2016

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

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 is there to say? I didn’t post much last week. Couldn’t. It was hard to read, hard to concentrate, hard to move beyond shock and dismay. Still haven’t, for that matter. But I do need the reassuring normalcy of spending time with books and keeping up my blog, so onward I go.

What did I read last week?

Faithful by Alice Hoffman: Done! I enjoyed Faithful while I was reading it, but really didn’t find it much more than just an okay read. The storyline doesn’t hold up to much scrutiny, and I never felt emotionally engaged. Granted, given the events of last week, I probably just wasn’t in the right mindset for character-driven storytelling.

A Love Like Blood by Marcus Sedgwick: Done! My review is here.

Flight by Sherman Alexie: Done! This was my audiobook listen for the week, and it was stunning. See my review, here.

I finished my Goodreads challenge!

I managed to reach one milestone this week — I completed my Goodreads challenge for 2016! As of mid-week, I hit my target of reading 150 books in 2016. Woo hoo!

I guess I can stop reading now until January. Ha. As if.

Fresh Catch:

A thoughtful friend sent me an Amazon giftcard a couple of months ago, and I finally used it to treat myself to this lovely book:

Plus, I picked up two other books I’ve had my eye on:

If you haven’t come across The Starlit Wood yet, I encourage you to check it out! It’s a collection of new fairy tales, with stories by an amazing list of writers including Seanan McGuire, Catherynne Valente, Naomi Novik, and many more.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton: Just getting started, but so far, so good!

Now playing via audiobook:

Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi (read by Wil Wheaton): Given the state of the world, I couldn’t handle anything serious or upsetting, so a Scalzi/Wheaton audiobook sounded just about perfect to me. I’ve only listened to a little bit so far, but the expected silliness got me out of my own head for a little while.

Ongoing reads:

With my book group (2 chapters per week of each):

Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon
A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway

So many books, so little time…

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7Nov2016

The Monday Check-In ~ 11/7/2016

Posted in The Monday Check-In by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies

What did I read last week?

Harmony by Carolyn Parkhurst: Done! My review is here.

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison: Done! My review is here.

Paris For One & Other Stories by Jojo Moyes: A sweet, light selection of short stories, with a focus on romance and relationships. The title story is the lengthiest and most enjoyable, focusing on a cautious young woman who takes a big risk on a weekend in Paris and learns to reinvent herself and her life. The other stories are a mixed bag — some kind of sweet, some with more of a tart commentary on mid-life marriages, disappointments, and adjustments of expectations. A nice little light diversion for fans of the author.

In audiobooks:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: I just finished my audiobook re-read of HP5, and loved it. I’m writing up some thoughts, and will post a bit later this week.

Pop culture goodness:

I went to see John Cleese and Eric Idle, and had a brilliant time. They’re both in their 70s at this point, but neither has lost a bit of the charm and silliness that we all know and love.

Fresh Catch:

One new book this week:

What will I be reading during the coming week?