February 2026 Reading Recap
LOL. After a couple of months of perfectly timed recap posts, here I am, nearing the end of March, finally looking back at what I read in February. Falling behind was bound to happen eventually.
February was a busy month. I ended up starting a new job, which has required some reorganizing in the other areas of my life. It’s been really cool, though. Prior to this, I worked primarily from home doing freelance writing. This puts me in an office and in connection with a lot of people for 10-15 hours per week. The change in what’s required of me in terms of social energy has taken some time to acclimate to, but I find I really enjoy the work. I’m also enjoying connecting with new people.
I still managed to do some reading in February, though I think more of it was graphic novels and audiobooks than usual. Still counts!
Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.
February 2026 Reading Recap
The Lion’s Run by Sarah Pennypacker
My thoughts: I love when authors examine a familiar moment in history (World War II) and then hone in on a part of it that is less frequently explored. I learned so much from the author’s note in this book. This is an incredibly compelling story that I didn’t want to put down until I’d read the last page.
Published February 3, 2026 | My Review
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
My thoughts: I’ve heard about this book for years, and I’m so glad I finally got a chance to read it. I love the voice in this one. It’s very conversational. The framing of this as a story told to her grandparents during a road trip works really well here. I am a fan.
Published October 6, 2009 | My Review to Come
The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures #2) by Katherine Rundell
My thoughts: I enjoyed Impossible Creatures (despite the death of a favorite character), so I was excited to continue the series with this new adventure. I loved seeing more of the characters from the first book, and the new characters were amazing as well.
Published September 11, 2025 | My Review to Come
Legendborn (Legendborn #1) by Tracy Deonn
My thoughts: This series has been on my reading list for years. I love the way that Deonn uses the King Arthur legends here and connects the story to southern culture and history in the US. I’m eager to see where the series goes.
Published September 15, 2020 | My Review
City Spies: Forbidden City (City Spies #3) by James Ponti
My thoughts: I’m thoroughly hooked on this series at this point. I love how the stories rotate through the cast of characters. Each book centers a specific mystery while revealing clues to a larger story. It’s a lot of fun.
Published February 1, 2022 | My Review to Come
Queen of Faces by Petra Lord
My thoughts: I found the back cover copy of this book a little confusing, but once I got into the story, the magic system and societal issues/norms made more sense. I think it’s one of those that’s hard to describe in a few paragraphs. I thought going in that this would be a standalone, but I’m looking forward to seeing where the series heads next.
Published February 3, 2026 | My Review
I’m Still Here: Loving Myself in a World Not Made for Me (Adapted for Young Readers) by Austin Channing Brown
My thoughts: I’m not the target audience for this book, but I so appreciate its message. I think taking time to listen and think about the author’s experience as a Black student and professional is important. Some of the things she talked about were familiar ideas, but others gave me more to think about. I have a feeling I’ll return to this book again in the future.
Published April 4, 2023 | My Review
This Wretched Beauty: A Dorian Gray Remix by Elle Grenier
My thoughts: My only complaint is that I wish I’d read the original story before reading this. I suspect it would have given me a larger context for some of the scenes here. That said, I found this to be a really compelling novel and an interesting take on the original premise. A nice addition to the Remixed Classic series.
Published February 10, 2026 | My Review
Chris Makes a Friend by Alex Gino
My thoughts: I love Alex Gino’s books, so it was a given I’d read this one. Their books are always so wise. I love that the stories make space for the character to experience and work out their feelings without the author intruding to judge them. I also love the reading list the story creates, and that appears in the backmatter.
Published November 4, 2025 | My Review to Come
Table Titans Club: Sneak Attack by Scott Kurtz
My thoughts: This adorable summer camp story had me from its first pages. The tabletop references and gameplay scenes are such a great nod to DnD and other tabletop games. It’s such a fun story, especially for readers interested in summer camp stories.
Published March 10, 2026 | My Review
Serendipity by Gabbie Benda
My thoughts: This graphic novel is sneaky in the best way. It’s a quirky, fun story that explores what to do when you overcommit and how to set boundaries and expectations. It explores these topics with humor and charm, making this one entertaining, thoughtful experience.
Published February 10, 2026 | My Review
Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo by Àlàbá Ònájìn
My thoughts: I love that the author wrote a mystery set in a Nigerian town to show kids elsewhere what life is like. The mystery is well-paced, and the story’s cultural elements are accessible.
Published February 24, 2026 | My Review
Chernobyl, Life and Other Disasters by Yevgenia Nayberg
My thoughts: Fans of Eugene Yelchin will not want to miss this sharply observant, artistic memoir set in Kyiv during the Chernobyl disaster. The humor runs a little bit dark, but still totally appropriate for the audience. I highly recommend this one.
Published April 14, 2026 | My Review to Come
The Greenies by Emma Mills
My thoughts: I’ve loved novels by Emma Mills, so I was really curious to see how her writing translated to this story format. Turns out, it translates beautifully! This tale is packed with rich relationships and memorable characters. I’m eager to read more of this series.
Published March 3, 2026 | My Review
A Better World is Possible by Meera Subramanian
My thoughts: Part memoir, part informational guide, this book introduces readers to the climate crisis and the work of some remarkable young people and organizations. The hopeful tone and encouraging information about getting involved will energize more people to help.
Published March 3, 2026 | My Review
Postscript by Cory McCarthy
My thoughts: It’s been a while since I’ve read McCarthy’s writing, so I forgot how incredible it is. Omg I ate this book up in one night. The story is beautifully written. Fans of They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran will not want to miss this one.
Published February 17, 2026 | My Review
Bloodmarked (Legendborn #2) by Tracy Deonn
My thoughts: I am continuing to read the Legendborn Cycle, so this one was up next. It’s a long book, and a little slower-paced than the first. We do get a lot of background information on how the Legendborn group’s leadership operates and how racism and the allure of power have warped the institution. I still want to read the third book, so look for that in the coming monthly wraps!
Published November 8, 2022 | My Review to Come
The Dragon’s Apprentice (The Dragon’s Apprentice #1) by James Riley
My thoughts: I picked this book up at a book sale recently, and my daughter and I read it together. She really enjoyed the playful humor and the relationship between Ciara and Scorch, the dragon. She wants to continue the series, but we don’t have the second book yet.
Published April 1, 2025 | My Review to Come
What did you read in February 2026?
What books were on your February 2026 reading list? I’d love to hear about them. Have you read any of the titles I listed? Leave a comment and let me know if you enjoyed them.