February 2024 CalendarCAT

For what is February best known? Love! The western world celebrates St. Valentine’s Day on February 14th. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates on July 6th. According to historians, there were two St. Valentines, one of Rome and the other of Terni. In most records that exist, the two are often lumped together and it is difficult to discern one from the other. Both were executed as martyrs for their faith.



Additionally, in February, the U.S. government is closed on the third Monday of February each year for “President’s Day.” It is officially the celebration of George Washington’s Birthday, but also included are Ronald Reagan, William Henry Harrison, and Abraham Lincoln.

This month’s calendar read provides for many choices: (and of course, both fiction and non-fiction apply)
1. Read a romance
2. Read a book with the word love in the title
3. Read a book about a world leader or a famous person in history (more leaning towards the political) who celebrate their birthday in February (past or present). Some possibilities:
Queen Anne
Mary I (Bloody Mary)
Constantine the Great
Aaron Burr
Sarah Palin
Boris Yeltsin
Nell Gwynn
Charles Dickens
Charles Darwin
Charles V
Ann Lee (Mother Lee)
Edward I (Longshanks, the first Prince of Wales)
Rosa Parks
Steve Jobs
Thomas More
Kim Jong-Il
Peter III (Russia)
Mary of Burgundy (1547)
General Omar Bradley
General Santa Anna
Isabel Peron
Mary, Crown Prince of Denmark

4. It's also National Book Month-read a book! ;)

5. In the U.S. we also celebrate Black history month. Books about or written by African-Americans are an option.

What will you be reading? Any suggestions?

Don't forget the wiki: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2024_CalendarCAT#2024_CalendarCA

Planning on William J. Mann's Tinseltown, a Hollywood true crime story about a murder which took place in February.

I plan to listen to Letters of Note - Love which will cover both this and also the epistolary square of BingoDOG. If I have more time, Summer in February by Jonathan Smith might be my choice.

February is National Library Lovers Month so I'll read a library book.

I will join Jean above and read a library book and as red is the color for February, I will also read a book with a red cover.

February seems like a good time for me to finally read Beloved. The author was born in February, and my Kindle edition has a red cover for Valentine's Day.

It appears that Feb 3 is "National Missing Person's Day" (I never know what nationality these "national" days are for, but that's ok.) :-)

I'm going to use that and read either:
- The Paris Apartment / Lucy Foley
- Invisible Girl / Lisa Jewell
- Still Mine / Amy Stuart

I will hope that my library hold of Bride by Ali Hazelwood arrives.

I think I can read a "twofer"...the HistoryCat (Georgian romance) and this one! Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews

>9 Tess_W: Good idea!

I will probably read an Amish novel, since I have several to review for NetGalley and they generally involve a romantic angle.

In Canada (I don't know about other countries) Freedom to Read week is February 18-24. A banned or challenged book or even one about freedom would fit this month. I'm considering Before we were free by Julia Alvarez or banned book Lives of girls and women by Alice Munro.

I plan to read a couple of romances, most likely set in the Regency or Victorian era to also fit the month's HistoryCAT.

>12 VivienneR: Ooooh, good idea!

I think I'll read Mrs. Adams in Winter. She started her journey in February 1815, and her husband, John Quincy Adams, died in February. As a Pulitzer finalist, it will also fit the February PrizeCAT.

My first thought was to read a romance but I think the universe or at least that part of it represented by LT is gently hinting that it's time to re-read Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens - a February birthday and a Victorian author's historical fiction set in Georgian Britain.

Violets are one of the flowers associated with February, so I'm going to read Domestic Violets, which looks like a lot of fun and is something I've had on my TBR for quite a while!

February 10 marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, so I'm planning to look for a book that features a dragon, maybe Dragonsong, which has been sitting on my shelves for a long time.

>18 mathgirl40: I love Dragonsong, and Dragonsinger. I reread them once a year or so.

>6 lsh63: I have not read the book, it is on my WL, but I saw the movie and although I am anti-Oprah, it was a very good movie.

In honour of Muriel Spark's February birthday I'm planning to read The Hothouse by the East River.

I realized that my February book group read fits the CalendarCAT since February is Black History Month. I'll be reading Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts.

I ended up getting The Mars House as an ARC, so I'm looking forward to diving in

I read The Amish Matchmakers by Beth Wiseman which featured several romances.

Since it's National Library Lover's month I'll count two I'm borrowing: The Essex Serpent and Starling House.

In Canada, Freedom to Read Week is in February, which inspired this choice for the CAT.

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez

A coming of age story of 12 year-old Anita, set in the Dominican Republic in 1960 when a secret group planned the overthrow of dictator Trujillo. Taken from the author’s personal experiences and providing a good look at Dominican culture and politics of the day as seen through the eyes of Anita.

I read Tinseltown by William J. Mann; the unsolved murder at the heart of the book took place in February.

I decided to read a Georgette Heyer, The Reluctant Widow. I'm enjoying it.

I read a romance Hope for Christmas by Elizabeth Maddrey

I've read a library book with The Fur Person by May Sarton, and a love story, A Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas. That just leaves me with reading a book with a red cover later in the month.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I've read what will probably be one of several romances this month, Pairing Off by Elizabeth Harmon.

I've also read a romance, The Major's Mistake by Andrea Pickens, and will probably read a few more before February is over.

Another romance for the month, this one also involving steampunk and fairytale elements: Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen.

Reading Shot Through The Heart by Matt Cain, a romance

I finished a Library book, The Essex Serpent.

Finished Curriculum Vitae, Muriel Spark's autobiography. She was born in February.

I just finished My Sweet Folly by Laura Kinsale -- another romance for the Valentine's Day angle.

>18 mathgirl40: great tip. I had thought to read something fastelavn related (Scandinavian carnival) which happens in February, but I can’t find anything. However, I just read When women were dragons, which would fit.

Black History Month

The Man Who Lived Underground / Richard Wright
3 stars

This actually consists of a novella-length story, plus a nonfiction essay. The short story is the one of the title. It’s set in the 1940s(?) (that’s when it was originally written, anyway), and a black man, Fred, leaving work, just having been paid in cash, is “arrested” by the police and “questioned”/tortured. Initially not knowing even what they police were talking about, it turns out the neighbours of the people Fred worked for had been murdered in their home earlier in the day. Fred manages to escape and moves underground via the sewers from building to building for a few days.

The essay talked about how the author grew up with his very religious Grandmother and how some things from that experience related to this story.

Overall, I’m rating it ok. The essay got pretty philosophical, so wasn’t all that interesting to me. The story itself was better, but also a little bit odd while Fred was underground. I definitely did not see the end coming (but maybe I should have?).

Black History Month

Such a Fun Age / Kiley Reid
3.5 stars

Emira is a black 25-year old and she doesn’t have a “real” job. She is a babysitter (not a nanny) for a white couple three days/week and a typist the other two days. Briar is the toddler she looks after, mostly because Alix (Bri’s mom) doesn’t really like Bri and wants time away (though Emira is told Alix needs quiet to write her book (despite Alix taking her baby with her)).

When there is an emergency at Alix’s house one night while Emira is our with friends, Alix calls Emira in a panic asking if she can come take Bri while Alix and her husband call the police. Alix suggests Emira take Bri to the local grocery store… where another shopper decides Emira must have stolen the little white child and reports her to security. Another shopper gets the confrontation on video until it is sorted out. Emira wants nothing to do with the video and just wants to put it all behind her.

This was good. I didn’t really like any of the characters, though. (And although I don’t particularly like kids), I did love Emira’s relationship with Bri. Alix weirded me out there when she tried to befriend Emira. At the end, I liked the way the author delved into future years with how Emira was doing and what she continued on to do after the main part of the story was done.

COMPLETED Shot Through the Heart by Matt Cain (a romance)

Starting Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto for Lunar/Chinese New Year

I have also completed Escape of the Amethyst by C. E. Lucas Phillips. This fits the CalendarCat as the Amethyst is February's birthstone.

I have finished Nina Balatka which qualifies as a romance.

>43 MissWatson: I hadn't thought of that! I guess I can count it, too!

I read a historical romance, Marry Me By Midnight, just in time for Valentine's Day.

>44 cbl_tn: It does have a devoted heroine, lots of obstacles and a happy ending, so yes, a romance. :-)

I finished We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves on Sunday and just found out that her birthday is on February 7th.

I am planning on starting The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones this month for Black History Month, but I might not finish it this month, so at least I have one done!

I read Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay. The picnic takes place on Valentine's Day.

I listened to Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh which, as a historical romance, also counts for this prompt - I did not even think of that when I started it!

I'm reading two books for this challenge: Walking with the Wind by John Lewis, an autobiography of his younger years; and Little House in the Ozarks edited by Stephen W. Hines, a collection of Laura Ingalls Wilder's journalism writings for Missouri farmer's wives prior to her writing the Little House books. Laura Ingalls Wilder both was born and died approximately 90 years later in February.

Missing Persons Day

The Cold Vanish / Jon Billman
3.5 stars

When Jacob Gray disappeared in Olympic National Park in Washington state, his dad Randy would not give up looking. Luckily, Randy had the stamina and money to be able to continually look for his 22-year old son. The author, Jon Billman, was often along to help out. This book is primarily Jacob’s search story, but the author also brings in many other missing persons cases (missing in the “wild”/in nature) in the U.S. and Canada, some who were found and others not.

I don’t personally know anyone who has gone missing and not been found, but I know someone whose brother has (and my brother does know him – the one who went missing). I couldn’t help but think about him at various points while reading this. That’s beside the point of what I thought of the book, however.

Some of the stories peaked my interest more than others, but with as many as there were, it’s hard to remember them when a short time was spent on many (as opposed to the bulk of the book on Jacob’s case). The book also highlighted differences in the types of searches, for how long they last, etc, depending on where a person goes missing; much of that comes down to cost. It included stats and went into a few various “oddball” theories like Bigfoot and UFOs (Jacob’s father Randy insisted on following any and all leads, no matter how “out there”).

I have completed my read of Providence by author Max Barry. The cover's bright red color certainly reminded me of Valentine's Day and the month of February.

Yet another Valentine's Day read from me -- The Rom Con by Devon Daniels, a contemporary romance.

Missing Persons Day

The Paris Apartment / Lucy Foley
4 stars

Jess is headed to Paris to visit her half-brother Ben in his new apartment. When he isn’t there to pick her up, she makes her way to his place, but he’s not there. He knew she was coming and when and said he’d be there. What’s going on? Once she finally manages to get into the apartment, no one is around, but something feels “off”.

Wealthy Sophie and Jacques live in the penthouse; introverted 19-year old Mimi and her outgoing roommate Camille are on the 4th floor; Ben’s apartment is on the 3rd; Ben’s friend Nick lives on the 2nd floor, and alcoholic Antoine and his wife, Dominique are on the 1st floor. An older woman, the concierge, lives in a shack on the property.

POV switches between many of the different characters. The book “grabbed” me from the start. It was hard to tell who was telling the truth and who wasn’t, as well as who might be an unreliable narrator. Everyone had a secret. Had a twist at the end, as well as one about half-way through. As with Foley’s other books that I’ve read, I really liked this.

I read Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew. The word “love “ in the title. Loved it.

I listened to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, who has a February birthday.

Currently reading I Am Not Raymond Wallace by Sam Kenyon for LGBT History Month.

A Regency romance this time, though sadly an underwhelming one -- It Takes Two to Tangle by Theresa Romain.

I've finished my book club book for March Property by Valerie Martin which fits into Black History Month.

I read Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews which was a romance.

For Valentine's Day, I read Uncle John's Bathroom Reader: Book of Love a trivia book all about valentines and romance.

I have finished Emil und die drei Zwillinge by Erich Kästner, whose 125th birthday was yesterday.

For the topic of love, I listened to Letters of Note - Love.

I read the second Jane Austen's Dragons book, Longbourn: Dragon Entail for Year of the Dragon.

And another one from Erich Kästner: Der kleine Mann.

I finished Summer in February by Jonathan Smith, a wonderful book about the years before World War One that the painters Alfred Munnings, Laura Knight and others spent together in Cornwall. The title refers to a diary entry of Captain Gilbert Evans. He and Munnings's wife Florence were in love, but only allowed themselves to show their feeling for each other in the early months of 1914. On the 22nd of February, after a walk along the cliffs with Florence, Evans wrote: A summer day to be remembered. This real diary entry is featured in the novel as well..

I read a romance novel: It started with a dog. It was okay, but not great. I did enjoy all the dog antics, though!

I read another romance, It Takes Two To Tumble.

I've read Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis for a book written by a black author.

I have finished Meisternovellen by Stefan Zweig, who committed suicide on 23 February 1944, a selection of his novellas. The early ones were not entirely to my taste, far too sultry in the sensual sense, but Schachnovelle and Verwirrung der Gefühle are indeed masterpieces.

I decided to try a romance this month and read Book Lovers by Emily Henry. I heard she was a good author to try if you don't read a lot of romance, but I didn't really care for it.

I also read The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentil for Library Lovers Month.

Finished Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman -- a solid 3.5 for me, though it was quite a bit calmer than what I normally read. Full review written.

I read The Thirteenth Tale and I think it can count for February based on Missing Persons Day.

>4 majkia: woo! Perfect. I am in need of something light, so I borrowed several Patricia MacLachlan books from our public library this afternoon.

One last romance for the month, The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary. Definitely recommended if you like contemporary romance!

I finished Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey to commemorate the start of the Year of the Dragon on Feb. 10.

>19 fuzzi: I can understand why you've been rereading this book! I loved it and am looking forward to reading Dragonsinger.

>72 staci426: Emily Henry is hit or miss for me.

>77 mathgirl40: I loved Dragonsinger even more than Dragonsong, though I did read it first (out of order).

Glad you found the Harper Hall.