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.

A friend mentioned that she got some great new jigsaw puzzles via a local Facebook puzzle swap group… and it’s changed my life! Ha, well, nothing that dramatic… but I did join a swap group and traded five of my finished puzzles for five new ones this past week! Now I just need time to work on them.

I had a busy weekend, with lots of dancing, dinner out at a new-to-us restaurant, and a bit of time for some general tidying and organizing.

Bookish odds and ends:

Thought I’d share a few cute memes that made me smile this week…

… plus some book news that’s very exciting!

This is going to be a must-read for me!

What did I read during the last week?

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth: What a great read! Highly recommended. My review is here.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke: There’s so much buzz about this book right now… and I found it a fairly dismal reading experience, even though it kind of all comes together by the end. My review is here.

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune: A beautiful novella about love, living a good life, and the end of the world. My review is here.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: I didn’t expect this to be a book for me… and it was! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Review to follow later this week.

Pop culture & TV:

I’m almost done with the most recent season of Dark Winds. Just as excellent as I’d expected. If you’ve never checked it out… you really should!

Since I finished reading Margo’s Got Money Troubles over the weekend, I think my next move will be to check out the AppleTV adaptation. I’ve seen really positive reviews.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Impossible Fortune (Thursday Murder Club, #5) by Richard Osman: I’m happy to be returning to the Thursday Murder Club! Just getting started — these books are just so much fun.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures, #2) by Katherine Rundell: Only a few chapters in so far. I really enjoyed the first book in this middle grade series, and I’m happy to finally be getting back to it.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s newest classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 7%. Coming up this week: Chapters 5 and 6.

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare: I’ll be seeing this play at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival this summer, and since I’ve never read it before, I decided now’s the time! I’m trying to read just one scene per day, taking my time with it since I have a few months yet. Progress so far: About to start Act II.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…