My Favorite Books of February

A wife locked away in a safe room, a fortune-making family secret and a practical look at racism. My favorite books of February were diverse in subject.

I read 10 books in February. Of those, I gave three — one nonfiction and two fiction — perfect grades. My reviews are below.

Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man

Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho was the nonfiction book I gave a perfect grade in February.

I read Acho’s book for my Social Justice Book Club. Everyone in the club loved the book and, about halfway through, we all seemed to have an idea of who we would pass it along to. I’ve already lent the book to a friend. I hope he gets as much from it as I did.

Acho’s book is practical. He says we have to know we have a problem with racism so we can fix it. Acho then identifies a series of common racists thoughts or ideas, unpacks the history of them, tells the reader what’s acceptable today, then provides simple action items at the end of each chapter to help allies take next steps.

Acho’s book is not intimidating for people who just want to learn and get it right. But, if you read it, you need to get ready to be called out on some long-standing bull. The book may be uncomfortable for some, for sure.

The Wife Upstairs

Jane found a gig that would make ends meet and get her plenty of exercise. She walks dogs in an up-scale neighborhood in Birmingham. And, yes, she takes a few little trinkets from the owners of the dogs she walks — an earring here or a scarf there — but they have so much that they don’t even notice. In fact, they don’t notice much about her at all. Well, except for Eddie Rochester.

Eddie, who is gorgeous and recently widowed, takes special notice of Jane. Before she knows it, they are living together in his McMansion.

But Jane begins to have a lot of questions about the death of Eddie’s late wife, Bea, who is said to have drowned in a boating accident with her best friend. Something is off about the deaths and the neighbors all seem to know it.

In the end, Jane begins wondering who is lying to whom more — her or Eddie.

The Last Anniversary

Imagine Sophie Honeywell’s surprise when her ex-boyfriend, Thomas Gordon, tells her that she has inherited his Aunt Connie’s house on the beautiful Scribbly Gum Island.

Sophie feels guilty. She barely knew Aunt Connie, only having met her a few times. She wonders if she was too complimentary of the house and the island, both of which really are quite beautiful. And, of course, like everyone else, she is obsessed with the unsolved Munro Baby mystery, which is the family’s claim to fame and the reason tourists flock to the island.

Sophie doesn’t plan to accept the house at first, but Thomas and his family convince her that it was Aunt Connie’s choice and last wish. Aunt Connie even left a letter, which told Sophie she wanted her to have the house and that she would meet her soulmate on the island. How can you argue with that?

Sophie moves to the island and is living her best life, along with the cast of family characters who live there. Sophie wonders which of the island’s inhabitants or visitors Aunt Connie had picked out for her as the truth about the family and all of their secrets becomes clearer.

Happy Reading!

There they are, my favorite books of February. It’s a diverse grouping, so I hope you find something on the list to read an love. As always, happy reading!