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.
Another busy week! But we did fit in a very nice dinner with friends, and I got to dance a bit over the weekend. I feel like I barely had time to read, though… not enough hours in the day!
Bookish thoughts:
I’m curious whether anyone has read or is planning to read The Rose Field by Philip Pullman. I loved the His Dark Materials trilogy, and I’ve read the two books previously published in the follow-up trilogy, The Book of Dust. But… it’s been about six years since the 2nd book, The Secret Commonwealth, came out, and I don’t remember many of the details, so I think I’d need to reread it. Plus, The Rose Field is almost 700 pages! Sigh. I hate to leave the final book in this world unread… but I’m also not excited about the commitment it would take to read it.
Thoughts?
What did I read during the last week?
Cinder House by Freya Marske: Terrific Cinderella retelling! My review is here.
The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan: A sweet, bookish-themed Christmas adventure in the Scottish Highlands. My review is here.
Pop culture & TV:
New seasons of great Netflix shows! I finished season two of The Diplomat last night… and it was fantastic. But what an ending!! How are we supposed to wait however long it takes for a new season?
Up next: I hope to start the new season of Nobody Wants This this coming week.
Fresh Catch:
One new book!
I read the e-ARC of this book last week (review), but I’d had the hardcover preordered well in advance, and I’m happy to have my very own copy!
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow: I had a really hard time getting into this story (possibly because I didn’t have quite enough uninterrupted reading time this week to build up any sort of momentum) — but now that I’ve gotten farther along, I’m finding myself hooked! Now, if only I could just read straight through until I finish…
Now playing via audiobook:
Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding: I’m back for more Austen-inspired fun! This modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice is the author duo’s follow-up to Emma of 83rd Street, which I really enjoyed.
Ongoing reads:
My longer-term reading commitments (current and coming up):
- Villette by Charlotte Brontë: Group classic read, two chapters per week. Progress: 93%. Up next: Chapters 39 and 40.
- The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien: Another book group read, continuing our LOTR adventure. Progress (relative to the entire LOTR opus): 52%.
- My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin: My newest Classics Club Spin book! I’m leaving it here as a reminder to myself — I’ll likely start it in November. The goal is to complete our spin books by December 21st, so I do have plenty of time.
What will you be reading this week?
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I was never interested in The Book of Dust, for some reason. Probably because I loved the first trilogy so much I didn’t want to change that experience. I also need to watch season 2 of Nobody Wants This! The Martian came on Netflix so I was sucked into rewatching that over the weekend😁
I loved the original trilogy so much too — reading some of the novellas that followed was upsetting, since they made clear that Lyra did not get a happily ever after! I never ended up finishing the TV adaptation of His Dark Materials. I think I stopped just an episode or two into season 3. It was so dark that it was hard to watch!
Oh, I’d like to rewatch The Martian too! (Can’t wait for the Project Hail Mary movie!)
I didn’t even know Pullman was still writing books! I hope you end up loving The Everlasting; I haven’t read it, but I’ve only seen super positive reviews for it.
I’ve made it to about 65% in The Everlasting, and now I’m totally hooked! It just took a while to get going, but now I can’t wait to see where the story goes.
I think I feel pretty much the same about The Rose Field. I would definitely have to re-read the previous two books, so it feels like one of those things I’ll get around to eventually (because I don’t want to leave it unfinished), but it won’t be a priority. To be honest, I would have been perfectly happy if this sequel trilogy had never existed!
I hear you! I reread La Belle Sauvage right before the 2nd book came out, but feel like I could skip reading that one again (or maybe just skim the ending), since it mostly takes place when Lyra is a baby. I just looked back at my review for The Secret Commonwealth, and honestly, reading it again doesn’t seem all that appealing! But, I do hate the idea of never finishing these books… quite the dilemma!
I’ve had that thought about La Belle Sauvage as well, but I liked that one more than The Secret Commonwealth, so it’s possible that re-reading it will give me the momentum to carry me through a re-read of TSC as well!
I had a couple days off at the end of last week for ‘fall break’. It was nice to have some time to catch up on things at home. I also made it on a hike and to a movie. Hope you have a good week! 😀
Having a break sounds terrific, especially with a hike and a movie!
I will probably get to the Rose Field at some point, because I’m a completest and I’ll want to finish it, but I’m not in a huge rush for it. If anything, I may do a re-read of the first 2 on audio.
Happy Reading!
I can relate to being a completist — it feels wrong to me not to finish! But I’ll definitely need to psych myself up, plus do a refresher.
Right?! So I know at some point I will get to it. I don’t know if challenges motivate you, but maybe you can try make it some sort of challenge for yourself to read the whole trilogy!
Great review! This sounds like a very good retelling of a classic fairytale. I’ve yet to read anything of Marske’s, though I do have one of their earlier works on my shelf.
Oops, I meant to post this on your review of Cinder House!!!
Haha, thanks! I appreciate the comment wherever you post it!