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Looking for brand-new February 2021 book releases to read? See which February book releases we loved, what we think you’ll enjoy, and what upcoming books you might want to skip.
Do you love being on time for the party with the year’s hottest new books? Don’t miss these February 2021 book releases sure to make some of the year’s ‘best of’ reading lists.
We are sharing what upcoming February 2021 new book releases to read, skip, or add to your TBR pile.
Of course, here at TUL, we love diverse books that inspire travel, historical and WW2 fiction, and inspirational and thought-provoking nonfiction.
Find a few of the most-anticipated February 2021 book releases in thrillers, mysteries, suspense, LGBTQ+, YA, and women’s fiction, too, along with our Book of the Month selections. Let’s get started!
Explore all of the Fabulous Books Releasing In 2021 Here.
Grab our favorite March and April book releases, too. Don’t forget that you can find February’s newest books here:
1. We get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month.
2. Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks.
3. Find books via Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans.
4. As a member of Amazon Prime, don’t miss Amazon First Reads — early access to Kindle books.
February 2021 Book Releases We Are Reading
*Books marked with an asterisk are upcoming February 2021 new book releases and ARCs that we requested in exchange for a fair and honest review or were freely gifted/offered by the author or publisher. Please know that dates of publication are subject to change.
The Removed by Brandon Hobson
Book Inspired by Cherokee Folklore | Book Of The Month | Book Set In Oklahoma
February 2, 2021
My January Book of the Month selection, Hobson draws from Cherokee folklore in a powerful story about family, home, and grief.
With the death of Ray-Ray after a racist police shooting, the Echota family hasn’t recovered. Trapped in a cycle of addiction and depression as well as suffering from mental and physical health, readers enter the Darkening Land with Edgar — a place between the living and the dead.
Beautifully written but also deeply sad, Hobson tells the horrific tale of how soldiers brutally removed Cherokee families from the land. This was one of the February 2021 book releases where I questioned what really happened at the end. The varying perspectives and their stories felt a tad too obscure at times, but overall, a fantastic read. Amazon | Goodreads | Book Information→
Find March’s New Books Here.
The Project by Courtney Summers
YA Thriller Set In Upstate New York
Expected Publication: February 2, 2021*
When their parents die in a horrific car accident, Lo’s sister Bea joins The Unity Project, a charitable organization that isn’t quite what it seems. Can Lo expose the group — a cult — or will she fall under its leader’s charm?
Holy smokes; I devoured The Project as someone who is fascinated by shows like Kumare, Wild, Wild, Country, Bikram, and Waco. The ending threw me for a loop, and you’ll feel for both of the sisters and their ill-fated decisions.
A new YA February book about pain, loss, and community, I wouldn’t skip The Project. Amazon | Goodreads | Read More
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
WW2 Historical Fiction Set In Paris | Libraries & Librarians
Expected Publication: February 9, 2021*
One of TUL’s most-anticipated February 2021 WW2 book releases, The Paris Library is based on the true story of a group of librarians from The American Library in Paris that join the French Resistance during WW2. Paired with an alternating storyline of a young girl growing up in Montana in 1983, readers watch as one woman tries to move forward from her past while another is hoping to build a strong and loving future.
If you covet books about libraries, librarians, and WW2, The Paris Library is most definitely for you. Prickly Odile will capture your heart as her world revolves around the Dewey Decimal System and refereeing her patrons. A story about powerful and strong women, you’ll cheer for their contribution to the French Resistance through the comfort of books and words. Amazon | Goodreads | Book Information→
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
YA Vietnamese-American Rom-Com
Expected Release Date: February 9, 2021*
Bao Nguyen works at his parent’s pho restaurant and considers himself pretty average. Linh Mai is the exact opposite and would love to pursue a career in art instead of working for her family’s pho restaurant.
The two restaurants are rivals, but what happens with these teenagers fall for each other in a Romeo and Juliet-like retelling?
I’ve read mixed reviews about A Pho Love Story, and this is one of the February book releases that I just couldn’t finish. The story felt immature/young and stereotypical. The characters had no depth and are tucked into a tedious and uneventful plot. Such a disappointment. Amazon | Goodreads
Read more about April 2021’s Newest Books.
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
YA Fantasy Set In/Inspired by Sierra Leone, West Africa
Expected Release: February 9, 2021*
One of TUL’s most-anticipated February 2021 new book releases in fantasy, Deka fails her purity blood ceremony, learning that she is a demon. Deka must decide if she wants to accept a fate worse than death –she is practically immortal — or fight in the emperor’s army with the promise of purity and redemption. Can she trust them, though?
A beautiful and riveting story about women, friendship, love, family, and survival, find power and strength in this YA February book release. You’ll champion Deka and all of the evil forces she goes up against, including abuse, racism, misogyny, and xenophobia.
I demolished The Gilded Ones in a few days — and the story has a satisfying twist that is to be continued. With a gorgeous cover and mesmerizing plot, I’m pretty sure this will be one of my top YA books of 2021. Amazon | Goodreads | Book Information→
Don’t miss all of 2021’s Most-Anticipated Book Releases Here→
February 2021 Book Releases In Translated Literature
We Are Reading
Gerta by Kateřina Tučková
Translated by Véronique Firkusny
Translated from Czech to English | WW2 Historical Fiction
February 1, 2021
For February 2021 book releases in translated literature, Amazon First Reads is where it is at – a perk of Amazon Prime. I have yet to start my copy of Gerta, which is Kateřina Tučková’s first book translated into English. A WW2 story, the Nazis expel Gerta and her infant daughter from Czechoslovakia — deeming her an enemy of the state. Amazon | Goodreads
The Ardent Swarm by Yamen Manai
Translated by Lara Vergnaud
Book Set In North Africa | Translated Literature
Expected Translated Publication: February 1, 2021
Original French Publication: 2017
Another new February book release included with Amazon First Reads and from an award-winning Tunisian author, The Ardent Swarm is a satire about a beekeeper and his country’s first democratic elections.
A humorous and equally heart-rendering allegory, watch as a country struggles through revolutionary change — where as soon as the cameras are off, politicians leave behind the people they promised to serve. Amazon | Goodreads | Book Information→
When you are finished, head over to see May’s Most Anticipated New Books.
More Exciting New February 2021 Book Releases
This Close To Okay by Leesa-Cross Smith
Southern Fiction Set In Kentucky
Expected Publication: February 2, 2021
Tallie Clark is newly divorced and heading home when she saves a man from taking his life. This man doesn’t know that Tallie is a therapist. Told through each of their perspectives, these two strangers help each other through one eye-opening weekend. Amazon | Goodreads
My Year Abroad by Chang-Rae Lee
Book Set Across Asia
Expected Publication: February 2, 2021
A satire about entrepreneurship and the American Dream, larger-than-life Pong takes Tiller on an adventure of a lifetime across Asia. Told through both of their perspectives, readers watch as Tiller learns, grows, and processes his future. Amazon | Goodreads
More Most-Anticipated February 2021 Book Releases
Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan – February 2, 2021 – Head to suburban Long Island for drama, a sinkhole, and one dangerous accusation.
The (Other) You by Carol Joyce Oates – February 9, 2021 – In a series of short stories, Carol Joyce Oates examines the lives we could have lead if we made different choices.
The Russian Cage by Charlaine Harris – February 23, 2021 – The third in the Gunnie Rose series, Lizbeth Rose must rescue her partner from Holy the Russian Empire.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
LGBTQ+ Romance Set In Vegas, Portland, and New York
Expected Publication: February 23, 2021
One of the LGBTQ+ February 2021 book releases on my TBR list includes Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers. After getting her Ph.D. in Astronomy, Grace Porter heads to Vegas for a celebration where she suddenly finds herself married to a stranger. She and her new wife head to New York where Grace must reconcile her life’s path. Amazon | Goodreads
More LBGTQ+ February 2021 Book Releases
Let’s Get Back To The Party by Zak Salih – February 16, 2021 – I’ve read widely mixed reviews for this one. Sebastian Mote wants to get married. When he runs into an old friend, they both question what it is like to be a gay man in today’s society.
February 2021 Book Releases In Historical Fiction
The Four Winds By Kristin Hannah
Historical Fiction Set In Texas
Expected Release Date: February 2, 2021
It’s 1934 in Texas during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl Era. Elsa Martinelli must decide if she’ll stay at fight or move further out west. Amazon | Goodreads
Don’t miss our Most-Anticipated WW2 2021 Book Releases.
The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron
WW2 Historical Fiction Set In Paris
Expected Publication: February 16, 2021
Head to Paris in one of our most-anticipated 2021 WWII book releases, The Paris Dressmaker. Inspired by true events, follow two women fighting in the war effort via fashion. Amazon | Goodreads
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
WW2 Historical Fiction Set In England
Expected Release Date: February 23, 2021
Watch as four women compete to host The Kitchen Front, a BBC-sponsored World War 2 cooking show. These women consist of a young widow, kitchen maid, the lady of the manor, and a trained chef, all with dreams for the chance at a better life. Amazon | Goodreads
While Paris Slept by Ruth Druart
WW2 Historical Fiction Set In CA and Paris
Expected Release Date: February 23, 2021
Set in 1953 Santa Cruz and 1944 Paris, a young Jewish woman pushes a baby into the arms of a railroad worker. Their lives are forever changed. Amazon | Goodreads
More February 2021 Book Releases In Historical Fiction
The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec – February 9, 2021 – Inspired by Norse mythology, an exiled witch falls in love, producing three hidden and unusual children.
Dangerous Women by Hope Adams – February 16, 2021 – It’s 1841 in London and 180 convicted Englishwomen find themselves on a transport ship bound for Australia. Based on the true story of the Rajah, watch as these women try to survive.
Nonfiction February 2021 Book Releases
Four Hundred Souls edited by Ibram X. Kendi & Keisha N. Blain
Black & African American History
Expected Publication: February 2, 2021
Four Hundred Souls is a volume of Black and African American history complied by 90 writers. Each writer covers 5 years of African American and Black history in a 400-year span. Amazon | Goodreads
How To Avoid A Climate Disaster by Bill Gates
Nonfiction Environment Science & Engineering
Expected Publication: February 16, 2021
Drawing from experts across numerous fields, Bill Gates studies climate change and how to stop an environmental disaster. Gates focuses on the role of technology and lays out a plan to achieve zero emissions. Amazon | Goodreads
More New Releases In Nonfiction
Think Again by Adam Grant – February 2, 2021 – Organizational psychologist Adam Grant literally wants us to think again. People are blinded by the idea that they are educated. We prefer things that make us feel good versus thinking harder. With revolutionary ideas, Grant teaches readers how not to believe everything that we think.
Don’t miss our absolute top books of 2020→
YA February 2021 Book Releases
Game Changer by Neal Shusterman
YA Sci-Fi
Expected Publication: February 9, 2021
One of the most debated YA February 2021 book releases, Shusterman tackles white privilege, racism, sexism, and homophobia. When Ash is struck on the football field, he visits different universes with small changes that grow into something more. Amazon | Goodreads
Which of these February 2021 book releases are you most looking forward to?
What upcoming February new book releases are you most excited about? Which books will you skip? Are you eyeing a few that TUL missed? Please let us know in the comments.
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35 Best Books Of 2020
December 2020 Books You Might Have Missed
Wow! There are so many great books coming out this month. I’ve been looking forward to The Kitchen Front for awhile now because I have loved all of Jennifer Ryan’s books. And, I can’t believe I wasn’t aware of The Paris Library until now. It looks so good!
The Paris Library is a fantastic read — it was supposed to come out last year but was delayed until Feb. 2021. Definitely recommend it!