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 Valentine’s Day! Bring on the chocolate and candy hearts!!

(My husband and I don’t typically do much for Valentine’s Day other than (some years) give each other cards… but if you’re doing something fun or romantic or treating yourself to a me-valentine, I hope you enjoy!)

This past week has been super busy with work, but what else is new? I worked at my office three out of five days, and on the one hand, it’s nice to see people again… but it’s hard to give up my work from home routine, with easy access to my back porch when the sun is out.

Although this is San Francisco, so even when the sun makes an appearance, we really can’t count on it lasting:

What did I read during the last week?

I also read these two spur-of-the-moment library books — one a YA novel, one a YA graphic novel. Both were about 3-star reads for me — they passed the time and had some good elements, but neither quite made the mark.

Pop culture & TV:

After watching all three seasons of BBC’s Ghosts, I decided to try the American version too, and just finished the first (and only, so far) season over the weekend. After a few episodes adjusting to the tonal shift and the new mix of ghosts, I ended up liking the American show too, but the BBC characters (Mary and Kitty!!) hold a special place in my heart (and make me laugh a lot more).

Other than that, I’m just keeping up with All Creatures Great and Small and The Gilded Age, and slowly working my way through Raised by Wolves (which is weird AF).

Puzzle of the Week:

I loved my puzzle this week so much that I even wrote a separate post about it (here):

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

This book gets mentioned in a novel I read last week (This Is How You Lose the Time War), and when I realized that Travel Light was a real book, I needed a copy of my own.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

An Impossible Impostor by Deanna Raybourn: It’s the new Veronica Speedwell mystery (#7 in the series), and although I’m only a few chapters into it so far, it’s just as delightful as I’d expected. I love this series!

Now playing via audiobook:

Beach Read by Emily Henry: I have actually read this book already, but it’s my book group’s pick for February, and I need a refresher before we discuss!

Ongoing reads:

One of my few reading goals for 2022 is to spend time enjoying the pretty, arty, illustrated books and story collections that I tend to treat myself to from time to time — but then never get around to actually reading.

This week, I’m reading through two art books with different takes on the National Parks… I’m taking my time, enjoying a few pages from each per day. They’re helping me dream, too! I’m having all sorts of fantasies about which parks I can manage to visit when I’m ready to plan some travel time.

I’m bouncing back and forth between these two, and really loving them!

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 a busy workweek, with not much else to distract me — but we’ve had another week of beautiful weather, so at least I got in my share of beach walks and outdoor reading sessions!

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

I’ve been watching bits and pieces of all sorts of things! I finished season three of BBC’s Ghosts — I hope there will be more! I’ve gotten pretty attached to the characters. Since I liked it so much, I thought I’d give the American version a try too. I’ve only seen two episodes so far… meh. The plot is pretty much identical, but a different gang of ghosts. I’ll see if I warm up to them if/when I watch more.

I also started The Gilded Age and Raised by Wolves. So far, so good!

Puzzle of the Week:

This one practically broke me. Remind me not to do puzzles with MILLIONS of leaves ever again.

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

One Night on the Island by Josie Silver: I’m making a concerted effort to stay on top of my ARC reading schedule! This book releases next week, so I’m right on track. Just getting started, but it seems like it’ll be a fun read.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery: This has been on my to-read (or to-listen) list for years! I just started it over the weekend.

Ongoing reads:

My slow but steady, spread-out-over-time reading:

Still going strong, reading one chapter per day (although I missed a couple of days this week). This is such a gorgeous edition! I think I’ll finish up sometime this coming 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.

How is it the last day of January already? Time is just whooshing by.

For the first time in a long time, I actually went out not one, but TWO nights this past week! First, we had a family dinner at a really nice restaurant, and then we went out again to see the touring production of The Band’s Visit. (I’d seen the show already on Broadway, but it was nice to go again and enjoy it with family members who hadn’t seen it before).

I finally made it to the library donation center this week… it felt good to make some space on my shelves once again! Here’s what I donated:

What did I read during the last week?

So many good books this week!

Pop culture & TV:

My son and I watched The Last Duel this past week — really well done and fascinating, despite the dark subject matter.

On a lighter note, I finished season two of Ghosts (BBC). It’s adorable! Onward to season 3…

Puzzle of the Week:

Another fun one:

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Babylon’s Ashes (The Expanse, #6) by James S. A. Corey: I had to really give myself a pep talk before starting this 500+ page book, but now that I’m into it, I’ve really happy to be reading it.

Now playing via audiobook:

A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss: I borrowed from the library on a whim, thinking a light romance would make a nice change after my most recent listen (metal horror). I’m not very far, but I like the tone so far.

Ongoing reads:

My slow but steady, spread-out-over-time reading:

I’m enjoying my chapter-per-day journey through this gorgeous edition of Harry Potter! Rereading HP is never a bad idea, and the artwork of the edition is amazing!

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 had another busy week, but I’m taking a day off today to get through a few projects, including taking bags and boxes of books to donate at our library’s donation center (which is by appointment only since COVID started). I did a big purge of books I don’t feel like I need to hold onto, and it feels good to see some space on my shelves again! Although, I have a feeling that extra space won’t last long.

Over the weekend, my book group zoomed with William Kent Krueger, the author of Ordinary Grace (our discussion book for January). He was charming and gracious and insightful — such a lovely experience (and a wonderful book).

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

Well… I ended up watching all six episodes of White Lotus this week… and even though it was hard to look away, by the end I wished I could unsee parts of it. Super cringey. I doubt I’ll watch season 2.

To cleanse my brain a bit, I’ve been watching episodes of Ghosts (BBC), and it’s very charming. I’m only on season 1 so far. It’s sweet!

Puzzle of the Week:

My current puzzle is in progress — another pretty one from Eeboo!

Fresh Catch:

Some beautiful new books this week! Two from Subterranean Press:

Plus, I treated myself to a book that Kim at Traveling in Books mentioned:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo: I’m loving this LGBTQ+ YA novel set in San Francisco in the 1950s.

Now playing via audiobook:

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix: I’ve been meaning to get to this book ever since it came out — the only one of this author’s books that I haven’t read yet. I’m just getting started, but I’m liking it so far.

Ongoing reads:

My slow but steady, spread-out-over-time reading:

Shit Cassandra Saw by Gwen E. Kirby: I rarely read short stories, but I’m making an exception for this bizarre and totally awesome collection! I’m trying to read one or two stories per day, which seems to be a pace that works for me.

I bought copies of the MinaLima editions of the first two Harry Potter books, but haven’t actually looked through them at all yet… and that needs to change! So, I’ve taken this pretty edition off my shelf, and my plan for now is to read one chapter per day, taking my time to enjoy all the pretty artwork and design elements. And hey, it’s never a bad time for a re-read of HP!

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 took a day off this past Friday, for no real reason except that I was about to max out on my vacation time at work — so with the MLK holiday today, that’s a 4-day weekend! What did I do with it, you may ask? Slept in, enjoyed the lovely weather by reading outside and going for walks, and random projects around my house.

So, not much different than any other weekend over the past two years… but it was nice to rest and have no pressure for two extra days!

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

I’m so sad that the excellent TV series adaptation of The Expanse has now aired its finale! The ending was satisfying, but also frustrating since there are another four books in the series, so I wish the show had continued as well. If anyone hasn’t tried it yet and is looking for a great show to binge, don’t miss this one!

I’m sharing the trailer for season 1, although it’s funny seeing it and realizing just how much the show evolved and changed over six seasons.

In other viewing news, I finished Station Eleven. I’m still puzzling out how I felt about it, but overall, I’m really impressed by the thoughtfulness of the production. Now I’m feeling like I should go back and re-read the book, since I don’t remember many of the details (and I believe the TV version made quite a few changes.)

Puzzle of the Week:

Another really pretty puzzle from Eeboo (title: Urban Gardening). Fun and a good challenge!

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week — I stumbled across a Q&A with the author, and had to buy myself a copy:

Isn’t that an awesome cover? This is a short story collection, and it sounds amazing.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Stormsong by C. L. Polk: Continuing the Kingston Cycle books!

Now playing via audiobook:

In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo: I’ve listened to about half of this book so far. It’s a story about friendship between military wives, centered around a book club, and I like what I’ve heard up to this point.

Ongoing reads:

One of my casual goals for 2022 is to spend some time with the pretty art books and coffee table books that I’ve picked up over the years. I have several that I’ve never done more than just glance at. This book is one that I bought more recently, after doing a series of jigsaw puzzles based on it. It looks lovely, so I think I’m going to keep it on my nightstand and look through it a few pages at a time over the next few weeks.

This week’s update: Almost halfway! The book is a journal covering one year, and I’ve read up through May.

So many books, so little time…