This Month in Adult Books: February 2023

Reading recommendations for adults
February 14, 2023
Featured Title
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez
More than a decade after 13 year old Ruthy Ramirez disappeared, her family is still haunted by her absence. Her mother is wracked with guilt, and her sisters hide secrets. But then one day, the sisters spot a contestant on a reality show that bears more than a passing resemblance to Ruthy. Before long they have a road trip planned to confront her—a plan that is upended when their mother learns about it and insists on joining and bringing her church friend Irene. With sympathetic characters from a down to earth family and a stunning ending, this book is sure to appeal to many readers.



New & Upcoming
The Booker Prize winning author of The Luminaries, Eleanor Catton returns this March with Birnam Wood about a guerrilla gardening group that runs afoul of an amoral American billionaire. Also returning is Balli Jaswal Kaur, author of Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, with Now You See Us, about three Filapina domestic workers in Singapore who band together to solve a murder when another maid is accused of the crime. There are two more big returns on the nonfiction side: Jenny O’Dell, author of the surprise 2019 hit, How to Do Nothing, encourages readers to discover a life beyond the clock in Saving Time. Katherine May, author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, returns with Enchantment: Reawakening Wonder in an Anxious Age.  
Check This Out!
Hot upcoming romances for Spring 2023.  
What We’re Reading
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff (Content warning: intimate partner violence, assault)
It sounds fun and light, but do not be fooled, this is full of some seriously dark humor and anger. It’s a sharp look at caste, patriarchal societies, misogyny, and small village life in southern India. Publisher’s Weekly called it “A razor stuffed treat.” which is about right. It may surprise with it’s sharpness at times, but the book as a whole is delicious. Booklist recommended it for fans of My Sister The Serial Killer. A potentially polarizing read and thus a great selection for book groups.
 
 
For More Reading Suggestions:
  • 2023 Notable Books for Adult Readers from RUSA
  • 20 Horror Novels to Look Out for in 2023 from CrimeReads
  • Feb 2023 Earphones Award Winners from Audiofile
  • The March List from Indie Next