Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

May 25

Big Book Summer Has Arrived! (May 25, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Happy Memorial Day! I am writing in a hotel near the Austin airport early on Monday morning. Later this afternoon, I’ll finish my time with the 2026 State Solo & Ensemble contest and begin the trek to Arkansas. It’s been an okay week with lots of reading and the start of a summer challenge that had honestly slipped my mind. I’ll tell you more about “Big Book Summer” later in this post and the books that I have tentatively lined up for the challenge.

But first, let’s get to the reading!

What I Finished This Week

That Second Chance by Meghan Quinn. I didn’t expect to enjoy this romance as much as I did. Truthfully, it was an audio selection that was made quickly as I was driving back to Plainview from Dallas. I anticipated it being more “noise” than an enthralling listen. I’m very glad that I was wrong. As I shared in last week’s post, the story centers around Griffin and Ren. Griffin is a widower still mourning the loss of his young wife just two years ago. Just before the tragedy, Griffin and his brothers were in New Orleans when they were cursed by a fortune teller. Griffin has lived with his guilt ever since that fateful trip and blames himself for his wife’s death. Out of fear, he refuses to allow anyone else to get close to him because they may also be hurt by the curse. Everything begins to change when he meets Ren, however. This young math teacher finds ways to break down Griffin’s walls and feelings develop. Just as Griffin begins to think that a relationship might be possible, Ren is injured. This is a beautiful story about daring to love, the sacrifices we make to keep others safe, and risking it all for the sake of love. 4.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (p. 348 of 576). I cannot tell you how many times I have pulled this novel off of the shelf to begin reading only to put it back in its spot. It always felt too big….too complex….too much for where I was at the moment. This week, I decided I needed to just bite the bullet and dive in. School is out of session and I had a little more time to settle in for a story that would require more brain power to process. I quickly discovered that Towles is an outstanding writer who weaves an intricate story in such a way that it is very easy to follow while also creating characters with depth. The story centers around Emmett, a young man returning to his Nebraska farm after serving time in a correctional institution for a “crime” that was actually an accident that ultimately led to another boy’s death. Emmett is now responsible for his younger brother, Billy, after the death of their father. Since the family farm is going into foreclosure and Emmett is not welcomed in the small community any longer, he and Billy decide to take the Lincoln Highway west to California in search of a new life — and hopefully a place to belong. Things do not go as planned for the young duo, and they find themselves on a massive adventure across the United States as they encounter a host of colorful characters. In case you can’t tell, I’m really enjoying this read at the moment.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (0:11 of 9:05). I finished an audio book on Saturday and still have a long drive ahead of me on Monday and Tuesday. I can’t believe that I have never read this classic novel, so this seemed like the perfect time to correct that situation. I’m not very far into the novel yet, but I’m planning to make a large dent in it during this first drive.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (p. 27 of 886). I wanted to start a “big book” in a digital format as well over the holiday weekend. I have a physical copy of the novel in the floor of my apartment, so I anticipated reading this book in the fall. When I discovered that it was also included in my Kindle Unlimited subscription, I decided to start it as well. It has been a minute since I read the first book in the series, so it is taking me a second to remember what was happening at the cliffhanger ending. Fantasy is not a normal genre for me, but I did enjoy my time in The Fourth Wing. I’m looking forward to returning to the story again.

Big Books of Summer Planning

Once again this year, I plan to participate in Sue Jackson’s Big Books of Summer reading challenge. The concept is simple — read big books this summer. You set how many you want to read — just one this summer….or one a month…..or something else. For the purposes of this challenge, Sue defines a “big book” as having at least 400 pages. The challenge runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

I have to admit that I had forgotten about the challenge until I saw Sue’s announcement video, so I haven’t done a ton of planning. But things have a way of working out because the book I began this week was a big book! I’m choosing to include it in my summer reading goals even though I started it before May 22.

Here are a few of the books that are on my radar as possible Big Book reads for this summer:

  • The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (576 pages)
  • Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (623 pages)
  • Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (870 pages)
  • The Godfather by Mario Puzo (595 pages)

Obviously, I’m reading the Towles novel this summer. I had already planned to dive into Mario Puzo’s classic since it is needed for the prompt of the novel that inspired the top grossing movie of the year that I was born. This will be my third summer completing the challenge and it has become a bit of a tradition to read one of the Outlander novels — and Voyager is the third in the series. I may try to find another big book to read as an audio book this summer as well. As always, we will just have to see what the summer has in store for my reading adventure.

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May 18

Whirlwind! (May 18, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

What would have normally been a very restful week turned a bit crazy. Last week was final’s week. Typically, I give a few exams, play a handful of juries, submit my grades, and get some work done for the next term. This time, I took care of exams, juries, and grades in a couple of days as I arranged to travel to Memphis for a family funeral. Then I jetted off on Thursday, attended the service on Friday, and cared for my parents over the weekend. Then I jumped back on a plane today to return to Texas to tie up a few loose ends. It was a good trip that I am glad I was able to take, but I’m pooped!

Even though I am feeling a little behind at the moment, I did continue to have a productive reading life. Here’s a quick look at the two books that I read this week as well as the newest audio start. (I still have to decide what physical book I’m going to pick up this week.)

What I Finished This Week

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. With lots of time on a plane traveling back to Arkansas for a few days, I was able to get through the bulk of this novel. I found myself incredibly moved by the story about the power of words to inform, challenge, manipulate, and set individual’s free. Set against the background of World War II Germany, the novel took a rather unique approach to life under the Nazi regime as Leisel and her family figured out how to survive while still standing for what they viewed as right. The relationship between a young Leisel, Papa, and Max – the Jew hiding in the family’s basement – will forever be in my heart and mind. I especially enjoyed the narration by Death himself. 4.5 stars.

Funny Story by Emily Henry. This was a really cute audio book that accompanied me along my recent drives. Miles and Daphne have both been jilted by their significant others. Whatever will they do? Share an apartment, obviously, while they lick their wounds. When they receive an invitation to the wedding of their exes, their next move is to rsvp and pose as though they are dating. Uproariously funny and poignant at the same time. Henry really knows how to tell a story. 3.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

That Second Chance by Meghan Quinn (1:16 of 10:32). Griffin and his brothers are cursed by a fortune teller during a bachelor party in New Orleans. When tragedy strikes, Griffin begins to think the threat of lost love is real. Continuing to suffer with the death of his wife two years later, this volunteer firefighter responds to a 911 call from Ren, a young teacher who has just moved to the small Maine community. We can all see where this story is heading, but the humor mingled with the images of grief keep me coming back for more. It appears that this is the first book in Quinn’s “Getting Lucky” series. With a bit more driving ahead later this week, I anticipate making significant progress in this cute romance in the days ahead.

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May 11

Uncertain Steps (May 11, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

As the semester wound down, I watched students wonder how things would turn out in the end. My own footsteps faltered this week as well — literally! Around midweek, I began to find that my right foot was not behaving normally. A trip to the chiropractor revealed that I was dealing with “drop foot.” Quite simply, I wasn’t walking with a full stride. Instead, my foot was dragging a bit. It was disconcerting enough that I (briefly) considered cancelling a trip to Arlington to watch the Cubs take on the Rangers. Based on the results of the baseball games, I probably should have stayed home! At least I got some more reading done while traveling. What can I say? I have to take a win wherever I can get one.

What I Finished This Week

Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D. This relatively short book started out with great potential as it explored the symbols hidden in quilts to communicate essential messages to escaping slaves. The “code” was presented to the authors by an elderly African-American woman in North Carolina who had heard the story passed through generations of her family. The opening chapters of the study were fascinating, if based more in hypothesis than fact. As the book continued into discussions of spirituals and figures in the Underground Railroad, the quality of the research floundered. This is one of those times when an author should have “quit while they were ahead.” I really wanted to enjoy this book, but was sadly disappointed. 2.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (p. 249 of 550). I have always loved stories set in the horrors of Nazi Germany. (I’m just realizing how horrifying that sentence sounds when I read it back to myself. Still, it is true.) I am moved by the resilience of people in troubling times. I find this era of history fascinating. This story is made more intriguing because of the role that the written word plays while the tale is narrated by Death himself. I’m almost halfway through the book and I have to admit that I’m loving every word.

Funny Story by Emily Henry (6:02 of 11:23). For something very different in my audio reading, I went for a romantic tale that I had downloaded a while ago and never got around to reading. Daphne had it all. She loved her job as a children’s librarian and had met the man of her dreams. The dream turned into a nightmare when he returned from his bachelor party and told Daphne that he realized he was actually in love with his (female) best friend and they were running away together. Daphne had a week to get out of the house and figure out what she was going to do. Where’s a girl to go? Obviously to the apartment of Miles, the jilted boyfriend of the other woman! When they receive an invitation to the happy couple’s wedding, Daphne and Miles decide to attend as each other’s plus one. Is it a ruse or are the two heart-broken people actually developing feelings for each other?

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May 4

Monday Morning Blahs (May 5, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

As I was beginning to write this post on Sunday evening, I began to experience the first wave of nausea. Getting sick is never a welcome experience, but stomach issues are the most hated for me! I spent most of the night propped up in bed to see if that would help the situation. I finally got some sleep and things are more settled, but the nausea has not passed. So this is a very “to the point” post this week. I’ll plan to return with my witty opening (in my mind, at least!) next week.

What I Finished This Week

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich. It might have taken a bit longer than a usual read for me, but I am so glad that I plowed through this one. I learned so much and really feel fulfilled and inspired. Bordewich wove together a lovely exploration of the people, places, and circumstances that fed the movement while honestly pulling back the curtain on the political, racial, and social scenes that were impacted. I never realized that the abolitionist movement gave rise to the earliest days of the women’s equality movement. I found it fascinating to see how fugitive slaves found that their liberty was still at risk once they arrived in the northern free states due to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The desperation of the escaping slaves came alive on the page and their willingness to choose death over returning to bondage was heart breaking. The fact that there were not major violent actions before those at Harper’s Ferry is unimaginable to me. As a Southerner, my public education failed to explain the complexity of the Underground Railroad. I thought it was strictly associated with Harriett Tubman! While she was an influential player, she really arrived relatively late in the movement. I will always be primarily a fiction reader, but this foray into non-fiction reminded me how fulfilling and invigorating these texts can be. 3.5 stars.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo. I love the Winter Olympics — especially figure skating. So give me a “romance” (I’m using that term loosely) set against the backdrop of competitive ice dancing and I’m all in! Kat and Heath have been skating together since they were children. Despite the odds, they made their way to the US Nationals and did quite well. While there, they caught the attention of Kat’s long time idol in the sport. The pair are invited to train with the legend and her twins — who just happen to be the favorites for gold in the upcoming Winter Games. This is a tale of intrigue, rivalry, betrayal, and corruption that was hard to put down. Definitely not a book that I would recommend missing! 4 stars.

How to Date a Prince by Hayden Stone. I wanted an easy audiobook for my recent trip to Dallas that would also fulfill prompt #41: A Guide to….. This cute romance features Auggie, the heir to the British throne, and Thomas, a successful American entrepreneur. The two find themselves on a reality show where the stakes are high. While on set, it becomes clear that not all of the British subjects adore their future king. The story explores ideas of duty, loyalty, and personal loss beautifully. The conversation between Auggie and his father as the book approaches its conclusion is a beautiful expression of advocacy and coming to terms with one’s sexuality. While there were moments that were rather cliche, I really did enjoy this read. 3.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D (p. 95 of 192). My exploration of the Underground Railroad continues with a study of how quilts were used to assist fugitives to find their way to freedom. I have long been fascinated by patchwork quilts and the various patterns that were common throughout the South. Tying the symbols and images to their African roots, Tobin and Dobard explain how the visuals reminded escaping slaves of important things that would lead to their success while also providing maps of unknown plantations and directions to safe spaces along the way. The book is reading a little more like a thesis than a substantial work of non-fiction, but the ideas presented are interesting to consider.

April in Review

All in all, April was another busy month in my world. That impacted the amount of reading that I was able to complete each day. I’m not thrilled with April’s results, but I still managed to read at the equivalent of at least one book a week for the month.

  • Books read in April: 5 (down 1 from March)
  • Pages read in April: 2,136 pages (down 160 pages from March)
  • Highest rated book: Chariot on the Mountain by Jack Ford – 5 stars
  • Lowest rated book: The Leaving by Tara Altebrando – 3 stars

2026 Reading Challenge Progress – The 52 Book Club

With the work on the April mini as well as reading the non-fiction book, my overall progress in the main challenge is a little less than I would like — completing 13 of the 52 prompts so far.

I didn’t quite finish the April mini challenge either, but I know what book is going to take care of that prompt. I plan to read it this week so I can get to work on the May mini and resume work on the main challenge.

Despite my limited progress this month, I am very pleased with my overall reading in 2026. As of this posting, I have read 29 books this year.

Upcoming Plans

This week marks the final week of classes for the Spring semester. That should mean that I’ll have more time to devote to reading for pleasure. The only thing that I know for certain is that I’m going to read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak for the last of the April mini prompts. This will be a re-read for me; I first read the novel when it was published in 2005, but I don’t really remember a ton of the story. I’m looking forward to picking this one up again and diving into the pages. It appears that I enjoyed the read, giving it 4 stars at the time.

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Apr 27

So Close! (April 27, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

It has been a whirlwind week! Lots of activity early in the week, a trip to Dallas for the weekend, and lots of baseball to watch. It’s been a great week and I got to spend much of the weekend with my nose in a book. Still…..

What I Finished This Week

NADA! My goal was to finish reading my non-fiction book while in Dallas. I got very close, but the draw of a gentle afternoon nap, watching the birds outside my window, and deciding what new restaurant to try meant that I didn’t quite reach my goal. Oh well! I’ll get there soon and should have another finish in the coming week.

As a personal triumph, this is the first week that hasn’t seen the completion of a book since September 8, 2025! That’s 33 weeks of consistent reading. (Trust me, I counted.) This week I will reach the milestone of 300 days of reading a minimum of 20 pages per day….and I intend to run that number up much higher. So I won’t be too upset that I didn’t have a finish this week because reading is still happening every day in my little corner of the world.

What I’m Currently Reading

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich (p. 393 of 439). As I am nearing the end of this read, I am encountering familiar figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Abraham Lincoln. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my reading pace is much slower in this work than when I’m working my way through a novel. There’s just more detail and information that I need to navigate.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (p. 105 of 434). Set in the fascinating world of competitive ice dance, this novel has it all. There is first love, an abusive alcoholic guardian, dishonest judges, and competitive enemies. It’s a fun, fast-paced read. While I’m not sure whether it is loosely based on some of the accusations made around the sport in the most recent Winter Olympics, it definitely seems timely.

How to Date a Prince by Hayden Stone (6:50 of 10:41). I needed an audiobook for my drive to Dallas this week. I also needed a “How to” book for one of my reading challenge prompts. Of all the novels that popped up when I entered “How to…” this one seemed the most entertaining. A closeted gay prince has been signed up to appear in a reality television show by his father after an awkward photo appeared in the press. That’s all I know at this point in the read. There are some very funny images — the Prince’s attempt to bake ginger snaps has been my favorite scene thus far — and some poignant, heartwarming moments as he attempts to balance his personal and royal persona.

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Apr 20

Overbooked Weekend (April 20, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Probably like most people, I get the majority of my reading done over the weekend. The pace of the daily grind slows considerably and I am able to lose myself in the pages of a book. During the week, I am ecstatic if I am able to read for an hour over the course of the day. With my reading pace, that generally comes in around 40 pages per day. That’s almost enough to finish a novel, but not quite! So I lean in over the weekend to catch up and get some finishes.

This weekend, I had a busy weekend. Board meetings, church service, rehearsals, accompanying a voice competition, and taking in a show were all good things that I wanted to do…..but they all ate into my reading time. Sadly, that means my weekend did not see a lot of progress made in my reading pursuits. Next weekend should make up for it though. I’ve scheduled another mini-vacation to recharge and prepare for the end of the term. Yeah!

What I Finished This Week

The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest. I went to the library to find some options for the April mini-challenge prompts. These three prompts stumped me initially, so I haven’t made a ton of progress toward meeting that short-term goal yet. I wandered over to the books on My Library Shelf and found that The Partner Plot also featured an author photo that included a toothy smile. (Kristina Forest’s photo on the inside cover is absolutely charming.) I could read a book from My Book Shelf and fulfill a prompt for the mini-challenge? Sounds like a win-win to me! The Partner Plot was rather funny. Violet is a stylist to the stars. Xavier is her high-school sweetheart who now teaches English in their hometown. Nine years ago, Xavier broke Violet’s heart. While working in Vegas, the two are reunited and the chemistry is clearly still present. After spending a few hours catching up, they drunkenly decide to have a “pretend marriage.” When Violet is featured in an industry journal, she alludes to her recent marriage to avoid discussing a nasty breakup. When Xavier learns of the white lie, he decides to use it as well to advance his own career. Thus begins the deception that will spin out of control in a humorous way. While this wasn’t high literature, it was an enjoyable read. 3 stars.

What I DNF’d This Week

East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I just couldn’t do it right now! In some ways, it is a very sad DNF. I adore Steinbeck’s writing. I’ve read almost everything he published. East of Eden is by far my favorite of his works. But at this moment, in this season of life, I just can’t devote the energy to make my way through this grandiose novel. Rather than living with the guilt of not making progress, I decided to shelf it instead.

What I’m Currently Reading

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich (p. 201 of 439). This is the book that suffered the most from this week’s schedule. I am continuing my study into the Underground Railroad, but I got stalled on the tracks this week. Time to set a study schedule for my week and see if I can get things moving towards freedom (and learning) again.

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Apr 13

When Stupidity Reigns (April 13, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Some weeks are just hard. There are things beyond my control that I cannot change that negatively impact me. I want to scream. I want to bang heads together and tell people to get their sh*t together! I might have jokingly suggested a mob with pitchforks, torches, and daggers storm the “castle.”

When weeks like this arrive, reading becomes really hard. At the end of the day, my brain is exhausted. I just want to curl up in a ball and do something numbing and mindless. This week has been a testament to the power of personal habit as my reading streak has continued without interruption. While I’m not incredibly happy with the number of pages read this week, I know that I have to give myself grace and celebrate that I made progress.

Here’s hoping that a new week brings better results.

What I Finished This Week

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. For some reason, I had been avoiding this novel based on Greek mythology. I expected a story filled with vengeful gods and constant battles. While those elements were present, that is not what this story is about. At its heart, it is a love story of Achilles and Patroclus without all of the graphic passages you would find in a modern MM romance. (Yes, the story features two men in love.) Achilles is the son of a goddess and destined to be the greatest warrior the world has ever known. Patroclus is the son of a king who has been exiled simply because he is a constant disappointment to his father. The boys become friends right away. Bound by friendship, the two find themselves fighting on behalf of Agamemnon to rescue Helen from the walled city of Troy. Miller does an excellent job looking at issues such as duty, loyalty, destiny, and greed in this modern retelling of a classic story. 5 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich (p. 125 of 439). My attention was pulled away from my non-fiction this week while I dreamed about Ancient Greece. Still, I have enjoyed progressing through this book. Did you know that Christmas time was a prime time for slaves to attempt escape? With the added days off to celebrate the holiday and the colder temperatures, it was more likely that they could get further away from their master before their absence was noticed and more easily cross natural boundaries when the creeks and rivers were frozen. As I am moving into the second section of the book, I am starting to learn more about individual slaves who were passengers on the Underground Railroad as well as those that served as conductors. Fascinating stuff!

East of Eden by John Steinbeck (p. 190 of 661). This week, I explored the relationship between the Trask brothers and watched as Adam and Cathy set out to make their new life in California. Adam dreams of a lush Garden of Eden; Cathy simply wants to escape. She has already proven that she will do anything necessary to be free of a man and has attempted to rid herself of the child she now carries. My only complaint about this novel at the moment is that I’m not enjoying it as an ebook, but I don’t want to purchase another paperback copy. I think my well-loved copy is in Arkansas at the moment. C’est la vie!

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Apr 6

Spring Has Finally Sprung! (April 6, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Easter weekend always signifies to me that Spring is finally here! Even if there is still a chill in the air, there is something about all of the bright colors and joyful images in the parks as families enjoy time outside that reminds me that it is a season of rebirth, renewal, and life. For the past several years, I have celebrated Easter in an unusual way. School is on break from Good Friday to Easter Monday, so I take the chance to slip out of town and rest. Typically, I will splurge on a nice hotel room with a large window and comfortable seating. Then I settle in for the weekend and pamper myself.

This year’s Easter vacation looked a little different than most. I went out of town and got a great room, but I rarely left it. Instead of going to the museum or catching a baseball game, I stayed close by and allowed myself to meditate, rest, and breathe. Some would consider this a waste of money because I could have done all of those things in my apartment. To me, it was the perfect investment and a needed change of scenery.

What I Finished This Week

Chariot on the Mountain by Jack Ford. I did not expect this novel to move me as it did! This story is going to stay with me for a very long time AND it influenced a personal research project. I love when fiction goes beyond a mere story and causes you to think deeply about big issues from our past and present. Chariot on the Mountain is the story of Kitty, a house slave who is beloved by her master. Upon his untimely death, his widow Mary has control of his property. To honor her husband’s dying wish, Mary decides to free Kitty. When Mary’s nephew makes a claim against his uncle’s will, it becomes evident that Kitty must leave immediately. Kitty, her three young children, and Mary set out for Pennsylvania along the path of the Underground Railroad. The party arrives safely to freedom, but when a free black man betrays Kitty’s trust, she is caught and returned to bondage at the hands of the violent nephew. In a final act of rebellion, Kitty sues her captor and proclaims herself to be a free person. Chariot on the Mountain is based largely on historical record and is a fascinating novel. While I “knew” about the Underground Railroad through childhood education in Arkansas, Ford’s novel made the circumstances, danger, and moral questions come to life. This will certainly be one of the contenders for the best book of the year for me. 5 stars.

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando. YA mystery is rarely my jam. Since I needed another mystery to complete the March mini-challenge, I decided to pick up this book on a whim. The premise is quite interesting. Six kindergarten students are taken from school on the first day of class. Their disappearance is completely unexplained and there are no clues leading to their recovery. Fast-forward 11 years…..when five of the students return to their small community. The only problem? They have no recollection of where they have been or anything that has happened during “The Leaving.” I used this novel to fulfill case #28 – a character wrongly accused — and that is probably the only reason that I didn’t DNF this book. Was it really that bad? No…but this month’s challenge has affirmed for me why mystery is not a favorite genre for me. 3 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

East of Eden by John Steinbeck (p. 82 of 661). I’m returning to this American classic this month while participating in the Active Mind Book Club. While I have previously read the novel, I remember very little about it. I am enjoying the start of the story, but I must admit that I am finding it difficult to engage with the characters at this point. I seem to remember that it took me a bit to get invested in the character’s lives before too, but once I was in the story, it was hard to put down. I’m hoping for a similar experience with this re-reading.

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich (p. 63 of 439). As I was finishing my reading of Chariot on the Mountain this week, I stumbled upon a YouTube video that referred to “personal curriculum.” I was intrigued by the idea and set out to discover more. Essentially, it is a personal education for a specified length of time on a topic that interests you without the pressure of grades. The goal is simply to learn more. When I first encountered the idea, the vlogger spoke about the power of following your curiosity instead of a set “curriculum plan.” I liked the idea of selecting a topic and learning what you can. A quick question to ChatGPT about best sources to learn more about the Underground Railroad led me to this book. (I’ll share more about my early experiences with “personal curriculum” later this week on my personal blog, Livin’ Life.

Bound for Canaan is an expansive look at the journey of slaves to freedom and the challenges that it brought about. Right now, my focus is on the earliest days of the idea in Philadelphia as abolitionists and Quakers joined forces to protect the African-Americans in their community. While largely fueled by religious fervor, the Underground Railroad was also an expression of the political fight in the young nation’s legislature that would ultimately lead to civil war. My reading of non-fiction is typically slower than fiction, but I am thoroughly enjoying exploring this important aspect of American history.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (p. 29 of 369). I brought a stack of books with me for my holiday weekend getaway because I anticipated needing to start a new book for the main reading challenge. I have heard so many readers complain about the first prompt of the challenge — a book set in an ancient civilization — and decided that I needed to start my selection for this prompt in case I needed to pivot. A contemporary retelling of the myth of Achilles and Patroclus in their pursuit of a kidnapped Helen, Miller’s novel is proving to be fast-paced and quite approachable so far. I am very thankful for the many English teachers I have encountered that made mythology less daunting; it is certainly aiding in my current reading.

March in Review

March was a busy month in my world. Opera rehearsals, a trip to Arkansas, and opera tour dominated my life. Somehow, I managed to maintain a steady diet of reading for the month. That’s surprising to me as well! I’m also surprised to see that my top rated book of the month was one of the mysteries I read…..that just shows you how much I didn’t like the other books I read this month. I’m looking forward to getting back to some of my normal selections in April. Anyway, here are the stats for March.

  • Books read in March: 6 books (even with February)
  • Pages read in March: 2,296 (up 170 pages from February)
  • Highest rated book: The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood – 4.75 stars
  • Lowest rated book: An Indecent Obsession by Colleen McCullough – 3 stars

2026 Reading Challenge Progress – The 52 Book Club

I have been feeling as though I’m behind on the main challenge with all of my attention going to the mini-challenges each month. I have only completed 10 prompts so far (although I have read 24 books so far this year). I’m a purist….normally one book for each prompt across all the challenges. However, when I saw a memory pop up in my feed this week, I noticed that I’m right on pace with last year; I had only read 9 books for the main prompt by the beginning of April. So here I am, taking a deep breath, enjoying my reading and not worrying about how quickly I finish the challenge. My only goal is to actually finish it.

Since I spent nearly half of my reading time this month completing the March mini-challenge (those blasted mysteries!), here’s the graphic showing what I’ve completed there as well. I have to admit that these were a fun departure from my normal reading patterns, but I’m ready to read in my lane for a bit now.

Upcoming Plans

April has another mini-challenge, so I have to get those going. I also need to read a book that has been turned into an Oscar-nominated film and one that has been nominated for the Women’s Prize for another challenge. (I am thinking that I may double dip on the Oscar-nominated story since I also need to read The Godfather for The 52 Book Club Challenge.) As always, I have big plans, but we will just have to see what I accomplish. All I know for sure is that I’ll continue to press my nose into a book daily and see what I can learn about myself, my world, and my fellow man.

Happy reading, y’all!

2026 Reading Challenge classic ebook historical Mini Challenge mystery non-fiction The 52 Book Club

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Mar 30

Sharing Stories with Children (March 30, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Last week was spent in Midland, Texas. I was there with Opera of the Plains performing Little Red Riding Hood for elementary students in the Midland/Odessa area. Eleven performances in six days! With approximately 1,500 students in our audiences, the tour was an immense success. It was also very exhausting!

Clearly, the performance schedule impacted my reading life. I managed to continue to progress through my reads, but I’m hoping that this week will see a return to a regular schedule now that rehearsals and performances are over.

What I Finished This Week

Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy. I’ve long been intimidated by Russian literature. There’s something about seeing the names that I am uncertain how to pronounce that sends my mind reeling. Combine that with a land that I cannot imagine, a culture with which I am not familiar, and a vast history that I know little about and you have a formula for a challenging read. When I think of Tolstoy, my mind immediately goes to War and Peace and Anna Karenina. After plowing through Karenina last summer, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this current read, but I was up for the challenge. Resurrection is a beautiful story of redemption, love, and sacrifice against the background of an unjust prison system in 19th century Russia. The novel was not perfect and seems as though it might have benefited from additional editing. However, I found the juxtaposition of Christian theology, western philosophy, and Russian heritage an interesting blend. 3 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

Chariot on the Mountain by Jack Ford (p. 112 of 285). Last fall, I selected a new shelf in the Unger Memorial Library to read my way through. The latest novel that I am enjoying from that project is Chariot on the Mountain. It is a historical novel set against the background of the Underground Railroad. Kitty is a slave whose master, Samuel, has died and left all of his property to his wife, Mary. Samuel’s dying wish is that his daughter Kitty and her children be set free. Thus begins the unconventional journey of Kitty and Mary to freedom in Pennsylvania. The novel is fascinating and its short chapters make it easy to jump in and out of during a busy season.

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando (p. 122 of 425). For my final read for the March mini-challenge, I have selected a YA mystery. On the first full day of kindergarten, six students mysteriously disappeared from a quaint Florida community. The event — now referred to as “The Leaving” — has been attributed to everything from alien abduction to kidnapping by a horrifying predator. Eleven years later, five of the students mysteriously return with only the clothes on their back and individual maps to their homes. They have no memory of what happened or where they have been. This is a riveting tale that alternates character perspective and challenges the imagination as readers try to discover where the sixth student is and what really happened.

2026 Reading Challenge classic ebook historical international Mini Challenge My Library Shelf mystery The 52 Book Club Young Adult

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Mar 23

Spring Break Reading (March 23, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Last week was a most relaxing week. I got to spend much of the week curled up on my parents’ couch with my nose in a book. How could I ask for anything more? Between naps, I managed to get some reading done to continue moving me closer to my monthly goals.

What I Finished This Week

The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden. There are few things better than a good historical novel! I really enjoyed this book about the work of Marion Crawford, governess for Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. I found the anecdotes from the girls’ childhood charming. Marion’s work during the horrors of World War II and the Blitz were invigorating and courageous. However, I found the end of the novel rushed and rather unsatisfying. While we know that Marion was essentially shunned by the Royal Family after the publication of her memoir The Little Princesses, Marion’s failed marriage, her feelings about the early days of Elizabeth’s reign, the birth of Prince Charles, and other events until her death in the 1980s would have been fascinating to explore further. I understand that this was essentially beyond the scope of the novel, but the simple mention of these events left this reader wanting more. 4 stars.

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood. Continuing to make my way through the March mini-challenge, I read this charming mystery to fulfill case #12: features an amateur sleuth. In the small British town of Marlow, nestled on the banks of the Thames, the serenity has been crushed through a series of unexplained murders. While the police are frantically trying to solve the cases despite being understaffed, Judith is invested in discovering the killer of her friend. Is Judith an investigator? Not at all — she is a 70-year-old creator of crossword puzzles. Through her investigations, Judith teams up with a local dog walker and the wife of a minister to arrive at the truth. This was a fast-paced, witty read that I enjoyed immensely. 4.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy (p. 462 of 573). I am continuing to make my way slowly through the novel. Maslova and the other prisoners have begun the journey to Siberia. Nekhlyudov serves as Tolstoy’s eyes as the group mercilessly progresses from the prison to the train station in blazing heat. Questions about the morality of the punishment and the harshness of the conditions are at the heart of the conversation. I’m in the final section of the novel now and should have a huge finish before the end of the month.

2026 Reading Challenge classic ebook historical Mini Challenge mystery The 52 Book Club

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