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.

Happy Star Wars Day… and happy May! I’m eager for a month full of sunshine and flowers… and okay, sure, maybe a little Star Wars too.

Such a nice experience over the weekend! For a few years now, I’ve been meeting up with a small group for recreational folk dancing, just for the fun of it. On Saturday, ten of us went to a local senior living facility to do a few short performances, and had a blast! The residents seemed to really enjoy it, we had a lot of fun, and we loved showing off some favorite dances.

Bookish odds and ends:

First, a meme I that made me laugh:

And… while reading the New York Times a few days ago, I was totally tickled to see this explanation of passkeys:

I definitely did not expect to see a technology column using Tamora Pierce as a point of reference!

What did I read during the last week?

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: Loved it! My review is here.

The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures, #2) by Katherine Rundell: The 2nd book in this middle grade fantasy series is just as delightful as I’d expected. My review is here.

The Impossible Fortune (Thursday Murder Club, #5) by Richard Osman: It’s always a blast to spend time with the Thursday Murder Club! My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I’m really enjoying the AppleTV adaptation of Margo’s Got Money Troubles. I’m caught up with all available episodes at this point — just waiting for the next new one to drop.

I’m not entirely sure what I’ll be starting next, but I’m leaning toward Widow’s Bay.

Puzzle of the week:

Thanks to finding a local puzzle swap group, I ended up with a batch of new puzzles to enjoy, and finished one over the weekend:

Eeboo puzzles are always fun. I loved the colors and images for this one!

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

I read the eARC for this book last week, and loved it. I’m so happy to have a beautiful hardcover edition!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones: I’ve been wanting to read this book since it came out last year. I’m at about 25%, and I’m feeling myself more and more drawn into the story. I just hope this week is quiet enough to include big chunks of reading time so I can really focus on this book.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Body by Stephen King: This audiobook is a new version of the Stephen King classic, narrated by Wil Wheaton. I can’t believe I’ve never actually read this before. This new audiobook is a great listen.

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: 11%. Coming up this week: Chapters 7 and 8.

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 III.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…