Happy New Year?
It does not feel odd to say because it is February. It feels odd to say because it is hard to think that there is anything happy or good about what occurred last month and what has occurred in just a little over two weeks. January felt like it dragged on that when February 1 arrived, it felt more like the 7th month of the year instead of only the second month. I have felt drained and despondent over the past few weeks that it has been hard for me to enjoy life (and it sucks even more since January is my birthday month!). I had a tough time sitting down and relaxing with a book, so I am behind in my reading goals and did not get to read the number of books I planned to last month.
But brand-new month, brand new determination.
Not going to let the ongoing chaos of what this so-called government deter me from doing what I love to do. As the lovely Elizabeth Bennet once said,
βThere is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.β
We cannot allow chaos and mayhem to take over and prevent us from being creative or just enjoying the things that bring us joy. I am not saying it is going to be easy. We have a hard 4 years heading our way (both in the US and worldwide). But when has anything dealing with inclusivity and equality ever been easy? Now is the time we use our love of reading and thirst for knowledge to the test. Now is the time we let our voices be heard.
Now is the time we get back to work.
Featured Book of the Month
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray
She found the literary voices that would inspire the worldβ¦. The extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian.
Black History Month Is Everyday
New and Upcoming Books By Black Authors
Black authors need our support more than ever, so this list is to highlight fantastic reads for this month and to uplift and support books by black writers 365 days of the year. From romance to horror, book lovers will be greatly entertained for the year and onward. This is a post that should be bookmarked for the entire year.
Watch My Conversation with Sarah Raughley
Early last month, I had the honor to talk to YA author, Sarah Raughley, about her latest book, The Queenβs Spade, an exciting YA thriller that you should get your hands on for the year! You can watch the full interview at the link below or by visiting my YouTube channel.
More Related Posts for Black History Month
Blog posts not just for the month of February but for all year around, here are some related posts highlighting black literature and help you diversify your bookshelf:
Books To Look Out For in 2025
There are so many great books coming out this year that is could be hard to keep up with! So here are my highlighted picks of 2025 releases that need to be on your radar!
25 Book Debuts To Look Out For This Year
When you are try something new this year, why not try a debut novel? 2025 brings book lovers all the joyous things readers look for in their books. Here's the romance, the thrills, the chills, the laughs and the tearsβ¦all packed in with fantastic storytelling. Check out these debut highlights that need to be on your radar! β
2025 Reading Challenge
Are you looking to challenge yourself through reading this year? Then sign up for my reading challenge that is done through The Story Graph!
2025 Releases on Libro.fm
Iβve also created a Libro.fm playlist of the highlighted 2025 releases. Some of them include my favorite audiobook narrators so make sure to check them out!
Recent Book News
Books To Read This Month: February Edition
Check out this list of new releases that should definitely be on your bookshelf and leave you entertained for the whole month!
Books To Get Out of the UK & Ireland: February Edition
Are you a fan of British and Irish books like I am? Here, I list exciting new releases that are coming across the pond that I definitely feel that should be on the top of your TBR pile!
Classics That Entered The Public Domain in 2025
On January 1, a new batch of classics has entered the public domain. For those who do not know what the public domain means, copyrighted works (books, movies, music, etc.) enter the United States public domain after 95 years. This means they are freely accessible to the public.
Romance Audiobooks On Sale Until February 15
Lirbo.fm is running a sale on romance audiobooks from now until February 19th! Put a little love into your reading with these highlighted books!
Season 2 Premiere of the !
We are back at the Fake Book Club! Our Season 2 premiere just dropped and we caught up with current events and what we have recently been doing since we last met. Start listening to the Fake Book Club with this latest episode and all the past episodes from Season 1!
Recent Substack Reads:
Here are some Substack Reads that I recently that I highly recommend:
ICYMI:
Letβs Get Back To The Power of Books & Reading
At first, this post was going to be about the banning of TikTok in the United States and how, even with the ban, the book community that was created on the platform, BookTok, would always exist but just to evolve into something different. I am not on TikTok and even though the ban has been lifted, I still have no intention of signing up for the app. Notβ¦
Book Reviews




Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias - Honeysuckle and Bone is a dark and ominous YA horror that will be an exciting journey for readers who enjoy Black horror and atmospheric reads. We look forward to hearing more stories from Tobias due to this powerful debut. β
The Midnight Game by Cynthia Murphy - Murphy has done it again by creating a twisted, YA horror story that is perfect for teens who are fans of the horror genre and internet folklore and for adults who played those urban legends at parties and sleepovers (you know who you are...). Murphy brings the twists and thrills where you initially think you have it solved, but then she throws another curveball that makes you rethink (and reread) what you just read
The Only Way Out by Sarah Daniels- Such an epic conclusion to an exciting duology! After "The Stranded" shocking finale, I was itching to know what happened next. And I am happy to say I was not disappointed. Without giving too much away, this duology deals with relevant and timely themes that will connect with readers of all ages, especially teen readers. Daniels creates relatable and engaging characters that teens can identify with and will leave readers with a lasting memory.
No/One by Kyle Higgins & Brian Buccellato and illustrated by Geraldo Borges - Most likely one of the most innovative graphic novels Iβve read in a long time. You are not only getting a superhero story but also immersive experience that goes beyond the pages. If you are a fan of comics/graphic novels, you will want to read this book. If you are a fan of true crime and mystery, you will want to read this book.
What Iβve Been Reading Lately
Check out the books that currently on my reading shelf! Links are affiliate links.




Feral Vol. 2 by Tony Fleecs and illustrated by Trish Forstner
The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict
My Life as a Chameleon by Diana Anyakwo
This Is How You Fall in Love by Anika Hussain
Next Author Talks/Events!
Check out these upcoming book related events!
Diana Anyakwo
Wednesday, February 12 at 3:30 PM
Celestine Martin
Sunday, February 16 at 6 PM
Dueling Detectives: Lena Aldridge vs. Louise Lloyd
Tuesday, February 18 at 3 PM
Time travel to the 1920s and 1930s with the Dueling Detectives as they discuss Lena Aldridge from the Canary Club Mysteries by
and Louise Lloyd from the Harlem Renaissance Mysteries by in a battle of the historical mysteries.