Good Reads: "Ghosted: An American Story"

Book 8 of 2026 (April 15 to 23) was an unexpectedly fascinating personal (true) story of a woman's life journey — from a checkered family background through abuse, political and personal upheaval, and ultimately finding courage and faith.

Ghosted: An American Story by Nancy French

Nonfiction, Memoir/Autobiography

To get this out of the way from the beginning, I knew of Nancy (Anderson) French, the author of Ghosted: An American Story, because she and I were only two years apart at the same high school — Henry County High School in Paris, Tenn. (she, the Class of 1993, and I, the Class of 1995). The best I can recall, I had exactly one personal interaction with her — I was wearing or holding some sort of Bush/Quayle ’92 campaign paraphernalia in the lunchroom at Henry County High School during my sophomore year (the year I also wore a Rush Limbaugh–inspired “deficit-reduction ribbon” — a dollar bill fashioned into an AIDS-awareness–style ribbon — in my yearbook photo ... I was very cool). She was the Homecoming Queen, and I was decidedly (especially based on my interest in conservative politics at 15 years old in the 1992–93 school year) not running in the same circles of cool. We were not friends, but we do come from the same place and know many of the same people, more or less. However, her origin story did play a role in sparking my interest in reading her 2024 memoir. 

I'm glad I did.

In Memoriam: Irene Waddell

Irene and Randall Waddell at their 50th anniversary celebration in 2019.

Edith Irene (Ward) Waddell

74, Dacula, Ga.

Edith Irene (Ward) Waddell, of Dacula, Georgia, died on December 11, 2025, at Northside Hospital Gwinnett in Lawrenceville, Ga. She was 74 years old.

Born on November 21, 1951, at Fort McPherson — a U.S. Army military base located in Atlanta, Ga. — Irene was a devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished grandmother and great-grandmother. She was known for her kind heart, joyous attitude, and unwavering love for her family. Irene found her greatest joy in spending time with those she loved and took pride in the life she built with her family. 

She is survived by her husband, Randall Waddell, of Dacula, Ga.; her daughters, Shannon (Daniel) Ross, of Jasper, Ind., Kimberly Waddell, of Winder, Ga., Amanda (Dennis) Morrison, of Columbia, Tenn.,, and Brandie (David) McDaniel, of Dacula, Ga.; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, all of whom were a source of immense joy and pride in her life. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Ward; mother, Clara Ward; and brothers Charlie and Jimmy Ward. Her sister, Trish Scott, died 13 days after Irene on Dec. 24, 2025.

Irene will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of love, devotion to family, and spirit will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

There will be no visitation or formal funeral services. Instead, a private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

The Ward Family, Christmas 2017: Trish Scott, left, Charlie Ward, Irene Waddell, Jimmy Ward, Clara Ward.

Music Favorites 2025

In the past, I've often taken time at the end of the year to review what I considered to be the best music of the year. Caveat: I can't — and don't — keep up with everything. This post is me telling you what are my favorites among the music I actually purchased/downloaded/streamed, in 2025. Links will be for Apple Music, as that is my streaming platform of choice (however, I have physical copies — vinyl and/or CD — of many of these). You can also go directly to the PLAYLIST I've made — and friend me on Apple Music.

The Books I Read in 2025

A few years ago, I set a goal to read at least one book a month, as I had allowed my phone, social media, etc. to greatly lessen my ability to stay focused. In 2025, I continued this challenge and read 36 books. This was not planned, but I did have quite a pile of books waiting for me at the conclusion of 2024 and I got through January with two books completed and four knocked out in February. So, I thought to myself 'I think I can read three a month if I plan it well.' As of this writing I've read some part of a book every single day of 2025 and it's definitely been a personal best. I will not attempt to repeat this goal in 2026 — or increase it. I know lots of folks read 50 or more books a year, but also include audiobooks in this (more power to you, if that's you). Towards the end of this run, I started to feel like I had homework every day — and I definitely don't want reading to become that!

Without further ado, here's what I read with my favorites, listed in order of reading, at the end of the post. 

Good Reads: "King: A Life"

Book 28 of 2025 (Sept. 28 to Oct. 13) was a near-masterpiece of biography writing. I picked up my copy at The Next Chapter in Jasper — and you should too (have them order it if it's not there).

"King: A Life" by Jonathan Eig

Non-Fiction, Biography

On the next-to-last page of the epilogue of "King: A Life" by Jonathan Eig, the author writes what is probably the most profound sentence in the book (I highlighted it in an otherwise unmarked book). 

"But in hallowing King we have hollowed him."