I’ve had a lot of life thrown at me lately: a new semester at work, our elderly cat experiencing severe health issues, and my birthday month. Not to mention current events. It’s been a mix of lovely celebration next to confusion and worry.

I’ve also been sucked into a few TV shows. Yes, of course, Heated Rivalry! But also Plur1bus and The Pitt. And while I’ve enjoyed finding myself swept up in well-made prestige TV, all this viewing plus January’s busyness has left me with less time for reading. I haven’t finished anything this week, but here’s an update on what I’m currently reading.

I am halfway through rereading A.S. Byatt’s Possession. I first read this novel over 20 years ago for my college Victorian Lit class. I don’t often reread books, but this one has been on my mind the past several months. It’s a brilliant novel, but it is, at times, slow. I will have much more to say once I’m done.

I also recently started the latest cozy high fantasy from Travis Baldree, and I’ve restarted The Life Before Us by French-Lithuanian author Romain Gary.

I also don’t have any self-control when it comes to books, and working in a library means I’m always around temptation. I have another haul for my already-too-tall TBR stack. Yeesh. I still have four books I bought at the Texas Book Festival in November that I haven’t gotten to, and yet more library books.

Also, I’ve really enjoyed the conversations inspired by this little newsletter. Talking to you about books has given me a lot of joy! When I started this newsletter, I decided I’d do as long as it brought me joy. So far, so good! Thanks, friends.