The Monday Agenda 6/2/2014… and beyond!

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

Life:

By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be on an airplane, heading out for a few weeks of family travel — featuring sun, sand, relatives, lots of food, a Rolling Stones concert, probably a water park or two, and (fingers crossed) oodles of reading time, if I can find a quiet nook to hide out in by myself!

While I’m away, never fear! My weekly features, Thursday Quotables and Flashback Friday, are already all queued up and read to go… so there will be no interruption in our regularly scheduled programming. I hope to pop in with updates and reviews while I’m away — but I’m not sure yet how much faith I have in the promise of wi-fi throughout our trip. So, nice readers, in case I don’t see you sooner, have a great couple of weeks filled with awesome reading, and I’ll catch you when I’m back.

Meanwhile, for this week’s Monday Agenda updates, read on!

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

TroubleJust One Night (Just One Day, #2.5)echo

Trouble by Non Pratt: Done! My review is here.

Just One Night by Gayle Forman: This newly released novella is a follow up to Just One Day and Just One Year — and if you’ve read those, then you have to go download this short-but-sweet tale, pronto! If you’re one of the many, many readers who finished Just One Year and were dying to know what happened NEXT… well, here’s your answer. I thought Just One Night was sweet, romantic, and satisfying… and now I DO know what happened after that kiss…

In Outlander world… I finished (finally) my re-read of An Echo in the Bone! I’ve had a complete blast re-reading this book with the Outlander Book Club (who, by the way, are the best bunch of booklovers and all-around great people!) And now, I wait. What am I waiting for? See below!

But first, a look at what I’m still in the middle of reading:

The Girl with All the Gifts13th child

I’d hoped to finish The Girl With All The Gifts this week, but laundry and packing have overwhelmed me, so I’m only at 50%. Into the carry-on it goes; should make for interesting airplane reading!

The kiddo and I are getting closer to the end of Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede. It’s a good one. We’ll be finishing this book in the next few days, and I’m packing the sequel!

Fresh Catch:

Self-restraint was the catch-phrase of the week! Mainly because I was busy packing, but still… absolutely no new books this week!

Elsewhere on the blog:

I shared my thoughts about the end of the TV season in May and which shows really ended with a bang. You can read about it here.

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

What to read on vacation? Well, assuming my wi-fi works and my Kindle downloads happen on schedule, the #1 book I’ll be reading as of June 10th is:

March 2014

June 10th!!!

But before then, I still have a week and a very long plane ride to fill, so here’s a selection of what I’m thinking of reading:

BittersweetEmpire GirlsRebeccaThe FeverThe Witch of Blackbird PondThe Traitor's Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America

Not to imply that I’ll read this many books! But these are the main ones I’m considering… and the beauty of having a Kindle is not having to decide ahead of time!

Still, if you want to find me from June 10th onward, there’s a good chance I’ll be hiding in a corner somewhere with Written In My Own Heart’s Blood!

shelf2cropped

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

Happy reading! I’ll see you soon!

boy1

The Monday Agenda 5/26/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Girls at the Kingfisher ClubThe FarmTrouble

The Girls At The Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine: Done! My review is here.

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith: Done! My review is here.

Trouble by Non Pratt: At about the 50% point, and liking it a lot so far.

13th childThe kiddo and I are continuing on with Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede. Moving sloooooowly. Not the book’s fault; we just seem to have a hard time lately finding time to sit down and read.

Fresh Catch:

Bunches of new (but mostly used) books this week:

The Witch of Little ItalyWhat Alice ForgotMy Real ChildrenHollow City (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, #2)

Elsewhere on the blog:

I shared my thoughts about stats, page views, and whether numbers matter — chime in here to share your input!

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

The Girl with All the GiftsBittersweetEmpire Girls

First up, I need to read the rest of  Trouble by Non Pratt, which I’m really enjoying.

After that, I’m looking forward to reading:

The Girl With All The Gifts by by M. R. Carey

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

Empire Girls by Susanne Hayes & Loretta Nyhan

I have no idea if I’ll actually get to more than one or two books this week, but it’s nice to have a goal!

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 94 – 97 (no chapter on Memorial Day). The end is in sight!

Outlander love:

Image

What do you think? Is it possible to have too many Outlander references? (Image via Starz)

And adding to the Outlander mania, here’s my Outlander-themed “shelfie”:

shelf2cropped

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1

The Monday Agenda 5/19/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Then and Always: A NovelWe Were LiarsThe Girls at the Kingfisher Club

Then and Always by Dani Atkins. Done! My review is here.

We Were Liars by by E. Lockhart: Done! My review is here.

The Girls At The Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine: I’m at about the 50% mark; reserving judgment until I see where the story goes.

13th childThe kiddo and I are continuing on with Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede, although we didn’t make much progress this week.

Fresh Catch:

Bunches of new (but mostly used) books this week:

Across the Great Barrier (Frontier Magic, #2)Secrets of the Sea HouseThe Highland WitchThe BookstoreThe Cavendish Home for Boys and GirlsThe Curiosity

Elsewhere on the blog:

I started obsessing about what to read on vacation, and whether my Kindle can survive a day at the beach.

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

The FarmThe Girl with All the GiftsBittersweet

This week, I’m looking forward to:

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith

The Girl With All The Gifts by by M. R. Carey

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 89 – 93. It’s hard to believe we’re so close to the end!

And maybe I’ll just leave this here until August:

Image

What do you think? Is it possible to have too many Outlander references? (Image via Starz)

 

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1

The Monday Agenda 5/12/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

IShallBeNearLast week, I continued with my spotlight focus on  I Shall Be Near To You by Erin Lindsay McCabe.  My friend Mary wrote a guest review (see it here), and then I chimed in with my list of five reasons that everyone should read this book — like, NOW. Stay tuned: An author Q&A will be coming up this week!

 

 

 

The Break-Up Artist
The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegal: Done! My review is here.

Savage GirlSavage Girl by Jean Zimmerman: After reading 20%, I had to put this one on my DNF shelf. The concept seemed interesting… but nothing was happening, and I just couldn’t take any more. If anyone else has read it and wants to convince me to give it another go, be my guest!

13th childThe kiddo and I are happily reading our way through Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede, and loving it!

Fresh Catch:

A variety of goodies arrived this week, some bought, some borrowed:

Trouble Covet

MistbornSpike

Plus this, which isn’t a book, but which makes my geeky little heart happy:

Vmars

Elsewhere on the blog:

I whined a bit about trilogies… and apparently, based on comments here and via Twitter, I guess I’m not alone!

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

Then and Always: A NovelWe Were LiarsThe Girls at the Kingfisher Club

This week, I’m looking forward to:

Then and Always by Dani Atkins. I’ve read about half so far, and I’m really liking it!

Next up: We Were Liars by by E. Lockhart.

And if there’s time: The Girls At The Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine. A flapper-era retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale? Yes, please!

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 84 – 88. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

Oh, and this was announced:

Image

Basically, I’ll take any excuse for posting an Outlander picture! Thank you, Starz, for announcing the premiere date. I know where I’ll be August 9th! (Image via Starz)

What a week!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1

The Monday Agenda 5/5/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Last week, I declared I Shall Be Near To You to be my spotlight book of the week — one that I wanted to read slowly and give myself time to savor.

IShallBeNear

 

So how did it go?

In short, I adored it.

I Shall Be Near To You by Erin Lindsay McCabe is a beautiful, powerful book about an unforgettable young woman.

I’ll be featuring this book a few times in the coming week, with a review, a guest post, and possibly more. Stay tuned!.

The Break-Up Artist
The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegal: I didn’t get a chance to start this YA novel until this past weekend. I’m about halfway through, and I’m thoroughly entertained at this point.

13th childThe kiddo and I started Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede this week, and so far, it rocks! Where has this author been all my life? Clearly, I’ve been missing out.

Fresh Catch:

Books, books, books galore! I treated myself to a few books this week, thanks to strategic use of Amazon credits and a gift card! My catch of the week includes two beautiful hardcover books that I’d previously read as ARCs, plus a couple of others I’d had a hankering for:

serpentThe Storied Life of A. J. FikryladybirdThe Secret Keeper84, Charing Cross Road

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

 

Savage GirlIn the Age of Love and Chocolate (Birthright, #3)Then and Always: A Novel

I have two books that I’ve been wanting to get to for a couple of weeks now:

Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman

In The Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin

And if I have time after these two, my next choice will be Then and Always by Dani Atkins.

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 79 – 83. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

 

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1

The Monday Agenda 4/28/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Burial RitesThe Here and NowShe Is Not Invisible

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent: Done! My review is here.

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares: Done! My review is here.

She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick: Done! My review is here.

serpentAnd don’t miss my review/blog tour post for The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore! If you enjoy Shakespeare with f-bombs, loads of hilarity, pirates, Marco Polo, and venomous sea serpents, then this is the book for you!

D'Aulaires' Book of Norse MythsMy son and I are still having fun with D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths. Thor is kinda hilarious, to be honest. Always off fighting trolls and jotuns, that guy.

Fresh Catch:

Upon the recommendations of several BBFs who usually have impeccable taste in books, I picked this one up at the library this week:

Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon (Hawkeye (Marvel NOW!) #1)

 

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

I’m shifting my approach to upcoming reading for this week. There’s one book I especially want to focus on as my top priority, so I hereby declare that this week I have…

a spotlight book!

Drumroll, please! My spotlight book for the week of April 28th will be:

IShallBeNear

I Shall Be Near To You by Erin Lindsay McCabe. I first wrote about this book several months ago in a wishlist post, and I finally have a copy! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this book (thanks to a lovely BBF, once again!), and I’m so excited to “clear the decks”, so to speak, and just concentrate on enjoying it.

I intend to take my time, so I’m not going to hold myself to a planned reading agenda of another 3 – 4 books that MUST BE READ. But… if I do finish I Shall Be Near To You early enough in the week to move on to other reading, then here’s what I’ll be choosing from:

Savage GirlThe Break-Up ArtistIn the Age of Love and Chocolate (Birthright, #3)

Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman

The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel

In The Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin

 

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 74 – 78. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1

The Monday Agenda 4/21/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

Another crazy week, with almost no reading time… frustrating! As a result, I barely made a dent in my intended reading pile for the week.

Far From YouBurial RitesD'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths

Far From You by Tess Sharpe: Done! My review is here.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent: I started this one much later than I’d wanted to, and so far have read about two-thirds. Beautifully written, but with a bleakness that makes it hard to sit through without getting up to look at the sunshine or smell the roses.

In the world of reading with my kiddo, we’re happily working our way through D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths, thanks to which we’re learning that Thor doesn’t really look like Chris Hemsworth and Loki isn’t really Thor’s brother. Crazy shenanigans! Lots of fun, too.

Fresh Catch:

So many goodies! This week was the Spring Book Sale sponsored by our local friends of the public library organization, and it was a blast. Thousands upon thousands of books for sale, all paperbacks only $2! Here’s what I picked up for myself:

photo 3photo 2

Plus a few for my kiddo:

photo 1

On top of which, I just happened to be ambling by the neighborhood used book store earlier this week — and stumbled across a copy of The Humans by Matt Haig, which I’d borrowed from the library last year and loved! What a lucky week for me!

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

The Here and NowShe Is Not InvisibleSavage Girl

First, I need to finish reading Burial Rites before my book group discusses it on Wednesday. After that, I’m really not sure what I’ll be in the mood for, but here’s what I’m thinking I’ll read… subject to my whims and fancies, of course:

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

She Is Not Invisible by Marcu Sedgwick

Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman

Random pop culture goodness:

I’m now caught up on the first two weeks of the new season of Mad Men. I’m not sure that I care that much any more, but for now, I’m still watching. I’m loving the new seasons of Game of Thrones and Orphan Black! Although I think I need a refresher on all the clones and what they were up to at the end of last season…

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 69 – 73 Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1

The Monday Agenda 4/14/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Ghost Train to New Orleans (The Shambling Guides, #2)Love Letters to the DeadThe Serpent of Venice

The Ghost Train to New Orleans by Mur Lafferty: Done! My review is here.

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira: Done! My review is here.

The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore: Done! Be sure to check out my blog tour post on April 22nd.

Fresh Catch:

I behaved myself this week — didn’t buy, borrow, or request any new books! All bets are off for the coming week though — my library’s big spring sale starts on Tuesday, and that’s always dangerous territory for me!

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

Far From YouThe Here and NowBurial Rites

Coming up this week:

Far From You by Tess Sharpe

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

And for an upcoming book group discussion: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Random pop culture goodness:

Orphan Black returns this week!

And is anyone watching the AMC’s new series, Turn, about a Revolutionary War spy ring?

I saw Captain America: The Winter Soldier last weekend, and was super impressed with the way the movie’s events carried over into Agents of SHIELD.

And yeah, Mad Men is back too, and I’m not sure that I care…

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 64 – 68. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1

The Monday Agenda 4/7/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency  (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #1)The Mapmaker's DaughterThe Ghost Train to New Orleans (The Shambling Guides, #2)

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith: Done! My review is here.

The Mapmaker’s Daughter by Laurel Corona: Done! My review is here.

The Ghost Train to New Orleans by Mur Lafferty: I’ve read about half of this very entertaining urban fantasy novel (sequel to The Shambling Guide to New York City, reviewed here), and it’s a ton of fun so far.

summeriwasn'tI posted my review and blog tour feature for The Summer I Wasn’t Me by Jessica Verdi. The author was kind enough to participate in a Q&A, even answering my dorkier questions! Check the post out here, and be sure to enter the giveaway for this terrific book!

 

 

 

Fresh Catch:

A few new ARCs came my way this week that look pretty awesome:

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

The Serpent of VeniceLove Letters to the DeadFar From You

Once I finish The Ghost Train to New Orleans by Mur Lafferty, I have big plans!

I’m looking forward to starting The Serpent of Venice, Christopher Moore’s upcoming new release (and sequel to his hilarious Fool).

If I can squeeze in a couple more this week, then I’ll devote some time to catching up on review books, starting with Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira and then Far From You by Tess Sharpe.

Random pop culture goodness:

It’s the return of Game of Thrones!

And a very sad good-bye to Being Human.

Being Human Apr3

I’m going to miss these crazy kids.

 

But at least this week’s Grimm finally answered a question viewers have been asking for three years: How do Wesen spot a Grimm? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Update: Oops! Looks like the video clip that used to live right here is gone from YouTube. Alas…}

Oh, TV, you give and you take…

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 59 – 63. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1

The Monday Agenda 3/31/2014

MondayAgendaNot a lofty, ambitious to-be-read list consisting of 100+ book titles. Just a simple plan for the upcoming week — what I’m reading now, what I plan to read next, and what I’m hoping to squeeze in among the nooks and crannies.

How did I do with last week’s agenda?

The Shambling Guide to New York CityThe Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

Visible CityFahrenheit 451

The Shambling Guide to New York City by Mur Lafferty: Done! My review is here.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin: Done! My review is here.

Visible City by Tova Mirvis: Done! My review is here.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: After weeks of picking this one up and then putting it back down, I finally sat down to re-read Fahrenheit 451 — probably about 20 or so years after the first time I read it. Still shocking. Still amazing. I’m so glad I finally read it again!

Fresh Catch:

A few new ARCs came my way this week, plus the newest volume of an amazing graphic novel series!

The Art of FloatingThe Last Policeman (The Last Policeman, #1)Henna HouseSaga, Volume 3

 

What’s on my reading agenda for the coming week?

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency  (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #1)The Mapmaker's DaughterThe Ghost Train to New Orleans (The Shambling Guides, #2)

I’ve just started The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. I’ve been thinking about reading this one for years, and for some reason, it just really seemed to suit my mood this week.

After that, I’m planning to read The Mapmaker’s Daughter by Laurel Corona, which sounds completely fascinating.

And then I’ll be ready for something fun and quirky, and what could be better than the 2nd book in the Shambling Guide series? I’m so looking forward to reading The Ghost Train to New Orleans by Mur Lafferty.

And also in the works:

echoThe Outlander Book Club’s re-read of An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon continues! Coming up this week: Chapters 54 – 58. Want to join in? Contact me and I’ll provide all the details!

So many book, so little time…

That’s my agenda. What’s yours? Add your comments to share your bookish agenda for the week.

boy1