Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

Aug 11

Break is Over! (August 11, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

If you listen very closely, you may hear me lying in the floor raising a ruckus. I am kicking and screaming like an overly tired toddler, yelling “I don’t wanna!!!” Why am I so grumpy? Summer vacation is officially over. As of the appearance of this post, I am making my way back to the reality that is life in west Texas. It is probably no surprise, but I am not ready to go back.

This final week of break was not exactly what I had wished. I continued to isolate after contracting COVID late last week. Just as I was beginning to feel better, we got the news that Mom had tested positive. In order to try to remain healthy, I continued to isolate. It wasn’t absolutely horrible. I got a lot of reading done while sitting in the back of the house….not as much as I did last week, but I’m still happy with my progress. No three completed books this week, though. LOL!

What I Finished This Week

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild. You know a book has captured your imagination when you simply have to stay up late in order to get to the end. That was my experience on Friday night with Finding Grace. Tom and Honor are celebrating the Christmas holidays in Paris with their young daughter, Chloe. In a moment, Tom’s world is turned upside down and will never be the same again. As he returns to London, he moves through life in a trance, searching for purpose. When he receives the call that his dead wife’s surrogate is in labor, giving birth to his son, Tom suddenly has a second chance at life. However, no one has written a book on how to raise a young son alone. When a letter is mistakenly posted to Tom instead of the surrogate who wished to remain anonymous through the entire process, Tom’s curiosity gets the best of him….and a web of deception begins. Finding Grace is at times funny, heartbreaking, and unbelievable. I read the opening and closing sections through tears; the middle kept me asking questions about honesty and the eternal aspects of unconditional love. This novel will fill the prompt for a novel 300-400 pages in length. 4 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (p. 736 of 817). Part 6 was the most challenging portion of the novel to get through to this point. With the introduction of several new characters and the political discourses, Tolstoy’s story sometimes got lost in the shuffle. Veslovsky is a friend of Prince Stephan who comes to join the hunt with the Prince and Levin. During the course of the newcomer’s visit, Levin becomes incredibly jealous of Veslovsky’s interactions with Kitty. After being expelled from Levin’s home, Veslovsky is next seen at the country estate of Vronsky and Anna. Veslovsky’s flirtations are now directed at Anna, but Vronsky does not respond negatively. When Vronsky has to go away to Moscow for a political gathering, Anna becomes convinced that she is no longer loved and begins to show signs of depression as she turns to morphine for comfort. In truth, Vronsky is struggling with the fact that Anna is still not divorced from Karenin. Here’s hoping that Part 7 returns us to the stories of the characters that we have come to love as this brick of a book is propelled to its tragic ending.

The Appeal by John Grisham (p. 378 of 485). A small Mississippi town’s water supply has been tainted because a mega chemical company dumped toxic waste in the woods. People are becoming sick and dying. Now known as “Cancer County,” the residents of Bowmore want justice. When the first of the wrongful death verdicts awards the plaintiff $41 million, the New York corporation is determined to make sure that they don’t pay a penny in damages. The plan? Buy the elected seats of the Mississippi Supreme Court Justice up for re-election so the eventual appeal will go in the company’s favor. Grisham is a master of judicial storytelling and weaves a fascinating tale of power, intrigue, and justice.

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Jun 16

The Sound of 880 Piano Keys All At Once (June 16, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

I have returned from the Texas Music Teachers’ Convention in Houston and lived to tell the tale! I was there to staff the Wayland booth in the exhibit hall — talking to teachers, alumni, and potential students about our programs. Held in the Hyatt Downtown, the exhibit hall was on the bottom floor on Friday and Saturday. Vendors from all over were in the hall. Our booth sat just across the aisle from the piano vendors — who had about 10 pianos on the floor to be played throughout the day. I’m not talking about digital instruments or consoles. No….these were grand pianos with their lids fully opened! What do 10 large pianos sound like when they are all playing different pieces at the same time? Imagine 20 toddlers in your kitchen floor with wooden spoons that they are banging on large metal pans. Yeah….it was a hot mess!

I planned to spend my time on the exhibit floor reading. That didn’t happen at all. I did manage to make a little progress once I retired to my room on the top floor of the hotel, but my head wasn’t going to cooperate too long in my effort to concentrate on the story.

What I Finished This Week

…..I had to at least make you look.

What I’m Currently Reading

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (p. 672 of 947). Most of the 150+ pages I read this week were completed on Thursday’s flight to Houston. Once I encountered Claire’s miscarriage, I found it really difficult to push through that section. I thought Gabaldon handled a tragic event in any woman’s life with such grace that I didn’t want to rush through the storyline and savored the way she handled the text. I almost felt as though Claire’s grief as well as that felt by her husband could not be rushed. Now that I am in the ultimate battle scenes of the novel, the pace is picking up again and I *think* I will finish this Big Book of Summer this week. (At least, that’s the goal.)

What’s Coming Next?

I think I’m going to depart from my plan and insert a book that arrived last week from the Book of the Month club. The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram sounds very interesting. Two teens meet and fall in love during a summer trip. Fast forward to their adult lives, and the two former loves find themselves on opposing sides of a political campaign. It will definitely meet a need on my reading challenge since it was published in 2025. But first, I have to finish my current installment in the Outlander series and find out what happens to Claire and Jaime.

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Jun 10

Morning Spent in the Service Center (June 10, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

Good morning, fellow readers! I’m a day late on this post, but things have not necessarily gone as planned this week. A nagging cough led to a diagnosis of bronchitis brought on by allergy issues has me moving a little more slowly and breathing rather intentionally.

Last week, the check engine light popped on while driving into Memphis. An initial check at Auto Zone listed the problem as something with the exhaust system. Not something too difficult to fix and should be covered by warranty. So I called to schedule a service visit at the dealership. Only available appointment was this morning (Tuesday) at 7:30am. We all know how much I hated that option, but needed to get things fixed. So I’m spending the morning in the customer wait center — against the advice of the service consultant! — with my computer to get some work done and my copy of Dragonfly in Amber. We will just have to see which one gets finished first — my car or Dragonfly!

What I Finished This Week

The Modern Guide to Time Mastery by Morgan Ellis Stone. I finally made it through this short ebook this week. As I have continued to reflect on Stone’s work, I think there are a few issues that I immediately recognize. First, Stone simply offers a variety of time management techniques from various leaders in a single place. He does not present any new ideas. Second (and probably more annoying to this reader), the audience is not clearly defined. Stone addresses business leaders, creatives, and students throughout the book. Personally, I would much rather he focus on one audience and allow the others to examine the concepts and decide if the principles are applicable to them. It’s impossible to effectively be everything to everyone. Focus your writing, sir!

What I DNF’d This Week

Emma by Jane Austen. If you have been following this blog for any length of time, you have probably seen this one coming. After several weeks of trying to find my way into Austen’s Regency era society, I finally admitted to myself that this was just not going to happen. My interest was leading me elsewhere. I have to admit that DNFing this classic does upset me a bit. It makes me question my intelligence and ability. Even though I have moved on from these negative thoughts and returned to my reading life, I must admit that they do rear their head from time to time. With a few more classics on my TBR in the coming weeks, I’ll get a chance to restore my confidence in reading important works of literature….just not British literature. (That has long been my nemesis!)

What I Am Currently Reading

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (p. 509 of 947). I really am enjoying this novel! Just over halfway through this first Big Book of Summer 2025, I am finding myself pulled into the drama of Parisian society as the exiled Scotsman plots to stop the attempt to overthrow the throne. Dragonfly is a perfect fit for me. Historical fiction with a hint of romance, intrigue, and political espionage. I’m in Heaven.

Uncertain How to Proceed….

Later this week, I will travel to Houston for the Texas Music Teachers’ Convention. This will be a busy time as I work the WBU recruitment table. I need to have some reading materials that I can jump in and out of without appearing as though people are interrupting me if they have questions. I’m not sure if I will take Dragonfly or something shorter that can possibly be completed during my travels to and from the conference. Maybe an ebook? I just don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but I still have a few days to decide. Hmmm….decisions, decisions!

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Jun 2

A Busy Start to Summer Break (June 2, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

Greetings from the Geriatric Ward! I arrived in eastern Arkansas Sunday afternoon and I am really looking forward to a slightly different pace for a few weeks.

This past week was busy in an unusual way. As you will recall, I was in Austin for the Memorial Day weekend to play for the Texas UIL Solo and Ensemble state contest. I returned to Plainview on Tuesday to begin packing up my apartment for summer. Somehow, I got the schedule wrong in my mind for the week. So Wednesday turned into a flurry of activity as I ran errands, cleaned, packed, and prepared to leave for Stillwater, Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Music Teachers’ Conference on Thursday. The conference was great and ran through Saturday afternoon. Rather than begin the drive home, I stayed the night in Oklahoma City and drove home on Sunday.

All of that to say that I was able to do some significant listening in my car, but not as much physical reading as I would have liked. I didn’t meet my finish goals for the week, but I’m very close to another finish. Let’s just take a look at where things stand at the moment.

What I Finished This Week

Beach Read by Emily Henry. This audiobook got me through many miles of driving this week. The story centers around two authors who hated each other in graduate school. When they find themselves living next door to each other, the old rivalry is reignited. In the heat of battle, the two issue a challenge to each other — she must write a story that doesn’t resolve everything in the end with a neat “happily ever after” tied up in a bow; he must write a romance with a happy ending. Henry’s writing is entertaining and filled with heart. Beach Read is about writer’s block, family difficulties, and the challenges of falling in love. 4 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Modern Guide to Time Mastery by Morgan Ellis Stone (p. 133 of 148). I’m so close to another finish, but I couldn’t quite get there this week. I just have the final chapter and the epilogue to read, so it will definitely get done this week. Just another reminder that non-fiction is not my typical jam.

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (p. 241 of 947). I’ve read another 100 pages this week. The slow pace is only because of the little amount of time I have been able to devote to the novel. Truthfully, most of the week’s progress has happened in the Geriatric Ward. I’m not worried about getting this done quickly now that I am in a position where I can regularly read. Not sure that I’ll get finished this week, but I anticipate sizable progress ahead.

Emma by Jane Austen (p. 116 of 335). My plan to make this the focus piece of the week fell by the wayside when I realized that I didn’t have as many days in Plainview as I thought. I plan to slowly work my way through the remaining 220 pages this week to get a finish. (Somehow, I remember this very point in the story being the challenge for me when was first assigned the novel in my undergraduate studies. Just have to push through!)

May in Review

May was not a good month in my reading life. I’m still ahead of schedule in my reading goal, but I have to have good months in June and July to get back on track with my reading. Here’s the shameful numbers to report for the month.

  • Books read in May: 3 books (down 2 books from April)
    • 1 physical
    • 1 ebook
    • 1 audio
    • 3 fiction
  • Pages read in May: 1,249 pages (down 87 pages from April)
  • Highest rated book: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (4 stars)
  • Lowest rated book: Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill (1 star)

Plans for June

May clearly did not go as I had hoped, so I still have some loose ends to tie up there. I need to finish both Dragonfly in Amber and Emma. I was also scheduled to read The Summer We Started Over and Lady Chatterly’s Lover last month. For June, these are the new additions that I have slated to read:

  • A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
  • Moby Dick
  • The Quiet Librarian
  • Eruption

Thankfully, most of June’s novels are shorter than those I encountered in May. I hate to think about it, but it may be the month that I begin to reassess my plans for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge and pivot in order to reach my goal.

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Apr 7

Blowing Snow in April (April 7, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

Despite a busy week, I found myself with several books that I just couldn’t put down! Then a little snow on Saturday meant that I got to spend a little extra time in my reading chair finishing up a book between watching baseball games.

What I Finished This Week

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin. I absolutely adored this book! As you can tell by my finished reading this week, I am fascinated with the stories surrounding World War II. It’s not so much the war as it is the determination and perseverance of the European people in the face of such challenges. Martin tells a charming story of Grace, a young woman who arrives in the city just ahead of the Blitzkreig. Not having a letter of recommendation for work, the only job she can secure is in a dusty, dilapidated bookshop. While working there, she is introduced to the power of story and her life is transformed. Grace volunteers with the RAF and witnesses some of the worst attacks the German bombers can bring. The Last Bookshop in London is a story of love, endurance, survival, and the power of books to transport our mind. I’m looking forward to reading another of Martin’s historical fictions this summer. 4.75 stars

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey. With the end of opera rehearsals this week, I also finished this audio book. The third book in the Big Shots series, this one was perhaps the most thought provoking. Sieg, a professional hockey player, is scheduled to have dinner with his estranged father to meet the woman he plans to marry. Dreading the meal, Sieg makes a stop where he is charmed by the lovely Chloe. After what can only be described as “love at first sight,” Sieg’s world comes crashing down at dinner when he learns that his father plans to marry Chloe’s mother! How is it possible that the love of his life is about to become his step-sister? Bailey once again provides a story that is engaging and entertaining. Be warned…the spice level is high! 4 stars

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. I have to admit that this novel has caught my eye repeatedly when browsing in the bookstore. I think I steered clear because I expected the text to be simply too dark. I could not put this book down once I started. Yes, the details of life in the camp were disturbing and sorrowful. However, the love and hope that permeates each page lifts the story significantly. 4.5 stars

What I’m Currently Reading

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (00:29 of 13:53). When one audio ends, another begins. I’ve heard good things about the movie, so I decided to take a look at the book finally. It is also a way to knock out another of the Lunar New Year mini challenge books. I’ve only listened to the first chapter. I enjoyed it, but I have to listen very carefully because of the reader’s accent.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (p. 22 of 247). Mysteries are rarely high on my list of reading selections, but I find myself needing to read another for the 2025 Reading Challenge. I’m still meeting all of the characters and appreciate that Christie said of this novel that it was the most challenging to write. I’m looking forward to experiencing some fine writing even though it is not a genre I typically enjoy.

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Mar 31

Back to the Grind (March 31, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

Last week was a whirlwind. From the second I landed back in Amarillo after a much needed Spring Break in Arkansas, it felt as though everything needed immediate attention. As a result, I didn’t post an update here. So….this week’s post will reflect two weeks’ worth of reading. That doesn’t mean it will be a robust post because….yeah…..life has been busy!

What I Finished

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I have heard all of the praise for this 1908 children’s classic. It is certainly a charming concept. A red-haired orphan is taken in by an unlikely pair where she grows into her own and realizes her potential as a student. I struggled with this one. I don’t know if it was because of the feeling that each chapter was more of a stand-alone vignette than actually propelling the overall story ahead or that I just found the writing dated. I finished, but I won’t be returning to Green Gables any time soon. 2.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin (p. 201 of 314). Once I got back to Plainview and finished reading Anne of Green Gables, I needed something much different. I made a change to my plans and picked up the other book scheduled for March and put Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister back on the shelf. I’m really enjoying this tale of survival that includes the protagonist developing a love for reading against the backdrop of World War II London. It’s a fast moving read and really dynamic historical fiction. This book will fulfill prompt #28 (A Crossover) of The 52 Book Club 2025 Reading Challenge.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey (6:11 of 9:14). With the return of driving to opera rehearsals, I needed to start another audiobook. Since I have enjoyed Tessa Bailey’s other stories in the series, I decided to keep going. The topic is a little more risqué and can be uncomfortable for some readers. The jury is still out on how I feel about this one, but I have to give Bailey credit — I’m still listening and plan to finish the story.

March in Review

As anticipated, my reading numbers have gone down in the month of March. Still, I am already nearly halfway to my goal of reading 52 books in 2025….so I’m not that upset about not meeting my complete goal for the month. Here’s what I accomplished in March, 2025.

  • Books read in March: 5 (down 2 from February)
    • 2 audio
    • 3 physical books
    • 5 fiction
  • Pages read in March: 1,830 (down 231 pages from February)
  • Highest rated: Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey (4.75 stars)
  • Lowest rated: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (2.0 stars)

What’s Ahead in April

I still need to tie up a few loose ends from my March reading plan. I’m definitely finishing The Last Bookshop in London this week. That will just leave Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister to round out March’s reading. However, I have a sneaky suspicion that I may push this novel back into the summer. Since the children’s opera I am currently playing is a retelling of a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, I really don’t think this is the best time to read a retelling of another classic tale.

Here’s what is planned for April. I’m really excited about a few of these….and there are a few that are causing me a moment of pause.

  • Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
  • Paradise Lost by John Milton
  • Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
  • Department of Speculation by Jenny Offill
  • The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Next Monday is the beginning of opera week. It may take me a day or two to get my post written, but I promise that you will hear how things are going as I continue Reading for Me.

Until next time,

Kennith

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Jan 13

Tons of Snow! (January 13, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

It happens every year, it seems. Mother Nature decides that I should stay in Arkansas a few days longer than planned. This year was no exception as 7 inches of snow fell on the Geriatric Ward on Friday. Thankfully, this was not an ice event so we didn’t have to worry about losing power. Through all the cold temps, I maintained my reading pace. Once classes begin for the term, I anticipate that I’ll have to hit the brakes. Until then, I’m going to continue enjoying all of this “Reading for Me!”

What I Finished This Week

Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. Once again, Jeffrey Archer provides an excellent story. Two boys are born on the same day on opposite sides of the world. William Kane is raised in a wealthy Boston family, set to inherit his family’s fortune and position as the chairman of the bank. Abel Rosnovski is the illegitimate son of a Polish baron who finds himself watching his family die at the hands of the Russians, spending years in a work camp, before emigrating to the US. Abel inherits a hotel chain after the horror of the 1929 Crash, causing his path to finally cross with Kane. From this initial meeting, the two men’s hatred for each other grows daily. Archer weaves a powerful story of greed, hatred, misunderstandings, and love set against major events in American history. I used this read for prompt more than a million copies sold in The 52 Book Club 2025 Reading Challenge. 4.75 of 5 stars.

Filthy Gods by R. Scarlet. I needed a prompt for A prequel and anticipated needing something short for the beginning of the Spring term of classes this month. (I had no idea that I would have such a productive beginning to my reading experience.) This was supposed to serve as the prequel to the American Gods series (never finished) about four young socialites at Yale University. It was a quick read and that was the best thing this romance had going for it. 3 stars.

The Takeover by T.L. Swan. If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I read the first book in The Miles High series and really enjoyed it. I decided to continue through the series and found this novel even more enjoyable. This time, Tristan (another of the Miles brothers) develops feelings for a mother of three sons who is still grieving the loss of her husband nearly five years ago in a tragic car accident. Because of her responsibilities to her children and her husband’s memory, the woman has not allowed herself to consider dating. Tristan, however, cannot get her out of his mind. The two have a tryst while attending a conference in Paris. Their paths further entwine when the widow’s oldest son is awarded an internship with Tristan’s company. Full of twists and turns, this very spicy romance is a beautiful exploration of the definition of family, grief, adoption, and love. 4 stars.

D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton. Returning to the 2025 Reading Challenge, I needed to read a book by an author who had received the Edgar Award. I planned this book for my January reads for a couple of reasons. 1) I despise mysteries and wanted to get this prompt off my plate as soon as possible. 2) I purchased a collection of Grafton’s mysteries on a whim during a trip to Half Price Books in Oklahoma City. Since I didn’t have to invest any money and the book was close at hand, it was selected for the read. The plot is pretty much what I expected. A recently released convict engages our P.I. to deliver a sizable cashier’s check to the child of one of his victims. A few days after this meeting, the convict is found dead on the beach. The police have ruled the death accidental; but our heroine knows that something more is going on. She interviews possible suspects, finds herself in danger, and ultimately discovers the identity of the murderer. Meh. 2.5 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Casanova by T.L. Swan (p. 116 of 507). Book three in The Miles High series has not gotten off to a good start for this reader. I found the characters of Eliot and Kathryn to be annoying and petty. However, with a humorous turn of events, I’m now getting a little more invested in their story. Here’s hoping that it eventually reaches the same level of enjoyable reading as the previous books in the series.

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding (p. 19 of 271). I wanted to at least start this book before returning to Texas. It’s another selection for the 2025 Reading Challenge; I need to read a book with a diary entry. I’ve heard great things about the movie, so I wanted to see what the book would be like. I’m not far enough into the book to have formed an opinion.

The Pretenders of Copper County by May Archer (4:35 of 9:45). A long drive (and another one ahead later this week) means I need to add an audiobook to my reading. I didn’t really plan in advance, so I simply made a selection quickly — and it turned out to be pretty good. Chris needs protection while members of his family testify against a crime syndicate. After attacks on the safe house, he and his protector find themselves in the small town of Copper County. Their cover story? Newlyweds! It’s a hysterical story of what is the cover story and what are real feelings. I’m anxious to see how this one is going to turn out.

What’s Ahead?

Later this week, I will be traveling to participate in the Oklahoma Music Educators’ Conference. I won’t be attending many of the sessions; instead, I’ll be sitting in a booth to share information about the school. Between the evenings and slow times in the booth, I anticipate having some time to read. My plan is to finish the Fielding book and get started on the last of the 2025 Reading Challenge books that I have selected for January – The Princess Bride. We will all find out how things went next Monday.

Until then, I bid you happy reading!

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Jan 6

Out with the Old, In with the New (January 6, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

The end of the year was a bit of a whirlwind. My parents were both off work much of the week. (Indeed, the 85 and 88-year-olds still work full time!) While I adore the Geriatrics, having them home meant that there was constant activity and very little quiet in the house. Add in a health scare for my Dad on Sunday evening and you have the recipe for getting less reading in than I had hoped. Still, I’m happy to have made some progress and getting close to adding my first completed prompt to the 2025 challenge.

What I Finished This Week

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke. I managed to finish reading this cozy little mystery on New Year’s Eve as my final book of 2024, bringing my final tally to 45 books for the year. Murder mysteries are not usually a good fit for me, but I’m noticing that as I read more of them, I am getting more comfortable with the form and relaxing into the reading experience. Hannah is a baker in a small Minnesota town that is rocked when the beloved dairy delivery man is murdered. Since she was the one who discovered the body — and since her brother-in-law is on the police force — it is only natural that Hannah use her powers of observation to solve the crime and keep her customers safe! I found Hannah and her family charming. What I found a little bothersome as I read was when Fluke would insert mundane scenes into the plot to give Hannah some normalcy. While there were some elements of flirtation and possible romance included in the storytelling, it was not overt and did not distract from the story. Truthfully, it made for a very charming ending that also served as a great connection to the next book in this franchise. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder was not the worst thing that I have ever read; it was the perfect kind of filler I needed while waiting to begin my next read. 2.5 stars

The Stopover by T.L. Swan. The first book of 2025 was not actually meant for any of the 52 Book Club prompts. Since I was reading a bit of a brick for my first prompt (see below), I thought it would be nice to have a fluff piece going on my Kindle to read at night. Once I got my nose into this spicy romance, I couldn’t put it down. After being upgraded to first class on her flight, Emily meets a handsome stranger. When their flight is diverted due to weather conditions, the two share a night that neither will forget. A year later, Emily begins a new job and discovers that the handsome stranger from her flight is the angry, wealthy CEO who is now her boss. Which one of these men is the real Jameson Miles? The charming man from the flight or the a**hole she now works for?

This was an incredibly spicy open-door romance that was exciting and intriguing from the start. I was visibly angry with many of Jameson’s choices while reading — what a total jerk! Unfortunately, the resolution as the novel came to its close felt rushed and a huge letdown after an emotional journey for this reader. 3.75 stars

What I’m Currently Reading

Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer (p. 545 of 637). I decided to knock out one of my larger books before returning to the classroom next week. Previously, I have read The Clifton Chronicles and thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. Knowing that I enjoy Archer’s writing, I decided to read the book that began his career. I anticipate getting very close to finishing later today, but I didn’t want to delay getting my blog post written too long. I’ll have a full review for you in next week’s post. I’m using this for prompt # 26 – More than a million copies sold. (According to the book’s cover, over 30 million copies have been sold.)

Filthy Gods by R. Scarlett (p. 37 of 168). I am very early in the reading of this short novel that I’m using to fulfill prompt #11 – A prequel. I selected this book because most of the other prequels I found were in the sci-fi realm that I really don’t enjoy. This book hasn’t grabbed my attention fully because I am so engrossed in the saga of William and Abel as told by Archer. I’ll definitely have more to say next week.

What’s Next?

I haven’t decided if I’m going to tackle D is for Deadbeat (Sue Grafton) or Bridget Jones’ Diary (Helen Fielding) next. I’m not always fond of mysteries, so I might get that one knocked out while I can. But there is also something enticing about enjoying a funny read before heading back to Texas for the semester. Decisions, decisions….

Until next Monday, I wish you all happy reading!

~Kennith

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Sep 23

The One with an Eye Infection (September 23, 2024)

by kennithfreeman

Last week, the crud that kept on giving in the music department decided to throw me an additional curve. On Tuesday night, I began to feel a stye forming in my right eye. I’ve had them before and normally they can just be treated with warm compresses and a little TLC. Things felt different on Wednesday morning, so I headed straight to the local optometrist because I am not going to fool around with my eyes!

Long story short, somehow the respiratory infection found its way to my eye. I was prescribed a salve to apply to the lower eyelid — the INNER lid actually — as well as a Z-Pak. I would eventually figure out how to apply the salve effectively. The Z-Pak, however, made me so sick on the first day that I decided it wasn’t worth the effort. I cannot handle nausea at all!

Since my eye was infected, reading was not all that fun this week for several days. Thankfully, my eye was significantly better by Friday afternoon and I was able to get back to a reading routine that resulted in more than just my minimum daily goal. Despite all of the challenges, I had a finish this week!

What I Finished Reading

As Sure As the Dawn by Francine Rivers. This final volume of The Mark of the Lion trilogy was not what I expected. The now free gladiator Artestres returned to Germania with his Roman wife and a Roman centurion. As they desired to share the gospel with the village that Artestres called home, they were faced with pagan rituals. This volume was much darker and filled with the miraculous. The dead were raised, spiritual warfare was a central part of the story, the gift of tongues was used to share faith with non-Greek speakers. All in all, it was a fascinating story but certainly not what I was expecting from what I would consider mass market Christian fiction.

What I’m Currently Reading

Although I made no additional progress this week, I still have plans to read No Book Beginners by Tim Topham. Since I just finished the Francine Rivers book yesterday, I’m looking for a new start. I pulled a couple of things from my book shelf, but nothing struck my fancy. A package from the Book of the Month Club arrived this afternoon, so I think I’m going to start making my way through one of them. You’ll have to join me next Monday to see what I actually end up reading.

Happy reading, y’all!

~Kennith

Christian fiction historical

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Sep 9

Fall Is Coming! (September 9, 2024)

by kennithfreeman

The weather is getting cooler. We experienced a few rain showers. I enjoyed a relaxing weekend at home after getting the first full week of playing up and running. No students or pianists were harmed in this endeavor. Of course, my annual friend chest congestion made an appearance. Fortunately, Mucinex seems to be doing the job of keeping things under control and not allowing this unwelcome friend to set up permanent residence.

There was also some reading that happened this week and some decisions made. Here’s the scoop….

What I Finished Reading

The Rookie by Jim Morris. I shouldn’t have been surprised that I enjoyed this memoir as much as I did. After all, it was a baseball book. But it was so much more. It was a story of fear, failure, family, and frustration. It was a story of dreams delayed and dreams fulfilled. It was encouraging and challenging. It was the perfect read for the beginning of a new semester and a new group of freshman students in my world.

What I Stopped Reading

The Artist as Citizen by Joseph Polizi. The more I read in this collection of speeches, the more I realized that the era that Polizi addressed was not the art world that I currently reside in. There were interesting points to consider, but the book was not speaking to me. Besides, there were other books sitting nearby in the office waiting for my attention. This volume had become a drudge and a duty. That’s not what I want my reading life to be about any more.

What I Am Currently Reading

No Book Beginners: A Step-By-Step Framework for Creative Piano Teaching by Tim Topham. (p. 18 of 194) One of the books that was calling from the corner of my desk was this one. A leader in modern music instruction, Topham is calling for a new approach to piano instruction. Following an approach more akin to language learning, Topham suggests that students first explore the language of music before the process of learning to read and write begins. This approach would pull teachers away from traditional piano methods and require more activity-driven instruction of students as they discover musical concepts. While the traditionalist in me is a little apprehensive of the prospect, the educator in me is intrigued. I’m not sure what I’ll find, but I’m looking forward to making my way through this book slowly in the weeks ahead.

As Sure As the Dawn by Francine Rivers. (p. 45 of 473) In this final novel in the Mark of the Lion trilogy, Rivers focuses on the story of Atretes. Atretes was a gladiator who purchased his freedom from the arena and has since discovered that his child lives. I’m still very early in the story, so I’m not entirely sure where we will be heading. I am excited to see how things will be tied up in this final episode of the saga and trust that I will enjoy this novel as much as I have the rest of the series.

There you have it. Happy reading, y’all!

~Kennith

fiction historical memoir music

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