My February 2026 Reading List
After kicking off the year with my January reviews, February brought an even larger stack — 11 books in total — with plenty of standout reads. Over the month, I enjoyed new voices and surprising stories that kept me turning pages and I discovered several books that will stick with me for a long time to come. Overall, my February 2026 reading list felt especially varied and rewarding.
Although the month was short, it was packed with some very good reads! If you enjoy honest book reviews and a reading list designed to inspire your own, you’re in the right place. Each month, I share every book I read — from literary fiction to nonfiction and classics — along with candid reflections, favorite quotes, and who I think will enjoy each one. In case you missed it, you can also check out my January 2026 reading list here for a look at the books that started the year.
As shared previously, here’s my rating scale so you know exactly how I evaluate each book:
⭐️ Not for me at all.
⭐️⭐️ Didn’t hate it but wouldn’t recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just OK — enjoyable enough but not especially memorable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really love it and would absolutely recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of my all time favorites — a book I’ll always remember.
Below, you’ll find all 11 books I read in February 2026, what I thought about each, and whether I’d recommend adding them to your own reading list.
The Women in Suite 11 (Lo Blacklock #2) by Ruth Ware
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was so sucked in by Lo Blacklock that I had to jump straight into the sequel, The Woman in Suite 11. Somehow, she always ends up in chaos and it completely pulled me in. This one feels a bit more psychological with lots of secrets and tension that steadily builds before everything comes together. If you like the first book, this is a solid follow-up.
How To Focus (Mindfulness Essentials #9) by Thich Nhat Hanh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How to Focus is the third book I’ve read in the Mindfulness Essentials series by Thich Nhat Hanh. Like the other books in the series, it’s a quick read and pakced with practical insights. One of my favorite teachings from How to Focus is:
“A Clear Mind: Meditation is not to avoid problems or run away from difficulties. We do not practice to escape. We practice to have enough strength to confront problems effectively. To do this, we must be calm, fresh, and solid. That is why we need to practice the art of stopping. When we learn to stop, we become calmer, and our mind becomes clearer, like clear water after the particles of mud have settled.”
This passage shows how mindfulness can help cultivate calm to face challenges.
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Before reading The Life Impossible by Matt Haig, I had read — and absolutely loved — The Midnight Library. I had hoped for a similar experience with this book, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite strike the same cord. While Haig’s writing remains thoughtful and engaging, I found the story and characters less compelling and it didn’t resonate with me in the same way. That said, The Life Impossible is filled with wild adventure and the thrill of new beginnings, which I appreciated even though I couldn’t fully connect with it. I’m a little let down because I really hoped to love this book as much as his previous work.
Conform (Conform #1) by Ariel Sullivan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I binged Conform by Ariel Sullivan, a dystopian romance that blends political tension with high emotional stakes in a world where genetics determine status and the Illum rule from the shadows.
The story follows Emeline, who has never quite fit into society and is labeled a minor defect when she is unexpectedly chosen as Mate for Collin, an Illum. In a world of beauty, power, and constant surveillance, Emeline begins to see the cracks beneath the surface. As rebellion stirs, she finds herself drawn to Hal, a resistance leader, and the love triangle unfolds amid escalating unrest and the risk of elimination.
Conform completely captivated me from the first chapter. It’s fast-paced, immersive, and emotionally charged. And that cliffhanger ending left me eagerly awaiting the rest of the series!
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I both listened to and read Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which I felt enhanced the overall enjoyment of the story for me. It was incredibly readable and easy to digest. I finished it the same day I started it.
The format was immersive and creatively executed and I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much reading it in print alone. I especially appreciated that the audiobook brought the characters and their voices to life; hearing each perspective performed made the band feel real.
That said, I found myself wishing I could actually hear the songs and concerts described throughout the book. That would have made the experience even more powerful. Overall, a compelling and highly engaging read, especially in audio form.
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is a tragic, gripping story that keeps you hooked until the very last page. If you’re looking for a novel centered on grief and loss with a shocking plot twist that ends with second chances, this one delivers. I devoured it in two days via audiobook. I truly couldn’t stop listening. For much of the story, I wasn’t sure where it was headed and I wondered if everything was spiraling toward heartbreak until the powerful final turn.
The dual past-to-present timeline served the narrative beautifully adding both depth and tension. This story is layered and so are the characters. Their emotions feel messy, complicated, and real. I could easily imagine these events unfolding in real life – shaped by unspoken conversations, lingering regrets, and deeply human choices.
So many emotions. So many moments that leave you thinking long after you finish. Wow.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion is a short but emotionally heavy read. The writing is undeniably superb — precise, intelligent, and controlled — yet I sometimes struggled to connect with it, and with her, on a deeper level.
When I saw the word “magical” in the title, I think I expected something different.. perhaps a sense of transcendence or a pathway through grief. Instead, the memoir offers a stark and unflinching account of Didion’s year following her husband’s sudden death. It chronicles her longing, disorientation, and attempts to make sense of loss in a way that feels deeply realistic and restrained.
The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Story Keeper — published in the UK and Australia as The Midnight Estate — by Kelly Rimmer is a novel that keeps you in suspense from start to finish and keeps you thinking long after the final page.
The book-within-a-book structure immediately drew me in unfolding with great depth and care. From the very beginning, there’s a sense of enchantment woven through the narrative. As someone who often reads multiple books at once, I especially appreciated the layered storytelling and meticulous attention to detail.
Rimmer keeps the tension steady while allowing the characters and their histories to unfold in meaningful ways. I found myself fully absorbed and eager to see how the stories would ultimately connect. This was a thoughtful, immersive, and unforgettable read!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me with this ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts. The expected release date of The Story Keeper is July 21, 2026. #netgalley
Sonora by Jenni L. Walsh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found Sonora by Jenni L. Walsh to be both fascinating and informative. Before reading this novel, I had never heard of the women horse divers of the 1920s or their role during the height of the American carnival era — let alone Sonora Webster Carver herself. That discovery alone made the story feel fresh and deeply compelling.
Walsh brings Sonora’s world to life in a vivid, fast-paced narrative that blends history with inspiration. At its core, this is the story of a woman who defies societal expectations while navigating personal challenges in order to chase her dreams. As she faces intense physical danger, public scrutiny, and a life-altering accident, Sonora demonstrates remarkable courage, resilience, and determination.
Ultimately, this is a powerful story of ambition and unwavering grit. It’s an engaging historical novel that highlights the bravery required to forge your own path even when the odds feel stacked against you.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing me with this ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts. #netgalley #sonora
A Terribly Nasty Business (Beatrice Steele #2) by Julia Seales
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Terribly Nasty Business by Julia Seales is a delightful sequel in the Beatric Steele series. I found this mystery highly enjoyable, with plenty of humor, witty banter, and quirky characters that kept me hooked from start to finish. I both read and listened to this book and it was a joy in both formats. The storyline is engaging, the pacing is perfect, and the twists will keep you guessing until the very end.
Having read the first book, A Most Agreeable Murder in June 2025, I was thrilled to return to Beatric Steele’s world. This installment feels like Jane Austen’s Regency-era England meets historical mystery with scandal, charm, and clever plotting throughout. Truly outstanding!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with this DRC in exchange for my honest thoughts. #ATerriblyNastyBusiness #netgalley
The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“All stories are love stories when you love stories.”
The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer is a whimsical, cozy, and nostalgically magical tale. It’s clear this story is a love story written by someone who truly loves stories! At its heart, it’s romantic and adventurous magical realism with mystery and humor laced throughout. Overall, Shaffer masterfully blends genres.
The idea of hopping into and out of books is enchanting and I couldn’t help but feel a little envious of the main character, Rainy March! I’ll admit it took me a little while to fully get into the book but I loved the concept, storytelling, and playful tone.
Though I didn’t give it five stars, I found it delightful and charming. Anyone who loves magical realism and stories about stories will be completely captivated by it.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with this DRC in exchange for my honest thoughts. The expected release date of The Book Witch is April 7, 2026. #TheBookWitch #netgalley
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