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 another busy week (what else is new?) — followed by a really enjoyable weekend. We had friends and family over for a nice dinner on Friday. Saturday was a double-stuffed dancing day — first, a couple of hours of dancing in the park with my small dance group, then a once-a-month dance party that night, which is always a great time. (I happened to have my phone in my leggings pocket all day… and according to my tracking app, I danced the equivalent of 6.7 miles on Saturday!)

Sunday was truly a day of rest — no plans, so I was able to get out for a much needed walk (accompanied by a terrific audiobook), organize a bit around the house, and catch up on my book group book for October.

Bookish bits & bobs:

I spent most of the week reading a big, chunky sci-fi novel (As You Wake, Break the Shell by Becky Chambers), but had so little time each day that I was only at 50% by the time the weekend rolled around… and at that point realized that I absolutely needed to start my book group book, since I’m the person responsible for the discussion this time around. I hate putting down a book I’m enjoying in order to start something else, but in this case, I had no choice! Looking forward to getting back to the other book this week (and I hope re-entering that world won’t feel too jarring.)

Random things that amused me this week:

Seen while out running errands mid-week… happy Heated Rivalry Halloween!

What did I read during the last week?

Well Versed (Well Met, #5) by Jen DeLuca: A trip to the Ren Faire is always a delight! My review is here.

The Harvey Girl by Dana Stabenow: I bought a copy back when this book came out earlier in the year, then held off until now to read it so I’d have it fresh in my mind for my book group discussion this week. A fun detective story with a wild west setting that I wasn’t particularly familiar with — I’m glad to have finally read it! My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

Dancing with the Stars check-in: Oh, the drama! Social feeds are going a bit insane this week after one pro faces a one-week suspension over a (now deleted) post that some viewed as threatening toward a DWTS judge. Fans are irate! (IMHO, his post was inappropriate, but not actually a threat — just an ill-advised attempt at snark that backfired). Anyhoo… all my faves (Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, Julia Stiles, and Tatyana Ali) are still in the competition, so yay!

In other viewing, I finally started season 4 of Ted Lasso, and have gotten through about half the episodes. I like it – -maybe not as much as previous seasons, but that’s okay. It’s nice to have a bit of cheerful viewing to look forward to.

Fresh Catch:

The new Queen of Nothing special edition arrived this week!

My photos do not do it justice! It’s a velvety black edition with a box and beautiful inside illustrations. And now I have all three books from the series! I sense a re-read in my near future…

I indulged during Amazon’s big sale days last week and used some credits to buy hardcovers that had been on my wishlist for a while:

All three are books that I read within the past year, and loved! In case anyone wants to know more, here are the reviews I posted:

• The Children by Melissa Albert
• My Friends by Fredrik Backman
• Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

As You Wake, Break the Shell by Becky Chambers: I’m happy to be getting back to this book! As I mentioned, I had to pause for a few days, just past the 50% point, but now I’m diving back in (and hoping to have more time to really focus on it than I did last week).

Now playing via audiobook:

The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty: I’m absolutely loving this book! It’s on the longer side… I started listening last Monday, and should be able to finish within the next few days.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 97%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 17 and 18. Just three chapters left!

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.

Last weekend, I was away in Colorado visiting my daughter, and got home Monday night. It was a wonderful trip, but I didn’t rest at all before getting back to work Tuesday morning, so I kind of dragged all week. Luckily, the sun came out over the last couple of days, and I was able to enjoy some outdoor time this past weekend, and still managed to take care of some much-needed errands (including buying myself a new pair of walking shoes — yay!).

Bookish bits & bobs:

I’m sure everyone already saw the announcement, but I’ll share this one anyway:

Goodreads has FINALLY added quarter and half stars! It’s about time — people have been asking for this for years. Of course, now there’s something new to be annoyed about — tags no longer seem to be available to select while leaving a rating and review; we have to shelve the book (i.e., add tags) from the book itself, so it’s extra steps to do so after finishing.

Still, it’s nice to not have to constantly add a note on reviews to say “rounding up from 3.5” or what have you.

Is anyone going back to modify previously submitted ratings? I’m not — seems like too much of an effort, and not all that important — but I’m curious if others are doing so.

What did I read during the last week?

Wool (Silo, #1) by Hugh Howey: Terrific science fiction. Can’t wait to continue the series! My review is here.

No Matter What by Cara Bastone: Touching contemporary romance about a marriage in trouble and the couple’s slow reconnection. My review is here.

Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong: Mind-warping horror from a favorite author. My review is here.

Well Versed (Well Met, #5) by Jen DeLuca: The newest book in a very fun romance series centered around a small town Renaissance Faire. Finished on Sunday — watch for my review later this week!

Pop culture & TV:

Dancing with the Stars check-in: My favorites (Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, Julia Stiles, and Tatyana Ali) are all still in it! I enjoy the rehearsal videos and performances, but the popularity contest aspect of the eliminations makes me so mad sometimes. And yet, I keep watching!

Speaking of watching… check out the move toward the end of this dance, which has now become a challenge all over the socials:

Elsewhere on my screen… I managed to catch up with the 2nd season of the Outlander prequel series, Blood of My Blood, and have now seen the four episodes available so far (with six more yet to come this season). Episode 3 was especially good. The show is inconsistent, and some storylines are much better than others. No news yet on whether there will be a season 3… but since I just saw a comment from a cast member that season 2 ends with a cliffhanger, I certainly hope there will be more to come!

Fresh Catch:

One beautiful new book arrived this week:

Plus two used books that I’d ordered a couple of weeks ago:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

As You Wake, Break the Shell by Becky Chambers: I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, and I’m excited to be starting her new release.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty: I think this will be my next audiobook! I’ll be starting later today. The book has been on my shelf for a while now, and with Julia Whelan as narrator, audio feels like a great option.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 95%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 15 and 16. So close to the end!

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.

After a busy workweek, my real highlight was spending the weekend with my daughter and her husband. It was wonderful! Great visit, lots of fun, beautiful scenery… what a joy!

Bookish bits & bobs:

Another exciting cover reveal this past week:

Carley Fortune’s next book, Only in Summer, will be released May 2027. Once again, a stunning cover!

What did I read during the last week?

An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton: Historical fiction with a speculative twist, set during the 1960s space race. My review is here.

Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel: Beautiful, complicated story that’s difficult to describe. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I’ve still been mainly offline as far as viewing and streaming are concerned — but I am enjoying Dancing with the Stars. My updated favorites are Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, Julia Stiles, and Tatyana Ali!

I’ve watched the first two episodes of the 2nd season of the Outlander prequel series, Blood of My Blood — good so far, even if the show seem to enjoy nothing more than tormenting its characters and finding fresh ways to make them unhappy.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Wool by Hugh Howey: This is a big, chunky sci-fi book — and I’m hooked! I’m getting close to the end, and I’m eager to see how it wraps up… and I have a feeling I’ll want to pick up the sequel pretty quickly.

Now playing via audiobook:

No Matter What by Cara Bastone: A New York-based love story that defies certain expected romance tropes. So close to finishing!

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 92%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 13 and 14.

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’m just catching up after a week away! I spent a wonderful week in Hawaii with my husband — we celebrated my birthday, enjoyed the gorgeous weather and beautiful views, read a lot on the beach, and ate delicious food. Absolutely lovely!

Bookish bits & bobs:

Two upcoming book releases that I learned about over the past two weeks — these make me so happy! Both will be released in 2027.

• The Lovebirds by Katherine Center (May 2027)
• A Spoonful of Trouble by T. Kingfisher (September 2027)

And this tickled my inner grammar nerd / cat lover:

What did I read during the last (two) weeks?

The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher: A surprise hit! I hadn’t heard anything about this book before stumbling across a rave review in the New York Times. Plain and simple — I loved it. My review is here.

Pride and Prejudice (Audible Original – dramatization): A fun dramatization with a full cast that includes Glenn Close as Lady Catherine de Bourgh! It’s fairly short, and was a nice way to fill in the little bit of listening time I had last week.

What You Are Looking For Is In the Library by Michiko Aoyama: Sweet, cozy Japanese fiction about intersecting lives connected by a community library and its unusual librarian. My book group’s September pick. I enjoyed it a lot, even though I didn’t get around to writing a review.

A Divided Duty (October Daye, #20) by Seanan McGuire: Another excellent installment in a favorite fantasy series. My review is here.

An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton: Historical fiction with a speculative twist, set during the 1960s space race. Watch for my review later this week.

Newbourne Park by Jennifer Thorne: Sharp, fast-paced horror. Loved it! My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

Since I’ve only been home a few days, I really haven’t had much viewing time (and spent no time at all in front of screens while on vacation). So far, I’ve caught up on the first few episodes of the new season of Dancing with the Stars (my early favorites are Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, and Julia Stiles!), and just sat down last night to start the 2nd season of the Outlander prequel series, Blood of My Blood.

Shocker — I think I’m going to sit out the new season of Survivor (that started this past week). I feel like I’ve just had enough of that particular show… although I reserve the right to change my mind! There’s a new season of The Amazing Race starting this week, and since that’s one that my son likes too, I’ll probably be watching.

And once life settles down a bit again, I’m sure I’ll have plenty to check out from my Netflix watchlist…

Fresh Catch:

Right before my trip, my copy of Exit Party arrived:

And when I came back, I found my preordered, signed copy of Well Versed waiting for me!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel: Started over the weekend, and I’ve read about a third so far. I’m confused, but intrigued!

Now playing via audiobook:

No Matter What by Cara Bastone: I’d been wanting to start this audiobook, and finally had time once we got home from our trip. I haven’t made a ton of progress yet, but I’m liking it so far!

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 88%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 11 and 12.

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 – Shana Tovah to all who celebrated over the weekend! We had a lovely dinner with friends, who did an amazing job hosting a very large crowd and making it all feel special.

Other than that, it’s been another busy week, but I fit in a couple more walks than I usually have time for, did some great outdoor dancing, and enjoyed time with family too.

A programming note.

I’m heading out of town for several days at the end of the week and will be mainly offline while I’m away. Hopefully, I’ll have lots of reviews to share by the time I’m back! As of now, I’m thinking I’ll pre-write and schedule next week’s TTT post, but that’s probably about it until I get home.

Bookish bits & bobs:

Random items to share!

Seen on my drive to work one day last week:

This is so relatable:

And in actual books news… I was thrilled to come across the announcement for Kristin Hannah’s upcoming new book! The Fire will be published in May 2027; see more about it here.

What did I read during the last week?

Into the Blue by Emma Brodie: One of the best books I’ve read in 2026. I posted a review this past week; see it here.

Just One Damned Thing After Another (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s, #1) by Jodi Taylor: I’m so happy to have finally started this series! My review is here.

Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher: Loved this follow-up to Swordheart! My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I finished watching Little House on the Prairie (Netflix), and mainly liked it, although it definitely doesn’t feel like the Little House from my childhood! I don’t expect to have time to get involved with anything new this week before we head out of town — but with the Emmy awards Monday night and a new season of Dancing with the Stars kicking off, I’ll have plenty to watch in any case.

Fresh Catch:

I treated myself to two new books this week:

I also received an advance copy of the upcoming new October Daye book — can’t wait to start it!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher: This book wasn’t on my reading radar at all, but after seeing a New York Times book column proclaiming this the “Best Book Our Fantasy Columnist Has Read All Year”, I just had to check it out.

Now playing via audiobook:

Well… I finished Daggerbound on Sunday, and haven’t had a chance yet to start something new. I’m not sure what I feel like listening to next, especially since I may not have much listening time on my trip. I’ll probably go with something relatively short for starters, most likely one of the above

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 83%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 7 and 8.

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.

The super annoying late summer cold that’s been going around finally caught up to me. (Cue the sneezing and coughing…) I ended up staying home for most of the week, still able to work but trying not to share my germs with all my nice coworkers. My symptoms finally eased up over the weekend, with time to get out and be a bit more active. On the plus side, all that time stuck in the house left me with plenty of time to read, which I’ll never complain about.

Bookish bits & bobs:

Awesome new book announcement this week!

Tor Publishing has announced the publication of Tamsyn Muir’s new novel, Floralinda, coming in July 2027. According to Tor:

The novel is a massive expansion of Muir’s 2019 short fiction Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower, previously published by Subterranean Press.

Well… I happened to have LOVED the Princess Floralinda novella (read more about it here), so yup, I’m totally down for reading a full-length version of her story!

What did I read during the last week?

My Imaginary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows: An incredibly fun, off-the-wall alternate history mash-up involving Mary Shelley, Ada Lovelace, and a very inquisitive automaton. My review is here.

Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison: Terrific new horror novel about a woman stuck in a time loop at a very deadly wedding. My review is here.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier: My most recent Classics Club Spin book — my 2nd du Maurier in a row! Loved it. My review is here.

We Chase Shadows (We Solve Murders, #2) by Richard Osman: Another fun entry in a fast-paced caper series. My review is here.

Into the Blue by Emma Brodie: Finished late Sunday. This book just stomped all over my heart — incredible. Watch for my review later this week.

Pop culture & TV:

I’ve mainly been in the mood for comedies and light viewing lately, and finally got around to watching season 2 of The Four Seasons on Netflix. It was… okay. Talented cast, of course, and some funny moments, but also a lot of marital strife and mid-life angst. I liked it well enough to want to see the next season, whenever it comes out, but there weren’t quite as many laughs as I’d hoped for.

Over the weekend, I started the new Little House on the Prairie series on Netflix. The two episodes I’ve watched so far were good, but left me with the overall impression that Charles Ingalls makes spectacularly bad decisions on behalf of his family — and granted, it’s been a long, long time, but I don’t remember feeling that way about the original TV series at all. I’ll keep watching — I do like the storytelling approach, and the young actors are all quite good.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Just One Damned Thing After Another (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s, #1) by Jodi Taylor: I’ve been talking about reading this book (and series) for such a long time! Now feels like a good opportunity to finally jump in. Just starting today — fingers crossed that I’ll like it as much as I expect to!

Now playing via audiobook:

Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher: Being stuck at home most of the week, I really didn’t get much audiobook time, so I’m still in the early chapters of this book. I’m glad to be back in the world of Swordheart, and look forward to powering through a lot more of the story in the week to come.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 80%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 5 and 6.

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.

Everyone in my household was busy elsewhere this weekend, so I had a lot of time to myself… and naturally, spent a big chunk of it reading! But also, it was nice to have a bit of quiet time to catch up on a few phone calls, run some errands I’d been postponing, and get outside for walks (despite the typical fog and overcast skies that we get this time of year).

What did I read during the last week?

First, a popular book that had been on my TBR list since 2025:

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi: Uplifting and lovely, and now I understand why there’s so much buzz about this book. My review is here.

And then, switching gears completely, I tried hockey romance for the first time:

Game Changer and Heated Rivalry (Game Changers series, books 1 & 2) by Rachel Reid: Well, that was certainly an experience! My two-fer write-up is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I needed some low-commitment light viewing this week, and decided to check out Stuart Fails to Save the Universe over on HBO — the Big Bang Theory spin-off I never would have guessed we needed. And guess what? It’s ridiculous and also a lot of fun. Check out the trailer:

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

I’ll be starting the audiobook this week… and I’m delighted to have this beautiful hardcover edition to go with it.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison: Time loop with a slasher? Sure, why not? I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, so I’m happy to be starting her new book.

Now playing via audiobook:

My Imaginary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows: I thought I’d have time to finish this audiobook over the weekend, but plans went a bit awry. Anyway, it’s just as much fun as I’d expected, and I should be done in a day or two. Watch for a review later this week.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 77%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 3 and 4.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier: My spin book! Yup, just leaving it here until I finally start it — and since I have until October to finish, I’m not in a rush at the moment. (Here’s my post about the Classics Club spin challenge this time around.)

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.

Not much new to report! It was a hectic workweek, but a lovely weekend. Books, walks, and family time… all good!

What did I read during the last week?

The Postcard by Anne Berest: A powerful, important book. I’m so glad my book group chose it for our discussion this month. My review is here.

Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel: A startling premise is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of this lovely, engaging, and thought-provoking novel. Highly recommended! My review is here.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Susan Patterson and James Patterson: I stumbled across this book while looking for a new audiobook on Libby… and since I needed a “book about a book club” for a reading challenge, I decided to give it a try. A nice bookish escape. My review is here.

First Test: Protector of the Small (graphic novel) by Tamora Pierce, adapted by Devin Grayson and Becca Farrow: I’ve had this book on my shelf for a while now, and found myself in the mood for a quick trip to Tortall this week! I’m glad I read it, although it left me wishing there was a follow-up available, and also in the mood to think about rereading one of the Tortall series from start to finish.

To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage: I’m glad I finally read this absorbing book, about a Cherokee woman’s quest to become an astronaut while learning about herself and her family. Not sure yet if I’ll be writing a full review, but I did find it very interesting.

Pop culture & TV:

I watched My Brilliant Career on Netflix, and loved it! With just six episodes, it’s a quick binge, and so well done. The show is an adaptation of the Australian classic by Miles Franklin (which was one of my Classics Club Spin books earlier in the year). Don’t miss it!

And having finished that series, I finally jumped on the bandwagon (very, very late) and watched… Heated Rivalry. I would have sworn that a hockey romance would hold zero interest for me, but I’m forced to admit that I was wrong! I was hooked right away, and loved the characters. I still don’t think I’d be interested in the books… but feel free to try to convince me otherwise.

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

I bought this lovely edition of The Time Traveler’s Wife, and I’m looking forward to getting the matching edition of the upcoming sequel in October.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I haven’t quite decided what to start next, since I just finished a book late Sunday. As of now, I’m leaning toward one of the remaining books from my summer TBR:

• The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White
• Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
• This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

We’ll see — it’s possible my mood will take me toward something else entirely.

Now playing via audiobook:

My Imaginary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows: I’m always happy to return to the world of the Jane/Mary books. This book focuses on Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace — with a bit of magic thrown in. I just started this audiobook over the weekend and haven’t gotten very far yet… but so far, it’s a lot of fun.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 76%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 1 and 2.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier: My spin book! Here’s my post about the results. This is my 2nd spin in a row to land on a du Maurier book… and I’m very happy about it. The due date is October 4th… which means I probably won’t start just yet, so I’ll leave it here as a reminder until I’m ready to dive in.

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 busy week, but the weekend was a little slower-paced, which I was grateful for. We had typical August weather for where I live… overcast, gray, and misty! But that didn’t stop me from getting out for a long walk and checking out events at a nearby park.

It was my son’s birthday on Friday — and while he did most of his celebrating with friends, we were able to start the day with brunch together. Good food, good times!

As for my reading life… this week was the newest Classics Club Spin, and I’m delighted with my result. Check it out below, under my ongoing reads.

Bookish bits & bobs.

Here’s something fun! An author I follow shared this link (https://uncovered.ink/) to a site where the general idea is:

It’s a cool idea — read a sample without knowing what the book is, reveal what it is, and then — if you’re interested — add it to your reading lists.

What did I read during the last week?

The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian: Tense, absorbing story with quite a unique premise. My review is here.

Kill the Beast by Serra Swift: Engaging (and surprisingly bloody) fairy tale retelling. I really enjoyed the audiobook. My review is here.

The Postcard by Anne Berest: I spent most of this past week absorbed by this deeply emotional book (my book group’s upcoming discussion book for August). I’ll need a bit of time to gather my thoughts. Watch for my review later in the week.

Everything On It by Shel Silverstein: I’m trying to spend a bit of time each week with some of the random books on my shelves that aren’t fiction — such as children’s books, coffee table/art books, and other books that I enjoy looking at but wouldn’t necessarily read cover to cover. I’m glad I finally opened up this poetry collection. Some of the poems are clever and funny, some didn’t appeal to me… but overall, it was an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes every day!

Also in children’s books, I picked up these two books at the library during my last visit and read them over the weekend. It was nice to finally experience both, after hearing about them for years:

Pop culture & TV:

I’m on a movie theater roll, after months and months of never viewing anything I couldn’t watch from the comfort of my couch. This week, I went to see Six: The Musical, filmed live in London. I’m so glad I did! I’d seen the show on Broadway already, and it was really great to get another chance to enjoy it (without having to pay Broadway prices).

Not to imply that I didn’t fit in plenty of viewing from my couch as well! I finished watching Every Year After on Prime Video, which I mainly enjoyed… although it probably goes without saying that the book is much, much better.

Next up for me: My Brilliant Career (Netflix), adapted from the Australian classic by Miles Franklin, which I read recently as one of my Classics Club Spin books!

Fresh Catch:

Two new books this week:

The paperback of Atmosphere is so pretty — I love how the colors blend over onto the edges. The other book is a manga version of Emma by Jane Austen! I saw it in a bookstore while on vacation last month and regretted not buying it, so I ended up finding a used copy online. I’m not really a manga reader… but how could I resist?

Plus, two new bookish tote bags! One is a new design from Bookshop.org, and I already love it. The other is a prize for participating in our library’s Summer Stride program. I love that adults get rewarded for summer reading, and not just kids!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel: I needed something lighter after reading a very heavy book all week, so I’m just starting this book… which has a premise that sounds bonkers. I’m only a few chapters in, but I like it!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Susan Patterson and James Patterson: I stumbled across this book while looking for a new audiobook on Libby… and since I needed a “book about a book club” for a reading challenge, I decided to give it a try.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 73%. Coming up this week: Volume 3, chapters 12 and 13.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier: My spin book! Here’s my post about the results. This is my 2nd spin in a row to land on a du Maurier book… and I’m very happy about it. The due date is October 4th… which means I probably won’t start just yet, so I’ll leave it here as a reminder until I’m ready to dive in.

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 been another busy week — lots going on at work, and even at home, I seem to have had my hands full with random errands, organizing, and puttering around. We managed to clean out a closet with all our old beach and snow gear — including our (now adult) kids’ snowboots in every size and seemingly decades worth of long-johns and gloves. It’s so satisfying to see the back and bottom of a closet for the first time in years!

Bookish bits & bobs.

There are some great sales and opportunities in book-world right now, and I especially love seeing ways to buy books and support indie/local bookshops at the same time.

At Bookshop.org, there’s a month-long sale on a curated list of romance novels going on right now:

Check out the full list of eligible books, here.

Libro.fm is also having a romance audiobook sale (8/12 – 8/19) — see eligible book here.

And even more Libro.fm news:

Libro.fm has announced that they’re going to be carrying ebooks too — and even better, that audio and ebooks purchased through Libro will sync. The idea of switching over to Libro.fm gets more and more appealing — see more here.

Don’t forget — when you purchase through Bookshop.org and Libro.fm, you’ll also be supporting the local bookstore of your choice!

What did I read during the last week?

Bromantasy by Máire Roche: I had such a blast reading this light-hearted book! My review is here.

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren: While I usually love this author duo’s books, this one didn’t quite work for me. Check out my review to find out why…

The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian: This author’s books never disappoint! I just finished this book late Sunday, and will post a review later this week.

Pop culture & TV:

First things first: I went to see The Odyssey! My son and I bought tickets a couple of weeks ago (in order to grab good seats for an IMAX screening), and saw it this past week. I thought it was fantastic, and so did he (his first words when the lights came up were “that was f’ing amazing!”). I’d actually like to see it again (but will likely wait for streaming) — during this viewing, I was absorbed by the plot and the action, and would like to watch it again to be able to focus more on themes and the storytelling approach.

Back on my couch… I finished watching Star City on AppleTV, and loved it. Check out my thoughts on this terrific series, here.

Beyond that, I’ve been bopping around a bit without getting fully absorbed by any one option. I’m excited to start the new season of Ted Lasso, but want to wait for a bunch of episodes to be available before I jump in. I finally had time to start The Vampire Lestat, expecting to absolutely love it… and I didn’t. Maybe it was just the wrong show at the wrong time? I’m not writing it off completely, but I think I’d better pause for now and come back another time.

I’ve been watching Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro — and it’s just not very good (which is maybe why it feels kind of buried in summer programming). I keep watching, but something about the format and the overall approach isn’t particularly convincing.

Finally, over the weekend, I clicked over to Prime Video to start Every Year After, based on the novel Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (which I loved and which turned me into a Carley Fortune fan!). I’ve only watched a couple of episodes, but I’m enjoying the adaptation so far.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Postcard by Anne Berest: I’m actually getting an early-ish start on a book group book! Who knows? Maybe I’ll actually finish before our discussion this month!

Now playing via audiobook:

Kill the Beast by Serra Swift: I started this audiobook over the weekend, and was happy to discover that the narrator is one of my favorites — Moira Quirk, who narrates (among many other books) the Parasol Protectorate books by Gail Carriger. Really enjoyable and engaging so far.

Ongoing reads:

Two books I’m taking my time with:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 69%. Coming up this week: Volume 3, chapters 10 and 11.

Everything On It by Shel Silverstein: I finally pulled this children’s book off my shelf, and I’m paging through it slowly, enjoying the silliness and sweetness.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…