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.
Wait, how is it February already???
Nothing exciting to report here. It’s been a crazy week at work, and I was desperate for the weekend so I could sleep in, get outside, and not stare at spreadsheets. Mission accomplished!
What did I read during the last week?
Valiant and Ironside by Holly Black: The 2nd and 3rd books in the Modern Faerie Tales trilogy. My reviews are here and here.
Other than catching up on Don Quixote (and that was an uphill climb for sure!), that’s all the reading I did!
Pop culture & TV:
I just started Queen Sugar, and it’s amazing! I’m close to the end of season 1, and will probably just keep going until I’m all caught up.
Puzzle of the week:
I finally started one this weekend! No photos to share, because I’ve only just started… but it’s fun so far.
Fresh Catch:
Hurray! An ARC for a book being published in April arrived this week:
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah: I’m getting started a little later than I intended, but I’m exciting to be reading this. I’m 10% in, and really liking it!
Now playing via audiobook:
Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra: A Little Women retelling, obviously. It’s pretty light and easy so far. We’ll see.
Ongoing reads:
- Outlander Book Club is re-reading Outlander! We’re reading and discussing one chapter per week. This week: Chapter 34, “Dougal’s Story”.
- Our current classic read is part 2 of Don Quixote. I’d fallen behind by a few weeks, but this past week, I put in the effort to catch back up. Now I just need to keep going.
- I’m slowly reading The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger. Another week with no progress, alas.
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
The Holly Black books sound really good. One of these days I’ll pick up Don Quixote again–my one attempt on a Goodreads buddy read didn’t work out so well and I left off after 60 or so pages. But I am determined to read it through at least once. Have been hearing great things about the Kirstin Hannah book, must pick it up sometime.
My book group started Don Quixote about a year ago! Originally we were doing 2 chapters week, and bumped it up to 3 once we got to part II so we could move faster.It’s been hard to keep my commitment, and I’ve fallend behind a few times — but we’re at about 65% at this point, so I’m determined to see it through!
Good luck with it. How are you finding it by the way? The few pages I read, I liked but not enough to keep me reading on at that point anyway.
I like it! There are some really funny bits, but it can also feel like a slog at times. Overall, I’m glad I’ve stuck with it. I never would have read it on my own.
Will give it a shot again. Perhaps it was just my mood at the time I started it or the fact that people who started the buddy read fizzled out themselves.
I just got Meg and Jo as a random library grab. So fun to see you are reading it too!
I hope you enjoy it! I’m always up for something related to Little Women!
I’m getting a book from Hachette today and now I hope it’s the new Rena Rossner book! Have a good week, Lisa😁
Ooh, I bet it is! I loved her first book — so excited to read this one!
Enjoy your reading!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thanks! Have a great week!