My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

What did I read last week?

Thanks to a bunch of my library holds coming in all at once, I was on a YA roll this past week:

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg: My review is here.

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally: My review is here.

100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith: I didn’t write a review, because I just couldn’t figure out what I could possibly say about this weird but oddly wonderful book. It’s much more Grasshopper Jungle than Winger (both of which I loved), but really defies description. I love Andrew Smith’s off-beat way of looking at the world through a teenage boy’s eyes, and the language is remarkable. I’ll be featuring this book in my upcoming Thursday Quotables post later this week!

Bloggy updates:

For those who’ve been here before, you may notice that Bookshelf Fantasies has a new look! After a year and a half with the same layout, my eyes needed something new to stare at. What do you think? I’d love to hear some feedback — and if you have any suggestions for improvements, please let me know!

Also, I wrote a post this week about being fed up with badly formatted e-ARCs, and based on the comments, it sounds like I struck a nerve! You can read about it and add your thoughts here.

Fresh Catch:

One new release arrived this week that I’m really looking forward to reading, plus I treated myself to two more of the Classic Lines versions of Jane Austen books:

 

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I’m so excited to finally be reading The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey! Now that I’ve reread The 5th Wave, I’m ready to go.

I’m still working my way through Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay — slowly. I’m picking it up and reading just one or two essays at a time when I’m in between other books, and it seems to be working for me.

Now playing via audiobook:

I finished the audiobook of Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein over the weekend. Even though I’d read the book a couple of years ago, I still found myself moved to tears while listening (which was a bit embarrassing, considering I was out for a walk at the time). I highly recommend the audio version as a nice complement to the printed book. The two narrators are both fantastic, capturing different personalities and the deep emotions of this story magnificently.

Reading with my kiddo:

The Expeditioners and the Secret of King Triton’s Lair by S. S. Taylor: Really enjoying this steampunk adventure tale!

Book club reading:

Classic read: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. (One chapter per week)

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon: Reading and discussing two chapters per week, from now through the end of 2015!

OBC Book of the Month: Henna House by Nomi Eve (discussion starts this Wednesday, January 21st).

Postponed until February: The next Fields & Fantasies Book Club pick is Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. If you want more information or would like to join in, just let me know!

Want to join any of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!

So many book, so little time…