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.
It’s almost Passover! We’re doing a big family gathering at our house this year — the first out-of-towners arrived yesterday, and we have more coming over the next few days. We haven’t had a big seder in years. Should be fun!
What did I read during the last week?
Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson: A contemporary romance retelling of Romeo and Juliet (without the tragic ending). My review is here.
Leviathan Falls (The Expanse, #9) by James S. A. Corey: It’s going to take me a while to recover from reaching the end of this outstanding series. My review is here.
Also in the world of the Expanse, I read the two novellas in the series that I hadn’t read yet: The Vital Abyss and The Sins of Our Fathers. Both excellent, of course.
Outlander!!
Another terrific episode! I can’t believe the season is almost over. Due to pandemic filming challenges, the current season (the 6th) is only eight episode, and this week was #6.
Pop culture & TV:
This week’s binge: Our Flag Means Death. You have to check it out!
I also caught up on Abbott Elementary, which totally deserves all the buzz it’s been getting.
Puzzle of the Week:
Whew! Finished my 2000 piece puzzle!
It was a good one, despite leading to some serious eye and back strain…
Fresh Catch:
No new books this week.
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond: After my intense sci-fi series reading last week, I thought I’d switch things up with a silly romance involving an escape room and a demon summoning!
Now playing via audiobook:
The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk: Witchcraft and a novel of manners, narrated by a favorite (Moira Quirk, who does the audiobooks for the Custard Protocol series). Really enjoyable so far!
Ongoing reads:
These books will be on my plate for months to come:
- Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’ve started our group read of BEES, reading and discussing two chapters per week. If anyone wants to join us, just ask me how! All are welcome.
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare: My book group’s newest classic read. We’ll be going at a pace of one scene per week — now underway.
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I hope you have a great week ahead of you!
Thanks, same to you!
Happy Passover! I hope you have fun with your family😁
Thanks! This should be a hectic, fun week!
I love love love Our Flag Means Death! Taika Waititi is one of my favorite directors and he is just killing it lately. I am so happy to see it’s getting such a big following. He is the king of funny meets heartfelt. I’ve had the Expanse series on my list for FOREVER….and I think this may be the extra push I need to finally start reading it. I love a series that I need to recover from after finishing! So much better when they make a lasting impact. I recently finished a historical fantasy series that I found extremely unique, and entertaining called “Forerunner” by Jay Veloso Batista (https://www.jayvelosobatista.com/). I think I can safely say it’s a combination of the TV show Vikings and Game of Thrones. It has a gritty Medieval feel with some exciting supernatural elements and Norse mythology. These books provide a different view of the Norsemen, focusing on family love and loyalty, sacrifice and pride. It seems I am now a historical fantasy fan! Who knew?
If you end up checking it out, I would love to know what you think!
Thanks so much for the recommendation — I’ll check it out! Taika Waititi is so talented (and I love him onscreen as well). I hope you do give The Expanse a try!
I hope you have a wonderful family celebration!
Wishing you a great reading week
Thank you so much! Have a great week!
what a fantastic puzzle!!
It was so much fun! (But so big that my husband clamped an extra piece of wood to the edge of my table for me so it wouldn’t fall over the edge. 🙂 )