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’m back from a wonderful week visiting my daughter in Colorado! We spent a few days in and around Rocky Mountain National Park, then hung out back at her place in Boulder for the rest of the week. Fun hiking, a night-time tour of the Stanley Hotel (the inspiration for The Shining), delicious local restaurants and a cider brewery, lots of bookstores, and great mother-daughter time — what more could I ask for?

Now I’m back, catching up on work and household stuff, and hoping to hang onto my vacation cheer for just a bit longer.

What did I read during the last week?

Here’s everything I’ve read and reviewed since my last Monday Check-in post two weeks ago:

Fairy Tale by Stephen King: Captivating, magical, and altogether worth the time and effort! My review is here.

Travel by Bullet (The Dispatcher, #3) by John Scalzi: Another terrific audiobook in a sci-fi/noir series full of very cool twists. My review is here.

And check out my wrap-up of what I read on vacation:

• Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
• Heading Over the Hill by Judy Leigh
• Where We End & Begin by Jane Igharo
• Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Pop culture & TV:

I’m behind on everything, but can’t wait to start the new season of Abbott Elementary and to check out Interview With the Vampire!

Fresh Catch:

Right before I left town, I got some unexpected book mail — an ARC that I didn’t realize was coming. Hurray!

Then, while away, my daughter and I visited A LOT of awesome bookstores, and I indulged a bit. This one I bought new, and will be saving to savor in the new year:

And these are from a used bookstore… where I showed greater-than-usual restraint (keeping in mind that anything I bought would have to get packed in my already stuffed carry-on):

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty: Just started on Sunday, but I’m liking it so far! Not really surprising, as I’ve really enjoyed everything else I’ve read by this author.

Now playing via audiobook:

Welcome to the School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan: This author is always a favorite, and I’m really enjoying this sweet story set at a boarding school in Cornwall. This book is a reissue of a novel published under a pseudonym over 10 years ago — I actually have a paperback edition that I picked up a few years back but hadn’t read yet, and now that the books are being reintroduced, it seemed like a good time to finally jump in.

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments:

My on-going reads may be getting a little out of control!! As of this week, I have all of these in the works… plus whatever my current book and audiobook happen to be.

• Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’re doing a group read of BEES, reading and discussing two chapters per week. If anyone wants to join us, just ask me how! All are welcome.
• Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci: I may end up putting this one aside for now — it’s a collection of stories that I’m dipping into a bit at a time, but given all my other reading commitments, this one will probably be lowest priority.
• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain: My Classics Club Spin book. I’m reading via Serial Reader, currently at 66%. So much fun!
• A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny: I read this last year for the first time, and I’m joining the many fans who make reading this book an annual tradition each October. There’s a chapter for each day of the month, and it’s just delightful.
• Persuasion by Jane Austen: My book group’s current classic read. I’ve read this several times already, but I’m always up for another go! We’ll be reading and discussing two chapters per week, starting today.

So many books, so little time…