Everything that needs to be on your reading list this February
As we head into the second month of the year, it's a great time to check in on your reading challenge. Racing through paperbacks like nobody's business? Or barely scratching the surface of that TBR? Whatever your book situation so far this year, there's a great new selection of novels out this February to fill your Goodreads with or get you out of a reading rut. From a number of intriguing and impressive debuts, to the perfect romcoms for Valentine's Day, to a selection of a hauntingly good gothic novels and thrillers, your reading challenge won't know what's hit it.
Bibliophobia: A Memoir by Sarah Chihaya
Bibliophobia is a seriously sharp and nuanced look at the impact books can have on us as readers, and our identities. Chihaya weaves literary analysis, and her love and fear of novels with an exploration of her mental health and family history, to create a truly unique read. If you read one non-fiction book this month, make it this.
Published on 4 February
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Just in time for Valentine’s Day Ali Hazelwood is back with another steamy addition for our bookshelves. In Deep End we meet Scarlett Vandermeer, a college student and platform diver, who is intent on keeping her head down and getting into medical school. Lukas Blomqvist then enters her life. He’s a swimming captain and while it appears they have nothing in common, a secret gets out and brings them together for a fling that could change everything.
Published on 4 February
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
The author of Black Cake returns with a story full of complicated family history. Twenty years ago the Freemans were the only African American family living in a coastal enclave in Connecticut. Their home is robbed and in the tragic incident they lose a precious family heirloom. In the present day Ebby Freeman runs into her ex-fiancé in France and his new girlfriend. The chance encounter prompts Ebby to reflect on her life and what her family lost that day 20 years ago.
Published on 6 February
This Immaculate Body by Emma Van Straaten
Want a novel that sends shivers down your spine? Get a copy of This Immaculate Body then. Alice has been cleaning Tom’s flat for a year, and is convinced they are in love. Except, of course she’s never actually met him, and so when the chance to come face to face emerges, Alice will discover their relationship isn’t quite what she expected. A fascinating portrait of love, obsession and desire.
Published on 6 February
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
Hungerstone is a reworking of Carmilla, the novel that inspired Dracula. Lenore and her husband Henry travel to the Peak District to reinvent their lives after 10 years of marriage. There, they’ll restore a crumbling house and host extravagant hunts. On their journey, Lenore meets Carmilla, an intriguing woman who comes alive at night. Carmilla awakens something within Lenore, and as the big hunt approaches, Lenore discovers something dark within her home. A true feast for all the senses.
Published on 6 February
Life Number Nine by Joe Heap
Jem and Mika have supposedly never met, and yet their lives have intertwined multiple times over through different lifetimes. When they meet by chance they have a feeling they know each other but from a shared dream. They’re resistant to start something but as we soon discover theirs is love that travels through various eras and continents.
Published on 13 February
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
From the author of Weyward comes a new novel all about women and their connection to the sea. Lucy is desperate to find her sister Jess in the hope of running away from what she’s done, but when she turns up to Jess’ cliff side town, Jess is nowhere to be found. Instead there are stories of men disappearing and women’s voices being heard on the sea. As Lucy searches for her sister those voices get louder and connect Lucy to a tale from centuries ago.
Published on 13 February
The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator
Enemies to lovers fans this one’s for you. Grace is in a career rut, stuck working for a dating app she doesn’t believe in. However, things appear to be looking up when the CEO offers her a chance to work on a new app that Grace has faith in. The only catch? She has to ‘test drive’ a series of first dates with her mortal enemy and colleague Eric Bancroft. Oh? And Eric is also up for the job. Cue plenty of tension and fake dates that may just turn into something more.
Published on 13 February
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
Nadia gets a fresh start at her life when she accepts a job working for the UN in Iraq attempting to rehabilitate ISIS women. Not an easy task, especially one that is mired in bureaucratic nonsense and made more complicated when she becomes attached to one of the ISIS brides. The novel is in part a hilarious fun novel about work place dynamics, friendships, and family. Then you remember the setting and the reality of the situation hits home, and the novel brings home important discussions on religion, faith and belonging.
Published on 25 February
Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam
Another enemies to lovers romance? We are being fed this February. Bad Publicity follows Andie who secures her dream job as a senior book publicist, only to discover her first author to look after is her ex Jack Carlson who she hasn’t spoken to in five years. A month-long book tour together across Europe, can only mean one thing right?
Published on 27 February
Before We Hit the Ground by Selali Fiamanya
Selali Fiamanya’s debut novel is set across Ghana and Scotland and follows the life of Elom as he searches for. He doesn’t understand love and is trying to know himself in a world that is constantly changing. With a well-meaning family, a self-assured partner and good friends, can Elom find himself and be understood by those around him?
Published on 27 February
One Came Back by Rose McDonagh
On New Year's Eve, Emily sees Nicky. Except it's impossible as Nicky died 20 years ago on a remote road in the highlands. Didn’t he? Emily then comes to be acquainted with the mysterious man again, who seems to know a lot about Nicky. Is Emily being haunted? Or is this just all a big coincidence? Get ready for a gothic novel with a big thriller twist.
Published on 27 February
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