February TBR!
I had big plans to tackle loads of books on my TBR this month and ended up only reading four, not exactly a winning percentage. I’ve also added another ten books, many of them on a whim. Since I’m now committed to adding every book that catches my eye rather than only the ones I’m desperate to read, this feels like the right moment to acknowledge that not all of them will survive the TBR purge.
That said, the ten below genuinely intrigue me and I do plan to read them. I just have so many books already, and this year I’m really trying not to let my TBR spiral completely out of control.
Most of these books are ones I stumbled upon rather than intentionally searched for, unlike my previous TBR. I’m genuinely curious about most of them and plan to read them all (fingers crossed). However, it’s worth noting that there are very few romances on this list, and February is my month of all things romance, so my romance mood‑reading will definitely take priority next month. By March, I fully intend to tackle this list. I hope I don’t discover even more books between now and then, otherwise my TBR will reach an entirely unreasonable and unmanageable length.
Anyways, below are the books I did read and the ones I have left from January’s TBR.
Books I Read
Books Left
Red City by Marie Lu
In a world transformed by alchemical power, rival factions vie for control over a volatile city. When a determined protagonist becomes entangled in political intrigue and dangerous secrets, they must navigate shifting alliances to survive. A high‑stakes introduction to a world built on ambition, magic, and rebellion.
A girl on TikTok was ranting and raving about how much she LOVED this. I’m so curious!
Is this Love by C.E. Riley
Told through fragmented testimony, this novel follows the breakdown of a marriage as the narrator pieces together what happened and why. Through emotional ambiguity and shifting perspectives, the story examines control, desire, and the blurred lines between care and harm in intimate relationships.
Saw this at a book shop – it’s right up my street.
Till the Well Runs Dry by Lauren Francis-Sharma
Set in mid‑20th‑century Trinidad, this novel follows Marcia Garcia, a talented seamstress whose life becomes entangled with love, motherhood, and political upheaval. As secrets unfold and circumstances shift, Marcia navigates heartbreak, resilience, and survival in a society undergoing rapid change, shaping her family’s future against all odds.
I don’t know where I found this book but its on the list so hey ho!
Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
A contemporary literary tale exploring generational tension, hidden resentments, and the complexities of mother‑daughter relationships. When old wounds resurface, the women at the story’s centre confront dark family secrets and the pasts they’ve tried to escape. A sharp, layered narrative about identity, inheritance, and the cost of buried truths.
I always enjoy and Oyinkan Braithwaite book so I’m back again!
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
When Cleo, a young artist, impulsively marries Frank, a much older advertising executive, their union transforms both their lives and the lives of those around them. Set in New York City, the novel traces the couple’s orbit as love, ambition, addiction, and personal reinvention collide in unexpected and consequential ways.
I’m so intrigued by this!
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okafor
A speculative novella blending technology and creativity. When a writer uses advanced tools to craft her work, questions arise about authorship, originality, and control. As the boundaries between creator and creation blur, the story examines the tension between human imagination and the digital forces reshaping storytelling.
Now this I’m very very intrigued by. The prevalence of AI and its uses will always be a realistic yet dystopian exploration I will always enjoy.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
A prequel to Jane Eyre, this novel recounts the life of Antoinette Cosway, a Creole heiress in post‑emancipation Jamaica. Caught between cultures, identities, and a deteriorating marriage, she slowly descends into isolation. Rhys explores themes of colonialism, displacement, and madness through atmospheric, lyrical prose..
A girl on TikTok called this a gisty book! So I have to read it.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
A gothic, sapphic fantasy novel that weaves together the tales of three women across centuries—María (1532), Charlotte (1827), and Alice (2019)—who are transformed into vampires at the edge of adulthood. The narrative explores themes of forbidden love, immense hunger, and vengeful defiance against patriarchal control.
I liked the one V.E. Schwab book I read. This one is well received so I’m curious.
An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma
Narrated by a guardian spirit from Igbo cosmology, this novel follows Chinonso, a Nigerian poultry farmer who risks everything for love. His journey leads him across continents and into devastating betrayal. Blending myth and realism, the story explores fate, sacrifice, and the struggle for dignity.
I’m not sure where I found this but I like the premise so here we are.
The Favourites by Layne Fargo
A tense psychological drama about ambition and influence. When a young woman becomes entangled with a powerful mentor, admiration turns into entrapment. As loyalties shift and boundaries blur, the story unravels the power dynamics shaping their relationship and the dangerous consequences of misplaced trust.
Someone I trust on TikTok said its just like Daisy Jones which is all I need!
A real rag‑tag mix of books this month and a TBR that just keeps growing. I’m hoping to get through a good number of reads in February, and a couple of these titles I’m hoping to buddy‑read because I know some of my friends will absolutely love them.
So I’ll be back in my round up and next month’s TBR update to show you what I worked through and what remains on the shelf!
February Forward Look!
This feels like a great time to include that February is obviously our Month of Loooveee❤️❤️❤️. Please ignore the fact that none of the above TBR adds are traditional romances. I don’t tend to add them to my TBR I read them as I see them – my mood reads are almost always romance.
Everything this month will revolve around romance genre recommendations the romance book industry and more, I’m really excited for it as you all know it is my favourite genre!
As always, If you follow me on GoodReads, you can see these TBR Updates and what I’m reading in real time.
Thanks for reading!
Signed,
