The Warbler

by Sarah Beth Durst

I planned to visit the coffee shop first, but the bookstore has a cat.

The best thing about books, at least for me, is that favorites can feel like home.

“Regrets aren’t a thing you can avoid,” Mom said. “They’re just a part of life. Every time you say yes, you’re saying no to a dozen other things you could be doing.”

“Also, if you hear voices in the stacks, don’t be alarmed. We’ve been having a problem with that.”

“I just want you to take a breath and think about this. The world tells us this is what we should want: be a daughter, be a wife, be a mother. But you deserve to be you as well.”