Not a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

No work this Monday morning, but the start of a reading week nonetheless… Here’s the latest:

From last week:

Hmm, how’d I do?

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard: Done. I couldn’t quite bring myself to write a review. Suffice it to say, this is a powerful, sad, painful book; one that’s important to read but hard to enjoy. I admire the author’s courage and strength very much, and give her a lot of credit for coming forward and sharing her story.

Stiff by Mary Roach: Finally! I’ve had this one on my to-read list for years, glad to have finally tackled it. Not for the faint of heart (or stomach), but truly fascinating and surprisingly funny. My review is here.

In graphic novels, I read Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol. Delightful. From my Goodreads review:

Fabulous graphic novel about a lonely teen-aged girl who makes a new best friend – who happens to be a ghost. When loner Anya — an outsider who has conquered her Russian accent but not her low self-esteem or poor body image — falls down an abandoned well, she meets the ghost of Emily, who just wants to help. Or does she? Emily’s “help” soon takes on a more sinister tone, until Anya is forced to make a decision about her own life and what she stands for.

Crisply told and nicely illustrated, with a keen eye toward teen emotions and struggles, Anya’s Ghost is charming and funny, and at the same time manages to be sensitive and perceptive. Definitely a winner.

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon (group re-read): Onward we go. We’re finally at what is probably the most critical set of chapters in the book, and the discussion is fascinating.

And this week’s new agenda:

My brain cells are practically screaming for fiction.

First up: I finally got my copy of Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter from the library. Really looking forward to this one.

Next: Looks like I’ll get to another of my Wishlist Wednesday books without much of a wait. I plan to dig into The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan later this week.

And then: I’m feeling non-committal, but I’ll try to get to one of the pending titles on my Kindle, probably Jane by Robin Maxwell.

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon (group re-read): Chapters 48 and 49 on deck for this week. I think my favorite characters need some lessons in healthy communication skills.

And furthermore:

My new bookshelves are calling! Playing with books may take time away from the actual reading of books this week, but it’s just so much fun that I don’t mind at all. One side effect of my shelving project: Discovering all the books I bought last year and forgot about, as they sat hidden in bags and piles. Hello, old friends! What a happy reunion we’re all having!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.