On my third month of predicting Book of the Month Selections, I predicted 7 of the 9 books!

Main Picks | Add-Ons | My Predictions | My Choices

---

My Predictions

I predicted four out of five of the main picks and three of the four add-ons!

I did not include A River Enchanted in my predictions. I will not say that I am great a fantasy or young adult predictions. They are genres that I rarely read and am generally unaware of new releases. So it was not surprising that I did not include A River Enchanted in my predictions. It has been awhile since BOTM included a fantasy or science fiction selection. I am sure fans of this genre who are subscribers will be happy.

As for the add-ons, I predicted three of the four selections. I did not predict Death on the Nile since it is a backlist book. I assume that this was chosen to promote and/or take advantage of interest in the movie that premieres February 11.

I am quite happy to see that four of February’s eight BOTM selections are debut novels. This is one of the reasons that I first signed up for BOTM. I love that it offers exposure to new authors and exposes me to books I may not otherwise read. I am also happy to see that BOTM has continued to include a larger portion of BIPOC authors. (I noticed a change a year or two ago after they received a lot of criticism and cancelled subscriptions.)

My Choices

Main Picks

I was chose only one main selection this month – Peach Blossom Spring. I enjoy historical fiction, and I try to pick BOTM selections that are debuts and written by BIPOC authors. This fit the bill.

My interest was also peaked by Don’t Cry for Me and Vladimir. However, Don’t Cry for Me seems like it may be sad, and right now, I just do not need that energy in my life. I am waiting to read some reviews for Vladimir by people I trust prior to taking the plunge. This year, I am trying to be more thoughtful in my book purchases. I am happy that I did not go crazy picking any books that I had a slight interest in for my blue box.

I have only read one book by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen – The Wife Between Us – which I thought was okay. I also have their book You Are Not Alone on my shelves. I decided to skip The Golden Couple partially because I have a ton of thrillers I am anxious to read already on my shelves and partially because I am tired of thrillers with psychiatrists or psychologists as the main character.

Add-Ons

What the Fireflies Knew and The Christie Affair were two books on my most anticipated books of February books. What the Fireflies Knew was being compared to Jesmyn Ward’s Salvage the Bones, which is one of my all-time favorite books by one of my favorite authors. So this was an obvious pick for me. The Christie Affair seems intriguing since it is part mystery and part historical fiction. In addition, I do not know much about Agatha Christie’s life.

I already own a copy of Death on the Nile. In the future, I will like add-on I Must Betray You to a box. Since my box was full and I already have at least on book by Ruta Sepetys on my unread shelf, I decided to wait to buy it.

I am disappointed that The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James is not an add-on. In the past, her books have been early releases. I am still hoping that it will be a selection for March; however, I am fearful that now that St. James has experienced great success with her last two books that she will not long be a BOTM selection.

---

What books did you choose for your February BOTM selections? Let me know in the comments!