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.

What did I read last week?

The Wrath & the Dawn and The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh: Done! My thoughts on these two books are here.

Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear: Done! My review is here.

The Glittering World by Robert Levy: I read this, but didn’t review it. This is one odd book. It seems like a changeling story at the beginning, but gets weirder and weirder as it goes along. Don’t get me wrong — I’m a big fan of weird, but this book didn’t make a whole lot of sense. An interesting premise to start with, but by the end I just couldn’t wait to be done so I could move on to something I’d actually enjoy.

In audiobooks:

The Dispatcher by John Scalzi, narrated by Zachary Quinto: Loved it! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

The new illustrated Harry Potter arrived!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline: I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while now. Three cheers for my book group discussion this coming week, finally motivating me to get it done!

Now playing via audiobook:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling: I started this audiobook a while ago, then took a break to listen to a few other books. It’s always nice to get back to Harry.

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

Via the Serial Reader app (read about it here):

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville:  — Making progress. I’m now at 82%. Man, I’m ready to be done.

So many books, so little time…

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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.

What did I read last week?

Crosstalk by Connie Willis: A fun read, but I’m not 100% sold on it. My review is here; I’d give it a solid 3.5 stars.

The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh: Done! I’ll post some thought after I finish book #2.

In audiobooks:

Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart: Just finished, and I loved it! The story itself is terrific, and the audiobook narration was pretty much perfect. My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

I’m so excited about my one new book from this past week! I have a flight coming up next weekend, and I’m saving this one to enjoy on the plane.

Pop culture goodness:

Check out my post about my favorite new TV shows this fall, here.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh: I’m getting close to the end of the 2nd book in this duology. Not sure yet what I’ll read next… so many options!

Now playing via audiobook:

The Dispatcher  by John Scalzi: Just starting. This was a free download from Audible, and since I’m a Scalzi fan and really like Zachary Quinto, it definitely seems worth a try. At just over 2 hours, this should be a quick listen.

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

Via the Serial Reader app (read about it here):

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville:  — Making progress. I’m now at 70%, so the end is finally within sight!

So many books, so little time…

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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.

In real life:

First of all, for all my Jewish friends out there:

Wishing one and all a sweet and happy new year!

In other real-life developments, I ended up going out of town to deal with some family things, and barely had time to crack a book. I do actually have a couple of days off work because of the Rosh HaShanah holiday, and I’m planning to sit in the sun with a good book or two and just RELAX.

A bloggy apology:

Because I was away and dealing with all sorts of intense things, I really had no time or energy to follow up on my blog posts, respond to comments, or check out other people’s blogs this past week. I’m still planning to try to catch up — but please know that I really appreciate each and every blog visit and comment!!

What did I read last week?

I managed to finish just one book this past week — but it was a good one!

The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman: Woo hoo! I finished the trilogy! See my series wrap-up post here.

Fresh Catch:

I won a book! Thanks to Bonnie at For the Love of Words, I’m now the proud owner of a gorgeous hardcover copy of Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart.

Pop culture goodness:

Poldark is back!

Need I say more?

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Crosstalk by Connie Willis: I’m about halfway through this sci-fi novel about the unintended consequences of our hyper-connected world.

Now playing via audiobook:

Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart: I’d been meaning to read this book ever since it was released last year — and now that I have the sequel, I decided to finally get to it! The audiobook is lots of fun so far.

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

Via the Serial Reader app (read about it here):

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville:  — as of this week, I’m at 60%! I’m back on an upswing — the last few days’ worth of chapters have been pretty entertaining. I love the little funny lines that sneak in every so often.

So many books, so little time…

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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.

What did I read last week?

The Family Plot by Cherie Priest: Done! My review is here.

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer: Absolutely amazing audiobook! I’ll write up a review later this week. Meanwhile, just know that Amy Schumer’s narration of her own book is perfect, and the book itself is just as funny and vulgar as you’d expect — but also surprisingly powerful and moving. More to come…

Fresh Catch:

I went to the Big Book Sale benefiting San Francisco’s public libraries, and came home with (for me) a very modest haul… because I still haven’t found room on my shelves for all the books I picked up at the last library sale.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman: Finishing up the trilogy!

Now playing via audiobook:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling, narrated by Jim Dale. Onward I go with my HP audio adventure.

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

Via the Serial Reader app (read about it here):

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville:  — as of this week, I’m at 48%! I hate to say it, but the initial enjoyment is wearing off. I’ve been pretty bored with Moby Dick this past week… but I’m soldiering on. I’ve come this far — I’m going to see it through!

So many books, so little time…

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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.

What did I read last week?

The Magician King by Lev Grossman: Loved book 2 of The Magicians trilogy, and I’m ready for #3!

The Android’s Dream by John Scalzi: Absolutely had a blast listening to this audiobook! Check out my review here.

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom: Finally, I finished a book group book before the discussion! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

I treated myself to a pop-culturish new release this week:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Family Plot by Cherie Priest: It just feels like the right time for a good ghost story.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer, narrated by Amy Schumer: Ye gods, this is a great audiobook! Very funny, of course, but also surprisingly touching and even inspirational. I’ve listened to about half, and I’m loving it.

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

Via the Serial Reader app (read about it here):

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville:  — as of this week, I’m at 34%!

So many books, so little time…

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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.

In real life:

I went to a social event! And by social event, I mean book event. I went to a Silent Reading Party, and it was just as awesome as it sounds. Check out my post about it, here.

What did I read last week?

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: Done! Wow, what a ride. My review is here.

New release celebration!

Check out my spotlight post (with a terrific author Q&A) for The Memory Wall by Lev AC Rosen. The book comes out tomorrow!

Fresh Catch:

Just one new book this week — I picked up a used copy of a book that’s been on my TBR list since last year:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Magician King by Lev Grossman: I figured it’s about time to return to this trilogy and read the 2nd and 3rd books.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Android’s Dream by John Scalzi, narrated by Wil Wheaton: Silly, sci-fi fun. I should be done in the next few days.

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

Via the Serial Reader app (read about it here):

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville:  — as of this week, I’m at 18%!

So many books, so little time…

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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.

What did I read last week?

Leave Me by Gayle Forman: Done! My review is here.

The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman: I’m so glad that I finally read this book! It’s sad and haunting, and utterly gorgeous. Now I need to see the movie!

In audiobooks:

I finished listening to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire… and loved it as much as always.

I also listened to Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which was wonderful. I’d never read the story before, and I’ve never seen the movie (must fix ASAP!), but I really enjoyed this audiobook listen, and thought Michael C. Hall’s narration was terrific.

Pop culture goodness:

Anyone else watching Killjoys?

The season finale this week was awesome! I’m so glad it’s been renewed for season 3.

And… I finally took in a spot of culture — a night at the theater! My husband and I went to see this, and loved it:

Fresh Catch:

I went to what I thought was going to be a book event with a reading, Q&A, etc, but was really mostly a photo and book signing opp. Still, I walked away with a signed copy of Ransom Riggs’s new book, plus some cool swag, so it was worth it in the end.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: Verdict after 50 pages? This is going to be GOOD.

Now playing via audiobook:

Time for a sci-fi treat! I’ve just started the audiobook version of The Android’s Dream by John Scalzi, narrated by Wil Wheaton. This should be good, silly fun.

Ongoing reads:

Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon: My book group is reading and discussing two chapters per week, and we’re at about chapter 68 right now (which is maybe 40%?).

A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway: My book group’s classic read, again at a rate of two chapters per week.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville: I’ve just started reading this with the Serial Reader app (read about it here), and I’ve read five installments so far. Wish me luck!

So many books, so little time…

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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.

What did I read last week?

To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey: Done! My review is here.

Lady Susan by Jane Austen: Done! Check out my post on the book (and the movie adaptation, Love & Friendship), here.

Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper: Done! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

I just happened to be walking by a used book store this week… and couldn’t resist its siren song. Ten minutes later, I walked out with these:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Leave Me by Gayle Forman: I’m excited to be reading Gayle Forman’s newest — her first book written for adults.

Now playing via audiobook:

I’m loving the Goblet of Fire audiobook. It’s startling, after all these years of reading Harry Potter books, to realize that my memory of the books is definitely affected by having seen the movies so many times. There are things that I could swear are lines from the books… except they’re not — they’re lines from the movies instead. Confusing! But so much fun to revisit these books, over and over and over again. I have about four hours worth of listening to go, so I should be finished up by the end of this week.

Ongoing reads:

My book group is reading and discussing two chapters per week of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon. This is an online group, and anyone is welcome to join us — so if you’re interested, just ask me how!

And… our new classic read is A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway! If you’d like to join in, send me a message and I’ll pass along the details.

So many books, so little time…

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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.

In real life:

Where does the time go? I feel like I’ve been barely able to read for the past week, and when I do finally crawl into bed with a book at the end of the day, I just can’t keep my eyes open as long as I’d like.

I did go on an amazing white-water rafting trip last weekend. We got some great pictures — which one of my family members kindly updated to include a few folks who couldn’t actually be with us (and to add even more excitement than a mere class IV rapid):

What did I read last week?

The Memory Wall by Lev AC Rosen: I read an ARC of this upcoming YA novel, and it was amazing! Stay tuned for a featured post.

I also posts mini-reviews for books I read on vacation earlier this month:

• Before the Fall by Noah Hawley – review here.
• The Accident by Chris Pavone – review here.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week… which is good, since I need to a chance to make a dent in the huge stack sitting in front of me.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey: I’m so excited to be reading this new book by the author of The Snow Child.

Now playing via audiobook:

I’m continuing to make my way through the Goblet of Fire audiobook. Quite fun, of course. But now that I’m revisiting the world of HP4, a certain issue is keeping me up at night. Check out my post, here.

Clearly, Harry Potter issues can still get me riled up after all these years.

Ongoing reads:

My book group is reading and discussing two chapters per week of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon. This is an online group, and anyone is welcome to join us — so if you’re interested, just ask me how!

And… our new classic read is A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway! We’re just getting started. If you’d like to join in, send me a message and I’ll pass along the details.

So many books, so little time…

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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.

In real life:

Yesterday, my baby turned 14, and today he starts high school. I may have a tear or two in my eyes, but he’s totally ready to get on with it (and tells me to stop being such a dork about it all).

What did I read last week?

I was away again for a week, so I had lot of time to curl up with good books! I haven’t written a book review in ages, but here’s what I’ve read recently:

Bad Blood by Dana Stabenow: The 20th book in the Kate Shugak series is also the last one published… and now I’m done! Bad Blood ends with a major cliffhanger — so unfair! So now we readers have to just sit and wait until whenever #21 is published, which leaves me feeling like:

Also read:

Bag of Bones by Stephen King: Loved it. It’s a longer book, and was perfect beach reading. Creepy, spooky, touching, scary — lots of trademark King, and call me crazy, but his books always seem to work perfectly for me as vacation reading.

The Accident by Chris Pavone: A super engrossing and entertaining spy thriller, with lots of twists and surprises. This is the third book I’ve read by this author, and they’ve all been terrific!

Last but not least, I read Before the Fall by Noah Hawley, which maybe wasn’t the best choice right before getting on a plane… but was a damned good book about a plane crash and its aftermath. Review to follow, once I catch my breath.

Pop Culture Goodness:

I stayed up until midnight and waited through online queues to buy tickets to…

Much jumping for joy!!! I don’t have the travel details at all worked out yet, but my daughter and I will be heading to London next June to see Harry Potter!

Fresh Catch:

All sorts of new books this week. First, my book group did a book/gift exchange, and here’s what I received (lucky me!)

Plus, a whole bunch of library holds came in at once:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Memory Wall by Lev AC Rosen: The upcoming new release from a can’t-miss author! Stay tuned for a blog feature about The Memory Wall!

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain: I won this in a Goodreads giveaway this spring, and I’m finally settling down to read it. I’ve heard such good things!

Now playing via audiobook:

I still have quite a ways to go, but I’m whole-heartedly enjoying the Goblet of Fire audiobook.

Ongoing reads:

My book group is reading and discussing two chapters per week of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon. This is an online group, and anyone is welcome to join us — so if you’re interested, just ask me how!

And… our new classic read is A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway! We start today with chapter one, and I’m so excited!

So many books, so little time…

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