February brings a trio of compelling reads that explore danger, truth, and the deep human need for connection. From a climate‑charged survival thriller set on a remote island, to a psychological mystery rooted in the fragile bonds of friendship, to Alan Alda’s timeless exploration of empathy and communication, this month’s books invite us to look inward even as they keep us turning the pages. Whether you crave suspense, emotional depth, or wisdom you can carry into your daily life, these selections deliver.

A Thriller with a Slow Burn

The very title of the book Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy forecasts an ominous narrative with strains of nature’s overwhelming power, climate change’s devastating effects, and a cast of injured characters hiding secrets.

Set on the remote, storm-battered Shearwater Island near Antarctica, the story follows the Salt family – patriarch Dominic and his three children – who are the final caretakers of a global seed vault as rising sea levels threaten to swallow the island. Their isolated existence is disrupted when a woman named Rowan washes ashore, barely alive, following a shipwreck. Her unexplained arrival on this wild, dark shore soon upsets the Salt family’s delicate balance, which is already strained by grief amid a series of personal disasters.

The narrative unfolds as the Salts nurse Rowan back to health while waiting six weeks for a final evacuation ship. The family is tasked with the impossible choice of which seeds to save and which to abandon as the vault begins to flood. During Rowan’s recovery we learn that she is not a random survivor, and that she intentionally voyaged from Australia to find her missing husband Hank, a botanist who was the lead researcher on the island.

Everyone in this narrative has a secret that is revealed gradually while the plot thickens with suspicion. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late – and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.

A thriller with a slow burn, Wild Dark Shore features evocative nature writing with just enough looming danger and plot twists to keep you guessing right up to the dramatic finish. GET THE BOOK.

~Joan Pagano, owner Joan Pagano Fitness, NYC

A Slow Unraveling of Buried Truths

Between Friends is a riveting psychological thriller that takes a deep dive into the dark, tangled roots of friendship.  It also explores how long buried secrets play a part in the friendship through the years.  Set in a small town in North Carolina, Natalie Banks delivers quite a page turner you will not be able to put down as a reader.

This story is about Madison Andrews, who has just returned to her hometown in North Carolina after a decade away.  She is there to settle her late mother’s estate.  Madison will also have to face her friendship she once shared with Olivia and Imogen.  The three of them had a very strong bond growing up until the night Olivia disappeared without a trace after a party in the woods.  Madison has tried desperately to forget those painful memories. Her return to town now will force her to face the horrible memories of that night.

Banks does an excellent job at weaving dual timelines and perspectives, allowing the reader to piece together what happened on that horrific night alongside Madison.  The slow unraveling of the buried truths creates a frightening sense of tension and makes the book impossible to put down. The characters feel real, flawed, hopeful and sometimes just like real human beings.  Friendship, forgiveness, betrayal, and the fuzzy line between right and wrong all play central roles in this story.  Banks does not offer easy answers, which makes the story resonate long after you have read the last page.

In my opinion this is a thriller at its very best, a slow build in the story line, no rush to see what happens.  It is a great way to keep the reader interested and wanting more from the book.  I loved this book and I congratulate Natalie Banks on an excellent job.  I highly recommend this five-star read.  GET THE BOOK.

~Francene Katzen, advocate for parents of children with drug addictions

Alan Alda on Empathy

I happened to be talking to friends earlier this week on the topic of empathy, and it reminded me of a wonderful book by Alan Alda, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU, WOULD I HAVE THIS LOOK ON MY FACE?  that I reviewed when it first came out in 2017. It had a profound impact on me and it’s worth bringing it to your attention.  It is a warm, insightful, and surprisingly actionable exploration of what it means to truly understand—and be understood. Alda’s blend of storytelling and science makes this a standout read for anyone who cares about communication, leadership, or simply being more present in their relationships. Read an excerpt here and get the book.

~Cheryl Benton, The Three Tomatoes, NY