Reader Roundup: February 2026
Winter flung its last fling in February providing enough snow to cause much joy and celebration for those seeking a skication. No longer a slope aficionado sought solace by reading a few decent books with only a couple rating a good read.
It’s difficult to find a book about Shakespeare that isn’t a good read. Having no remembrance of where I pick this up, I am glad to have found it on my Shakespeare shelf. Yes, I do have one bookshelf dedicated to Shakespeare.
Anyway–
Ann Donnelly provides a slim yet expansive guide providing an informative overview of Shakespeare. The title aptly reflects what is covered and the accompanying illustrations complement the text well. It nudges me closer to flying across the pond for a Shakespeare-driven holiday.
The other good read is once again a volume of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. This one was volume 8 and unfortunately it is the last volume until Ms. Brower provides further entries to Miss Emma’s life. I have to admit I became somewhat distraught upon finishing this book knowing there are no further Emma journals to peruse. They honestly are addicting.
Apparently, in some reading circles, these slim excursions have become quite popular, and at my local library there is often a waiting list for them. The plain cover belies the wit, the wink of wordplay, the hint of Austen that is present in each entry. I am truly having a difficult time finding other reads that I enjoy quite so well.
The truly odd thing was that they came to my attention via my husband, who began reading them upon the recommendation of another fellow reader. I usually recommend books to the hubs, not the other way around. His snorks of laughter as he read them initiated my curiosity and I confess I would have ignored the non-descript little books on the popular reads shelf otherwise.
Has anyone else discovered Emma M. Lion?
Pam Webb 