Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

Jun 8

Reading at 35,000 Feet (June 8, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

This week was always going to be about travel and reading. Things did not go as planned however. On Saturday morning, I boarded flights to spend the rest of the summer in Honolulu to do some teaching and community relations. While over the Pacific, I received a text message from my brother informing me that my dad had suffered a stroke and was to undergo immediate emergency surgery. By the time I landed, the surgery was over and had been declared a success. There were still several obstacles to overcome.

I headed to housing and that’s when it hit me — all of the stress, uncertainty, and the tears. I called my dean (still sorry about the late call — blasted time zones!) and expressed how I was feeling. Thankfully, everyone involved was incredibly supportive and I was told to get back to Arkansas post haste and not worry about anything else. Just 7 hours after landing on the island, I was back in the air and retracing my steps in a roundabout way.

Books were my constant companion this week. For that, I am extremely grateful.

What I Finished This Week

Protected by the Biker by Logan Chance. When the summer reading challenge appeared from The 52 Book Club, I was intrigued and immediately wanted to start reading. My first prompt for this summer reading game was a book with a four-word title in the romance genre. Since I had some travel coming up later in the week, I didn’t want to start another physical book that would add to my baggage. So I checked out what had recently been added to my Kindle as free purchases. That’s where I found Protected by the Biker. The only thing I can positively say about this one is that it was short, didn’t cost me anything, and introduced me to a new author. At less than 80 pages in length, there was no time to really develop the story line fully. It felt more like an outline for a potential story rather than something fully developed. 2 stars.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page. What an outstanding book! It had me laughing, reflecting, and crying — sometimes without even turning a page. Tilly and Joe are a perfect love story. Living in London, they are setting out on their new life together. Then tragedy strikes. Joe is diagnosed with cancer and passes away. Tilly is left alone to grieve, survive, and somehow continue living. Six months after Joe’s death, Tilly receives a rather strange call from the local bookstore — they have a book ready for her to pick up; the book was ordered by her husband, Joe. When she hesitantly arrives in the shop to accept the gift, she learns that Joe has actually gifted her with a year of books — one book each month. What follows is one of the best stories I have encountered in a very long time. Join Tilly as she rediscovers her love of reading, boldly accepts challenges and embarks on exciting adventures — all inspired by the books that Joe gifted her. This was my first experience with Libby Page’s work, but it will certainly not be my last! Her writing is effortless and full of emotion. I’m definitely a new fan. 5 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (p. 763 of 886). Lots of time on an airplane this weekend meant that I got a lot of this book read. I really thought I would have another finish before posting today, but my body decided it needed sleep far worse than mental stimulation. As always, Yarros delivers another great read. This installment feels a little more mature than Fourth Wing, especially the relationship between Xaden and Violet. As I get close to the end, I’m ready for the story to come to a major pausing point so I can get out of the realm of fantasy for a few days.

Our Secret Summer by R.S. Grey (6:57 of 10:11). After the death of her twin sister, Isabella decides to head to Ibiza as her sister had planned and complete her bucket list of activities. The list includes everything from swimming in the ocean, cliff diving, going skinny dipping, and falling in love with a sexy Spanish man. Charmingly written and full of personality and warmth, Our Secret Summer has been a very enjoyable read far.

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May 25

Big Book Summer Has Arrived! (May 25, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Happy Memorial Day! I am writing in a hotel near the Austin airport early on Monday morning. Later this afternoon, I’ll finish my time with the 2026 State Solo & Ensemble contest and begin the trek to Arkansas. It’s been an okay week with lots of reading and the start of a summer challenge that had honestly slipped my mind. I’ll tell you more about “Big Book Summer” later in this post and the books that I have tentatively lined up for the challenge.

But first, let’s get to the reading!

What I Finished This Week

That Second Chance by Meghan Quinn. I didn’t expect to enjoy this romance as much as I did. Truthfully, it was an audio selection that was made quickly as I was driving back to Plainview from Dallas. I anticipated it being more “noise” than an enthralling listen. I’m very glad that I was wrong. As I shared in last week’s post, the story centers around Griffin and Ren. Griffin is a widower still mourning the loss of his young wife just two years ago. Just before the tragedy, Griffin and his brothers were in New Orleans when they were cursed by a fortune teller. Griffin has lived with his guilt ever since that fateful trip and blames himself for his wife’s death. Out of fear, he refuses to allow anyone else to get close to him because they may also be hurt by the curse. Everything begins to change when he meets Ren, however. This young math teacher finds ways to break down Griffin’s walls and feelings develop. Just as Griffin begins to think that a relationship might be possible, Ren is injured. This is a beautiful story about daring to love, the sacrifices we make to keep others safe, and risking it all for the sake of love. 4.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (p. 348 of 576). I cannot tell you how many times I have pulled this novel off of the shelf to begin reading only to put it back in its spot. It always felt too big….too complex….too much for where I was at the moment. This week, I decided I needed to just bite the bullet and dive in. School is out of session and I had a little more time to settle in for a story that would require more brain power to process. I quickly discovered that Towles is an outstanding writer who weaves an intricate story in such a way that it is very easy to follow while also creating characters with depth. The story centers around Emmett, a young man returning to his Nebraska farm after serving time in a correctional institution for a “crime” that was actually an accident that ultimately led to another boy’s death. Emmett is now responsible for his younger brother, Billy, after the death of their father. Since the family farm is going into foreclosure and Emmett is not welcomed in the small community any longer, he and Billy decide to take the Lincoln Highway west to California in search of a new life — and hopefully a place to belong. Things do not go as planned for the young duo, and they find themselves on a massive adventure across the United States as they encounter a host of colorful characters. In case you can’t tell, I’m really enjoying this read at the moment.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (0:11 of 9:05). I finished an audio book on Saturday and still have a long drive ahead of me on Monday and Tuesday. I can’t believe that I have never read this classic novel, so this seemed like the perfect time to correct that situation. I’m not very far into the novel yet, but I’m planning to make a large dent in it during this first drive.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (p. 27 of 886). I wanted to start a “big book” in a digital format as well over the holiday weekend. I have a physical copy of the novel in the floor of my apartment, so I anticipated reading this book in the fall. When I discovered that it was also included in my Kindle Unlimited subscription, I decided to start it as well. It has been a minute since I read the first book in the series, so it is taking me a second to remember what was happening at the cliffhanger ending. Fantasy is not a normal genre for me, but I did enjoy my time in The Fourth Wing. I’m looking forward to returning to the story again.

Big Books of Summer Planning

Once again this year, I plan to participate in Sue Jackson’s Big Books of Summer reading challenge. The concept is simple — read big books this summer. You set how many you want to read — just one this summer….or one a month…..or something else. For the purposes of this challenge, Sue defines a “big book” as having at least 400 pages. The challenge runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

I have to admit that I had forgotten about the challenge until I saw Sue’s announcement video, so I haven’t done a ton of planning. But things have a way of working out because the book I began this week was a big book! I’m choosing to include it in my summer reading goals even though I started it before May 22.

Here are a few of the books that are on my radar as possible Big Book reads for this summer:

  • The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (576 pages)
  • Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (623 pages)
  • Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (870 pages)
  • The Godfather by Mario Puzo (595 pages)

Obviously, I’m reading the Towles novel this summer. I had already planned to dive into Mario Puzo’s classic since it is needed for the prompt of the novel that inspired the top grossing movie of the year that I was born. This will be my third summer completing the challenge and it has become a bit of a tradition to read one of the Outlander novels — and Voyager is the third in the series. I may try to find another big book to read as an audio book this summer as well. As always, we will just have to see what the summer has in store for my reading adventure.

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May 18

Whirlwind! (May 18, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

What would have normally been a very restful week turned a bit crazy. Last week was final’s week. Typically, I give a few exams, play a handful of juries, submit my grades, and get some work done for the next term. This time, I took care of exams, juries, and grades in a couple of days as I arranged to travel to Memphis for a family funeral. Then I jetted off on Thursday, attended the service on Friday, and cared for my parents over the weekend. Then I jumped back on a plane today to return to Texas to tie up a few loose ends. It was a good trip that I am glad I was able to take, but I’m pooped!

Even though I am feeling a little behind at the moment, I did continue to have a productive reading life. Here’s a quick look at the two books that I read this week as well as the newest audio start. (I still have to decide what physical book I’m going to pick up this week.)

What I Finished This Week

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. With lots of time on a plane traveling back to Arkansas for a few days, I was able to get through the bulk of this novel. I found myself incredibly moved by the story about the power of words to inform, challenge, manipulate, and set individual’s free. Set against the background of World War II Germany, the novel took a rather unique approach to life under the Nazi regime as Leisel and her family figured out how to survive while still standing for what they viewed as right. The relationship between a young Leisel, Papa, and Max – the Jew hiding in the family’s basement – will forever be in my heart and mind. I especially enjoyed the narration by Death himself. 4.5 stars.

Funny Story by Emily Henry. This was a really cute audio book that accompanied me along my recent drives. Miles and Daphne have both been jilted by their significant others. Whatever will they do? Share an apartment, obviously, while they lick their wounds. When they receive an invitation to the wedding of their exes, their next move is to rsvp and pose as though they are dating. Uproariously funny and poignant at the same time. Henry really knows how to tell a story. 3.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

That Second Chance by Meghan Quinn (1:16 of 10:32). Griffin and his brothers are cursed by a fortune teller during a bachelor party in New Orleans. When tragedy strikes, Griffin begins to think the threat of lost love is real. Continuing to suffer with the death of his wife two years later, this volunteer firefighter responds to a 911 call from Ren, a young teacher who has just moved to the small Maine community. We can all see where this story is heading, but the humor mingled with the images of grief keep me coming back for more. It appears that this is the first book in Quinn’s “Getting Lucky” series. With a bit more driving ahead later this week, I anticipate making significant progress in this cute romance in the days ahead.

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May 11

Uncertain Steps (May 11, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

As the semester wound down, I watched students wonder how things would turn out in the end. My own footsteps faltered this week as well — literally! Around midweek, I began to find that my right foot was not behaving normally. A trip to the chiropractor revealed that I was dealing with “drop foot.” Quite simply, I wasn’t walking with a full stride. Instead, my foot was dragging a bit. It was disconcerting enough that I (briefly) considered cancelling a trip to Arlington to watch the Cubs take on the Rangers. Based on the results of the baseball games, I probably should have stayed home! At least I got some more reading done while traveling. What can I say? I have to take a win wherever I can get one.

What I Finished This Week

Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D. This relatively short book started out with great potential as it explored the symbols hidden in quilts to communicate essential messages to escaping slaves. The “code” was presented to the authors by an elderly African-American woman in North Carolina who had heard the story passed through generations of her family. The opening chapters of the study were fascinating, if based more in hypothesis than fact. As the book continued into discussions of spirituals and figures in the Underground Railroad, the quality of the research floundered. This is one of those times when an author should have “quit while they were ahead.” I really wanted to enjoy this book, but was sadly disappointed. 2.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (p. 249 of 550). I have always loved stories set in the horrors of Nazi Germany. (I’m just realizing how horrifying that sentence sounds when I read it back to myself. Still, it is true.) I am moved by the resilience of people in troubling times. I find this era of history fascinating. This story is made more intriguing because of the role that the written word plays while the tale is narrated by Death himself. I’m almost halfway through the book and I have to admit that I’m loving every word.

Funny Story by Emily Henry (6:02 of 11:23). For something very different in my audio reading, I went for a romantic tale that I had downloaded a while ago and never got around to reading. Daphne had it all. She loved her job as a children’s librarian and had met the man of her dreams. The dream turned into a nightmare when he returned from his bachelor party and told Daphne that he realized he was actually in love with his (female) best friend and they were running away together. Daphne had a week to get out of the house and figure out what she was going to do. Where’s a girl to go? Obviously to the apartment of Miles, the jilted boyfriend of the other woman! When they receive an invitation to the happy couple’s wedding, Daphne and Miles decide to attend as each other’s plus one. Is it a ruse or are the two heart-broken people actually developing feelings for each other?

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May 4

Monday Morning Blahs (May 5, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

As I was beginning to write this post on Sunday evening, I began to experience the first wave of nausea. Getting sick is never a welcome experience, but stomach issues are the most hated for me! I spent most of the night propped up in bed to see if that would help the situation. I finally got some sleep and things are more settled, but the nausea has not passed. So this is a very “to the point” post this week. I’ll plan to return with my witty opening (in my mind, at least!) next week.

What I Finished This Week

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich. It might have taken a bit longer than a usual read for me, but I am so glad that I plowed through this one. I learned so much and really feel fulfilled and inspired. Bordewich wove together a lovely exploration of the people, places, and circumstances that fed the movement while honestly pulling back the curtain on the political, racial, and social scenes that were impacted. I never realized that the abolitionist movement gave rise to the earliest days of the women’s equality movement. I found it fascinating to see how fugitive slaves found that their liberty was still at risk once they arrived in the northern free states due to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The desperation of the escaping slaves came alive on the page and their willingness to choose death over returning to bondage was heart breaking. The fact that there were not major violent actions before those at Harper’s Ferry is unimaginable to me. As a Southerner, my public education failed to explain the complexity of the Underground Railroad. I thought it was strictly associated with Harriett Tubman! While she was an influential player, she really arrived relatively late in the movement. I will always be primarily a fiction reader, but this foray into non-fiction reminded me how fulfilling and invigorating these texts can be. 3.5 stars.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo. I love the Winter Olympics — especially figure skating. So give me a “romance” (I’m using that term loosely) set against the backdrop of competitive ice dancing and I’m all in! Kat and Heath have been skating together since they were children. Despite the odds, they made their way to the US Nationals and did quite well. While there, they caught the attention of Kat’s long time idol in the sport. The pair are invited to train with the legend and her twins — who just happen to be the favorites for gold in the upcoming Winter Games. This is a tale of intrigue, rivalry, betrayal, and corruption that was hard to put down. Definitely not a book that I would recommend missing! 4 stars.

How to Date a Prince by Hayden Stone. I wanted an easy audiobook for my recent trip to Dallas that would also fulfill prompt #41: A Guide to….. This cute romance features Auggie, the heir to the British throne, and Thomas, a successful American entrepreneur. The two find themselves on a reality show where the stakes are high. While on set, it becomes clear that not all of the British subjects adore their future king. The story explores ideas of duty, loyalty, and personal loss beautifully. The conversation between Auggie and his father as the book approaches its conclusion is a beautiful expression of advocacy and coming to terms with one’s sexuality. While there were moments that were rather cliche, I really did enjoy this read. 3.75 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D (p. 95 of 192). My exploration of the Underground Railroad continues with a study of how quilts were used to assist fugitives to find their way to freedom. I have long been fascinated by patchwork quilts and the various patterns that were common throughout the South. Tying the symbols and images to their African roots, Tobin and Dobard explain how the visuals reminded escaping slaves of important things that would lead to their success while also providing maps of unknown plantations and directions to safe spaces along the way. The book is reading a little more like a thesis than a substantial work of non-fiction, but the ideas presented are interesting to consider.

April in Review

All in all, April was another busy month in my world. That impacted the amount of reading that I was able to complete each day. I’m not thrilled with April’s results, but I still managed to read at the equivalent of at least one book a week for the month.

  • Books read in April: 5 (down 1 from March)
  • Pages read in April: 2,136 pages (down 160 pages from March)
  • Highest rated book: Chariot on the Mountain by Jack Ford – 5 stars
  • Lowest rated book: The Leaving by Tara Altebrando – 3 stars

2026 Reading Challenge Progress – The 52 Book Club

With the work on the April mini as well as reading the non-fiction book, my overall progress in the main challenge is a little less than I would like — completing 13 of the 52 prompts so far.

I didn’t quite finish the April mini challenge either, but I know what book is going to take care of that prompt. I plan to read it this week so I can get to work on the May mini and resume work on the main challenge.

Despite my limited progress this month, I am very pleased with my overall reading in 2026. As of this posting, I have read 29 books this year.

Upcoming Plans

This week marks the final week of classes for the Spring semester. That should mean that I’ll have more time to devote to reading for pleasure. The only thing that I know for certain is that I’m going to read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak for the last of the April mini prompts. This will be a re-read for me; I first read the novel when it was published in 2005, but I don’t really remember a ton of the story. I’m looking forward to picking this one up again and diving into the pages. It appears that I enjoyed the read, giving it 4 stars at the time.

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Apr 27

So Close! (April 27, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

It has been a whirlwind week! Lots of activity early in the week, a trip to Dallas for the weekend, and lots of baseball to watch. It’s been a great week and I got to spend much of the weekend with my nose in a book. Still…..

What I Finished This Week

NADA! My goal was to finish reading my non-fiction book while in Dallas. I got very close, but the draw of a gentle afternoon nap, watching the birds outside my window, and deciding what new restaurant to try meant that I didn’t quite reach my goal. Oh well! I’ll get there soon and should have another finish in the coming week.

As a personal triumph, this is the first week that hasn’t seen the completion of a book since September 8, 2025! That’s 33 weeks of consistent reading. (Trust me, I counted.) This week I will reach the milestone of 300 days of reading a minimum of 20 pages per day….and I intend to run that number up much higher. So I won’t be too upset that I didn’t have a finish this week because reading is still happening every day in my little corner of the world.

What I’m Currently Reading

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich (p. 393 of 439). As I am nearing the end of this read, I am encountering familiar figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Abraham Lincoln. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my reading pace is much slower in this work than when I’m working my way through a novel. There’s just more detail and information that I need to navigate.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (p. 105 of 434). Set in the fascinating world of competitive ice dance, this novel has it all. There is first love, an abusive alcoholic guardian, dishonest judges, and competitive enemies. It’s a fun, fast-paced read. While I’m not sure whether it is loosely based on some of the accusations made around the sport in the most recent Winter Olympics, it definitely seems timely.

How to Date a Prince by Hayden Stone (6:50 of 10:41). I needed an audiobook for my drive to Dallas this week. I also needed a “How to” book for one of my reading challenge prompts. Of all the novels that popped up when I entered “How to…” this one seemed the most entertaining. A closeted gay prince has been signed up to appear in a reality television show by his father after an awkward photo appeared in the press. That’s all I know at this point in the read. There are some very funny images — the Prince’s attempt to bake ginger snaps has been my favorite scene thus far — and some poignant, heartwarming moments as he attempts to balance his personal and royal persona.

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Apr 20

Overbooked Weekend (April 20, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

Probably like most people, I get the majority of my reading done over the weekend. The pace of the daily grind slows considerably and I am able to lose myself in the pages of a book. During the week, I am ecstatic if I am able to read for an hour over the course of the day. With my reading pace, that generally comes in around 40 pages per day. That’s almost enough to finish a novel, but not quite! So I lean in over the weekend to catch up and get some finishes.

This weekend, I had a busy weekend. Board meetings, church service, rehearsals, accompanying a voice competition, and taking in a show were all good things that I wanted to do…..but they all ate into my reading time. Sadly, that means my weekend did not see a lot of progress made in my reading pursuits. Next weekend should make up for it though. I’ve scheduled another mini-vacation to recharge and prepare for the end of the term. Yeah!

What I Finished This Week

The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest. I went to the library to find some options for the April mini-challenge prompts. These three prompts stumped me initially, so I haven’t made a ton of progress toward meeting that short-term goal yet. I wandered over to the books on My Library Shelf and found that The Partner Plot also featured an author photo that included a toothy smile. (Kristina Forest’s photo on the inside cover is absolutely charming.) I could read a book from My Book Shelf and fulfill a prompt for the mini-challenge? Sounds like a win-win to me! The Partner Plot was rather funny. Violet is a stylist to the stars. Xavier is her high-school sweetheart who now teaches English in their hometown. Nine years ago, Xavier broke Violet’s heart. While working in Vegas, the two are reunited and the chemistry is clearly still present. After spending a few hours catching up, they drunkenly decide to have a “pretend marriage.” When Violet is featured in an industry journal, she alludes to her recent marriage to avoid discussing a nasty breakup. When Xavier learns of the white lie, he decides to use it as well to advance his own career. Thus begins the deception that will spin out of control in a humorous way. While this wasn’t high literature, it was an enjoyable read. 3 stars.

What I DNF’d This Week

East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I just couldn’t do it right now! In some ways, it is a very sad DNF. I adore Steinbeck’s writing. I’ve read almost everything he published. East of Eden is by far my favorite of his works. But at this moment, in this season of life, I just can’t devote the energy to make my way through this grandiose novel. Rather than living with the guilt of not making progress, I decided to shelf it instead.

What I’m Currently Reading

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus M. Bordewich (p. 201 of 439). This is the book that suffered the most from this week’s schedule. I am continuing my study into the Underground Railroad, but I got stalled on the tracks this week. Time to set a study schedule for my week and see if I can get things moving towards freedom (and learning) again.

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Mar 2

Wichita 2026 (March 2, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

I had to travel to Wichita for work this week. Leaving town always makes for a hectic week. Insane teaching schedules. Long rehearsals. Extra sessions for rehearsals I will miss. Gathering all of the materials for the trip. It is a lot. Then once I get to the destination, there is work to be done. A lot of work and not a lot of downtime for quiet activities like reading. I was able to read this week’s fluff piece while manning the recruiting booth, so there was something accomplished toward my reading goals. Here’s hoping that this week will get me back into a normal routine and reading rhythm.

What I Finished This Week

Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin. The title of this cute book really tells you everything you need to know about it. A woman returns to her Ohio home after a disastrous relationship in Los Angeles ends. Once there, she crosses paths with the man who broke her heart in high school. They hate each other. Or do they? Not a deep plot at all, but actually a really fun read and something that I could manage to get through while on the road in Kansas this week. 4 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

An Indecent Obsession by Colleen McCullough (p. 142 of 317). The novel has proven to be a challenging read for me this week. Many of the patients in Ward X suffer from some form of sexual deviance, at least what was considered deviance in the 1980s. It seems that McCullough’s use of euphemism is intended to allow her readers to tolerate and explore the issues she presents, specifically homosexuality. While the novel is not graphic, it is a challenging read as I try to determine what she is actually attempting to portray in the action. This is one of those times where attempting to avoid any level of discomfort ends up making the novel less powerful and much more difficult to read. Hopefully, this book becomes less muddied as I continue to make my way through it.

February in Review

February proved to be a tough month. Two work trips, an illness that knocked me flat, and rehearsals for UIL and children’s opera meant that I had very little time in life for anything else. Somehow, I managed to still read at least a book each week. I’ll take that as a win.

  • Books read in February: 6 books (down 4 from January)
    • 3 physical
    • 2 ebooks
    • 1 audio
  • Pages read in February: 2,126 (down 166 from January)
  • Highest rated book: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – 5 stars
  • Lowest rated book: The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe – 3 stars

2026 Reading Challenge Progress – The 52 Book Club

February saw the first mini-challenge of 2026. I decided that this year I was going to try to complete the minis as they were presented rather than saving them until the end. I had fun with the challenge, but it didn’t do wonders for my progress in the overall challenge.

The mini was called “This or That?” We were given the titles of three famous books (The Scarlet Letter, Crime & Punishment, and Fourth Wing) and were to read a book that was inspired by one of the words. I wasn’t super excited about Fourth Wing by the time I got to that prompt, but I really enjoyed the other two books.

I only added three books to the overall challenge this month, but I really enjoyed all three books. That is what is most important to me. I have now read 7 of the 52 books. This is the beginning of week 10 of 2026, so I’m a little behind my goal of a book a week for the year, but I’m still in an okay position. I know that I have Spring Break and summer vacation coming up; both of those have traditionally been really good times for my reading life.

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Feb 23

Surviving the Insanity (February 23, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

It has been an exhausting, incredibly busy week. I felt like I was constantly running to meet deadlines and wasn’t sure that everything was going to get taken care of. Thankfully, when the dust settled, I had survived and the projects were successfully completed. In the midst of the craziness, I found myself running to my reading chair as often as possible in order to get my mind a moment of rest in the comfort of a story. That meant a very successful week in my reading life!

What I Finished This Week

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. I have to admit that when I first encountered the premise of this 2025 novel, I was not very impressed. An old woman reflects on her life through the daily letters she writes to friends and family. As the book garnered more and more acclaim and was long listed for the 2026 PEN Award, I knew that I was going to have to see what all of the hype was about. Now I fully understand what all the fuss is about. This is an exceptional novel! Sybil is an octogenarian who has written letters religiously since her childhood. Correspondence between family, friends, business associates, authors whose writing has moved her, and a young boy on the spectrum have filled her days and contain Sybil’s story. As she comes to terms with her rapidly declining eyesight and her own mortality, Sybil faces feelings of abandonment, regret, and betrayal as she examines her professional and personal life. Written entirely in letters, Evans provides an exquisite look into a professional life well lived that has been marred by personal tragedy and failures. 5 stars.

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly. Since I started watching the Netflix series, I decided this was the perfect time to begin reading the novel of the same name. It also filled the need for a novel about either crime or punishment for the February mini-challenge. How about both topics in a single novel? The Lincoln Lawyer was the typical legal thriller. It was fast-paced with lots of interesting, shady characters. I probably won’t read the entire series (it feels a little dated now), but I enjoyed plowing through the story. 3.5 stars.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. As I searched for something that would work for the “Fourth Wing” prompt of this month’s “This or That” challenge, I really was struggling to make a selection. I wasn’t ready for the fourth installment of any of the series I am currently reading and I really wasn’t in the mood for fantasy and flying beasts. That’s when I thought about reading something about being in fourth grade. It has been many years since I read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and didn’t remember much about it. Now that I’ve finished reading it again, I know why I didn’t remember much about it. There really isn’t a plot here. It’s just a series of vignettes about Peter and Fudge. Thankfully, it didn’t take very long to work my way through this classic of children’s literature. 3 stars.

What I’m Currently Reading

An Indecent Obsession by Colleen McCullough (p. 61 of 317). The February prompt for the 2026 Read Good Challenge is “Feb-roo-ary.” I am to read a novel by an Australian author. While I had found several very interesting options, the thought of reading something else by Colleen McCullough sounded like a wonderful choice. I remember enjoying The Thorn Birds immensely (although I was probably far too young to read it at the time!) and headed to the library to check out the other options. An Indecent Obsession had an interesting plot and has been a wonderful read so far. Set in the closing days of World War II, the story is set in a military hospital and focuses on the patients of Ward X — a psychiatric ward — and the nurse who cares for them. Written in 1981, this is an exploration of mental health from an era when these types of illnesses were taboo and unfamiliar to the majority of people. It appears that sexuality will also be a major theme in the novel as one of the patients was sent to Ward X because of a supposed homosexual affair. I’m enjoying the writing style and finding the plot extremely engaging.

Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin (p. 29 of 337). As I prepare for another recruiting trip this week, I wanted to have something on my Kindle that was quick and would be easy to slip in and out of while sitting in the booth. The title of this work sums up the general plot point. Collins has returned to her childhood home after an embarrassing video went viral as she broke up with her Los Angeles boyfriend. Now back in Ohio, things go from bad to worse when she runs into her archenemy from high school, Nathaniel Adams. The banter is light and funny. The plot seems predictable so far. It isn’t going to be world class literature, but it is a fun read.

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Feb 9

Buckle Up, Buttercup! (February 9, 2026)

by kennithfreeman

We survived another week, my reading friends! It wasn’t necessarily easy or pretty, but we made it to the end. Wowzers! When February arrived, I think someone sent out a memo telling people to put ALL the tasks into a single month for me. I felt like I was constantly running a massive marathon that almost took me out. Reading was a luxury. These are the times that led me to making reading appointments in my daily to-do list. If the reminder to allot 30 minutes to read wasn’t there, I probably wouldn’t have spent time in the pages of a story while I just caught my breath. I’m thankful this level of insanity is only for a season…..but I’m ready for this season to pass (even though it is just beginning).

What I Finished This Week

Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas. This was the typical story of a girl from the right side of the track falling for the bad boys. It was scandalous as she flirted and toyed with each of the brothers. However, what set this book apart from other romances was the way it dealt with issues. The discussions about suicide and depression were so lovingly handled that I found myself forgetting that this was really a romance novel. I was invested in the relationship that grew between Macon and Krisjen. 4.75 stars.

What I DNF’d This Week

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Despite my intentions and my best efforts, I had to admit to myself this week that another reading of Hugo’s classic was just not in the cards for me right now. The text required me to read really slowly. Life is too hectic at the moment to make the progress that I wanted to and reading the novel felt more like a chore than something that was bringing me joy. So I gave myself permission to shelf this read for another time. I enjoyed what I did complete and don’t regret a moment that I spent in the pages with Valjean. I’m just not in a place where finishing it is in my best interest at the moment.

What I’m Currently Reading

The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe (3:30 of 7:55). I hit a bit of a road block with this book this week. While I am enjoying the short vignettes, this week my drive time was frantic as I raced to rehearsals and I needed quiet to calm my mind. So I did not make much progress here. With a couple of longer drives ahead this week, I anticipate finishing this book before my next post.

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros (p. 141 of 423). When the February mini-challenge arrived from The 52 Book Club, I set out to find my first book. After starting a couple of other works, I finally settled into this beautiful story. Chaos is a member of special forces serving in a dangerous war zone. His friend, Mac, suggests that Chaos begins a pen pal relationship with Mac’s sister back in the States. When Mac is killed in action, Chaos receives the last letter from his buddy, asking him to return to Colorado and support his sister in one of the most challenging times of her life. The book took a back burner while I finished up Five Brothers this week, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with the story and I’m looking forward to getting back to it this week.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (p. 13 of 281). I have heard so many good things about this novel and have planned to read it for several weeks. It is a bit shorter than what I typically read, so I’m hoping to make decent progress on it while I’m in San Antonio this week. We shall see how that plan works out.

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