January and February have been good for readers; both months have been rich in critically acclaimed and recognized books.  There are scores of new books that are worth a reader’s time and energy.  So here are some of “Favorite Reads” recommended by Ilana Masad on the website, “Read It Forward.”  This is a great site to visit and browse through their many lists and recommendations.

       

From January, Ilana Masad had a nice variety of reads.  “The Girl Before” by JP Delaney is described as a fascinating psychological thriller when Emma moves into a new flat with new expectations.  “Everything You Want Me To Be” by Mindy Mejia involves a perfect daughter who is murdered; as the investigation moves forward Hattie may not be so perfect at all.

          

 “The Futures” by Anna Pitoniak is a debut novel as Ilana Masad describes it “about growing up when you’re already grown-up. “ “4321” by Paul Auster takes the life of a boy born on March 3, 1947 and imagines it in four different ways. 

          

Other January books, Masad recommends are: “The Fifth Petal” by Brunonia Barry, “The Strays” by Emily Bitto, “The Midnight Cool” by Lydia Peelle, “Her Every Fear” by Peter Swanson and “Idaho” by Emily Ruskovich.

 

In February, another first novel, “All Our Wrong Todays” by Elan Mastai twists time travel in a very realistic way.  Jason Rekulak’s retro novel, “The Impossible Fortress,”  about a bunch of teenage boys out to buy a copy of Playboy with Vanna White inside is recommended as a perfect escape from all the politics swirling around in the real world.

 

“Lincoln in the Bardo” by George Saunders is getting loads of publicity and critical acclaim in its story of Willie Lincoln who died at age 11 and left his father, Abraham, grieving at his graveside.  “Swimming Lessons” by Claire Fuller uses the device of love letters concealed in books to tell a wife and mother’s story.

 

“The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir” by Jennifer Ryan is a refuge for the women of Chilbury as their men go off to fight in World War II.  Best-selling author, Neil Gaiman, retells some of the stories in Norse legends starring Odin, Thor and Loki from the creation of the world until the destruction of Ragnarok in “Norse Mythology.”

 

“The Heart” by Maylis de Kerangal is translated from the French in this story of three teenage boys involved in a car accident.  One is brain-dead and it is decided to transplant his heart into a woman desperate for it.  This novel describes how everyone is affected by these events.

Other February books are: “The Refugees” by Viet Than Nguyen, “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee, “A Separation” by Katie Kitamura, and “A Piece of the World” by Christina Baker Kline.