Show Us Your Books February 2026

February feels

January saw me reading all over the world. It makes sense- we were snowed in so I partook in some armchair travel. Reading stories set all over is my favorite thing so I’ll count this as a good reading month!

Four and Five Star Reads From January 2026

(in no particular order)

The Memoir of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller - Sven was a loner so arctic Norway suited him just fine. Eventually though people (and dogs) found their ways into his life. Sven was a great character and this book was perfect for winter reading. I‘m glad this came into my life when it did.

Eight Very Bad Nights Edited by Tod Goldberg - I love noir in the winter, and Hanukkah related noir at the beginning of the month made it extra fun. (Started in December but I’m slow.)

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett - I read this because Sybil wrote to Ann Patchett about it in The Correspondent. I liked it. Somehow it was both slow and fast all at once with good complicated characters. I was a little bit torn about the ending but I guess it all made sense.

Slow Noodles by Chantha Nguon - This book from the survivor of the Cambodian genocide will stay with me for a long time. The recipe for making noodles in a refugee camp was gut wrenching from getting black market noodles to procuring water to cook them in. Everyone should read this.

Travels With George by Nathaniel Philbrick - George Washington meets Travels With Charley meets the life and times of Nathaniel Philbrick. I enjoyed learning about all 3. I also learned a few things about Alexandria, the town where I’ve lived for 20 years or so. I thought the reflections at the end were great and hopeful. Washington, Steinbeck, and Philbrick all had similar experiences when it came to everyday people.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - My first read of 2026.

I liked this, but found it a little depressing knowing the games would still be going on when Hamitch was a grown man. Very hopeless. Well written hopelessness though.

Have a great month everyone!

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This post will be linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.