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.

In real life:

I’m very happy it’s Presidents Day! Who doesn’t love a day off?

What did I read last week?

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders: A witch and a mad scientist and the end of the world? Just as awesome as it sounds. My review is here.

The Chocolate Thief by Laura Florand: Not my usual cup of tea, but I didn’t hate this romance that I read for my book group. Check out my thoughts on this book, here.

It’s All Your Fault by Paul Rudnick: A funny, quick YA book about celebrity life, family, and doing the unexpected. My review is here.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I wrote a post with follow-up news, information, and links related to two books I recently reviewed, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. Check it out, here.

Pop culture goodness:

My son and I have been slowly working our way through my Buffy boxed set, and this week we finished season 4, with the awesomely weird “Restless” episode. So many priceless moments, including:

… and this treasure:

“Try not to bleed on my couch…”

Fresh Catch:

One new book thanks to Book Depository:

Three new YA releases all arrived at the library at once:

And a friend just back from Israel brought me this:

That’s Pride and Prejudice, in Hebrew. No, I’m not going to attempt it any time soon, but my husband was just about to give up on it in English, so the timing is perfect.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

All the Winters After by Seré Prince Halverson: I’ve really been looking forward to this one — so glad to finally be starting it!

Now playing via audiobook:

I listened to about 15% of Liar Temptress Soldier Spy by Karen Abbott, and then quit. It seemed like an interesting topic, but the audiobook just didn’t hold my attention well enough. So…

I’m now very happily listening (again!) to the audiobook of Night Broken, book #8 in the amazing Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I love these books so much! And I’ll be soooo ready for #9 when it comes out in a few weeks.

Ongoing reads:

And we’re off! My book group is reading and discussing two chapter per week of both Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon and Emma by Jane Austen. This is an online group, and anyone is welcome to join us — so if you’re interested, just ask me how!

So many books, so little time…