I’ve written – probably too much- about my 2026 book slump. January was a total DUD- I don’t think I read a single book that I rated over 3 stars. February didn’t start off much better- but I’m happy to report that I did actually read some excellent books in February – and as I’m writing this it is March and the book slump is GONE. YAY.
I read 6 books in February- 1 nonfiction and 5 fiction books.
The Widow
My Review: I read a couple John Grisham books back in the day. I was probably in high school? I don’t know why I was reading John Grisham books back then, but alas- I did. I think that I read these because my options were very slim and I read any book I could get my hands on. We didn’t have access to a public library and e-books/e-readers weren’t yet a thing, soooo… anyways.
This book was not for me. It was long and boring, to be honest. I didn’t like any of the characters and felt no redeeming qualities were presented. There was a twist at the end of the story that had me scratching my head and wondering what just happened. Lots of people seem to love this one…but not me.
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)
My Review: I’ve read most of Jess Q. Sutanto’s work, and I have loved most of them! Her stories have a comedic edge to them, and some of her books are so downright silly that they remind me of an asian version of The Three Stooges (not a bad thing!). I found Vera Wong – both the first and second books- to be delightfully funny and endearing. I think we all have some people in our lives whose characteristics are borderline annoying, but we love them because of it. This was the case with Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping. It was funny, endearing and mostly delightful how the characters come together in a found family trope. I liked the first Vera Wong book more, but this one was also great!
Similar: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Guide for Murderers
It’s A Love Story
My Review: How many romance tropes can we fit in one story? Enemies to Lovers, Shared Bedroom, Cinderella story protagonist- this book has them all! Haha. I enjoyed reading this one, although it didn’t stick much in my memory and certainly won’t be a top favorite romance read of all time.
I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen
My Review: I’ll admit that I got this one just because I loved the title! It’s SO true! This is a book about finding contentment in life, no matter what the circumstances. My only complaint with this book is that the author didn’t offer many practical tips on how to find contentment, she instead wrote many relatable essays about seeking contentment in her own life. I thought it was a great read and gave me some good reminders of not walking through life finding a million things to complain about.
Similar books that I’ve Loved: Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World
Best Offer Wins
My Review: Finally, the book that broke my reading slump! I was on hold for this one at the library for awhile, so when I popped up on my app, I picked it up as soon as possible and started reading it right away. It was the perfect domestic thriller and I couldn’t put it down! This is a story about a couple who wants to buy a house- and how far will they go to get the right house? It certainly has a dark edge to it- the main characters, as it turns out, will go pretty dang far to secure the perfect house that they want. The characters were SO unlikeable- which usually doesn’t work for me- but this was exactly what I needed to pull me out of a months long reading slump.
Fan Favorite
My Review: I haven’t watched The Bachelor in years, but I used to watch every episode and it FASCINATES me. Did anyone else read some of the bloggers or previous contestants who would recap the show and point out behind the scenes things that a regular old person would probably never notice? I absolutely loved reading that type of behind the scenes information, and now I somehow really enjoy reading books based on The Bachelor show. This book was just that- a reality dating TV show where a regular woman gets herself onto the cast, and ends up falling in actual love. What? Real love on a TV show? I guess anything is possible! I do highly recommend this one if you are fan of unconventional romance (it didn’t have any of the typical tropes) and a fan of The Bachelor! It does have one or two open door scenes.
Similar: If the Shoe Fits
Side note: Can someone invent an app or something that can “edit” the open door scenes out of our books? I know not everyone would like this option, but I sure would! Like when our mothers would color on bad words in books with black sharpies? There are so many utterly cute and creative romance stories and while I can just skip over the couple pages that aren’t for me, I wish there was an option to buy like an edited version of the store- a PG version, a radio version, if you will. Who has the power to do this for us? Anyone?
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What are you reading lately?
I had never read The Chronicles of Narnia books so I recently started the series. I have listened to the first two books so far. Otherwise I am reading Deeply Loved by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere with a friend and co-worker, a lent devotional called 40 Days of Decrease, and my husband and I just started the book Desire by Jay Stinger. I have been longing for some feel good fiction books but so far nothing is catching my eye.
Connie recently listened to an old classic: The Count of Monte Cristo. It was quite fascinating, and I have since gone and read the wiki article on it. I recently learned that PBS has produced an 8-part mini series of that title which, in the words of one of our Sebring neighbors, is “riveting.”
I think there should definitely be an option to read a G rated version of an R rated book! Good idea for an app if there isn’t already one!! Best Offer Wins sounds like a book I would like.