I slacked in March and now I’m two books behind in my 50 Books in 2025 Challenge. Yikes! Let’s join with Fairyburger, for “My Month Is Booked,” reviewing what I enjoyed (or didn’t) in the month of February.
Wandering Stars – Tommy Orange
I wish I had been in a better headspace when reading Wandering Stars, but that just means I’ll need to pick it up again in the future. Tommy Orange shares the story of generations of an interconnected family from the Sand Creek massacre of 1864 through present day. It covers tales of death, illness, imprisonment, addiction, sadness, trauma and so much more. Orange is able to flesh out the hardships of his characters in different voices, giving each one the space to share from their perspective. Well crafted and beautifully written. 4/5 stars.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampires – Grady Hendrix (February Book Club Pick)
This marks my second reading of the book, and I was even more outraged this time than the first. Grady Hendrix tells the story of an average woman, struggling to find herself in the chaos of being a wife, mom, and homemaker. The book centers around a group of friends who come together over reading true crime and find themselves battling an actual vampire (not really a spoiler… it’s in the title). But what simmers underneath is so much more sinister. Hendrix perfectly captures the microaggresions (and regular aggressions) of racism and patriarchy, and how the endless gaslighting and invalidation chips away at one’s sense of self. Considering I did buy the book for the cover, it was a welcome surprise and a must read. 5/5 stars.
On My TBR Shelf
Currently, on my shelf
- The Women, Kristin Hannah (March Book Club Pick)
- The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride
- a blind date with a book that I haven’t unwrapped yet!
I need to get things moving again! What’s next for you?
Did you read There, There? It provides a lot of context for Wandering Stars. I hope these books are added to curriculums for high school students!
No, and I think I should have! It probably would have helped!
And they won’t be added here. This state is yanking books out of the libraries and school curricula so fast your head would spin. Heaven forbid we have the opportunity to read anything from differing perspectives or about uncomfortable topics.
I have the Tommy Orange books on my wishlist so good to hear your opinion. I posted on Saturday about my upcoming books for the month: I’ve read a lot of ebooks in February so want to get on with my print shelves!
I have zero ebooks! I just can’t get into them!
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires was on my TBR already but I’ll be moving it up so I can read it sooner based on your review! :]
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on The Women! That was my first Kristen Hannah book and I’ve been trying to read all her others ever since, hehe.
I’ve always loved the idea of the “blind date with a book”—looking forward to seeing what that book is too!
It’s so good!
I started reading The Nightingale years ago, but I wasn’t in the headspace for it. I hope The Women hooks me quickly!
I like most of Grady Hendrix’s books except My Best Friend’s Exorcism. His latest was good, too but I different kind of horror (basically reality).
Your TBR for March is appealing. I can t get myself to read The Women for some reason even though it sounds interesting.
I’m finishing Heaven & Earth Grocery Store and then the Women will get cracked open. I’m excited to try.
Good to know about My Best Friend’s Exorcism. My friend is reading How To Sell A Haunted House. I didn’t realize he had so many.