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 birthday to my amazing, lovely, funny daughter! I wish I could be with her to celebrate… but here’s hoping our next visit isn’t too far in the future.

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

Nothing super special this week — just more episodes of the ongoing shows I’m currently watching (Claws, The Expanse, This Is Us, black-ish), and I watched a couple episodes of a few different streaming shows, including The Great, Station Eleven, and Ghosts (the British version).

Fresh Catch:

I didn’t buy books this week, but I did indulge myself with a little book-adjacent treat:

Yup, those are three Funko Pops characters from Pride & Prejudice & Zombies which, I’m not ashamed to say, is one of my very favorite Austen adaptations!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski: This is a re-read for me — I decided I wanted to get back into the Witcher series, but before I can move forward, I need a refresher on this book and the next.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood: Cute so far! And I really like that it’s about a woman pursuing a STEM career.

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: This book is organized by month, and so far I’ve read all of January! The illustrations are beautiful, and I’m enjoyed the diary entries about the natural world, but to be honest, there’s a bit too much poetry included. (I lack an appreciation for poetry, sad to say).

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! Wishing one and all a joyful, happy, and healthy 2022!

Reading and blogging:

A new year means a new Goodreads challenge! Here’s my 2022 goal:

I’m intentionally setting my goal slightly lower than my 2021 goal and final reading numbers. I know I have some BIG books on my to-read list for 2022, and I want to be able to take my time!

Wrapping up 2021:

Weirdly, a book I finished on December 31st isn’t included in this Goodreads summary, but close enough, I guess! And I always appreciate GR’s little words of encouragement:

Also, over the weekend, I posted a list of the series I’m hoping to get to in 2022 (you can see it here), and see below (under “ongoing reads”) for a quasi-goal I have about actually enjoying and spending time with some of my pretty, decorative books this year.

What did I read during the last week?

Read and reviewed:

The Scenic Route by Nnedi Okorafor: A fun short story set in the world of Akata Witch and Akata Warrior. With the next book (Akata Woman) coming out this month, it was great to reconnect with a couple of the characters.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers: I didn’t get a chance to write a proper review, but this novella was a 5-star read for sure! It’s beautifully written and thoughtful, but with moments of humor too. Can’t wait for the follow-up book, to be released later in 2022.

Pop culture & TV:

I finished watching Wheel of Time, and my overall reaction is.. meh. Some interesting concepts and sequences, but the episodes for the most part felt really, really slow. And I was confused by some of the interpersonal relationships — for example, a hook-up in episode 7 that seemed to come out of the blue between two characters with zero chemistry, except I think we were meant to believe that there had been building attraction, maybe?

I’m wondering — should I bother with the books? Or just wait for season 2, whenever that might be, and leave it as a viewing entertainment only?

In other streaming/watching entertainment, my son and I really enjoyed Don’t Look Up on Netflix, and finished The Witcher, season 2 (which does make me want to pick up the books again).

Puzzle time:

Spending the week at home gave me plenty of time for puzzles!

This is another terrific one from Eeboo — it’s called Ancient Apothecary, and was a lot of fun.

Fresh Catch:

I didn’t intend to buy any more books this week, but since I just happened to stop by my favorite local bookstore this week, I couldn’t walk away empty handed! I found this used hardcover for sale, in excellent condition:

I do already own a paperback edition, but it’s quite beat-up and tattered by now, so this feels like a special find!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Shipped by Angie Hockman: I don’t remember buying this — there must have been a Kindle price drop that enticed me — but anyway, it popped up on my home screen over the weekend and I decided to give it a try. Very standard lightweight romance material, but at least it’s going fast!

Now playing via audiobook:

Getaway by Zoje Stage: This story of a Grand Canyon hike gone wrong is terrifying. I think I have about an hour’s worth of listening to go.

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.

So many books, so little time…