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.

This is going to be an anxiety-filled week for sure. So I’ll just share these words of wisdom from author Mary Doria Russell, always appropriate this time of year:

Bookish goodies:

Orbit Books is offering an awesome giveaway this month — enter here!

And in other bookish/reading news… I reached my Goodreads challenge goal for the year (reading a bunch of super-skinny books helped!)…

… so I decided to raise my goal and see how it goes:

Still two more months left in 2024 — plenty of time for even more books!

What did I read during the last week?

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison: Excellent vampire fiction! My review is here.

A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny: My 4th time reading this October gem! My original review, from the first time I read it, is here. (And yes, it’s still awesome the 4th time around)

The Art of Leaving: A Memoir by Ayelet Tsabari: I read this author’s first novel, Songs for the Broken Hearted, a few months ago, and was eager to read the memoir she published several years earlier. My review is here.

Schemes & Scandals (A Rip Through Time, #3.5) by Kelley Armstrong: A delightful novella set in the world of a favorite series. My review is here.

Better Than Fiction by Alexa Martin: An engaging romance between a reluctant book store owner and a bestselling romance writer. Sweet and fun. My review is here.

In between longer books, I also enjoyed a bunch of slim, beautiful, gift-worthy books:

You can read my thoughts on these books here.

Pop culture & TV:

I finished the newest season of Heartstopper! Loved it, of course. And now, we wait for the 4th and final season.

Next up, I’m eager to start season 2 of The Diplomat!

Fresh Catch:

New hardcover editions of Travis Baldree’s terrific cozy fantasies!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: This books is my white whale! I’ve read half of it — twice — at two different times in my life, and for different reasons, never finished. I’m determined to read it all this time!

Now playing via audiobook:

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune: My library hold for this audiobook came through right at the exact time I needed a new book to listen to! I just started on Sunday and have only listened to about 10% at this point, but so far, I like it!

Coming soon:

An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott: My newest Classics Club Spin book! The deadline to finish is December 18th, and since this is a relatively short book, I may hold off another week or two before starting.

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments — but just one at the moment! A couple of other group reads will be starting later this month.

• Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse: My book group’s classic read! So much fun. Progress: 84%. Coming up this week: Chapters 21 and 22.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…