A new month means a new pile of books. Here’s what I’m hoping to read in the next 28 (oh, no – 29!) days. If you want to check out my January 2023 reviews, you can do so, here.
Children’s Books
Starting my children’s book choices for February is The Fight That Made Us by Sarah Haggar Holt, a story about LGBTQ+ rights, both today and in the 1980s. Usborne Books publishes excellent issue-driven stories for young adults and I can’t wait to check this out.
Rather lighter in tone is Shadowhall Academy: The Whispering Walls by Phil Hicks. A spooky adventure story that looks to channel the best tradition of school mystery tales.
My most anticipated children’s book of the month is The Black Hole Cinema Club by Christopher Edge. Edge writes accessible physics and reality-bending fiction that explores big concepts. Last year I very much enjoyed Escape Room. Can’t wait to check this one out!
I’m convinced already, but I recently picked up Katherine Rundell’s (author of Impossible Creatures) Why You Should Read Children’s Book, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise. You won’t get many complaints from GeekDad writers about this statement (especially as a few of us, are quite old and wise now), but I can’t wait to read this short essay.
Science Fiction Fantasy
Waterstones, the UK’s largest brick-and-mortar bookseller has had fiction, children’s, and crime/thriller books of the month for a number of years. I was excited in January to see they have added a fantasy book of the month to this list. I thought it might be a fun to read each month’s choice. Being contrary in nature, and always behind on my reading, I’m going to read January’s pick, Godkiller by Hannah Kaner in February.
Godkiller originally attracted my attention because of its striking cover, but I am intrigued by its premise too. A world where gods are not only manifest but also hunted to extinction. I can’t wait to see how the inaugural fantasy book of the month choice reads.
The Dragons of Deepwood Fen by Bradley P. Beaulieu is a doorstop-size fantasy tome, featuring dragons – What’s not to love? This is a brand-new series of books that promises, political intrigue, magic, and according to SF Book Review, it’s akin to a modern David Eddings. Growing up, I loved Eddings, so I’m intrigued to see if they are anything alike.
Following on from The Forcing is Paul E Hardristy’s The Descent. This promises more travails after the climate apocalypse. The Forcing was a thoughtful novel; depressing, yet hopeful. It didn’t necessarily need a sequel but I’m looking forward to seeing where things go next.
I haven’t been quite so impressed with Cory Doctorow’s output in recent months, so if any book slips off my February list it’s The Bezzle. It follows Marty Hench, the forensic accountant from Red Team Blues, this time during the 2008 financial crash. We can expect some hi-tech money movement shenanigans in what I hope marks a return to form.
The Elephant in the Room
My books group’s choice for March is Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead. This reworking of David Copperfield has been feted in just about every literary review and it even won the Pulitzer. I’ve very much been looking forward to it, but it’s a daunting size. Kingsolver’s books are usually deeply immersive but require a commitment to read. Of everything in my February pile, this is the book that’s going to delay all the others from being read.
So there it is, a not-inconsiderable pile, for the year’s shortest month. I’ll let you know how I get on at the beginning of March
Click through to read all of “February 2024 Book Preview” at GeekDad.If you value content from GeekDad, please support us via Patreon or use this link to shop at Amazon. Thanks!
