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.
My husband and I got away for a quick weekend escape to Mendocino, about three hours up the California coast from where we live. It’s a beautiful location, and we enjoyed the coastal views, cute towns, and laid back vibes.
What did I read during the last week?
Where The Girls Were by Kate Schatz: Powerful historical fiction. My review is here.
Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens: Fun, upbeat audiobook! My review is here.
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute: My book group’s pick for February. I’ll be sharing my thoughts a bit later in the week — stay tuned.
Puzzle of the week:
It actually took me about two weeks…
The puzzle is by Cobble Hill, has so many pretty details, and is good, sturdy quality. You can find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OGhFPo
As usual, the kitty supervised my work and kept the box safe.
Pop culture & TV:
After being away for the weekend, I managed to squeeze in the first two episodes of the 2nd half of the new Bridgerton season on Sunday (season 4, episodes 5 and 6). Can’t wait to watch the remaining two!
Fresh Catch:
No new physical books this week… but I did grab a few ebooks with price drops. Who can resist?
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
First Sign of Danger (Haven’s Rock, #4) by Kelley Armstrong: The newest Haven’s Rock book! I picked it up over the weekend, and read about half all in one sitting. It’s just as good as I’d expected… although it makes me sad to think I’ll be all caught up after this one!
Now playing via audiobook:
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page: I started this audiobook Sunday afternoon, and although I haven’t gotten very far, I’m loving it already.
Ongoing reads:
My longer-term reading commitments:
- Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: My book group’s current classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 84%. Coming up this week: Chapters 27 & 28.
- The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien: My book group’s journey through the LOTR books continues! Progress (relative to the entire LOTR opus): 77%.
- I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith: My newest Classics Club Spin book! I’m really happy with this spin result. Leaving it here as a reminder to start it in the next few weeks.
What will you be reading this week?
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I love Mendocino, although I haven’t been in years. Your cat looks so happy in that puzzle box! Lol. And the puzzle is pretty too. Have a good week!
Thank you! I’d only ever driven by Mendocino on longer road trips before — this is the first time we went and spent time there, and it was lovely!
That puzzle would have taken me at least a year, lol. Cats (yours is adorable) and boxes – mine’s the same.
Cats and boxes! I find it endlessly entertaining 🙂
Lovely Mendocino photos! 🤩 I’m working on a puzzle right now that looks like it should be simple but it’s been so frustrating to do that I’m over a month in at this point. It’s flowers, but arranged in a pattern across the whole puzzle and it’s hard to differentiate anything. I’m close to just calling it quits because my brain can’t deal with it 😂
I like puzzles with lots of little details, but not when I can’t tell anything apart or when there’s too much of any one color. (This is why I’ve sworn never to do an undersea puzzle again!).
Mendocino looks lovely, its nice to get away! Am loving how your kitty loves the puzzle boxes!
It’s been quite a while since we were able to get away, so it really felt like a treat! The kitty is always a good source of entertainment 🙂
I just started reading First Sign of Danger. I’m sad that it sounds like she’ll only be writing one more book about Eric and Casey after this one. I don’t want the series to end! And I love your pics of Mendocino. So beautiful. 😀
What??? Only one more?? That makes me so sad. I love this world and these characters!!
That jigsaw looks very pretty, but perhaps a bit of a headache?
Not too bad, really! Just enough variety in the details to make it challenging but doable!
I love those photos of Mendocino! And your kitty is adorable. I hope you will have a wonderful week and happy reading!
Thank you!
The pictures from your weekend escape look lovely. And I love that the cat joined in with your puzzling again. Its a lovely design. Im really hoping I’ll manage to get back to mine this month as I havent made one in a while. I still need to read the Rockton books before I can read the Haven’s Rock series 🙈 I’m intrigued by This Book Made Me Think Of You Too and hope you enjoythe rest. Hope you have a lovely week 🥰
The Rockton books are really worth checking out! And yes, it’s fun to do a puzzle while the cat observes (and occasionally tries to steal pieces) 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
What a lovely getaway.
I just finished reading Snake Eater by T Kingfisher. I’m currently listening to The Raven Scholar and I’m also reading How to Get Away With Murder – which is very intriguing if a bit disturbing.
Happy reading.
Lynn 😀
Snake Eater was so good!
Those are beautiful pictures. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you, and same to you!