For a month that was supposed to be short but felt incredibly long, I did read 31 books, 14 on audio. Cozy mysteries came in the lead for the top genre, followed by middle grade fantasy. For a post highlighting the picture books I read in February, click here. I’ve included a list of all the books I read in February at the end of this post. 

Trailbreaker by Ruthie Knox, Annie Mare

I read book one (Homemaker) last summer and adored it, so I was delighted when I had the chance to read and review book two. Go ahead and sign me up for book three – I am 100% in! If you enjoyed the Finlay Donovan mystery series, I’d suggest this series. It’s a totally different story and characters (not as zany), but similar vibes and oh so much fun. See my full review here. 

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury

“A spooky yet heartwarming adventure about one girl’s journey into the land of the undead, and the unexpected family she finds along the way.” A middle grade fantasy adventure with so much heart and found family themes. Would be perfect to read in fall, and in fact, I’m saving book two for October!

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Series (Volumes 1-3 so far) by Beth Brower

I kept hearing about these little books on podcasts and on the internet so when I found them on Hoopla as audiobooks I jumped in. I listened to 3 of the 8 in one month and absolutely adored them. They are just delightful and dare I say I love each one more than the last, with volume 3 being my favorite so far. Character driven historical fiction in diary form. 

“The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.”

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

This was a re-read for me and I can’t believe I read such a hard book in 6th grade (which was a long time ago). This was just as powerful as I remember. It’s beautifully written with so much heart and so much pain. I do love the Logan family and especially Cassie. 

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This was a re-read for me. My copy had an inscription from my mom “Happy Birthday, Sarah! 1988” Definitely dated in language, but I enjoyed the re-read. Especially well done on audio. 

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

Exactly what I wanted — a page turning mystery that had me holding my breath and suspecting everyone I encountered. Entertaining. “St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.” 

The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder

A fascinating glimpse into the life of Wilder, her beliefs and her writing process. The collaborative nature between her daughter Rose and Laura herself shaped that famous series.

All the books I read in February 2026:

• MSW: The Maine Mutiny Jessica Fletcher
• The Botanist’s Assistant Peggy Townsend
• The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science Kate McKinnon
• Definitely Maybe Not a Detective Sarah Fox
• Cranky Makes a Friend Phúc Trần
• May Contain Murder Orlando Murrin
• Matchmaking Can Be Murder Amanda Flower
• Trick OR Treat Murder Leslie Meier
• MSW: Margaritas and Murder Jessica Fletcher
• Impossible Creatures Katherine Rundell
• Alice with a Why Anna James
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 Beth Brower
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 Beth Brower
• The Case of the Murdered Muckraker Rob Osler
• Devil’s Gambit Jeri Westerson
• A Tour To Die For Michelle Chouinard
• How to Be a Saint Kate Sidley
• Dinky the Tinysaur Maggie Edkins Willis
• Elvis & Romeo David Soman
• I Am Ingrid “Aria Mia Loberti,  
• Vivienne To”
• Books & Bewitchment Isla Jewell
• Trailbreaker Ruthie Knox, Annie Mare
• The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night Steven Banbury
• Emma M Lion Vol 3 Beth Brower
• Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry Mildred D. Taylor
• Little House in the Big Woods Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Storm Rachel Hawkins
• The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Strictly No Elephants Lisa Mantchev
• A Family for Louie Alexandra Thompson
• Love Finds A Way Vern Kousky