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.
How did it get to be July already? Feels like I blinked, and suddenly half of 2024 has zipped by! This has been a mostly quiet week, but I did get to do more dancing than usual, and even had time plus cooperative weather for outdoor reading over the weekend.
What did I read during the last week?
The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson: I’m not a prime target for a baseball book… but this contemporary romance about unexpected connections was a delight! My review is here.
Winter Lost (Mercy Thompson, #14) by Patricia Briggs: Not my favorite in the series… but the series remains a favorite. My review is here.
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, & Jodi Meadows: This audiobook was amazing! The book itself was a reread for me, but it was my first experience with the audio version, and I just loved it. My review of the book from my first time reading it is here.
Pop culture & TV:
I finally got around to watching Gen V, which is a spin-off of The Boys. OK, if you’ve watched The Boys at all, then the level of over-the-top gore and violence and “oh my god, can they do that on TV?” will be totally expected. Gotta admit, I thought it was lots of fun… and now I’m ready to start the new season of The Boys.
I started season 3 of The Bear over the weekend, and… it’s intense. As expected. Somehow, I didn’t remember feeling this anxious during each episode during previous seasons. Still great, of course.
Also, how did Interview with the Vampire go from a dull first episode this season to having stellar episodes by the end? Every single one of the last four or so episodes have absolutely slayed. Exciting to hear that season 3 is definitely happening, and that it’ll be picking up with storylines from The Vampire Lestat, the 2nd book in the series. Rockstar Lestat? Sign me up.
Fresh Catch:
Two characters in a book I read last week were discussing Mandy by Julie Andrews, and I realized that (a) it’s been too many years since I read it, and (b) I don’t know where my old copy went. Sadly, this book doesn’t seem to be available in e-book format — but I went ahead and bought myself a paperback, and it just arrived over the weekend. Can’t wait to read it again!
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong: I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read by this author so far — this is her first romance, and while it’s a big departure, it’s also a lot of fun. I should be done today or tomorrow.
Now playing via audiobook:
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan: The author is also the narrator, and since Julia Whelan is in a league of her own when it comes to audiobook narration, this is sure to be a great listen. I’ve had this book in my Audible library for quite a while now — I’m glad to finally be starting it.
Ongoing reads:
Two longer-term reading commitments:
- Damn Rebel Bitches: The Women of the ’45 by Maggie Craig: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’re doing a group read of this non-fiction book, discussing one chapter each Friday. Progress: 29%. Coming up this week: Chapter 9, “My Darling Clementine”
- The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare: My book group will be reading and discussing two scenes per week, starting this week.
What will you be reading this week?
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I need to start watching The Bear and Interview With the Vampire, I just always seem to find other things to do than watch TV, lol. Hope you have a good week!
I think having other things to do rather than watch TV is a very good sign! Wishing you a great week!
I just finished reading Winter Lost! I really liked this one…it took me a bit to settle in with all those little interludes, but I’m glad they finally fixed what the Soul Taker did to Mercy. And it was nice that it was just her and Adam for most of it. But now it will be a year (or more) until there’s a new one! And that always makes me a little sad. ;D
Me too — I’m always so excited to read the newest book as soon as it’s released… and then get really sad when it’s over and we have another year to wait. (Or in this case, two years, since Alpha & Omega is up next). But yes, so glad the Soul Taker damage is fixed! I don’t think I could have taken having Mercy continue that way indefinitely.
Happy Monday! June flew by didn’t it! We’re counting down the days until school finishes, 3 weeks to go!
Those last few weeks of school can be tough… so much anticipation for the freedom of summer! Good luck!
I feel the same about it being July already. It came very fast. And this reminds me to catch up on the Boys and Gen V.
Now that I’ve finished Gen V, I’ll try to get to the new episodes of The Boys this week (or next) — there’s always so much to much!
Ooh listening to the audiobook version of my lady jane sounds like such a good idea. Also, I can see from the cover you chose that it’s being made into a limited series?! I didn’t know that- I’m so excited!!
It was a blast! The narrator was excellent — even though I’d read the book before, listening to it made me laugh constantly. Yes, it’s a Prime Video series! It just dropped a week or so ago. (I watched the first episode last night — looks like it will really be fun)
Oh I had no idea!! That’s so exciting!!