Welcome to Books by the Numbers, a new monthly series where we review my reading stats and let the data tell the story of my current reading life.
In February, I read 20 books. Well… I listened to 20 audiobooks. But as a visually impaired reader, stories count whether you read with your eyes or your ears.
Potayto, potahto. Around here, it all counts as reading.
Listening Hours
I listened to a total of 188.52 hours of audiobooks in February. In a month consisting of 28 days, that averages out to about 6.7 hours a day, as if listening to audiobooks were my full-time job. (Honestly? That would be a dream come true.)
The shortest audiobook I listened to this month was The Silver Scream by Roy Merkin, coming in at 5 hours and 18 minutes. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me and as every audiobook listener knows, a book you don’t enjoy somehow feels twice as long.
My longest audiobook of the month was Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm at 12 hours and 29 minutes. I honestly had no idea this was my longest listen until I checked my stats. It was the last book I finished in February, and it never once felt like a 12-hour audiobook.
Genre-ally Speaking
I am a mystery/thriller girly to my core, but because I’m also a mood reader, I sometimes wander into other genres. If February, those genre detours led me to contemporary fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction, and romance, which resulted in a wonderful well-rounded mix.
Non-Fiction Reads
Because i love a good memoir, I read two non-fiction books this month.
My first read of February was The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul.
I’ve loved RuPaul since the early ’90s, so hearing about the years leading up to his current cultural icon status felt both nostalgic and deeply personal. Listening to him reflect on identity, struggle, creativity, and resilience added a powerful layer of humanity behind the persona so many of us recognize today. And it made me love him even more.
My second nonfiction listen was Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block. His story was incredibly eye-opening, offering insight into a childhood and a unique educational experience in the early days of the homeschooling movement.
Nana’s ARCs
Seven of the twenty books I read in February were ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) I received through NetGalley.
Because of my visual impairment, I’m not always able to read the digital ARCs I receive.So, I often wait until the audiobook becomes available through Libby or another library service so I can fully enjoy the story. For example, I received The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Death on the Red Sea by C.L. Miller in early 2025, but I didn’t get the chance to read it until the audiobook became available.
The other ARCs I read this month were:
- The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams
- The Exes by Leodora Darlington
- I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
- Is This a Cry for Help by Emily Austin
- Bad Asians by Lillian Li
- Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm
Even when I read them after publication, my ratings and opinions remain completely my own. I’m extremely grateful to the publishers and authors who share their books with reviewers, and I love being able to discover these stories and share them with fellow readers.
Favorite Book of the Month
Of the 18 fiction novels I read this month, I had several five-star reads:
- I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
- One & Only by Maurene Goo
- This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page.
But one book stood out as not only my first (and extremely rare) 6-star read of 2026, but also an early contender for my favorite book of the year.
The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams is a sweeping, multi-generational story that not only depicts the struggle and brutality the Dupree women endured, but it also highlights their strength, love, and resilience throughout their lifetimes.
The attitudes and beliefs portrayed are difficult to witness, but the story feels painfully relevant, because sadly echoes of the past still exist today. For me, it carries the same emotional impact as The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison in that it’s powerful, necessary, and unforgettable.
I’m honestly surprised this book isn’t being talked about more, because it’s a must-read that deserves far more attention.
Current Reads on Pause
Not everything I started in February made it to the finish line. Because I found myself prioritizing my Libby and Hoopla loans, I pressed pause on two books:
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë – paused at 37%
- How to Lose a Goblin in 10 Days by Jessie Sylva – paused at 25$
Wuthering Heights required a small adjustment. I started the audiobook with a single narrator but found it difficult to keep track of the large cast of characters. Switching to a full-cast narration made a huge difference and helped the story feel much easier to follow.
Both books are still on my “currently reading” shelf, patiently waiting for their turn once my library loans settle down. (Stay tuned next month to see if I finish either if these books.)
Also, no DNFs (did not finish) to report this month.
Nana’s Final Thoughts
February was another great month of bookish shenanigans fueled by coffee and my never-ending TBR.
Now it’s your turn… How many books did you read or listen to this month?
What was your favorite read?
Until next time, happy reading.
❤️😘 Leslie | Your Bookish Nana
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