Friday Reads 2/6/2026

Today is weird. It's only 11:00. I woke up with every joint from my elbows down throbbing at 2:00 am. I took some Tylenol and finally went back to sleep at 4:00. This morning, my kid realized one of the snakes had escaped her enclosure, destroying important tools for her comfort and well-being in the process. The snake is fine and returned to her enclosure, now. Then the vet called and said that the vaccine they gave my dog in December turned out to be just water. He has to go back for another one. See? Weird.

Anyway, let's talk about books.

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater - This is pretty cute. That makes it sound fluffy. It's not really fluffy, but it is a short book so the main characters start to appreciate each other rather quickly. Dora was cursed by a fairy when she was little, so now she's a little off. She doesn't always say the right thing or behave the way she is expected to. She meets the Lord Sorcier in a book shop and sees a vision in the magic mirror. Normal people can't see visions in mirrors, so the Lord Sorcier is intrigued. He is revered but also barely tolerated by society. He purposefully says rude things to people. Dora turns it right back around on him instead of gasping in effronted. He enlists her help in translating books from French he is using to try to cure a sleeping sickness that is affecting children.

I'm halfway through it, but I haven't even looked at it in days. My reading time is nearly nonexistent.

Hidden Libraries by D.C. Helmuth - I fully intend to sit down and go through this this weekend. Hopefully.

Medicine River by Mary Annette Pember - I am thinking about starting this one at lunch today. I've had it long enough. Sheesh.

Tonight is Nerd Night, so no time for reading then. I could get some reading time tomorrow night. The husbandface is taking the chatty kid to a concert. After I feed the less chatty kid, I may get left alone to read. How exciting! Ooh! I might get some time on Sunday, too. There's no bell practice. If most of the dancers are going to Super Bowl parties, we may not have dance either. Reading time! Monday is pretty busy with appointments. Especially since the dog has to go back for a vaccine. Oy!

Here's hoping!