Archive for the ‘read it’ Category

My Mom left early this morning for the long drive from Salt Lake City to Kansas City for Quilt Market.  She is helping her dear friends, Norma and Joyce of Geoff’s Mom’s Pattern Co. with their booth at the show.

In preparation for the hours in the car, she called last week to get some ideas for books.  We ended up talking about a long list of books we’ve both loved and books on our to read lists…

I just finished Gift from the Sea, one of my Mom’s favorite books.  It’s a very short read, but I took it slow and sweet, reading only a few pages a night right before bed.  It was that kind of book, one I needed to read and then think about.  Even though it was written over 50 years ago, it is still pertinent to my life.

I suggested Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg.  Which, unfortunately or fortunately, they had already read…  If you haven’t, it’s treat.  It’s a book full of lots of humor and wisdom.

This is the next book on my listening reading list: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.  My husband just finished it and we’ve talked a lot about it.  He put in on my iPod so I’ve got something to do while I work in the yard.

She ended up loading a range of books for their drive from Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese to In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson, the same author who wrote Devil in the White City, which we both thought was riveting.

After Quiet, I’m looking forward to rereading The Scarlet Pimpernel which I read many years ago… so it will be like reading for the first time.

Since Summer is just around the corner and I’d love hear what’s on your favorite read list or to read list.  With weeds that always seem to be popping up in my yard, I know I’ll get in lots of quality time for listening to good books.

It’s President’s Day here in the U.S. so in honor I am sharing some of my favorite books on U.S. Presidents.

I love history and usually try to have a non-fiction to read, even if I’m reading a fiction as well.  I’ve included a few historical fictions too:

His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph Ellis  –  I started out reading this book with vague notions about our first President of cherry trees and not telling lies.  When I started reading I was stunned to discover I didn’t much like George, who seemed both ambitious, vain and often petty.  But as the book went on, either he grew as a person or his circumstances brought out the best in him.  My admiration certainly grew, and by the end of the book, I felt a tremendous respect and gratitude for the “Father of our Country.”  I was glad to know more about the man I owe much to.

John Adams by David McCullough – Again a biography changed the way I looked at history.  I used to think of John Adams as a blustering, outspoken, but less significant, founding father.  He was nothing compared to the dignified, articulate and accomplished Thomas Jefferson.  This book was one of my favorite biographies of all time.  I came away with the greatest respect for John Adams – and cracks in the facade of Thomas Jefferson.  This book might even make you feel indignant, like I am, that John Adam’s face isn’t on any of our money and he’s not on Mount Rushmore… and he should be.   I LOVED learning more about John’s relationship with Abigail.

The President’s Lady: A Novel about Rachel and Andrew Jackson by Irving Stone – I read this historical fiction when I was a teenager.  I remembering loving it and have wanted to find a copy to reread.  I went on an Irving Stone kick back then and read his historical novel about John and Abigail Adams (Those Who Love: A Biographical Novel of Abigail and John Adams) which are both out of print.  I also loved and have read several times- including once while I was traveling in Italy- the wonderful book The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo by Irving Stone- which is still in print.

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin- One of my favorite non-fictions of all time, this book was a page-turner for me.  I even felt myself wishing, hoping that the outcome could somehow be different.  This book absolutely confirmed my idea that Abraham Lincoln is my favorite President.

Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt by David McCullough.  I knew Roosevelt came from a wealthy and privileged upbringing in New York.  But what I didn’t know was that his success- his greatness– was a product of pain and struggle.  I loved this book.

Truman by David McCullough. Yep.  I really like David McCullough.  Not only does he have a great voice, he has a way of telling history which makes it living and immediate.  He has a way of making you FEEL it. As for Truman, have we ever had a less likely President? To read about his path to White House was amazing in it’s unlikeliness.  He was an incredibly likable President for me, with small town values and an contagious optimism.

What are your favorite books about our Presidents?  I’m on the lookout for a good book about FDR.