Reading Wrap-Up: February 24 - March 2, 2025

It's kind of wild that February is the shortest month of the year and yet I finished so many books! I mean, yes some of them were pretty short, but still it feels pretty good.

Here's a look at what I finished this past week:

• Last Chance to Save the World by Beth Revis - This was an advance copy of the allegedly final book in her Chaotic Orbits novella trilogy, and it will be coming out in April. I agree with other advance readers that the ending of this book does not necessarily feel like it has to be the end of the series, and I sincerely hope that it isn't. Revis still has a lot of directions she could go with her protagonist pair made up of a government do-gooder and a criminal who sells her skills to the highest bidder.

• Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson - This is another advance copy for Anderson's middle-grade debut. If you couldn't tell from the title, it takes place during the year the United States declared independence. The story focuses on a young girl working as a maid and living in Boston amid the Revolution and the city's efforts to innoculate the population against smallpox.

• We Could Be Magic by Marissa Meyer - You guessed it, another advance copy but this time for a graphic novel! A first for Meyer! I've been a longtime fan of hers ever since Cinder first came out over a decade ago, and this book is a love letter to theme parks. Tabitha has spent her whole life loving everything to do with Sommerland - the princes and princesses, the magic, the stories, all of it - so when she gets a coveted spot as a summer cast member she could not be more excited. Only when she arrives, it's not quite what she expected. This is an adorable tale of resilience and hanging on to the things we love and that make us happy in a world where too many people yuck on other people's yums. I can't wait to add this to my school library's collection. Also LOVED the art by Joelle Murray! I'll be seeking out more of her work for sure.

• 10% Happier by Dan Harris - This has been my audiobook of choice lately during my runs as I mentioned last week. Once Harris got more into the meat and potatoes of meditation, I was much more interested, and he is a good audio narrator. Some real food for thought here that I'll be taking with me.

Currently Reading:

• Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal - Still working my way though this one, still loving this play with form.

• I'm Waiting for You and Other Stories by Bo-young Kim - This second short story is actually more like a novella and I am determined to finish it by the end of this week! Of course that still leaves two stories to go, but all in due course, am I right?