I had a different post planned for today, but then, during a trip to the park last night, I saw this:

book exchange

…and I was intrigued.

It had been a long day, starting with Bible study in the morning and continuing on through lunch, errands, teaching a double at the gym, and, finally, a picnic dinner at the park. We didn’t get home until 9 PM. Which, if my mildly sleep-deprived brain is doing the math correctly, translates into 10 1/2 consecutive hours of away-from-the-house-ness. With 5 children under 8-years-old. (Mad props to my sweet friend, Liz, who let the twins take a nap in her pack n’ play while we ran our errands—an unexpected boon that kept the day from heading majorly downhill somewhere around 2 PM).

Suddenly, a relaxing soak in a bubble bath with a good book sounded heavenly. Not that I had that option right there at the park (but only because I’d forgotten my bubble bath, natch). But still, I decided to check out their offerings in hopes of finding something promising for later on.

So, with trembling fingers of anticipation, I turned the latch and opened the little glass door into a whole new world of knowledge.  I reached inside and pulled out…

1.

book4

{And, yes, there is some smutz on my thumb. I had just finished teaching BODYPUMP, and the weights tend to leave a lovely, we’ll call it, residue on your fingers. I was dirty, okay? My husband’s out of town. Showers are not high on the priority list. Sheesh}

So, yeah. Let’s just say that I threw that little guppy back. If I want to relax, I do not want to read about choosing a college. Been there, done that. Pretty sure I didn’t get the t-shirt (UT extension branches don’t tend to inspire team spirit).

So, I cast my net back on the waters and came up with:

2.

book1

Questions flooded my mind. What was The First Betrayal? What was a sin the first time? Who is this heroine with a vaguely stripperesque name—Lexi Steele? And why is she about to kiss a man whose under-eye circles imply that he hasn’t slept in 3 weeks? 

Ultimately, though, I had the impression—can’t imagine why—that answering my questions would be a little like playing that fortune cookie game where you add “in the bedroom” to every one.

And I don’t like that game. So I put it back, and pulled out…

3.

book2

Oh, if only I’d had this book during my Shakespeare class in college. Our plays didn’t come with a “translation that anyone can understand.” Strangely enough, it wasn’t the Shakespeare that confused me but the teacher, who used phrases like “swirling vortex of oblivion” (those words have now stuck with me for 13 years, even though I have not even the slightest inkling of what they mean, and I’m pretty sure they’ll be reverberating in my mind on my deathbed).

Et tu, Brute?

Next up was

4.

book3 

I thought this was a bit advanced for me since I’m still working through the “Why Toddlers Throw Tantrums” edition. Besides, I’m pretty sure we all know that wars are started because no one can decide whether the toilet paper tail goes over or under.

……………………………………….

So, the question burning in your mind, after such a fascinating survey of a plethora of topics, is: did I actually find something to take home?

Why, yes I did, and it was:

5.

book5

After all, it’s a “glorious” New York Times Bestseller. How could I pass that up? Plus, I like lockets.

What’s on your Summer reading list?

0 Comments

  1. Okay, so I just have to say that your comments on #4 made me roll with laughter! Thanks for that on a Friday morning before I teach Bible Study! That was great! I appreciate it and will share with “my gals”! Blessings sweet Sister!

  2. You are such a fun writer to read. I would love to sit down and have coffee with you some day but alas you aren’t even close. 🙂 I don’t know how you even think about reading with all those darn kids of yours! When my kids were little I could barely read anything more than a parenting magazine. But if you are looking for a good read, I have a few. Glass Castle, Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand), The Light Between Oceans…those are a few of my favorites of all time. You will like them too. Promise.

  3. ooo I think I’ve actually read The Locket. An easy, enjoyable read with nothing complicated or overly memorable, I do believe. Which sounds exactly like what you needed 🙂

  4. We have one of those in one of our parks, too! I haven’t found anything yet, though.

    I really want to have a summer reading list, but my people are keeping me too busy…mostly helping them get along 🙂

I love hearing from you guys!