Monday, January 23, 2023

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (January 23, 2023)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

Last week was a quiet one spent at home. It snowed three different days but the total accumulation for all of them was just over two inches. We did manage to have gray and gloomy skies all week.

I did a lot of rearranging of my physical TBR pile. This time I sorted the books by the year I added them to my collection. While doing that, I found six more that I had added in 2008. I thought I was finished with all of those books. Among the discoveries were two contemporary romance, two fantasies, a nonfiction history of science, and a science fiction classic. I'll be working them into my March calendar.

I also found a few among the physical TBR that weren't in my LibraryThing account and a few others that I'd already read and need to move downstairs. While this process was entertaining and I found lots of books I wish I could read right now, it was a lot like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic for the progress it made in lowering TBR mountain.

I think I may have to change the way I manage my reading. Right now, I usually have a print book and an audiobook going. I think I need to add in a book of short stories where I read maybe a story or two a week and a nonfiction book where I read a chapter a week. I need to think more about how I would review those books that take weeks to read. Do I have an on-going review in draft form? Or do I wait until I finish the book? What do you do?

This week is empty of appointments and with nothing to watch on TV since baseball won't start for a long time and football is winding down for the season. I should be able to do a lot of reading and listening.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)
  • Wined and Died in New Orleans by Ellen Byron (Review; February 7) -- Second in a contemporary cozy series. Interesting characters and mystery. My review will be posted on January 31.
  • Three Can Keep a Secret by M. E. Hilliard (Review; February 7) -- Third in a contemporary mystery series about the murder of a library trustee and the librarian who investigates the death. My review will be posted on January 31.
  • Murder at an Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan (Review; February 7) -- A bridalwear designer from LA finds herself inheriting an Irish castle and having to solve the mystery of the death of her uncle and find a way to make the castle profitable. My review will be posted on February 1.
  • Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings (Review; February 7) -- Nice start to a cozy historical mystery series. My review will be posted on February 4.
  • Every Missing Girl by Leanne Kale Sparks (Review; February 7) -- Second in a contemporary suspense series deals with child trafficking. My review will be posted on February 2.
  • The Ties That Bind by Jayne Ann Krentz (Mine since 2021) -- Audiobook of a classic Krentz first written in the 1980s. While the hero was a bit of a chauvinist, he was capable of learning. My review will be posted on February 14.
  • Written in Red by Anne Bishop (Audiobook) -- Relisten to a favorite book.
  • When the House Burns by Priscilla Paton (Review; February 14) -- Mystery set in the Twin Cities. Odd writing style but interesting mystery. My review will be posted on February 8.
  • Dark All Day by Brenden Carlson (Review; February 14) -- Finale to alternate history/science fiction/mystery trilogy. I found the story impenetrable. My review will be posted on February 9.
DNF
  • Girl, Alone by Blake Pierce (Audiobook from 2021) -- I listened to half but thought it was extremely melodramatic and unrealistic. I'm planning to avoid this author in the future despite how often I see the books on Chirp.
  • Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow (Review; February 14) -- Just didn't care for the writing in this one.
Currently
Next Week
Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:
Bought:
What was your week like?

12 comments:

  1. Your week sounds good. I like organizing and rearranging books, etc. Enjoy the upcoming week.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, you read a ton of books! I'm looking forward to your review of Three Can Keep A Secret.

    Enjoy reading this week!

    My It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's been very gray here too, I need some sun. Yay for finding books! 2008 wow!

    I'm reading (or re reading) Long Way right now too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! 2008 that's wild! I think my TBR started in 2010 and those are the oldest books I still have to read. Yes, sadly, there are books that were the literal foundation of the actual TBR pile when I still stacked it in a pile that I still have not read yet. It saddens me. I wish I didn't need to sleep. That would solve all my book problems! Lol.

    Nice lineup! I'm looking forward to Kelley's book! This new Rockton spinoff has me excited! Hope you enjoy all your reads lined up for this week!


    Here's my Monday Wrap-up

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Funny that we were both writing about the same things this week - possibly reading a NF and fiction book in print at the same time! I did manage to make a little time today for a book break for my NF read. Laughed at your comment about rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic! Though I was impressed with your efforts - I have no idea when I added most books to my shelves.

    I love the Stephanie Plum series - SO fun! - but I haven't read them in years. I should pick one up this year. And I keep hearing the Marcia Clark's books are excellent.

    Enjoy your books this week!

    Sue
    Book By Book

    ReplyDelete
  6. I get in the mood to reorganize books from time to time. I usually don't set up a draft post for a review book because I am a total panster when it comes to writing of any kind.

    Great books on your list this week. Of Manners and Murder is still on my wish list. Against the Currant sounds good too.

    Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog today.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I’d love to do some re organising but I have no room to do it in!
    I think making notes as you go sounds sensible

    Wishing you a great reading week

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have a few of those books on my list to read in the next few weeks, too. All of your books look good. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm keen on reading The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. I suppose it's the popularity of her Monk and Robot books, but there are 22 holds on it at the library! Oh well, I've added my list.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So many great books on your post this week. Every Missing Girl especially intrigues me. I'll have to check into that series. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good luck with whatever you decide to do with changing up your reading! And I hope you enjoyed Primer and Punishment and Murder at Haven's Rock, and yeah that you enjoyed Sweep of the Heart! Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete

I love getting comments. Let me know what you think.

This blog is now officially declared an Award Free zone! I do appreciate your kindness in thinking of me and I am humbled by your generosity.

Your comments are award enough for me. Comment away!