My TBR books have been growing quite a lot during the last few months, so I decided to tackle them this year. The only New Year goal I was sure about and set straight away, was my reading goal this year. I set myself to read 50 books, just five more than last year, which shouldn’t be an issue, at least on paper.
I have been in such a reading slump last year on and off: from a period where I was reading two books in a week, to periods where I managed to read a couple of chapters every couple of days. So yeah, let’s put that behind anyway.
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This February I am setting myself to read five books from my TBR. Hopefully, I will manage to stick to them.
As with any other bookworm, I buy books on a whim and leave them on the shelves. Something else came out and couldn’t keep my hands off it. Everyone gets the feeling, that we talk about books or any other thing you’re passionate about.
Some of these – should probably admit most- books have been sitting on my shelves for who knows how long, that sometimes I even forget I own them
A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN by Roseanne A. Brown
This book was one of the ones I bought on hype because it was all over Instagram. Fairyloot was doing a special edition, one thing leads to another and I bought it. Because yes I have no refrain with books. I am quite interested in the plot, the West African folklore and the enemies to lovers trope. So hopefully, it will be as great as it has been hyped!
For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.
But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.
When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?
SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo
I have to admit, that I have never read anything from Bardugo. Not for lack of curiosity, I simply never picked up. It’s one of those series sitting in my TBR books list for so long and never read. As well as Six of Crows, so I wanted to catch up. I have been reading raving reviews of all her works so I am quite excited about this! I got a special edition from Fairyloot and which was too good to pass.
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.
THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS by Chloe Gong
This book was featured in the November Fairyloot box. It was already on my radar, so I was quite happy to have received it. Enemies to Lovers trope anyone? It’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in Shanghai in the 1920s, the latter was a detail that interested me a lot as well as the setting.
A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.
But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.
THE ONCE AND FUTURE WITCHES by Alix E. Harrow
I received this with the November Illumicrate box. It was my first box from them and I was utterly amazed by it! I set it aside after opening the box and completely forgot about it. Though I did read the other book featured in it, so it’s a win. Anyway, a story with witches, strong women and the suffragist movement involved? Yes, please!
In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.
But when the Eastwood sisters–James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna–join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.
There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be.
THE RAVENS by Kass Morgan & Danielle Paige
I got this with December Illumicrate box and still sitting on the shelf. I read the other featured book “The Cousins” which was on the December Hot Off The Press. Then started something else – the story of my life. Anyway, from the plot it doesn’t sound exactly like my go-to. But with a sorority of witches hidden in plain sight? Gothic vibes and dark magic involved, when do I start?
Kappa Rho Nu isn’t your average sorority. Their parties are notorious. Their fundraisers are known for being Westerly College’s most elaborate affairs. But beneath the veil of Greek life and prestige, the sisters of Kappu Rho Nu share a secret: they’re a coven of witches. For Vivi Deveraux, being one of Kappa Rho Nu’s Ravens means getting a chance to redefine herself. For Scarlett Winters, a bonafide Raven and daughter of a legacy Raven, pledge this year means living up to her mother’s impossible expectations of becoming Kappa Rho Nu’s next president. Scarlett knows she’d be the perfect candidate — that is, if she didn’t have one human-sized skeleton in her closet…. When Vivi and Scarlett are paired as big and little for initiation, they find themselves sinking into the sinister world of blood oaths and betrayals.
So these are my five TBR books for February. Have you read any of them yet? Hopefully will get some reviews out in the next month. In the meantime, this review of ‘Becoming‘ and some more ‘Hot Off The Press’ for more reading!
I haven’t heard of these books before. But I hope you manage to read these books this month. I need to read more, I think it will help me relax more in the evenings. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
These covers are gorgeous! I want to read Shadow and Bone and The Once and Future Witches too, they sound really good! xx
I can’t wait to read them too and the watch Shadow and Bone in April! Hope you get to read them x
Reading is such a great goal to set for yourself for the month — it’s kinda productive but mostly just fun & a form of self care! Love the synopsis of the book “These Violent Delights” — I’ll have to check that one out for myself!
It’s such a good self-care choice! I heard all great things about “These violent delights”, hope you get to read it x
Oh wow, these books look fabulous, I like the covers! Good luck with reading these in February! I need to look out for them.
Thank you so much, Melissa! Hope you find great books to read too x
My TBR pile seems never-ending, but all of these sound like good reads! I hope you enjoy them all 🙂
I am in the same position Nikki! But I can’t say no to a good book! Thank you so much for reading and hope you get through your TBR! x
I always love seeing what people’s TBRs look like for a month. Reading 50 books in a year is a great goal. I didn’t set a specific number of books to read for the year as my focus is to read as many of the books I already own while limiting how many new books I buy. I’ve only heard of one of these books, and that would be Shadow and Bone, but they all look great. I might have to add some of these to my TBR. Good luck getting through these in February.
Believe me, Sarah, I tried so many times not to buy any new books but keep failing miserably! Hope you get to read plenty this year and go through your TBR! Thanks for reading x
I have a copy of The Once and Future Witches calling out to be read too! It sounds soooo good! I’ve heard nothing but great things about These Violent Delights and The Ravens too but I have yet to buy those, I’m not 100% sold yet so will await your reviews with eager anticipation!
I am so looking forward to The Once and Future witches after reading so many great reviews! Thank you so much for reading Hailey, hopefully, I’ll get some review up quite soon xx
These are some wonderful collection of books, Cristina. I hope you will enjoy reading them, and hit your reading target.
Thank you so much, Sara! hope you get to find a great book to read too x
I need to get a stack of different books that I want to read. I use to read so much when I was younger but recently I have gotten out of the habit of doing it. Once we are out of lockdown I’m going to head down to a book store x
Steph | http://www.stephhannam.com
I completely understand you, Steph! I couldn’t read for months on end, but as soon as you find something that sparks something for you, you will get back into it. Hope you find a good book x
Loving your beautiful photos of these five books! I sense a similarity between the stories and titles that I love, though The Once and Future Witches connects with me most. I love magic and mystique in my books. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Jaya! I did not even realise they all had some similarities to be honest. I love too a good book with magic and witches! Thanks for reading x
Hope you enjoy these books! This stack will definitely be comforting to get through with the lockdown the UK is in. Thanks for sharing x
Thank you so much, Lynn! Books have been my saviours during this time, to be honest! Thank you so much for reading x
Oooh there are some amazing books here! I’m definitely going to check these out!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Thank you so much, Amie! Hope you find some you like, thanks for reading x
I was looking for something to read in February so this post came just in time! Thanks for your recommendations.
Thank you so much, Allegra! Hope you find one you like x
These sound like amazing reads. I have never read or heard of any of these but they sound like books I’ll absolutely enjoy and their covers look so attractive. I’ll definitely be adding some of them to my to-be -read list. x!
Good list! Happy February reading and have fun.
Thank you so much, Fadima! Hope you’ll have a great reading month too x
Looks like you’ve got a great TBR here! I’ve heard nothing but great things about These Violent Delights so I hope that you enjoy!
Thank you, Hannah! I did too and can’t wait to dig in x
Such a great collection of books, Cristina ! I always look forward to your blog posts, you have such a great writing style !
Thank you so much for your kind words, Nons! I always enjoy reading your posts too xx This really brightened my day!
Good luck with the reading! Also just read the ‘ABOUT CRISTINA’ section, and it proper made me chuckle, I really love your blog!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Thank you so much, Katie! Thanks for the kind words and support everyday! I love your blog too, it’s one of my go-to as I am pretty much in the dark about anything makeup related x
You’ve featured some great books here! I hope you’re able to read them all and enjoy each one xx
Thank you so much, Della! Hope you can read plenty of books this year too x
I’ve not heard of any of these books before, but the cover art is beautiful. I hope you’re able to get them all read, I love sitting down with a good book xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
Thank you so much, Hannah!Hope you find a great book to sit and read during this chilly days x
A Song of Wraith and Ruin is on my list as well – I bought it a couple of months ago and still haven’t got around to reading it! I’ve wanted to read Once and Future Witches for a while as well because the covers are so gorgeous! I hope you can get to all of these!
I am glad I am not the only one buying and forgetting them, Lindse! The cover is incredible right? Hope you get to read it x
Honestly, I don’t know any of these books but their covers are so attractive and creative! It makes me want to read and smell the pages after every flip lol. God bless on your book reading I hope you finish every single one!
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com
Thank you so much, Monique! Is there anything better than smelling book pages? Thank you so much for reading and for your words x
Ohhh the Shadow and Bone series is good! I read it many years ago, but I remember loving it. Did they redesign their cover? It looks amazing!
For me, my February reading goals will mostly be reference books that I will need to get to in anticipation of the research essays that I will write in the weeks to come. Thanks for sharing your TBR pile with us, Cristina! 🙂
Oh, that’s great to hear! Yes, this was a special edition they did, if I am not wrong it’s because of the launch of the series on Netflix in the upcoming months. Now I am quite excited to read it!
Thank you so much for reading and good luck with your essays! We are rooting for you x
I’ve never heard of any of these books before, they aren’t my usual cup of tea but they actually sound really good! I’m trying to branch out a little on the stories I read x
Thank you so much, Kelly! I am trying too to read something different from my usual, so if you have any suggestions please send them my way x
Nice books on your reading list, they all seem like books I’ll love to read.
Thank you so much, Anita! Hope you can find something you might like x
These all seem like great reads! It’s funny because I love Harry Potter but don’t really go for fantasy books when I’m checking out new books. I will give the genre a try.
Thank you so much, Sharila! I love your books reviews! I am at the point where it gets to read all the same genre, so I’ll try to broaden my horizons this year. Thanks for resing x
Seem interesting books. I have not read any of these but seem will be fun reading them. Good luck!
Thank you so much, Fransic! Hope you find some great reads for yourself too!
I’ve had The Ten Thousand Doors of January on my TBR list for ages, and now Alix Harrow has written another book? I’ll have to put that one on the list as well – such a gorgeous cover!
I never heard of The Ten Thousand Doors! Thanks for sharing it, Lisa! I will add it to my list! Too many books so little time. thanks for reading x
All these books sound so good! I didn’t know there were monthly boxes for book lovers, so cool.
Thank you so much, Karen! Oh, yes there’s plenty of them to choose from depending on what you usually read. thanks for reading x
These sound like interesting books. They aren’t the style I would normally read but I hope you really enjoy reading them.
Thank you for reading, Kelly! x
Good luck with your reading. I’ve challenged myself to read 52 books this year so far I’m on 2 and a half. This is a great post I’ll definitely be checking some of these out and adding them to my to read pile.
Thank you so much, Lindsay! Good luck to you too! I am too at book two and for some reason, I am already in a reading slump, but finger crossed. Thanks for reading x
Oooh I really like the sound of The Violent Delights – I always like Shakespeare retellings! I really want to read Hamnet which also has ties to Shakespeare!
Tash – A Girl with a View
I am really looking forward to it! I never heard about ‘Hamnet’ but the plot absolutely intrigues me, thanks for sharing it! x
Wow you are smashing it – I’ve only read 1 book so far this year but I’m just trying to read 10 pages a day as a minimum. Some of these books sound right up my street! I can’t wait to read your reviews!
Rosie
Thank you so much, Rosie! To be honest, I am still at book two and struggling this month, but it’s all good! Hope you get to find some interesting reads this year x
I’ve never heard of any of these books but all of the sound like books I would enjoy! I also really love pretty all the covers for these are. I think I’d pick up the ravens first x
A pretty cover is one of the main reason I have full shelves! Hope you get to read it and like it! Thanks for reading x
This may sound a little dumb, but what does TBR stand for? Setting yourself a goal of 50 seems like a lot, at least from my perspective, as it’s been a long time since I read even one book cover to cover
No dumb question, I should have specified. It stands for ‘to be read’. Now that I am just at book two I am starting to think I set myself too high, but will work on that! Hope you get to find a book you enjoy reading x