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.
Another busy workweek… with not a ton of reading time. Sigh.
What did I read during the last week?
The World Gives Way by Marissa Levien: Surprising and fascinating. My review is here.
Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie: Entertaining contemporary fiction — my review is here.
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier: My book group’s pick for June. My review is here.
Pop culture & TV:
My son and I finished our on-again, off-again rewatch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. We watched in chronological order — gotta say, it was quite fun to watch them all again, and I realized that I’d forgotten a ton of the details. Now I’m all ready for TV Loki and for the release of Black Widow next month!
Puzzle of the Week:
I actually finished two this week! (Hmm, maybe that’s why I didn’t have much reading time…)
This one was super fun:
And I really enjoyed this one too:
Fresh Catch:
I treated myself to a bunch of books this week — just couldn’t resist some of the Prime Day deals!
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison: A short-ish novel set in the world of The Goblin Emperor. I haven’t gotten very far just yet, but I love being in this world.
Now playing via audiobook:
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell: The 3rd Simon Snow book comes out next week, which means it’s time for me to re-read #2! I just started this audiobook yesterday, and I’m already loving getting back to Simon and Baz.
Ongoing reads:
Outlander Book Club is doing a speed-re-read of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, #8 in the Outlander series. We’re reading and discussing 5 chapters per week. Let me know if you want to join in — the more, the merrier! This week: Chapters 41 – 45.
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I’m finishing up Witness for the Dead today. It’s very good, although I’m wondering if it would have been better to read the Goblin Emperor first.
I think I’ll end up finishing Witness today too! I’m loving it — but honestly, I can’t imagine reading it without having read Goblin Emperor. Isn’t the world and all the names/titles/etc confusing?
Loved both the puzzles. I keep telling myself to buy a +1000 piece set soon but I think secretly I worry I’ll never be able to complete it, haha. Witness for the Dead is on my TBR too, let’s swap notes soon!
Before COVID, I hadn’t touched a jigsaw puzzle in years! Now, I tend to do about one a week. I’m loving Witness for the Dead! Have you read The Goblin Emperor?
Yes, and loved Goblin Emperor too. Though I’ve heard both books are very different, so I shouldn’t be doing any comparisons.
They are pretty different. Witness for the Dead feels smaller in scope, focusing on mysteries rather than doing the heavy lifting of world building.
Those puzzles look so fun to do!
So much fun! I’ve become kind of obsessed with puzzles since the pandemic. 🙂
A great lineup, Lisa. I’m heading over to read your review of A Single Thread. Happy Monday 🙂
Happy Monday, Barbara! I hope you have a great week!
Wow, I think it was a good week. Today is Sunday so we are starting the cycle again! Have a good week 😉
I love those puzzles – I need to buy a couple because I do enjoy them.
Lynn 😀
Puzzles have definitely kept me sane(r) during all these months of being stuck at home. 🙂