School is back in session and my schedule is absolutely packed! Trying to find time to do my job….much less time to read for pleasure….was a real challenge this week. My days are going to be filled and I’m starting to realize that there is a very good chance that I will not finish the 2026 reading challenge by the end of the year. That’s not the worst thing ever, but I would like to start 2027 with a clean reading slate. Oh well…..I’m still having fun reading and trying to get it all done!
What I Finished This Week
Nada….Nothing…..Zip….Zero. For the second week this month, I have not finished a book. I’m choosing not to let that become distressing, but I am also not going to pretend that I am happy about it. This monster of a book just is not moving as I had hoped. Failing to maintain my daily walking regime didn’t help me finish my current audio book either. Just have to get back into a routine — or establish a new routine — that will bring me regular finishes once again.
What I’m Currently Reading
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (p. 698 of 870). I continue to plug away at this book and have gotten another 200+ pages under my belt. I’m not entirely sure what it is about this novel, but I cannot make significant strides when I sit down with this book. It’s not that the book is hard to read or unenjoyable. There’s just something about the book itself that causes my reading pace to slow considerably. Now, Jamie and Claire are making their way to the West Indies in pursuit of a kidnapped young Ian while trying to avoid those who would like to capture and execute our lovable hero. Hopefully one more week will get me to the end of this massive tome. I just have to be finished by Labor Day…..I just have to!
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim (4:23 of 8:09). Not walking during lunch each day was a huge hit to my progress in my audio book. It’s a double edge sword too. I don’t think I was making an appointment with myself to go for the daily walk because I wasn’t looking forward to reuniting with the characters in the book or the narrator herself. I have no doubt that I will finish this one up this week with a trip to Dallas on the horizon for the holiday weekend.
Upcoming Plans
It’s rare that I already know what books are coming up in my reading life, but I have a couple of looming books that I’m actually looking forward to beginning very soon.
- Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao. I was drawn to this book over the Christmas break while visiting a local bookstore. It has sat in my TBR for quite some time, always taking a back seat to other novels calling my name. With a prompt calling for a stand alone fantasy novel, it seems that Water Moon has now found its time in the sun. It is sitting in the floor right next to my reading chair so I can dive in the second I finish the Gabaldon book.
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I am embarrassed to admit that I have never read this classic novel. Typically, I struggle with these Victorian works and have shied away from the Bronte sisters’ works. That is changing now that I have gotten involved with a virtual book club (I know, I know…..I’m a glutton for punishment to add another challenge to my already full life!) and this month’s selection is Jane Eyre. I don’t think it will be too bad as we are reading roughly 10 chapters per week and should make our way through the novel by the end of September. I did splurge a bit and picked up an edition with a captivating cover that I hope will encourage me to engage with the book regularly as I make my way through.
Next week, I’ll take a look back at my accomplishments (and lack of) during the month of August. In case you’re wondering, I estimate that I need to complete approximately 5 1/2 books each month for the rest of the year to complete The 52 Book Club’s 2026 Reading challenge. That’s not impossible…..but it means that I will probably need to put the summer challenge and the upcoming mini challenges to the side. The problem is that it is SO FUN to complete the shorter challenges as well! I just want to do it all! Maybe I need to find a job that pays me to read all day long…..but only what I want to read…..because I hate being told what to read….yeah, that never worked well in any of my classes….
Reading for Me 
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