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.

My book group did a Zoom with Charlaine Harris over the weekend, and it was such a blast! We’d just read An Easy Death as our book of the month, and she was kind enough to join us for an hour-long chat. What fun!

Other than that, it’s been a pretty quiet week. I’ve been dealing with some back pain, and ended up working from home a few days so I could pamper my back a bit, stay near my heating pad, and avoid getting in and out of the car.

Thankfully, I’m starting to feel better. Fingers crossed that it stays that way!

What did I read during the last week?

Mr & Mrs Witch by Gwenda Bond: This silly romance — basically, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but with witchcraft — was a great diversion this week. My review is here.

An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris: It’s been a long time since I last read anything by this author, and I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. My review is here.

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers: I finished the audiobook last week, and loved it. My review is here.

Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee: I picked up this YA historical novel because I’ve been in a Titanic sort of mood (see below). My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I wrote a whole post about this… I saw Titanic in the theater last week, and then got a bit obsessed with the topic!

In home streaming… I decided to finally give Sanditon a try this week, and am pretty close to finishing season 1. It’s a bit weird and does NOT feel like a Jane Austen story, but still, it’s oddly entertaining, and I think I’ll keep going.

Fresh Catch:

No book purchases this week, but I did pick up a few library holds:

Puzzle of the week:

This week, a literary-themed puzzle!

These puzzles from Laurence King Publishing are so much fun — tons of detail, lots of characters, settings, and biographical elements, and a full-sized poster with a guide to all the people and places on the back. You can find it at Bookshop.org, here.

I’ve done a bunch of others from this series, including Shakespeare, Dracula, the Tudor world, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens. They’re all terrific!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Backpacking Through Bedlam by Seanan McGuire: It’s #12 in the Incryptids series, which means a good time is pretty much guaranteed!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Highland Hens by Judy Leigh: I’ve gotten through slightly more than half of this audiobook — had hoped to make a lot more progress, but ended up with limited listening time this past week. I’m actually not that engaged so far, but let’s see if it picks up in the second half.

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 102 and 103 (of 155).
• A Passage to India by E. M. Forster: My book group’s new classic read, also two chapters per week.
• Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston: I’m doing a buddy read of this book with a few coworkers, with a discussion scheduled for the end of this week. So far, I’m reading it in small sittings, but should be finished on time.

So many books, so little time…