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?
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Loved it! My review is here.
The Porcupine of Truth by Bill Konigsberg: A so-so YA novel that bored me with lots of road-tripping before finally finding its footing in the last quarter, with a series of very touching scenes about family secrets and family reunions. The writing is funny and sweet, and I loved the author’s previous novel (Open Straight, reviewed here), but this one just doesn’t rise to that book’s level of awesomeness.
Pop culture goodness:
I’m continuing my Buffy rewatch, and am now halfway through season 6. Man, is this a depressing season. Once More with Feeling and Tabula Rasa are two of my favorite episodes of all time, but there’s so much bleak and dismal in the rest. Hello, Doublemeat Palace, anyone? And Buffy, why do you need to be so mean to Spike? Sigh. I’m a Spuffy shipper, I admit it.
Outlander update!
Here’s my reaction post for season 2’s 11th episode, “Vengeance Is Mine”:
Insta-Reaction: Outlander, Season 2, Episode 11
Fresh Catch:
I’m approaching the end of my audio re-read of The Magicians, so I treated myself to the other two books in the trilogy:
And… a library hold came in:
It’s been so long since I read The 5th Wave and The Infinite Sea that I’m not terribly excited about The Last Star, but at least for the sake of completion, I suppose I should give this one a try just so I’ll know how it all works out.
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende: I have about a third left to go, which means — YAY ME! — I’ll actually be done in time for my book group discussion this week!
Now playing via audiobook:
This is a re-read via audio, and I’ve got about 3 hours left to go. I should be done this week! The narrator is doing a great job with the different characters, so it’s really fun and enjoyable to listen to. I just wish I had more time…
Ongoing reads:
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…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I read The Magicians years ago and I hated it. Maybe I should reread it and give it another chance?
Here is the link to my It’s Monday: https://coffeeandcatsblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/20/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-june-20th/
Interesting! I had mixed reactions to The Magicians when I first read it — maybe because I was expecting something much more light-hearted, and it’s really so bleak so much of the time. My interest in returning to the series was piqued by seeing the Syfy TV show, which I thought was really well done. We’ll see if books 2 and 3 work for me…
I might have to watch the tv show. That might help me like it more?
My problem with the book was that it wasn’t Harry Potter.
It’s definitely not Harry Potter! It’s like HP plus sex, drugs, and despair. 🙂