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.

It’s been a busy week, both with un-fun (work) craziness and very fun (non-work) outings and activities! I’m already counting the days until the long weekend coming up — I need a break!

Last week, I drove across town to check out a newly opened romance bookstore. It’s quite cute, with shelves organized by romance trope (grumpy sunshine, mythology, dark academia, etc). I didn’t actually buy anything on this visit (I’m a bit overloaded with stacks of books waiting to be read at the moment), but I’ll be going back!

Bookish odds and ends:

It feels a little crazy to be getting excited about a book that not coming out until April 2027, and yet, here we are!

The Enigmas by Emilia Hart: I loved this author’s previous two novels, and this one sounds just as good. Yet another books for my (never-ending) anticipated reads list.

What did I read during the last week?

An Ordinary Sort of Evil (A Rip Through Time, #5) by Kelley Armstrong: An excellent new installment in a favorite series! Time travel + Victorian Edinburgh + detectives + a séance! My review is here.

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare: How weird is it to review Shakespeare… and only give it 3 stars? I’d never read this play before, although I’ve seen adaptations (hello, 10 Things I Hate About You!). This is either a deeply misogynistic play… or a commentary on misogyny. I suppose a lot depends on how it’s presented, but just reading it on paper, it’s pretty awful. I’ll be going to a live production this summer in Ashland, Oregon (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), and I’m eager to see how they spin it!

Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir: A creepy, gory novella that’s both fascinating and a bit frustrating. Don’t worry, the cats are safe! My review is here.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune: Another gorgeous love story (with a gorgeous setting) from a favorite author. My review is here.

The Shippers by Katherine Center: A silly rom-com that’s a quick, entertaining read. Watch for my review later in the week!

Pop culture & TV:

The Outlander TV series aired its finale this past week, and my reaction is very mixed. Overall, it’s been a beautiful journey over the eight seasons of the show, and yet, some of the story and character choices this final season have been deeply unsatisfying (and frustrating). I’m not thrilled with just where the show decided to end the story. Perhaps it was a moving ending for those who haven’t read the books, but as a fan of the book series, I’d hope for something different. Ah well… I’m still grateful that the series was brought to life with such loving care and so much talent. And now, I’ll be (not so) patiently waiting for the 10th book in the series!

Other than Outlander, I’ve been spending time with a few AppleTV series, including Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Widow’s Bay, and For All Mankind. I’ve only watched the first episode of For All Mankind so far, but I liked it a lot and I’m eager to keep going.

The Survivor 50 finale is coming up this week. I think it’s been a fairly “meh” season, with my favorite competitors all getting voted out already. I don’t particularly have a strong preference among those who remain, but I’ll be tuning in anyway to see how it works out.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

A Town with Half the Lights On by Page Getz: This book has been on my TBR for a while now, and I’m glad that I’m finally reading it.

Now playing via audiobook:

My Contrary Mary (Mary, #1) by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows: It’s so much fun to be back in this alternate (and very funny) version of history!

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: 17%. Coming up this week: Chapters 11 and 12.

Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier: My new Classics Club Spin book! I’ll be leaving it here until I get started — I have until July 5th to read it, so there’s no particular rush.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…