February might be the shortest month of the year, but that makes my determination to find, read, and fall in love with the most books possible my main goal. I would say having three 5⭐️ reads would accomplish that goal. I also have fallen in love with non-fiction and am craving non-fiction books. To me, that alone is peak goal reaching. I read a total of 17 books and 1 novella. I had an average rating of 4.12 ⭐️ with 6,680 pages read.
Here are my top 5 books from February:
The House of my Mother by Shari Franke
*I do not rate memoirs*
I had never heard about 8 Passengers (even though I lived on Youtube in my teenage years) or the downfall of Ruby Franke. There is maybe a brief recollection if I think very hard about it, but otherwise, I went into Shari Franke's memoir blind and came out a different person. I personally think that children should not be on vlogging channels and their childhood put on the Internet. This here though showed that you never know what happens behind closed doors, even when someone lives in a glass house. The trauma that Shari endured, the abuse she was subjected to time and time again, and her frame of mind that there may be some good to come out of it in the end. I was horrified to hear of what Shari and her siblings experienced. Their lives documented, their actions, thoughts, and feelings manipulated to appease Ruby and Jodi's fantasies. I was appalled, broken, and hopeful for Shari. I wish to see her thrive and grow. To have a community, friends, and family that will support her rather than drag her down. I want this to be an example for so many that vlogging a child's life might not be all sunshine and roses the cameras make it out to be.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
4.5⭐️
Imagine a book where the magic is spell books. Anyone can use the spell book, but they must give some of their blood to activate the spell. The spell does not last forever and the spell book fades over time with each use. There are some people who have the ability to feel the spell books, differentiate between regular and magic. Now, imagine where to create the spell book, you have to be a scribe and what you need to give is your blood... and lots of it. This is the foundation of Ink Blood Sister Scribe. The very very very basic foundation, but this is the foundation you want to know. No, need to know, because the rest of the book will suck you in. Not only is this a unique magic system I have never read about before, but it is also a standalone. Now if those two things don't convince you to read it, maybe knowing that I got 20% into this book and then all of a sudden I was finished and my mind was altered. I craved a book that would sink its teeth into me. I have never read a book quite like this and unless I read another book by Emma Törzs, I don't think I ever will.
A Time of Blood by John Gwynne
5⭐️
Since this is a sequel, I don't want to be someone that spoils a book for you. I'll just put it this way- I finished 'A Time of Dread' and then immediately picked up 'A Time of Blood.' I finished both of these books in about 72 hours. I would have finished them sooner if I didn't have to be an adult and go to work.
A Time of Dread by John Gwynne
5⭐️
Going back to the Banished Lands was the equivalent of drinking a large glass of water after being parched for days. Nothing has or will ever taste as good. You have the same writing style that you fall in love with during 'The Faithful and the Fallen,' a smattering of references from 'TFATF,' and the joy of the character work John Gwynne is known for. If you loved 'TFATF' and have been sitting on this series, get off your butt, pick this up, and fall in love all over again.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
5⭐️
This book made me fall in love with non-fiction, crave it, buy it, and read it. This is the first non-fiction book I have read since college and the first I have read without it being part of the syllabus. 'Just Mercy' follows Bryan Stevenson and his journey into helping the wrongly convicted on death row. It takes a deep dive into the United States justice system, the corruption littered throughout, how race, poverty, and mental health can all impact the outcome of a trial and the bias seen throughout the legal system. It was raw and heartbreaking. Each of the trials are based on true stories. The determination Bryan Stevenson has to save those on death row is hindered often by the same justice system that put them in there. I shed many tears while reading and was impacted by this book in more ways than one. I truly think this is a book that everyone should read. I am not just saying this because it's a good book, which it is, but because of the topics it covers, the important issues that take place on these pages, and the reality this book gives you.
