School started this week and things got BUSY quickly! Whether it was trying to track down scholarship students, making a recording with an ensemble, or getting technology to actually work properly, I have been running most of the week. I don’t mean to imply that I’m not enjoying the work — I am! There is life and excitement in the music wing once again and I am all for it. My reading life, however, has taken a bit of a hit as a result of the new schedule.
Now I find myself looking for any available moment to get in a few pages throughout the day. Graded essays for 90 minutes? I deserve a 15 minute reading break. Taking a walk around the indoor track? I’ll listen to a few chapters of an audio book. Some of my current reads are easy to insert into my day — especially ebooks. Others provide more of a challenge.
What I Finished This Week
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto. If you follow me on social media, you probably saw that I asked for book recommendations from my friends recently. I got a LOT of really good recommendations that have been added to my TBR. The reason for the post, however, was to fulfill a prompt for the Summer Beach Reads challenge. I took the first 6 recommendations I received, assigned a number to each, and rolled the die. This musical enemies-to-lovers was the selected book. It is the story of Xander and Gwen, two musicians who find each other despite many obstacles. While I did enjoy the story itself, I found myself distracted and reflecting on the manipulation of the characters by family, agents, and colleagues. While my heart broke for the musicians, I found myself thinking about how the industry needs to change and wondering how I can begin to prepare my own students for the cut-throat world they will probably face after graduation. 3.5 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim (2:56 of 8:09). This is my current book for when I’m on the move — either in the car for a drive or walking around the track. It is the story of four British women who rent an Italian castle for a glorious vacation away from all responsibility for the month of April. The premise is intriguing. The narrator, however, is a real challenge for me, but I’ve decided I’m going to push through. Here’s hoping that things begin to get better with this read now that the women have arrived at the castle and are experiencing their first conflict.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (p. 427 of 870). I’m struggling with this read at the moment. I think it is all about the size of the book, honestly. I’m just not at a place where diving into a massive read is enticing to me. I’m trying to convince myself that since there are only 443 pages remaining in the book that it is just like a normal weekly read at this point. The story is great. The writing is outstanding. It’s just big! This is the final read for the 2026 Big Book Summer challenge for me; that means I technically just need to finish by Labor Day, but I’d really like to get it off of my plate sooner. Here’s hoping….
Sometimes, it feels as though I am meeting myself coming and going. As the semester gets rolling again, that’s the atmosphere in my world. I get up, frantically try to get things done between all of the other crises that arise around me, get a quick bit of food, crawl in bed and do it all again. In the midst of the constant shuffle, I still managed to get some reading done!
What I Finished This Week
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. I adored this book! It was such a fun, informative read. This piece of historical fiction centers around the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune as together they work to improve the lives of women and African-Americans. I was entertained. I was educated. I was inspired by the reading. This novel inspired one of my personal studies for this fall; I’m going to explore the life and presidency of FDR. 4.75 stars.
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall. Valentine is a wealthy duke who has been promised to Arabella. There’s only one problem — Arabella doesn’t love him and intends to run away to avoid a life of marital servitude. Her twin brother, Bonny, joins Valentine in pursuit of Arabella. Things become complicated as Bonny and Valentine develop feelings for each other. The novel explores the stereotypes of MM relationships and the desire of all people to find authentic love. The first in a series that I don’t anticipate completing. 3 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (p. 362 of 870). With all of the meetings that had happened this week, I didn’t manage to get much done in this behemoth this week. Still, I got through roughly 100 more pages. Now that the story is heating up as young Ian fears that he may have murdered a man unintentionally and there is a possibility that political tracks printed by Jamie may be circulating among his enemies, the story is much more compelling. I’m hoping to get very close to a finish this week. We shall just have to see how that goes though.
Getting Things Done by David Allen (p, 53 of 125). Every few years, I return to this productivity work. Published in 2001, the book is starting to show some age, but the basic concept presented continues to assist me in my personal management. (I think there may be an updated edition that I should probably check out.) I’ve been feeling as though my world is a little out of control, so this is the perfect time to revisit the book and see if I can find ways to help tame the craziness.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto (p. 76 of 365). Earlier this week, I asked friends for book recommendations. While I am always thrilled to hear what others are reading, this request was part of the Summer Beach Read challenge over on The 52 Book Club. I took the first 6 books recommended, assigned each a number, and rolled a die. That’s how I got started on this Julie Soto novel. It’s a romance featuring two musicians. I’m far too early in the reading to tell you much more than that. I’m very happy that it is a rather light read that is perfect at the end of the day.
Summer break is beginning to wind down and that means my return to west Texas is imminent. That revelation has increased my stress level significantly as I attempt to tie up as many loose ends in the Geriatric Ward as possible before leaving. I’ll do anything to try to keep as much of this stress off of Mom as possible.
As the stress has climbed, reading has been a welcome escape. Reading a novel about death during the Black Plague was probably not the best choice for this season of my life, but I got through the book and enjoyed the read — despite the tears! Here’s a look at what I finished, what I’m reading, and how things went in the month of July.
What I Finished This Week
Bookstore on the Bay by Leeanna Morgan.Bookstore on the Bay was a charming romance about two older adults who find a second chance at love. Isabel and her three friends first met as teens at a summer camp in Sapphire Bay. Many years later, she returns to the Bay to start again after the death of her husband. Frank made his way to the small town after leaving a lucrative job in Seattle. When he found that a security company was acting deceitfully and putting people in danger, he sounded the alarm. Now they are out to stop him from testifying at any cost. After losing his daughter and her husband in a tragic car accident, Frank decides that Sapphire Bay is the perfect place for him and his grandson Thomas to find stability and safety while the lawsuit calms down. When Frank crosses paths with Isabel, the two know that they have found something they were not expecting. Leeanna Morgan creates a cute story that kept me turning the page to see what was going to happen to these loveable characters. 4 stars.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. I was a bit skeptical going into my reading of this novel. So often, I find that many of the blockbuster novels don’t live up to the hype. O’Farrell’s novel was certainly worthy of the praise it received. I found it fascinating to watch the relationship between Shakespeare and Agnes grow and falter as they faced unimaginable tragedy in the face of the Black Death. The novel was poignant; I found myself marking several especially beautiful passages about death, grief, and the artistic process to revisit later. I’m definitely planning to investigate more of O’Farrell’s novels later. 4 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (p. 170 of 870). Progress in the latest volume of the Outlander series was stunted this week. With lots of other projects demanding my attention as I prepare to leave the Geriatric Ward later this week and getting pulled into Hamnet, I made less progress here than I had hoped. Still, the story is great! I’ve enjoyed watching Jamie’s leadership in prison as Claire learns more about what happened to her husband from another century. I’m just getting into Jamie’s indentured servitude and how he is being blackmailed by the young Lady of the estate. This will be the final Big Book of Summer for me this year, so I’m happy as long as I am steadily making progress.
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (p. 42 of 370). On a visit to the Memphis library last week, I presented one of the librarians with a challenge that he admitted was one of the more interesting he had heard this year. As part of the Summer Beach Read challenge, I needed to find a work of historical fiction that had a six-letter word as the first word of the text. He furrowed his brow and asked if I meant the first word of the title. No, the prompt clearly says the first word in the book is to be six letters long. (I know! This is crazy, right?) I had decided to be very literal in my interpretation of the prompt and use the first word of the text as opposed to any introductory material. So we decided to begin our search by looking at authors who wrote multiple works of historical fiction that came highly recommended by library patrons. Then, it was just going to be a scavenger hunt. I was really lucky that the second author on the list he provided led me to two books that would fit the prompt: The Other Einstein and The First Ladies. The second novel sounded the most interesting to me in the moment, so that’s the one I have chosen to begin reading. (In case you are wondering, the novel begins with the sentence “Nearly fifty blocks whir past my cab window as I ride through the upper reaches of Manhattan from the Hotel Olga in Harlem.” This one is going to be about the unlikely relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. I’m looking forward to getting further into this novel this week.
July 2026 in Review
July turned out to be my most productive reading month of 2026 thus far! I have to admit that I’m a little surprised at how much was accomplished given all that has been going on in the Geriatric Ward. Audio books and e-books certainly helped me out a lot.
Books I read in July: 12 (up 3 from June)
Pages read in July: 2,874 (up 224 from June)
Highest rated book:Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (4.75 stars)
Lowest rated book:The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (2.75 stars)
The 52 Book Club Challenge Progress
With the end of July, I managed to cross the halfway point of the 2026 challenge. That’s a month later than I would have liked, but I think I’m still in a fairly good place to finish on track. I have plans for several of the prompts that remain and only two of those are really worrying me at this point — the stand alone science fiction novel and the genre defining book. I had planned to read Dune for genre defining, but I’m starting to get cold feet about that selection. I may shelf that one for the 2027 challenge and find another option for this year. At this point, I just need books that I am really excited about reading that will keep me moving forward.
The 52 Book Club Summer Beach Read Challenge
Five of July’s reads moved me around the game board in the summer challenge. If you look closely, you will see First Ladies just before the start space. So I’m getting ready to make my second lap of the board! The game element getting added into the challenge has really made this one addictive and something I want to play through.
Much of the week has been spent in medical facilities. Thankfully, I can report that Dad is making significant progress and doing much better than anyone ever expected. My physical read of the week was finished early while sitting in an ICU waiting room waiting for a procedure to be finished. The audiobook I finished while trying to calm my mind at the end of long days. It’s amazing the power of books to help us navigate troublesome times.
What I Finished This Week
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. The second volume of The Empyrean series left me feeling a little lacking. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Violet and Xaden grow. However, the entire rebellion felt forced and very contrived. I remember finishing Fourth Wing looking forward to continuing the story. Now that I’ve read Iron Flame, I’m finding myself asking “Really?” I don’t know if I will read Onyx Storm or not. 3.5 stars.
Our Secret Summer by R.S. Grey. Isabel is an American socialite who is spending the summer in Ibiza in honor of her twin sister who recently passed away. While in Spain, Isabel decides to complete the bucket list that the two girls made together for their summer adventure. At the top of the list was to fall in love with a handsome Spaniard. Enter Cristiano, a successful entrepreneur and all-around playboy. R.S. Grey’s novel was full of fun and wit. It’s also rather spicy…..you have been warned! Overall, a great read for me in this current season of life. 4 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom (p. 203 of 388). I was looking for historical fiction that included something that might be seen at the beach on the cover for one of my reading prompts. After another failed attempt, I stumbled on The House of Hidden Letters and cannot put it down! The novel is told in split time lines. Set on a small Greek island, Skye is one of the winners of a lottery where the prize is a hilltop home costing 1 Euro. Despite the fact that the home is in shambles, having remained unoccupied since the Second World War, it is the perfect way for Skye to escape her abusive husband. During the course of renovations, Skye discovers a series of love letters hidden in the fireplace flue. As other discoveries are made at nearby homes, a story of the occupation of the island during the war emerges. I’m absolutely adoring Broom’s characters and enthralled with the challenges that both of our heroines are facing — in the 1940s and the present day.
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey (1:28 of 9:58). Audiobooks are proving to be a good fit for me right now, so I got started on another one on Sunday afternoon while resting on the couch. Georgie has no respect from her family. Since she did not follow in the family business of house flipping (opting to be a party clown instead), she is not taken seriously. Travis has returned to town after his professional baseball career came to an end as a result of injury. What did not end for him, however, was his tainted image. Georgie and Travis decide to enter into a fake relationship in order to earn the respect of others. I’m still early in the reading of this one, but I have high hopes based upon my previous experiences with the works of Tessa Bailey.
With the first real week of summer vacation here, I have had tons of time to read — and I’ve taken advantage of every available moment. It has been so nice to spend quiet time on the couch in the Geriatric Ward while the patients are at work with my nose in a book. Nothing on the television. No noisy neighbors’ voices seeping through the apartment walls. Just me and the gentle rustling of the page. I’ve gotten a little spoiled to the stillness in just a few days to the point that I have found myself getting irritated when my peaceful reading times are interrupted. Oh, to have no distractions! (A guy can dream, can’t he?)
It also has meant that I’ve had a couple of books running at the same time. Thankfully, the story lines are all very different, so there is no chance of getting confused as I jump from story to story.
What I Finished This Week
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. What a great book! I anticipated reading about a road trip. While there is travel, the novel is really about a quartet of unlikely friends who are attempting to tie up loose ends in their personal stories and find the freedom to proceed into the next chapter of their life. Some act with integrity and strong values; some are looking for an easy pass at any cost. Filled with heart and amazing story telling, this novel has convinced me to add more of Towles’ works to my TBR. 5 stars.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. I feel like a traitor saying this….but this book really did not resonate with me at all. I know it is revered by many and consider a major work that tells a loving story of the trials of Chinese-American immigrants. I want to have loved this book so badly. Instead, I’ll just settle for saying that I completed it. Perhaps the issue was that I read it as an audiobook. Perhaps I am not in a place to connect with characters searching for meaning as they reflect on their mothers’ lives. Whatever the reason, this was not a hit for me at all. 3 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (p. 381 of 886). Coming back to the Empyrean series was a lot less challenging than I feared. While I had forgotten some of the finer details from the first book, Yarros writes in such a way that you are quickly pulled back in and reminded of the important relationships and events you have already encountered. The spice level in this installment feels a bit higher (I just read the scene between Xanos and Violet in the shower……). Honestly, I’m all in for this adventure story. Who would have guessed that I would enjoy a little fantasy in my reading life?
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (p. 21 of 407). I received this book earlier this spring in a shipment from The Book of the Month club. I was drawn to it because of the cover and the title honestly. Now that I’ve actually read the first few pages, I’m completely hooked! A husband selects 12 books for his wife after receiving a terminal diagnosis. The woman, who has long been an avid reader, found herself unable to read at all as she faced the uncertainty of her husband’s illness. Now that he is gone, he is attempting to restore the joy of reading — and of living — to her through the pages of these books that reminded him of her. Anyone else preparing for the flood of tears ahead?
May 2026 in Review
Another month has come and gone. I’m happy with my reading progress this month. I’ve encountered some great reads and made some new friends on the page along the way.
Books read in May: 8 (up 3 from April)
Pages read in May: 1,855 (down 281 from April)
Highest rated book:The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles – 5 stars
Lowest rated book:Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by Jacqueline L. Tobin – 2.75 stars
The 52 Book Club Challenge Progress
In May, I finished up the April mini-challenge and completed the entire May mini just under the wire. Really enjoyed the pivot of the May challenge as I needed to read from different decades for each prompt.
The main 2026 challenge, however, is a different story. Putting so much focus on completing the mini-challenges as they appear has distracted me from the main challenge. With only 14 of the 52 prompts completed, I’m not feeling great about where I am as we approach the halfway point of the year. (When I look at my overall reading stats for the year, having read 35 books in 5 months is much better to my ears!)
The summer challenge is coming out in a few weeks and I am really excited to see what the “beach reads” prompts will be all about. I’m also finding it difficult to get excited about some of the prompts in the 2026 main challenge. In many ways, they are feeling so random that I’m not excited about the words inside their pages. So I’m wondering if I need to skip the summer challenge and put my attention on the main for a few months so I can make some progress there instead. Both of my current reads will fit one of the prompts that I’m missing, so that’s something. I think I need to sketch out a reading plan for myself to see what I’m going to need to do to complete the challenge by December 31.
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.
Happy New Year! I hope that 2026 arrived in your corner of the world with the promises of prosperity, love, and lots of great reading ahead. As the calendar turns to January, I find myself coming to the end of a much needed break. After spending just over 3 weeks at home, it is time to begin the journey back to Texas to begin another semester of work. Since I’m not ready to return to reality, I dove deep into my reading this week.
I want to give you fair warning….this post is a bit longer than normal. In addition to this week’s finishes and what I’m currently reading, I have also included a look back at my December reading as well as a review of the year in reading.
What I Finished This Week
Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand. My final book of 2025 was finished on Wednesday afternoon. Once again, I returned to the story of the Quinn family. This installment in the story was not as compelling as that in Winter Street. With Patrick in jail and Bart still missing in action, Winter Stroll focuses on how those left behind in Nantucket are dealing with their absences. I thought the story lines that focused on Mitzi, Margaret, Julie, and Barrett were really well written. Ava’s petty love triangle between two men — neither of whom are treating her very well, honestly — as well as the issues between Kevin and Isabelle as they begin their family were trite and lessened the impact of the stories about the suffering of mothers, addiction, and the impact an absent father has on children. 3 stars.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. My first finish of 2026 was a book from My Library Shelf that I thoroughly enjoyed. Written in a dual timeline, the story focuses on the growing relationship between Henry and Keiko. Henry is a 5th grade Chinese-American living in Seattle as the Second World War rages in Europe. His parents are very traditional and see everyone who is not either Chinese or Caucasian as the enemy. While attending a predominately white school, Henry meets Keiko, a Japanese-American student. Their friendship continues to grow until Keiko and her family are resettled into a Japanese internment camp, ultimately ending up in Idaho. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a beautiful story of love, acceptance, and tragedy. This story will definitely stay with me for many years to come. 5 stars.
The Inn at Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble. I needed a new audiobook and randomly selected Coble’s novel in my Libby subscription. It wasn’t until completing the book that I learned that Colleen Coble is an author of Christian fiction — a genre I typically don’t enjoy. (I find that Christian fiction tends to hit you over the head with the moral of the story rather than simply letting the characters speak directly to the reader’s heart.) Claire is the daughter of a wealthy businessman who has returned to the coastal village that was the site of her abduction and return when she was four. Haunted by memories of her past that she cannot piece together, she seeks the truth of what happened during her missing year. On the coast, Claire meets Luke, a member of the Coast Guard whose mother disappeared on the same night as Claire’s abduction. Were the two events connected? Coble creates a lovely mystery that is filled with moments of hope and faith. I discovered a new author to enjoy! 4 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble (2:22 of 8:54). This is the second book in the Sunset Cove series. After enjoying The Inn at Ocean’s Edge so much, I decided that it only made sense to continue the story. When I found the entire series available as a single credit download on Audible, the purchase was a no-brainer since I have several long drives coming up this month. The story returns to the coastal Maine community with many of our favorite characters returning, but this time the focus is on Mallory, a single mother dealing with the guilt of past mistakes and the apparent murder of her father on his boat in the quiet town.
Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser (p. 133 of 446). I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying this read! I understand why the book has gotten so much good press and was selected as the 2025 Barnes and Noble Book of the Year as well as earning Schlesser France’s 2025 Author of the Year award. Mona is a young girl who lost her sight for a horrifying 63 minutes. Doctors are uncertain of the cause, but fear that Mona may lose her sight permanently within the next year. The family is advised to consult a child psychiarist; her beloved grandfather has a different plan for the child’s emotional health. Each week, Mona and her grandfather visit one of Paris’ great museums to intently study a single work of art before launching into a discussion about what they see there. The descriptions Schlesser provides about the masterpieces are as beautiful as the images themselves. Each chapter of the novel focuses on a different artwork, so I am slowing my progress a bit so I can find an image of the piece to examine for myself before entering into Mona’s journey. So far, it is a lovely experience.
The Inferno by Dante Alighieri (p. 250 of 387). I am continuing my descent into Hell with Dante and Virgil. I am now in the final third of the pit and encountering some of the most memorable scenes of the work. I only read a handful of cantos this week, but as the end is coming into sight, I am finding myself drawn back to the journey. I’m about to begin Canto 20 this week; there are only 34 in the entire work.
Les Misérablesby Victor Hugo (p. 204 of 1304). I hope you are ready to get a lot of updates about this brick of a book for the next few months! Hugo’s novel is the first book of 2026 in The Active Mind Book Club. If I can stay on track with the proposed reading plan, I should finish the novel the week of February 9. This week’s reading (Week 1) has been challenging and extremely slow. Not only was there a lot of detail about minor characters that I know do not play pivotal roles in the work as a whole, but I have found the new translation by Christine Donougher (for the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) to be stodgy at times. I’m hoping that improves as I get more comfortable with her rhythm and style. As I neared the end of this week’s section, things were a bit better as I encountered familiar characters including Valjean, Fantine, and Javert. I have been struck by the novel’s focus on punishment and how it is impossible for a tiger to change its stripes. I’m looking forward to getting into the revolutionary themes in the weeks ahead. Wish me luck as I continue to plow through!
December in Review
Books read in December:13 books (up 4 books from November)
5 physical
5 digital
3 audio
Pages read in December: 4,510(up 2,115 pages from November)
Highest rated book:Good Spirits by B.K. Borison – 5 stars
Lowest rated book:The Girl from the Garden by Parnaz Foroutan – 3 stars
2025 Reading By the Numbers
2025 was an outstanding reading year for me. It was by far my most productive year. What do I attribute the success to? I think there were a couple of things at play. First, just setting a realistic daily goal of 20 pages was life changing. I found myself making my way into a book most days since I wasn’t making a huge time commitment. Once I started reading, I relaxed into the activity and normally would spend about an hour in the pages of a beloved story. Second, I responded very well to the prompts provided by The 52 Book Club. My reading now had direction rather than just wandering through the stacks in search of my next read. Not every read was a great experience, but because I knew it was only one prompt, I was confident that another exceptional read was just a few days away. It also provided me a regular stack of “next reads” — I was never uncertain of what book was coming next.
Let’s look at the numbers for 2025. I crushed my goal of 52 books for the year and finished the year with 87 books read! Just so there’s no question that I was only reading tiny works, I had a grand total of 31,620 pages read. With 9 books earning 5 stars, I had a year of really good reading. (In fact, I gave 43 of the year’s books 4 stars or higher.) I tended to finish the books I started too….only 4 DNFs for 2025.
Best Book of 2025?
I’ve spent a lot of time this week thinking about the books I have read in the last 12 months. They brought me laughter and tears. They allowed me to explore new ideas and interact with characters that became friends. As I look back at the 9 books that I rated the highest — 5 stars — I have special memories from each of them. However, one book has stayed with me and I constantly find my thoughts returning to it. The best book I read in 2025 was…..
It’s hard to believe that 2025 is almost gone. It feels as though I was just spending the summer break in the Geriatric Ward. I can’t believe that it is almost time to load up again and head back for the spring term and the beginning of a new year. I’m pushing through for a strong finish in the final days of 2025 in my reading life and excited about plans for the new year ahead.
What I Finished This Week
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren. This finish came at the very end of Christmas Day and it was such a fun read! Maelyn Jones and her family return to the cabin every year to celebrate Christmas with Mom’s college roommate and several of Dad’s fraternity buddies. It is a highlight of the year, seeing the people that she has essentially grown up with each Christmas. One of the regulars is Andrew, a childhood friend that Maelyn has had a crush on since she knew what love was. However, she has never actually told him how she feels. In an unexpected plot twist, Maelyn is involved in an automobile accident after leaving the cabin that throws her into a time-traveling scenario. Mae now repeats her week at the cabin after making a wish to the Universe to show her what would make her truly happy. After several failed attempts, Mae finally tells Andrew how she feels and the readers watch as things finally play out. The only question is will this result in Maelyn’s happily ever after or will she be forced to relive the holiday week now that she has confessed the truth. This was a great change of pace from the normal holiday romance. 4.5 stars.
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand. For some reason, I have steered clear of many of Hilderbrand’s novels. I think it has more to do with the fact that there were so many of them on the bookstore shelf than any real feelings about the writing. Before this exploration of Winter Street, I have only read one of her works — The Hotel Nantucket — which I also enjoyed. In this first volume of the Winter Street series, we are introduced to the Quinn family. Kelley and his four children are all experiencing challenges in love and life in various ways. Patrick has gotten sucked into some unethical business practices that threaten to cost him everything. Ava is in a relationship with a man who does not appreciate her at all. Kevin is the family loser who never feels as though he can live up to the expectations of being a Quinn. Bart recently joined the Marines and is now deployed to Afghanistan. Things are no better for Kelley, who walked in to see his wife in the arms of the man hired to play Santa. Now Kelley must decide whether or not to sell the Winter Street Inn (which also serves as home for him and two of his adult children) while navigating the challenges of parenting and maybe falling in love with his ex-wife again. 4 stars.
A Very Merry Mistake by Lyra Parish. This was a really entertaining audiobook that kept me laughing out loud. Claire is the daughter of a real estate mogul that is searching for the deal that will garner her father’s approval. She travels to Merryville, Texas….a small town that celebrates Christmas all year long. As she is driving into the quaint town, her car stalls and will not start. With no phone charger and no other way to call for a rescue, she begins to walk the last 10 miles into town. When Jack, a local tree farmer, offers to give her a lift into Merryville, Claire is hesitant and defensive. After finally accepting his hospitality, fate is not on Claire’s side. Her assistant made reservations in the wrong city and there are no rooms available anywhere. Jack offers Claire the use of his couch until she can find other accommodations. This begins a story of forced proximity and country vs. city living. The attraction between the two is palpable and things get heated quickly. This was a great ending to my holiday reading experience this year. 5 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
The Inferno by Dante (p. 204 of 387). My slow journey through the circles of Hell continues. I’m in no real rush to get this work read since the online chat with fellow Pepperdine alumni doesn’t occur until January 21. There’s still plenty of time.
Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand (p. 92 of 260). I wasn’t ready to leave the Quinn family behind, so I’m diving into the second book in the Winter Street series. Kelley and Mitzi are still fighting and extremely nervous about Bart’s safety. Kevin is getting married. Patrick is serving his jail sentence for insider trading. Ava is confused as she has feelings for two men. In typical Hilderbrand fashion, the characters are continuing to grow and develop with each passing chapter. This will be another quick read.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (p. 96 of 285). According to my notes on Good Reads, I have read this novel once before and was not terribly fond of it. The cover is familiar to me, but I remember very little about the plot itself. What I do remember about the plot means it should be a good fit for me. I’m thinking that I probably tried to read this book during a particularly stressful time in graduate school….and that was never a formula for success. So far, I am fascinated by the story of a friendship between Kaiko, a young Japanese girl, and her Chinese schoolmate, Henry. The focus on the hardships of the Japanese-American citizens on the west coast during the War Years is fascinating and heartbreaking. I’m revisiting the work since it was housed on My Library Shelf along with several other works by Ford.
December 2025 Bingo Challenge Update
And just like that I have a blackout Bingo! I enjoyed working on the mini-challenge while patiently waiting for the 2026 challenge to kick off on January 1. Speaking of which, that brings me to….
2026 Plans
I have become obsessed with reading challenges and actually enjoying the process now that I have successfully completed my first 52 book reading challenge. Since I’ve figured out my stride and the process (I think), I’m upping the difficulty and adding additional challenges.
It should not be a surprise to know that I plan to participate in the 2026 challenge of The 52 Book Club. I’ve already started planning my reads for the year and have several options on hand so I can get a good start on January 1. I’ll try to be a little more active in completing the mini-challenges as they pop up now that I know I’ll be able to finish the main challenge, but I may have set myself up for not completing the minis since I have decided to add additional challenges to my life.
While checking out several book vloggers this year, I stumbled across the Read Good challenge hosted by @Benreadsgood on YouTube. This challenge is much smaller — only 1 book each month — with fairly general prompts that I think will be fun to connect with what I’m already reading. I was especially drawn to the challenge because of the prompts to read books nominated for the Women’s Prize as well as the Booker Prize shortlist. I also like that each prompt is associated with a specific month….cute puns guide our reading throughout the year. This is definitely a secondary challenge for me, but one that I think will be rewarding.
I am feeling drawn to classic literature again and want to read it in community without the pressure of a class. Back to the internet, where I found The Active Mind Book Club. It’s a paid community ($5/month on Patreon) that features chat and Zoom sessions to discuss the works with readers around the world. I’m going to give it a try and see how it goes. The year starts off with a reading of Les Miserables in January and February, 2026. Then we move into masterpieces like East of Eden and Madame Bovary as well as lesser known works such as Tolstoy’s Resurrection and Gaddis’ JR.
As though that isn’t enough, I’m also going to continue working my way through My Library Shelf. You may recall that I selected a new shelf in November, 2025 during a visit to the Unger Memorial Library in Plainview. In addition to my regular reading challenges, I’ll explore books shelved in the FORD-FORS section — 23 books in all. Some of these may be used to fulfill prompts for other challenges, but that isn’t the primary goal.
Am I crazy to add more reading challenges? Quite possibly. Am I going to have a blast trying to accomplish more? Absolutely! And I’ll be sure to share my progress, successes, and failures with all of you here as I begin another year of Reading for Me.
Even though the weather is unusual for December in Arkansas at the moment, there is still no place like home for Christmas. This has been my first full week resting in the Geriatric Ward for the holiday break and it has been wonderful! The patients worked most of the week, leaving me in a quiet house for much of the day to read and practice. Once Patient 1 came in each afternoon, I would shift to the comfortable recliner in the back (formerly, the home office) and continue reading as well as doing a little writing and crafting. While I wish there was a bit of a chill in the air (a forecasted high of 70 degrees on Christmas Day was not on my Bingo card!), I’m still enjoying the Christmas spirit….and I’ve managed to get some more reading done this week.
What I Finished This Week
The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews. This was such a cute read! Ivy moves to the Carolina mountains after a messy divorce, purchasing an old farmhouse. As she moves into the worn home and its vintage furnishings, she learns of the Christmas traditions of the former owners. Hidden in a drawer is the treasured Santa suit. In its pocket is a letter from a little girl asking Santa to bring her daddy home from the war so her mom can be happy again. What follows is a story filled with humor, friendship, love, discovery, and perseverance with lots of small town charm. 4.25 stars.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan. First, I must say that I probably would not recommend this as an audiobook. It was challenging to get into from the beginning and was not a great selection for driving. However, I found the book itself to be absolutely charming and a perfect story for the holidays! Carmen has a job in a bookshop in Edinburgh thanks to her sister’s connections. At first, Carmen thinks this is the worst possible scenario. The bookshop is dank and completely unorganized. Carmen’s relationship with her sister Sophia is horrible. Now that she is living in Sophia’s basement, Carmen must interact with three children and their vile, incredibly attractive nanny. On top of all of this, Carmen is alone at Christmas.
Things quickly begin to transform as Carmen meets two men — a bestselling self-help author and a Brazilian scholar interested in trees. The store finds its niche as a Christmas Bookshop and the sales go through the roof. Relationships between Carmen and her nieces and nephew improve, despite the interference of the nanny. Just when everything is beginning to look up, Carmen’s world begins to crash. The Christmas Bookshop is a wonderful story about finding love where you least expect it, the power of community, and family reconciliation. 4.25 stars.
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison. Just when you think you cannot take another spin on A Christmas Carol, along comes Borison with a very inventive and satisfying novel. Nolan is a Ghost of Christmas Past assigned to haunt Harriet’s Christmas this year. Harriet is the owner of a charming antique shop in Annapolis, is full of Christmas spirit, and is generous to a fault. Why is she being haunted? As they journey back to her memories of prior Christmases, Nolan sees that Harriet’s biggest issue is that she does not stand up for herself — especially to her controlling mother. As Nolan finds himself drawn to Harriet in completely non-professional ways, his magic begins to lose focus. Now they are traveling through time into his own memories as well as Harriet’s. As the two fall in love, they know that their time together is limited as Nolan must go away by Christmas Eve. While I enjoyed the romance itself and the fantasy of a mortal falling for a ghost, the commentary about family relations and the need to speak truth even when it is uncomfortable resonated with me. The guilt one feels after speaking up for themselves after a long silence is also very real. I found myself hearing some of Nolan’s advice as though it was written specifically for me. This is a love story for the ages! Insurmountable odds, challenging family dynamics, and undeniable attraction makes Borison’s romance the best read of the Christmas season so far. 5 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
A Very Merry Mistake by Lyra Parish (1:24 of 10:59). I wanted to include one final Christmas audiobook to my readings for the year since I still have a few errands to run this week. So far, I’m really enjoying Parish’s writing style. It is witty and fast paced without sacrificing story. I’m finding that lighter audiobooks are also great accompaniments to my crafting time. I’m still quite early in the story and I doubt that I finish by Christmas Day, but I won’t object to allowing Christmas to linger a bit longer in my reading life.
The Inferno by Dante (p. 137 of 387). I didn’t make a ton of progress this week as my focus was on my Christmas reading. However, I’m still enjoying making my way through each ring of Hell slowly with Dante and Virgil. (That is just as incredibly awkward to write as it is for you to read, I’m sure.) I anticipate getting to push further into this classic read after the holidays.
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand (p. 38 of 247). The story opens with Kelley, the owner of a Nantucket B&B, finding his second wife kissing the man playing Santa Claus in a closed bedroom. Without any commentary, Margaret announces that she will gather her things and leave. Now Kelley, his ex-wife, and their adult children must navigate the Christmas season and their individual brokenness. Hilderbrand’s writing has consistently been a good option for me and will help me glide into the Christmas celebrations on Thursday.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren (p. 25 of 304). This is the last of the physical Christmas books that I brought to the Geriatric Ward to read this season. I’ve seen it appear on several readers’ lists as a book they enjoyed, so I’m hoping to close out my Christmas reading on a high note. So far, the writing is funny and lighthearted. I know I’m in for a good read when the novel opens with this paragraph: “Call me harlot. Call me impulsive. Call me hungover. No one ever has before, but someone absolutely should this morning. Last night was a disaster.”
December 2025 Mini-Challenge Update
Last week, I made my required Bingo for the challenge from The 52 Book Club. As I have continued my reading (and with some reassignment of prompts), I’m very close to a black out card. Here’s hoping that one of my final reads includes a contest…..
It’s always fun to make new discoveries. This week, while reading a blog about economical ways to support a book addiction — let’s just admit that most voracious readers have a problem that we refer to as our “book collection” — I expected to just be encouraged to visit the library frequently and to embrace ebooks. What I actually discovered was a recommendation for a website called Paperback Swap. The premise is actually pretty simple. You list books with which you are willing to part and list them on the website; you are responsible for the postage, but there are no additional fees. For each book you send, you can request another book from a member. It’s been a fun motivation to peruse my bookshelves with a critical eye and re-discover some books I had forgotten about while also selecting a handful to send to a new home. So far, I have sent out two paperbacks and have a biography of soprano Marian Anderson on the way.
While searching my shelves for books to list on the website, I also found a few editions of the classic that I have begun reading this week. While I am enjoying reading primarily from an edition without footnotes and textual interruptions, it is nice to have those resources at hand when I get completely lost along the way. So I’m finally sitting down to read of Ishmael, Queequeg, and Ahab rather than dreading my journey along the open waves with them.
This week features one finish and three current reads. (I know, I know….my “one at a time” approach was very short lived….but it is going to keep me from getting completely overwhelmed by the classic American novel….at least, that’s my hope!)
What I Finished This Week
The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover. After a couple of heavy reads last week, I was in the mood for something lighthearted. Something that would make me smile. O’Clover’s funny romance was a great fit for me this week. Louisa (called Lou by her friends) has been dating her musician boyfriend for nearly six years. His hit song “Purple Girl” is all about her and they live in Lou’s dream home outside of Denver. She has everything she could ever hope for….until she learns that the boyfriend has been cheating while on tour. Refusing to leave her home, but unable to pay the rent on her own, she decides to convert it into a bed-and-breakfast. Only problem? She has to convince the handsome veterinarian, Henry, who is now her landlord. Henry’s past begins to trouble him when he learns that Lou plans to target heartsick people who need to heal after a breakup when publicizing the Inn. The Heartbreak Hotel features a lovely cast of characters while exploring issues of self-confidence and family relations. 4 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
Moby Dick by Herman Melville (p. 81 of 552). I have never read this classic novel. I have started it several times and never found a rhythm to complete it. While planning for this year’s reading challenge, a young man who I respect greatly told me that I was missing out by not reading this novel. He went on to tell me that it was the greatest book ever written in his opinion. I decided that was enough of an endorsement to put Melville’s tale about the great whale on my TBR once again. My plan is to move through the book at a rather slow pace and couple it with contemporary works to see if that helps me find a better rhythm.
Nothing But the Truth by John Lescroart(p. 101 of 439). Since Night Over Water by Ken Follett just wasn’t the right fit for me at the moment, I went on a search through my bookshelves for another novel with a title that begins with the letter N for the reading challenge. I picked up this novel randomly on a trip to Half Price Books in Oklahoma City. Lescroart’s legal thrillers have been recommended to me many times, but I’ve never actually read one of them. This seems like the perfect opportunity to be introduced to the author and his famous character, Dismas Hardy. Here’s what I know about the story so far. Dismas’ wife, Frannie, was having coffee with Ron Beaumont on the morning of his wife’s murder (confusing and convoluted, right?) and is Ron’s alibi in the police investigation. When Frannie is called before the grand jury, she decides to keep a crushing secret that Ron shared with her in confidence rather than answer the court’s inquiries. When Frannie insults the judge, things become explosive and Frannie finds herself in jail for 4 days! That’s when Dismas discovers that Ron has emptied his condo and made a run for it with his two young children. This is a fast-paced, fun legal thriller that keeps the reader constantly on the edge of their seat as they try to decide what really happened and who is in the wrong.
People Watching by Hannah Bond-Young (2:09 of 10:21). I’m including this book in this week’s reading because technically I have started the book. I have some travel coming up later this week and one of my prompts for the reading challenge is an audiobook with multiple narrators. Two narrators and a beautiful cover were all the incentive I needed to download the book. I did a little listening at the end of the week to make sure I would connect with the story, but I plan for this to accompany me while I’m driving this week. This is the story of Milo and Prue. Milo is a down-on-his-luck artist, returning to his childhood hometown to assist his brother in launching his new business. Prue is caring for her mother, a retired art teacher struggling with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. So far, it is the perfect blend of romance, humor, and tenderness. This is definitely a book I am going to enjoy!
Reading for Me 