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.
I bought a car! I’m so excited. We tend to drive cars forever in my family. My husband is still driving the “new” car I bought 18 years ago, but it’s on its last legs (last wheels?), so it’s time for our ritual passing of the vehicles. We’re selling his, he’s getting my 9-year-old car, and I get a shiny new one. It’s cute and it makes me happy… but now I have to learn how all the technology works. Silly high-tech car.
In other family news, my son is starting college today. It’s all remote and he’s still living at home until campus reopens, but still — my boy is a college student!
What did I read during the last week?
It’s been another slow reading week for me, so I only managed to finish one book. Luckily for me, it was a great one!
A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire: The October Daye series is my absolute favorite, and this new book (#14!) does not disappoint in the slightest. My review is here.
Pop culture & TV:
Continuing with Avatar: The Last Airbender — I’m almost done with season 2. It’s so good!
I also finished Indian Matchmaking on Netflix — which was fun, but also frustrating, since none of the main storylines get any closure. (I looked it up after I finished, and guess what? None of the matches from this show ended up staying together.)
Puzzle of the week:
This one was really challenging!
Fresh Catch:
I treated myself to paperback editions of two books I’d already read:
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides: My book group’s book for August, so yeah, I’m a little behind. I’ve only read a few chapters, but it’s off to a good start.
Coming soon:
Tomorrow is September 1st, and you know what that means? It’s time to continue my Discworld journey! I’m starting a new volume in the series on the 1st of each month. Coming up for September, book #2:
Now playing via audiobook:
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal: I’ve barely made any progress this week, but I like what I’ve listened to so far.
Ongoing reads:
Outlander Book Club’s re-read of Outlander is underway. We’re reading and discussing one chapter per week. This week: Chapter 12, “The Garrison Commander”. Thinking about this chapter in advance is giving me chills, because I can’t help thinking of the TV series episode of the same name, which included some of the most powerful performances of season 1.
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
Enjoy your reading!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thanks! I hope you have a great reading week too!
Congrats to your son! So exciting, and eventually campus will open and it will be another exciting time for him😁
Thanks! I’m hoping things change in time for spring semester. I remember how exciting it was when I helped my daughter move into her dorm at the start of her freshman year — I’d love my son to have the same experience… eventually.
The thing to keep in mind about Pratchett is that his writing changes so much as he goes on; the writing in the later books is excellent. Hope you stick with him, or jump ahead, ‘cause it really doesn’t matter chronologically, and barely matters within a subseries (I.e. Death, the Watch, Witches, industrial revolution, etc).
Congratulations on college, ours is a first year too!
First year, so exciting! Is yours on campus or remote learning? Re Pratchett, I’m definitely going to stick with it. I decided to go chronologically just because it gives me an approach that I can organize. Looking forward to the later books!
On campus; it’s an anxious time.
Hi Lisa – first of all, I love your new bitmoji – so cute! Also, congratulations on your son starting college. Our college son is on his campus and our fingers are crossed that they don’t get sent home. Our high school son started today, virtually, so just like you, I know what online learning is like! I can’t wait to hear what you thought of The Silent Patient. I enjoyed it very much – I hope you do too! 🙂
Thanks! How is your son feeling on campus? Are they restricting gatherings, classroom time, etc? I have a few friends with kids on campus, and it sounds like a strange experience, at least for them.
Well he’d been home from college since March so was very enthusiastic about returning and is happy in his apartment set-up with 4 other guys. Limited number of guests and they are online until next week. He only has one hybrid course anyway so it’s not that much different. It’s better for him to be at college. It was hard being away from friends etc. Fingers crossed!
Fingers crossed! Wishing him a happy and safe semester!
Yes, for you, too!
I missed some of your check ins but I’m so glad to see that you are enjoying the Avatar the Last Airbender!! 😀