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Sunday Matters

On November 14th, a student walked into Saugus High School and shot five people. You’ve all read the headlines. This was not my daughter’s school. Her school was on lock down a mere four miles away but in Santa Clarita, many of the students know each other, It’s a very tight-knit community. Through sports, theatre, choir, church we know these people.

One of the girls from my youth group texted me to tell me her sister had been shot. She is going to be okay. But everyone is traumatized by this. It’s all too real, and too close and we keep asking ourselves, when it’s going to end.

The students, faculty, staff and first responders on the scene, three of which were dropping off their own kids, were so brave that day. They did all the right things. My heart goes out to all of them and my heart aches for the families who lost their loved ones. No one should ever have to get that text or that call or see their child on the news.

It angers me beyond what I am capable of describing here.

Right Now:

Heading to church right now. Later, a vigil has been planned for the evening and I’ll be there volunteering in some way.

This Week:

Schools were closed after the shooting and through last Friday but with schools back in session this week it’s going to be tough. Plus, it is production week for Macbeth. I have no idea if it will go on as scheduled.

Reading:

I am reading a great book right now. It is taking my mind off of everything, Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson. I am also doubling up on my scripture reading.

Watching:

I’ve been watching the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas. It’s not something I have ever watched before. I always thought the programming was too sappy for my tastes but let me tell you, it’s cozy and warm and makes you feel good. Everyone needs this right now.

New Things I’ve Tried:

Saying no. I’m getting good at it.

Grateful for:

My daughter’s safety and the safety of her immediate friends.

Very grateful that the community has come together to support the families affected. We’ve had fires, many, and so many are still dealing with that nightmare but this, this is just heartbreaking.

The Institute
By Stephen King
Scribner, 9781982110567, September 2019, 576pp.

The Short of It:

Not what I expected.

The Rest of It:

When it comes to King, it’s obvious to me and has been for decades, that he enjoys the storytelling process. I imagine him at his computer, wringing his hands and laughing maniacally over the words spooling out of his head and I am here for it.

But…

Something happened with The Institute. Two thirds of the book was lackluster. The setup? Long. The characters? Somewhat likable. The story? Unbelievable. But I am a Constant Reader and a huge fan of his regardless so I will stick to the positives.

Luke Ellis, 10, is kidnapped from the safety of his home and taken in an SUV to a place called, The Institute. There, kids are placed in rooms that look very much like home, but they are not home and in fact, being experimented on. These kids have powers, specifically telekinesis and telepathy but all to varying degrees. They are poked and prodded and injected with unknown substances to bring on the dots which represents their powers in action.

Luke befriends a group of kids, some older, some younger and together they attempt to figure out what is going on. Why are they there? What do the tests mean? What will happen to them in the end?

The Institute has some classic King elements but is definitely not horror. Not even close. I wouldn’t say it’s a thriller either. Although the last few chapters were nail biters the majority of the book hummed along and settled into the Sci-Fi category. A rather sleepy take on Sci-Fi, if that.

I enjoyed The Institute but it lacked that snappy King vibe that his most beloved books possess. Usually with King, the interactions between the kids are golden. I mean, think back to IT and how tight that circle was. That tightness was missing with Luke and his gang although there were hints of it when it came to The Institute’s youngest occupant, Avery. Overall, lukewarm.

I know many who read it when it first came out and loved it. It took me longer to get to than I wanted but now that I’ve read it I feel like maybe the lack of buzz while reading it might have affected my overall impression.

If you love King and have not read it yet, I would still recommend that you do because Constant Readers read it all. Right?

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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