Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, or Semana Santa as we call it here in Mexico. It actually overlaps this year with the Jewish Passover which began last night. Whatever you are celebrating, I hope it is a blessed time spent with family and friends.

Religion has been on my mind these days. I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction. Kristin Hannah has become one of my favorite authors. I’ve also read books by Kristin Harmel and Georgia Hunter. And I still have several more on my “to read” list. As an aspiring writer of fiction, reading the works of other authors is an important tool for me.

I belong to a book club back in Washington. Thanks to North Central Washington Libraries, I’ve been able to read books on Libby and Hoopla and keep up with the group. Actually, I more listen to them than read them. While I much prefer to hold a book in my hands, I find myself listening to audiobooks. I have more than enough screen time with my writing.

I first became interested in reading as a young child. It began with Golden Books and then moved on to Dick, Jane and Sally books I read at school. My Aunt Anne lived in Regina but she was the one who introduced me to Dr. Suess and The Cat In The Hat. She also encouraged me to read other books, such as Charlotte’s Web and Winnie The Pooh. And when I was older she recommended the series of Agatha Christie books. I became enthralled with Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Decades later when my aunt was in a personal care home struggling with Alzheimer’s, I visited her regularly. Remarkably, our conversation often shifted to books.

Rosamunde Pilcher is another of my favorite authors. I first read The Shell Seekers when I was in Florida visiting my mother. I was recuperating from surgery and reading was a most welcome activity. In the years after that I went on to read all of Pilcher’s books.

When my children were young, I used to take them to programs at the libraries in Winnipeg where I encouraged them to experience the joys of reading. It is amazing to immerse yourself in the many different worlds of other people and to share in their adventures. And I am pleased that my daughter has carried on this tradition with my granddaughter.

What books are on your nightstand?