The last day of the shortest month of the year is upon us, and that can only mean one thing, it’s wrap up time!
I read 9 books this month, down one on last month, but I’m happy with that number – I was aiming for 10 but February robbed me of 4 days, so really, I’m reading right on schedule! However, I’m still behind with reviews, but it’s likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future because not only am I the Keeper of Pages, I am also the Queen of Procrastination! Enough rambling, let’s take a look at what I’ve read this month…
The Good:
The standout reads of the month were:
Deep Down Dead by Steph Broadribb, an absolutely amazing, fast-paced, action thriller that set my heart pumping and my adrenaline racing! You can read my review of this smashing debut here.
Kill the Father by Sandrone Dazieri, an international bestseller for fans of mystery and thriller books. Set in Rome, with a complex plot designed to pull you in – reviewed here.
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, in equal measures, it’s dark, moody, tragic, hauntingly beautiful and based on a true story – reviewed here.
Also read, reviewed and recommended this month was Death in Profile by Guy Fraser-Sampson.
On the blog next month will be reviews for these four books I read this month:
The Bad:
Okay, so I still haven’t renamed this section of the wrap up. Each month I hope no book will feature here so I don’t need to change the name but alas, there is one.
Trust No One by Paul Cleave was just not my cup of tea at all.
Bookish Bingo:
I haven’t mentioned Bookish Bingo since my mid-point update so what better time than now, especially because the end of February concludes the winter edition of Bookish Bingo. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the final standings. The purple dabbed squares are the books read since the mid-point update.
Set Abroad: The Hummingbird – Kati Hiekkapelto (country: Finland)
Own Voices: Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
2017 Debut: Dare to Remember – Susanna Beard
Romance: The Ballroom – Anna Hope
Goodreads Choice Nominee: The Couple Next Door – Shari Lapena
Not YA: Deep Down Dead – Steph Broadribb
White Cover: Trust No One – Paul Cleave
Free: as the best things in life generally are.
Dec, Jan, Feb Release: The Girl Before – J. P. Delaney (January release)
Crime: Witness – Caroline Mitchell
Survival: The River at Night – Erica Ferencik
Blue Cover: The Mine – Antti Tuomainen
Twitter Poll: Burial Rites – Hannah Kent
Nature on Cover: I’m Travelling Alone – Samuel Bjork
Cover Buy: Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Everyone take a deep breath and shout BINGO! I would like to have completed more squares because I like to over-achieve in life but I can’t complain, I did alright. Bookish Bingo is created by PrettyDeadlyReviews, it’s a fantastic idea and I’ve enjoyed taking part.
The New:
In case you missed it, this section has grown up and now has a blog post all to itself, which is posted on the second from last day of each month. But for your convenience, February’s book haul can be found here.
And that concludes February’s wrap up.
How many books did you read this month, any 5 star reads?
What were your bookish highlights of the month?
Keeper of Pages 
I quite enjoyed Death in Profile, too, when I read it. Looks like you’re read some good-ens this month! I look forward to your review of the Roanoke Girls. My Feb wrap-up is going up later in the day 🙂
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I’ll be sure to check it out!
I’m reading book 2, Miss Christie Regrets, next month so I’m hoping it’s got a similar laid back/old-school vibe to it
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I didn’t realise there was a book 2, I’ll have to check it out!
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It’s not long come out, I think it published in January, don’t quote me on that though
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I read 10 books, which I’m proud of, but I really wanted to read more! 😩
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But remember February robbed us of 3/4 days so if this was any other month, we’d have likely finished another book 😂
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Reading 9 books and still not happy tsk tsk ;-). I really want to read your reviews for those first three books like now and see what you think.. ;-). I really enjoyed Cursed anyway. Last but not least, congrats with your BINGO!
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I know right, there’s no pleasing some people 🙄😂
They’re the first 3 reviews of March, The Roanoke Girls is going up tomorrow, and the others have been written. Towards the end of the month, I always run out of days to post haha. And thanks, if my review commitments weren’t so much, I’d take part again and get more bingos! 😂
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Oh great, I’ve heard so much about that book and you’re going to tell me if it’s special or not :-). Wow you’ve really got everything under control!
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I try haha, I have to stay ahead because I’ve got two 3000 words essays coming up, and I need to ensure I still have content post haha!
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I love wrap up posts! You rock! Mine is publishing today too!
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Hmm I may not read it, only joking, but seriously, I’m over here reading 9 books a month and I’ll get to your post and see you read 28 books 😂
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You know I am a slave to my TBR pile 😂😂
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Some great reads in there Janel, pity those reviews keep getting in the way eh? If you enjouyed Death in Profile, never fear Miss Christie Regrets is written in the same vein. For once that was one I’ve actually read and reviewed.
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Haha good to know, hoping to get to Miss C Regrets in a few books time. This month I’m going to work hard on review copies to get them to a manageable amount. I’m so thankful for the review copies I get but I didn’t realise before I started blogging how difficult it would be to manage. If by April, I’m not reading more of my own books, I’m going to stop accepting review copies for a little while. I buy so many new books, at this rate, they’ll be old and gathering dust before I get to read them!
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A common problem, I think we’re all in the same boat. I rarely get books in the post, but there is always the temptation of NetGalley. I’ve put a hold on accepting requests now. My hope this year was to read one of my own books each month – so far a big fat zero!
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How do you not let it stress you out!? I need to work on being calmer about things!
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I used to get stressed in the beginning. Now I just say, it’s not a job, I’m doing this for nothing and a late review is better than no review. My intention is to get all my review books read so my conscience is clear on that score. I aim to read all the personal request books to my agreed time and just do my best. Life gets in the way sometimes and tbh in the scheme of things, far bigger things in life to stress about (like Spanish homework – hahaha). I also know I’m responsible for creating the situation so changes need to be made going forward which is a positive stance. I’ve got a diary for all reviews so going forward I’m only allowing 1 per week. Of course the best laid plans … Just remember it’s supposed to be fun xx
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You’re right, thanks Jill ❤️
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I’m going to be reading Everything but the Truth soon too – I’m very much looking forward to it.
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