February Preview

Hi. I hope everyone is enjoying the start of February. Sorry I have been AWOL lately. I just got too busy at the end of January. Whoosh that was a crazy month. We had a funeral, a move, and my niece’s lovely wedding in Colorado, which was a blast … along with renovations going on and a re-certification test for officiating tennis tournaments, which I do. Oh my, luckily life is beginning to settle down now. We can rest for a moment before starting to unpack gradually more of the boxes. We are liking our new place and area. The photo is of the farmland near our house. It’s serene here and is only about ten minutes from the nearest town. 

Now let’s check out what’s releasing in February. The reason I make a post like this each month is basically to find out about titles and put them on my radar for either the near future, or for the year ahead. It’s not always to get to them this very month. Often other readers give me helpful feedback on what I’ve picked that can change how soon I pick them up.

One February release The Queen of Dirt Island (due out Feb. 28) by Irish author Donal Ryan is one I received an early copy of last year and really liked — about “the daughter of a single mother growing up in a family of formidable women in rural Ireland.” It ended up on my list of 2022 favorites, and author Donal Ryan is a wonderful writer. This was my first novel of his and I hope to read more of his books in the future.  

I’m curious now about Shelley Read’s debut novel Go as a River (due out Feb. 28). It’s receiving a lot of favorable hype and according to the publisher is “set amid Colorado’s wild beauty, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story of a resilient young woman whose life is changed forever by one chance encounter.”

Author Adriana Trigiani says the woman “Victoria Nash is a character for the ages as she navigates loss and despair on the road to redemption. The vast plains and desert canyons of her Colorado home are filled with ghosts until a mysterious drifter arrives and changes the course of her life forever.” It’s been called a “stunning debut” so what are we waiting for? I usually like outdoorsy stories set in Colorado, where I once lived for a few years after college. 

Next up is Rebecca Makkai’s new novel I Have Some Questions for You (due out Feb. 21) about a 1990s boarding school murder and its repercussions decades later … as a podcast explores whether the man convicted of the crime was wrongfully charged. Author Jennifer Egan says the novel is “part boarding school drama, part forensic whodunnit … a true literary mystery—haunting and hard to put down.”

I’m game since Makkai’s last novel The Great Believers sort of blew me away in scope and sentiment, and boarding school stories like the new one are hard to resist. Academia novels are often like catnip to readers like us, am I right?

Then there’s Margaret Verble’s new novel Stealing (due out Feb. 7) about a Cherokee child in the American South removed from her family and sent to a Christian boarding school in the 1950s. It’s been hailed as a powerful coming-of-age tale of Karen “Kit” Crockett, and Publishers Weekly says “Verble’s skillful storytelling does justice to a harrowing chapter of history.”

There’s been much in the news the past couple of years about abuses of indigenous children who were sent to residential schools in Canada and the U.S. decades ago, so I’m keen to read this — as well as other books about this topic set in Canada. I have not read Verble before but she’s been hailed as an exceptional storyteller and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

In honorable mentions, I’m also curious about the novel Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jaren Hosein that is set in Trinidad in the 1940s as well as the novel A Spell of Good Things by Ayobami Adebayo set in contemporary Nigeria. Both novels seem to depict the lives of the rich and poor intersecting and present portals into their home countries. I had read Adebayo’s debut novel Stay With Me from 2017 so I’m interested to see where her new one goes.

On the screen this month, there’s the new series Dear Edward (starting Feb. 3 on Apple+) based on the melancholic 2020 novel by Ann Napolitano about a 12-year-old boy who is the lone survivor of a large plane crash and tries along with others to make sense of what happened.

I have not been able to get the stomach yet to read the novel or see the series, but I put it out there for those whom the book touched. Actress Connie Britton is on a roll lately with The White Lotus series and now she’s in this one. She plays a housewife who loses her husband in the crash and whose privileged life is upended by the tragedy. Apparently her role is not in the novel but did that ever stop Hollywood before? 

Next up is C.B. Strike: Troubled Blood (starting Feb. 6), which is Season 3 of the HBO series based on the Robert Galbraith novels of J.K. Rowling. I think we tried an episode of Season 1 but my husband nixed it — maybe thinking it was too slow. It’s about a war veteran turned private detective named Comoran Strike who teams with his partner Robin Ellacott to solve murders. Comoran lost part of his leg in an attack in Afghanistan and wears a prosthetic limb.

I read one of the novels in the series (there’s actually 6 now!) and thought it pretty good but could’ve been edited down a bit. The actors in the TV series seem good with Tom Burke as Strike and Holliday Grainger as Robin. Grainger is also in the series The Capture on BBC One — wow she’s busy. Have you seen any episodes of C.B. Strike?

In other things to watch … there’s this “little thing” called the Super Bowl on Feb. 12. Check your local listings, but it starts here Mountain Time at 4:30 p.m. This year it features two teams: the Chiefs vs. the Eagles, which I have no care in the world about. Do you? Apparently Rihanna will be the halftime show, so stay for the nachos perhaps. I always make sure the jalapenos are separate on the side. My tip for you, ha.

In music this month, Pink, Shania Twain, Ron Sexsmith, and Inhaler have new albums out. I will pick Irish band Inhaler’s upcoming album Cuts & Bruises (due out Feb. 17), which features vocalist Elijah Hewson, the 23-year-old son of a man named Bono.

Now that might be some big shoes to follow after, but Elijah seems to be having fun and doing his own thing. Still you can hear the similarities in their voices. Here’s the video of Inhaler’s song Love Will Get You There

That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases this month are you looking forward to? 

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26 Responses to February Preview

  1. Ti says:

    You were busy at the end of January but now you can unpack slowly and find a spot for everything. I can’t imagine living with that much space around me. Right now, I am being annoyed by neighbor, somewhere who keeps letting their dog do its business on my lawn. Saw the dog in action yesterday but it wouldn’t let me get close and when I tried to follow he took off in the street. I don’t want him to get hit.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Ti, strange about the dog just ranging around your yard. Does it live next door? It sounds like you live on a pretty street and area. I’m not used to having space either. We’d been living on a street with neighbors packed together and now we moved here. I don’t even hear any sound. It’s like completely quiet which was unheard of where we lived in the city. So different! I hope you get to talk to your neighbor about the dog business.

  2. I do hope things are calming down for you now that you are moved in. It’s fun to decide where everything goes and how you want it all to look. Have fun!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Helen. Yeah it feels good now and things have calmed considerably. We are starting to enjoy our new surroundings. I hope you are loving your new place as well.

  3. Lark says:

    Your January sounds like it was very busy and crazy! Glad you survived it all. I’m looking forward to reading the new Makkai book, too. But then boarding school settings always draw me in. 😀 Happy February!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Lark. Yeah somehow we got through crazy January, and February is looking much quieter! And novels with boarding school settings surely lure me. I can’t wait for the new Makkai book. Have a great week.

  4. Kay says:

    Yes, it definitely sounds like a busy January. Hope February is a bit slower and you can consider how to arrange your unpacking, etc. I’m also intrigued by the new Makkai book and I usually am very drawn to boarding school settings as well. I’ll watch for it. I have read all the Cormoran Strike books and also watching the TV adaptation. I need to remember that there is a new season. Thanks for the info!

    • Susan says:

      Hi Kay, So you are liking the CB Strike TV series? That’s good to hear – I think I’d like to watch it. Strike & Robin are good characters.
      It seems February will be much calmer and we can unpack. Still figuring repairs and have a blind & curtain to get but it’s getting better now. Hope your renovation will be done soon too! The Makkai book looks good. I’ll put my name in for it at the library. Enjoy your week.

  5. Wow, your January does sound nuts. I’m excited to see that so many coming-of-age novels are coming out. I usually like those.

    • Susan says:

      Yeah AJ, I usually like coming-of-age novels as well. I’m a sucker for those.
      January was nuts. So it’s feeling quite a bit easier now. Yay. Have a great February!

  6. Kathy Vullis says:

    It does sound like a very hectic January and I hope February is more calm. I too am looking forward to the Makkai novel. What has me hooked besides the fact that it has gotten good reviews is that it deals with a true crime podcaster coming back to her boarding school to look into a murder and the world of podcasters, amateur sleuths, is intriguing.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Kathy, thanks for stopping by. Yeah the Makkai novel sounds really good and very different from her last book. I have my name down for it at the library. I look forward to hearing what you think of it. Enjoy your week.

  7. Heather says:

    Beautiful scenery! Glad things are calming down a bit for you and you’re getting settled. Love the snowy mountains. The Queen of Dirt Island looks good. So does I Have Some Questions for You.
    Dear Edward looks a bit too melancholic for me. What does that say about me? Ha!
    I’m half way through the first season of C.B. Strike series. I read the first book and I agree it could’ve been edited down. But I like it.
    I’ll be watching bits of the super bowl. Don’t care much either way who wins. I just hope it’s somewhat close.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Heather. Great to hear from you. And glad to hear the CB Strike series is pretty good. The actors seem to be excellent so I will likely check it out.
      It’s nice to see the mountains around here and we are starting to like our new place. We are thankful the move part is over. ha. It’s been mild and the snow is starting to melt away. Hmm.
      I agree that Dear Edward looks too much or sad for me so I think I will pass on it for now. Hope all is well there. Enjoy.

  8. You really were busy in January, weren’t you?! I’m glad things are settling down now.

    Goodness, what a gorgeous photo of the farmland and mountains! Does the mountain range have a name? It’s stunning.

    I’m also curious about Go As A River, which I’ve seen mentioned on Instagram a few times. The setting appeals to me, and I’m always game for a coming-of-age story. I just got I Have Some Questions for You on Libro.fm, and am looking forward to giving that one a listen. I still have The Great Believers in my audio queue, too. I added Stealing to my Goodreads’ list, but haven’t ordered a copy at this point. I may wait and read more reviews and get a copy at the library. I really need to focus on the books I bought in December…

    I plan to watch Dear Edward sometime down the road. It will be one I watch by myself, since I know my husband and mom aren’t interested. I’m in the middle of the first season of New Amsterdam, so it may be a while. I did enjoy the audiobook, which is narrated by Cassandra Campbell.

    Thanks for the heads-up about the new Cormoran Strike series. We have watched the first two and will most likely watch this new one.

    Take care and enjoying nesting in your new home!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Lesley. I appreciate it. Yeah the mountains we see looking west of our house are the start of the Canadian Rockies. There’s foothills and then the Rockies, so it’s nice to see the peaks – very majestic. We are enjoying our farmland area so far. I think we’ve only been here like 2 weeks now. It’s quiet!
      It seems we are picking many of the same titles coming out. Good to know. I’m still finishing older ones but might read these when spring comes on.
      I will add the CB Strike TV series to my list. Right now we are finishing Season 3 of Jack Ryan and might watch next the crazy Your Honor Season 2. Hmm.
      Hope all is great at your Cove these days. Happy February!

  9. stargazer says:

    It certainly sounds like life has been hectic recently. I hope things are more calm now. And good luck unpacking all the boxes! I’ve seen praise for both Hungry Ghosts and A Spell of Good Thing, but haven’t heard of the rest. I Have Some Questions for You sounds like it might be just my thing – a literary mystery with some dark academia thrown in – yes, please!! I have really enjoyed the Robin and Strike novels, but they seem to be getting longer and longer and by now, I’ve given up on the series. Ah well. Maybe I should try the tv show.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Stargazer, many boxes to unpack, but things are calming down now, ha. And yeah I have sort of given up on the Strike novels too. Just too long & wordy, ha. But maybe I’ll try the series as well. I think I’ll eventually get to Hungry Ghosts and A Spell of Good Things but I fell into a slow period about two weeks ago. I need to arise from the book slump. Hope all is well there. Enjoy the week.

  10. I have been enthralled by indigenous fiction lately so love seeing a book I know nothing about. Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese blew me away both the book and the movie.

    Your new area looks stunning and I’m happy to hear you’re settling in. We are as well, although it gets tiring at times.

    The book I most wanted to read in February was Stone Blind and it was fantastic. An easy 5 stars. If you’re not opposed to retellings of Greek mythology I think it’s a book you’d love.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Catherine – thanks for the tip on these novels. I’m getting into indigenous fiction too lately so I will check out Indian Horse. Along with Stealing, I want to also check out Bad Cree and In the Upper Country. I’m not as good at Greek mythology books so I will hold on that one – though it sound adventurous hmm.
      I’m pleased to hear you’re settling back in. What a year of moves huh? It is exhausting but it’s starting to pan out here. We have more space and it’s quieter in the country. My husband commutes like 3 or 4 days a week back into the city. I hope you are liking being back in the NW & that your reading is great. Have a great February!

  11. Harvee says:

    Nice and peaceful on the farm!

  12. That photo is beautiful… so peaceful! Sorry the end of January got so crazy for you. There was definitely a lot going on! I’m looking forward to Rebecca Makkai’s new novel and have Stealing on my list, too. The other two are new to me, but both sound really good. I need to investigate. Hope your February is off to a slightly slower start.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks JoAnn. Things are calming down and we are liking it out here in the country. We will be able to tell more once winter leaves but so far we are enjoying more space and the quiet out here. It is peaceful. Hopefully spring will be glorious too – with green everywhere.
      My reading took a bit of dive when we were busy so I’m trying to get back now. I hope you are enjoying Sanibel and it is emerging back in its recovery. If you get to these before me, I’ll definitely be interested to see what you think. Cheers.

  13. Carmen says:

    Your January was filled with more than its fair share of events. I’m glad the dust is settling down and you can devote more time and energy to putting the new house together, and reading. I haven’t finished a book since January, though I’ve tried and put aside a few. I just started Victory City by Salman Rushdie, and I’m liking it so far. At the same time I’m juggling Spare by Prince Harry, which I’m also liking. Out of the novels you mentioned I would pick I Have Questions for You, and maybe the first one as well. TV-wise, I have watched Strike’s previous two seasons, so I’m definitely up for the third. The televised series is gripping; I think you would like it. The first case was probably the least engaging, maybe that’s why your husband didn’t like it. Among the albums I’d choose Pink’s; I am a fan.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Carmen, great to hear from you. Yep the dust is settling now and it’s sort of great to be in our new place. So different from the city house etc. We are still getting used to it. I’ll be curious to hear what you think of Victory City and if it’s worth picking up. Sometimes his plots seem crazy? But his satire can be spot-on. I’m glad to hear you’ve liked the CB Strike series. We likely didn’t get far enough into it to make a real assessment, so we should start again. We recently finished Jack Ryan Season 3 and will likely watch The Last of Us (HBO) series (which is filmed near where we live!) and Your Honor (final season). I think I will check out Pink’s new album too — glad you like her. I play a lot of music while I unpack boxes – it definitely helps my days. I hope all is great there. Happy February!

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