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.

Today would have been the birthday of one of my best friends. She was taken from us much too soon, twelve years ago this spring. It’s always a bittersweet day for me, spent reminiscing and looking at photos of happy times together. An amazing woman and wonderful friend.

On a happier note, last week one of my online book group friends came to my town for a brief visit. While we’ve known each other for 10+ years, this was the first time we ever met in person! I took a day off so we could play tourist together, and it was wonderful.

What did I read during the last week?

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett: Charming story with really fun characters. My review is here.

Spare by Prince Harry: Listening to the audiobook was actually quite emotional. My review is here.

The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison: A short novel set in the world of The Goblin Emperor, and a sequel to The Witness for the Dead. Fascinating, as expected. My review is here.

Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth: A brief, biting novella inspired by Antigone. Definitely worth checking out! I’ll share a review later this week.

And… not quite a DNF — more of a putting aside…

Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year by Allie Esiri: This lovely hardcover book has a Shakespeare selection for each day of the year, and my intention was to keep up on a daily basis — but that hasn’t happened, and I’m already weeks behind. So, I’m declaring that intention null and void, and will instead leave the book on a coffee table, to be picked up on the random days when I feel like it. How’s that for a solution?

Pop culture & TV:

Last week’s The Last of Us was one of the best things I’ve seen on TV in a long, long time.

Besides that, I have a bunch of series I’m keeping up with, and just started watching the Amazon series version of A League of Their Own — really fun!

Fresh Catch:

My visiting friend gave me a lovely hardcover edition of this book while she was here:

This has been on my to-read list ever since it came out, so I’m super excited to have a copy of my own!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black: Just getting started! I’m excited to return to this world.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers: The 4th and final book in the Wayfarers series. I just started listening over the weekend, and it’s really good so far!

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments:

• 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. Coming up this week: Chapters 98 and 99 (of 155).
• A Passage to India by E. M. Forster: My book group’s new classic read, also two chapters per week.

So many books, so little time…