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 been a busy week (as usual), but things finally… maybe… are starting to lighten up a bit at work.

On the homefront, we’ve had some nice family time, play time with the kitty, and even sunny weather!

Blogging.

I’ve been doing bits and pieces of clean-up behind the scenes on my blog, just tidying up some directories, trying to eliminate incorrect tags, etc.

One of my pages is my Book Blog Meme Directory, which I’ve let slip a bit — I realize that I haven’t gone through and checked the links and made updates in about a year. Which makes me wonder… should I even bother? I’m honestly not sure how useful it is at this point, so maybe it’s time to just deactivate it.

What did I read during the last week?

The Guncle by Steven Rowley: Loved this so much! My review is here.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys: Very dark, very compelling. My review is here.

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears: Honest and powerful. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I finished season 2 of Dark Winds. It was great! Can’t wait for season 3.

My husband and I are continuing our (very slow) watching of All the Light You Cannot See, and I also watched the New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears (on Hulu).

I have a long list of series and movies to watch — the hard part is deciding where to start! And I’ve just reactivated my Hulu subscription after a year without it, so there’s plenty to choose from.

Meanwhile, with the Oscars coming soon, I’m trying to get through the handful of nominated movies and performances that interest me — I’m not planning to watch every single movie just for the sake of watching them, but there are a bunch I do want to see before the awards are given out. I got started over the weekend by watching Rustin (Netflix), and highly recommend it! It’s easy to see why Colman Domingo was nominated for Best Actor for this role.

Puzzle of the week:

I had fun with this one over the weekend:

I did get a little tired of all the sky and sea by the end… but otherwise, it was a good challenge!

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Women by Kristin Hannah: I’m at about 50% at this point, and I’m very, very invested! I just wish I had a day to myself to do nothing but read. Hoping to wrap up in the next day or so.

Now playing via audiobook:

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez: I’ve never read anything by this author before, but after seeing so many great reviews over the last couple of years, I decided to give this book a try. I’m totally hooked! Can’t wait to see how it all works out.

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2), reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 36 and 37 (of 49). Progress: 62%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. I’m enjoying the book, although reading at this pace makes it feel like it’ll take forever to finish. Progress: 43%.
• A Night to Remember by Walter Lord: My new Classics Club Spin book! I haven’t started it yet — I’m listing it here as a placeholder for now. The target date for this spin is March 3rd, so there’s still plenty of time.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, 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.

Life.

Another rainy weekend. Why, weather gods, why? Don’t you know that weekends are my only time to get out and walk (and listen to audiobooks)??

Besides complaining about forces of nature…

It’s been a decent week, lots of intensity at work, but some quiet relaxing times at home. We had friends over for dinner on Friday, and it was loads of fun to kick back and catch up.

What did I read during the last week?

Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey: Entertaining, but not amazing. A solid 3-star read. My review is here.

One Girl in All the World (In Every Generation, #2) by Kendare Blake: Book 2 in a new Buffy-verse trilogy. My review is here.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley: Beautiful, funny, and sad too. Review to follow later this week.

I also read two graphic novels:

The Princess & the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz: Cute, but I didn’t find it all that memorable.

Heartstopper, volume 5 by Alice Oseman: Sigh. I love this series so much. 5 stars for volume 5!

And finally, my first DNF of the year:

For the Love of the Bard by Jessica Martin: I read about 15%, and it wasn’t bad… but it also didn’t particularly grab me, so I decided to move on.

Pop culture & TV:

I’m finally watching season 2 of Dark Winds, and it is so good! I highly recommend the series (start with season 1, of course). I didn’t quite have time to finish the 2nd season, but hope to watch the last episode tonight.

Fresh Catch:

I treated myself to hardcover editions of the two Emily Wilde books:

Sadly, they arrived just a tiny bit dented on the upper edge… I’m deciding whether to pursue perfection and return them. (My family thinks I’m ridiculous… the dents really are tiny.)

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys: My book group is discussing this book later in the week (it’s our January pick), but I got a late start. Fingers crossed that I’ll have time to finish before the deadline!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears: Patience pays off! My library hold finally came in. Just starting this audiobook today.

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2), reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 34 and 35 (of 49). Progress: 60%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. I’m enjoying the book, although reading at this pace makes it feel like it’ll take forever to finish. Progress: 39%.
• A Night to Remember by Walter Lord: My new Classics Club Spin book! I haven’t started it yet — I’m listing it here as a placeholder for now. The target date for this spin is March 3rd, so there’s still plenty of time.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, 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.

Life.

I bet y’all can relate…

I had an hour left in the audiobook I’d been listening to all week — perfect for the walk I was planning for Saturday. And then it rained… and rained… and rained. As you might know about me, I really only listen to audiobooks while driving or walking; otherwise, I get easily distracted and miss pieces of the story. In any event, when there was a brief break in the weather, I headed out for a walk, only to have the rain start up again after 20 minutes… but by then I was committed!

I finished the book, and came home absolutely soaked, with a useless broken umbrella that snapped with the first gust of wind.

But hey! I finished the book, and that’s what mattered! I came home wet but happy, and felt perfectly content snuggling into dry clothes and making myself a hot cup of tea.

What did I read during the last week?

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett: Loved it! I think I’ll be spending my gift card balance on treating myself to hardcover editions of the two Emily Wilde books. My review is here.

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman: Such an enjoyable audiobook. My review is here.

The Parliament by Aimee Pokwatka: Awww, cute owl! Kidding. This story of murderous owls trapping a group of adults and children inside a library is scary, powerful, and impossible to put down. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I finished Crash Landing on You on Netflix… and I’m not over it! I think it’s going to take me a while before I’m recovered enough to start something new. I’ll write up some thoughts to share a bit later in the coming week.

Other than that, I’m enjoying the new season of All Creatures Great and Small, and my husband and I have just started All the Light We Cannot See — although he doesn’t like to binge, so despite there only being four episodes in all, it’ll probably take us weeks to finish.

Puzzle of the week:

It’s been a while, but I took out my puzzle table once again and did this very fun puzzle over the weekend! The puzzle was a Hanukkah gift, and I really had a good time with it:

Fresh Catch:

A few new books arrived this weeks — all books that I’d read as ARCs or library books, and loved enough to want my own copies.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Clover Hendry’s Day Off by Beth Morrey: I haven’t gotten far enough to have an opinion yet, but it seems like it’ll be a light and breezy read.

Also, at some point this week, I need to start my book group’s January book, since our discussion is only a week away:

Now playing via audiobook:

The Guncle by Steven Rowley: I loved the last book I read by this author (The Celebrants), and this one is off to a great start.

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2), reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 32 and 33 (of 49). Progress: 57%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. We’re back starting today, after a two-week break for the holidays. Progress: 36%.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, 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.

Life.

Yet another ridiculously crazy workweek, during which I had my work projects on my brain pretty much every waking moment… which meant that my ability to relax and focus on books was… let’s say, strained and unreliable. I did manage to squeeze in some reading, but always in stolen moments and with my attention pretty scattered. Ugh… but at least there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and I should get past this intense project within a few more weeks.

Other than that… it’s been quiet at the house, after our various holiday visitors headed back to their own homes. I’m trying to do a bit of cleaning and reorganizing… and yes, I’m even attempting teeny little bits of organizing when it comes to my bookshelves!

In terms of reading plans — I spent most of November and December reading randomly, according to my mood in the moment, but now that it’s January, I have (virtual) stacks of ARCs waiting to be read. Somehow, without intending to, I committed to lots of ARCs for January, February, and March, so I’m going to try my best to stay on track!

Oh, and here’s a kitty picture, just because:

I call this one “Astronaut Kitty”… but really, it’s just Benjy’s new backpack carrier, which he seems to enjoy a lot on his outings.

What did I read during the last week?

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal: A fascinating story about mediums channeling the dead to support the British army during WWI. My review is here.

The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler: The revival of the mammoth species is at the heart of this tightly written novella. My review is here.

Get Lucky by Katherine Center: A light, enjoyable audiobook listen. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I’m still watching Crash Landing on You on Netflix! Most episodes are about an hour and a half, so I’m only managing one per night. I have four left — it’s so good!

All Creatures Great and Small is back for a new season! It’s so nice to spend time with James, Helen, and the gang again.

It was very rainy over the weekend, and I was annoyed at being stuck indoors… and then decided to take my self to a movie. I ended up seeing The Color Purple, and I’m so glad I did. It’s really a terrific movie, and I appreciated the musical numbers much more than I did when I saw the stage version several years ago (which was in a theater with terrible acoustics). Has anyone else seen it yet? Here’s the trailer:

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett: The follow-up to last year’s big hit, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. I’ve just passed the halfway point, and don’t want to put it down!

Now playing via audiobook:

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman: This is my second audiobook by this author, and I’m loving it. I just wish I had more listening time — dying to see where the story goes!

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2), reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 30 and 31 (of 49). Progress: 54%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. We’re back starting today, after a two-week break for the holidays. Progress: 34%.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, 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.

Life.

Happy New Year! Here’s to a year of joy, health, appreciation… and lots of lots of books!

My husband and I broke our annual tradition of staying home on New Year’s Eve — for the first time in many, many years, we actually went out to celebrate! We enjoyed a lovely meal at a favorite restaurant… although we still made it home in time to be cozied up in pajamas well before midnight.

Year in review:

My Goodreads challenge goal for 2023 was 150, and I made it to 178! (Actually, 179 — I finished one more graphic novel at the end of the day on 12/31, but didn’t bother updating my record for the year.)

Even though I exceeded my goal in 2023, I plan to keep the same number for my 2024 target. I like to make sure I have breathing space and ability to take my time with longer books, if I feel like it.

A few other statistics from this past year, according to Goodreads:

• Shortest book: The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman (36 pages)
• Longest book: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon (902 pages)
• Average book length: 316 pages
• Most shelved: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid — 2,782,872 people also shelved (!)
• Least shelved: The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh — 331 people also shelved (but I suspect the number is low only because it was released in late December)
• Average rating: 4.1 stars
• Number of 5-star reads: 60
• Star rating used most often: 4 stars
• Star rating used least often: 2 stars
• Star rating not used at all: 1 star
• DNFs: 4 (only counting those that I stuck with for more than a page or two)

I’ll share a small selection of my favorite books from 2023 for tomorrow’s Top Ten Tuesday post.

What did I read during the last week?

Emmett by L. C. Rosen: This contemporary, queer retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma is everything I’d hoped for, and more. Just loved it. My review is here.

The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh: A Judy Leigh audiobook is always a good time! My review is here.

Not the Ones Dead (Kate Shugak, #23) by Dana Stabenow: Can you believe that a 23-book series is still this good? I love these books – #23 is no exception. My review is here.

Ruined by Sarah Vaughn: A really enjoyable graphic novel! Highly recommended (and my final book of 2023).

Pop culture & TV:

My family went to see The Boys in the Boat on Christmas Day, and thought it was great! I really enjoyed the book when I read it several years ago. The movie can’t capture it all, but even so, it was very uplifting to experience.

We also went to the theater to see the touring production of Broadway’s The Lion King, and loved it! I’d seen it quite a while back, but seeing it again was just wonderful. I’d forgotten just how beautiful the staging, sets, costumes, and dancing all are.

I’m continuing my way through Crash Landing on You on Netflix. It’s so good! I’m not quite at the halfway point yet (I still have 9 episodes to go), but I’m so happy I decided to give it a try.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal: The only novel by this author that I haven’t read yet… so it’s about time!

Now playing via audiobook:

Get Lucky by Katherine Center: An earlier book by an author I always enjoy. Just getting started!

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2), reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 28 and 29 (of 49). Progress: 51%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 34%. (We’re taking a two-week break over the holidays, picking back up the week of January 8th.)

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, 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.

Life.

Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating today! As for me, I’m not — but I am enjoying the day off, and plan to have a low-key day which may (or may not) include a long walk, quiet reading time, and possibly even a movie outing.

Meanwhile (I feel like a broken record), it was a busy week and I barely had time to read. I’m still in the midst of a major work project which won’t be done for several more weeks… I need a vacation!

On the bright side, we have family in town through the end of this week, and that’s been fun — lots of dinners and silliness.

What did I read during the last week?

This Winter by Alice Oseman: A sweet novella set in the world of Heartstopper.

My Roommate Is A Vampire by Jenna Levine: A very silly romance, fun but flawed. My review is here.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride: It’s a bit outside of my usual reading preferences, but I still appreciated the artistry of this novel. My thoughts are here.

Pop culture & TV:

Survivor wrapped up its 45th season, and it was… fine. Not especially memorable, but my son and I remained entertained throughout. Good enough.

I just started Crash Landing on You on Netflix, and honestly, it’s such a joy so far! I think I’m very late to the party on this one. Has anyone (everyone?) else watched it?

Fresh Catch:

I gave in to temptation and ordered a complete set of five signed hardcovers from Mary Robinette Kowal! I already own paperbacks of the series (The Glamourist Histories — so good!), but when I saw a post from the author mentioning that a limited number of the hardcovers were available, I couldn’t resist.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Emmett by L. C. Rosen: A gender-flipped LGBTQ+ retelling of Emma by a favorite author? Yes, please!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh: I can always count on a Judy Leigh book to brighten my day.

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2), reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 26 and 27 (of 49). Progress: 47%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 34%. (We’re taking a two-week break over the holidays, picking back up the week of January 8th.)

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, 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.

Life.

Hanukkah has ended, but it’s not really over! We have family arriving in town over the next week, and have already promised to do a post-Hanukkah Hanukkah celebration while we’re all together. More candles! More latkes! Who could say no to that?

Work is still intense, and will continue to be through the end of my huge project, probably sometime in January. I’m hoping for a few days off before the end of the year, but on the other hand, I could really use the time to get ahead and wrap up a few things. We shall see.

What did I read during the last week?

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros: All I can say is — thank goodness I’m done. I slogged through this massive tome without much joy, and I’m relieved to have made it to the end. My review is here.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins: I read this book when it first came out (review), and after seeing the recently released movie, decided to revisit it via audiobook. The narration (by Santino Fontana) is terrific, and it was a totally enjoyable listen. Highly recommended!

Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley: A sweet holiday romance. My review is here.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan: My book group’s pick for December. This is a beautifully written novella, which I was able to read in one sitting. Looking forward to my book group discussion later in the week!

Pop culture & TV:

Fantastic end to this season of The Amazing Race! I honestly would have been happy with any of the three final pairs winning. Such a fun show!

I’m watching the last batch of The Crown episodes — I’ve watched three of the final six so far, and really, they’re pretty dull so far. I’m hoping the last three manage to tie up the series well.

Fresh Catch:

Beautiful new anniversary special editions of books 2 and 3 in The Expanse series were just released, and naturally, I had to get them for myself! They’re really gorgeous editions, and the reverse of the dust jackets shows the cover illustrations from the original paperbacks. I hope they release the rest of the series to match!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

This Winter by Alice Oseman: A novella set in the world of Heartstopper! I just borrowed this from the library — totally on a whim — and I plan to read it over the next day or so.

After that, it’ll be time to dive back into a full-sized novel, and here’s what I’m leaning toward (although let’s see where my mood takes me once I’m ready to start):

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride: This book seems to be included on EVERY “best of” list for 2023 — I’m looking forward to seeing what all the praise it about.

Now playing via audiobook:

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine: Cute and funny so far — just what I needed!

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2), reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 24 and 25 (of 49). Progress: 45%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 30%.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, 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.

Life.

It’s Hanukkah! We have a few nights more to go, and my family is having oodles of fun with candle-lighting, latkes, and all-around goofiness.

We did our gift exchange on the first night, and even our kitty got in on the action:

On the other hand, work is intense and stressful right now, and I’ve barely had time to read. In fact, I haven’t finished a single book this week! That’s partially because both my ebook and audiobook reads are very long, but also, I just haven’t had time (or the concentration) to make much progress.

What did I read during the last week?

I’m still on the same book I started last weekend, but I did manage to post one review since then:

In Every Generation by Kendare Blake: Book 1 in a Buffyverse trilogy — here’s my review.

Pop culture & TV:

If you haven’t checked out Fisk on Netflix, now is the time to do it! It’s a quicky Australian comedy, two seasons available — lots of fun.

Somehow I got sucked into watching Dancing with the Stars this season (despite its cheesiness), and I was happy to see my favorite couple win! Here’s a peek at one of their great performances:

Fresh Catch:

A few new books arrived this week:

They all look amazing… where to start???

And — oops! I went to the library to pick up a hold request that had just come in — for ONE book — and somehow managed to come home with a whole stack!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros: I’ve been reading this book for a week now, and I’ve finally gotten to 75%. This is taking FOREVER.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins: Another longer book (15+ hours via audio) — it’s enjoyable and well-done, but it feels like I’ll never be done.

Ongoing reads:

My current longer-term reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a group re-read of Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2), reading and discussing two chapters per week. Coming up this week: Chapters 22 and 23 (of 49). Progress: 41%.
• Daniel Deronda by George Eliot: My book group’s current classic read! We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 27%.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…