Sunday Post (98) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Hard to believe it's November! Seems like it was just summer. I know this month will fly by and it will be Christmas in the blink of an eye. Time to get the snow tires put back on my car and start making holiday plans. It's also time to think about what books I want to read before the end of the year. I have a giant backlog of review books and I know I won't get to all of them. I also have a stack checked out from the library. 

In library world I've been busy. In October I had a program nearly every week. My favorite was my acrylic pour painting class. We had 20 people and it was a big hit. This month I have two programs, an ugly Christmas sweater craft night on Thursday (they bring a sweater or shirt and I provide decorations to make it ugly/tacky) and then at the end of the month is our ugly Christmas sweater themed murder mystery dinner. I have one program for December (a craft night) and then I'm done for the year. I'm also starting to think about programs for next year. I decided not to do a winter reading program. Instead I want to do a year-long reading challenge for adults that would also incorporate our summer reading program. It's still in the planning stages but hopefully it will work out. Right now I'm trying to figure out an easy way for them to track their progress. 

This week I hope to get caught up on some book reviews. I've had some major sinus headache issues lately and haven't felt like writing or even reading that much. I have been watching a lot of TV though. Getting caught up on The Flash and Supergirl at the moment as well as watching old episodes of Frasier. 

Books read:

What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton

I thought this book was both sad and interesting. I didn't know much about Hillary Clinton's early life and it was also illuminating to learn more about her campaign and her plans even if things didn't work out the way she'd hoped. 

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

I love Agatha Christie and I read a lot of her novels when I was a teen, including this one but to my surprise I'd completely forgotten what happened so it was like reading the book for the first time! My book group enjoyed reading this for our October book and I had planned to go see the latest film version in the theater but changed my mind. I will definitely be checking the movie out when it is on DVD though.

Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray

I loved this book! It is set a few years before Rogue One. Leia is a teen and as the heir to the Queen of Alderaan she has to undergo a set of trials to prove herself worthy to rule. She also joins the Apprentice Legislature (junior senate) to learn about politics and prepare for public life. Then she finds out that her parents are part of a rebellion and that's where things get interesting. Also we are introduced to a teenage Amilyn Holdo (a new character in The Last Jedi) and get to see other familiar characters from the Star Wars universe as well. 

Currently reading:

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

This biography is surprisingly very readable. I became interested in learning more about Alexander Hamilton because of the Broadway musical. I have been listening to the soundtrack a lot and hope to go see it next year. The book is long but I am enjoying it so far. I may set it aside to get caught up on some review books though.

Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz

I wasn't planning to read this yet but I got the e-book from Overdrive after being on hold for a long time and it is going to be due next week so I need to read it! I hope I will like it. Melissa de la Cruz's books are definitely hit or miss with me. 

On my TBR pile:

Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View by Renee Ahdieh et al.

I need to read this soon since there are holds on it and it is due back to the library next week. Thankfully it is a collection of short stories so hopefully I'll get through it. I am ready for more Star Wars stories :)

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

This is another book due back at the library soon. I really enjoyed the first book Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe and I'm in the mood for some holiday reading. Also I really want to eat that cookie. 

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

I enjoyed the author's last novella, And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and this one looks like it will be just as moving. I like that it is a holiday story too. Love that beautiful tree on the cover.