The Monday Check-In ~ 12/1/2025

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.

Life.

Last week was lovely! First and foremost, it’s always a treat when my daughter comes to town! We had a very nice Thanksgiving celebration, small and cozy, and squeezed in all sorts of other togetherness too… including a Cirque du Soleil show, seeing Wicked: For Good, and joining friends for a morning dance session in the park to kick off Thanksgiving day.

What did I read during the last week?

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: What a delight! I’ll definitely want to continue this series. My review is here.

My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin: My most recent Classics Club Spin book! I’m so happy to have finally read this Australian classic. My review is here.

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green: This non-fiction audiobook was fascinating! I’ll try to post a review later this week.

Pop culture & TV:

Dancing with the Stars is done for the season, and the couple I was rooting for (Robert Irwin and Witney Carson) won! I really enjoyed the finale, especially the freestyle round. I was very interested to read an explanation of how audience votes and judges’ scores are combined — this actually makes me feel a little bit better about the process!

My daughter and I ended up watching the Netflix movie version of The Thursday Murder Club over the weekend. It was… okay. Really good cast, but it felt like a smoothed out, sugar-coated version of the story from the book. Not bad entertainment… but the book is so much better!

Fresh Catch:

I received a gift card a couple of months ago as a birthday present, and decided to treat myself to two hardcovers! The edition of Northanger Abbey is especially lovely, with cut-outs on the cover.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Deepest of Secrets (Rockton, #7) by Kelley Armstrong: Back to Rockton to finish out the series before the end of the year! I’ve been loving this series so far, and I’m happy to be starting the final book (so I can dive into the spin-off Haven’s Rock series in the new year).

Now playing via audiobook:

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman: Starting today! It’s a very short audiobook (about 3 hours), so I should be finished pretty quickly.

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments (current and coming up):

  • The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien: Another book group read, continuing our LOTR adventure. Progress (relative to the entire LOTR opus): 60%. We’ll be finishing The Two Towers this week, and will take a break for the month of December before starting The Return of the King in January.
  • Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 7%. Coming up this week: Chapters 4 and 5.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

Book Review: My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin (Classics Club Spin #42)

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: My Brilliant Career
Author: Miles Franklin
Publication date: 1901
Length: 228 pages
Rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The fierce, irreverent novel of aspiration and rebellion that is both a cornerstone of Australian literature and a feminist classic

Miles Franklin began the candid, passionate, and contrary My Brilliant Career when she was only sixteen, intending it to be the Australian answer to Jane Eyre . But the book she produced-a thinly veiled autobiographical novel about a young girl hungering for life and love in the outback-so scandalized her country upon its appearance in 1901 that she insisted it not be published again until ten years after her death.

And the synopsis from another edition:

Trapped on her parents’ farm in the hardscrabble Australian outback, sixteen-year-old Sybylla Melvyn loves the bush but not the toil it brings. She longs for refinement, and most of all she longs to achieve great things.

Suddenly she falls under the gaze of wealthy, handsome Harry Beecham and finds herself choosing between the conventional path of marriage and her plans for a ‘brilliant career’.

I don’t remember exactly how I became aware of My Brilliant Career, but once it caught my eye, I just knew I needed to add it to my Classics Club Spin list. I’m so glad that the most recent spin landed on this Australian classic!

This was life—my life—my career, my brilliant career! I was fifteen—fifteen! A few fleeting hours and I would be old as those around me.

In My Brilliant Career, teen-aged Sybylla has little to no say in her own life. One of many children, she experiences a severe downturn in her family’s fortunes when her father’s poor business decisions cause then to lose their vast land holdings and move to a smaller, less promising farm. Things go from bad to worse as their father continues to lose money and livestock, and then drink away what little money remains. When a drought leads to even more ruin, Sybylla is sent to live with her grandmother several days’ journey away, where she finally has the opportunity to explore music, books, and a more rewarding and enjoyable life.

While there, Sybylla catches the eye of a wealthy, attractive nearby landowner. We might expect a whirlwind romance to follow, but Sybylla absolutely does not fit the mold of a romantic heroine. She’s mean and dismissive, considers herself ugly, does not wish to be courted, and both yearns to awaken heightened emotions in her suitor and dreads declarations of love, repeatedly (and harshly) rejecting any talk of marriage. Sybylla doesn’t know exactly where her future lies, but she doesn’t see herself finding happiness as a respectable wife, and certainly doesn’t believe that she could make a husband happy, no matter how much he might believe he loves her.

My Brilliant Career is remarkable for its narrative tone, as well as for the unusualness of its main character and her decisions. This book is considered a groundbreaking classic of Australian fiction as well as of feminist literature. Published under a pseudonym when the author was just 21 years old, this debut novel was the first of many books and other writings to follow in the author’s career.

For more on the significance of My Brilliant Career: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/my-brilliant-career

I loved the writing, especially Sybylla’s orneriness and humor. Her descriptions of her surroundings can be stunning, evoking the time and place with precision, and using Australian lingo that’s sure to both amuse and befuddle non-Australian readers.

Beyond that, Sybylla’s way of thinking is unique, and I loved the way she expresses herself:

I am afflicted with the power of thought, which is a heavy curse. The less a person thinks and inquires regarding the why and the wherefore and the justice of things, when dragging along through life, the happier it is for him, and doubly, trebly so, for her.

My mother is a good woman—a very good woman—and I am, I think, not quite all criminality, but we do not pull together. I am a piece of machinery which, not understanding, my mother winds up the wrong way, setting all the wheels of my composition going in creaking discord.

Girls! girls! Those of you who have hearts, and therefore a wish for happiness, homes, and husbands by and by, never develop a reputation of being clever. It will put you out of the matrimonial running as effectually as though it had been circulated that you had leprosy. So, if you feel that you are afflicted with more than ordinary intelligence, and especially if you are plain with it, hide your brains, cramp your mind, study to appear unintellectual—it is your only chance.

On making my first appearance before my lover, I looked quite the reverse of a heroine. My lovely hair was not conveniently escaping from the comb at the right moment to catch him hard in the eye, neither was my thrillingly low sweet voice floating out on the scented air in a manner which went straight to his heart, like the girls I had read of. On the contrary, I much resembled a female clown.

The ending of the book startled me, not because it ends with high drama, but rather because the character rejects what seems like her best prospect for change, and chooses to remain in the same family routine of working to scratch out a living on the land. I puzzled over the final chapter quite a bit and reread it several times before feeling satisfied that I got the point.

Overall, I’m really pleased that my most recent spin landed on My Brilliant Career. It makes me eager to explore more Australian fiction of the 20th century — please share any recommendations!

A reading note: I read this book via a free edition available for Kindle… and it was absolutely plagued with typos. If you’re considering reading My Brilliant Career, I’d recommend checking the library for a print edition or an e-book edition from a traditional publisher!

Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: The Thursday Murder Club
Author: Richard Osman
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: 2020
Length: 382 pages
Genre: Mystery
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.

But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it’s too late?

I am very late to the party… but I’m glad to have finally arrived! It’s true — The Thursday Murder Club is just as much fun as everyone says.

This entertaining novel centers around a mismatched group of friends at a luxurious senior residence in the countryside who, for fun, devote their leisure time to solving cold case murders. The cases become much less cold when two murders connected to the property occur. Now, the Thursday Murder Club has a real-time case to investigate, much to the consternation of the local police, who always seem to be at least a step behind our gang of seniors.

The characters are terrific — a woman who would appear to have had an adventure-filled life as some sort of secret agent, a nurse, a psychiatrist, and a notorious rabble-rouser, plus the various other friends, relatives and acquaintances who fill out the population at Coopers Chase. Not everything is as it seems, and as the story progresses, many long-held secrets are revealed — some tied to the recent murders, and some not.

The tone is upbeat, even while discussing murders and other crimes and scandals, and I loved the motley assortment of personalities and skills and interests that the main characters present.

The Thursday Murder Club is delightfully entertaining, and I can’t wait to continue with the series!

Purchase links: Amazon – Audible audiobook – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten books that make me grateful for book groups & book friends

Posted in Top Ten Tuesday by
TTT autumn 2_bsf

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is a Thanksgiving freebie — so we can each come up with our own take on something we’re thankful for this year.

book group1

A few years ago, my Thanksgiving freebie post was about books that make me feel thankful to my book group and bookish friends — generally, books I might not have read without the booklovers in my life either recommending them or picking them for our discussions. And now that several years have passed since I shared that list, it’s about time for a fresh look!

bc cartoon 4

 
Here are ten terrific books that I ended up reading thanks to book group picks, friend/family recommendations, or recommendations from book bloggers:

  1. Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
  2. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (review)
  3. The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest (review)
  4. All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle (review)
  5. Cinder House by Freya Marske (review)
  6. The Bookseller of Inverness by S. G. Maclean
  7. Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (review)
  8. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (review)
  9. The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (review)
  10. The Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir (review)

Wrapping it all up… as always, I’m so grateful for all my bookish friends! Here’s to another year of sharing our reading journeys!

What books or bookish things are you most grateful for this Thanksgiving week?

Please share your thoughts, and if you wrote a TTT post, please share your link!

The Monday Check-In ~ 11/24/2025

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.

Life.

It’s Thanksgiving week! I am especially thankful to have my daughter in town for the week. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to a few days off, time with family, and time to chill.

Last week was busy (as always), but the weekend was pretty peaceful, and the sun returned! I got to dance outdoors and go for a nice long walk at the beach, and I needed both.

What did I read during the last week?

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters: My book group’s pick for November. Powerful and absorbing. My review is here.

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer: A 3-star read. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I rewatched the first Wicked movie… so now I’m ready to go check out Wicked: For Good this week!

The Dancing with the Stars finale is this week! The couple I absolutely did not want to see win got eliminated last week (whew!), and I do really enjoy everyone who’s left. This is who I’m rooting for:

Although I’m really fond of this pair too:

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

My daughter was recently in Japan, and brought me back this amazing edition of John Scalzi’s The Kaiju Preservation Society! Isn’t this a great gift?

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: Finally! After hearing so many raves about this series, I decide it was time to try the books for myself. I’ve read about 60% so far, and I’m really liking it!

Now playing via audiobook:

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green: I’ve just barely started, but this book is already fascinating.

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments (current and coming up):

  • The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien: Another book group read, continuing our LOTR adventure. Progress (relative to the entire LOTR opus): 59%. (Note — we’ll be finished with The Two Towers next week, and then will take a break for the month of December before starting The Return of the King in January).
  • Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: My book group’s newest classic! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 5%. Coming up this week: Chapter 3.
  • My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin: My current Classics Club Spin book! I’m leaving it here as a reminder to myself. The goal is to complete our spin books by December 21st, so I still have time… but I’d better get moving!

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1

Book Review: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: The House Saphir
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Publication date: November 4, 2025
Length: 432 pages
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 3 out of 5.

This is the tale of Bluebeard as it’s never been told before–a romantasy murder mystery.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she comes from a long line of witches, the only magic she possesses is the ability to see ghosts, which is rarely as useful as one would think. She and her sister have maintained the family business, eking out a paltry living by selling bogus spells to gullible buyers and conducting tours of the infamous mansion where the first of the Saphir murders took place.

Mallory is a self-proclaimed expert on Count Bastien Saphir—otherwise known as Monsieur Le Bleu—who brutally killed three of his wives more than a century ago. But she never expected to meet Bastien’s great-great grandson and heir to the Saphir estate. Armand is handsome, wealthy, and convinced that the Fontaine Sisters are as talented as they claim. The perfect mark. When he offers Mallory a large sum of money to rid his ancestral home of Le Bleu’s ghost, she can’t resist. A paid vacation at Armand’s country manor? It’s practically a dream come true, never mind the ghosts of murdered wives and the monsters that are as common as household pests.

But when murder again comes to the House Saphir, Mallory finds herself at the center of the investigation—and she is almost certain the killer is mortal. If she has any hope of cashing in on the payment she was promised, she’ll have to solve the murder and banish the ghost, all while upholding the illusion of witchcraft.

But that all sounds relatively easy compared to her biggest challenge: learning to trust her heart. Especially when the person her heart wants the most might be a murderer himself.

I had high hopes for The House Saphir — I’m always up for a good fairy tale retelling, and I loved this author’s Lunar Chronicles series. Unfortunately, weak world-building, odd word choices, and an unconvincing plot all resulted in a reading experience that was squarely so-so.

The story revolves around Mallory, a con artist from a line a witches who lost her own powers due to a spell gone wrong during her youth. Now, she and her sister support themselves through fake card readings and unauthorized tours of a supposedly haunted house (complete with cheap knock-off heirlooms that they sell to their gullible customers). Not everything is fake, however; the one magical gift that Mallory still has left is the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. At the Saphir mansion, home of the notorious murderer known as Monsieur Le Bleu, Mallory communicates with Trephine, the first of his three murdered wives.

After a botched tour, Mallory and her sister end up hired by Armand Saphir, descendent of the murderer, to rid his country estate of the evil spirit of Le Bleu. And despite having no actual ability to carry out an exorcism, they take the job. After all, money is tight, and they’ve been threatened with arrest for fraud. So… take the job, fake it for a while, get paid, and take off.

All sorts of complications ensue. The world of The House Saphir include an array of monsters, who’ve apparently reentered the mortal realm once the veil fell years earlier. There’s a religion that worships the seven gods, and witches and magic are quite real. But it all is rather muddled. The religion, the monsters, the common beliefs, the reasons for why things are as they are — nothing gets much explanation, and feels like the thinnest of plot scaffolding, only there to explain Mallory’s actions.

I was baffled by the setting. This is a fictional world, European-esque but not actually Europe or countries that exist in our world — but characters have French names and speak French, and a visiting magician named Constantino speaks Italian (“buona sera!”). Why?

One relatively minor thing that bugged me throughout — the author’s use of the word “boy” when talking about a young man. When Mallory pounces on someone coming up behind her, she’s startled to see a “boy”, which made me assume this was someone in the 10 -12 year old range. Nope — the various “boys” Mallory encounters all appear to be upwards of 18 or thereabouts. Annoying, and this took me right out of the story each time.

Overall, I was underwhelmed by the plot and character development, and found the action sequences pretty messy as well. On a positive note, I enjoyed the ghost wives quite a bit, and appreciated that their scenes tended to add a touch of humor to otherwise grim events.

The House Saphir appears to be a stand-alone, although I could imagine a spin-off involving the monster hunters. Perhaps future books might provide more substance for the world-building.

Purchase links: Amazon – Audible audiobook – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Book Review: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: The Berry Pickers
Author: Amanda Peters
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: April 4, 2023
Length: 295 pages
Genre: Historical fiction
Source: Purchased
Rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

One family’s deepest pain. Another family’s darkest secret.

On a hot day in 1960s Maine, six-year-old Joe watches his little sister Ruthie, sitting on her favourite rock at the edge of the blueberry fields, while their family, Mi’kmaq people from Nova Scotia, pick fruit. That afternoon, Ruthie vanishes without a trace. As the last person to see her, Joe will be forever haunted by grief, guilt, and the agony of imagining how his life could have been.

In an affluent suburb nearby, Norma is growing up as the only child of unhappy parents. She is smart, precocious, and bursting with questions she isn’t allowed to ask – questions about her missing baby photos; questions about her dark skin; questions about the strange, vivid dreams of campfires and warm embraces that return night after night. Norma senses there are things her parents aren’t telling her, but it will take decades to unravel the secrets they have kept buried since she was a little girl.

The Berry Pickers is an exquisitely moving story of unrelenting hope, unwavering love, and the power of family – even in the face of grief and betrayal.

Once again, I have my book group to thank for leading me to The Berry Pickers, a moving story about family secrets, loss, and a search for truth.

On an ordinary summer day in Maine, four-year-old Ruthie disappears as her family picks berries in the nearby fields. Ruthie’s brother Joe, age six, is the last to see her, sitting on a rock finishing a sandwich while he runs off to chase birds. Both will be forever changed by that day.

Joe is haunted by the guilt he carries, feeling that if only he hadn’t left his sister in that moment, tragedy could have been avoided. Their family — mother and father, older sister and two brothers — search tirelessly for Ruthie, but they’re also obligated to the owner of the berry fields where they work each summer. Eventually, they must continue their work, and at the end of the summer, they head back to their home in Nova Scotia with deep holes in their hearts.

Meanwhile, in alternating chapters, we hear from Norma. As a young girl, raised in a practically silent house by a distant father and an overprotective, mentally fragile mother, Norma has been told that the images that come to her of a different mother and a family around a campfire are just dreams. As she grows up, she accepts this version of reality, although she continues to record these dreams in her journals, but she remains skeptical of some of the answers her parents provide when she asks questions. Why is her skin so much browner than theirs? Because she had an Italian great-grandfather. Why are there no baby pictures of her? Because they lost everything in a fire when she was little.

We understand right away that Norma is Ruthie — this isn’t a spoiler! — but it takes much of the book to unravel how Norma ended up where she is. Meanwhile, through their separate narratives, we see Joe and Norma’s lives unfold, and how deeply both are affected by the pain of Ruthie’s loss and everything that followed.

The Berry Pickers is a beautifully written and deeply affecting book. The tragedy that befalls Joe and Ruthie’s family is terrible, but so is the lack of support and resources available in the immediate aftermath. A Mi’kmaq family who come to Maine each summer for farmwork in the berry fields, they’re dismissed by the local police who provide only cursory help. The farm owner too offers lip-service sympathy before reminding them to get back to work. Again and again, we see how the local community and law enforcement see them as other and not worth much effort, and even to blame for the tragedies that come their way, including a terrible incident years later. Joe ends up spending much of his adult life alone, carrying heavy burdens of rage and guilt, and while we may question his decisions, we can understand why he feels he is doing what is necessary.

Norma’s life is easier, on the surface. She grows up in a financially secure home, gets a good education, pursues an academic career — but she’s always adrift, always carrying the weight of her mother’s fears and manipulations, and the overwhelming sense of sadness that pervades their home. Norma’s Aunt June provides love, support, and kindness, but is also complicit in the big lies at the heart of Norma’s family.

We spend much of The Berry Pickers waiting to see how Joe and Norma’s stories will eventually intersect. It’s worth the wait. The ways in which their lives parallel one another, include a significant near miss, make this story especially heart-wrenching. Joe is a flawed man with deep regrets, but we can’t help love him anyway and wish that he could forgive himself much sooner. Norma’s life is driven by the secrets and lies that have surrounded her since her earliest days. The burden she bears leads her to a lonely life, and we ache for her as she suffer her own losses.

The Berry Pickers presents each character’s story with grace and empathy. While this is a story with deep wounds at its heart, the storytelling doesn’t feel oppressively heavy. By using Joe and Norma’s voices, we’re taken along with them through their lives, experiencing their ups and downs, and coming to know each of them in a meaningful way. There are funny and joyful moments too, and the payoff for this journey provides a beautiful ending.

The Berry Pickers is a powerful book that shouldn’t be missed. Highly recommended!

Purchase links: Amazon – Audible audiobook – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Birthstone Book Covers: November = Topaz + Citrine!

Posted in Bookish Thoughts, Fun and Whimsy by

I participated in Birthstone Books Covers for the first time in August, and now I’m hooked! Leslie at Books Are the New Black hosts this fun monthly meme — and since I love anything related to spotlighting amazing book covers, I just had to jump in.

The rules are simple:

Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black ) and link back so she can see your post! Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
HAVE FUN!

November’s birthstones are topaz and citrine. And while they may look very similar, apparently they’re quite different stones!

No, citrine and topaz are not the same; citrine is a variety of quartz, while topaz is a different mineral species. They are often confused because they can have similar yellow and brown colors, but they have different chemical compositions, hardness levels, and crystalline structures. 

And from Bremer Jewelry’s website:

WHAT IS TOPAZ?

Check out the raw topaz above and compare it to the raw citrine at the top of this post. It’s easy to see how these pale yellow stones have been easily confused throughout history! Citrine (quartz family) and topaz are actually unrelated mineral species. Topaz belongs to the silicate mineral family, not quartz. Before these differences were clear, many cultures called citrine (the yellow variety of quartz) by other names like gold topaz, Madeira or Spanish topaz—contributing to the confusion.

The name topaz derives from Topazios, the ancient Greek name for St. John’s Island in the Red Sea. Although the yellow stones famously mined there probably weren’t topaz, it soon became the name for most yellowish stones. Pure topaz is colorless, but it can become tinted by impurities to take on any color of the rainbow. Precious topaz, ranging in color from brownish orange to yellow, is often mistaken for “smoky quartz” or “citrine quartz,” respectively—although quartz and topaz are unrelated minerals!

One of my close childhood friends was a November baby, and I remember us comparing our birthstone rings — my sapphire vs her topaz! (Of course, I insisted mine was better — but her topaz was quite lovely too!)

And now for the books!

Here are the topaz/citrine book covers I’ve found on my shelves:

  • Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
  • The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison
  • Parable of the Sower (graphic novel edition) by Octavia Butler
  • Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
  • The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
  • Bloodhound (Beka Cooper, #2) by Tamora Pierce

Do you have any favorite topaz/citrine book covers to share?

Top Ten Tuesday: Science fiction and fantasy that will stand the test of time

Posted in Top Ten Tuesday by

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Modern Books You Think Will Be Classics In The Future.

I could digress into a whole discussion of what constitutes a classic… but I’ll spare everyone! My feeling is that “classics” are very much in the eye of the beholder. That said, I’m interpreting this week’s prompt in terms of staying power. What book from the past 20 – 30 years (or so) are likely to continue being read and appreciated in the future, and for many years to come?

I’ve decided to focus on science fiction and fantasy for this week’s list. Here are 10 books that I believe will continue to amaze and delight for many, many years!

(Note: After finalizing this list, I realized I’d done a version of this topic in 2022! At least I’m consistent… three of these books were on that list too, which didn’t only focus on sci-fi/fantasy)

  • Old Man’s War (series) by John Scalzi
  • The Hunger Games (series) by Suzanne Collins
  • Wayward Children (series) by Seanan McGuire
  • The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
  • A Discovery of Witches (series) by Deborah Harkness
  • The Expanse (series) by James S. A. Corey
  • Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
  • Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
  • His Dark Materials (series) by Philip Pullman
  • The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

Do you have any favorite sci-fi/fantasy books that you can see as future classics?

If you wrote a TTT post, please share your link!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

The Monday Check-In ~ 11/17/2025

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.

Life.

The rain has returned to Northern California! How’s that for drama? I know, we definitely need rain… but does it have to come on the weekend, just when I have time to get outside?

It’s been an okay week, busy with work and other commitments — but I did squeeze in some good reading and family time over the weekend, so all is well.

What did I read during the last week?

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky: Excellent! Such a fascinating premise. I can’t wait to read more of this series. My review is here.

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman: An okay, not great early book from an author whose books I usually love. My review is here.

Goblins & Greatcoats by Travis Baldree: A short story set in the world of this author’s fantasy books. It was pretty entertaining, and from what I’ve heard, a character introduced here is featured in the new release Brigands & Breadknives, which I hope to start soon.

A Stranger in Town (Rockton, #6) by Kelley Armstrong: I’ve been loving this series, and the 6th books is just as good as I’d expected! My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I’ll stop my weekly rants and raves about Dancing with the Stars… other than to share this video of my favorite dance from the past week.

My son and I finally managed to catch up on The Amazing Race, and I’ve made a teeny bit of progress with The Morning Show. My TV time has been pretty limited this week, and when I do have time, it’s always a dilemma of choosing between watching screens and reading a book.

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

A very nice hardcover edition of Constituent Service by John Scalzi, originally released as an Audible Original (which I enjoyed very much). I’m delighted to get this hard copy, just released from Subterranean Press.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters: My book group book for November… and I’m actually starting more than a week before the deadline!

Now playing via audiobook:

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer: Really entertaining so far!

Ongoing reads:

My longer-term reading commitments (current and coming up):

  • The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien: Another book group read, continuing our LOTR adventure. Progress (relative to the entire LOTR opus): 57%.
  • Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: Although I only recently treated myself to an audio reread of this book, I’m about to start it yet again! This time, I’ll be reading Northanger Abbey with my book group as our newest classic read. We’ll be reading and discussing two chapters per week, starting today. Coming up this week: Chapters 1 and 2.
  • My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin: My newest Classics Club Spin book! I’m leaving it here as a reminder to myself. The goal is to complete our spin books by December 21st, so I still have time… but I’d better get moving!

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

boy1