Reading is one of my favorite activities. How do I find the time to read? I always have a book with me! Here are five books to read in February.
Outside by Jennifer L. Holm
Genre: Middle Grade/Dystopia
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
Format: Audiobook
Summary: This was my first read of the new year, and it is not normally a genre I prefer to read, but I did enjoy the story of Razzi and her family. Razzi is living in a compound, isolated from the outside world. She isn’t supposed to venture outside the compound and must go into lockdown when the refugee is threatened from the outside world. When her friend Ollie is killed, Razzi determines she must venture to the outside. I appreciated that this book did not have foul language/violence.
Chef’s Secret by Kelly Yang
Genre: Middle Grade/Realistic Fiction
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
Format: Hardcopy
Summary: This is the sixth novel in the Front Desk series by Kelly Yang. My fourteen-year-old and I have read the entire series about Mia, who is a middle school immigrant whose family owns a motel. This story is told from Jason’s point of view, who is Mia’s friend and now, boyfriend. Jason’s life goal is to become a Michelin-starred chef. This is a fun and easy read. At times, I felt the character’s voice wasn’t realistic for an eighth-grade boy, but it was in line with Jason. I recommend reading the entire series.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: Audiobook
Summary: Within the last few years, I discovered Marie Benedict and have truly enjoyed her historical fiction novels. The Personal Librarian is the story of Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian. Belle is an African American woman who is passing as a white woman in high society. The story tells of Belle’s relationship with J.P. Morgan and shows how her cleverness and smarts kept her in her role at the library to cultivate the Pierpont Morgan Library. The book was poetic and suspenseful, highlighting a woman who may have been overlooked in the history books. 
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Genre: Fiction
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: Paperback
Summary: Do not look at too many summaries or reviews of this book! I promise, you do not want any spoilers. This was generally just a hug-in-a-book feel-good read. Theo is an older gentleman who has found himself in the small town of Golden. He visits the small-town coffee shop, the Chalice, and falls in love with the portraits framed and hung on the wall. He decides to connect the people in the pencil portraits with their owners, and the reader gets to go along for the journey and meet the wonderful people of Golden.
107 Days by Kamala Harris
Genre: Political Memoir
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: Audiobook
Summary: I wouldn’t have picked this book up to read, since I try to steer clear of politics in my leisure time, but I read it as part of the Sharon McMahon Book Club and enjoyed it. The book tells Kamala’s perspective over the 107 days between learning that Joe Biden would not be running for re-election and the 2024 Presidential Election. I like seeing “behind the scenes” points of view in worlds I’m not part of, and I often contemplated the quote, “the vice-President is not a co-president,” while reading.
Looking for all these great books in one place? Check out Military Mom Collective’s Amazon Storefront. (Full disclosure: if you purchase, we receive a very small commission.)
