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.

Do you ever have weeks where you feel like you’re just bad at reading? I know I’m not, really, but this past week, I was so busy and had so much going on that even when I had a few minutes to pick up a book, my concentration was not there. I made almost no progress in the ebook I was reading, despite being really interested and wanting to be able to get into it. Thank goodness for audiobooks! At least I’m able to listen during my daily commute.

Work was crazy (what else is new?)… but in real life, it was actually quite a good week! We had our adult kids in town, had a fun family dinner at home one night, then Father’s Day dinner out at a favorite restaurant. It’s always a treat to get to spend time together with our awesome kids and their wonderful spouses.

Random bookish stuff:

Both of these feel very specific to my life:

I feel seen.

What did I read during the last week?

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali: Beautiful story of women’s lives and friendship in 20th century Tehran. My review is here.

Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau: A very fun rom-com with a clever premise and great characters. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I’m midway through the 5th season of For All Mankind… and honestly, I about ready for this binge to be done. I loved seasons 1 – 3, but season 4 was such a disappointment. Season 5 is better, but I think overall the show has lost a lot of what made the early seasons so special. I’ll probably share a wrap-up post once I finish this season — and yes, despite not loving the show quite as much at this point, I’ll certainly be back for the sixth and final season whenever it drops (most likely sometime in 2027).

Fresh Catch:

After being fairly restrained about buying physical books lately, I splurged this week! I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket and, well, here we are!

• This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews: Can’t wait to read this book!
• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen: I’ve been buying these special editions over the last few years — this is the last one I needed to have the full set!
• Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune: Read already… and loved.
• This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page: One of my favorite books of 2026.

Also this week:

A Goodreads giveaway! I was notified that I’d won a copy of The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline back in March, and it finally arrived this week. I’ve already read the book via NetGalley ARC, but I’m delighted to have a copy of my own — and getting a finished, lovely hardcover makes it worth the wait for my giveaway to get here.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Children by Melissa Albert: I started this book early in the week and had no time to really focus on it until the weekend… and then I got totally hooked! I have about 25% left to go, and wish I could just sit and read straight through to the end.

Now playing via audiobook:

Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan: If it’s summer, it must be time for a new Jenny Colgan book! I always enjoy this author’s audiobooks. Just getting started.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 43%. Coming up this week: Volume 2, chapters 8 and 9.

Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words by John McWhorter: A really entertaining grammar book! I do love this sort of thing. I’m reading it in bits and pieces, and have read the first chapter (all about “I” and “me”) so far. Progress: 25%.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…