It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? 1-2-23

I could use this space to record my failed resolutions last year — to blog more frequently; to track my reading on a spreadsheet; to keep a running draft of favorite books and audiobooks so I could easily throw together my lists of favorites at the end of 2022; to choose my first book of 2023 before it was already January 2nd, etc.

But let’s leave the past where it belongs and plow forward into the new year. A fresh start for the reading tracker spreadsheet; high hopes for blogging more often than just once a week; an extension from Sheila at Book Journey on submissions for the First Book of the Year collage; and still a chance, however remote, that I can put together my 2022 favorites lists before we get too far into 2023!

Currently Reading

The Last Samurai by Helen DeWitt

I received The Last Samurai as a Christmas gift from one of my daughters, who read it and thought I would like it, so I chose it as my first book of 2023.

This was my first year in a while of not choosing a book and sending my photo in for the First Book of the Year collage, so I was glad to find out that Sheila has extended the deadline and will post a second First Book collage next week! Check out the first First Book collage at Book Journey!

Whenafter by Terri Bruce

Santa Shortbread by P.D. Workman

Recently Read

A Lot Like Christmas: Stories by Connie Willis

Loved this book and may reread it every year from now on.

Happy Holidays by Craig O’Connor

A collection of horror tales – one for each major holiday of the year – that I started with New Year’s in January 2022 and finished this month with New Year’s Eve. The New Year’s Eve story even had a character named Laurie!

Currently Listening To

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

New York City features prominently in This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. The main character grew up in New York, and at age 40, is single and still in love with the city.

I’m about halfway through, and didn’t really know anything about the book before I started except that I’ve liked other books by the author. I’ll wait till I finish before commenting more, because I don’t want to give anything away accidentally!

Recently Listened To

‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

I’m not a big reader of most cozy mysteries, and so I’ve already gotten bored with the Christmas Tree Farm series. With this second book in the series, I even sped up the audio (which I very rarely do) and skipped over the middle of the story just to find out who did it.

If you like cozies, though, and are looking for Christmas-themed audiobooks, you might enjoy it more than I did! The series starts with The Twelve Slays of Christmas.

Christmas Cookie Murder by Leslie Meier

I liked this one much better. Leslie Meier sets a high bar for holiday-themed cozies!

This post is linked to “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Check out the link-up party there for more book lists!