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.

Still dealing with back pain, which sucks. Ugh. On the positive side, I had my first appointment with a new chiropractor, and while at first I thought it didn’t do anything for me (and walked out with just the same pain as I went in with), by that evening, I felt marginally better. Did it work? Or is it just coincidental timing? I have another appointment later this week… we shall see!

What did I read during the last week?

Backpacking Through Bedlam (InCryptids, #12) by Seanan McGuire: Another fun installment in a great urban fantasy series. My review is here.

The Highland Hens by Judy Leigh: Nice, but not much more than that. Still, I’ll continue trying this author’s books, since I liked the previous one I’d read by her very much. My review is here.

Lore Olympus (volume 1) by Rachel Smyth: Sometimes you just need a graphic novel about Greek gods, amirite? Lots of fun.

Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston: Read with a small group of coworkers in honor of Black History Month. We got together last week for a great discussion, and plan to follow up with a documentary viewing in a couple of weeks.

Pop culture & TV:

For whatever reason, I decided that now would be a good time to finally watch Sanditon, so I ended up watching all of seasons 1 and 2. (Season 3 — the final season — starts later this month). Friends, this show is so ridiculous. Yes, it’s taking a barely started Jane Austen story and continuing it past where she left off… but I tend to think she wouldn’t have approved of her characters having sex on a drawing room floor! Among other over-the-top developments…

But yes, I’ll watch season 3, just to see how it all works out!

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week!

Puzzle of the week:

This week’s puzzle — another colorful one from Eeboo:

I still have SEVEN jigsaw puzzles in my house that I haven’t opened yet. Which to start next???

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell, #8) by Deanna Raybourn: Just getting started — I’m excited to see what’s next for the couple at the heart of this snarky Victorian mystery series.

Now playing via audiobook:

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan: I’m *this close* to finishing, and I’m loving it!

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 104 and 105 (of 155).
• A Passage to India by E. M. Forster: My book group’s new classic read, also two chapters per week. My turn to write one of the summaries this week…

So many books, so little time…