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.

Happy November! I didn’t do anything for Halloween (except candy… yum), and now I’m ready to start thinking about Thanksgiving. Although I did get out of my house over the weekend to hear a friend’s band play at an outdoor venue in my neighborhood, and it was a lot of fun! Look at me, actually being social!

Blogging and reading

I’m making a big push to winnow down my pending/unread NetGalley ARCs before the end of the calendar year. I won’t get through them all, but I’m hoping to make a big dent. For 2022, I’m keeping requests to a minimum (trying to keep to books that I’d read with or without ARC access). I want to get back to reading whatever I feel like, whenever I feel like, without worrying about keeping up with commitment books and planning around release dates. Wish me luck!

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

The season finale of What We Do in the Shadows dropped this week… and for a silly vampire comedy, I have to say this season has been pretty brilliant! Here’s a thoughtful write-up via Vulture (full of spoilers, so don’t read if you’re not caught up).

Here’s a peek at a favorite episode from this season:

Other than that, I’ve been catching up on a few shows I fell behind on, and started Only Murders in the Building, which is cute (and as of episode 3, features one of my favorite cameo/guest spots of the year).

And despite having watched Dune already last week from the comfort of my couch, I’m trying to find a time to go see the IMAX version with a friend, hopefully this coming week.

Fresh Catch:

I treated myself to more books this week — a new paperback release, a couple more paperbacks of books I’ve already read on Kindle, and the newest MinaLima Harry Potter edition:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow: After the last book I finished, I need something on the more upbeat side to cleanse my brain. I’m hoping this fairy tale retelling novella will do the trick.

Now playing via audiobook:

Well Matched by Jen DeLuca: I wish I’d had more time to listen during the past week! This is a really fun series, and I’m enjoying this book (#3) so much, especially now that I’ve gotten to the part where the characters are back at the annual Ren Faire.

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. This week: Chapters 131- 135. Three weeks to go!

• Doctor Zhivago is our group classic read, two chapters per week. Plugging away… this is definitely a challenging book.

So many books, so little time…