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.

Yet another busy week, but the weekend was a little slower-paced, which I was grateful for. We had typical August weather for where I live… overcast, gray, and misty! But that didn’t stop me from getting out for a long walk and checking out events at a nearby park.

It was my son’s birthday on Friday — and while he did most of his celebrating with friends, we were able to start the day with brunch together. Good food, good times!

As for my reading life… this week was the newest Classics Club Spin, and I’m delighted with my result. Check it out below, under my ongoing reads.

Bookish bits & bobs.

Here’s something fun! An author I follow shared this link (https://uncovered.ink/) to a site where the general idea is:

It’s a cool idea — read a sample without knowing what the book is, reveal what it is, and then — if you’re interested — add it to your reading lists.

What did I read during the last week?

The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian: Tense, absorbing story with quite a unique premise. My review is here.

Kill the Beast by Serra Swift: Engaging (and surprisingly bloody) fairy tale retelling. I really enjoyed the audiobook. My review is here.

The Postcard by Anne Berest: I spent most of this past week absorbed by this deeply emotional book (my book group’s upcoming discussion book for August). I’ll need a bit of time to gather my thoughts. Watch for my review later in the week.

Everything On It by Shel Silverstein: I’m trying to spend a bit of time each week with some of the random books on my shelves that aren’t fiction — such as children’s books, coffee table/art books, and other books that I enjoy looking at but wouldn’t necessarily read cover to cover. I’m glad I finally opened up this poetry collection. Some of the poems are clever and funny, some didn’t appeal to me… but overall, it was an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes every day!

Also in children’s books, I picked up these two books at the library during my last visit and read them over the weekend. It was nice to finally experience both, after hearing about them for years:

Pop culture & TV:

I’m on a movie theater roll, after months and months of never viewing anything I couldn’t watch from the comfort of my couch. This week, I went to see Six: The Musical, filmed live in London. I’m so glad I did! I’d seen the show on Broadway already, and it was really great to get another chance to enjoy it (without having to pay Broadway prices).

Not to imply that I didn’t fit in plenty of viewing from my couch as well! I finished watching Every Year After on Prime Video, which I mainly enjoyed… although it probably goes without saying that the book is much, much better.

Next up for me: My Brilliant Career (Netflix), adapted from the Australian classic by Miles Franklin, which I read recently as one of my Classics Club Spin books!

Fresh Catch:

Two new books this week:

The paperback of Atmosphere is so pretty — I love how the colors blend over onto the edges. The other book is a manga version of Emma by Jane Austen! I saw it in a bookstore while on vacation last month and regretted not buying it, so I ended up finding a used copy online. I’m not really a manga reader… but how could I resist?

Plus, two new bookish tote bags! One is a new design from Bookshop.org, and I already love it. The other is a prize for participating in our library’s Summer Stride program. I love that adults get rewarded for summer reading, and not just kids!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel: I needed something lighter after reading a very heavy book all week, so I’m just starting this book… which has a premise that sounds bonkers. I’m only a few chapters in, but I like it!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Susan Patterson and James Patterson: I stumbled across this book while looking for a new audiobook on Libby… and since I needed a “book about a book club” for a reading challenge, I decided to give it a try.

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: 73%. Coming up this week: Volume 3, chapters 12 and 13.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier: My spin book! Here’s my post about the results. This is my 2nd spin in a row to land on a du Maurier book… and I’m very happy about it. The due date is October 4th… which means I probably won’t start just yet, so I’ll leave it here as a reminder until I’m ready to dive in.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…