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 spent the last 10 days on the East Coast for a family get-together and then some visiting time, and it was great. Lots of reconnecting with people I haven’t seen in a while, plus a few days of playing tourist, driving around, and seeing sites I never actually visited while I lived in the area.

I even went to the Bronx Zoo, which was awesome — can’t believe I grew up less than an hour away and had never, ever been there!

What did I read during the last week?

I did manage to read on and off during the week, especially on the plane and during random bits of down time. Here’s what I’ve read since my last Monday update (two weeks ago):

Starter Villain by John Scalzi: Funny and fabulous. My review is here.

Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan: Just as delicious as you’d expect. My review is here.

The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen: The follow-up to Lavender House is terrific. My review is here.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros: It took a while to get into, but eventually I ended up enjoying this fantasy (although I still say it’s way overhyped). My review is here.

Me by Elton John: I finished this audiobook on my drive to the airport yesterday, and loved it. Will share some thoughts later in the week.

Pop culture & TV:

Since I’ve mostly been away, I haven’t watched much of anything besides new episodes of Survivor and The Amazing Race. Now that I’m back, I’ll have to find something new to binge!

Fresh Catch:

I bought a pretty coffee table book while visiting:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall: Such silly fun. I thought I’d finish this book on the plane, but fell asleep instead! I should finish today or tomorrow.

Now playing via audiobook:

Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman: I’m just getting started, but this seems like fun (and yes, as a Buffy fan, I was totally drawn to this book in the first place because of the title). (To be clear, this has no connection to Buffy at all…)

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2). We’ll be reading and discussing two chapters per week. Anyone who’s interested is welcome to join in — message me for info! Coming up this week: Chapters 8 and 9 (of 49). Progress: 15%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 7%.
• A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny: An annual tradition! There’s a chapter for each day of the month. Even on my 3rd time through, it’s so much fun. Progress: 55%.

Still to come:

My next Classics Club Spin book will be Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell, and I’m pretty happy about it. Given everything else I have going on, I’ll wait until the beginning of November to dive in.

So many books, so little time…