: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2026/01/sunday-salon-songs-for-now.html
Hi Anne, funny to hear about your memory of seeing Wuthering Heights in high school. I gather that must have been the Lawrence Olivier adaptation. I hope to watch an older one before seeing the remake. (I hope not to cry!).
I haven’t read or reviewed the Mother Mary memoir yet, so perhaps it was someone else. But I will check out your review & I sort of hope to read it. Cheers! Happy February.
Hello from chilly Florida! I was telling JoAnn we had a wind chill of 13 F this morning. It’s been so cold and we are runnign water in the house as recommended by the utility company.
Lots of good books you highlighted so I will check on those titles tomorrow. I finished Midwinter Break by Bernard MacLaverty and it was a slow characters study of a marriage between a Northern Ireland couple living in Scotland.
I’m ready to start Crux tomorrow and will be in for a bit this week.
Ear rubs for Stella and Willow!
Hi Tina, yikes I hope you made it through Florida’s freeze zone and that your house pipes are all right. Brrr. We’re used to it here — but in green Fla. I know nobody is! Hopefully it’ll warm up this week.
I will look for your review of Midwinter Break. I’m interested in Scotland settings. I plan to start Crux sometime today. Wishing you a great week. & the dogs thank you. Cheers.
I am an Olympics fan, so I’m soooo excited for them to begin on Friday!
I just added Good People to my TBR list; it sounds really good.
I want to watch the new Lincoln Lawyer season and the new seasons for Shrinking and Bridgerton. There just isn’t enough time for reading, TV, and work (and life)!
Hi Helen, glad to hear you’re an Olympics fan. Me too. yay. Should be great.
And I’m hopeful Good People will be good … see what you think. I agree there seems a lot on TV these days … and it’s a bit hard to find time to do everything, lol. I’m trying to up my exercise — we’ll see. Enjoy your week.
It has been warm out our way this winter. Not getting any snow though has me worried for summer. I wouldn’t mind a few cold weeks before it’s spring. I am very excited for the Olympics to start. So many fun sports to look forward to watching. I can’t wait. 😀
Hi Lark, it’s terrible you haven’t gotten any snow there in Utah. It doesn’t bode well for summer. I hope we both get snow. pronto!
And good to hear you’re an Olympics fan. I think it’s always fun to watch … so many different sports. Yay. Enjoy! Have a great week.
We’ve been having unusually warm weather for winter here too. It’s been nice though. I hope the housesitting goes well. It’s always a stress to leave beloved fur babies! There’s a JFK Jr. movie? What a tragedy. The Kennedy family has had a lot of tragedies over the year. RFK continues to be a different tragedy on the US healthcare system! I’ve never read or watched a film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Not my kind of story. Have a great week, Susan!
Hi Rachel, thanks, you’re right: leaving fur babies is tough! And Stella is too old to go, or to be left. So fingers crossed it works. We have found a house sitter for her. And I guess the JFK Jr. thing is a TV drama series about his relationship with Carolyn Bessette … but other than that I don’t know too much about it. Does the guy even look like him? lol. Have a great week. It does sound warm there this winter. We might hit the 60s??
Yes, it’s pretty mild out here on the West Coast. Hard to believe we’re warmer than Florida. I feel bad for Tina and JoAnn.
I hope you have a great time on your trip, and that Stella does well with her sitter. Maybe Willow will keep her in line.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Good People. Sounds promising, as does Tayari Jones’ new novel. I’m not a fan of short stories, so unless you rave about Bralwer, I’ll probably take a pass.
We’ll watch the Super Bowl and cheer for the Seattle Seahawks since we have family who live there and are big fans. I think I watched a very old version of Wuthering Heights many years ago, so this new release might be tempting. I read the book back in the 90s and couldn’t stand Heathcliff. Don’t remember much else about it. Ha!
Enjoy your balmy weather!
Hi Lesley, thx for your comments. You’re right: I think Willow will help to assure Stella… even though Willow follows whatever Stella does. They help each other I think especially when alone.
It seems you’re not getting much weather out there … and sending nothing this way. We might hit 60? Yikes, not good in winter. Will it be drought this year?
I’ll see about the new books. They’re all on order at the library now but I’m full on with other reads. I hope these will be good. I hear you — about short stories.
I think I will root for the Seahawks too (since I once lived in Seattle) and because they’re in the West. But I’m not usual fans for them.
Good on you for the Bronte novel. I might try a read of it sometime this year. We’ll see …. sort of a lot else. Enjoy your week as well. Happy reading.
Those temperature variations are indeed curious. We’re finally warming up and I’m delighted. Just a little too cold. Hope you guys have good trip and your puppies do well. Looking forward to watching some of the Olympics. We’re not particularly interested in all the winter sports, but I usually like seeing some of them. Super Bowl is kind of a ‘whatever’ thing for us. The Dallas Cowboys have been pretty awful for a long time. We’re still fans, but honestly!! Hope you have a good week! Enjoy your reading!
Hi Kay, thanks. Good to hear you’re warming up there. I recall it’s been a while since the Cowboys reign back in the Roger Staubach years. But someday they will come back to dominate. My Rams almost made it in. 🙂 The Olympics should be good — even if some of the sports. Hope you have a good week too. Happy reading.
Hi Susan, 35 degrees this morning in Broward County Florida. I’ve got the heat on. LoL
Good People sounds interesting and the situation for women right now in Afghanistan is so terrible. I should read this book. I have read a novel by Lauren Groff. The name of the novel escapes me but I know I liked it and Groff is talented. Vaster Wilds I think it was called?
Hi Kathy, whoa that’s cold for Broward County! Lol. Stay inside. Good to know you have heat there. I hope it warms this week.
Yeah you’re right — Groff’s book was The Vaster Wilds … I haven’t read that one but it seems that like you — others liked it. I guess I’m a bit curious about her short fiction though I like novels much better. And it sounds like Good People might be a quick read. We’ll see. Enjoy your week! (if it warms up!).
So much happening in Feb. Yes to the Olympics and the Super Bowl (we are watching even though our Broncos didn’t make it), no to the new Wuthering Heights, which I’ve heard only tells the first half of the story. I am tired of “based on” adaptations instead of actual adaptations.
Yes to the Lincoln Lawyer, although this one will be rough as it is “based on” the book where Mickey ends up in jail, framed for murder. I am clearly more forgiving of “based on” when it comes to Michael Connelly books 🙂
I will have to put The Gray House on the list–my wheelhouse, for sure. But, I don’t think I can watch JFK Jr. die in a plane crash. I remember how shocked I was when that happened. So very sad.
Good People appeals to me. Maybe I can find time for a “thrilling tour de force!”
Safe travels and hope the pups forgive you for leaving them. My dog holds a grudge whenever we have to leave him behind.
Hi Jane, good to know about the latest Wuthering Heights. Yeah that’s different then … if it’s not fully the real story.
I haven’t seen the Lincoln Lawyer series. But I liked the new Renee Ballard series. I could use Season 2 … but I think it will come late in 2026.
I can understand about the JFK Jr. series. Not sure how it will be handled — the crash — but it’s a bit too upsetting to see that. The show is likely most about their relationship. But it seems it could be TV movie-ish. Who knows.
Good People could be a quick winter read. And I hope our dogs will forgive us for making a short trip. Fingers crossed. Enjoy your week. & Happy reading!
I’m looking forward to watching The Count of Monte Cristo and the most recent season of All Creatures Great and Small. I will think of Wuthering Heights. I must admit that I don’t remember enjoying reading it way back when.
Thanks for all the heads up on upcoming books!
Hi Deb, sure thing, just trying to get a handle on what’s out there. Seems like you have your hands full with Monte Cristo and the James Herriot series. All good there. I’m tackling The House of Mirth at the moment so these books will be on my radar down the line. They seem to be on order at the library so I have a bit of time. Wishing you a great week. Happy reading.
I’m not a Super Bowl fan but definitely looking forward to the Olympics. A nice break in the action. Meanwhile, I’ve been enjoying “All Creatures Great and Small” and “Bookish” on PBS and catching up on a few Britbox favorites too. I can’t remember when I last went to the movies but Wuthering Hieghts might do it!
Hi Jeanie, great hearing from you. Yes I agree the Olympics might be a refreshing diversion and some good action. Good to know you are enjoying the PBS shows — they sound good. And I might need to get BritBox sometime. My husband still likes taking me to the movie theater — so we will see about Wuthering Heights. It might be a bit better on the big screen. Have a great week!
Glad you’ve found a housesitter who can keep Stella company. Or a housesitter that can be bossed around in a Stella-kinda-way! I’m interested in both the Groff and the Jones, although mostly engaged with backlisted fun these days, waiting for the melt, so it’s easier to return to the library for some freshly published options!
Hi Marcie, thanks, it’s not easy finding a good dog sitter at one’s house for a senior bossy dog, but I think it might work out for Stella, fingers crossed.
You must have a ton of snow out there! I heard about the record snowfall in the Toronto area — I think you are north of there. Meanwhile out West we have nothing, go figure. I’m on the library wait list for Jones & Groff but I have a bit a time perhaps. Enjoy your reading & have a great week. thx for stopping by.
Looking forward to hear your thoughts on these books..
I am slightly allergic to sports so I will be binging on The Lincoln Lawyer.
I will be attending a Super Bowl party though.
Hi Hena, good to hear. I’m impressed you’ll be at a Super Bowl party. Usually that means good food, lol. Perhaps the halftime show will be entertaining. We can only hope. Enjoy watching The Lincoln Lawyer. I’m sure your boys will like the Olympic hockey right?
I hope Stella does okay with the pet sitter. While my chiweenie is just 8 yo, he’s also stubborn, a little OCD, and bossy, he’s not so frail. And still I worry about him. Good People and Evil Genius are going on the TBR list. So glad the Lincoln Lawyer is back today.
Hi Olivia, thanks. We’ll see how Stella does with the sitter — still have a couple weeks till we leave but I’m leaving many instructions, lol. I didn’t realize you had a dog overseas. That’s terrific. I hope he did okay in the move.
I like the sounds of those novels too … and it’s cool to see the Lincoln Lawyer is back. Enjoy.
I planned my day around the Opening Ceremony this afternoon. I hope you enjoy your Olympics watching, too!
Hi Joy, Yes! I’m glad to hear you’re a big Olympics watcher. Me too. The Opening Ceremonies was fun to see. So many small countries to watch, lol. I love the winter sports … so I plan to watch it here & there as much as possible. Enjoy!
I always love it when you have a photo of your two dogs. It is good that your weather is not too extreme. We went for a walk in a park today and it was cool enough to wear a jacket and not too hot in the sun. I like it that way.
I am definitely interested in Brawler by Lauren Groff (because it is short stories) but I will be waiting to get it until later in 2026 or 2027. Or if they offer a good price for a Kindle, I would go for that.
Hi Tracy, thanks. This is actually once of my favorite photos of the dogs because Stella (despite her age) is looking proud & strong in it. She is now 13.5 years old which is pretty senior for a Lab … but she’s still determined about food & life, lol. & she is much loved.
I’m glad it’s nice in your area and you can go for good walks.
And I thought you might like Brawler. You’re the short stories expert (!) so this seems right up your alley. It sounds pretty good to me too and I’m on the library wait list for it. I like looking for the Kindle deals. Sometimes you can find great ones. Enjoy your weekend.
It feels like spring here, although I imagine that will change before spring actually gets here as it often does. I’ve been enjoying watching the birds out my window while I work. All three of the books you featured here sound good, Kin especially. I don’t think we will be able to watch much of the Olympics, if any. I do hope the games go well for everyone. We will be watching the new season of Lincoln Lawyer at some point, I am sure. That and Bridgerton. I am not a fan of Wuthering Heights and, after seeing the trailer, don’t think I will be watching the movie. I do hope it turns out better than expected though. I’ve been listening to a lot of music lately. My daughter got me into K-Pop, and I have been exploring other countries’ pop music as well (English and non-English). And other types of music too.
I hope you have a good week, Susan! Take care.
Hi Wendy, thanks for your comments. I might have missed them before. I think I should check out K-Pop and see what that’s all about. I saw the K-Pop people while watching the Grammys. And I’m still on the library wait list for these books but it’ll likely be a while before I get to any. I’ve got my hands full but Kin looks good. I hope your enjoying the TV series. We are in deep with the Olympics now, lol. Wishing you a great month!
Kate Quinn is launching her new book at the Boston PBS station at a $60 event. I decided to volunteer at it instead, which should be entertaining. It will be a long, chilly bus ride home but hopefully worth it!
I have to work at my library this afternoon (when I signed up, I thought the likelihood of the Patriots making it was slim) but the game doesn’t start until 6:30 so I will mostly miss the speculation. Go Patriots! (Even though the owner’s support of Trump is disgusting. When I was growing up, the family lived near us and gave very good candy on Halloween.)
Hi Constance, I meant to respond to your comments. I hope you will write all about the Kate Quinn event. That sounds interesting and I’m curious about her new book — though I’m not a big fantasy reader … which I think it gets into. Still I hope you enjoy it.
Sorry your Patriots didn’t conquer … though the young new QB looks like he’ll have a good career. I had to laugh about the owner of team giving good candy on Halloween. That’s important to kids, lol. The Krafts right? The team has given him many Super Bowl wins over the years. Cheers!