book review: The Truth of Time by Bryan Whelan

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  5/5

Don't let the serious cover art fool you, this is a delightfully clever page turner that weaves a smattering of sci-fi with history and a whodunit into a complex wondrous tale. 

The author takes the reader on a jovial roller coaster ride of discovery alongside a fully realized diverse group of characters to a futuristic place, masterfully detailed points in the past, and then back to the future again. The worlds are incredibly layered and the magic is believable. The dialogue is sharp and the twists are so sophisticated they constantly caught me off guard. All told, this book was powerfully rendered, managing to be both fun and intellectually rewarding. 

I hope the author will decide to market this book, or a publisher will take notice and offer to take this book under their wing, because this book has so much potential and needs to reach more readers! I think pretty much anyone would enjoy this book - history buffs, sci-fi lovers, thriller cravers, and the casual reader. Its boundless imagination and fast pace make it a perfect 'crossover' hit for Young Adult readers as well.

Please consider this as your next read...sometimes the books you stumble upon are the best, as was my experience with this one!

finding broadway in a small town: Into The Woods

You don't need to book a flight to New York or drive down to the Twin Cities to experience world-class musical theatre. As it turns out, incredible art is thriving right here in our own backyard.

I attended opening night of Stephen Sondheim's classical musical Into The Woods at the Pequot Lakes High School Theatre, put on by the Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts (GLAPA). To say I was blown away is an understatement — the production was highly entertaining, and the local actors brought an unbelievable amount of talent to the stage!

Growing up, we went to many plays and musicals at Central Lakes College Performing Arts Center in Brainerd each Summer. I had no idea until my mom heard about the Into The Woods musical that I had access to the arts in my small town of Pequot Lakes as well.

If you missed opening night, don't worry! There are still plenty of opportunities to catch this magical fairy-tale mashup. GLAPA has a six-performance run scheduled, giving you ample time to grab tickets:

Evening shows (7 pm): July 17, 18, 24, and 25

Matinee shoes (2pm): July 19 and 26

Location: Pequot Lakes High School Auditorium, 30805 Olson Street, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

book review: Once We Forget by Elise Geither

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  4/5 stars

Thank you Hidden Shelf Publishing for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own. 

Once We Forget by Elise Geither is a moving exploration of how memory enriches our lives, recedes into deep forgotten places, or is lost altogether, potentially never to surface again. 

 

The story follows Rose and her mother’s partner, Henry, as they navigate the increasingly evident changes dementia takes on her mother’s mind and body. Simultaneously, Rose grapples with holes in her own memories: she cannot remember anything before the age of nine. Why is this? And, who is this mysterious blonde girl Lily that begins haunting her dreams? 

 

Through vivid, fragmented narration, Geither masterfully captures depicts how the world almost stands still for dementia patients and their caregivers. They spend their days either fighting to stay afloat or desperately grasping at remaining memories to maintain a connection to the past. As Geither beautifully writes: “We don’t know what becomes of the words. We only know they go away. And there is a soft white page left where they used to be, like a book being erased page by page.” 

 

The secondary plotline—Rose’s quest to uncover memories of a potential sister—unfolds through minor revelations. However, I craved deeper exploration and stronger narrative milestones. The story misses ripe opportunities to expand this mystery, such as the weekend Rose watches Jolie, her stay at a haunted cabin, or the moment she receives her mother’s journal. The revelation came instead in a memory that was finally poured out in full. This left me unsatisfied and still with questions. Utilizing her mother’s journal or diving deeper into her stay with Aunt Grace—the exact day her memories stopped—could have fully realized this subplot's potential. 

 

Despite wanting a more fulfilling resolution to Rose’s arc, I am grateful to have read this book. It is deeply sorrowful, yet it offers a healing space for anyone navigating cognitive decline with a loved one. The raw emotions on the page make it incredibly easy to connect with, and fans of literary fiction will deeply appreciate Geither's craft.