6 Best February 2020 Book Releases
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Uncover some of our most anticipated February 2020 book releases that will inspire travel and transport you to new places.
The February 2020 book releases on NetGalley, Amazon, and Goodreads look amazing.
As a newer feature to TUL, these are the upcoming February 2020 new books on NetGalley that we’ve read, are eyeing, or are titles that look downright devour-worthy for our readers.
We’ve read many in advance to let you know if we think they are worth the hype, and others will remain on our wish list.
Our 2020 reading challenge is keeping us pretty busy along with travel. Then, keep scrolling to see what other books we are currently reading this February.
So, what are the best upcoming February 2020 book releases? Let’s get started!
Don’t miss all of our most-anticipated 2020 book releases.
Grab your favorite February 2020 book releases here:
- Audible Plus: From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
- Book of the Month: Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
- Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
- Express VPN – Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allows you to view movies worldwide – and they help keep your information safe. Our writers couldn’t have such diverse film reviews without using a VPN.
Table of Contents
6 Best February 2022 Book Releases
*All February 2020 book releases marked with an asterisk are upcoming releases and ARCs that we requested in exchange for a fair and honest review.
1. The Light After The War by Anita Abriel
February 4, 2020
WWII Historical Fiction
Inspired by a true story, The Light After The War is a February 2020 new release that we plan on reading for our September WWII reading challenge theme.
Two Jewish friends survive the Holocaust, escaping a train to Auschwitz and taking refuge on an Austrian farm.
They must start their lives anew on a journey that sends them around the world. Amazon | Goodreads
Explore the best WW2 books of all time here and our favorite WWII historical fiction novels.
Find even more Upcoming 2020 WW2 Book Releases here.
2. The Gravity Of Us by Phil Stamper
February 4, 2020*
LGBT YA Fiction
Start off your February 2020 book releases reading list with a sweet romance; you’ll love YA LGBTQ+ new release, The Gravity Of Us.
On a dreary Asheville weekend, we needed this cuddly romance filled with NASA science, social media success, and teen love.
Cal dreams of becoming a world-renowned journalist with an upcoming BuzzFeed internship and a huge social media following. Cal’s jam is live streaming meaningful stories with unique perspectives.
With plans thwarted as his parents move the family from Brooklyn to Houston to work on a NASA mission to Mars, Cal imagines his life suddenly falling apart.
Instead, Cal finds himself falling head over heels for an astronaut’s son and with a new story to share with millions of young followers.
Cal takes on a sleazy reality show meant to help fund and spark interest in NASA’s newest launch.
However, he believes there is another way to secure the program’s future instead of manipulating viewers with endless tears and drama–let’s call it integrity.
Can Cal save his dad’s and NASA’s future? What does his own future hold?
The Gravity Of Us is especially relevant for its take on mental health, social media’s role in society, and the way in which we see and report the news.
Cal and Leon’s romance is raw, sweet, and perfect in its imperfections. If the rest of 2020’s YA books are nearly as good, we are in for a great year. Amazon | Goodreads
Read even more YA LGBTQ+ novels.
3. Things In Jars by Jess Kidd
February 10, 2020*
Literary Gothic and Historical Thriller | Mystery
TW: Animal Cruelty/Death
Mermaids and dancing tattoos? Yes, please.
Starring a female murder investigator and set on the streets of paranoid Victorian England, this unique 2020 February book release is both fantastical and a tad grotesque — but in a bizarrely good way.
Bridie Devine — who reminds me a lot of a red-headed Jessica Jones — must uncover who kidnapped Christabel Berwick, a girl with supernatural ‘powers.’
If you like impish mermaids, this Gothic story is for you.
However, Things In Jars is less about Cristabel and more about a life of torment and perseverance.
Most appealing is the ghostly sidekick and haunting romance paired with a long string of mysterious but not quite random murders.
Kidd weaves characters and timelines together seamlessly.
With somewhat nightmarish surrealism, Things In Jars is incredibly vivid and dense in imagery and language, which is refreshing for an adult murder mystery/fantasy. P.S. This isn’t a cozy mystery.
If you love books about Ireland and Irish mythology, this one is for you.
Find vile cadavers, love, SNAILS, and camaraderie in Things In Jars here: Amazon | Goodreads
4. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
February 18, 2020*
Paranormal Suspense & Thrilling Mystery
Back in 1982, Carly Kirk’s Aunt Viv mysteriously disappeared from the Sun Down Motel in upstate New York.
With her mother’s recent death and a love for true crime, Carly heads off to the little cursed town of Fell to investigate her aunt’s disappearance from 30 years ago.
In a thrilling and chilling timeline that jumps back and forth between Carly’s story in 2017 and her Aunt Viv’s in 1982, meet the scary AF ghosts at the Sun Down Motel.
Smell the endless cigarette smoke, get locked in with the candy machine, and watch the drug deals and affairs go down while a young boy runs for the pool.
Will Carly uncover the mystery of her aunt’s disappearance before getting caught up in a deadly tragedy of her own?
The Sun Down Motel is one of my favorite new February 2020 book releases, New York novels, and books that takes place at a hotel.
This is one that you will devour into the night…with all of the lights on and doors tightly shut.
We aer pretty sure The Sun Down Motel will be one of the top books of 2020.
If you like the My Favorite Murder podcast, the Ted Bundy Netflix series, or Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered book (mentioned below), you’ll love The Sun Down Motel. Amazon | Goodreads | Book Information→
5. The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica
February 18, 2020
Psychological Thriller
We’ve seen The Other Mrs. sitting in some book blogger’s DNF piles, but we arer still eyeing this one.
Sadie and Will have just moved from Chicago to small-town Maine. Soon after, Morgan Baines is found dead in her coastal home, putting everyone on edge.
With Kubica’s usual twist and turns, find a novel full of lies and family secrets. Amazon | Goodreads
Read around the U.S. with these books.
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6. The Splendid And The Vile by Erik Larson
February 25, 2020
WWII Biography and Historical Nonfiction
Erik Larson brings Winston Churchill’s courage, determination, and British leadership to life during WWII.
Pulling from diaries and once-secret government documents, readers not only see Churchill as a political figure but also as a family man. Amazon | Goodreads
Recent Reading List/Mini-Reviews
Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker
March 2017
Nonfiction Wine Books
We read Cork Dork as part of January’s Uncorked 2020 Reading Challenge’s theme: books that change your perspective.
Bosker is downright hilarious and taught us just how much training goes into becoming a sommelier.
Readers gain a better appreciation and understanding of wine; yet, Bosker also addresses the skepticism and elitism behind the industry. Is wine tasting sometimes just BS?
If you want to learn about the underground world of sommeliers and the wine and food service industry, Cork Dork is for you.
In Cork Dork, Bosker mentions the podcast, I’ll Drink To That. If you are interested in wine history, check it out.
Although some of the wine talk is a bit over our head, we find the precision fascinating. The last episode we listened to talked about WWII and winemaking. Amazon | Goodreads
Read even more books about wine.
Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis
March 2019
Self-Help, Motivation Nonfiction
It’s no secret that as part of the Uncorked 2020 Annual Reading Challenge, we read and then slammed down my opinions for Girl, Stop Apologizing.
The verdict: we didn’t understand the hype surrounding Hollis’ two new books, and we probably won’t be reading another by her.
Hollis seemed to talk at the reader versus motivate, and we didn’t find her inspiration original, mind-blowing, or unique.
We also found Hollis a tad condescending, overly prideful in her stories, and unconsciously spoiled/privileged. We rolled our eyes more than a few times.
However, we know that Hollis has also changed women’s lives for the better.
Our more positive takeaways include immediately responding to emails if you open them, only saying yes if it’s a ‘hell yes,’ and making time; we will always never find the time, otherwise.
Hollis also recommends letting go of toxic people, even if they are blood-related, or fixing that sh*t ASAP.
Along with working out and drinking water, we can get on board with some of her self-help actions. Amazon | Goodreads
Stay Sexy And Don’t Get Murdered by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
May 2019
Memoir, Self-Help & Motivational Nonfiction
If you follow TUL on Facebook, you may have seen the Read This, Not That graphic.
For readers in a time crunch, if you have to choose between Girl Stop Apologizing or Stay Sexy And Don’t Get Murdered, we’d pick Stay Sexy.
With their true crime and hit podcast, My Favorite Murder, Kilgariff and Hardstark tell us all how not to victim blame, still stay safe, and be ourselves.
Additionally, if you want a blast into your 80s childhood past like us, follow along with the authors as they come of age, ride Vespas, overcome obstacles including sex and drugs, and ultimately become the sensations that they are today.
Hilarious and witty–and full of curse words–you’ll learn how to hopefully be a better, more confident person while maybe even deciding you like true crime. Amazon | Goodreads | Book Information→
My friend Sheree over at KUWTP fully reviewed Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered here.
Recursion by Blake Crouch
June 2019
Time Travel Science Fiction & Suspense/Thriller
TW: Suicide
A 2019 Goodreads Choice award-winner for Science Fiction, Recursion introduces time traveling via memories.
Detective Barry Sutton will never forgive himself for the day his daughter died. Even though his marriage falls apart and he falls into a depression, his current life isn’t so bad.
But what if he could go back and change that timeline?
When Barry is captured and forced into a sick memory experiment — one that started with good intentions to cure Alzheimer’s Disease — he finds himself in a loop of even more troublesome timelines.
Pairing up with the scientist who accidentally started it all, can they stop the corrupt time loop and survive? Or, will they be trapped forever?
You’ll love this sci-fi thriller, especially if time travel books are your jam.
We read Recursion in two days flat. Thought-provoking yet dangerous, we highly recommend Recursion. Amazon | Goodreads
Grab your favorite February 2020 book releases here:
- Audible Plus: From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
- Book of the Month: Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
- Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
- Express VPN – Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allows you to view movies worldwide – and they help keep your information safe. Our writers couldn’t have such diverse film reviews without using a VPN.
What February 2020 book releases are you looking forward to?
We hope this brand new feature on TUL with upcoming book releases and mini-book reviews better prepares you for a month of fabulous reading and introduces you to new books.
Which of these February new 2020 books are you most looking forward to? Have you happened to snag an early copy of any of them?
What do you think? What other upcoming books are you eyeing?
See you in March for another round of new releases. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a post.
Upcoming Book Releases Posts That You May Also Love:
January 2020 Book Releases here.
Grab our March 2020 Book Releases here.
See which April 2020 Book Releases we’ve already read.
Discover our most anticipated 2020 WW2 books.
Christine Frascarelli
Christine (she/her) is the owner, lead editor, and tipsy book sommelier of The Uncorked Librarian LLC, an online literary publication showcasing books and movies to inspire travel and home to the famed Uncorked Reading Challenge.
With a BA in English & History from Smith College, an MLIS from USF-Tampa, and a U.S. Fulbright Fellowship in Christine's back pocket, there isn't a bookstore, library, or winery that can hide from her. Christine loves brewery yoga, adopting all of the kitties, and a glass of oaked Chardonnay. Charcuterie is her favorite food group.
I’m sorry, but I am so over WW2 books. I’ve read some great ones, but I find them so depressing, and I seriously can’t take it anymore. I know that’s kinda the point — to make you realize how horrific WW2 and Nazis were — and they definitely do that, but I need a break. Plus, I feel like the market is oversaturated with WW2 books. I need to experience other time periods.
That Victorian one sounds good, but I can’t do animal cruelty. Thanks for the TW in that one! *nopenopenope*
I am soooooo excited The Sun Down Motel. I love Simone St James, and I have been hearing nothing but spookily good things about her newest book! I have been trying to get an ARC of it, to no avail. I only read print books, so I haven’t tried NetGalley or anything. Guess I’ll have to wait for February…thankfully, it’s almost here!
And, The Other Mrs sounds pretty intriguing. I think I’ll try that one, as well.
Thanks for sharing!!!
AHAHA, I love that you posted this comment the day that I put out a teen WW2 list…and, um, I might have another one on the way. Dang it!!! I am so sorry! BUT I TOTALLY GET IT, TOO!!! You should see how many WW2 books are coming out this year. I’m torn because I kind of love the genre, but I love them more when they are set in unique or untold places, like the Baltic States, and shed light on lesser-known stories like with Ruta Sepeteys’ novels.
I picture WW2 novels like the steady influx of time travel novels…another guilty pleasure.
This year, I am trying to focus a little more on historical fiction along with the books set in places since it seems like people love the international appeal tied with history–but not all from a single place all at once.
I am TERRIBLE with animal cruelty. I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to get through Things In Jars because no one warned me. Once I started, I was like, OH CRAP. But, you can kind of tell when the scenes are coming…there is a little foreshadowing here and there, so I tried to skip that page(s). It wasn’t a huge part of the story, but man, I started one book last year: on the very first page, a cat was not having a good day…I was DONE. It looks like Things in Jars might keep going too. Also, why is it that Gothic fiction always seems to torture animals?! Have you noticed that too?
The Sun Down Motel, I swear, is going to be one of the top new releases of 2020. I don’t do murder mysteries that well because they scare the crap out of me. However, it was SO good. As you are reading it, you know something is not as it seems. Only at the end, the secret is revealed, and I think the book is a spooky genius! You don’t always know who to trust. Plus, it’s a page-turner. I hope you LOVE it too.
I struggle with ebooks, as well–although I don’t like requesting physical copies either–unless they are from the library. I prefer physical books, but I don’t like collecting/hoarding them. Every time we move, I have 100s to donate.
The Other Mrs. seemed super hit or miss for everyone. Thanks!
The Light After the War is right up my alley!! I’m realllly looking forward to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes; May 19th needs to get here already! You & Kathy definitely did a good job coming up with a catchy name haha, I love it 🙂
Thanks so much! I am thinking each month, I will add anything and everything that is “Buzz Worthy,” including links to great blogs, new releases, books I love, podcasts, etc. So far, this new series has been immensely popular, and I am SO thrilled–casually talking about what I love and think readers will enjoy is so much fun!
Ohhh, I hadn’t heard about The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I am going to have to look that one up. OK, I JUST DID. I HAD NO IDEA COLLINS WAS DOING A THE HUNGER GAMES prequel!? HOW DID I MISS THAT?! Thanks so much for the tip.
I’m just about to start reading March 2020 new releases along with books set in Iceland for the reading challenge and books set in Switzerland for our upcoming trip. I think I am going to have to map out my reading time lol!
I feel like I’m going to see The Sun Down Motel EVERYWHERE already – it’s going to be one of the big ones this year, I think! I loved Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered too (my own review coming soon…!), and I’d love to check out Recursion.
Yesss!! Agreed!
I cannot wait to see what you think about Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered.
Recursion was only on my radar because of the Goodreads Choice Awards, and I am so glad that I picked it up.
Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered is SO ON MY LIST.
Thank you for the mention. I feel so accomplished coming up with the word Buzzed for this awesome feature on your blog. I’m so looking forward to reading what TUL is buzzing about, besides the wine. Well, I come here to hear about the tipsy, buzz-worthy stories too. You always crack me up with your one-liners.
I cannot wait until you read Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered. I want to know what you think–and I know you’ll be real about it! I’m glad that you are liking Heller’s book, too. I meant to check back in with you about that one to see how it is going.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for the fabulous name. I love it. Now, I just need some special graphics for it or something.
Maybe I can buzz about other things too: like wine, podcasts, and good blog posts from everyone. I love it SO MUCH!
The Light After the War is in my NetGalley queue too! I love WWII fiction but I want to request some more domestic fiction too, especially after we were talking about niching down! Things in Jars sounds amazing too tho.
I love this addition to your blog. Mini reviews ways help, especially since I don’t have time to read anything I really won’t be in to. We clearly have simikar taste, especially after our talks about Hollis haha!! And you know I loved Cork Dork!
I’m trying to save The Light After The War for the reading challenge, but we will see. I did request The Prisoner’s Wife, which is also a WWII novel publishing in June (I know you saw that one too). I am looking forward to reading both!
Yes, domestic fiction: your latest book list was fabulous! I cannot wait to see what else you select. If I see any titles that I’d think would be perfect, I’ll let you know.
Things in Jars is SO good so far. It’s very whimsical but also a little dark and creepy. I love that one of the ghosts has tattoos that move, hehe. Things in Jars is so well-written, too–it’s that ‘dense’ fantastical writing that I feel is lacking from a lot of the books in that genre lately. Like it’s smart vs…cheap?! If that makes sense.
Thanks so much for the feedback! Oh, Hollis… She’s becoming my Voldermort. lol
Eeeek The Sun Down Motel sounds super creepy. I don’t know if I could handle it! The Light After the War is on my list of upcoming books I want to read too. I love that it’s a different take on WWII, mostly about what happens after the war. Also, I’m going to request Recursion right now from my library. I keep forgetting but I really want to read it!
Looking forward to these monthly wrap ups!
I’m trying so hard to save The Light After The War for the reading challenge…*trying*… I agree, too: most of the WWII books focus on the war itself and not the aftermath, which makes me want to read it even more. Let me know what you think when you read it, please!
I seriously read Recursion in two days, haha. So truth bomb: it’s not my all-time favorite time travel or sci-fi book EVER, but I definitely loved and appreciated the mind-bender. The book’s take on the nature of humanity is pretty disturbing but also true. I also like a little non-cheesy romance. After reading so much nonfiction, I needed a jolt of fiction–Recursion was perfect. I’m trying to get my dad to read Recursion. I think he’d love it too.
If it weren’t for posts like this, I wouldn’t know about most upcoming releases. Since I mostly read from the books I already own, I rarely know what is coming out unless it’s the next book in a series I am actively reading. Some of these sound interesting. I look forward to seeing what you think of them.
I’m so glad that a new releases post is something that you are interested in–thanks so much for letting me know. I’m super excited for the ones that I am actively reading now. I’m going to try to link to others’ book reviews in the future who write full-blown book reviews for a title.