Book Talk: What I Read in February

As per my new year’s resolution, I’ve been reading a book every week. So, this blog will be the first in a series and it’s basically a what I read in February kind of a book tag/thing. Not entirely sure what I’m up to.

Of course, I’ve had super busy weeks at work where I didn’t get the time to finish a book, but I’ve been making up for it. 

In fact, I’m actually only three books behind my target. So, naturally, I’ve decided to set some accountability guard rails for myself. And I’m doing this by posting my reading list on this blog every month. I might go into a more detailed review on the books I really, really liked. I’m not sure yet; right now I’m trying to get out a blog a week so we’ll see.

To be honest, part of the motivation behind this may have to do with the fact that I need some time between more comprehensive blogs. Like, the one I’m working on about world building. Now, I could break it into several parts; but I’m sticking to one huge comprehensive guide.

Anyway, I’m going off topic here. Point is, I’m reading four to five books each month, and I’m going to talk about them on this blog.

So, let’s begin.

February Reading List

As a reader, I don’t really have a specific genre I’m more inclined to pick up. In fact, I read a lot of nonfiction books, which won’t make it into this list because I’m not sure how to review them. We’ll see what happens in the future. Anyway, for simplicity’s sake, here’s a list of the books I read in February:

• Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews
• The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

I’m going to take a closer look at these below; so you have a bit of an idea of what I’ve been thinking, what I like in the book and why I might’ve picked it up. I’m not sure if I should add a rating system yet; let me know if you think I should do that.

Book 1: Red Sparrow

• Author: Jason Matthews
• Genre: Spy Thriller, Political Fiction

Why I Picked It Up

I like mysteries and though I’m not a huge mystery fan, I did grow up reading the Famous Five and Secret Seven by Enid Blyton; not to mention Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. So, naturally, when my sister recommended Red Sparrow, I knew I had to take a look at it. It also features a ballerina and I used to take ballet lessons as a child; and while the whole ballerina-Russian-spy is a bit of a cliché, I won’t lie: the political situation in the world, and the fact that I live in Turkey where I did attend a performance by the Russian ballet some years ago, did influence this decision.

Summary

The novel follows Dominika Egorova, a Russian intelligence officer forced into the Sparrow School, where agents are trained in psychological manipulation and seduction. Her mission? To uncover a CIA mole in Moscow. Along the way, she crosses paths with CIA operative Nate Nash, leading to a dangerous game of loyalty, deception, and survival.

What I Liked

When I’m reading a book, I want to get lost in the story, and Red Sparrow delivered. The pacing was incredible; keeping me hooked, interested and honestly, I found myself quite taken by the intricacies that go into espionage tactics. Usually, I don’t really care about the details and this one was good. 

I really liked the level of detail the author delved into so I ended up googling the man and this inkling I had about Jason Matthews was correct: he’s a former CIA officer. Which was pretty cool to know since I was halfway into the book at that point. So, yes, if you’re a fan of former CIA agents and their shenanigans; I recommend it.

Downsides

I guess the downside of this book is that it’s a bit of a heavy read. My copy had about 547 pages, and it was a bit graphic when it came to adult content. I’m not particularly inclined to spicy books unless I’m specifically reading romance, and generally I like the more philosophical, will-they-won’t-they, kind of stories.

The details of the espionage stuff were a bit boring to me sometimes. Also, I’m a foodie, so I like finding recipes but there were recipes at the end of every chapter which I thought felt a bit out of place. Like, I kind of understood why the author did that; still not sure though.

It doesn’t disrupt the story in any way, and I did find myself skipping those to get to the next chapter. 

Final Thoughts & Who Should Read It

If you enjoy spy thrillers that prioritize realism over Hollywood-style action, Red Sparrow is worth reading. Fans of The Night Manager or Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy will appreciate the depth of this book.

Fun fact: I do believe there’s a movie about it because my copy of the book has a picture of Jennifer Lawrence and the whole “now a major movie” title. I didn’t expact Dominika to look like Jennifer Lawrence; it didn’t affect my imagining of the character though.

Book 2: The Devil and Miss Prym

• Author: Paulo Coelho
• Genre: Philosophical Fiction

Why I Picked It Up

Paulo Coelho is one of my favourite authors of all time, and I actively collect his books and their different editions. While I did have The Devil and Miss Prym for a while, I hadn’t really read it. There is another book in this list that I’ve read multiple times, and also The Winner Stands Alone. I’m actually re-reading that book so you’ll see my review of it next month. But yes, Paulo Coelho HIGHLY recommend him.

His writings just make me feel not alone in a lot of philosophical and personal struggles. And as expected, The Devil and Miss Prym delivered.

Summary

A stranger arrives in a small village with a sinister proposition: if someone commits murder within a week, the entire town will receive a fortune. Miss Prym, a young barmaid, finds herself caught in the middle of this dilemma as the villagers wrestle with morality, fear, and temptation.

What I Liked

Paulo Coelho did it again! This kind of reminded me a bit of Veronica Decides to Die, and I’m honestly appalled that I did not read the book before. I read Adultery and that’s one of my least favourite books by the author, so why didn’t I read this earlier? 

The Devil and Miss Prym goes deep into a study of the human condition, and it forces you to re-evaluate your own ethical beliefs. I mean, let’s be honest: would you kill someone for a fortune? We happen to know that in today’s capitalistic society, you can get away with murder if you have enough money, and that’s on the table here. 

I could go on and on about this, and at some point, I probably will. I do think I will re-read this book again, if just to actually think about the philosophical conundrums it proposes. In terms of the characters, Miss Prym is very relatable and, like the reader, she is torn between the question of self-interest and morality. 

The story moves quickly, with an eerie, almost fable-like atmosphere that you can expect from Coelho. Again, really, really lovely book and I’m shocked that I just let it sit on my bookshelf for such a long time.

Downsides

At times, the moral lesson felt a bit too heavy-handed, making the characters seem more like symbols than real people. Readers may completely miss this. My sisters definitely did but I’m knee-deep into editing my own book, and I understand literary techniques that writers use, so I was able to pick that up.

Again, this might just be the result of the mindset I’m in right now. Not a major downside but I thought there should be something to talk about here. I’m sorry, I adore Paulo Coelho.

Final Thoughts & Who Should Read It

If you enjoy books that explore philosophical and ethical dilemmas (like The Stranger by Albert Camus), this is a thought-provoking read.

Book 3: The Alchemist

• Author: Paulo Coelho 
• Genre: Philosophical Fiction

Why I Picked It Up

I have read this book seven times in my life so far. The first time I picked it up was back in fourth grade. The librarian at my school always had a soft spot for me and my sisters because we were the only kids interested in actually reading (no shade to everyone else; they were interested in watching cartoons during our library period; but that’s expected of kids that age). I’d gotten into reading Goosebumps a lot, and she actually stopped me from borrowing my eighth Goosebumps book and made me read this.

And it changed my life.

I read it twice in fourth grade; once in tenth grade; once before I went to university, once during my gap year, and once back in 2023 right before I got my job. I’m actually starting a new position soon, and I’ve re-read this book now. I’ve gotten into the habit of reading this book before something big happens in my life, and it’s because it’s so, so good.

Summary 

Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd, dreams of discovering a hidden treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. His journey takes him through deserts, encounters with wise mentors, and moments of self-discovery, ultimately teaching him about destiny, personal legends, and the power of perseverance.

What I Liked

In its essence, The Alchemist is a very straight forward story about following your dreams. However, it’s the way Paulo Coelho has written it that really gets to you. His writing is so profound, almost poetic and lyrical. The book is full of simple wisdom that makes so much sense. And it will make you wonder why you didn’t view life the way he’s done in this story.

The most important part of this book is the realisation that you, like Santiago, can follow your dreams. Of course, Santiago has a dream which he’s following. While I don’t really care much about the dreams I have, I understand that Coelho isn’t talking about the dreams you see at night, it’s more of a symbolism of the dreams that you have.

Following your dreams is hard, and yes, life gets in the way, and he even demonstrates this in the book when Santiago meets Fatima and her people. But it’s the conviction. It’s the sheer strength of character that goes into leaving people, knowing that you’ll meet them again, that it’s not a sacrifice that you’re making; it’s more of a…I want to say priority; but it’s actually so much more than that. Again, with Coelho, I could do a thesis on his work. Seriously.

Point is, I agree with Paulo Coelho: your destiny (or purpose, as I like to see it) is not going to wait for you; it’s you who can ensure that you achieve your dreams and ambitions. I say this while knowing that I have put off sending my manuscript to agents for a long, long time. Ironic, I know.

I need to get it. This book creates a sense of urgency (at least for me) to go out and do what I have to do. And gosh, it’s so, so good.

Downsides

For some readers, the themes may feel overly simplistic or repetitive. If you prefer intricate plots and deep character development, you might find it underwhelming. BUT you should give it a chance. This is hands on, some of the best books written and it’s really down to the writing. Paulo Coelho is a genius when it comes to that.

Final Thoughts & Who Should Read It

If you’re looking for a book that will motivate you to chase your dreams, The Alchemist is a must-read. It’s perfect for those seeking inspiration or a shift in perspective.

Book 4: Howl’s Moving Castle

• Author: Diana Wynne Jones
• Genre: Fantasy

Why I Picked It Up

The reason I chose to read Howl’s Moving Castle is because honestly, I didn’t know it was based on a book. I thought it was one of Studio Ghibli’s original movies, but that wasn’t the case. And I loved the movie, and when I found out that there’s a book, I had to read it.

I actually found a copy of it at the second hand bookstore in my neighbourhood, and since I had just finished The Alchemist, I was in a bit of a…the universe is telling me something mode. 

Not sure what it was telling me except that Howl isn’t who I thought he was. But that’s cool. It took me four days to complete this book but I did read it for about two or three hours a day, during my commute. So, if you’re looking for a nice commute book, this one’s a pretty good choice.

I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by how different it was from the movie. Generally, when I read a book I’ve seen a movie about before, I tend to imagine characters based on what I’ve seen, but this was different. In a good way.

Summary

Sophie Hatter, a young woman cursed into an old lady’s body by a wicked witch, sets out on a journey that leads her to the mysterious moving castle of the infamous wizard Howl. As she navigates magic, curses, and Howl’s eccentric personality, she discovers her own hidden strength.

What I Liked

Compared to the movie, which can be considered a romantasy set in a war, the book actually goes into more details about each character, their magical abilities and the world it’s set in. Diana’s world building is spot on; and I did not know that Sophie had sisters!

She’s the eldest of three like me, and I found myself relating to her in the way she’s just accepted her fate. I can understand her motivations, her reservations and that’s not something I expected when I watched the movie. Also, the way Jones goes into detail about Sophie’s abilities is pretty awesome. The story establishes her magical talents pretty well, and I have to say I liked that. A lot. Especially since Sophie’s abilities lean towards manifestation.

I’m not saying I’m an amazing manifester, but I did find the parts where her manifestations (or magical abilities) came true to be so…real? Like, some of the stuff that happens isn’t too far fetched; at least the way it happens. In life, sometimes, you’ll be thinking of something, and it happens and you’re like, huh. That’s basically how Sophie’s magical abilities are revealed to the reader, and that was fun.

Downsides

I will say that the first half of the story was very, very good. The build up was amazing, the characters were fantastic. However, as I kept reading, I kind of found myself waiting for something huge to happen. Without giving any spoilers, there was a point in the book where I thought there would be more to Sophie and Calcifer’s deal. There really wasn’t too much there.

Also, everyone in the story seems to know everyone; which I normally enjoy, but given the plot of the story, it seemed a bit too convenient. When you read the book, you’ll see what I mean.

Certain plot points do seem a bit rushed, and there’s a scene about going to Wales that seemed out of place to me. I think more could be done here but that’s just my opinion

Final Thoughts & Who Should Read It

If you enjoy whimsical fantasy with lovable characters (like Harry Potter), Howl’s Moving Castle is a delightful read.

What I Read in February: Summary & Favourite Book

This month’s reading list took me across different genres—from thrilling espionage and moral dilemmas to inspirational wisdom and magical adventures. 

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be The Alchemist, but as I said, it’s probably my favourite book of all time so far. So, I’m definitely biased there. For next month’s list, I’ll definitely try to get the post out during the first week of the new month. 

I will actually have more books to review because I’m currently on my second book for the month, and I expect to be reviewing more than five books in March.

Again, this is completely experimental so if you think I can improve this little series thing, let me know. I’m open to suggestions.

I’m trying to get into the habit of sharing the titles of the books I’m reading on BlueSky. Unfortunately, I usually forget to do that. Trying to build a bit of an audience there. So check it out!

Anyway, what did you read in February? Have you read any of these books? Let’s discuss in the comments!