It’s the time of year that I hate every year. My summer vacation ends this week and I have to return to west Texas. It always comes without warning and I find myself not quite ready to leave. I’m ready to have my own space again. I’m ready to get things rolling for the Fall semester. I’m really ready to see my chiropractor and let him fix things again! I’m not ready to give up spending time in the kitchen with Mom and helping her with some of the planning that she has to do regularly. But everything has to come to an end whether we like it or not.
During this last week in the Geriatric Ward, I’ve spent most evenings in the kitchen preparing dinner to give Mom one more week of rest before I leave. I’ve also watched a lot of Olympic broadcasts — I’m always fond of gymnastics, indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, water polo, and all of the swimming races. Now I just have to figure out how I’ll keep up with these events once I leave here since my home cable connection is anything but reliable.
With all of the cooking and cheering for Team USA, I’ve also gotten quite a bit of reading done this week. No finishes, but I’ve been pleased with my progress.
What I’m Currently Reading
A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers (p. 384 of 496). I have seen Rivers’ Mark of the Lion on bookstore shelves for years and assumed it was not for me. It is Christian fiction — not my favorite. I assumed that it was a romance on top of that — certainly not my favorite combination. As I was starting my last week in my parents’ home and saw the gift box of the trilogy sitting on the shelf, I decided this was the perfect time to read a little of the book so I could give Mom a teaser to see if she might like it.
I ADORE THIS BOOK AND CAN’T GET MY NOSE OUT OF IT! I had no clue what I was missing. Yes, it is Christian fiction and it definitely has an element of romance in it — but don’t hold those descriptors against this book. This is just high quality writing that pulls you into a marvelous story. It is the story of a young Jewish girl who is taken into Roman slavery in the 1st century. Her interactions with her master’s adult children are memorable and thought-provoking. I have been struck by the similarities between Rome as depicted in the novel and 21st century America.
My hope was to finish this book before leaving here on Wednesday morning as part of #BigBookSummer. It’s possible, but it might be a tight fit. I want to leave it here so Mom can read it this fall, but I also don’t want to have to push pause on my own reading!
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (p. 104 of 257). I continue to plug away at this memoir. I am regularly struck by how Vance’s experiences parallel my own — escaping circumstances through education, the impact of charismatic religion on my faith journey, and the importance of strong women in making me the man I am today. I plan to shift this book to the front of my reading because I want to make sure that I am giving it the attention it is due.
There you have it for now. Next week, I’ll be coming to you from Texas….hopefully I won’t be melting too badly!
Happy reading, y’all!
~Kennith
Reading for Me 
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