February might be the shortest month of the year, but that makes my determination to find, read, and fall in love with the most books possible my main goal. I would say having three 5⭐️ reads would accomplish that goal. I also have fallen in love with non-fiction and am craving non-fiction books. To me, that alone is peak goal reaching. I read a total of 17 books and 1 novella. I had an average rating of 4.12 ⭐️ with 6,680 pages read.

Here are my top 5 books from February:

1. The House of my Mother by Shari Franke

   *I do not rate memoirs*

I had never heard about 8 Passengers (even though I lived on Youtube in my teenage years) or the downfall of Ruby Franke. There is maybe a brief recollection if I think very hard about it, but otherwise, I went into Shari Franke's memoir blind and came out a different person. I personally think that children should not be on vlogging channels and their childhood put on the Internet. This here though showed that you never know what happens behind closed doors, even when someone lives in a glass house. The trauma that Shari endured, the abuse she was subjected to time and time again, and her frame of mind that there may be some good to come out of it in the end. I was horrified to hear of what Shari and her siblings experienced. Their lives documented, their actions, thoughts, and feelings manipulated to appease Ruby and Jodi's fantasies. I was appalled, broken, and hopeful for Shari. I wish to see her thrive and grow. To have a community, friends, and family that will support her rather than drag her down. I want this to be an example for so many that vlogging a child's life might not be all sunshine and roses the cameras make it out to be.

1. Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

4.5⭐️

Imagine a book where the magic is spell books. Anyone can use the spell book, but they must give some of their blood to activate the spell. The spell does not last forever and the spell book fades over time with each use. There are some people who have the ability to feel the spell books, differentiate between regular and magic. Now, imagine where to create the spell book, you have to be a scribe and what you need to give is your blood... and lots of it. This is the foundation of Ink Blood Sister Scribe. The very very very basic foundation, but this is the foundation you want to know. No, need to know, because the rest of the book will suck you in. Not only is this a unique magic system I have never read about before, but it is also a standalone. Now if those two things don't convince you to read it, maybe knowing that I got 20% into this book and then all of a sudden I was finished and my mind was altered. I craved a book that would sink its teeth into me. I have never read a book quite like this and unless I read another book by Emma Törzs, I don't think I ever will.

1. A Time of Blood by John Gwynne

5⭐️

Since this is a sequel, I don't want to be someone that spoils a book for you. I'll just put it this way- I finished 'A Time of Dread' and then immediately picked up 'A Time of Blood.' I finished both of these books in about 72 hours. I would have finished them sooner if I didn't have to be an adult and go to work.

1. A Time of Dread by John Gwynne

5⭐️

Going back to the Banished Lands was the equivalent of drinking a large glass of water after being parched for days. Nothing has or will ever taste as good. You have the same writing style that you fall in love with during 'The Faithful and the Fallen,' a smattering of references from 'TFATF,' and the joy of the character work John Gwynne is known for. If you loved 'TFATF' and have been sitting on this series, get off your butt, pick this up, and fall in love all over again.

1. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

5⭐️

This book made me fall in love with non-fiction, crave it, buy it, and read it. This is the first non-fiction book I have read since college and the first I have read without it being part of the syllabus. 'Just Mercy' follows Bryan Stevenson and his journey into helping the wrongly convicted on death row. It takes a deep dive into the United States justice system, the corruption littered throughout, how race, poverty, and mental health can all impact the outcome of a trial and the bias seen throughout the legal system. It was raw and heartbreaking. Each of the trials are based on true stories. The determination Bryan Stevenson has to save those on death row is hindered often by the same justice system that put them in there. I shed many tears while reading and was impacted by this book in more ways than one. I truly think this is a book that everyone should read. I am not just saying this because it's a good book, which it is, but because of the topics it covers, the important issues that take place on these pages, and the reality this book gives you.

In the last two weeks I have managed to read 10 books. Of these ten books, three of them were 5 stars and one was the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. It was so fantastic that I now want to just read non-fiction. One of my goals for 2026 was to read more non-fiction and memoirs and with three in those categories just this month, I think it’ll be possible.

Ten books, however, is a lot and I want to break it down with what I read why you should read these books.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

This was a reread but the first time I have read the new 10th Anniversary edition. I adored this series the first time I read it and rereading made me fall in love with the world and characters all over again. If you love dystopian and fantasy books mixed with a rebellion and hope that is just as likely to flourish as it is to be crushed, this is the book and the series you should be reading.

A Time of Dread and A Time of Blood by John Gwynne (5 ⭐️)

Do not be like me and finish ‘The Faithful and the Fallen’, tell yourself you will get to the next series in a world you love, and then wait over 6 months before you do. Do not do it. You will regret it. The Banished Lands are John Gwynne at his prime. Everything you loved about ‘The Faithful and the Fallen’ is once again on these pages. While you have a new cast of characters and plot, the central themes, tone, and prose that you adored is present here.

James by Percival Everett

There is a reason this book is award winning. From the prose to the narrative to the themes, every aspect of this well thought out and thought provoking. The themes of racism, slavery, ignorance, and the exploration of the perception of language made this book more intriguing than I imagined. Layered with humor and heartbreak, ‘James’ is an instant modern classic.

The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni

When I think of YA fantasy at its prime, I will forever think of this series. Up until the last page, I was rooting for these characters, wondering how the story would unfold, and be grateful for the journey I was taken on. If you want a YA fantasy series to fall in love with, this is the one for you.

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

A mesmerizing memoir that showed light on a situation we all thought we knew, but from the perspective of the hell Shari was living in, a camera still only shows so much. Though I never watched or had heard of 8 Passengers on Youtube in their prime, I was aware of the fall out and preceding arrest of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt. This memoir reaffirms my stance on why I am against family vlogging and what in this case turned into child exploitation. It was a heartbreaking and insightful memoir and one of the best I have ever read.

The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinnaman

I would like to state that I have been listening to this audiobook for about two months and only had about 3 hours left by the time February rolled around. It did not take me two months because I did not enjoy it (I really loved it), but because my fiancé and I have been listening to DCC whenever we are in the car together. That’s beside the point. The most important point here is if you haven’t read Dungeon Crawler Carl yet, what are you doing and why are you missing out on the best time of your life?

On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah-Yah Scholfield

The best way to describe this book is raw. Raw details. Raw emotions. Raw characters. Raw narrative. The writing to me was the best aspect of the story. It was lush but ominous, mixing beauty with horror in every sentence. If you want a graphic horror novel with peak writing, you have found not only an excellent debut, but the book meant for you.

And Side By Side They Wander by Molly Tanzer

In just 90 pages, you become fully immersed in the world and characters that are about to commit an art heist. It was surprising how much detail and nuance development in a short span, giving you a fully fleshed out story that makes you want even more. I would to see what Molly could do in a full fledged novel, the exploration of the characters, the philosophical undertones, and the depths of the political intrigue that was only barely touched upon. This does not come out until May, but it will be worth the quick read.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (5 ⭐️)

THIS BOOK! I rarely read non-fiction, but when it came to every aspect of this book I could not put it down. I got emotional multiple times throughout reading this, shedding tears through the last page. This was more than just a look at the injustice of the justice system in the United States, but a look at humanity, systemic racism, bias, poverty, and the violence and cruelty plaguing our justice system. It is both eye-opening and captivating, shedding light on issues that are going unchecked and repeatedly harming those who just needed a hand to help them up instead of push them down. I will be thinking about this book for a very very long time. I wish I could get everyone to read it. It inspired hope while also pointing out the tragedies that keep mercy from succeeding. Please, please read this. Whether you read non-fiction or not, it’s a book that would benefit from everyone reading.

January hit the ground running and did not slow down. I managed to read 23 books this month, wild I know, but when the month feels like a whole year, nothing is impossible. In Pennsylvania, we got 22" of snow, nearly two feet, leaving me snowed in with only my books for a week. Basically, I lived in a reader's paradise. During this week, I finished 11 books. Looking at that number, it is even more wild to me. Of the 11 books, 3 of them reached my top 5 books of the month, including my only 5 star read of the entire month. While only one of my top 5 reads was 5 stars, I HIGHLY recommend each and every single one of these books. Add them to your TBR. Put them in your shopping cart. Move them to the top of your reading list.

Now let's get to the books:

1. Hammerfall by Rob J. Hayes

4.5⭐️

Hammerfall is a standalone novella set in the same world as the Godeater Saga. I have yet to read any of the Godeater Saga but I plan on rectifying that very very soon after being consumed by this novella. You do not need to read the rest of the saga to be able to enjoy and understand what is going on, because I haven't and I not only thoroughly enjoyed and understood what was transpiring, but I love Selitha's character so much that I she has become an all time favorite FMC. Yeah. ALL TIME FAVORITE. Selitha's arc cannot be done justice through my words. I've tried and had to erase multiple times. You really just need to read it. She overcomes, endures, and breaks in these pages. She does not wish to set aside who she has become, deciding it is better to repress who she once was for a husk of who she now is. Selitha is dealing with survivor's guilt, heartbreak, and betrayal of the worst kind, betrayal to herself. The characters are the guiding light of this story, but the world and nuances did not go unnoticed. For being a standalone and a novella at that, the world was built beautifully, capturing the magic, the richness, and the intricacies without ever once feeling like you are wading through dense waters. The hints at the further lore of the world caught my attention and has me craving more from this world, these characters, and just Hayes as a writer.

1. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

4.5⭐️

Spanning decades, Pillars of the Earth follows multiple characters throughout the building of a cathedral. You are watching your faith in humanity fall apart, hoping for just a spark to guide the rest of the way. You will feel immense hatred for certain characters (maybe a lot of characters) while also being emphatic and wishing the world for others. The political intrigue that guides this story is one of my favorite parts. Seeing the behind the scenes of the political maneuvering because of the various perspectives while also not knowing the overall outcome, genius. You are witnessing the building of a cathedral, the building of a community, and also the building of a future with one central focus. Full of history and full of life, you are swept away into the rich and compelling world of the 12th century. Follett does not shy away from certain topics, so sensitive readers beware, but the use of the vile acts make us as the reader despise characters completely. You are witnessing through this book how ambition, courage, and loyalty does not necessarily always bring good and those who deserve it the most may never find it. Even though it is a 900-page tome, there is enough action, betrayal, and hope to keep you invested until the last page.

1. Bonds of Chaos by Zack Argyle

4.5⭐️

This is the final book in the Threadlight trilogy by Zack Argyle and arguably the best of the series. Without any spoilers, I just want to emphasis how great this trilogy was. It was bathed in rich details, honing in on the imagery and the depths of the characters. I had mixed emotions towards all characters as their arcs gradually began to form, but I trusted the process and Argyle completely and it payed off. The entire trilogy is fast-paced and action packed, but it does not feel crowded in the slightest. The world-building was developed thoroughly and there never seemed to be moments of info dumping. I was able to enjoy watching the growth of the characters while also knowing and accepting that the journey they go on could lead them down a path they would not return from. These characters were the highlight of the series. They navigated turmoil in a realistic manner and acted and grew from the challenges they faced. I loved the found family and relationships that they built, letting it guide them but also ensuring it would not consume them either. I cannot recommend this series highly enough! If you love epic fantasy with high stakes, intricate world-building, and a unique magic system, this is the series for you. It deserves all the love you can give it.

1. The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

4.75⭐️

I find it hard to believe that this is a debut. Why? Because this book is nearly perfect in every single aspect. Wei wants to save herself, her family, and her village from starvation and end up becoming not just a concubine to the future emperor but the future empress. The future emperor is a violent man and to save herself and everyone else, she has to create a spell, a poem that is created out of love to bring death. It is an emotionally taxing look at humanity that is layered with complex characters and motives. As you dive into the story, you realize that every character is flawed and the balance of good and evil is on the edge of a knife. You are witnessing the loss of humanity over the course of this book, the breaking of one's soul as they pushed to the edge. Please know that this book is a dark fantasy and not a romance fantasy. There are dark themes, tones, and even graphic scenes that to put it gently, are not gentle. While a lot of trauma that Wei endures is implied or only vaguely mentioned, the weight of the trauma is evident on the page and you can feel the heaviness through the tone and prose. So I emphasis, this is not a book for every reader and every mindset. Please know going into this book, it is heavy and it can be a lot, but if you are able to read it, I highly recommend it. The magic system is unique. The world itself is vivid and lush. It is a historical fantasy at its core and is done so well. It was a haunting debut, one that will stick with me for a long long time.

1. Heart the Lover by Lily King

5⭐️

It is hard to put into words and convey my feelings towards this book. If I had to summarize, it broke me. My heart is weeping. I am changed. I will not take love for granted. I will not allow others to dictate who I should be and what I will become. Literary fiction is my home when it comes to reading and this book reminds me of WHY I love literary fiction with a burning passion. This is a book about human emotions, the types of love you see along the way, and the depths love can endure. You are witnessing how love can shape the person you become, from your first love to your deepest love, and how each creates a path for you and can still find happiness intertwined with grief. This obliterated my heart, my soul. It's a story about friendship, love, grief, and regret and how these emotions will guide you to your last breath. I read this in one sitting and then proceeded to stare at a wall for 30 minutes with tears streaming down my face (imagine Timothée Chalamet at the end of Call Me By Your Name). I was changed by this book for the better. It is one I know will be a guiding force for the rest of time.

This is only the beginning of the year and I have a feeling it is about to be the best one yet. There are so many books, series, and authors I am looking to indulge in. I have a large stack of books calling my name already. The question I am most curious about, and we won't find out until the end of the year, "Which will be my favorite?"

And now I am curious, what book was your favorite in January and do you think you know what will be your favorite for the year?

I am ecstatic for you to be here! Literally squealing at the thought of not only having my own Bindery site but the fact that you weren't sick of me and decided you wanted to see even more of me.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for joining! I cannot wait (and I hope you cannot either) for all the fun we are going to have. Think book recs, book reviews, and just all things bookish coming your way. What more could you possibly ask for!

p.s. Eva says Hi!