Writer’s Palette Writing Challenge: A New Day by Rebekah Abbot

Rebekah Abbot is a sixteen-year old writer who participated and completed the summer 2025 Writer’s Palette Writing Challenge. Her short story, “A New Day,” tells of a musician named Kylan who heads to music camp and experiences both friendships and betrayals that test his confidence.

Read Rebekah’s story below:

Some things you only do to please the people you love. Something can be worth doing, even if you don’t enjoy doing it.  

Kylan knelt in the dirt, planting flower bulbs with his sister and a few cousins. He wasn’t quite sure what type of flower they were, but that’s not what mattered to him. His cousin Louise had asked him to help plant her new garden bed, and he would do anything for his family. There was a sort of satisfaction in gardening. Shifting the dirt, making things new, just subduing the earth. It was hard work though. The sun glared at him, and the insects either found him quite entertaining or quite delicious. Maybe both. His sister, Marietta, was just digging a hole for the last bulb, when Aunt Moriah stuck her head out the window to shout:  

“Louise! Marietta! Come help us with dinner!”  

The girls sprung up, shook the dirt from their skirts, and started off towards the house.  

“Thank you for helping!” Louise called back over her shoulder, grinning. “Even you, Jack!”  

Jack was Kylan’s cousin, and Louise’s little brother. He hadn’t done anything to help. Right now, he was trying to feed a pill bug to a snail, but without success. Kylan reached for the flower bulb. ‘Geranium’ or ‘Daffodil’ or whatever it may be. Just then, a familiar head looked down at him over the fence.  

“Hey, Kai!” she said. “Are you busy?” 

It was their neighbor Lina. She had no brothers or sisters or cousins, so she came often to the Leeway’s house.  

“I’m just finishing up in Louise’s new garden bed.” He answered. “You can come join us if you like.” 

As Kylan patted down the earth, and set down his trowel, Lina climbed clumsily over the fence, barely landing on her feet.  

“Don’t you need to water them now?” Lina asked. 

“I don’t know. Do I?”  

“that’s what I would do.” She said. 

Kylan walked over to the hose and carried it to the garden. Lina was just going to turn the water on, but it started raining gently.  

“Never mind, Kai.” Lina said cheerily. “The sky wants to do it for us.” 

Kylan didn’t know if he should laugh or feel embarrassed for her. Lina was, well, strange sometimes. The rain came down stronger now. It pooled up on the ground and filled the creek just a little higher all the time. They ran for cover, Jack trying to keep up. Kai smiled as he handed Lina a pair of rainboots. They always had extras, you never know when you’ll need them. 

“Jack, do you want to play in the rain with us?” Kylan asked his cousin. 

Jack shook his head slightly, before heading to the back door. 

“Would you bring us umbrellas then?” He suggested. “And see if anyone else wants to come.” 

 nodded and went inside. They stood there awkwardly a few minutes before Lina squinted through the window into the house and said, “Jack is taking his time. What’s he doing in there?” 

Kai smirked. “Want to play a game while we wait?” 

She raised an eyebrow. “That depends. Is it fun?” 

Kai held up his hands, palms together. “Slap game.” He said. “You miss, you lose.” 

Lina grinned, immediately raising her own hands to match his. “Oh, you’re going down.” 

Kai barely had time to react before Lina smacked at his hands for all she was worth—he pulled his hands back just in time, laughing. 

“Too slow!” he teased. 

Lina narrowed her eyes in mock determination. “Next round.” 

They kept going, rain trickling down between the boards overhead. Kylan beat her round after round. Laughter rang across the yard, as well as the occasional *shmeck* when they hit each other too violently.  

Finally, as Kylan aimed for her wrist, Lina moved her hands out of the way just in time. 

“I beat you!” she shouted triumphantly. 

Kai shook his hands out, grinning. “Fine. But that was only one round out of, like ten.” 

As Lina was getting ready for another round, Jack pulled open the back door just wide enough to set two umbrellas on the ground just outside.  

“Marco and Milo say they’re busy,” Jack said, “and the girls are all making dinner.”  

“Okay.” Kylan said. “Thank you.”  

Then Jack disappeared back into the house. Lina picked up the umbrellas and handed one to Kai. He nearly took his eye out trying to open it. Then they raced off toward the back gate, and down to the creek. They jumped in puddles, played tag, and Lina tried to go spearfishing with the point of her umbrella. Kai stood with his own umbrella over them both, waiting for her to catch something somehow. She never did. Before long, the rain slowed down, then stopped altogether. They walked back up to the house slowly, as their boots were full of water, and their soggy socks quite uncomfortable. As they were taking their boots off, Kylan’s mom stuck her head out the door to say: 

“There you are Kai! Come in for dinner.” And “Oh, Hello Lina dear. You’ve got so tall since last time I saw you.” 

This left Lina a bit confused, as she had seen Mrs. Leeway not a week ago. Kylan quickly took off his heavily damp socks, and went inside, saying: 

“Goodbye Lina! I’ll see you tomorrow.”  

Then he hurried to get washed up before sitting down at the dinner table. He was always impressed by what Aunt Moriah, Mother, Louise, and Marietta could make in that small kitchen. And all at once too! Tonight, there was rice, pork, and asparagus. Really the spices are what makes it special though. The steam came up from the rice, flowing and twisting like a swarm of cicadas. There Kai realized that he had too many insect bites to think properly, so he finished his dinner quickly and went to bed. Outside his window the fireflies danced, and Kai went to sleep thinking about what tomorrow would bring. 

The moment Kai realized he was awake; he jumped out of bed to get ready for the day. When he got downstairs, the clock seemed to look at him reproachfully, saying, “there’s no need to be up this early. It’s barely light out.”. But Louise was awake too. She had her viola out, and was quietly tuning it, trying not to wake anyone. Kylan got out his mountain dulcimer and joined his cousin on the couch. Then he turned on his tuner and set to work. He tightened the low D string a bit, and the A string even more. The high D strings only needed a bit of help. Then he could start practicing.  

He had been looking forward to this day for a while now. Today at the craft fair, any middle schooler who played a musical instrument was invited to perform. The ten best performers would get the chance to go to this three day music camp. He had heard that one of the teachers would be an Irishman. It was Kai’s dream to play in an Irish band! When Louise had finished tuning, they decided to bring their music outside, so as not to wake the family. Kai practiced madly at the song he had chosen to compete with. It was a song he had written, which he called “Plotting Revenge”. He was quite proud of this one. It was a square tune, sixteen count A part, and sixteen count B part, but it was in the key of E minor, which is not as common in Irish tradition.  

After a while, although somewhat buried under the sound of his and Louise’s playing, he heard the unmistakable sound of a lyre-harp. It was Lina. Kai and Louise both set down their instruments in their cases and went over to the fence to talk.  

“Hi Lina!” Louise shouted. “how’s the song coming along?” 

“I think I’ve got it pretty well now.” 

“Great!” Kai said. “Good luck at the craft fair! I’m going to keep practicing, but I’ll see you in a bit.” 

As Louise and Lina talked, Kai got his dulcimer back out and kept playing. He stretched his fingers and played scales, and of course he played Plotting Revenge, until he and Louise were called in. They ate breakfast in a hurry, before getting into the van to go to the craft fair. All the way there, Louise and Marietta were talking excitedly to each other about the various things they had made to sell, or about the music competition. Milo, Marco, and Jack were discussing books and video games. Kylan remained silent. There was just way too much to think about.  

He went over the song in his head. B E A E G E F# E, moving his fingers along his imaginary fretboard. Had he remembered to bring everything? He had the capo, and of course his dulcimer, but, NO! The thought crashed into his head and sank dismally into his stomach. He couldn’t remember packing his pick! There would be many guitar players there, but he couldn’t borrow one of theirs. His pick was a mountain dulcimer pick, in had come all the way from Germany! A guitar style pick just wouldn’t work. It was the wrong shape, and way too thick. Maybe there would be another dulcimer player there who would let him borrow one of theirs. No, that was silly. Almost nobody under the age of sixty played that instrument. Kai was super nervous all the way there. The moment the car stopped, he sprang out and ran to the back to get out his case. He opened it to find, up in the top compartment, a small red triangular pick. Only a dedicated musician can imagine how relieved he was.  

The craft fair took place at a local park. Since the Leeway family was going to set up a booth, they needed to be there early. The music competition didn’t start for a while, so Kai still had time to practice. He checked the tuning again. It was perfect. He tightened on the capo and played his song over and over again. Across from him, his mom, dad, aunt, and uncle, set up a canopy tent, and his sister and cousins put price tags on their amigurumi, paintings, and needle-felted creatures. Kai kept going until he had played the song flawlessly six times in a row. Then he took a break. The strings had left impressions in his fingertips, and his knuckles seemed to have turned against him. He walked over to help Marietta with her crochet display. Soon, the judges from the music camp arrived to set up. The performances would start any minute. Kai and Louise got out their instruments and practiced their songs once more. Then they rushed over to the rows of seats, already filled with middle-schoolers.  

There was Lina. She waved at them and shouted: 

“Come here! I saved you seats!” 

They climbed between two rows of chairs, carefully avoiding musicians, instruments, and sheet music. They sat down next to Lina and waited for the performances to begin. A tall man with a microphone then took the stage. He introduced himself as ‘Mr. Gilt’, and then talked for a while about the camp. Then finally, he called up the first performer.  

“Miss Lenore Tailor, please come play for us.” 

She played admirably. It was a song called ‘Jazmine Flower’. She had obviously practiced for a long time. She took her place again in the crowd, and another girl was called up. There were about six more performances before  

“Rozalynn Joyfield” was called, and Lina began her song.  

Her hands were trembling like crazy, and she hit the wrong strings a few times. The rhythm was really unsteady. She sat down again, still shaking.  

Next was “Lucy Mae” then “Jake Dorian” and “Judah Stephens”. Then, 

“Kylan Leeway.” Was called, and Kai began.  

He forgot to be nervous. He forgot that anyone was watching. He just played. Before he knew it, he had finished his song, and everyone was cheering for him. He was so excited, he could barely sit still through Louise’s song. There were more performances, but at last the judges announced the ten winners. 

“Miss Tailor, Mr. Dorian, Mr. Stephens, Miss Andretti, Miss Smith, Mr. Leeway, Mr. Chant, Miss Summerset, Miss Maybury, and Mr. Valor.” 

Kai had won! But Louise and Lina wouldn’t come with him. He had lived in a house with all his cousins his whole life! It felt wrong being separated from them. He would be all alone! 

The next few days were a blur. Getting clothing, sheet music, and musical equipment packed was time-consuming and boring, but Kylan got it all done. Then he was off to music camp. His whole family accompanied him there. They helped to carry his stuff around and get him checked in, but then they had to go. They said their goodbyes with some regret, but it was only for three days, and besides, he wasn’t too far from home. If anything happened his family could be there in two and a half hours.  

The camp took place in a big, old church building. There were plenty of little empty classrooms, now full of collapsible beds, for students to stay in. Kai was assigned to room number 12 with two other boys, and he was headed there now. He turned a corner, looking at the map on his handout. He looked up. Room number 26? He looked at his map again. That was nowhere near where he thought he was going. He turned around and headed off the other way. Just when he decided he was lost, he bumped into another boy. He seemed as bewildered as Kai was.  

“So sorry.” Kai said. “I didn’t look where I was going.” 

“No worries.” The other boy said. “I wasn’t either. In fact, I don’t know where I’m going at all.” 

Upon inquiry, Kai found that the boy was headed to room 12 as well. They walked together, probably in the right direction, and talked. The boy’s name was Braden Valor, and he played the penny whistle. He told stories of giant wolves and ocelot-griffins, which Kai thought were crazy.  

“Then when we got back and told our parents,” Braden said, “they didn’t believe us, so they went to see. They never found anything but giant paw prints. They were freaked out though, so we moved away.” 

“Do you miss your old home?” Kai asked. 

“Not too badly. If you had seen that wolf you wouldn’t want to stay” 

They then arrived at their room. There was a bit of paper stuck on the door which read: 

“Kylan Leeway, Blade Sterling, Braden Valor” 

They went in and set down their stuff. ‘Blade Sterling’ seemed to have already been there and left, as one of the beds was piled with bags and cases. Braden checked his watch. Orientation would be starting soon, so they left to find the main room. It took them a while, and they arrived to find that it had already started.   

“Session times as well as room locations are clearly marked on your handout, but if anyone needs help finding anything, just ask someone with a red name tag.” The man was saying.  

Braden and Kai quietly took seats at the back of the hall. 

“Tonight,” the man went on, “there will be a contra dance held in room 3. I want all of you there. Dancing makes you a better musician. It helps most of all with rhythm. It is also a good way to meet new people.”  

Braden looked excited. Kai felt kind of nervous though. He had never been to a contra dance before.  

“At the dance there will be an opportunity for anyone to perform. Please write your name on the sign-up sheet on the table at the entrance if you wish to participate. Until then, you have two hours for dinner, and getting ready for the dance, or practicing. The first real session is tomorrow morning. Dismissed.”  

“Are you going to play at the dance?” Braden asked as they got up to leave. 

“I don’t know.” Kai answered. “I don’t play right with all those people listening.” 

“Really? I thought you did great at the craft fair.” 

Kai had forgotten that Braden had played at the craft fair too.  

“You wrote that song you played, right?” Braden asked. 

“Yeah.” 

“It was really good! You should sign up to play that.” 

After a bit, Kai agreed. He wrote down his name on the sheet. Then they got in line for dinner. They both ate quickly and went to their room to practice. Braden didn’t sign up, so he just sat there, or helped however he could. Then Blade came in. Kai set down his dulcimer on the bed, and stood to introduce himself. 

“Hello!” he said. “I’m Kai, and this is Braden.” 

Blade had a pathetically fish-like handshake. 

“Is that so.” It was a statement, not a question. “I am Blade Sterling. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”  

Blade messed around in his bags, and Kai kept playing.  

“That’s a nice song,” Blade said, “what’s it called?” 

“It’s ‘Plotting Revenge’.” Braden answered. “Did you know he wrote it himself?” 

Kai felt awkward, but Blade seemed uninterested. Braden wondered how snobbish this boy could act. Blade stuck around for a while, staring at his phone, doing things that didn’t seem to need doing, but then he left.  

according to Braden’s watch, it was time to get ready for the dance. Kai changed into the nicest clothes he brought, and they went to find room 3.  

The room was big, with a high ceiling. Light came pouring in through the colored glass at the top of the set. There were so many people! Folding chairs lined the room. Kai and Braden sat down, but Braden was soon up again when he saw his old friend across the room. 

“I’ll be right back!” he said. Then he dashed away through the crowd. 

Kai just saw a glimpse of Braden talking to a girl, but someone stepped in the way.  

“Hands four from the top!” someone shouted.  

The people magically formed sets, Braden and his friend among them. Kai got up and asked a girl to dance. She stood up shyly, and they walked to the end of the line. They talked as more couples lined up behind them. She introduced herself as ‘Marina Smith’. Kai enjoyed talking to her.  

“Long lines forward and back!” the caller said. 

The lines shuffled awkwardly.  

“Now swing your partner!” — 

There was much more walk-through, but then the music began. 

The dance was easier than Kai expected. It fit the music perfectly. The beat kept getting faster, and the tension grew. He accidentally stepped on Marina’s shoe, but she only smiled. She wasn’t even hurt, but Kai apologized way too many times. With one final flourishing twirl, the dance ended. He thanked his partner and went to sit down. Then the caller announced: 

“Blade Sterling will now perform for us! Mr. Sterling, if you would take the stage.”  

Blade picked up his fiddle, checked that it was in tune, and stepped onto the stage. He set down his phone on the music stand. 

“This is a song I wrote,” he said, “I call it ‘The Iron Mine’.” 

Then he began. Kai was confused at first. Blade hadn’t written that tune. He was playing Plotting Revenge! Then he remembered how he had sat there on his phone, supposedly doing nothing while Kai had practiced. He must have been writing it down! You can’t just give a tune a new title and call it your own. Kai got up to find one of the staff members, but the song ended, and the caller said: 

“Our next performer is Kylan Leeway!” 

No! Blade had just played the song he had planned to perform. He couldn’t play it again. He trembled like a dying calf as he walked up there. Braden and his friend looked scared, but that girl Marina was cheering him on. He set the dulcimer on his lap but left the pick. It was time to try something new. He took a deep breath and started playing. He didn’t know what, just whatever notes sounded nice. He realized he was playing in ¾ timing and tried to keep it that way. Braden was waltzing with his friend now. A few more joined them. F chord, C chord, Dm chord, A chord, whatever he was playing sounded pretty well. He ended the song on a D minor chord, and stood up.  

“This was a song I just wrote, and I call it… um… ‘The Traveler’s Woe’.” He announced.  

Then he shot off to find a staff member. He had to get this mess sorted out. Red name tag? There!  

“Excuse me sir!” Kai panted. “I need your help!” 

The man turned to look at Kai. 

“What do you mean? Right now?” He asked 

“Yes sir.” Kai said. “You see, that boy Blade—” 

“But the next dance is about to start. Do you have a partner yet?”  

“No, sir, but—” 

“Hey, you!” the man shouted at a girl seated a few yards away. “Come here!” 

She came, not sure if she was in trouble or not.  

“This boy needs a partner.” He said. “Introduce yourselves please.” 

They shook hands awkwardly. This guy could be a bit humiliating.  

“I’m Kylan.” Kai said. 

“It’s nice to meet you Kylan. My name is Lucy.” 

Kai forced a smile and led her to the end of the set. He tried to act like nothing was wrong, but now he had to wait until the end of the dance to speak to the authorities. What was up with that guy? He was extraordinarily skilled at cutting you off mid-sentence. Was he oblivious, trying to hide something, or just rude? Dancing was harder with your mind elsewhere. It was easier once the music started, but Lucy kept having to remind him what to do next. After a bit, he decided to deal with Blade’s theft later, and pushed it from his mind. Kai lost his balance, falling into the girl behind him. Lucy helped him up, gently pushing him to where he needed to be.  

“California twirl.” She whispered. 

Kai took her hand, spinning her around to face the other way.  

“New neighbors, circle left!” the caller shouted. 

They joined hands in a circle. It was Braden and his friend! 

“Kai!” Braden said. “This is my friend Misty.” 

Kai had heard much about Misty from Braden’s story. He should have guessed that this was her. They talked a little while they were dancing, but they were soon moving on to new neighbors.  

When they were out at the top of the set, Kai told Lucy about Blade’s song, and the man who wouldn’t listen to him.  

“You should find someone else to report to next time.” She replied. “That guy doesn’t sound very helpful.”  

Then they were dragged back into the dance. It ended, however, just after they began again. Kai thanked Lucy for dancing. She grinned, and curtsied, saying  

“I’ll help you find someone if you like.”  

As the next performer started playing, Kai and Lucy looked around for a red name tag. Braden and Misty spotted them and came to talk. After a brief introduction and explanation, they decided to help too. The four spread out, collected again, and searched everywhere, but with no luck. Then Misty found it! A man with a red name tag! Kai turned to see where she was pointing, but no! it was that same man from earlier. He appeared to be the only staff member here, so they went to talk to him.  

“Excuse me sir,” Kai started, but was cut off. 

“Oh, hello there! It’s you again!” he said. “What a lovely young musician that girl is.” He gestured toward the stage.  

“Yes, fine.” Kai said. “We wanted to report—”  

His train of thought slowed and was lost when he saw the man’s name. Mr. Sterling. No wonder he wouldn’t listen! The music thief was his son!  

“It’s just,” Kai went on, “that boy Blade, he stole my composition.” 

“What?” Mr. Sterling replied. “Blade Sterling? My son? No. you must be mistaken.” 

“No, sir. It’s a tune I wrote last summer, only I call it ‘Plotting Revenge’.” 

“Well. I must confess I begin to doubt your veracity. I will speak with those in charge, however, and you can expect to hear from us soon. Meanwhile, go dance. Enjoy yourself.”  

With that, he walked off into the crowd. Kai wondered if they would sort this all out tonight. He supposed he would take Mr. Sterling’s advice though, so he sought a new partner.  

Braden had probably decided it would be considered “Flirtastic” to dance with Misty again. Kai saw him toward the bottom of the set with a girl he hadn’t met yet. Misty stood by herself, not far off, so Kai asked her to dance. 

Kai’s shoes squeaked across the floor, more from stress than rhythm. The contra dance buzzed around him—fiddles bright, feet tapping in unison—but his head was still somewhere else. 

Across from him, Misty smiled, one eyebrow raised playfully. “Don’t think so hard,” she teased. “It’s not quantum physics.” 

But it felt like it. His hands were clumsy, his timing weak. It wasn’t just that he was new to contra—it was Blade.  

‘Every note. My notes.’ He thought. Then his second thoughts said: ‘wait a minute, am I jealous?’ His first thoughts assured him that was not the case. The second thoughts were not so easily subdued. A fight ensued. Why did he need this cleared up? Pride? Honor? Disdain for Blade? None of those seemed like good reasons. 

“Partner swing!” the caller shouted. 

Kai spun Misty, nearly tripping. She steadied him with a laugh and a firm grip. “Okay, now it’s quantum physics,” she joked. There was a pause, but then she added: “Something’s bothering you. Want to talk about it?” 

“It’s stupid,” Kai muttered. “This guy, Blade—he stole my song. I never wrote it down, but he heard me. He… replicated it. Performed it like it was his.” 

Misty’s expression shifted—still kind, but serious. “That’s not stupid. That’s brutal.” 

They danced through the next sequence in near-silence, Kai’s thoughts louder than the fiddle. He watched Blade across the room, laughing with others, utterly confident. 

“You’re still the composer,” Misty said softly, breaking the quiet. “That melody lived in you first. You didn’t lose it.” 

Kai nodded slowly. “I’ll play it again. Not just yet though. Different next time. Better.” 

“Good,” Misty said. “Make him the echo.” 

They turned, stepped, and fell back into the rhythm.  

The tune ended. There was much, much more dancing that night. Kai made friends, had fun, and went to bed exhausted.  

The next morning, Kai and Blade were called to a meeting with the staff. Kai rubbed his eyes sleepily, but when he remembered why they called, he came wide awake. Today is a day to make things right. 

The meeting didn’t go very well. He was told that there wasn’t enough evidence, so they had to believe Blade. The staff were polite, but firm. Like death. Kai was dejected. This was not how he imagined the meeting would go.  

He met his friends in line for breakfast. Misty, with her bright smile and kind remarks, and Braden, with his many questions.  

“What did they say?” Braden wanted to know. “Did they send him home?” 

“No.” Kai answered. “They think Blade wrote the tune. I suppose it doesn’t matter. Not really.” 

“Why do you play music?” Misty asked. 

“Well,” Kai started, “I guess it’s, … well it’s like… I’ve been given a gift, a talent. Playing music is how I can give something back.” 

“So, you don’t play for attention or fame. Good. You’re right then. It doesn’t matter.” Misty said. 

Next, after breakfast, there were classes. Kai took lessons on chord progression, songwriting, the best modes of practice, and there was a jam session at the end of the day.  

Kai was quite tired at dinner. He was barely awake enough to listen to Lucy’s chattering. She reminded him of Lina in a way. He missed Lina and his family even more now. Kai set down his fork and stood up. 

“I’m going to go on a walk around the building before bed. Anyone want to join me?” 

Braden, Misty, and Lucy wanted to come too. They threw away their paper plates, and headed toward the main doors. Braden held the door open for the ladies, but jokingly released it when Kai came close. Kai pushed it open again. Outside it was sunny. Oppressively sunny. And a bit moist. They set off along the paths.  

“I wish Louise and Lina could have come.” Kai said. “It feels so strange not having them with me.” 

“Kai,” Lucy said, “you don’t seem like… well, like you’re okay.” 

“don’t I?” 

“What’s the matter Kai?” she persisted. “You don’t seem like you care about music as much anymore.” 

“It seems unfair that I could come, and they couldn’t.” He said. 

“You worked hard for this!” Misty said. “At least try to enjoy it.” 

“well, yeah, but—” 

“Kai. I’m going to tell you something important. You can trust in yourself, follow your heart and so forth. You can. But if you do, you will be beaten by those who worked hard and weren’t so lazy.” 

Kai smiled. “You’re right.” He said. “I will work hard. I will keep practicing, playing, writing music. Blade and I play the same tunes all the time. The only difference with my song is that I put in more work. I will beat him. The world will be undeceived someday.” 

“Well said!” Braden cheered. “But we should get to bed now. We have two classes in the morning, then we leave for home!” 

Yes. Tomorrow he would go home to his parents, sister, cousins, aunt, and uncle. And Lina.  

Kai got ready slowly, crawled into his little bed for the last time, and went to sleep. 

He awoke the next morning when Blade slammed his big blue suitcase down on Kai’s bed. And all his toes.  

“Oh, sorry.” Blade said in an ‘I don’t really care’ tone of voice.  

“It’s fine.” Kai said. “Probably.” 

He checked to see if any of his toes were broken. They weren’t. He got up and stretched his back. A new day. A day full of music, driving, packing, and unpacking. Oh, and breakfast. Definitely breakfast. After getting dressed, Kai packed all of his belongings (except musical equipment) into his bag. Then he brushed his teeth and went to breakfast.  

The line was long, but the food looked good. Waffles. Kai went to find somewhere to sit but was overtaken by Marina.  

“you’re welcome to sit with us.” She said. “Braden and Misty are there.” 

Kai followed her to a table in a corner of the room, where he was greeted by his friends. They chatted as they ate, and altogether Kai was more joyful than he had been for the past few days. They ate their waffles at the pace of conversation. Then they went to class. 

They walked in and took seats at the back of the room. Kai adjusted the strap of his dulcimer and eyed the classroom warily. The assignment was simple: get into groups of five and compose a tune. The class was a jumble of kids with different musical ideas. Kai hated picking teams. 

Braden, already with his whistle out, waved him over. “Misty’s grabbing percussion,” he said. “We’ve got two other kids joining us—some guitar kid named Brace, and that synth girl, Triss.” 

Misty slid into place beside them, a tambourine in one hand and a snare stick in the other. “Apparently Triss is into glitchcore,” she whispered. “This could get weird.” 

Kai didn’t mind weird. What he did mind was how Brace immediately whipped out his phone and started scrolling through presets. “I’ve got some loops saved,” Brace said without looking up. “We could base the whole thing around this one.” 

Braden made a face. “Shouldn’t we, you know… write something together?” 

Triss grinned. “Loop-boy can chill. I want fresh material. What’s Kai got?” 

Kai blinked. “Um. Dulcimer,” he said, suddenly self-conscious. 

Her grin widened. “Sweet. Lay down something moody. I’ll sample it.” 

Kai set up, striking a gentle drone. Misty added crisp taps with her snare. Brace layered mellow chords underneath. Slowly, the group started finding its voice—a strange fusion of folk and synth, grounded by Kai’s melody and lit up by Triss’s ethereal edits. 

Braden joined in, adding a harmony that mirrored Kai’s lines like a shadow. 

It wasn’t perfect. They clashed over tempo. Braden muttered about tonal consistency. But when it clicked—it clicked. The melody felt like rain hitting glass, soft and rhythmic, with bursts of brightness like sunlight slipping through cracks. 

At the end of class, the instructor clapped. “Well, team five,” she said, “I wasn’t expecting that. Who knew dulcimer and glitchcore could fall in love?” 

Kai glanced at his band mates. Braden and Misty beamed. 

The next class was a lyricist challenge.  

Kai walked into the sunlit classroom, where whiteboards were covered in snippets like “rhymes with grief?” and “metaphor check: too dramatic?”. Today’s challenge: write original lyrics with two new collaborators. The instructor clapped her hands. “Three to a group. Surprise pairings. Choose a prompt from the bowl.” 

Kai ended up with Owen, a quiet guitarist with sharp eyes and a notebook full of crossed-out lines, and Jael, who spoke in rhythm even when she wasn’t trying. She grinned as they sat down. “Let’s make something weird.” 

Owen pulled their prompt: “A moment that changed you.” 

Kai tapped his pencil nervously. He’d never written lyrics before. But Jael dove in. “We need an anchor image. Like—what did it feel like?” 

“Like… I was drowning,” Kai said before thinking. “But in sound. The good kind.” 

Jael’s eyes lit up. “Okay. I can work with that.” 

Owen added softly, “Maybe the tune’s what pulled you up?” 

The three began to sketch out verses—Kai’s moment at the dance, raw and unsteady, where his music became a voice he didn’t know he had. Jael threw in a line about “notes like lifelines,” and Owen strummed a simple minor progression underneath the words. 

By the end of class, they had a rough chorus. It was flawed. A little dramatic. But it felt honest. 

As the bell rang, Jael snapped a photo of the lyrics on the board. “We should finish this. Record it or something.” 

Kai nodded, surprised by how much he wanted to. Working with strangers hadn’t diluted his voice—it sharpened it. 

He went to grab his luggage from the room. He realized he would miss the friends he made here when he left. He headed out to the main entrance. Misty and Braden were there.  

“Promise you’ll write?” Braden asked, handing Kai a paper with both their addresses on it.  

“Of course!” Kai said. 

“Mr. Valor is here to pick us both up,” Misty said, “because we’re going straight to our siblings’ engagement party. We’ll see you later!”  

“Goodbye.” Kai said. “I’ll see you both later.” 

Braden smiled. Misty Beamed. They waved and said their goodbyes many times before getting into Mr. Valor’s car and driving away.  

Mr. Leeway wasn’t here yet, so Kai took time to find his friends and add their addresses to the list. Lucy, Marina, Brace, Owen, Triss, Jael, basically everyone he had talked to. Except Blade. That kid was trouble.  

Kai stood by the door waiting. Mrs. Leeway came in. 

“Kai! I’ve missed you so much! How are you? Did you get enough to eat? Did you sleep well? I hope you made friends. Kai, did you make any friends? Come on out to the car. Everyone’s waiting. You can tell us all about it on the way home.” 

Kai smiled. He told her about all his new friends, his new music, everything she asked about as they walked to the car. The van door flew open, and his family flooded out to greet him. Everyone had come! Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, and Marietta. And Lina.  

“Hi Kai!” and “Kai! We missed you!” came from everywhere at once. His cousins Marco and Milo were telling him about their board game they just got. Kai could barely hear them though, because Louise and Marietta were talking excitedly to him too. Jack just clung to his leg.  

“Kai. You’ve got to see what Louise and I have been working on in the creek! You’re going to love it!” 

“Hey, I helped too.” Milo said. 

Kai grinned. “I can’t wait to see it.”  

Lina pushed him into the van, everyone else not far behind, and they drove off. It was time to go home. 

We go away so we can come back again. We see the place we came from in a new way. The people there see us differently too. When today is gone, what have you gained? Will you know new things, have more friends, or simply have more good memories to look over?  

The End

The Lineup: Maycie

The lineup of what the DPL staff have been up to lately.

Maycie’s Lineup

TV Show: Lost

I know…. I know. We’re only about 20 years late to the party but surprisingly, even 20 years behind everyone else we don’t know much about the enigma that is Lost. And what we have learned is that the farther you get into the show the less you actually know about it.  Will we ever know where the polar bears came from or how Locke became paralyzed?  Despite the ever-growing confusion at literally every single episode ending with a cliffhanger, we’re hooked and we’ll see it through all six insane seasons just to see if we ever get any answers!

Availabe to check out here or it is currently streaming on Netflix.

Video Game: The Spirit and the Mouse

I’m big into cozy gaming and this is one that has been on my wish list for a while.  The concept is that you play as a tiny mouse who works to bring happiness and light to the people in this small French village called Sainte-et-Claire. I’ve spent many nights now working with a spirit guardian named Lumion to gather up displaced “Kibblins” and return power to the villagers. It’s very cozy and I was super sad when I finished it. 

You can learn more about The Spirit and the Mouse here for the Nintendo Switch.

Books: Percy Jackson& the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Thanks in part to the new Percy Jackson trilogy, starting with Chalice of the Gods, and in part to the new series on Disney+ I have spent most of my 2024 revisiting the demigods of Camp Half-Blood and their crazy quests.  I worried that books that I started reading when I was 12 wouldn’t hold up to a reread as an adult but thankfully, I had nothing to worry about. Percy was/is as sassy as ever, Annabeth continues to be the coolest girl to ever exist and Grover never fails to make me laugh. There is never a dull moment in Percy’s life and I really enjoy each book in these two series. 

You check out Percy Jackson books here.

Hobby: Quilting (and other assorted elderly lady activities)

I’m actually just an 80-year-old woman at heart and lately I’ve taken up quilting.  I already have a basic knowledge of sewing and crafting things like cross stitching but I have upped my game by trying to undertake the beast that is quilt making. My go-to right now is putting on back episodes of Jeopardy and then diving into measuring and cutting and then trying to rematch seams of quilt blocks.  I’m not great at it but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it one of these days. When I’m not quilting you can find me cross stitching or knitting.

Music: Wicked: The Soundtrack

Anyone who knows me will not be shocked by this, but lately I have been dancing through life with this soundtrack on repeat. The cast of the new movie are all phenomenal singers and the new soundtrack is so wonderful! Someone somewhere at Universal has access to part two of this soundtrack (and the movie) and I need it now. 

You can check out the Wicked soundtrack here or on Hoopla.

Monica’s Musings: All I Want for Christmas

All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox

“You can love someone who isn’t perfect and be deeply loved despite your own imperfections.”
― Maggie Knox, All I Want for Christmas

Summary: True love wasn’t on their holiday wish list.

When Sadie and Max are selected as contestants on the famed reality singing show Starmaker, each thinks they’ve finally gotten their big Nashville break. But then they’re paired up for duet week and stun the world with their romantic onstage chemistry. With fans going wild for #Saxie the network demands that they remain a duo on and offstage, or exit the competition. Faking a relationship until their final performance in the Starmaker holiday special shouldn’t be too hard, except for one small problem–Sadie and Max can’t stand each other.

But with their dreams just within reach, they agree to the ruse. Will their fake relationship be exposed before they can win? Or will an unexpected trip to Banff spark real feelings by the Christmas finale?

My Thoughts: This was such a fun little story to listen to. The audiobook is available on Libby, and I felt like the narration of each character really brought the story to life for me. I loved the mix of music, Christmas, and romance. Altogether this book feels exactly like what you would want out of a simple Christmas movie.


Although the storyline didn’t really surprise me, it made for a nice and easy read. I do find the fake dating tropes entertaining, so I really enjoyed that aspect of the romance! This is exactly the kind of book for you if you enjoy a nice and easy festive read. I would recommend this to fans of Christmas-y romcoms and the fake dating trope!

The Lineup: Eric

Eric’s Lineup

Book: Isolate by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

My reading tastes tend to be pretty straightforward. I read non-fiction history, classic British mysteries and science fiction fantasy. I don’t read quite as much sci-fi/fantasy as I used to, but L. E. Modesitt remains one of my favorite authors.

Isolate is the first book in his newest series. It is set in a steampunk world with steamers (steam powered automobiles) and the beginnings of an industrial age. There are empaths who can detect emotions in others and use their feelings to protect or attack, susceptibles who are particularly able to be influenced by empaths, and isolates who are immune to empaths. While not devoid of action, much of the writing focuses around political intrigue and an exploration of issues that face society and government. I definitely enjoy the world building and the exploration of character that Modesitt portrays in this book. This is definitely a book I would recommend for those who enjoy reading intricate fantasy novels.

Available to check out here.

Music: Smash by The Offspring

This is probably my favorite album of all time. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I have always been a huge fan of the pop punk scene. This album started all of that for me. At the time, it was the highest grossing indie album ever, though I had no idea of that. I enjoyed that they sang about real life events but didn’t take themselves too seriously. It has quite a bit of strong language; I remember playing this cassette on the stereo in my room and having to turn it down whenever there was an extended bout of swearing. I don’t listen to The Offspring quite as much as I used to (I have two children with me much of the time), but they definitely remain a favorite.

Available to stream here or any music streaming services.

Hobby: Home Brewing

I really enjoy tasting craft beer and am a huge fan of Central Standard Brewing. However, there is a lot to be said for making something yourself, which is what got me into home brewing. I started simply about 10 years ago as an extract brewer with kits that I purchased online. Extract brewing involves taking a malt syrup extract or powder, boiling it with 3 or so gallons of water on your stove while adding hops and then putting it into a vessel to ferment. When it is done fermenting, you add some sugar and bottle it up. In 4 to 6 weeks you have beer.

I made some good beer this way, but when you are a home brewer you are always looking to up your game. At the start of the pandemic and unable to visit many of our favorite places, my friend and I decided to recommit to home brewing. He has an all grain system in his garage, so we started brewing exclusively on that. We began to develop our own recipes and have produced some excellent beer. While brewing does require a high level of cleanliness and precision, it is definitely a rewarding hobby. It’s a lot of fun to share a beer with your friends and hear, “You brewed this? It’s really good!”

TV Show: Castle

Growing up, I used to watch a show called Murder She Wrote with my mother. We both enjoyed its lighthearted nature and trying to figure out the killer before the reveal.

Fast forward twenty or so years, and my wife introduced me to a show called Castle. Just like Murder She Wrote, it features a mystery writer who solves murders when the police appear to be baffled. The two leads, Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic, have great chemistry that makes the show fun to watch. I enjoy the witty repartee and discovering who the killer is. True, it’s a bit more intense than Murder She Wrote, but it’s still a fun show. Like many long running TV series, I would definitely saw that the first three seasons are the best, though the series remains fun throughout.

Available to check out the first season here.

The Lineup: Parker

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Parker’s Lineup

Book: Last night a DJ saved my life: The history of the disc jockey by Bill Brewster

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey: Brewster,  Bill: 8601417208380: Amazon.com: Books

As a member of the MTV generation, I love music, especially techno, electronica, and house music, and this book dives deep into range of music scenes, from Chicago house music to Balearic beats and much more. You’ll find narratives about the top DJs, including Frankie Knuckles and Jose Padilla, and learn about their backgrounds and their approaches to mixing.

Available to check out here.

Music: Luxury

Luxury is one of my all-time favorite albums from one of my all-time favorite DJs, Fantastic Plastic Machine, and it’s been on repeat in my iTunes for weeks. Like many Shibuya-kei albums, it’s a mix of electronica, syncopated samba and bossa nova rhythms, and kitschy ‘60s sounds, especially from French pop music.

Luxury — Fantastic Plastic Machine | Last.fm

My favorite singles are “Honolulu, Calcutta” and “Bossa for Jackie,” but I love every track.

Available to stream here or here.

Book: Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher Mysteries, 1): Greenwood, Kerry:  9781590583852: Amazon.com: Books

Phryne Fisher, a former street-urchin who, thanks to a large inheritance and experience as a nurse in the Great War, has transformed into a most glamorous private detective. After showing quick-wit in capturing in jewel thief, Miss Fisher is hired by a colonel to investigate the suspected poisoning of his daughter, Lydia. She throws caution to the wind and sets sail for Melbourne, but her hometown has become dangerous in her absence. Between the main suspect, Lydia’s husband, turning up dead, and an illegal abortion market, it’s anyone’s guess whether she’ll track down the culprit or get eliminated. Having enjoyed Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, I knew I’d like the novels. This first one is definitely superior to the show, fast-paced and complex. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

Available to check out here.

Visit: Tacos from Roadrunner Mexican Fast Food in Wichita

I find myself gravitating toward Roadrunner when I don’t want to cook, which, to be honest, has been more often lately. It’s also reasonably close to my house. They have all sorts of good food, but I love their simple beef tacos best. You should check it out when you’re in the area.

Visit their website for location and more information.

The Lineup: Monica

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Monica’s Lineup

Book: Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

When Lux and her boyfriend are hired to sail two women to a remote island for a large chunk of change, it seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. After a few days at sea, Meroe Island is every bit the paradise they expect, despite a mysterious history of shipwrecks, cannibalism, and even rumors of murder. And when one person goes missing and another turns up dead, Lux begins to wonder if any of them will make it off the island alive.

There is quite a bit of tension and unease throughout this book. What seems to be a light and fun time suddenly becomes a nightmare. Nothing major happens in this book until about a third of the way into it, and then it becomes fast-paced and full of action. It all happens so quickly, so I think the ending could have been a little tidier, but otherwise, this is an interesting island thriller!

Available to check out here.

TV Show: Stranger Things

The long-awaited season four of Stranger Things came out this summer and… WOW! I watched seasons one through three in a several-day-long binge with my husband in 2019, so we have been patiently waiting for the story to continue for the past few years. Season four came out in two parts, and for each one, we spent the day hunkered down binge-watching! I am so excited about how the plot is progressing in the series. If you have no clue what Stranger Things is about, here is a summary.

Stranger Things (season 4) - Wikipedia

“When Will Byers suddenly goes missing, the whole town of Hawkins, Indiana, turns upside down. Many people search for Will, including his mother Joyce, his brother Jonathan, his friends Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Police Chief Jim Hopper, and a few others. But one thing leads to another, creating a supernatural trail. And things get even weirder when a girl, Eleven, comes into the story. She has telekinetic powers and is on the run from the Hawkins Laboratory. The laboratory is researching supernatural phenomena and might have unwittingly unlocked a gateway to another dimension.” (imdb.com)

If you have not watched Stranger Things yet, I recommend hopping on the bandwagon because the next season will be the final season!

Available to stream on Netflix.

Hobby: MadFit for Lifestyle/Health

Maddie Lymburner - YouTube

When the world shut down in 2020, we all had to find ways to live our lives within our own four walls. Working out is something I enjoy, and I go to the gym nearly every day. I like working out in a way that works strength and mobility, but not in a way that makes me feel like I am dying (no offense runners). I discovered the YouTube channel MadFit in my search on how to do at-home workouts without equipment. Maddie Lymburner runs the channel and offers workouts for literally everything. HIIT workouts, dance workouts, stretching, strength, and anything else you can think of. Even now that the gyms are open again, I have her workouts written down in my notes on my phone, so I do them there too.

Recently, she has created an app where you can pay for a subscription to keep you on track with your fitness goals. This app helps track your diet and make workout plans designed for your needs. I just like to use the free YouTube videos, but this is a great option for anyone who might want a little more structure with getting started!

Available to watch here and the MadFit app can be downloaded on the App store or Google Play.

Music: Harry’s House

Harry Styles - Harry's House – Salvaje Music Store

Oh boy, do I love a good Harry Styles album. Harry’s House is the third solo album from Harry since the band he was in, One Direction, went on a hiatus. Many may not know, but I was an avid Directioner (still am), which is what One Direction fans called themselves back in 2012. While I occasionally listen to the other four member’s solo music, Harry’s has consistently been my favorite. I have even gotten my family to be fans of the music. Harry’s House ranks second on my list of his albums. My absolute favorite is the first album, Harry Styles, and third is Fine Line. All are amazing, and I recommend you give them a listen if you haven’t already. My favorite songs from the new album are Matilda and Daydreaming.

Here is 12-year-old me pumped to get a magazine with One Direction on the cover for my birthday. I guess I am just as big of a fan girl as I was ten years ago!

Stream the album here or any music streaming platform.

The Lineup: Xochitl

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Xochitl’s Lineup

Book: The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty

The Center of Everything: A Novel: Moriarty, Laura: 9781401300319:  Amazon.com: Books

This is one of those books that will stay with me forever. The Center of Everything is about Evelyn and her journey from childhood to the end of high school in a small town in Kansas. She’s being raised by a single mother and has a younger brother with mental development issues. Evelyn is an intelligent girl with a lot of opportunity, but she’s battling poverty and being raised on a single income.

I loved everything about this book. The timeline didn’t feel slow at all, and the progression from her being a young girl to an almost college student felt natural. She’s spunky and funny, and though it can feel easy to feel frustrated at her sometimes, remembering she’s a young fictional girl dealing with a lot of grown-up issues really sets the story in perspective. Evelyn deals with religious questioning and peer pressure all throughout the book, as well as figuring out her relationship and feelings towards her mother. These difficult topics in this book hit hard, and the way Evelyn deals with it all is realistic for a teenage girl just trying to figure out life. The other characters in this book are also well written, in my opinion. No one is perfect, and there are a lot of characters I feel like I’ve met before. Another thing I liked about this book was that it was set back in the 1980s, so seeing how a young Kansas girl’s life was back then was cool. I am so glad that I was able to read this book as a young adult because I feel like a lot of my teenage memories are still fresh, so I was able to really immerse myself in Evelyn’s world, a world that was very similar to mine.

Available to check out here.

TV Show: Under the Banner of Heaven

Watch Under the Banner of Heaven Streaming Online | Hulu (Free Trial)

It’s been years since I’ve binge watched a show in one sitting, but Under the Banner of Heaven changed that. I had seen the book being checked out quite frequently and noticed it had a large hold list, but I’d never given it much thought until I saw it being advertised on the home page of Hulu. From the first episode, I was hooked. The story and characters were intriguing, so I had to keep watching. The story centers on the Mormon faith and a real-life murder in Utah. Andrew Garfield plays a fictional detective, but his character was by far my favorite. His personal dilemma keeps the show interesting, and I loved his interactions with any of the characters on the show. The show goes between past, present, and historical times, which I did like because it helped set context for what was going on. Because of how fantastic this show was to watch, I am now reading the nonfiction book on which it was based. 

The show has seven episodes, and each is about an hour long. Viewer discretion is advised for topics such as religion, abuse, abuse of children, and murder. 

Available on Hulu and we do have the book the show is based available to check out here

Music/Album: Un Verano Sin Ti

Have you listened to Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti? I would be surprised if you haven’t, seeing that the album is the most streamed album so far this year, earning 357 million streams just on the Spotify app on its debut day. 

Besides listening to every music genre under the sun in English, I also grew up listening to just about every music genre in Spanish. Reggaeton quickly became one of my favorite genres when I was little, as it was a mix of Latin and Caribbean sounds paired with American hip-hop rap and music. It’s a fun genre that I will never get tired of. Bad Bunny is a modern reggaeton artist from Puerto Rico, influenced by the same classic artists I grew up listening to. His most popular album, YHLQMDG, is regarded as one of the most important albums in reggaeton music. His newest album was no exception to that popularity. 

Un verano sin ti by Bad Bunny (Album, Reggaetón): Reviews, Ratings,  Credits, Song list - Rate Your Music

The album title in English is “A Summer Without You,” and it makes the perfect summer playlist for a day by the pool or at the beach. Each song is danceable and no song is just like the last, as Bad Bunny experimented a lot with this album. There are a lot of sounds that are familiar to me, but that is because he samples old songs from the many genres I grew up with, like merengue or hip-hop. The album has two sides, with one being pure party and the other being easier to listen to. Side B has a lot of political songs with great messages, all tied together with instrumentals rarely seen on a party album. Nonetheless, Un Verano Sin Ti is still a high energy album for sure, and I make sure to play any song at the loudest volume possible. I can listen to this album at any time, it doesn’t matter if I’m cleaning, walking, or swimming. My favorite songs are Despues de la Playa, Efecto, Andrea, Party, and Me Porto Bonito. 

Even if you don’t speak Spanish, especially Puerto Rican and Caribbean Spanish, I think this important album is a must-listen to if you’re looking for a top tier summer playlist.

Available to stream here or on any music streaming platform.

Video Game: Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Wikipedia

The Kirby games are a huge comfort for me, since I was probably 8 years old. Kirby is my favorite video game character and I’ve enjoyed all the Kirby games I’ve played. Needless to say, I was super excited for the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land. The pre-release footage looked so fun and the story seemed fascinating. Thankfully, our library is pretty good at getting new video game releases out to be circulated! 

The game was adorable and nostalgic. A lot of Kirby’s powers were just like his powers from some of the previous games, but the new ones were just as funny and cute. The villains were exciting, and some of them were tough to beat, admittedly. While Kirby is the cutest creature in the universe, this is a fighting game through and through. Getting to learn how to use certain powers and upgrades was challenging, especially when you’re fighting with a low health bar. The story almost had me playing this game in one sitting too! Not only that, but the mini-games and hidden levels make it so easy to get out of the main story. There’s so much to learn about the game, and I’m excited to beat the game again and again to make sure I don’t miss a thing. 

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is available to check out here for the Switch.

Hobby/Concert: Monsta X Tour Show

I’ve been waiting for this concert for years—literally. I originally bought my tickets back in January 2020, fully expecting to attend the show that following June. A pandemic, rescheduled shows, and a canceled one later, I would finally get to go see a favorite group of mine at a new show with new seats. 

Before I turned 18, besides studying, I actually spent most of my free time at concerts. Since college and the pandemic, I haven’t been to a concert in a very long time. I mainly just went to punk rock shows and the occasional pop or rap artist, but my tastes have grown since then to include the Korean boy group, Monsta X. They’re natural performers, winning awards back home for their stage presence and ability to sing and dance live. I don’t really like pop boy groups, but Monsta X easily stole my heart. If you don’t like listening to music in a language you don’t understand, they have two English albums dedicated to their international fans, full of pop and R&B songs.

The concert itself was just top-tier amazing. They are so interactive with the crowd (I even got a wave!) and hype the audience up all the way. Their live vocals are fantastic, even while dancing, and their dancing abilities are insane. I also loved all the outfits they wore throughout the show. They matched the themes of their songs and helped set the scene for what they were about to perform. I have so many favorite moments from the concert. From solo stages that showcased their individual talents and strengths, from the EDM-esque songs that led me to bump into the people around me, and especially their speeches. Three of the members are near fluent in English, so it was so nice to hear them talk to their international fans about how the pandemic affected them and their tours. All of the members love touring and performing live, and after leaving that show, it was beyond a doubt proven to me. 

Below are some of my favorite photos that I took from the show. 

You can listen to Monsta X here or on any music streaming platform. 

The Line-Up: Alyssa

Artist: Jessica Roux

Jessica Roux is a Nashville-based freelance illustrator and artist who specializes in animal and plant subjects. Her work has this colorful yet vintage style that plays with duality. It’s warm, but jarring. It’s gentle, but terrifying. Jessica will include a beautiful bouquet of flowers in vibrant paint next to an ivory skull or slithering serpent.

An Instagram post introduced me to her work. The post advertised her new oracle deck, Woodland Wardens, and from the moment I saw the drawings, I was enchanted. Unlike a tarot deck with its traditional cards and meanings, an oracle deck is entirely unique to the creator, and Jessica’s cards use the wisdom of both plants and animals to guide the user. I bought the deck at Barnes and Noble a few days after its release, and I have spent so much time staring at these cards and their art.

Jessica Roux also illustrates book covers, and one of her projects actually led to my next recommendation!

Book: A Game of Fox and Squirrels by Jenn Reese

I picked this book up because the cover art and illustrations were done by Jessica Roux, but the story itself is just as phenomenal as the drawings. This middle grade novel is about Sam who moves with her older sister to rural Oregon after experiencing domestic violence at the hands of her father. Sam’s aunt gives her a card game called Fox and Squirrels, and the cards summon a mythical fox with a dapper suit and a charming proposition. The Fox promises Sam that he will grant her a wish if she can locate the Golden Acorn, but the only way to find this wish-giving item is to give the manipulative Fox whatever he wants.

This book is so merciful in its representation of a child who has experienced domestic violence. It covers traits of PTSD and survivor’s guilt and building trust in other adults when one’s primary caregivers have betrayed them. It’s also written in beautiful prose that encapsulates the elegant forests of Oregon. The relationships between the characters is believable, especially in demonstrating how secrecy and shame become embedded in a family driven by emotional abuse. These characters are full, rich, and human in a relatable way. As someone who has gone through similar situations as Sam, I found this book to be profoundly validating, and I would recommend it to either children currently in this situation or adults who still live with those memories and scars to this day.

Music: Out Walking by Abby Gundersen

While I love loud, aggressive music to pump me up for a workout or rhythmic, R&B beats to dance to, sometimes gentle piano music is what the soul needs. Abby Gundersen is a composer from Washington who has been collaborating with her brother, Noah, and other musicians for years on multiple projects. Most often Abby works on other people’s tracks, playing piano, violin, or fiddle in the background, but every few years she’ll release a collection of solo instrumentals.

Out Walking is her newest EP. It features six songs, all piano tracks, and explores the feelings one has when walking around a neighborhood, garden, lighthouse, or just heading north. It’s a delicate album, and each song has this way of making whatever you are looking at or doing seem beautiful and profound. I listen to this album when driving and suddenly I feel like I’m in a movie where seemingly mundane things, like kids riding their bikes or construction workers tearing up a road, are existential and poignant.

I love the sounds you can hear on this album too. I believe Abby recorded on an older piano in some kind of attic because you can hear her hitting the piano pedals and the keys striking the base. It’s a palpable album, both soothing and emotional.

I recommend starting with The Neighborhood or Lighthouse, and the entire album is available on Spotify or iTunes.

TV Show: Netflix’s The Lost Pirate Kingdom

Netflix is a hot-spot for interesting documentaries, and The Lost Pirate Kingdom is an adventure into the Golden Age of Piracy. I’ve always been fascinated by the visage of the pirate; a rebellious sea-sailing warrior armed with freedom and pretty jewels, but the truth of the pirate is much more brutal. I wanted to understand what led individuals to such a chaotic and dangerous life.

The Lost Pirate Kingdom is part documentary/part dramatization. Shakespearean actor Sir Derek Jacobi narrates a six-episode series into the beginnings and endings of famous pirates like Benjamin Hornigold, Edward Teach a.k.a. Blackbeard, Sam Bellamy, and Anne Bonny. Combined with interviews from historians, the series features actors performing these roles aboard actual ships and playing out scenes that rival the cinematography of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. It’s a succinct, entertaining, and honest account of how these men and women took autonomy over their own lives by going against the tyranny of a monarch and its repressive values.

If you are curious about the timelines, actual events, and motivations behind these brackish buccaneers, check out this trailer and give The Lost Pirate Kingdom a try!

The Lineup: Xochitl

Xochitl’s Lineup

Book: Did You Ever Have a Family? by Bill Clegg

A terrible accident kills a daughter, her father, her mother’s boyfriend, and her fiancé the night before the wedding. Since it’s a small town, rumors fly and having a space to grieve is difficult for the few family members left. So difficult that one of them goes across the country for a clear mind. The book is told in no particular order from many people’s points of view, all leading to a true resolution. This was a super emotional read. Going through multiple points of view during different times and nothing in order, I came into it thinking I would be confused and wouldn’t enjoy it. I’m glad I was proven wrong. Despite timelines seeming like they’re going all over the place, it was pretty easy to grasp the story early on, and I felt the flow of the story was better this way than it could’ve been from just one point of view and sequentially. Bill Clegg tells the story of grief and broken families with imperfect people. There weren’t any main characters, but I would say that the mothers really drove this story. This is definitely a depressing book, but I felt like the book ended in the best way that it could, with comfort and resolution.

I read it on our Libby app but we also have physical copies in our catalog.

TV Show: Succession

I am finally catching up with the rest of the world and have started watching Succession. It is brilliantly funny. Succession takes a look into the lives of a family that has built its massive wealth by managing the news, media, and theme parks from all over the world. The family is messy and two-faced, with the main siblings fighting for power amongst one another and doing anything they can to get it. No one is likeable in this series, and I think that’s why I’m obsessed with it. Also, the soundtrack is killer, as well as the acting. It doesn’t seem like a comedy from this description, but I think it’s because it is actually dark humor in the true sense. The stuff that happens to this family and the stuff that they do is just so surreal that you just have to laugh. It’s hard for me to take breaks while watching Succession. I am almost done with the latest season.

There are a lot of adult themes and scenes, so I would refrain from watching if you’re underage or not comfortable with watching that.

You can find it on HBOMax and we do have the first two seasons on DVD at the Derby Public Library.

Music/Album: Wasteland, Baby! By Hozier

The album that has been on constant rotation these past few months has been Hozier’s Wasteland, Baby! This genre is one I do not listen to much of. My Spotify statistics can verify that I mainly listen to R&B, but this album has a lot of influences from gospel, soul, and blues artists—the beginnings of my favorite genre. Hozier is a powerful singer and a remarkable lyricist. His debut album caught my attention for the first time back in November, and I had it on constant repeat. Naturally, I found myself listening to his second one, and it became an instant favorite, moreso than his debut. Themes of activism and love found throughout this album resonate with me, and the blend of folk with different genres is done so well. My favorite songs on the album are “No Plan” and “Dinner & Diatribes.”

We have the album available to checkout at the Derby Public Library or you can stream it on any music streaming service you use.

Hobby: Lego (Batman Car)

Following the theme of “stuff I usually don’t do,” I have accidentally found myself creating a LEGO collection. I did not grow up with LEGOs and never saw the appeal of them as I got older. Last month I built a set meant for someone else, and thus my newest and most expensive hobby was born.

I mainly started off with smaller sets of franchises I liked, then worked towards more difficult sets with lots of pieces. Admittedly, I love doing puzzles, so it’s not that farfetched that I got into LEGO building. My newest build was a Technic set of Batman’s car in the latest movie, and it was a beast. I loved every minute of it and can’t wait to pick out my next LEGO set.

Movie: Sabrina (1995 version)

I adored the 1954 version of Sabrina, starring Audrey Hepburn, so I was pretty excited to see how the 1995 version would hold up. It was just as comedic and romantic as the original. Sabrina’s actress was phenomenal in the role, and I especially liked her solo parts. Harrison Ford’s character was also entertaining, and certainly different from the majority of the roles he does. My favorite difference between this version and the older one is that the Paris scenes are actually filmed in Paris. It made the film look more authentic and helped with the growth of Sabrina’s character on screen. Maybe because I usually find romantic endings to be cheesy, my favorite part of the movie was Sabrina’s time in Paris. I think if you’re looking for something familiar and sweet, I would give this movie a watch if you haven’t.

We have the DVD to check out in the library catalog.

The Lineup: Monica

Monica’s Lineup

TV Series: Gilmore Girls

Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter, Rory, live in the small town of Stars Hollow. Their life is full of drama, life changes, and small-town relationships. My mom and I first watched this when I started high school, and every year since then, we have watched it. Somehow, it has become our cozy series to watch during the holiday season. All of the actors and actresses in the show are talented and well-known today. Despite the series being released in 2000, it is a timeless coming of age story that is enjoyable for all audiences.

Available for checkout through the Derby Public Library

Podcast: Dark History hosted by Bailey Sarian

Bailey Sarian is the host of the Dark History podcast, which I listen to on Spotify. She started the podcast to talk about topics that are a little too dark or theory-based to cover in history class. I first found Bailey on YouTube with her Murder, Mystery, and Makeup series, where she does a full face of makeup while explaining a true murder story. She has a talent for researching and retelling stories with such dark topics. She is loose with her language and is a little sarcastic. Although in my opinion, that adds to the story. Most podcast episodes are pretty short and fun, and I enjoy listening to them in my free time.

Available on Spotify, Youtube, or whatever you listen to your podcasts.

Book: An Edited Life by Anna Newton

Organizing and reorganizing are two of my favorite things to do. Last year, I aimed to adopt a capsule wardrobe. If you are unfamiliar with this idea, essentially, you own just enough clothes that you will regularly wear and nothing more. I first found the author, Anna Newton, on YouTube as The Anna Edit. On her channel, she has videos explaining her wardrobe. She explains what she looks for when purchasing new items, quality over quantity.

Her book, An Edited Life, describes living a semi-minimalist lifestyle. It gives the basics of how to start decluttering your mental and physical space. Anna Newton uses comedic writing and colorful language in this book. It makes it feel like she is just a friend chatting with you about living a simple life.

Available for checkout through the Derby Public Library

Audiobook: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I listened to Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell on Libby. This is a young adult book about a college freshman, Cath. Her twin sister, Wren, has committed to the college girl lifestyle and leaves Cath on her own. Cath is a writer of Simon Snow fan fiction. She has spent years editing the fictional world of her favorite story in order to escape her reality. Throughout the story, Cath is falling in love with a real guy, not a fictional character, and it was fun to hear her inner dialogue as she tries to navigate her priorities and emotions. I enjoyed how easy this book was to listen to, and that it was a simple boy meets girl kind of story.

Audiobook available for checkout through the Sunflower eLibrary or the Libby app, book available for checkout through the Derby Library

Music: Surface Sounds by Kaleo

I love all kinds of music, but lately, this album by Kaleo is the only thing I play. I am a fan of their album A/B which they released in 2016. So, when Surface Sounds came out in 2021, I was more than ready to hear it. Kaleo is an “Icelandic blues-rock” band, and their style checks all the boxes for what I think makes music enjoyable. My favorite songs on this album are Skinny and Backbone. Plus, this CD is available for checkout at the Derby Public Library!