February felt like it went on for longer than 28 days but I also can’t believe that the month is already over. Life was not much different in February compared to January and I didn’t get up to much. We celebrated my SIL’s birthday at the start of the month and my brother’s birthday at the end of the month, I took more bookish photos this month than I have in a while and enjoyed it, took care of my little Kiki who keeps coming back with funky lab test results but seems to be doing very fine otherwise (she’s so cheeky and chonky).
I know March is going to be so busy as I’m flying out on the 21st with my brother and SIL to meet up with my parents who will be there a week earlier than us and my cousin flying in from America the day before, for my sister’s MA graduation! 😍 I can’t believe she’s already graduating—time really flies, eh?
I read 12 books in February but it almost feels like I didn’t read anything this month and I’m ngl, it feels a bit disappointing. Considering I found my first 5-star read of 2025 this month and I also gave pretty decent ratings to my other reads, I feel an overall sense of “whelm” when I think about my February reads. Maybe it’s because I wanted to read more but I’m struggling to find books that spark that desire to keep devouring more books at a faster pace. I’m generally trying to go with the flow and I’m trying not to let this bother me but I also just want to read more so why can’t I? It is definitely giving slump vibes and I’m not here for it. 😂
One thing that I am proud of this month on the blog is that I officially started co-hosting Let’s Talk Bookish with Aria and it has been so much fun! I get such a thrill whenever I see bloggers participating each week and I genuinely hope that everyone’s enjoying the topics! If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you can learn more about Let’s Talk Bookish, the weekly discussion meme, HERE.
My favourite read this month goes to 🥇 Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett! 🥇 It was such a delight being back in this world and while I’m sad that their journey is over (hopefully only “for now”), I was very happy with how their story went! I love Emily and Wendell so much. 🥰
*COVERS are linked to Goodreads and the TEXT is linked to my review, if available*
*books are arranged by READING ORDER from first to latest*
5 pandas
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales
4.5 pandas
(ARC) Rebel Witch
(ARC) In A Rush
4 pandas
Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson, Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
(ARC) Unhallowed Halls
3 pandas
The Forest King’s Daughter by Elly Blake
(ARC) The Forest King’s Daughter
less than 3 pandas (*or no rating for erotic romances)
I planned to participate in a fair few challenges in 2025 and I’m on track with all of them. I managed to fill a few of the prompts in the PS Reading Challenge, which I’m thankful for because that’s going to be the toughest of the lot, I think!
✔ Goodreads Reading Challenge: 25/150 books
✔ Beat the Backlist: 📚 3 backlist books // 📱 0 backlist ARCs ⇢ 2 Bingo Spaces
✔ 2025 Buzzword Reading Challenge: February (“water words”) ⇢ Long Bright River
✔ 2025 Year in Aeldia: February: From the middle left of the shelf ⇢ Four Dead Queens
✔ 2025 Popsugar Reading Challenge: 3 books ⇢ Prompts 10, 18, 31
And that’s it for February! How was your month and what was your favourite read? Are you also struggling with reading these days? There’s still a lot of tumultuous energy in the world right now and I hope everyone is doing well and taking good care. 💜
dinipandareads 
I enjoyed seeing your pics on Instagram. I hope you have an enjoyable time with your family this month. I think 12 is a lot but it’s all about perspective. I read seven which is one more than my average. Great job on the challenges! Happy reading!
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I hope you have a great time with family this month!
I’m hoping to get to reading Sorcery and Small Magics soon, so I’m glad you see that you liked it. Happy reading!
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Don’t stress yourself out about the books. I used to do this, and it was not doing me any favours. I’m glad Kiki is fine she is so cute!! Also, this month sounds like it will be busy, but enjoy your time with your family 🙂
Interesting books, hopefully, the next ones you pick will spark that desire again! it has been a blast participating in LTB you guys are doing an amazing job, and I love it! So thank you both for hosting it.
On the other hand, I am struggling to find a good read the most I rated a book last month was 3.5 stars… I do hope I find a gem in one of the ARCs I’ll be reading next, though…
Happy reading 🙂
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Yay another Kiki photo! 😍 Glad she seems to be doing fine despite some weird test results!
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It seems like your sister just left, but how exciting. It should be a wonderful celebration. You kitty is a cutie.
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[…] Monthly Wrap-Up: February 2025 […]
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Gosh yes, Feb felt like it lasted a year but also just one day somehow??
12 books is a lot to me, I think you’ve done just fine with the reading. I try not to stress about numbers because that definitely takes the enjoyment out of it for me. I hope you find something fab to read next!
I cannot wait to dive back into Emily Wilde (I have book 2 next), and I love the look of Sorcery and Small Magics.
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I’ve found so far this year, that I either love a book or it’s just meh. I’ve DNF books that I’m struggling to connect with, but they’re like super popular books and I hate that I can’t connect with it. But it’s better to just let it go, and keep moving forward. Does that make any sense?
I hope that you’re March isn’t as crazy as you think it will be.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
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Wow – well done on the 12 books!! I feel like February has truly flown over and I didn’t get as much read as I’d planed. xo
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That last photo’s aesthetic is so pretty! I am so happy you’re having a family reunion for your sister’s graduation, it must feel so special, have fun!
If you feel like that reading 12 book I don’t know what you’d do if you read as little as I did… But let’s focus on the positive, which is that first five star read of 2025. I am also glad you enjoyed the sequel to Heartless Hunter so much. I hope you were satisfied with how the duology wrapped.
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It’s been a really short February and I kinda had fun because we went to Vegas for work/team building. But my reading has been hohum and great lately.
Don’t stress out so much about the reading. I used to, but I’ve been chill on it now.
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I remember when you announced that she was going to school there. It did go so fast!! I am sure you are going to have a blast. Congrats, to her!! I think February dragged for me because Oliver was sick like the whole month, but one week. Even then, he wasn’t the best. It just felt so long. lol. I hope March is amazing, even though it’s going to busy!!
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Congrats on picking up your first five-star read. It always feels good finding the first early in the year. I’ve never joined Let’s Talk Bookish, but hearing you are cohosting makes me want to check it out. Wishing you a lovely March!
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I’m so glad to see that you liked Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales, I’m so excited to read it 🥰 Though I was hoping the series would be a bit longer 🥺 I hope you’re having a good March!
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Aww your cat is gorgeous 🥰 I hope she’s okay given the lab test mentions. Wow the graduation trip sounds fun. I hope you all have a lovely time 💗💗 and I’m sorry to hear that your reading struggles are making you feel slumpy. I’m the same although in my case it’s because I just don’t seem to start reading lately. I seem to be spending way too much time on catch up instead and I miss it 😢 I’m still hoping I’ll get the balance right soon.
12 books in a month is amazing though. And the first five star one too yay 🥰 it looks like a lot of the others were successful too (especially as I’m not sure how many in the last section are erotica and unrated due to that, I’m guessing most though?)
Yay for all the challenge progress too 🥰🥰 you’re doing wonderfully. I was meant to do that Buzzwords one but haven’t even finished my possibility list yet 🙈
I hope you have a wonderful March and start to feel like you’re reading as much as you want 🥰🥰
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