It’s the beginning of a new month, so let’s recap the last one! Here’s my February reading recap – a full literary lifestyle update from the books I finished, to the reading challenges I’m working through, to my first book festival in years.
Favorite Book of February
I finished three books in February, and my clear favorite was Jamaica Road, Lisa Smith. This novel follows two best friends in a tight-knit British-Jamaican community who fall for each other, fall apart, and try to find their way back. It’s tender and sharp at the same time — funny, nostalgic, romantic, and quietly heartbreaking. The story explores friendship, first love, cultural identity, and what it means to grow up without growing away from where you started.
It’s one of those books that feels intimate and expansive all at once — a beautiful, emotionally layered read that stayed with me long after I finished it.
February Reading Challenges Update
One of my favorite parts of my structured reading life is participating in our annual reading challenges.
In February, I completed the prompts for both:
- 2026 Key Word Reading Challenge (February word: “lying”)
- 2026 Motif Reading Challenge (theme: a book about lying)
I used one book to complete both prompts: The Lying Game, Ruth Ware. Atmospheric, suspenseful, and full of secrets, it fit the theme perfectly.
I also read Cursed Daughters, Oyinkan Braithwaite, an epic multi-generational novel set in Nigeria about the women of the Falodun family, who live under a curse placed by a betrayed first wife. It blends family drama, folklore, and generational trauma in a sweeping, immersive way.
My reading framework this year is Reading 5 4 3 2 … 1 in 2026, and two of my February reads were by authors of Caribbean or African heritage (my goal is at least three this year). I love how this framework gently nudges me to read more intentionally while still leaving room for mood reading.
February Literary Event
One of the highlights of my literary month was attending the Amelia Island Book Festival. It was my first bookish event in years, and it reminded me how much I’ve missed being in rooms full of readers. Featured authors included: Kate Quinn, Claire Cook, Ashley Elston, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Philipp Meyer, Mary Alice Monroe and Kevin Powers.
I attended a few panels and had my book signed by Kate Quinn, one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I only wish I had brought more of her backlist to sign! I also supported a few new-to-me authors by purchasing their books — which I’ll be sharing more about in upcoming posts.
If you’ve been on the fence about attending a book festival, consider this your sign. There’s something special about hearing authors discuss craft, research, and the stories behind the stories.
February on Chapter Adventure
In case you missed it, the most popular post published in February was 2026 Major Literary and Genre Fiction Book Awards Calendar.
Other posts you loved::
- 4 [More] Fiction Books by Black Authors To Add To Your Book Club Reading List
- My 6 Step Post-Reading Routine.
And of course, I continued the weekly Bookmarked series, sharing notes about what I’ve read, going analog, book adaptations, signed books and my dopamine menu.
Finally, clearly I love to read, but I also have other interests so in my monthly Off the Books February 2026, I shared 5 Joys This February that are not related to reading … hint – quite a lot of running this month!
March Reading Plans
I’m prioritizing my signed copy of The Diamond Eye, Kate Quinn which I picked up at the festival. There’s something extra motivating about reading a signed edition. Also in my “must read for the month” is my Kin, Tayari Jones – I just received my pre-ordered signed copy from Barnes & Noble in the post. It’s also the latest pick from Oprah’s Book Club.
—- What’s your must read of the month?
