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?

Second Life by S. J. Watson: I read this earlier, but just posted my review this past week. You can read it here.

Jesse’s Girl by Miranda Kenneally: Done! A light and lovely contemporary YA novel. Check out my review here.

And in graphic novels:

Alex + Ada, volume 2 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn: The second volume is just as good as the first! Maybe even better! I’m so happy my library had a copy available, and I read it the instant it arrived. Now I just have to wait for #3 to be released! If you like graphic novels, check out this terrific story about robots, A.I., and yes, love.

Mush! Sled Dogs with Issues by Glenn Eichler and Joe Infurnari: Wrapping up this weirdly random reading week, I read another graphic novel that caught my eye on my way out the door of the library. Mush! is an odd but endearing book about a team of sled dogs… and their power struggles, relationships, manipulations, and anxieties. All seen through the eyes of the dogs. Strange but really enjoyable.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I have another bit of travel coming up starting tomorrow, which got me thinking about travel guidebooks. In this age of online everything, are travel books just things of the past? My thoughts are here; come add yours!

Fresh Catch:

Despite hearing mixed reactions to the Austen Project, I’m eager to read some of the modern versions of Austen’s classics. This week, my copy of Emma arrived:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I’m leaving on a 10-day vacation, and while I don’t want to over-plan, I have a few books lined up that I’m really excited to read!

I’m in the middle of The Sweetheart Deal by Polly Dugan, which I’m hoping to finish before I head of out town.

For my vacation reads, I’m starting with All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, which my book group will be discussing at the end of the month.

Next, I can’t wait to read Poldark by Winston Graham… especially now that I have such lovely visuals from the BBC production to keep in my mind.

And of course, I’ll have my Kindle on hand, should I need even more bookish choices…

Now playing via audiobook:

I finished listening to A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore, and absolutely loved it! The narrator makes the funny even funnier. I was surprised to realize I’d completely forgotten how the book ends (I read it when it first came out in 2006), so I’m happy I took the time for a refresher before the sequel arrives in August.

And continuing onward with my Jane Austen kick, I’ve started the audiobook of Northanger Abbey, narrated by Juliet Stevenson (who did such a fabulous job with Emma). Sadly, I won’t have time to listen to the whole thing before I head out of town, and as I don’t think my traveling companions will appreciate listening to Austen in the car, I suppose I’ll have to wait a few weeks to finish.

Ongoing reads:

One with the kiddo, two with Outlander Book Club. All three should last a good long while.

Updated to add: It looks like Eldest will be on hold for a bit, as my kiddo is off to camp for three weeks… and left the book at home!

So many book, so little time…