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 during the last week?
The Raven’s Tale by Cat Winters: Gothic historical fiction about the younger days of Edgar Allan Poe and his muse. My review is here.
Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs: I finished my audiobook re-read, and loved it so much!
Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse: The excellent sequel to Trail of Lightning. My review is here.
Fresh Catch:
Two shiny new books this week:
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire: Yeah, I guess you might say that I’m a little obsessed when it comes to this author. As in, give me all her books. NOW. I’m excited to be starting her newest (although I’ll admit that I felt a little daunted when I picked it up to start reading and realized it was over 500 pages.)
Now playing via audiobook:
The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King: It must be over 20 years since I first read this book. The audiobook is narrated by Bronson Pinchot, and is just so, so good! I’ve listened to about 60%, should finished up this coming week.
Ongoing reads:
Three ongoing reads at the moment:
- Besieged by Diana Gabaldon, from the Seven Stones To Stand or Fall collection — a group read for my Outlander book group, two sections of the story per week.
- The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — my book group’s newest classic selection. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week… and since this book is over 800 pages, we’ll be doing so for quite some time. Great fun so far!
- Tortall: A Spy’s Guide –– a collection of writings and notes related to Tamora Pierce’s kingdom of Tortall. It’s pretty entertaining, but I prefer reading it in small pieces, since it’s not actually a novel to be read straight through.
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
Hi Lisa! The Raven’s Tale sounds good – Poe was an unusual man – I would enjoy reading about his younger days. I’ve always been afraid to read a Stephen King book, ever since I watched The Shining! Do you think I could handle one of his books?
Ha ha, depends on your tolerance for scariness, although not all of his books are really horror. The one I”m on now, The Eyes of the Dragon, is fantasy, so not at all scary! It’s really quite good. (You might also try a recent novella, Elevation, or his time travel book, 11/22/63 — see if his writing appeals to you!)
Thanks for the recommendations, Lisa!
I’m going to be starting Middlegame soon, maybe after two other books I need to get to first. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Oh good — once you read it, we can compare notes! I’m liking it so far — I’ve gotten to 25% so far.
Briggs and Maguire are favourites of mine too.
Have a great reading week
Thanks, you too!
One of these days I really want to make the time to read the Outlander books, but right now I’m settling for watching the show
I love the show! The books are really special… I definitely encourage to pick up the first one!
I actually have it, just need to find/make time to read it 🙂
I like the cover of that copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Me too! 🙂 I have my original copy from when the book first came out, but I happened to be looking up the illustrator (in relation to a completely different book), and stumbled across this edition. It’s been so long since I read the tales that I’m looking forward to reading them again, especially with all these gorgeous illustrations.
Yea, Chris Riddell’s work is gorgeous.