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 had a super busy day on Saturday, starting with an early-morning book group Zoom with an author, then a mid-day outdoor dance session, and then even more dancing in the evening! Luckily, I had an unstructured Sunday to just chill, go for a walk, read, and do lots of nothing.
What did I read during the last week?
Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse: What fun! My book group’s classic read wrapped up this past week. This book is silly and adorable, and I look forward to reading more of the Jeeves books.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See: Excellent historical fiction — 5 stars! My review is here.
The Beach Trap by Ali Brady: Really enjoyable audiobook about long-lost half-sisters getting a second chance to build a relationship. My review is here.
Pop culture & TV:
I was at a bit of loose ends, and decided to watch a movie I’d been meaning to get to — Damsel (Netflix). It was… okay. A bit too much time devoted to Millie Bobby Brown running around in a cave in increasingly shredded clothing, but overall, entertaining enough.
Fresh Catch:
I didn’t buy any books this week!
Little Free Library updates:
I thought it might be fun to share updates on books people leave in my Little Free Library.
New this week:
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (funny, since I just finished reading my own copy last week)
- A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
- The Circle by Dave Eggers
- The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
- To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
- Strider by Beverly Cleary
Looks like someone must have been offloading their literary fiction! And it’s sweet to see a children’s classic in the mix as well. A few unwanted books showed up that I’ve already removed, including a couple of super flimsy guides to real estate deals. Why leave those in a LFL???
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott: My current Classics Club Spin book!
Now playing via audiobook:
Coming Home by Brittney Griner: I’ve been waiting for my library hold for this audiobook for months now, and it’s finally available! I started it yesterday — it’s really personal and powerful to listen to.
Ongoing reads:
None right now! My book group’s next classic read starts early December — and meanwhile, it’s kind of nice to have no “obligation” books to worry about.
What will you be reading this week?
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
Aww your kitty is so cute. I tried watching Damsel and quit halfway through because of what you said: the entire thing was MBB running through tunnels. It was so boring! Lol. Have a good week!
At some point during Damsel, I started thinking — wait? is she just going to be in the cave for the whole movie? wearing shorter and shorter skirts? It got ridiculous, and yet somehow, they managed to squeeze a lot of star power into a very silly movie. 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
Sounds like you had a very fun Saturday! And do you ever sneak one of the donated books from your LFL to read or keep? Because I’d probably be tempted at times to do that. ;D
Haha, yes, it’s super tempting to “adopt” some of the books in my LFL… but I’m trying my best to downsize a bit, and so far, I’ve resisted!
Your kitty looks so comfy! Nothing like a curled up sleep!
❤ He was super cute snoozing in the sun
Some people leave weird training manuals and other dated and useless books in the bookstand on the corner by me. But there are also lovely books and everyone enjoys the little bookstand so very much. Cat is fabulous.
The cat really is awesome 🙂 He keeps us entertained constantly. Overall, I love little street libraries and I’m getting a kick out of seeing what books turn up… but weird things like training manuals or religious pamphlets are not what I’m looking for!
Yeah, it’s weird how many people leave pamphlets of various sorts in them! They seem to think that the LFFs are there for free advertising of their stuff! (Although granted, occasionally there are useful ones, such as the one about a self-guided tours of important trees in the city or etc.)
The other thing that I always find rather bizarre is when people put books that are falling apart. or otherwise completely wrecked, in them!
Loved the kitty having his snooze! Some interesting reads on your shelves for the week Lisa! Just wanted to share that I’ve ordered a new murder puzzle (discovered by my mother’s friend)–Murder on the Istanbul Express (there are two in the series that I can see)–1000 pieces–which you might be interested in as well. I recommended the Murder Most Puzzling ones to her based on your mention of them and they’re on my shopping list too!
Thanks for the recommendation! I’m always on the lookout for interesting new puzzles to try!