✨ Snowed In With Stories: A Fantasy-Filled February Reading List ✨
February always feels like the deep inhale of winter. The holidays are long gone, spring is still a rumor, and the nights stretch on forever. It is the perfect time to curl up with a blanket, a hot drink, and books that feel a little magical and a little emotional.
For my February 2026 TBR, I am leaning hard into fantasy, with stories that promise atmosphere, heart, and just enough darkness to match the season. This month I am craving immersive worlds without the commitment of a sprawling epic series. Think standalones and short books.
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A Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo (2025)
Fantasy, LGBTQIA+
Why I’m Excited:
At this point, the Singing Hills Cycle has me in a full literary chokehold. Nghi Vo has mastered the art of writing short books that somehow feel enormous (emotionally speaking). I have extremely high hopes that this sixth book will continue that tradition while giving me more time with Cleric Chih and longtime companion Almost Brilliant.
Throughout the series Chih and Almost Brilliant travel the world collecting, retelling and reframing stories. This installment explores themes of hunger and famine, offering an intimate yet far-reaching tale within the Singing Hills universe.
Anticipated Vibe:
I am fully prepared to be emotionally wrecked in record time. I expect lyrical writing, subtle heartbreak, and that familiar post-book haze where I stare into space wondering how something so small hit so hard and what these stories mean in my own world.
Murder at Spindle Manor by Morgan Stang (2022)
Fantasy, Mystery
Why I Want to Read It:
I have been circling this book for ages, placing requests with my library to purchase this book. Eventually I decided that patience is overrated and bought it myself. Self-published fantasy mysteries are always a bit of a gamble, but I am hoping this one lands firmly on the incredible side rather than flat-out flop territory.
A comedic fantasy whodunit set in Spindle Manor, this story is packed with secrets, twists, and a cast of deeply suspicious characters. Imagine a classic closed-room mystery, but add magic, chaos, and a sense of humor.
Anticipated Vibe:
I am expecting cozy chaos in the best way. There will be laughs, dramatic reveals, and me confidently accusing the wrong character at least three times. This feels like the perfect book for a cold night when I want mystery without taking things too seriously.
Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel (2024)
Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Why I Want to Read It:
The premise grabbed me immediately. A story centered on a mother and son, bound together across mortal and divine realms. I love books that explore family, loyalty, and love under extraordinary pressure, especially when layered with myth and history.
Set against a backdrop of divine intervention and mortal struggle, this novel follows the unbreakable bond between mother and son. It blends historical elements with fantasy to create a rich and emotional story.
Anticipated Vibe:
I am expecting to cry. Possibly a lot. This feels like the kind of book that starts quietly and then absolutely destroys me when I least expect it. I anticipate feeling both heartbreak and awe as I watch this mother and son navigate impossible circumstances.
The Other Side of Never: Dark Tales from the World of Peter & Wendy by Various Authors (listed below) (2023)
Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short Stories
Why I Want to Read It:
After loving Wonderland: An Anthology, I am officially obsessed with dark reimaginings of familiar worlds. Neverland is already unsettling if you think about it for more than five seconds, so turning it over to a group of brilliant authors feels like a recipe for chaos. Short stories also mean commitment-free reading joy, which is very appealing this month.
Each tale explores Neverland in strange, twisted, and unexpected ways. This anthology features fantasy and science fiction stories inspired by Peter Pan, written by a mix of established and emerging authors including Lavie Tidhar, Claire North, Premee Mohamed, Kirsty Logan, Edward Cox, Anna Smith Spark, Alison Littlewood, A. C. Wise, Rio Youers, Gama Ray Martinez, Juliet Marillier, Robert Shearman, A. K. Benedict, Laura Mauro, Cavan Scott, Guy Adams, Paul Finch, Muriel Gray.
Anticipated Vibe:
I am bracing myself for unsettling, imaginative, and occasionally unhinged stories. I expect to love some, feel deeply uncomfortable about others, and think about a few of them long after I have closed the book. This one feels like a mood sampler platter.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (2023)
Fantasy
Why I Want to Read It:
Honestly, I bought this book purely for the cover, the gothic vibes and the promise of a haunted house. I know very little about the plot, and I am choosing to stay that way. Sometimes the best reading experiences are the ones you walk into blind letting the atmosphere do the heavy lifting.
A gothic fantasy centered around a haunted house, Starling House weaves together mystery and dark magic. It promises an atmospheric story filled with lingering tension.
Anticipated Vibe:
I am anticipating that I will feel a little unsettled but in the best possible way. I expect to be drawn into a dark, mysterious world and I may or may not check behind me while reading, purely for ambiance.
February 2026 TBR Mood
This month is all about fantasy immersion without the long-term commitment. I am not in the headspace for epic, multi-book sagas, so this TBR is full of standalones and one beloved short series continuation. Maximum vibes, minimal overwhelm.
Every book on this list fits one of the prompts for my 2025 / 2026 Reddit Fantasy Bingo Card, which I have until the end of March to complete. Four of these reads also count toward my 26 Books in 2026 Reading Challenge. Reading challenges keep me motivated and give me that deeply satisfying sense of accomplishment. If that sounds like fun to you, I would love for you to join me.
If challenges are not your thing, that is completely fine too. I am a mood reader at heart, and prompts sometimes feel more stressful than helpful. That is why I created FREE downloadable bookmarks you can color in as you read. Click below to subscribe and get them sent straight to your inbox.
✨Final Thoughts ✨
What’s on your TBR this month? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments which one you think I should start with.
I will be sharing my February wrap-up in early March to talk about what I actually finished. In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to get my monthly reading posts delivered straight to your inbox.
What’s on your TBR this month? Have you read any of these books? Drop a comment and let me know which one I should start with.
Happy Reading!
~Kerri
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