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.

Happy Labor Day! How did it get to be September already?

And why is my three-day weekend already almost over?

What did I read during the last week?

Books read earlier; reviews posted this past week:

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Whalefall by Daniel Krause
Sleep No More (October Daye, #17) by Seanan McGuire (and let me just say for the millionth time that I love this series!!

Books I read this past week:

The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman: A short story that feels more like a teaser for a full novel. It was a quick, enjoyable read, but I wished there had been more to it.

White Bird by R. J. Palacio: Powerful middle-grade graphic novel. My review is here.

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo: Just didn’t live up to my high expectations. My review is here.

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood: An okay read. My review is here.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: After finishing With the Fire on High, I needed more by this author! Books written in verse don’t usually appeal to me, but this story of sisters, loss, and connection is powerful and beautifully written — I’m glad I finally read it.

Pop culture & TV:

My husband and I started season 2 of The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (Netflix) this week. He’s not a binge-watcher, so this may take a while… but I’m still happy to be watching.

I finally remembered that I’d been meaning to get back to Good Omens, and since it had been so long, I decided to start over from the beginning. I’ve just finished season 1, and plan to start season 2 this week.

I also watched a silly romance on Netflix — Love, Again, which features a lot of Celine Dion music (and Celine herself), an improbably plot, and Sam Heughan of Outlander (which, yes, is 100% why I watched it). Not a bad way to pass an evening with nothing else demanding my attention.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Innocent Sleep (October Daye, #18) by Seanan McGuire: I’ve held off as long as I could! The next book in the series releases in October (appropriate!), but I needed it NOW.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner: I’ve really enjoyed the last few books I’ve read (or listened to) by this author, so I was excited to start her newest. I’m currently at about 50%, and really loving it!

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments:

Only one at the moment, and the end is in sight!

• Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons: This has been my book group’s discussion book since June, and our last chapter is this week!

We’ll have two long-term reading projects (one a classic, one Outlander-related) starting late September/early October, but meanwhile, maybe I’ll figure out some other books to place on the ongoing list.

So many books, so little time…