January was a wild month for me here in LA as I’m sure you can imagine, not to mention the Trump of it all for all of us (even those of you not in the states…he’s a real menace). I did somehow manage to read this month, but not nearly as much as I’d hoped. I’m really trying to be chill this year, so whatever, it’s cool, I don’t care.
Below you can find my month end wrap up with all the episodes we dropped (seven!!!) this month, the books I’m looking forward to in February, and my power rankings of the books I read in January (paid subs only).
The Stacks January Recap
We kicked off the month with the brilliant
. No better way to start a year.Debut author, Irvin Weathersby Jr., joined the show to talk about his book In Open Contempt and the ways we should be thinking about white supremacy and public spaces.
Kaliane Bradley, the author of this month’s book club pick, The Ministry of Time talked with me (completely spoiler free) about her process and inspirations.
Talking anticipated books with
and has become my new favorite bookish tradition. This one is only for paid subs, but trust me, it is worth it!We did an extra special bonus episode with
this month as a little bit of inauguration day counterprogramming. We talk about Toni Morrison’s lecture on goodness.Michael Waters, author of one of my favorite books of 2024, The Other Olympians came on the show to discuss trans athletes and queer history.
J Wortham and I debated the merits and issues with this month’s book club pick, The Ministry of Time.
February Books On Deck
Here is a list of the books I am most eager to sink my eyes (and ears) into in February. Despite the fact that I always want this list to be manageable, this month I have nine (!!!) books I am legit pumped about, and really couldn’t whittle it down any further. I am sorry to your TBR but it feels good to have high hopes, at least when it comes to the books. Anything I’ve already read (or at least started) will appear here in bold.
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray (February 4)
I don’t know if I actually want to read this but so many folks have read and are buzzing not only about the book but the mess in the book that it is on my list. We shall see.The World After Gaza: A History by Pankaj Mishra
Danzy Senna mentioned this book as book she was most looking forward to in 2025 — so it was an immediate add to the list. It is pitched as a reframing of the war in Gaza and its historical roots.On My Honor: The Secret History of the Boy Scouts of America by Kim Christensen (February 11)
I do love a micro history that dives deep into a random topic, not to mention my love of organizational corruption and violence. All that around the Boy Scouts? Sign me up.Brother Brontë by Fernando A. Flores. (February 11)
A near future dystopian novel about two women trying to save their border town from climate disaster and illiteracy. It is edited by one of my favorite editors, Jackson Howard1, so I want to give it shot.Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism by Eve L. Ewing (February 11)
A clear and accessible look at the history of schooling in America and the way it was designed to prop up the ideals of white supremacy and continues to do that to this day. I have finished this one and you can hear more about how good it is in the ranking below.You Didn't Hear This from Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip by Kelsey McKinney (February 11)
Kelsey McKinney is the creator and (former) host of one of my favorite podcasts, Normal Gossip. This is a book about Gossip. I love gossip. I love books. What could go wrong?Disposable: America's Contempt for the Underclass by Sarah Jones (February 18)
A book that reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable populations in the United States.Death Takes Me by Cristina Rivera Garza and translated by Robin Myers & Sarah Booker (February 25)
Originally published in 2009, this crime novel about a professor and a detective explores a world of gendered violence. Garza won the Pulitzer for her stunning memoir Liliana’s Invincible Summer and I am excited to be introduced to her fiction.One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (February 25)
A collection of essays that question and poke holes in the idea of “The West” using the war in Gaza as an entry point, and continues to expand and question Empire from there. Absolutely fantastic. Easily the best thing I read in January.
What February books are you most looking forward to? Tell me in the comments.
January is off to a start. Whether it is good or bad is none of my business. I did read nine books this month, and a few of them were absolute bangers (my top four) including my number one book of the month that will likely be a favorite I talk about all year long.
