February Reading Wrap Up

I'm excited to report that I met both of the goals I set for myself last month. The first goal was to read at least one queer book, while the second goal was to read at least one non-fiction book. I started the month of February by reading Everyday I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books by Hwang Bo-reum. I chose this book because Hwang also wrote Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, which was one of my favorite books of last year. This is Hwang's first non-fiction work, and it did not disappoint. She discusses different ways she connects with books, such as annotating, selecting favorite quotes, and exploring various genres. This book served as a gentle reminder for me to journal, jotting down thoughts and feelings, and reflecting on the book I'm reading.

The next book I read was Game Changer by Rachel Reid. Last year, I read Heated Rivalry and The Long Game, becoming obsessed with the characters Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. Game Changer is the first of the Game Changer series and follows the New York Admirals captain, Scott Hunter. The novel opens with Kip Grady, feeling slightly hungover, working at a juice bar called Straw+Berry. Scott Hunter enters the establishment and orders the "Blue Moon Over Broadway," a blueberry smoothie. The two essentially connect and begin a secret romance. Although Scott and Kip are not nearly as memorable or amazing as Shane and Ilya, the story remains entertaining. I enjoyed learning about Scott and how his loneliness affects his relationship with Kip. It would be interesting to see whether Scott or Kip reappears in the other books from the Game Changer series. Ilya makes a few appearances in Game Changer, which was a wonderful surprise!

The next book I want to discuss is Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. This book has been on my TBR list for a few years, and I finally decided to read it because it falls under queer books. The story follows Luc O'Donnell, the son of two famous rock stars. His boss gives him an ultimatum: he needs to reshape his public image or risk losing his job. He agrees to be in a fake relationship with Oliver Blackwood, a prim but respectable barrister. Although the arrangement is temporary, Luc and Oliver develop genuine feelings for each other. I enjoyed the humor that Hall sprinkled throughout the book. Though I enjoyed the book, the ending seemed rushed. Hall springs a problem for the couple that was brought up suddenly and resolved quickly. Regardless, it made me want to explore the sequel, Husband Material, and Hall's other works.

The last book I read for this month was The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama. Near the community of Advance Hill is a playground with a special hippo ride. If you touch the hippo, you will witness signs of recovery. Last year, I read Aoyama's What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I found The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park less charming than its predecessor. Though the book was short, I had a difficult time connecting with the story and characters.

I'm also reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, but I was not able to finish the book in time for this post. Though I did not read as many books as I did in January, I'm happy that I read more than two books in February. My goal for March is to finish Project Hail Mary and to continue my goal of reading at least one queer book and a nonfiction book. Wish me luck!