I just finished the book I've been reading for the past two weeks, Wish You Well, by David Baldacci. Thank the Lord! Way back when, Barb and I shared a bedroom growing up, and we'd take turns holding the flashlight under the covers to finish one more chapter without the light slithering out from under our door. I still struggle to choose sleep over 15 more minutes of reading late. For the past few nights, when it's 11:30 pm and I'm already 30 minutes short on sleep, I convince myself 15 MORE minutes won't make a difference.

I'm here to tell you - it makes a difference.

Still it was worth it.

I've heard a few mixed reviews on this book, which my daughter, Sarah told me to read. The author generally writes more like Grisham or Clancy or Ludlum, but he says in his forward (doesn't everyone read it?) that this book was written straight from his heart. It's a story he took from his grandmother's life, lived out in the hills of southern Virginia.

It's a story where The Company is guilty of trying to squelch the common man; forged childhood friendships that heal deep hurts; love conquering where nothing else will. A great story.

I determined to sit down today, in the daylight, for 30 minutes and finish it. It was one of those books where you just held your breath for the last several pages, and sat silent for a bit after you closed the cover. I grew to love the characters. I hated to see it end.

Check it out, or find it at the half-price bookstore, or even pay full price for it -it's that good. But catch up on your sleep before you get to the last few chapters. Me - I'm putting out the 'Do Not Disturb' sign tonight, and sleeping a bit late tomorrow morning, before I start what I've heard is another great read. This bookworm isn't as young as she used to be!