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 November! I didn’t do anything for Halloween (except candy… yum), and now I’m ready to start thinking about Thanksgiving. Although I did get out of my house over the weekend to hear a friend’s band play at an outdoor venue in my neighborhood, and it was a lot of fun! Look at me, actually being social!

Blogging and reading

I’m making a big push to winnow down my pending/unread NetGalley ARCs before the end of the calendar year. I won’t get through them all, but I’m hoping to make a big dent. For 2022, I’m keeping requests to a minimum (trying to keep to books that I’d read with or without ARC access). I want to get back to reading whatever I feel like, whenever I feel like, without worrying about keeping up with commitment books and planning around release dates. Wish me luck!

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

The season finale of What We Do in the Shadows dropped this week… and for a silly vampire comedy, I have to say this season has been pretty brilliant! Here’s a thoughtful write-up via Vulture (full of spoilers, so don’t read if you’re not caught up).

Here’s a peek at a favorite episode from this season:

Other than that, I’ve been catching up on a few shows I fell behind on, and started Only Murders in the Building, which is cute (and as of episode 3, features one of my favorite cameo/guest spots of the year).

And despite having watched Dune already last week from the comfort of my couch, I’m trying to find a time to go see the IMAX version with a friend, hopefully this coming week.

Fresh Catch:

I treated myself to more books this week — a new paperback release, a couple more paperbacks of books I’ve already read on Kindle, and the newest MinaLima Harry Potter edition:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow: After the last book I finished, I need something on the more upbeat side to cleanse my brain. I’m hoping this fairy tale retelling novella will do the trick.

Now playing via audiobook:

Well Matched by Jen DeLuca: I wish I’d had more time to listen during the past week! This is a really fun series, and I’m enjoying this book (#3) so much, especially now that I’ve gotten to the part where the characters are back at the annual Ren Faire.

Ongoing reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a speed-re-read of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, #8 in the Outlander series. We’re reading and discussing 5 chapters per week. This week: Chapters 131- 135. Three weeks to go!

• Doctor Zhivago is our group classic read, two chapters per week. Plugging away… this is definitely a challenging book.

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.

A really busy workweek and lots of rain meant that my reading and audiobook time were both limited in different ways. Sometimes being a grown-up is hard! At least I had downtime over the weekend to curl up with a cozy blanket, my slippers, and a good book!

Blog updates:

I finally did a much needed (and much delayed) clean-up of my Book Blog Meme Directory page. I went through all the memes listed, tested all the links, and deleted all the listings that either had a dead link or linked to a site that had discontinued its memes. So, if you happen to take a look, you’ll see there are a lot fewer listed, but the ones there should be live and ongoing.

If you happen to notice anything outdated or know of a great meme that I’m missing, please let me know!

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

I finally got through Squid Game… so weird and creepy, so hard to look away from! My kiddo and I watched Dune over the weekend, and I thought it was pretty fabulous! We watched it streaming on HBO Max, and while I love the comfort of my couch, I do think this is a movie that needs to be viewed on the big screen. Which means I’ll probably see it again, once I convince myself to venture out…

Seeing the movie also reminds me that I’ve been intending to re-read the book for a year now, and still haven’t gotten to it. It’s been decades (yes, really) since I originally read Dune, and while some elements are unforgettable, a lot of the details became fuzzy for me over the years. Maybe I’ll bookmark this one as a winter vacation read!

Fresh Catch:

Thanks to some Amazon deals this week, I ended up splurging on a handful of new books:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

All the Feels by Olivia Dade: The follow-up to Spoiler Alert, which I really loved. Off to a good start!

Now playing via audiobook:

Well Matched by Jen DeLuca: I’ve been waiting for this one! Even though I’ve had the e-ARC for a while now, I wanted to wait for the audiobook, since that’s how I experienced the first two books in this fun series. I’m so glad it’s here!

Ongoing reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a speed-re-read of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, #8 in the Outlander series. We’re reading and discussing 5 chapters per week. This week: Chapters 126- 130. Only a few weeks left!

• Doctor Zhivago is our group classic read, two chapters per week. Plugging away… this is definitely a challenging book.

• It’s October, and that means it’s time for A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny! The book is organized into chapters corresponding to each day of the month, and I’ve been really diligent about reading them on their correct days… which means this is the final week! Last time I tried this book, I stopped at about 70%, mostly because I got busy and it felt overwhelming to keep up. This time, I’m seeing it through, and really enjoying it.

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 week and a half away, I got home last Monday and picked back up with regular life right away. This weekend, I finally got a chance to breathe a little, spend time outdoors, go for walks, and just relax. I needed that downtime for sure.

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

I’ve mostly just been catching up on shows where I’d fallen a few episodes behind — Queen Sugar, Survivor, What We Do in the Shadows. Also, somehow I’ve managed to get sucked into the current season of Dancing With the Stars, which I do not usually watch. But hey, Sporty Spice!

Fresh Catch:

Two lovely new books were waiting for me when I got home:

The Vanished Days is even signed by the author!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis: I’ve only just started, but this book is sweet so far!

Now playing via audiobook:

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: After listening to a couple of longer, heavier historical novels, a lighter listen seemed like a great choice. I’m about halfway through, and enjoying it.

Ongoing reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a speed-re-read of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, #8 in the Outlander series. We’re reading and discussing 5 chapters per week. This week: Chapters 121 – 125.

• Doctor Zhivago is our group classic read, two chapters per week. It’s complicated! Nerdy me started a spreadsheet to help me keep track of the characters. Don’t scoff — it works!

• It’s October, and that means it’s time for A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny! The book is organized into chapters corresponding to each day of the month. So far, the chapters per day are short, so it hasn’t been a problem keeping up — but I know they get longer later in the month, so I hope I can keep up my motivation (and find the time) to see it through.

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.

What an amazing week! As of today, I’m flying back home after a 10-day visit to the East Coast. I was able to visit with my dad every day, and yesterday we had a family gathering to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Beyond that, I met up with various friends and family members for walks, dinners, and lunches, and even managed to get into the city and go to Broadway!

So much fun. It’ll be hard to get back to real life this week for sure.

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

TV-wise, my son convinced me to watch Squid Game (Netflix). I’ve only watched two episodes so far… but I can see why everyone seems to be talking about it!

This past Friday, I went to see Hadestown on Broadway. It was amazing! Loved the music, the staging, the choreography…

Here’s a look at the show:

… and the cast’s performance at the 2019 Tonys:

I need to get the soundtrack!

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week — but there should be some waiting for me when I get home.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I have a huge (virtual) pile of ARCs to read… but this book is due back at the library at the end of the week, so I think I’m going to read it first!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley: I am *this close* to finishing… it’s so good, even as a re-read!

Ongoing reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a speed-re-read of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, #8 in the Outlander series. We’re reading and discussing 5 chapters per week. This week: Chapters 116 – 120.

• Doctor Zhivago is our group classic read. We’re discussing twice per week, and expect to have the group read go through early 2022. Slow and steady!

• It’s October, and that means it’s time for A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny! The book is organized into chapters corresponding to each day of the month. So far, I’m keeping 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.

For the first time since my high school graduation, I made it to a reunion! I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful it was to reunite with old friends and reconnect with people I haven’t seen in way too many years. Since I live on the other side of the country from where I grew up, it’s never worked for me to attend a reunion until now… I’m so glad I did!

I’ll be here (Connecticut) for another week, working remotely, but also connecting with family and friends, and then celebrating my dad’s birthday next weekend. It’ll be busy — but it’s so great to be here!

What did I read during the last week?

Pop culture & TV:

I finished season 3 of Sex Education — terrific season! I started On the Verge on Netflix, which I’m still a bit half-hearted about. And I’m loving the new season of Survivor so far!

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Ack! I finished the book I was reading (Six of Crows) late last night, and I can’t quite decide which of these to start next!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley: Another re-read — after finishing The Winter Sea, I just had to continue the story!

Ongoing reads:

• Outlander Book Club is doing a speed-re-read of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, #8 in the Outlander series. We’re reading and discussing 5 chapters per week. This week: Chapters 111 – 115.

• Doctor Zhivago is our group classic read. We’re discussing twice per week, and expect to have the group read go through early 2022. Slow and steady!

• It’s October, and that means it’s time for A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny! The book is organized into chapters corresponding to each day of the month. I know there are folks who re-read this book every October. I kept up with it through about half the month the last time I tried, but this time I want to see it through!

So many books, so little time…