Just-for-fun books and an anticipated new release

Plus books in translation and stories coming to the screen this year

Hey, readers!

Is this a bimonthly newsletter now? I hope not, because I love writing and sharing my week in books with you every single Sunday, but I very much appreciate you all understanding the sporadic nature of these emails as I get back into the swing of things. While January felt infinite over here, we’re somehow already halfway through February, and I’m nervous about how quickly time is passing. But I’m enjoying adding more and more of what I love back into my days so I’m not totally consumed by mom life (though, of course, I’m still totally consumed by mom life!).

While a full night’s sleep is still a distant memory over here, our evenings have been running more smoothly for the most part, which means I’ve actually been able to pick up a paper book this month! I’m a huge fan of audiobooks* and I’ll be eternally grateful to my Kindle for giving me a way to read during late night nursing sessions, but it sure does feel good to hold a book in my hands again!

This week in books.

This week I read…

• Slippery Creatures by Kj Charles. A mystery and a romance set in a bookshop and modeled after 1930s pulp fiction…what’s not to love?! This open door romance was great on audio and a really fun way to get back into the romance genre after a few misses. I’m still not sure if I’ll continue the series, but only because there are so many other books calling my name right now. Of course, I’ll keep you posted if I do, but in the mean time, I know Stacey of @a.reader.reflects would be thrilled to chat with anyone about this lovely little trilogy! Amazon | Bookshop

• An Accidental Odyssey by KC Dyer. The second book in Dyer’s Ex Libris series was a bonus buddy read with some FictionMatters Patrons. I traveled to Greece in college and reading this book was like reliving that incredible experience. I loved it for that and the pure escapism of it all (who doesn’t need a vicarious trip to Greece right now?) but the book also tackles some heavier topics and I’m not certain it does so particularly well. Amazon | Bookshop

Now I’m reading…

• She Would Be King by Wayétu Moore. The February FictionMatters Book Club selection has me completely transfixed. I can’t wait to discuss this with the Patreon crew! Amazon | Bookshop

• Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. I adored Mandel’s Station Eleven and this April release is my most highly anticipated 2022 book. I really like it but it’s hard not to compare it to Station Eleven and, so far, it doesn’t quite live up to it for me. Amazon | Bookshop

*You can get two LIBRO.FM audiobooks for the price of one by using code FICTIONMATTERS.

Links I love.

The wonderful Reggie of @reggiereads was featured in this fantastic article about what books by Black authors deserve to make it to the screen.

This article about translation is a great read for anyone looking to read more internationally this year.

For Valentine’s Day: what do romance writers think makes people compatible?

16 upcoming page-to-screen adaptations to add to your 2022 reading list.

I loved this article: “In Defense of Slow Reading.”

Could Peloton be the WeWork of the pandemic?

If you’re obsessed with personality types and quizzes, this story about one woman’s attempt to completely alter her personality is well worth the read.

End notes.

Watching: Alllll of the ice skating at the Olympics. Plus the weird sports like curling and luge.

Listening: If you haven’t listened to The Stacks Podcast’s banned book series this week, do it now!

Making: Plans to get out of the house safely. I’m just now starting to feel more confident leaving the house with the baby, but I don’t feel particularly safe being indoors with other people while she’s still unvaccinated. That means cabin fever is hitting hard, and I’m trying to do all I can to get out of the house when the weather permits.

Loving: This instant chai is soooo good. Sometimes I mix it with coffee for an extra jolt of caffeine. Otherwise I just add hot water and a splash of oat milk for a super easy and surprisingly indulgent afternoon treat.

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Readers, I hope you’re getting some good reading in during this short month. For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. I love hearing from you!

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Happy reading!

Sara