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 past week felt a bit calmer, and also gave me more time to relax. My team at work had a “wellness day” outing that included a picnic and hanging out in a beautiful park, which we all really needed. Plus, a day off for Juneteenth and a weekend without too many plans both provided time to chill, read, walk, see a few friends, and just feel like the days had a bit less pressure.

Looking for suggestions!

My husband and I have a road trip coming up next month, and I’m looking for ideas for what we might enjoy listening to together. I’m an audiobook fanatic, but he is not. However, he’s enjoyed radio plays in the past, and is open to the idea of trying audiobooks for bits and pieces of the trip. I was thinking of possibilities like one of Stephen Fry’s Greek mythology books, or a BBC full-cast presentation. I think anything with multiple narrators, and preferably sound effects or music, might appeal to him. He doesn’t particularly enjoy sci-fi or fantasy, so that rules out a lot of what I’ve come across. If you have any brilliant ideas, please let me know!

What did I read during the last week?

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown: Highly recommended! I finished reading it late last week — here’s my review.

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson: This second-chance love story set at sea just wasn’t my cup of tea. My review is here.

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner: On the other hand, I adored this terrific story about former rock star sisters with a complicated relationship. Excellent audiobook! My review is here.

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick: I did not read the synopsis carefully enough, and went into this book with incorrect expectations, which may at least partially explain why it felt like a letdown. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I went to an actual movie theater (!!) and saw a terrific movie, The Life of Chuck, which is an adaptation of a Stephen King story from his If It Bleeds collection. I loved the story back when I read it, and I thought the movie version was excellent. (Reviews are very mixed — and I’ll echo the recommendation from several of the movie’s actors: This is a movie best seen knowing nothing at all about it!).

Still, no harm in checking out the trailer, which doesn’t actually give much away:

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab: I’m skipping right past a couple of ARCs on my to-read list to get to this book, because I just want to!

Now playing via audiobook:

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: It’s always special when an author I enjoy has an audiobook narrated by one of my favorite audiobook narrators (Julia Whelan). I’m really liking this one so far. I’m at about 30%, and should finish by next weekend.

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments:

• The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien: My book group’s shared reading journey, two chapters per week. Progress: 54%. Up next: We’re starting book 2 of Fellowship, Chapters 1 and 2.
• Villette by Charlotte Brontë: Group classic read, two chapters per week. Progress: 4%. Up next: Chapters 3 and 4.
• My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell: My new Classics Club spin book! I’m putting it here as a reminder to myself to make time for it this summer.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…