February Reads

After hitting an all-time high last month, my reading definitely slumped this month. As with last month though, they were all pretty good! Those marked with an asterisk count towards Lauren and Lindsi's Read The Alphabet Book Challenge, where every month you read a book (or more!) starting with a letter of the alphabet. Last month I read 2 books that started with C/D. Here's what else I read in February.

Concrete Rose (The Hate U Give #0) - Angie Thomas: 4 Stars*
library e-book

I was nervous about picking this one up because I loved  the original story so much and didn't want this to ruin my impressions of it. I clearly had no reason to worry though! I enjoyed learning more about  Starr's father, Maverick, and how he grew up. HOWEVER --- I don't know if anyone else does this, but occasionally when I give a book a rating, I look at how others rated it, particularly lower ratings. One thing that I do agree with from those negative reviews is that it skips the part of life where Maverick is in/out of prison. I think that would have been a poignant section to include, but I didn't change my rating based on that exclusion because I didn't eve remember it until someone else mentioned it. 

Behind Closed Doors - B.A. Paris: 4 Stars
own, hardback

What an intense debut. The villain in this was SO unscrupulous and utterly disgusting, I had a hard time getting through this one. The past/present timelines worked in this case and I liked how the protagonist found her courage.

Dear Martin - Nic Stone: 4.5 Stars*
library e-book

What a timely and important story that I wish I had read sooner! Ms. Stone's themes include race relations, police brutality, Black Lives Matter, and also often overlooked themes like micro-aggressions and casual racism.  This is geared towards a younger audience in a way that is relatable (unfortunately) and reads quickly. I totally felt for Justyce and am looking forward to continuing with this series. 

Outlawed - Anna North: 2.5 Stars
library e-book

I really wanted to love this one, especially after all the hype around it. I'm new to Westerns (as in, I've only really read one), but I liked the idea of this one centered around a gang of women taking over the wild West. Unfortunately this one missed the mark. First of all, it's listed as a historical fiction that takes in "The Year of Our Lord, 1894," however it's incredibly historically inaccurate. Overlooking that, there are way too many characters and I couldn't keep them straight (ha)- even when it came to just the members of the Hole in the Wall Gang. Also it wrapped up too quickly in a way that didn't completely make sense. Great idea, poor execution.

Book Stats (Previous/Now) 

Total number read: 9 / 13 

Netgalley: 2/ 

Owned: 2 / 3 

Non-Fiction: 1 (no change) 

WOC: 1 / 3 Given Away: 20 (book drive- no change)

Currently reading: Interpreter of Maladies- Jhumpa Lahiri

What are you currently reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!