If you don’t know, I am from Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Fold a map of Canada in half and that is pretty much where we are. However, the geography of Canada isn’t the point of this post but rather a beloved Manitoban tradition. Here in Manitoba, February is “I Love to Read Month”. Yes, you read that correctly- we have a month that schools go above and beyond to promote reading for kids. But it shouldn’t be just for children- let’s spread “I Love to Read Month” around the world for everyone!
I Love to Read Month
“I Love to Read Month” for anyone who isn’t familiar with it is a month where the fun and joy of reading is celebrated and the importance of literacy and reading for everyone is highlighted. When you are in school, you will hear a specific alarm over the intercom and will then “Stop, Drop, and Read” for 10-15 minutes. If we read for the full 10-15 mins, we got a slip of paper to enter a draw for various prizes, though if I am honest, the reading was more than enough for me. (I routinely got a pass to stay inside and read during recess, not that that will shock anyone…)
Unfortunately, there is no “Stop, Drop, and Read” in the workplace here. And it’s unfortunate because only approximately 30% of adults in Canada read daily. (I know, it is better than some nations but we could still do better.) So, what can we do instead?
How to Stop, Drop, and Read
Unless you want someone to randomly call you and tell you to read (which is not the worst idea in my opinion ha), I’ve got a few ways to work reading into my day. These may not all work for you- we all have different lives, maybe just one of them will help you!
If I catch myself mindlessly scrolling for more than five minutes, I open a book.
I start and finish the day by reading. Even if it is only a page, a page is a page.
I have a stack of books that I want to read out in sight so that I am reminded of them.
I also accept that some days, I am really not in the frame of mind to read. For me, that isn’t often, but it happens. And as reading is for enjoyment, I’m not going to force it.
The books I would stop, drop, and read immediately
If you are looking for books that will make you stop, drop, and read for the rest of your day, here are seven books to get lost in!
Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Legacy, Devoney Looser
I will continue to shout about this book from the rooftops- Looser is one of the most entertaining authors I’ve ever read from, and this new book on Jane Austen will challenge everything you thought you knew about the beloved author.
The Murder of Mr. Wickham, Claudia Gray
If you want some Austen-ish writing but you want fiction, try out Claudia Gray’s Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mysteries! This historical mystery series is based on the extended Austenverse, if you will- we have Elizabeth and Darcy’s son and Catherine and Henry’s daughter solving various murders, and it is great fun!
Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III, Flora Fraser
If you are a Bridgerton fan and want to get to know George and Charlotte better, this group biography of their daughters is absolutely fascinating. Fraser is a talented author and brings these women to life, despite being largely forgotten for their brothers.
And Then There Was The One, Martha Waters
You want a golden age mystery with a good dose of romance? Look no further than Martha Waters’ And Then There Was The One! It is hilarious, we’ve got banter, we’ve got a beagle, we’ve got nosy sisters, you won’t be able to put it down.
Mary, Queen of Scots– Antonia Fraser
If you have a longer weekend that you want to dedicate to reading, might I recommend Antonia Fraser’s Mary Stuart biography? All of Fraser’s biographies are wonderful, but I think her MQoS bio stands slightly above the rest. She led a dramatic life and Fraser digs into the details.
The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton
I knew that I wanted to include a classic on this list, so I thought I would stick with one that will be returning to our screens soon. (We don’t have any detailed info or a date yet, but Netflix has filmed a mini-series in late 2025.) I very much enjoy Edith Wharton’s books, but The Age of Innocence is my favourite. You will get lost in the characters and see exactly why she won the Pulitzer Prize for the novel.
The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street, Annie Gray
Finishing up with history, of course! Annie Gray’s exploration of the evolution of the high street is incredible. She has an impressively wide range of sources, covers high streets across the UK, and she shows how different generations have experienced shopping as it has become more accessible. (And also less….)
How are you celebrating “I Love to Read Month” this year?
Cheers,
The Historian
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