I spend a lot of time reading, although it isn’t always books. I've really tried to make more time for reading and reviewing this month, but life has plenty of other things to fill my days as well.
Along with work, I managed to get away to a classic car show, a few festivals, a county fair, and several farmers markets—all places I enjoy spending time.
I like wandering around, talking to the animals, seeing what catches my eye, and, of course, talking to people. You never know when a simple conversation is going to turn into a story worth remembering.
One of those conversations was with a retired law enforcement officer who belongs to a club in Indiana that searches for treasures with metal detectors, both on land and underwater. He was kind enough to show me his collection, and I was fascinated by the things he had found. What made it even more interesting was hearing the stories behind the pieces. He spent quite a bit of time giving me all the details, and those of you who know me know I love the details.
He also shared this clipping with me about a class ring he found while metal detecting at Indian Lake, in Ohio. What started as an ordinary find turned into something much more meaningful when he was able to track down the woman the class ring belonged to and return it to her in Florida.
I love stories like this because the value of an old ring isn't really in the metal or the stone. It is in the memories attached to it.
There is something pretty special about metal detecting when you think about it. You never really know what might be waiting beneath the ground, or whose story you might uncover along with the find. In this case, the best part wasn't finding the ring at all. It was finding the person who had been missing it and giving her back a little piece of her own history.
On a bookish front, one of the guests I’ve had here on the blog sent me a copy of his new book cover. The book is still in beta, but the cover design has now been finalized. I’m hoping I’ll get the chance to review the ARC when it is ready. I always enjoy watching a book come together, especially when I’ve already had the opportunity to connect with the person behind the story.
So, while this month hasn’t been spent entirely with my nose in a book, it is still very much a month of stories—some found between the pages, some discovered while wandering around, and some shared in conversation.
I've made a real effort this month to get back to what I love—reading and reviewing books.
Here's what I have tackled so far.
The real Top Gun existed long before Hollywood created its version of the story. The United States Navy’s TOPGUN program has more than 50 years of history behind it, and Zimmerman’s book takes readers beyond the movie screen and into that history. I always enjoy discovering the story behind the story, and this one reminded me that sometimes Hollywood only gives us a glimpse of what came before.
Straw Shoes reminded me of something every reader knows: the best passages are often the ones we want to stop and read again. There are words that simply settle in and stay with us, and those are the moments I treasure most in a book.
Birdbrains brought together poems and stories where each writer could bring their own experience, imagination, and perspective to the subject. I enjoy collections like this because you never quite know where the next piece will take you.
Ham’s Heaven looks at the first chimpanzee in space, but for me, it became more than a story about space exploration. It was a quiet reminder that progress comes with responsibility—and that compassion should never be left behind in the pursuit of it.
What the River Knows spoke to the quieter side of life. Sometimes we simply need to be still for a while, turn down the noise around us, and give ourselves permission to let go. There is something comforting about a book that reminds us we don't always have to keep moving.
The Magic Maze Trilogy is the kind of series that young readers can really have fun with. Puzzles, fantasy, exploring, and even a little Minecraft appeal make this one easy to imagine in the hands of a young reader who likes to be part of the adventure.
Death of a Messenger reminded me of the old saying, if it bleeds, it leads. There is something about a story filled with mystery, danger, and just enough darkness to keep you turning the pages. This was definitely one that kept me wondering what was coming next.
Wet, Warm, and Noisy did something I always appreciate a book doing—it made me curious. I found myself taking my questions beyond the pages and onto the internet, looking for answers and digging a little deeper. I like when a book doesn't simply end when I close it.
In Every Life was a gentle reminder that gratitude really is a gift. Sometimes a book doesn't have to shout to make its point. A simple reminder to notice what we have and appreciate the lives we are living can be enough.
Lo Wainwright:The Last Homo Superior left me thinking about humanity and what it means to coexist. We may not always see things the same way, but there is something to be said for understanding that we share this world with others—and that humanity matters.
Abigail and Alex Save the Wedding uncovered something I probably already knew but was happy to be reminded of: I really do swoon over a beautiful wedding dress. Add in a wedding, a few surprises, and some breaks from tradition, and you have a story that was simply fun to read.
And then there was Bentley’s Fantabulous Idea. I love dogs, so it didn't take much convincing to turn those pages. Bentley had me wanting to see what he was going to get into next, and I couldn't resist following along.
I want to thank you all for dropping in to check out my reviews. I hope you find a book you love!
