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.
Life.
Wishing joy to all, in all of your celebrations!
What did I read last week?
Read and reviewed — two terrific books:
A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn: Done! My review is here.
Extreme Makeover by Dan Wells: Done! My review is here.
Read but not reviewed:
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher: After reading Carrie Fisher’s newest memoir last week (The Princess Diarist, reviewed here), I felt that I just had to hear more! Carrie Fisher is a funny, frank writer who present a straightforward, humorous look at her life, despite all the very non-funny episodes she’s lived through. I read this book just days before Fisher’s current health crisis, and can only hope that we’ll hear good news about her condition shortly.
William Shakespeare’s Star Wars (“Verily, A New Hope) by Ian Doescher: Clearly, I have Star Wars on the brain right now! This Shakespearean retelling of the original Star Wars movie (you know, the first movie… which is #4… whatever) is rather brilliantly written and conceptualized. A play in five acts, this version of Star Wars is written using Shakespearean language and iambic pentameter, with bits of pieces of reworked Shakespearean quotes as well as plenty of movie lines cleverly recast into moving soliloquies and more. It’s just pure geeky fun, and it totally works. For a few samples of the wonders of this quirky book, check out my Thursday Quotables post, here. I understand that there are volumes of William Shakespeare’s Star Wars for each of the six movies in the first two trilogies, and while I loved this one, I’m not quite sure that I could stick with the concept long enough to read all of them. Still, it might not hurt to keep an eye out for The Empire Striketh Back and The Jedi Doth Return, just in case.
Pop culture goodness:
Given what I just wrote above, you may not be all that surprised to hear that I saw Rogue One this week! I’m not a huge, obsessed Star Wars fan or anything, but I did really enjoy the new movie.
In other movie-going news, my son and I went to see Passengers, which was much better than many of the reviews had led me to believe.
In TV viewing, I binge-watched season one of The Expanse, and loved it. I can’t wait for season 2 (coming in February) — and meanwhile, I may need to give in and read the book it’s based on, Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey.
And finally, it just wouldn’t be the holidays without the Doctor! My family loves to gather round for the Doctor Who Christmas special each year.
Fresh Catch:
No new books this week!
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
World War Z by Max Brooks: This book has been sitting on my shelf for YEARS. We finally watched the movie version last week (wow, creepy!), and I decided it’s better late than never for reading the book.
Now playing via audiobook:
Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger: I was home sick for a good chunk of last week, and made very little progress with the Etiquette & Espionage audiobook. (I can only focus on audiobooks when I’m up and about and on the go — otherwise, I just fall asleep.) I’m really enjoying the narrator so far. If all goes well, I may keep going with the Finishing School series audiobooks when I’m done with this one.
Ongoing reads:
My book group is STILL reading Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon — 2 chapters per week — and will be until June 2017!
So many books, so little time…
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Bookshelf Fantasies 
Yea, I was pretty tempted to get Leviathan Wakes as well after watching The Expanse. I loved the show though I was confused for most of it. I like how season 1 ends though and I can’t wait for season 2.
I think I’m in the same boat. So much confusion! Which is why I think I should probably read the 1st book before season 2 starts and I get even more confused. 🙂