Bookends is going to be an occasional series on Fragments Blog about whatever I happen to be reading at that moment that I want to write about. It’s closely related to “The Bookends Library”, which is down The Rabbit Hole part of this website. Check it to learn more.

One of my favorite things about being a truck driver is the time it affords for listening to audiobooks, music, and (these days) podcasts.

Earlier this week, I was able to listen to several episodes of some of my favorite podcasts, and it struck me that almost every one of them was centered on a book in some way. It shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did.

And then the idea for The Bookends Library as one of the things down The Rabbit Hole part of this website came to me. And here we are. (Or, maybe, here I am.)

So, in no particular order, here is some of what I’m reading:

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I first read The Hobbit and then The Lord of the Rings in 7th grade, and I have read it several times since then. It’s probably one reason most of my favorite books to read again and again are fantasy series or fantasy novels.

The reason I’m reading it right now is because one of my favorite podcasts, The Prancing Pony Podcast, is devoted to reading through and discussing the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and at the moment, they are on a six-year journey through The Lord of the Rings. It amounts to about a chapter every two or three weeks, so it’s easy to keep up with.

If you’ve never read The Lord of the Rings (and seeing the movies does not count), but have thought about it, reading along with the guys on Prancing Pony is a great way to do it.

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. From the time I read the first book of this 14-book series, it was 20 years before it was finished, and I’ve read parts of it dozens of times over the years. It is probably my favorite book series of all -- ever. Currently, I’m slowly reading through it again, and am in the beginning chapters of book 9.

This series is also the subject of one the podcasts I enjoy listening to: Wheel of Time Spoilers, in which the hosts basically cover a chapter of the series every episode and talk about it. It’s a great way to re-read the series with more depth of insight and enjoyment.

If you like fantasy at all, and haven’t yet read Wheel of Time, what are you waiting for?

Exhalation by Ted Chiang. I just started this collection of short stories this week after it was discussed for two episodes on another podcast I listen to, Very Bad Wizards. So far, I’m enjoying it as much as anything I’ve read in a long time. I might have more to say after I’m done with it.

Other Random Things I’m Reading Not in Conjunction With A Podcast -- and I should say that I don’t read in all of these every day, but they are some of the different streams I’m enjoying swimming or fishing in just now.

• The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein
• Against All Things Ending by Stephen R. Donaldson (part of the final Thomas Covenant fantasy series)
• Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (a novel-length poem -- very good so far)
• The Man From Snowy River by A.B. “Banjo” Patterson (a collection of poems, one of which inspired one of my favorite movies ever with the same title, Man From Snowy River)

Well, that’s some of what I’m reading. What are you reading? Comment below or drop me a line through the Contact page and let me know.

Until next time, be well. And remember to gather the fragments -- there’s sometimes good stuff in them.

Love and peace to all . . . love and peace to you . . .

 Hey, Nanny . . . and Happy Birthday!

You would be 92 today. It’s hard to believe you’ve been gone almost 7 years.

I’m doing alright, I reckon, and I know you’re doing okay.

I’ve been thinking about you this morning, and just wanted to thank you for the love and laughter and memories that I cherish more and more the older I get.

Sometimes, I drive by that old house on General Avenue, and for a moment, I just want to walk through that front door, hear laughter coming from the kitchen, and walk in on you, Boe, Aunt Mary, Aunt Phoebe, and whoever happened to be there that day sitting around the table playing Aggravation.

At those moments, for a few seconds, my heart aches for you.

But later, I realize that each memory I have, the part of me that realizes I’m loved without condition or measure, that I matter, that I have a purpose, are gifts that I have in large measure because of you.

And I hear you whisper in my heart, “I love you, boy!”

And, no matter what else is going on in the world, or in me, I realize everything’s gonna be okay.

Because you’re here.

I love you, Nanny! Tell everybody hello for me.