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.
It may not officially be summer until later this month, but as far as I’m concerned, June 1st is close enough! We had enough sunshine over the weekend for me to get outside both days, despite super blustery winds each afternoon.
In any case, it’s been an uneventful week — work, home, reading, etc etc etc — and that’s okay. Sometimes routine and quiet can be a good vibe.
What did I read during the last week?
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: So much fun! My review is here.
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley: Delightful, funny, and the audiobook is a joy to listen to. My review is here.
Time’s Convert (All Souls, #4) by Deborah Harkness: I’m so glad I finally took the time to return to this outstanding series, especially with a new book coming this summer. My review is here.
Pop culture & TV:
I just wasn’t in much of a TV mood this week, but I ended up deciding to give Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power another try. When season 1 first aired, I watched the first episode, and I don’t even remember why I never ended up continuing. So, back to the beginning I went, and now that I’ve watched the first episode (again) and also the second, I have to say that I’m into it! I’m looking forward to watching the rest of season 1 over the course of the coming week.
Also on Prime Video, I ended up watching the movie American Fiction this weekend. Great performances and so many interesting moments… but the ending kind of threw me, and I have mixed feelings about it as a whole.
Fresh Catch:
I treated myself to one new hardcover this week — this book is a novella set in the world of the Rip Through Time series, which I love.
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland: Just getting started, but this seems like a light, fun summer read.
Now playing via audiobook:
A Turn of the Tide (A Stitch in Time, #3) by Kelley Armstrong: Continuing onward with this terrific series.
Ongoing reads:
My longer-term reading commitments:
- Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 96%. Two weeks left!
- Damn Rebel Bitches: The Women of the ’45 by Maggie Craig: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’ve started a group read of this non-fiction book, discussing one chapter each Friday. Progress: 17%. Coming up this week: Chapter 5, “Will the Real Jenny Cameron Please Stand Up?”
What will you be reading this week?
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
We’re having summer like weather here so in my book it’s summer! Enjoy your books this week😁
Thank you! Hope you have a great week too! (And yes, if it feels like summer, it’s summer!)
Jackpot Summer looks fun. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it. And I’ve read most of George Eliot’s books, but have never read Daniel Deronda. Are you liking it? Or has it been a slog? And for me, the start of June is the start of summer. (Probably because I work at an elementary school and that’s when summer vacation for us begins.)
I’m really liking Daniel Deronda! Reading it with the group has been so interesting. Because we’re going at such a slow pace, there have been times where it’s felt like it would never end, but that really is more on the approach we took than on the book itself, which has given us so much to think about and discuss. I do want to read more George Eliot — I’ve read Middlemarch, but nothing else. Do you have other favorites?
Hope you have a great start to summer vacation!
I really liked both Silas Marner and Mill on the Floss. Though Middlemarch will always be my favorite. 😀
Great to know! I’ll add both to my classics-to-read list. (And I’d like to read Middlemarch again too)
Definitely curious to hear your thoughts about Daniel deronda!
It’s been such a great experience reading it with the group! At this point, we have two chapters left and it’s really tempting to read ahead… but I’m going to hold off and finish next week with everyone else. Such a fascinating book.