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.

Whew, I feel like I’ve barely had time to catch my breath this week! After a really fun trip back East to visit family and friends, I got back home last Monday night, then immediately returned to work on Tuesday, and I’ve been running full-tilt ever since.

Finally, over the weekend, I had a chance to slow down a bit, and even managed to squeeze in a long walk and some outdoor reading time, two of my favorite things!

What did I read during the last week?

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center: I finished this fun book at the end of last week, and just posted a review (here) a few days ago.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: Easily one of the best books of 2022! Such a powerful, fascinating read. My review is here.

An Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan: The 5th book in the Mure series is sweet, funny, and a delightful reunion with the characters I’ve come to love. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I finished season 3 of Stranger Things on my plane ride home, and I’m now almost done with season 4! I’m loving it — I don’t know why I didn’t watch season 3 when it first came out, but I’m so glad I went back to the series. And tons of bonus points and gold stars to the series for its excellent use of Kate Bush music!!

(Note: Spoilers, obviously…)

See? Kate Bush saves lives!

And — why not? Here’s the original Kate Bush video too:

Fresh Catch:

One new book! I’m backlogged with ARCs right now, but once I get a bit more caught up, I can’t wait to read this one:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate: I really enjoyed this author’s previous novel (Before We Were Yours), but this one feels like such a slog. I’m at about 50% right now — and I’d be tempted not to finish, except it’s my book group’s book for July and I feel obligated to see it through.

Now playing via audiobook:

The No-Show by Beth O’Leary: I always enjoy this author’s books, and this one is fun so far!

Ongoing reads:

These books will be on my plate for months to come:

• Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’ve started our group read of BEES, reading and discussing two chapters per week. If anyone wants to join us, just ask me how! All are welcome.
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare: My book group’s current classic read. We’re reading one scene per week — almost done with Act IV.
• Tales From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb: I bought this paperback before seeing a production of The Tempest last month, and thought it might be fun to read through all the story summaries. I’ve made zero progress in the last couple of weeks, but I’m leaving this here in my “ongoing” list — maybe that’ll motivate me to pick it back up!

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.

And now I come to the end of my week away! I’ll be flying home this afternoon, after a great week visiting family and friends.

What did I read during the last week?

Drunk on All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson: Fantastic speculative fiction! My review is here. 5-star read #1 for this past week.

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher: My 2nd 5-star read of the week! Short and deliciously creepy. My review is here.

Flash Fire by TJ Klune: An audiobook re-read. I love these books so much! Can’t wait to start #3. My 2021 review of this book is here.

Mr. Malcolm’s List by Suzanne Allain: I was curious about this book because of the newly released movie. The book was light entertainment… and I think I will check out the movie too, but I may wait until it’s available to stream. My review of the book is here.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center: So much fun! This one felt a bit more carefree than some of this author’s other books, and it definitely suited my mood this week. Review to come!

Pop culture & TV:

Nothing, really. Being away and always on the go, I barely watched anything at all!

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: I’ve only had a chance to read the first few chapters so far, but I have a feeling this will be a good one!

Now playing via audiobook:

An Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan: The 5th and final book in the Mure series! I didn’t have time to get very far, but it seems to be just as charming as expected!

Ongoing reads:

These books will be on my plate for months to come:

• Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’ve started our group read of BEES, reading and discussing two chapters per week. If anyone wants to join us, just ask me how! All are welcome.
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare: My book group’s current classic read. We’re reading one scene per week — almost done with Act IV.
• Tales From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb: I bought this paperback before seeing a production of The Tempest last month, and thought it might be fun to read through all the story summaries. I’m fairly familiar with Shakespeare’s tragedies, a little familiar with the comedies, and not at all familiar with the histories. My plan for now is to read a couple of chapters per week, on and off. We’ll see how it goes!

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 4th! Enjoy the fireworks, picnics, and cookouts!

As for me… I’m traveling again! This time, it’s a family visit so I can spend time with my dad. I flew out yesterday, will be in the area for most of the week, and then next weekend will be attending a birthday celebration for one of my college roommates before flying home next Monday. I think I’ll do some remote work — just a bit –while I’m here, but otherwise hope to relax, hang out with friends and family, and enjoy the warm weather!

What did I read during the last week?

I’m being a bad reader! I added a subscription to New York Times games, and now I spend way too much time every day on them, when I should be reading. In any case, here’s what I did manage to read this past week:

Book Lovers by Emily Henry: I actually finished this right at the end of last week, but finally got around to writing a review a few days ago. A perfect summer read!

In the Quick by Kate Hope Day: Astronauts and Jane Eyre? Yup, this slim sci-fi book has both! My review is here.

The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune: I read (and adored) this book when it came out in 2020. This time around, prepping for the release of the 3rd book in the series, I listened to the audiobook — and it was amazing! The narrator is fantastic, and this story is as hug-worthy as ever. If you want to know more, check out my original review.

Pop culture & TV:

I decided to go back to Stranger Things! I stopped (for whatever reason) after season 2, but motivated at least 90% by hearing about Kate Bush being featured in season 4, I started watching again! I’m most of the way through season 3 at this point, but I’m not sure how much viewing time I’ll have this week. You know what? It’s good! I’m glad I decided to give it another try.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Drunk on All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson: As of when I write this post (Sunday night after a long day of travel ), I’ve read all but the epilogue of this book, and it’s awesome! I’ll write up some thoughts over the next few days.

As soon as I finish, I’ll be starting:

Mr. Malcolm’s List by Suzanne Allain: This book hadn’t really been on my radar, but I’ve been deluged with promos for the novie all over my social media feeds… so why not start with the book and see if I’m interested?

Now playing via audiobook:

Flash Fire by TJ Klune: This is a total no-brainer — how could I NOT continue with these audiobooks? I love these characters so much.

Ongoing reads:

These books will be on my plate for months to come:

• Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’ve started our group read of BEES, reading and discussing two chapters per week. If anyone wants to join us, just ask me how! All are welcome.
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare: My book group’s current classic read. We’re reading one scene per week — almost done with Act IV.
• Tales From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb: I bought this paperback before seeing a production of The Tempest last month, and thought it might be fun to read through all the story summaries. I’m fairly familiar with Shakespeare’s tragedies, a little familiar with the comedies, and not at all familiar with the histories. My plan for now is to read a couple of chapters per week, on and off. We’ll see how it goes!

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 back! I was away from computers, email, and blogging last week while on a road trip with my husband. The trip was amazing! We traveled up through Northern California, enjoyed the redwoods, spent a couple of days in Ashland, Oregon at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and then came back down through the Lake Shasta area. We visited two national parks (Redwood and Lassen), visited a lavender farm, saw The Tempest in an outdoor Elizabethan-themed theater, did lots of good hiking, and enjoyed the fresh forest and mountain air!

Here’s a little montage of some highlights:

And now I’m back! I spend Sunday doing laundry, putting away my hiking shoes and other outdoorsy stuff, and catching up online. I’m dreading tackling my work email — I was very good about NOT checking it while away, but that means it’ll all be waiting for me bright and early Monday morning.

What did I read during the last week?

Between traveling and my obsession with my new subscription to the New York Times games features, my reading time this past week was pretty meager. Must stop spending so much time on Sudoku!

Book of Night by Holly Black: A dark adult debut from a favorite YA author. My review is here.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry: So much fun! This author never lets me down. I’ll l write up some thoughts later in the week, once I’m feeling a bit more caught up.

Since I was in the car with my husband for the entire past week, I didn’t listen to audiobooks at all. And I missed them! But he could not be convinced to play along. Sigh…

Pop culture & TV:

Being away also meant very little screen time — we didn’t watch or stream anything at all on our trip! So, I have some catching up to do…

I still have 5 or 6 episodes of The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem to watch, plus 2 episodes of The Boys, the season finale of Come Dance With Me, and most of the newest season of Love, Victor. I guess I’ll be busy this week!

Puzzle of the week:

Right before leaving on our trip, I finished this puzzle — super fun! I was a little nervous when I ordered it, since I’d never tried anything from this company before and I’m picky about puzzle quality. It all worked out well — the pieces are sturdy and well-cut, and I really enjoyed all the colors and patterns!

Fresh Catch:

I took advantage of some Kindle promotions to add to my (ever-growing and unread) Kindle library:

I also decided that, now that I’ve seen The Tempest, I should read it too! I bought myself this cute little paperback, with a “plain English” translation alongside the original text:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

In the Quick by Kate Hope Day: It’s been a long time since I picked up a random book on a whim, but that’s exactly what happened with this one! While browsing in a cute indie bookstore in Ashland, this pink astronaut cover caught my eye. The fact that it’s described as “Jane Eyre in space” helped seal the deal! I’ve only read about 25% so far, but I’m liking it!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune: I loved this book so much when I first read it, and doing a re-read via audiobook is just as awesome as I’d hoped! The narrator is amazing — he captures the main character’s personality brilliantly. I’m rereading books 1 & 2 before the 3rd in the trilogy comes out in July.

Ongoing reads:

These books will be on my plate for months to come:

• Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: Over at Outlander Book Club, we’ve started our group read of BEES, reading and discussing two chapters per week. If anyone wants to join us, just ask me how! All are welcome.
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare: My book group’s current classic read. We’re reading one scene per week — now in the middle of Act IV.
• Tales From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb: I bought this paperback to help us prepare for seeing The Tempest, then decided it might be fun to read through all the story summaries. I’m fairly familiar with Shakespeare’s tragedies, a little familiar with the comedies, and not at all familiar with the histories. My plan for now is to read a couple of chapters per week, on and off. We’ll see how it goes!

So many books, so little time…