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?
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian: My review is here.
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant: My review is here.
Also posted last week:
My Fields & Fantasies book club discussion on Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, here.
Off-line:
Adventures in pop culture! After watching last week’s episode of Big Bang Theory with my son, and having him make fun of me for my fangirlish squealing when Nathan Fillion appeared, I decided it was about time to introduce the kiddo to the amazing world of Firefly! We’ve watched just one episode together, but he’s up for continuing. Dare I say it? We may have a new Browncoat on our hands.
My husband randomly decided that we should go see the 50 Shades movie. Um, sure, honey. I’d read the books (yup, all three); he hadn’t. I thought he at least was familiar with the storyline, but it turns out he wasn’t. His comment afterward? “I was expecting something fun and sexy — but that guy was just a sadist!” I started explaining the books to him, but in the end, didn’t feel like making the effort. Anyway, my mini-review of the movie: Not nearly as bad as I thought it might be. How’s that for a ringing endorsement?
Fresh Catch:
Here’s what came home from the library with me this past week – a big ol’ stack of YA books:
You’ll never catch me complaining that I have nothing to read!
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
I’ve just started Lost & Found by Brooke Davis.
Now playing via audiobook:
I finished Blood Bound and immediately started Iron Kissed. Listening to the Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs makes me go for much longer walks — I just don’t want to stop!
Reading with my kiddo:
Eragon by Christopher Paolini: We considered a few different options for our new reading adventure, but for now, we’re giving Eragon a try. We’re still in the early chapters, but I like it so far. It’s interesting to note that the author wrote this in his teens. I’d say that the writing is quite skillful, although it does feel like he’s trying a bit too hard to use complicated vocabulary when simpler language might do.
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 for February: The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian. The discussion is now open (and quite enthusiastic).
Want to join any of the group reads? Let me know and I’ll provide the links!
So many book, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I am so yearning to reread Eragon and finish the other books. Just need to get my hands on a copy!
That’s great to hear! I’ve seen the books around for ages, but didn’t know anyone who’d actually read them.:)
I read the first one back my freshman year in high school, so needless to say I need to refresh my memory. I am going to see if I can get my hands on them for my birthday =)
That’s so funny about the 50 Shades movie! I couldn’t get past the writing of the books and gave up after a few chapters — I keep thinking that the movie actually looks decent though. Probably will wait til it comes to DVD or Netflix though.
Yes, the writing is pretty awful. At least the movies doesn’t include Ana’s internal dialogue with her inner goddess. It comes across as much more serious than the book, and wasn’t terrible. It’s no more explicit than anything you might see on cable. Waiting for Netflix is probably a good idea!
I’ve read Eragon with my kids last year, they kind of liked it. Then I told them it was turned into a movie, so we watched it. My kids said, the movie was better than my reading. Ha ha.
Oh look, you have Flat-Out Love from the library, I hope you enjoy it. I liked it a lot 🙂
I’m sure my kid will want to see the movie too. 🙂 But for now, he doesn’t know it exists — I’ll tell him once we finish the book. Glad to hear you liked Flat-Out Love! I’m looking forward to it.
I finally got my husband to watch Firefly with me, he didn’t enjoy it as much as I did though.
Have a great week!
My husband watched episode with me years ago. He sat very patiently through the whole thing, then said “I’m done!” and wouldn’t watch any more. Sigh. My son is loving it thought! Have a good week, and thanks for stopping by! 🙂