It seems that every week starts with some version of the same statement. “Where did the time go?” This week was hectic in my world as I returned from Fall Break. There were recital hearings, Liszt festivals, choir concerts, student auditions, and homecoming activities in addition to the normal insanity. I felt as though I was meeting myself at the door of my apartment and trying to figure out why things were not getting done. It didn’t make for a terribly productive week, but I survived and all of the week’s events were successfully accomplished. Now it is time to put my nose to the grindstone and do a bit of catch-up work this week.
What I Finished This Week
The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page. My experience with this audiobook was interesting. I selected the novel because Sally Page is the mother of Libby Page, the author of last week’s The Lido. Two of the prompts for this year’s reading challenge involved reading books written by authors who are relatives, so this seemed like the perfect option. The Keeper of Stories is about Janice, a woman who feels that life has passed her by because of past mistakes — a less-than-desirable marriage, a poor relationship with her adult son, and a childhood incident that continues to haunt her. Her failures have found expression in her lackluster career choice; she is “just” a house cleaner. To make her life more exciting, she has begun to collect stories of the people she works for and those she encounters. As she begins to work for the mysterious Mrs. B. and becomes intrigued by a local bus driver, Janice’s world becomes much more exciting and life is fulfilling. Add in Janice’s relationship with Decius, a smart-ass, foul-mouthed fox terrier the house cleaner walks as part of her responsibilities, and you have a recipe for a fun romp. The Keeper of Stories examines the power of untold stories to keep us from living the lives we were destined for. 3 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao (p. 200 of 372). I am continuing to enjoy this fantasy, but I’m finding it difficult to dive deep into the created world with limited time available. Since this is based in a created universe, I have to have plenty of time to imagine and fully engage in the reading. This probably wasn’t the best selection for a busy week, but I’m definitely going to push through. The young owner of the mysterious pawnshop where people can exchange their regrets for peace has discovered that her father has disappeared and escaped to the other world. Or did he decide to run and pursue the dream that his wife is still alive? Hanna and Keishin travel throughout a world where destiny is predetermined and sealed in search of answers that they are not supposed to answer. In the process, the two begin to develop an attraction that simply cannot survive.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (3:58 of 16:16). As more travel looms in my future, it seemed the perfect time to begin another audiobook. It also seemed like a good time to read a YA novel — something that won’t tax my brain too much! I thoroughly enjoyed The Hunger Games series, but I hadn’t read this novel yet. I got started on Sunday morning as I headed into a busy travel day for church performances, rehearsals, and a planned social gathering. It’s a fun read and I’m right back in the world of the Games and their tributes. Should be an exciting way to spend the week in my car!
I Kissed Three Boys by Lexie Miers (p. 30 of 187). I had some down time on Sunday afternoon while waiting for an appointment and decided to check out some of the books that were sitting in my Kindle account. I specifically was looking for something relatively short that had an odd number of chapters — yep, another prompt for the 2026 reading challenge. Coming in under 200 pages with 21 chapters, I Kissed Three Boys seemed like a acceptable option. Then I saw the premise and laughed out loud! Erin received an unexpected first class plane ticket to Liechtenstein only to learn that she is being asked to travel so the prince can get married. What does this have to do with her? Apparently, a playful game of “wedding” in a park as a 7-year-old girl was legally binding in Liechtenstein! To make matters worse, since Erin could not decide which of the three young suitors she wanted to marry in that childhood game, she decided to “marry” all three of them. So far, this is a cute and funny book that is relaxing and a quick read. At the moment, I need a little fluff in my life.
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