7 Books I Read in February That Should Be Your TBR

February was a decent reading month.

I read 7 books in February, and I enjoyed them all. I’m a major advocate for reading fiction, but February was a heavy non-fiction month for me. 71% of my reads were nonfiction, and none of them disappointed me.

There were a few reads that I struggled with that almost pushed me toward a reading slump. I had to take my own advice and remember that I don’t have to finish a book.

Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho

This was the Belletrist book for February. This is a short story collection, but I didn’t know that going into this. Because when I was listening to the audiobook I would have moments of like “wait when did this get set up?!?” Other than the time hoping I enjoyed the perspective changes.

I thought this was a well done intersectional coming-of-age story.

If you like Now And Then (the movie), you’ll like this. Also, if you like short story collections, Saph lit, or want to read more BIPOC authors, add this to your list.

Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

This was like the productivity cookbook workbook I always needed. So many productivity books are unrealistic. This is realistic, this is practical, it’s moldable to your life. The authors worked in tech. You can interchange what works for you on any given day. I also love that the book is about prioritizing or arranging your time for what works for you. This book has been a game-changer for me since I read it.

“A structured day creates freedom. When you don’t have a plan, you have to decide constantly what to do next, and you might get distracted thinking about all the things you should or could do…instead of thinking about what to do next, you’re free to focus on how you do it.”

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson

I have seen this book around for years, and I’ve always avoided reading it…I wish I hadn’t! This was a life-changer for me. There were so many moments that blew my mind, and by the end I was in tears ugly crying. The writing was relatable, it was honest, it resonated. I know it’s a useless feeling, but I regret not reading this earlier in life.

“Instead of looking to be right all the time, we should be looking for how we’re wrong all the time. Because we are. Being wrong opens us up to the possibility of change. Being wrong brings the opportunity for growth.”

The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh

I read this when I was feeling very inadequate as a leader. There were moments I felt embarrassed by my own audacity to learn from this man since I have so far to go as a leader. I enjoyed this book. It could have been shorter because it was repetitive at points. Also, it was so heavy on the football that I skipped over those parts since I’m not a 49ers fan, or know that much about that era. There were neanderthal moments of advice and that would only work for a man in football.

This is a great leadership book that everyone should read. Especially leaders trying to build a legacy that lives on after they leave.

Cultish by Amanda Montell

I didn’t understand why a linguist would care about cults. But between her father and the role language plays in cults…I see why!

I am fascinated by cults, I loved this book. The section on religious cults was boring, I would have loved more around Scientology. The first part on deadly cults was surprising because so much of what I thought I knew was incorrect.

Montell has the yummiest use of language that I adored, and she uses vocabulary in a way that I admire and aspire to.

Purple Cow by Seth Godin

This is one of those marketing books that’s been around for a while that I’ve always meant to read. There’s a copy sitting in my bedroom back home in DC.

It’s wild to read a marketing book written in 2002. This was good, repetitive, but good. Insightful, and gave me a lot of good questions to think over as a marketer.

I don’t read a lot of industry, marketing books, this inspired me to add more to my TBR.

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

Around page 59 I had an inkling of where the plot was going.

Then the author went out of her way to throw so many red herrings and false leads that I started to doubt my gut feeling.

In the end, this book was fine, it did way too much. I could not understand how someone so educated could make so many dumb decisions, but here we are.

This is a good little thriller, but it’s not life-changing.

If you like anything Lisa Jewell writes, The Night Swim, The Silent Patient, The Cousins, and All The Missing Girls, you’ll enjoy this book.