Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

Feb 16

Another Year Older (February 16, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Now that I look at what I managed to accomplish this week in my reading life, I have to admit that I am surprised that I got anything done. This week, I traveled to San Antonio for an annual music conference. Typically, my days there are full of talking to potential students and teachers. That means there isn’t much time for anything else. Life had other plans this year as I spent 72 hours in my hotel room horribly sick and missed the conference entirely! During those three days, there wasn’t a lot of reading happening either. Oh….and one of those days in San Antonio was my birthday. I celebrated by enjoying a bland turkey sandwich at the end of the day that managed to sit comfortably on my stomach. C’est la vie!

What I Finished Reading This Week

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. I knew I was a fan of Yarros’ writing from my reading of Fourth Wing last year. I had no idea that she had also written contemporary literature that wasn’t based in a fantasy world. From the very beginning of the novel, I was hooked. The story centers around Beckett and Ella. Ella is a single mother, struggling to raise her twin children and manage her business. When her brother, Mac, is killed in action a world away, Ella’s world shatters. Mac’s last request to Beckett is that he return to Colorado to help Ella. Ella and Beckett have never met in person, but they have been exchanging letters. Ella has fallen in love with the man on the other end of the conversation, but she only knows him by his call sign, Chaos. When Beckett arrives, Ella’s daughter is fighting for her life after a recent diagnosis of neuroblastoma. This is a lovely story of chosen family and true love while exploring issues such as abandonment, depression, chronic illness, and death. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby — especially as you near the end of the novel. 5 stars.

The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe. As I mentioned last week, this audiobook is part memoir and part vignettes in the style of The Rest of the Story. I found the book entertaining as I was able to slip in and out of the conversation because of the short readings. After a while, the format became mundane and I was just ready for it to come to an end. 3 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (p. 181 of 281). Illness took me off my pace of reading this book, but I really am enjoying the epistolary style. It’s charming to read of a senior citizen making her way through retirement as she manages relationships with her children, learns of a sibling she has never met, and serves as an advocate for a child who is being bullied and has become suicidal as a result. Because of the style, it is a fast read, but each letter is written so beautifully that I find myself luxuriating in the prose. Because of the inspiration of this novel, I have renewed my membership with International Pen Friends and am awaiting my list of pen pals that should arrive in a few weeks. It’s going to be fun to start writing to people again.

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (p. 152 of 403). I selected this book because I have begun watching the Netflix series of the same name and have really enjoyed it. Additionally, I had a great time reading portions of Connelly’s Harry Bosch series. The book also seemed to be a good fit for the February “This or That” mini-challenge – “Crime” or “Punishment.” I started the ebook on Saturday evening and downloaded the audiobook for the drive back from San Antonio. I made a good start and now that I’m into the routine and the story, I’m finding this a very fast read.

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Sep 22

Tired Eyes (September 22, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

It seems as though allergens have been in the air all week. Despite taking all the allergy medicines, my eyes have been paying the price. They have felt puffy, itchy, dry, and just plain tired. I know it won’t be an issue always; just for a few weeks as things begin to calm down with the arrival of fall. It can’t get here soon enough.

Combine tired eyes with less than stellar reading selections and you have a perfect formula for a rough reading week. I made progress through both reads this week, but only because I set daily goals for my reading and tried to stay on top of it. This week’s books were not what I had hoped they would be. That makes me second guess my plans for what to read next because I really need to be pulled into a story now to get me back into a healthy reading routine.

What I Finished This Week

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry. I needed to read a book with a celebrity on the cover. This was a free book through Kindle Unlimited, so I decided it would be the selection. I should remember that often there is a reason the book is free. Knowing how Perry’s life tragically ended just a few years after the publication of the book should have been my first red flag. The book centered on Perry’s struggles with addiction throughout his life and how drugs and alcohol impacted his career, relationships, and health. At times, the text read as though it was blaming his addiction on everyone else but himself — a parent’s choice to allow him to fly as an unaccompanied minor or a woman who didn’t love him enough to stay despite his struggles. While I was hopeful to hear about his encounter with God, I found his relationship with a “higher power” unsettling. At times, I almost DNF’d the book because of the way Perry spoke to God; it was almost blasphemous. As you can tell, this was not a good fit for me at all. My rating is based solely on the fact that Perry was a gifted wordsmith. 2.75 stars.

To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage. What began as a very positive reading experience quickly turned to a story of selfishness in the midst of family struggles. Last weekend, I expected this to be a book all about fulfilling one’s goals by overcoming obstacles. While there was an element of that in the conversation, To The Moon and Back was more focused on human sexuality and a person’s willingness to do anything necessary to obtain their dreams — whether that meant fighting a shark or betraying a sister. Truthfully, it felt as though the author lost her way about halfway through the novel when things took a turn in the plot’s construction. Ramage tried too hard to make the text make a political argument that didn’t do the story any favors. 3 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

This has proven to be more complicated that I anticipated. It was late on Sunday evening when I finished reading To the Moon and Back. (I really just wanted to get that book done so I could start something new.) I planned to read Night Over Water by Ken Follett this week because of how much I had enjoyed my experiences with his other works, specifically the Century Trilogy and The Pillars of the Earth. (I must admit that Never left me a bit apathetic after reading it.) While Night Over Water sounds intriguing, as I sat down to begin reading today, the book is just not hitting me at the moment. So, I’ll head home this afternoon and peruse my TBR shelf for something that will captivate my imagination. It will be a surprise to all of us what turns up as the week’s featured book.

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Sep 15

Unexpected Pleasures (September 15, 2025)

by kennithfreeman

In the midst of a really busy week, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had selected a couple of very enjoyable books. One was enjoyable because it stretched my mind and comfort level — even though I didn’t really “enjoy” the story itself. The other was a surprise as I found myself drawn into a world of fantasy — complete with magic and dragons!

What I Finished This Week

The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni. This thriller toed the line between thriller and horror. The thriller was about a woman who was accused of murdering her boyfriend in a historic home. Turns out the two had unlocked a portal for a demon to torment them as they toyed with a possessed porcelain doll. Creepy, right?!? While I found the story of the doll’s creation interesting and was intrigued by the religious implications of the “God Puzzle” at the center of the story, I just didn’t enjoy the horror aspect of the novel. (Truthfully, I’m a wimp when it comes to reading stories about spiritual beings. It’s just not my jam.) Despite thinking about DNFing The Puzzle Master several times, I was just too far into the story to let it lie. I needed to know how it ended. After finishing the novel, I found that there is another novel featuring the puzzle maker at the center of the story. While he was a likable character, I don’t anticipate returning for another adventure into Trussoni’s universe. 3 stars.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. I have never been a huge fan of fantasy. (I even had to educate myself on what this genre was really called!) Magic and mythological creatures really are not good plot points for me. However, I did find Fourth Wing to be an exception to the rule for me. Why? I think it really had to do with the focus on the human stories of the characters before introducing the major fantasy aspects. I found myself invested in the stories of Violet, Dain, and Xanos before I even saw the first dragon. Now that I’ve read the first installment in The Empyrean series, I think I’m going to have to see what happens next. (Major cliffhanger, Batman!) I won’t be continuing right away, but I have a feeling I will check out Iron Flame when I finish the 2025 challenge. 4 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage (p. 114 of 427). This novel was a new start on Saturday afternoon after I was done with work for the day. It was a Book of the Month selection for September 2025; I decided to read it to fulfill the prompt that there was a moon on the cover. Despite having read very little of the book so far, here’s what I know. Steph is of Cherokee descent and dreams of leaving rural Oklahoma to pursue a better education and ultimately become an astronaut. The story is filled with issues related to abuse, poverty, embarrassment, and lack of concern for tribal traditions. It has proven to be a powerful read while presenting opposing sides of the tradition versus progress argument that continues to be at play among Indigenous peoples.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry (p. 27 of 250). Ever since starting the 2025 reading challenge, I had considered this book as a possible option for one with a celebrity on the cover. There was something about reading the memoir after Perry’s tragic death that kept me from wanting to read the book. However, as I was looking for something else to read digitally this week, I stumbled across the book in my Kindle Unlimited subscription. I guess it was just meant to be. I’ll have a much clearer picture of what I think of the memoir next week.

What’s Up Next?

Although plans can always change based on my reading mood, I think I’m going to dive into Ken Follett’s Night Over Water for my next read. It is close to 450 pages, so I want to make sure that I have some dedicated time to read it without too many distractions. I’ve enjoyed almost everything else I’ve read by Follett, so my expectations are high and I think I will probably need the change of pace after the heaviness of my current reads.

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Nov 12

A Mixture of Singing and Hacking (Nov 12, 2024)

by kennithfreeman

I apologize, dear reader, for visiting with you a day later than normal. I spent much of last week at Sam Houston State University for a voice competition. I accompanied a few students between bouts of coughing up a lung. Yes, as usual for my annual NATS visit, I fought the crud…and the crud won.

I struggled with my reading this week. Have you ever noticed how much the book in your hand moves when you are trying to extract a lung via your sore throat? Yeah, that’s a real thing! I did manage to do some listening during the cross-state drive and completed an audio book. I’ll take that as a win!

What I Finished This Week

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. This audio memoir was a beautiful look at success through the eyes of the beloved food icon. From negative messages from her childhood through the beliefs of the day that a woman only went to college to find “her man”, Ina shares a lovely tale of how she views obstacles as inconveniences rather than roadblocks. Tell her she can’t do something, Ina will look for a way to achieve her dreams rather than being stifled. The story of her marriage to Jeffrey Garten and their ensuing challenges as career-driven newlyweds was inspiring and a lesson in the power of compromise when both parties lovingly speak truth despite the uncomfortable situation. Personally, I also loved Ina’s story about leaving the high-powered world of Washington, D.C. politics to pursue her passion for food, despite the outcries of others. I have always appreciated the simplicity of Ina’s food; now that I understand that the same philosophy guides her relationships and business pursuits, I am a bigger fan of this successful woman. If you’ve ever found yourself drawn to The Barefoot Contessa and couldn’t really explain why, I encourage you to take a look at this memoir. I highly recommend the audio book. It feels as though you are sitting down for a cup of coffee with a new friend who is sharing story after story with you as the two of you laugh together.

What I’m Currently Reading

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes (p. 225 of 369). Despite only getting another 100 hundred pages into the novel this week, I’m still hooked by the story. Our unlikely quintet has made it to Scotland for the Math Olympics. Along the way, the children have connected with Mr. Nicholls while Jess is beginning to have to admit to herself that the man who has freely driven them across the country is not such a jerk after all. In fact, Jess might just be attracted to him. The book does contain triggers of bullying, domestic abuse, and betrayal. I know I said that I wanted to finish it last week…..but this week, I really intend to finish this great novel and get started on another one!

Just a Bit of Accountability

Each year, I set two major reading goals for the year. First, I set a target for the number of books that I hope to read in the new year. Then I set a target for a gross number of pages. For 2024, the two goals are 40 books completed and a minimum of 15,000 pages. (Pages of books that I ultimately DNF count toward my total page count.)

Since it is now November, it’s time to look at where things stand and what I have ahead in the next 6 weeks if I plan to reach my goal. Currently, I have read 12,037 pages which is about 80% of my total goal of 15,000 pages. Just under 3,000 pages in 6 weeks? I think I might actually be able to do this if I can get back into the reading routine. (Just so we are all clear, I also include audio books in my total pages. So a drive to the Geriatric Ward in a few weeks and flights over the Thanksgiving holidays should help me get close to the goal.)

The number of books might be a different story. Currently, I’m sitting at 30 books completed. I’m pleased with what I have accomplished this year in my reading life, but I know that I hit a few weeks where reading was just not happening in my corner of the world. 10 books in 6 weeks is certainly possible, but that would mean I would need to finish approximately 1.66 books per week. That’s not a normal reading pace for me normally. I’m not going to give up on this goal just yet, but what I am able to accomplish in the coming week will tell a lot about the story. Plus, I get to decorate for Christmas while I’m at home in a couple of weeks…..and that’s not going to involve much reading. If I select some lighter reads and dive into some “fluff”, I can probably reach the goal. But do I think reaching the goal of total books read a worthy goal to read books that aren’t as personally enriching? Decisions, decisions!

Next week, I should get back to my normal routine of posting on Monday. Until then, happy reading!

~Kennith

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Nov 4

A Week of Music (November 4, 2024)

by kennithfreeman

I know….given my job, every week should be filled with music. Believe me, it is and I love it. This week, however, seemed to have more music than normal with a recital hearing, a recital performance, and lots of final preparations for the upcoming NATS competition in Huntsville, Texas. I’ve been making lots of music and simply getting by in my reading life. However, I did decide that it was time to return to audio books as well just to make sure my reading life continues to progress during the busy season that comes at the end of the semester.

What I’m Currently Reading

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes (p. 126 of 369) With lots of evening engagements this week and struggles with my allergies (ugh!), I’m just about 1/3 of the way through. Since our last check-in, Tanzie has been entered in a Math Olympic competition up in Scotland that will cover the remaining portion of the massive tuition. Through a sort of comedy of errors, Jess and her children end up getting a ride from Ed, one of the homeowners that Jess works for. The situation is always awkward and the discomfort between the adults is in sharp contrast with Ed’s interactions with the children. Although the plot has moved a bit slower than I anticipated, the character interaction is hysterically funny and I am always anxious to get back into the pages of the book. I’m hoping that I’ll have some down time while I’m in Huntsville and can find a quiet corner to read for a bit.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (audio book, 3:18 of 8:47) My family has watched cooking television shows as long as I can remember. When Food Network finally made its way into the Geriatric Ward, that became a standard channel for our television viewing. That’s where I first met Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. My parents were never fans of Garten, but I was oddly drawn to her elegance and simple table settings even if I rarely wanted to make the recipes. I couldn’t put my finger on why, but I found the Contessa to be very calming. When I stumbled on this memoir in my Audible account, I knew it would be a great fit for me.

Thus far, I’ve heard about Ina’s childhood and how she met her husband, Jeffrey. I laughed at their adventures camping through Europe between Jeffrey’s discharge from the Army and the beginning of graduate school. I smiled as I listened to Ina recount how she came to own the Barefoot Contessa just off of Long Island. It is so encouraging to hear that “if you do what you love, you will be successful.”

I’m looking forward to driving nearly 8 hours tomorrow because I plan to have my new friend, Ina, tagging along and telling me the rest of her story.

Here’s hoping that we all have successful weeks in the pages of our selected books.

~Kennith

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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

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Sep 2

Happy Labor Day! (September 2, 2024)

by kennithfreeman

Ah….the joy of a long weekend at the very beginning of the semester. After getting things up and running and beginning to get into the groove of how things are going to go, I get a day off. That’s the perfect time for my allergies to begin causing problems and congestion to settle into my chest. Just what I had hoped for!

The week has been pretty good overall. Lots of things accomplished in the office, practicing again with some regularity as my arm continues to heal, and still managing to do some reading. At the moment, I’m fighting through a bit of a reading slump after powering through the final book of #BigBookSummer. Let me tell you what I’ve finished, what I thought, and what I’m reading now.

What I Finished

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult. I am conflicted about this book. It was an interesting premise — Did Shakespeare actually write all of those plays and poems or were they purchased from other individuals, including women? The plight of women to receive equal footing and respect in modern society is certainly an issue worthy of discussion. Sadly, this book did not arouse the type of response in this reader that I expect when I come to one of Picoult’s books. I expect to have to think critically about important issues from perspectives that may challenge me and make me uncomfortable. By Any Other Name felt like a history lesson about a little-known female author fighting against a system that simply wasn’t going to change. I get that Picoult was pointing out how women have been fighting the same battle for centuries, but the historical fiction almost made the plight seem hopeless. When reading about the modern playwright who was deceptive, manipulative, and dishonest in order to get her play read — and then pouted when her plot blew up in her face — I was not cheering for her. Honestly, I was rather pleased that she got what she deserved. Dishonesty is never the way to bring about societal change. So, I’ve put this book on a low shelf of my bookcase and don’t plan to recommend it to other readers. I’ll just pretend that Picoult didn’t write it and continue to enjoy most of her other works.

What I’m Currently Reading

Plans changed this week and I didn’t pick up the Sue Grafton novel I mentioned last week. I also didn’t finish reading my office book….because work was BUSY! Here’s where things stand at the moment.

The Artist as Citizen by Joseph Polizi (p. 54 of 178). I chose this book for my office read because it is a compilation of speeches given about the role of the arts in American society and the artist’s responsibility as a member of society. What I failed to realize is that the quickly changing conversations in these speeches left me not necessarily wanting to dive back into the reading. So I am not making much progress through it. I’m hoping that I can force myself to continue reading the speeches this week and get closer to a conclusion. That’s also why I didn’t choose to begin another novel this week.

The Rookie by Jim Morris and Joel Engel (p. 59 of 276). A baseball memoir should be an obvious choice for me. I am finding myself drawn into the story of a west Texas boy drafted into the Big Leagues despite the obstacles, but as I have struggled with my allergies at the end of the week and needed to take care of a few things around the apartment, I haven’t done as much reading as I had hoped. Thankfully, this is a really fast read and not requiring a ton of effort to make progress. After reading several dense, big books recently, this short memoir will be a nice change of pace.

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

~Kennith

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Aug 19

Where’s the Thermostat? (Aug 19, 2024)

by kennithfreeman

It’s hot! That’s all there is to it….it’s hot! This week, we have been soaring anywhere between 100-110 F and relief can’t come soon enough. So no one complained too much that we had tons of meetings that kept us in the same room for hours on end and out of this oppressive heat.

Combine the heat with lots of beginning of the semester meetings and my brain is officially fried. Trying to start an online class while getting ready for traditional classes that start in just a few days has me pulling my hair out a little bit. I know I’ll get there. I just might not “really” be ready for everything. One more day to try to put out the biggest fires before we welcome our students back.

Somehow, the heat and meetings didn’t completely stifle my reading this week. I’m feeling pretty comfortable with the progress I have made and look forward to what’s ahead this week in my reading chair.

What I Finished

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. It took longer than I had planned to finish Vance’s memoir, but I really enjoyed his insightful analysis of rural southern life. So much of what he said parallels my own experiences. I find his ideas about the roles of parents and teachers in education as well as his thoughts about the paths to higher education fascinating. I don’t know that I agree with everything he proposes, but I think there are some conversations that need to be had in our nation.

What I’m Currently Reading

An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers (p. 328 of 432). The end of this second volume of Mark of the Lion is quickly winding down. Hadassah is now known by the name Rapha — Healer — to conceal her identity from those who would do her harm. That name gives us insight into what this novel is all about. Julia suffers from an illness resulting from her immoral choices. Phoebe’s illness comes on suddenly and without explanation. Marcus is simply lost and needs to be healed of his painful memories, guilt, and sin. As each of their stories progress, they again encounter Hadassah, and, more importantly, her God. While this installment of the trilogy has been darker in tone, I still find myself enjoying the movement of the Spirit across each page as the characters’ sagas unfold.

What’s On the Horizon

I need a break from 1st century Rome and my reprieve will arrive tomorrow in the form of Jodi Picoult’s newest novel, By Any Other Name. I know nothing about the story and really don’t care. It has become a tradition in my reading life to simply pick up everything Picoult publishes and inhale it. So I hope no one really needs much of my time this week…..I’m gonna have my nose in a book!

Happy reading, y’all! See you next Monday.

~Kennith

Big Book Summer Christian fiction historical memoir

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Aug 12

Back in West Texas (August 12, 2024)

by kennithfreeman

Greetings from the HOT plains of west Texas! I started the drive back to my normal life on Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Plainview on Thursday….just in time to do some work on Friday before online classes began. What a whirlwind! Thankfully, I was able to get back into a semblance of my normal routine without too much difficulty and my reading life continues on mostly uninterrupted.

What I Finished This Week

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. I was frantically reading this book in the Geriatric Ward throughout the day on Tuesday since it wasn’t my copy and it was so good that I wanted to make sure Mom had access to start reading it soon. I gushed about how much I enjoyed this read in last week’s post, so I’ll spare you a repeat. What I will say is that the ending TOTALLY surprised me and I was reading the last several pages through tears. Really phenomenal story telling that also tugged at my heart strings.

What I’m Currently Reading

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (p. 152 of 257). You will understand in a matter of moments why I’m still not finished with this book since the Rivers’ novel is completed. I’m still enjoying the memoir, but with all of the hatred that is being spewed on social media at the moment, I’m drawn to fiction over non-fiction at the moment.

An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers (p. 124 of 432). Since I was driving through OKC this week, a stop at Half-Price Books was in order. That meant that I absolutely HAD to pick up the remaining two volumes in Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series because I’m desperate to know how Marcus, Julia, and Hadassah’s stories all play out! That also meant that I had to start reading the second volume — because clearly I have no self-restraint! I anticipate that this will be my last book of #BigBookSummer, but we will just have to wait and see how long it takes me to get through this one. This installment has a darker tone at the opening than A Voice in the Wind and the addition of some new characters have made for some minor challenges in getting my head wrapped around the storyline. But I’m moving forward.

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Aug 5

Summer Vacation Must End (August 5, 2024)

by kennithfreeman

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

Big Book Summer Christian historical memoir

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