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.
We’re having surprisingly sunny weather for early December, and it’s been glorious getting some outdoor time. There was that tsunami warning earlier in the week… no tsunami actually occurred, but it was certainly startling to get the VERY URGENT alert on my phone!
Somehow, I ended up super busy over the weekend, with errands and odd jobs around the house and a nice get-together with friends. I don’t regret any of it! But it does mean that a book I thought I’d finish in a day or two has been severely neglected…
What did I read during the last week?
The Return by Rachel Harrison: Deliciously creepy. My review is here.
The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady: Really enjoyable story of sisters breaking out of their comfort zones. My review is here.
The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain: A terrific new Regency romance. My review is here.
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell: A warm, lovely middle grade novel. My review is here.
Pop culture & TV:
I saw Wicked this week! I had plans to see it a couple of weeks ago, but the person I was going with got sick — and we finally managed to find a new date that worked for us both. Overall, I really liked it… except it’s too long and drags a bit from time to time. Still, the musical numbers are great, and I’m glad I saw it!
On Netflix, I started watching A Man on the Inside, and it’s so much fun! Ted Danson is charming, and it’s a quick watch (just eight 30-minute episodes). I’ve watched four so far, and hope to finish today or tomorrow.
Fresh Catch:
My Black Friday gifts to myself arrived this week:
A lovely hardcover edition of Weyward, and the Puffin in Bloom edition of Sense and Sensibility. They’re both so pretty!
Little Free Library updates:
We had several people stop by and drop off various paperbacks this week — it’s nice to see the little library looking a bit fuller!
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne: It took me a while to get into this book, probably because I was only able to read in little bits and pieces for the first few days after I started it — but once I really dug into it over the weekend, it started zooming by! As of writing this post late Sunday, I’m close to the end, and can’t wait to see how it turns out!
I haven’t quite decided what to tackle next, but I think it will be one of these three:
Now playing via audiobook:
The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan: What a treat! A new holiday story from Jenny Colgan! It’s very short, so I should be finished later today.
Ongoing reads:
My book group’s newest classic read is Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 4%. Coming up this week: Chapters 3 and 4.
What will you be reading this week?
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I barely read at all this weekend, lol. But it’s that time of year, I guess. I heard about the tsunami warning, and I’m glad it never happened! I’m so curious to hear your thoughts about Daviola😁
I ended up staying up much later than I should have last night so I could finish Diavola! I think it’s a book that needs to be read in big, intense sittings — I didn’t do myself any favors by starting it when I never seemed to have more than 10 minutes at a stretch to read. I’m so glad I stuck with it!
I’m reading Jodi Picoult’s Wish You Were Here, and I like it very much. It takes place during the pandemic and I am amazed at how much of the detail of that time has fallen away already.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it! I read it a couple of years ago and it was maybe too soon — I can see how it might be a better read a few years post-pandemic.
We’re going to watch Wicked in the weekend!
Ooh, I hope you have a great time!
I feel like I’m just now crawling out from under a rock. I’ve just now been hearing that there was tsunami warning for that side of the country. I’m glad it didn’t happen.
Me too! Although the local newspaper included comments from people who specifically went to the shore overlook areas hoping to see something exciting and were disappointed that nothing happened!