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.
Welcome to 2019!
It’s my first Monday post of the new year! I didn’t have exactly a stellar first week of reading (neither of the two print books I read blew me away) — but luckily, I’m not a big believer in omens, so I’m thinking it’s onward and upwards from this point forward.
What did I read during the last week?
The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker: Terrific premise, but this book turned out to be just a “meh” read for me. Here’s why.
Terrier (Beka Cooper, #1) by Tamora Pierce: I finished the audiobook! What a fun, captivating start to the trilogy. I’m just waiting for my library hold to come in so I can start #2. (As usual with the Pierce books, I’ll do a write-up when I finish the entire trilogy.)
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden: I didn’t end up writing a review for this one. I liked it well enough, and it did a good job of wrapping up the trilogy — but somehow, I was pretty much underwhelmed by the book overall, and didn’t feel the emotional connection I did with the first two.
I also listened to a good audiobook short story:
Atomic Marriage by Curtis Sittenfeld: A fun, brief listen — currently a free selection from Audible, and takes less than an hour to listen to. I liked it!
Outlander, baby!
I’m writing reaction posts for each episode of season 4. Last week’s post went up a little later than usual – check it out:
Episode 409, “The Birds & the Bees” (aired 12/30/2018) – the post is here.
As for the newest episode:
Episode 410, “The Deep Heart’s Core” (aired 1/6/2019) – I was a bit under the weather on Sunday, and decided to hold off on watching until I had more energy. How shocking, not to watch a new episode on its air date! I’ll watch and write up my reaction tonight.
Pop culture goodness:
My son and I have started a Game of Thrones binge! I’ve watched the show from the beginning, of course, but he was too young at the time. So now, we’ve started from season 1 (and have just finished season 2), working our way through the entire series before the final episodes in April. (There are definitely some explicit scenes that are cringe-worthy when watching with my teen, but we just kind of pretend that the other person isn’t there, and we get through it.)
Fresh Catch:
I picked up a couple of books from the Great American Read list for part of a reading challenge I’m participating in this year.
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
Bird Box by Josh Malerman: I’ve been meaning to read this for a couple of years now — and now that it’s a Netflix movie, I realized that I needed to read it ASAP before I end up seeing spoilers. I’m at about 50% at the moment, and loving it.
Now playing via audiobook:
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon: I picked up this audiobook on a whim while browsing the library website. I saw this book mentioned on a few “best of” lists recently, and something sweet and light really appeals to me right now.
Ongoing reads:
My book group is just starting our next Lord John story, A Plague of Zombies. I’ve read it before (of course!), but it’s always fun to do a deeper dive with the group.
And coming soon… we’re starting our next classic read at the end of the month! I’m really looking forward to our group read of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
So many books, so little time…
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Bookshelf Fantasies 
I am picturing you watching Game of Thrones with your son, lol. But still, what an awesome way to spend time together. I wish my kids were interested in fantasy and reading!
Sadly, he’s not into reading at all — but I can always count on him for TV!
Lol at your experience watching GOT with your son, but I think that’s pretty cool.
Oh Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of my favorite books. I love the writing. Would be cool to know what your club thinks of it.
That’s so great to hear about Their Eyes Were Watching God! It’s one of those books that I’ve always meant to read, so I’m really delighted my book group chose it. We do our classic reads chapter by chapter, two per week. Can’t wait!
I really want to read something by Katherine Arden – I love the way her synopsis always read like a dark Russian fairytale! I’m glad you didn’t have anything to say about Outlander this week as I haven’t seen the episode yet either! 😂
I think you’ll enjoy Katherine Arden! “Dark Russian fairytale” is pretty perfect for summing up her books — a wonderful story told across the three books in the trilogy. I did watch Outlander finally! Such a good episode…