Happy Tuesday! It’s almost the end of the month, so I am sharing the books I read this month and what I am currently reading. I am linking up with Joanne and Dara for Share Your Shelf so be sure to check out that post on the first Thursday of the month for other great bookish posts.

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman ☀️☀️☀️☀️

I picked this book because I am trying to read at least one book from my physical bookshelf each month. Jeff gave this to me for Jolabokaflod in 2022 and I still hadn’t read it. This was a tough book for me. It was well written and I could relate to the main character Ash, but the topic was HARD! The cover flaps warn you that you will laugh and cry, and I sure did. Ash’s best friend, Evi, has cancer and is dying. When Ash and Evi’s husband cannot find an opening at a hospice center in NYC near Evi’s home, they decide to take her to the “Shapely” near Ash’s home in Massachusetts. The two friends recount many memories and discuss what will happen after Evi dies, but mostly they talk like best friends do every day. Ash is recently separated and trying to figure out her next steps while supporting Evi in every way possible. I did cry a little pretty consistently for the last 50 pages. Catherine Newman wrote this story with compassion and humor.

The Star Society by Gabrielle Saab ☀️☀️☀️☀️1/2

I picked this book from my kindle when I saw that it was based loosely on Audrey Hepburn’s life. I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan. I love her movies and her activism. I was familiar with her life during World War Two in the Netherlands, too. This book is set in the mid to late 40s in Hollywood when the US government was looking for Communists in the entertainment industry and during the Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. Twin sisters, Alieda and Ingrid, are separated when Ingird comes to America with her husband. Though they try to communicate, both are uncertain about their sister’s fate. When Ingrid, an investigator, has a chance to investigate star Ada Worthington-Fox she fights to make sure she is assigned. She recognizes Ada because she is Aleida. Aleida organizes the Star Society, a series of wonderful parties for Hollywood stars, agents, directors, etc., and it is suspected that it is a Communist front. Whoa, the twists and turns in this story keep coming at you with people from their past popping up. I thought it was a good book and had I read it at any other time, I probably would give it five full sunshines. The Hollywood glamour was fun and their strong sister bond is something I love in my books. However, I had a hard time reading it because the WW2 parts felt too close to current events. I know that is the point and that should be inspired by Aleida/Ada and Ingrid, and I am, but it wasn’t the right fit for me now. It was a great historical fiction book and I would recommend it.. Make sure you read the acknowledgement at the end after you finish.

Always Anthony by Terri Libenson (kids)

If I cannot find two professional reviews for a book, I need to read it before adding it to the school library collection. This is a favorite series in my school, but the 8th book in a successful series doesn’t usually get reviewed. So I read it. It was great. I thought it was a good example of making friendships with new people, looking outside your small group and stereotypes, and looking deep inside yourself to find the courage to do what is right.

 This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

When I first saw this book, I fell in love with the cover. Then Tanya recommended it and I knew I needed to read it. Matilda Nightengale’s husband died a few months ago and she receieves a phone call from a local bookstore telling her she has a book from Joe (her husband) waiting for her. She is a little spooked by it but decides to go get it. That decision leads her to a year of healing, grief, friendships, maybe love, travel, and self-discovery. Joe knew that Matilda was always a reader, but noticed that she stopped when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Before he died, he met with Alfie, the bookstore owner, and picked out twelve books that would help Matilda navigate the year. Each book brought back a memory with Joe, encouraged her to try something new, reminded her of something she loved, and helped her grieve Joe. I loved the trips Matilda took because of her books, the friends she made, and watching her do things she enjoyed. I thought Libby Page handled the grief gently but the reader still felt the depths of Matilda’s despair and loss. I loved the monthly book recommendations from Alfie at the store. This is a book lover’s book and was just about perfect. I will read other books by Libby Page after reading this one!

Whale Done by Stuart Gibbs (kids audio)

Teddy and Summer are on another adventure to save animals. This time they are in Malibu on summer vacation with Summer’s mom at the manion of a family friend. As soon as they arrive, they realize a blue whale has washed ashore a few houses away. Together with Doc, they investigate why the whale died and why someone blew it up to disguise the cause of death. They get into their usual style of trouble and Teddy’s clever thinking helps them solve the mystery. This was a fun addition to the series.

Currently Reading: The Favorites by Layne Fargo

I am not finished but it was perfect for the Olympics!!

Currently Listening: All Ears by Stuart Gibbs (kids)

This is book 9 in the series and book 10 comes out on March 24th!!

You can always checkout what I’ve been reading on my Books 2026 page. I have all of my yearly reading pages linked here if you want to see what I’ve been reading for the last 8 years.

I wasn’t expecting a great reading month in February with the Olympics dominating my time, only one swim meet weekend, and I had a bunch of picture books/early reader books to review for our library’s summer reading list. I am thrilled to have finished five books with all that going on. I found two new to me authors, which is always exciting! Have you read any of these? Do you want to read any? I have a big list ready for March. Luke has two swim meet weekends and we are going away so I am confident it will be a great reading month. Have a great day full of sunshine and books!

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