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.
We had a pretty goofy family Zoom this week — the first one we’ve managed to pull off. It was fun and silly, and just so nice to see everyone’s faces, even from far away.
What did I read during the last week?
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix: Loved it. My review is here.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison: I’m in love with this book! Why didn’t I read it years ago? My review is here.
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor: Really enjoyed this audiobook, and can’t wait to listen to #2! My review is here.
Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally: Wonderful YA. My review is here.
I also had one DNF this week:
Siri, Who Am I? by Sam Tschida: DNF’d at 20%. It was just so dumb. I couldn’t take it a second more.
Pop culture — Outlander, season 5:
Season 5 of Outlander is getting close to the end!
Outlander, episode 510, “Mercy Shall Follow Me” — my reaction post is here.
Only two episodes left this season!
Other TV watching:
I finished Sex Education. Loved it — bring on season 3!
Fresh Catch:
Ooooh. My copy of The Last Emperox arrived! This is the 3rd book in the Interdependency trilogy (my reviews of books 1 & 2 are here and here). So excited to read the conclusion!
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
I started reading Of Literature & Lattes by Katherine Reay, and then realized that it’s the follow-up to her previous book, The Printed Letter Bookshop, which I haven’t read. So… I’m detouring back to the first one, before I return to the second!
Now playing via audiobook:
Educated by Tara Westover: Okay, so I’m only about two years behind everyone else! I’m glad to finally be experiencing this powerful memoir. I’m about halfway through the audiobook — it’s great.
Ongoing reads:
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes: My book group is reading two chapters per week. I’m still about six chapters behind… but slowly, slowly making an effort to catch up.
Past Prologue by Diana Gabaldon and Steve Berry: Also in book group, we’re doing a group read of this short story featuring the King of Men (Jamie Fraser).
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
Enjoy your reading!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thanks! Have a great week!
Hi Lisa – I like your Brady Bunch/Zoom meme. I had a work Zoom last week and one of my co-workers seemed to be looking up towards my square, just as I was talking. We laughed at that because it was just a coincidence! Glad you are liking the audiobook version of Educated. I thought the book was very good. Does the author narrate it? – Hope you are well!
Hi Barbara! Zoom meetings had already taken over my work life, and now the family is getting into Zoom too. It was actually really fun to have family Zooms, because people were being so goofy and funny… and since we all live so far away from each other, it was a great reunion! The Educated audiobook is great, but it’s not narrated by the author. I believe I’ve heard this narrator before (have to look her up) — she’s very good. I’m struggling to stick with the audio, because I’m very engaged and it’s hard to stop when I finish my walks!
Sex Education might be my next Netflix binge, after I finish Riverdale😁
I hope you check it out! It’s really, really good. But does that mean I need to watch Riverdale?? In terms of CW shows, I’m thinking of watching Jane the Virgin next — I watched the first two season when they aired, but never ended up finishing.
I’m struggling my way through The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, but I’m not giving up yet, I’m still fairly at the beginning of it all, but it hasn’t grabbed me yet. And I just finished the first season of OZARK last night – that show is CRAZY!!!!!
Ooh, Ozark! I keep hearing good things. Maybe a future binge?
It’s definitely binge worthy 😀
Loved the audiobook of Educated!
It’s really good! I just wish I had more time during the week to listen — I haven’t gotten outside for a walk in two days, so I haven’t made any more progress. 😦
I’m glad you were able to get a zoom meeting going! My family did a Zoom meeting on Sunday and my uncle complained there were only 8 of us logged in so we didn’t look like the Brady Brunch 🤣🤣
Ha ha, no one can really rival the Brady Bunch! My family’s zoom was pretty goofy, and people came and went, but it was good silly fun.