weekly reading plans | 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.

What did I read last week?

What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi: Done! My review is here.

I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest: Done! My review is here.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd: Done! My review is here.

Fresh Catch:

I went to a book event and it was awesome! Felicia Day gave a great talk and then signed a bazillion books. She was funny and smart (as you’d expect) and really lovely to all of her fans. And yup, I got a signed book!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff: I’ve just started, but hope to power through in the next couple of days. Watch for my blog tour post on Friday!

This is release week for Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore! I will need to start reading this one the instant it arrives!

Now playing via audiobook:

I finished listening to the audiobook of The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. The review link is up above — I’ll just add here that the audiobook was phenomenal. The beautiful story was truly enhanced by the emotion brought to the audio by the two narrators.

And now…

I’m back to Jane Austen! I’m just starting Persuasion, which will be my fifth Austen audio adventure this year. I read the book so long ago that I hardly remember anything but the bare bones of the plot, so I’m really looking forward to diving back in.

Ongoing reads:

Two chapters per week for each of these, for my online book group discussions with Outlander Book Club. Both books should be done by December!

So many book, so little time…

What did I read last week?

The Uninvited by Cat Winters: A really terrific, memorable read. My blog tour post and review is here.

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume: Done! My review is here.

Off-line:

In real life, we celebrated my kiddo’s 13th birthday last week. It’s hard to believe my baby is a teen! And as of today, he’s also an 8th-grader. Yup, today is the first day of school here… and yes, I do think the middle of August is too early! I’m not sure which of us is grumpier about the return to the morning bustle and the nagging about homework. (Here’s hoping that as the mother of a mature 8th grader, the nagging routine will be a thing of the past for me!)

Fresh Catch:

Two book I’ve been wanting arrived this week:

It may be a while before I get to these, but I’m so excited to have them here!

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

I’ve about halfway through What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi. Once I finish, I have a library book to read before it’s due back (I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest) and then I need to start the next blog tour book on my list, The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff. How’s that for an eclectic reading week?

Now playing via audiobook:

I had a lot of fun listening to Jim Butcher’s Working For Bigfoot, a collection of three linked short stories set in the world of the Dresden Files. In each story, a reclusive but powerful sasquatch named River Shoulders hires Harry to watch out for his half-human son, and it’s all great fun. Plus, you know, the audiobook narrator is James Marsters, so obviously it’s fabulous.

My book group’s discussion of The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd starts later this week, and I didn’t think I’d get to it at all — until I had the brilliant idea to start the audiobook while out walking this weekend. The audio is wonderful so far, and I love the two narrators and how they portray the two main characters. I have a feeling I’ll be taking the long way on all my walks and drives this week, just so I can extend my listening time!