Category Archives: The Monday Check-In

The Monday Check-In ~ 9/7/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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 SoulsA Little in Love

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

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

KinKith0-439-85564-0

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:

Mermaid Chair

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:
another day

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:

StardustFatal Thaw

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:

ABOSAAN&S

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…

boy1

 

The Monday Check-In ~ 8/31/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Last SummerPersuasion3

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!

222_Becoming2

Fresh Catch:

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

Secondhand Soulsanother dayFairest

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Secondhand Souls

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

Now playing via audiobook:

Persuasion 2Stardust

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:

ABOSAAN&S

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…

boy1

The Monday Check-In ~ 8/24/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

What You Left BehindI Am Princess XInvention of Wings 2

What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi: Done! My review is here.

I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest: Done! My review is here.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd: Done! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

I went to a book event and it was awesome! Felicia Day gave a great talk and then signed a bazillion books. She was funny and smart (as you’d expect) and really lovely to all of her fans. And yup, I got a signed book!

You're Never Weird

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Last SummerSecondhand Souls

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff: I’ve just started, but hope to power through in the next couple of days. Watch for my blog tour post on Friday!

This is release week for Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore! I will need to start reading this one the instant it arrives!

Now playing via audiobook:

I finished listening to the audiobook of The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. The review link is up above — I’ll just add here that the audiobook was phenomenal. The beautiful story was truly enhanced by the emotion brought to the audio by the two narrators.

And now…

Persuasion 2

I’m back to Jane Austen! I’m just starting Persuasion, which will be my fifth Austen audio adventure this year. I read the book so long ago that I hardly remember anything but the bare bones of the plot, so I’m really looking forward to diving back in.

Ongoing reads:

ABOSAAN&S

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…

boy1

 

 

 

The Monday Check-In ~ 8/17/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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 UninvitedIn the Unlikely Event

The Uninvited by Cat Winters: A really terrific, memorable read. My blog tour post and review is here.

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume: Done! My review is here.

Off-line:

In real life, we celebrated my kiddo’s 13th birthday last week. It’s hard to believe my baby is a teen! And as of today, he’s also an 8th-grader. Yup, today is the first day of school here… and yes, I do think the middle of August is too early! I’m not sure which of us is grumpier about the return to the morning bustle and the nagging about homework. (Here’s hoping that as the mother of a mature 8th grader, the nagging routine will be a thing of the past for me!)

Fresh Catch:

Two book I’ve been wanting arrived this week:

Book of Strange New Things Narrow Road to the Deep North

It may be a while before I get to these, but I’m so excited to have them here!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
What You Left BehindI Am Princess XLast Summer

I’ve about halfway through What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi. Once I finish, I have a library book to read before it’s due back (I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest) and then I need to start the next blog tour book on my list, The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff. How’s that for an eclectic reading week?

Now playing via audiobook:

Working for Bigfoot

I had a lot of fun listening to Jim Butcher’s Working For Bigfoot, a collection of three linked short stories set in the world of the Dresden Files. In each story, a reclusive but powerful sasquatch named River Shoulders hires Harry to watch out for his half-human son, and it’s all great fun. Plus, you know, the audiobook narrator is James Marsters, so obviously it’s fabulous.

invention of wings

My book group’s discussion of The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd starts later this week, and I didn’t think I’d get to it at all — until I had the brilliant idea to start the audiobook while out walking this weekend. The audio is wonderful so far, and I love the two narrators and how they portray the two main characters. I have a feeling I’ll be taking the long way on all my walks and drives this week, just so I can extend my listening time!

Ongoing reads:

ABOSAAN&S

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…

boy1

 

The Monday Check-In ~ 8/10/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Uncommon ReaderThe Uninvited

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett: This novella is such a treat for bookworms! It’s a sweet, funny, charming piece of short fiction about what might happen if the Queen of England suddenly became an obsessive reader. The writing itself is such fun, as well as the storyline. I featured a few passages from this book for my Thursday Quotables post last week — check it out here.

The Uninvited by Cat Winters: Done! Watch for my blog tour post and review, coming up on Thursday. Want a hint ahead of time? This one is getting high marks!

And in graphic novels:

Kingsman

After watching the movie Kingsman a couple of weeks ago, I thought I should check out the comic it was based on. The movie is over-the-top violent, but worth it to see Colin Firth kicking major butt (while impeccably dressed, of course.) The comic was originally issued as The Secret Service, and this paperback volume collects the whole story in one edition. It’s a fun, goofy way to spend an afternoon.

And if you haven’t seen the movie and want a little taste:

 

Fresh Catch:

New goodies this week!

FC0815a

Okay, I got a little silly playing with images… Here, with colorful critters, are my new arrivals — including three bought, one ARC courtesy of Goodreads FirstReads (yippee!), and a library book.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
In the Unlikely EventWhat You Left Behind

I’ve just started In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume, which jumps to the top of my priority list since it’s a non-renewable library book. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Judy Blume book — I still have fond/embarrassing memories of how into Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, Deenie, and Forever we all were back in the day.

I’m behind on my ARCS. Still. Again. Forever. But in any case, I’m very determined to read What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi this week.

Now playing via audiobook:

Mansfield Park

Just finished Mansfield Park! I could have sworn that I’d read Mansfield Park before, but the further I went in the audiobook, the more I realized that it was all pretty new to me. I’m glad to have filled in the gap in my Austen reading! Little, meek Fanny Price definitely grew on me, and despite shipping the wrong couple for a while, I was overall pretty charmed by this book.

So what’s next? I think it’s about time to shake things up and listen to something very different from all the Austens I’ve been spending time with lately… so, to get as un-Austen as might be possible, my next audiobook will be a collection of Dresden shorts by Jim Butcher:

Working for Bigfoot

Ongoing reads:

ABOSAAN&S

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

So many book, so little time…

boy1

 

 

The Monday Check-In ~ 8/3/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

DemelzaNever Always Sometimes

Wow, this has been a really slow reading week. Somehow, the time just slid away, and there was just too much else going on. I hate when that happens.

But I did manage to finish:

Demelza by Winston Graham, book 2 in the Poldark series. And if you want to hear more about the books or PBS’s Masterpiece production of Poldark, check out my very enthusiastic post, here. There’s even some delicious eye candy…

Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid: This was my weekend read, and I ended up really enjoying it. My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

Heartbreak! The very last volume in the wonderful Fables series arrived this week… and I’m holding off on reading it for a few more days until I feel really ready to see how it all works out.

Fables v22

Sharing the big version of the cover image — because it’s the last volume of Fables and it deserves all the love!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Circling the SunWhat You Left Behind

Ack! Having a hard time deciding what to read next, between all the ARCs glaring at me whenever I turn on my Kindle and the new stack of library books. (Can I help it if all my hold requests come in at the same time?)

As of this moment, I believe my next two books will be:

  • Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
  • What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi
Now playing via audiobook:

Mansfield Park

I’m approaching the halfway mark in the Mansfield Park audiobook. At this point, I’m not loving this one as much as the other Austens I’ve listened to this year. It’s been so long since I read the book, and I really don’t remember much of the plot. So far, there’s a lot of walking about in gardens and parks, plus a real lot of planning for a play. I hope it picks up soon!

Ongoing reads:

ABOSAAN&S

I’m dropping Eldest (by Chris Paolini) from my currently reading list for now. I was reading it with my son, and he just doesn’t seem interested anymore — and I’m not sure that I’m interested enough to keep going without his participation.

So, for now at least, my two ongoing reading projects are my group reads with Outlander Book Club. Still enjoying the heck out of these!

So many book, so little time…

boy1

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/27/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Maybe in Another LifeGo Set A Watchman

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Done! My review is here.

Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee: I read this book during the past week, and shared some thoughts about it here.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I shared some highlights and photos from my trip to the Canadian Rockies, here. (I know, I know… other people’s vacation pics!)

I also wrote a bit about revisiting Jane Austen’s books without really planning to. Check out My Year of Austen!

Fresh Catch:

One new book added to my toppling stacks this week:

Northanger Abbey 3

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Demelza

Continuing on with the Poldark series by Winston Graham, I’m in the middle of the 2nd book, Demelza. The fact that the BBC production is so unbelievably gorgeous is definitely a contributing factor to my interest in these books! But really, I’m just truly enjoying the story.

Now playing via audiobook:

Sense and Sensibility 2Mansfield Park

My year of Austen audiobooks continues! I just finished Sense and Sensibility over the weekend, and I’m now starting Mansfield Park. I’m loving “re-reading” these books via audio.

Ongoing reads:

EldestABOSAAN&S

My kiddo and I have completely stalled out on our Eldest reading project. I should check to see if he’s still interested in continuing (because if he’s not, I’m not sure that I’ll bother with it either). Also ongoing, my two group reads with Outlander Book Club — two chapters per week from now until we’re done!

So many book, so little time…

boy1

 

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/20/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Sweetheart DealAll the LightRoss Poldark

The Sweetheart Deal by Polly Dugan: Done! My review is here.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: Done, just in time for my book group discussion later this week. Some brief thoughts on this lovely book are here.

Ross Poldark by Winston Graham: Done! Okay, I’ll admit that Aidan Turner was a big part of what drew me to the PBS airing of Poldark, but I ended up really loving the story itself, so I had to give the book a try… and really liked it! It’s my understanding that the 1st season of the TV show covers the first two books in the series, so clearly, I need to keep going! C’mere, book #2!

Off-line:

I just got back from a glorious 10-day trip to the Canadian Rockies. Mountains! Lakes! Incredible natural beauty! I’ll be sharing some highlights and photos in the next few days. Man, it’s hard to return to real life!

Fresh Catch:

A few new books came my way right before I left town:

Canada 433

And… I came home from my trip to find a library notice, saying that my request for Go Set A Watchman is ready for pick-up!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Maybe in Another LifeGo Set A Watchman

I’m just finishing up Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and will post some thoughts in the next few days.

With some trepidation, I’m about to start Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. I’m almost tempted to pass it by, but I feel like I need to read it for myself to see what all the uproar is about.

Now playing via audiobook:

Northanger AbbeySense and Sensibility 2

My year of Austen audiobooks continues! I finished Northanger Abbey while on vacation, and have just started Sense and Sensibility. I read all these books so many years ago; getting a refresher via audio is delightful.

Ongoing reads:

EldestABOSAAN&S

One with the kiddo, two with Outlander Book Club. All three should last a good long while.

So many book, so little time…

boy1

 

 

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/6/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Second LifeJesse's Girl

Second Life by S. J. Watson: I read this earlier, but just posted my review this past week. You can read it here.

Jesse’s Girl by Miranda Kenneally: Done! A light and lovely contemporary YA novel. Check out my review here.

And in graphic novels:

Alex + Ada 2Mush

Alex + Ada, volume 2 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn: The second volume is just as good as the first! Maybe even better! I’m so happy my library had a copy available, and I read it the instant it arrived. Now I just have to wait for #3 to be released! If you like graphic novels, check out this terrific story about robots, A.I., and yes, love.

Mush! Sled Dogs with Issues by Glenn Eichler and Joe Infurnari: Wrapping up this weirdly random reading week, I read another graphic novel that caught my eye on my way out the door of the library. Mush! is an odd but endearing book about a team of sled dogs… and their power struggles, relationships, manipulations, and anxieties. All seen through the eyes of the dogs. Strange but really enjoyable.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I have another bit of travel coming up starting tomorrow, which got me thinking about travel guidebooks. In this age of online everything, are travel books just things of the past? My thoughts are here; come add yours!

Fresh Catch:

Despite hearing mixed reactions to the Austen Project, I’m eager to read some of the modern versions of Austen’s classics. This week, my copy of Emma arrived:

Adobe Photoshop PDF

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Sweetheart DealAll the LightRoss Poldark

I’m leaving on a 10-day vacation, and while I don’t want to over-plan, I have a few books lined up that I’m really excited to read!

I’m in the middle of The Sweetheart Deal by Polly Dugan, which I’m hoping to finish before I head of out town.

For my vacation reads, I’m starting with All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, which my book group will be discussing at the end of the month.

Next, I can’t wait to read Poldark by Winston Graham… especially now that I have such lovely visuals from the BBC production to keep in my mind.

And of course, I’ll have my Kindle on hand, should I need even more bookish choices…

Now playing via audiobook:

Dirty JobNorthanger Abbey

I finished listening to A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore, and absolutely loved it! The narrator makes the funny even funnier. I was surprised to realize I’d completely forgotten how the book ends (I read it when it first came out in 2006), so I’m happy I took the time for a refresher before the sequel arrives in August.

And continuing onward with my Jane Austen kick, I’ve started the audiobook of Northanger Abbey, narrated by Juliet Stevenson (who did such a fabulous job with Emma). Sadly, I won’t have time to listen to the whole thing before I head out of town, and as I don’t think my traveling companions will appreciate listening to Austen in the car, I suppose I’ll have to wait a few weeks to finish.

Ongoing reads:

EldestABOSAAN&S

One with the kiddo, two with Outlander Book Club. All three should last a good long while.

Updated to add: It looks like Eldest will be on hold for a bit, as my kiddo is off to camp for three weeks… and left the book at home!

So many book, so little time…

boy1

 

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/29/2015

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

cooltext1850356879 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?

Alex + AdaSecond LifeOur Souls At Night

Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn: I loved this graphic novel! Just a really clever story about a lonely guy and a sentient AI android named Ada. I really can’t wait to see where this story goes next. Book #2 is next on my request list at the library!

Second Life by S. J. Watson: Finished right before the weekend. My thoughts will be posted on Wednesday, when I’m participating in the blog tour for this book.

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf: Done! A really gorgeous book. Check out my review, here.

Elsewhere on the blog:

I thought a lot this week about the ways in which information about an author can impact how we respond to a book. I’d love to hear other opinions on the topic! My post is here.

I also finally got around to posting pictures from my Harry Potter adventures in Florida. Check ’em out, here.

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

Dreams of the Golden Age

Looking forward to reading the sequel to After the Golden Age!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:
Jesse's Girl

I’ve read two books by Miranda Kenneally so far, and thought they were both terrific! I’m just getting started with her newest, but I have high hopes.

Now playing via audiobook:

Dirty Job

I should be done with the audiobook of A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore this week. It’s making me laugh at the most awkward moments… and sometimes, that’s just what I need.

Ongoing reads:

EldestABOSAAN&S

One with the kiddo, two with Outlander Book Club. All three should last a good long while.

So many book, so little time…

boy1