February 2019 TBR + Link-Up

This February TBR includes a link-up for the Pick-a-Theme | 2019 Challenge hosted here @ She's Got Books On Her Mind. At the end of this post you can find a place to link-up to any reviews, discussions, and the like surrounding the theme you chose for February. You'll also find a link for the February link-up for the Royal Reading Challenge. I've added a few books you might enjoy for each challenge that I've discovered around Goodreads/the library that'll fit the theme. 

The month's theme is something that I moved up because I wanted to read these books so much. Can you guess the theme based on the month? I bet you can. I'm planning on reading three books from this theme. The books are short reads so there is no way I don't successfully read all the books this month. So have you guessed the theme? The theme I've chosen for this month is:

Ha! Did I trick you? I'm sure you scrolled down early but for those of you who didn't - who says you have to read all romance all the time in February? I know you were thinking it. 

Above you'll find some art I found centered around my theme. I did something similar last month with photography. I was lucky to find Claire Gary on ArtStation. Her designs have a clear Asian inspiration. I actually looked up Japan on ArtStation and found her artwork. You can see more of her artwork on her ArtStation or Instagram.

If Cats Disappeared from the World was a Christmas present. I knew I wanted to read Japanese fiction this year. And like the crazy planner I am, I knew I was going to have a theme month surrounding Japanese literature. This is a short read like all of the Japanese literature I chose. I didn't even think about/know about short books under 200 pages. Like I knew about anthologies but this was a new concept for me. I like how this deals with death and what ifs. I think it'll be an introspective read.

Ms. Ice Sandwich looks so cute! It's part of a collection of short stories published and translated into English. This is the one that had the best ratings and was very similar to my next pick. It's also about first love, kind of. So it does fit around February technically.

Convenience Store Woman is one of the most popular Japanese literature I've seen people read and love. I'm really excited because it reminds me sort of with Goodbye, Vitamin - my favorite book of 2018. The MC seems to be discovering who she is in this one which fits in with my life right now.

You're Never Weird on the Internet is the tbr pick everyone chose. Another surprise pick! I thought everyone would pick Watching You but that wasn't the case. I'm hoping for another winner with this one. I'm glad it is nonfiction since I hardly read any of those.

Comics Will Break Your Heart is a NetGalley ARC I have for review. I specifically wanted this one because it is by Faith Erin Hicks who does fantastic graphic novels. It's also a Romeo and Juliet type of retelling for the modern world which I love the concept of. 

One Crazy Summer is a book I have to read for this class I am taking. I've seen this cover so many times throughout my life that I'm happy to get the chance to finally see what's inside. I actually have to finish it by tomorrow so this'll be my first read of February.

Jingle Dancer is another book I have to read for a class. I'm happy that it is a Native American children's book since I enjoyed Hiawatha and the Peacemaker so much last month.

Fairy in Waiting is a blog tour read. I've taken a look inside and the illustrations are so pretty! There is even a ice cream recipe. It's a Sophie Kinsella book so I have high hopes that it will be great.

Inlinkz Link Party

Kusamakura - Kokoro - Kimi ni Todoke - Sweet Bean Taste

Inlinkz Link Party

The Royal Runaway - Kill the Queen - The Wrong Foot - Charming

What books are you reading the month?

Have you read any Japanese Literature?