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.

What did I read last week?

The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan: My blog tour post will be up on Thursday. Stop by and check it out!

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn: Done! My review is here.

The Marvels by Brian Selznick: Simply breathtaking. My review is here.

In graphic novels:

The Saga series by Brian K. Vaughan continues to be stunning! I just wish we didn’t have to wait for the next installment. Volume 5 was terrific, people. If you’re looking for a great graphic novel series to sink your teeth into, give Saga a try!

Meanwhile, in the world of audiobooks:

I got about 2/3 of the way through Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell before quitting. If you want to know why I had to stop, check out my review, here.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I posted an author Q&A with Victoria Saccenti, author of the newly released Destiny’s Plan. Check it out here.

Fresh Catch:

Look what arrived this week! Of course, I need a refresher on book #1, and I never did read #2, so I feel a series binge-read coming on

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Just starting: The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood

Now playing via audiobook:

Back to the Kate Shugak series! I’m on book 3 in this great Alaska-based mystery series by Dana Stabenow. As always, the audiobooks are terrific, and main character Kate is one tough cookie!

Ongoing reads:

Moving right along! Two chapters per week for each book, as part of discussions with the Outlander Book Club. We’ll wrap up both in December!

So many book, so little time…

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.

What did I read last week?

I finished reading Euphoria by Lily King, which my book group will be discussing starting this week. I didn’t end up writing a review, because I didn’t find myself having much to say about it. I didn’t feel terribly engaged with the characters until about halfway through, and while the storyline was often interesting, it just didn’t move me until close to the end.

After Euphoria, I started two different books, and have been bouncing between the two ever since! Scroll down the page to see the two books I’m currently reading.

Meanwhile, in the world of audiobooks:

I finished Neil Gaiman’s newest story collection, Trigger Warning. My review is here.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I kicked off my new weekly feature, Shelf Control! You can view my initial post here. I think this is going to be lots of fun — please join in!

In real life:

Hey, hey, it’s my birthday! (Okay, my birthday was on Sunday.) We had a low-key day, featuring gorgeous blue skies and sunshine, a walk to the beach, lounging around on my back porch with a book and a big iced coffee, and in general, getting treated like a VIP by the males (junior and senior) of my household. Not a bad way to celebrate!

Fresh Catch:

I’m excited for the new books that arrived this week! But since one can never have too many books (right? right!), I went to the public library’s annual book sale and came home with these as well:

Only four? I’m busy admiring my remarkable self-restraint.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I’m participating in the blog tour for The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan later this week, so keep an eye out for my review and tour post. Meanwhile, I started A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn last week, and have read about 60% so far. I’m really enjoying it, and look forward to getting back to it!

Now playing via audiobook:

I’ve just started listening to Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell, a rather light-hearted look at the history of Hawaii, touching on serious outcomes but with a somewhat snarky attitude. I don’t often go for non-fiction, but this is one that’s been on my to-read list for quite a while now.

Ongoing reads:

Moving right along! Two chapters per week for each book, as part of discussions with the Outlander Book Club. We’ll wrap up both in December!

So many book, so little time…

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.

Today is Rosh HaShanah! Wishing all who celebrate a sweet and happy New Year!

What did I read last week?

I read three terrific YA novels this past week:

• Another Day by David Levithan
• Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith
• Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

My review post for all three is here.

In graphic novels, I read Fables, volume 22: Farewell which wraps up the amazing Fables series after 150 comic issues. Fables features a vast cast of characters and intricate world-building, and is simply a marvelous read, start to finish. As to volume 22, it’s a good-bye piece — so on the one hand, it’s a bit underwhelming story-wise, but it’s still a great opportunity to revisit all the favorite characters and see where each ends up. (Let’s face, if you’re a Fables fan and you’ve read the series up to this point, you’ll read this one as well.)

Fresh Catch:

My copy of The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan arrived this week! I’ll be participating in the blog tour for this book next week. I really enjoyed the author’s previous novel, The Curiosity (review), and I’m so looking forward to this one!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I have a book group discussion of Euphoria by Lily King coming up next week, but my library copy is due back by Friday. Better get cracking!

Now playing via audiobook:

I finished the audiobook of A Fatal Thaw by Dana Stabenow, the 2nd in her Kate Shugak mystery series. I love the Alaska setting and the character of Kate herself, and the audiobooks move quickly and hold my attention. The narrator, Marguerite Gavin, does a great job of capturing the unusual and quirky characters through their voices, and I especially love her portrayal of Kate. I’m looking forward to continuing this series!

I’ve just started Trigger Warnings, a story collection by Neil Gaiman, who also narrates the audiobook. I’m a terrible short story reader — I always feel impatient, like I’m just wasting time until I get back to reading a “real” novel. But, I’ve found that listening to audiobooks of short stories doesn’t irritate me the same way, so I’m hoping for success with Trigger Warnings!

Ongoing reads:

Moving right along! Two chapters per week for each book, as part of discussions with the Outlander Book Club. We’ll wrap up both in December!

So many book, so little time…

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.

Happy Labor Day! Does this mean summer is finally over? It feels like it’s barely started…

What did I read last week?

Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore: Done! My review is here.

A Little in Love by Susan Fletcher: Done! My review is here.

In graphic novels, I read The Good Neighbors trilogy (Kin, Kith, and Kind) by Holly Black, and loved it. My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

I picked up a used copy of The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. After really loving The Invention of Wings (review), I thought I’d give this one a try, despite some not-so-stellar reviews on Goodreads.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I’ve just started Another Day by David Levithan. Given how much I loved Every Day (review), is it any wonder that I’m thrilled?

Now playing via audiobook:

I finished listening to the Stardust audiobook over the weekend. Such a treat! Even if you’ve read the story before (as I had), I encourage you to give the audiobook a listen. Neil Gaiman is a great narrator and makes the whole story just so… adorable! Plus, the audiobook concludes with an author Q&A that’s funny and informative and just terrific to hear.

Switching gears completely, I started listening to A Fatal Thaw by Dana Stabenow, the 2nd in her Kate Shugak mystery series. I love the Alaska setting and the character of Kate herself, and these audiobooks seem to move quickly and hold my attention. I’m only in the opening chapters, but I like it a lot already!

Ongoing reads:

Moving right along! Two chapters per week for each book, as part of discussions with the Outlander Book Club. We’ll wrap up both in December!

So many book, so little time…

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.

What did I read last week?

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff: Done! My review is here.

Persuasion by Jane Austen: A funny thing happened while listening to the Persuasion audiobook. I got to within 2 hours of the end of the audiobook, and just felt like something was missing. Maybe my attention wandered at crucial moments or I was just having a distracted week (quite likely), but I felt like I just wasn’t FEELING the story. So, I grabbed my printed edition off the shelf and started over from the beginning… and enjoyed it very much! Sometimes, you just need to take the time to slow down and absorb some Austen.

PS – I just noticed how well these two covers go together! I love when that happens.

Pop Culture:

My son and I have been watching Buffy together, and we finished season 2 this past weekend. Ouch, the feels! The season 2 finale is never not heartbreaking. There really are so many excellent episodes in the 2nd season. I originally watched Buffy years ago with my daughter — it’s super fun to be experiencing it all over again with my younger kiddo!

Fresh Catch:

Hot off the press! A few new releases arrived this week:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore! I’m so excited.

Now playing via audiobook:

As noted above, I didn’t really fully engage with the Persuasion audiobook, although I still intend to finish it. Meanwhile, while I was busy catching up with Persuasion in print, I switched over to the audiobook of Stardust, read by Neil Gaiman himself! It’s been a long time since I first read Stardust, and it’s lovely to revisit the story, plus Neil’s narration is amazing.

Ongoing reads:

Two chapters per week for each of these, for my online book group discussions with Outlander Book Club. Both books should be done by December!

So many book, so little time…