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.
Woo hoo — I finally get my cast off at the end of this week! I can’t wait to be done… although then I’ll be starting physical therapy, and I’ve been warned already that’s it’s going to be HARD.
I’m heading out of town for a few days this week for a work conference, and you know what that means? Four hours on a plane each way to read!
What did I read during the last week?
In brand-new fiction:
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood: I’m really surprised by how many negative reviews there are on Goodreads for this book. I gave it 5 stars! My review is here.
In audiobooks:
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell: I finished the audiobook (as a reread), and loved it. Still not sure I get everything about the Insidious Humdrum, but oh well. At least I’m ready to dive right in when the sequel comes out this week!
In middle grade:
Dead Voices by Katherine Arden: The follow-up to Small Spaces, Dead Voices is another fun ghost adventure for middle grade readers. It’s got some good thrills and chills (nothing too terrifying) and a nice focus on friendship and family.
And in graphic novels…
The Walking Dead, volume 32: Rest in Peace: I can’t believe it’s all over! While the TV series may keep going for decades longer, the comic series has come to an end. Rest in Peace is actually a very good ending for this series, which has had some ups and downs, but overall, has been an incredible journey.
Pop Culture
I couldn’t resist — I went ahead and started season 3 of Veronica Mars. And I’ve got the same mixed feelings about this season as I had the first time around. But hey, on the bright side, when I finish this season, I’ll have the movie up next!
And speaking of movies, I took myself to see this over the weekend:
There really isn’t much of a plot, but it doesn’t matter — the whole point is spending a couple more hours with all the characters. And hearing the Dowager Countess get in some good zingers.
Fresh Catch:
I treated myself to two books this week:
An adorable hardcover edition of Little Women, to go with my copy of Anne of Green Gables from the same series (Puffin in Bloom); and…
… this amazing-looking two-sided, accordion-style book. Can’t wait to start it!
I also hit the big library sale last week, and showed remarkable self-restraint! I spent $30 and came home with 11 books. Not too shabby!
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
The Institute by Stephen King: I’ve just barely started it, so I’m not into the story yet. I may put this one aside temporarily, since I have the hardcover edition and don’t want to take it on the plane with me.
Now playing via audiobook:
Kopp Sisters on the March by Amy Stewart: Book 5 in the terrific Kopp Sisters series. Even though I received a print ARC of this book a couple of months ago, I decided to hold off and wait for the audiobook. So far, I’ve listened to the audiobooks for the whole series, and the narrator is amazing!
Ongoing reads:
Two ongoing book group reads right now:
- The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Instead of going at my group’s pace, I decided to just push through to the end via Serial Reader. I think I’ll be done in the next few days! Finally.
- Virgins by Diana Gabaldon — Finishing this week!
So many books, so little time…
I love that edition of ‘Little Women’! Super cute 🙂
Am looking forward to the ‘Downton Abbey’ movie as well, I loved the show & I agree, it doesn’t need an exciting plot, I just wanna see them all!!! I’d watch ‘a normal, uneventful day at Downton Abbey’ anytime! Haha!
Have fun reading on the plane!
Thanks so much! Enjoy the DA movie. It really is just such a love-fest for the cast and the show. Really fun.
Sounds like a good week :))) best of luck with the rehab and physio <333
Thank you! Can’t wait for phase 2 of this surgery and recovery business. 🙂
Hopefully your therapy will go smoothly!
Enjoy your week!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thank you! I appreciate the support!
I’ve never heard of The Thorn and the Blossom but now I’m curious!
I’d never heard of it either, but then it popped up on my Amazon recommended list and I just had to see what it was like. 🙂
Happy Monday!! I love reading on planes 🙂 for some reason its one of my favorite places to read? And congrats on getting 11 books for $30! I love library sales ❤
The library sales are so much fun, and since all the money goes to supporting the libraries, I feel good no matter how much I spend. 🙂 I really do love reading on planes too — I get ridiculously excited about planning my airplane reading.
GOD! I AM RED WITH ENVY HEREEE!!! SOO SOOO MANY GORGEOUS BOOKS!!! EJHFIUHAWREUGHEROIDBCVIHEWB + the fact that I still haven’t read Rainbow Rowell’s CARRY ON just makes me wanna jump off a cliff and disappear into oblivion!!!!!!!
AND DOWNTON ABBEEEYY!!!! MY LOOVEEE! Tell you what, the first time I ever watched this show I became soo fucking obsessed that I went on and repeated it TWICE MORE!! XDXDXDXDXD
Loooveed your post! Sounds like you had an amazing week! ❤
Not a bad week at all. 🙂 I hope you love the Downton Abbey movie!
Pickwick Papers is the only Dickens except for the short Christmas Carol, that I’ve actually finished. I’m never reading him again! At my age that’s ok.!
Ha ha, you definitely have to right to swear off Dickens if that’s what you want! I actually read one Dickens each year for the last two years (Great Expectations and The Little Curiosity Shop) — but after Pickwick, I may be done. 🙂
I, forgot, I did get thru Great Expectations and it wasn’t terrible. My son and I listened to it. lol
I’ve been meaning to check out the movie version… one of these days.
I love how reading opportunities crop up during our days – plane rides are the perfect ones! Have a great trip and congratulations on getting your cast off!
Thanks so much! I’m really excited to get as comfortable as I can on the plane and then devote myself to my Kindle for the next few hours.