Currently reading (January 2025)
Black Americans, Civil Rights, and the Roosevelts, 1932-1962
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
I am beyond excited to read and doodle my way through Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum’s forthcoming book as part of a sponsorship. The book is based on their current special exhibition, which is open through March 2. I faked the spine in the photo above because it hasn’t been published yet (I have sneak peek!). This is my first time doodling my way through a book I can’t take a picture of or hold in my hands. Not going to lie — I feel pretty special. Comment below or message me if you want me to let you know when you can order the book to actually hold it in your hands. (And follow along on Instagram as I doodle my way through it!)
Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray
FDR’s Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins (the first woman to serve as cabinet secretary!) has been following me around everywhere. She was in the last presidential book I read. Obviously, she’s makes an appearance in the book above. She keeps showing up in my podcast feed. And when I popped into the library to find a book in under 5 minutes, this is what jumped out at me. It’s historical fiction. I’m less than 100 pages in, but it’s fascinating.
Just finished:
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus
I totally judged this book by its cover, which I know one is not supposed to do, but I’m not going to change now. I’m so glad I decided to read this — it’s just what I need. Something smart, but easy to read. Something that keeps me away from my phone. Two complaints: it kept me up past my bedtime every night and I finished it too quickly.
Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Mrs. John Adams, and Mrs. Abe Lincoln were all mentioned unexpectedly. (The last two with “as if their previous identities had just been twenty-odd-year placeholders before they became actual people.”)
Winterset Hollow
by Jonathan Edward Durham
The author magically appeared in my Instagram feed and he’s hilarious. (“If anyone ever tells you it’s healthier to eat less cheese they are 100% just trying to get your cheese”.) When I found out he writes books (“like really looong memes but heavier and with better punctuation”), I immediately added this one to my Must Read List.
“He was posed with both hands clutching the lapels of his jacket and his chest puffed out like some long-lost Roosevelt…” again, not expecting any presidents to show up here.
Up next:
NON-FICTION
I’m torn between three books:
The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement
by Sharon McMahon
I’ve heard amazing things about this book and can’t wait to read it.
The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King
by Rich Cohen
I know a little bit about this story and it’s not flattering. The cover and spine, on the other hand, are gorgeous (the banana-shaped typography! Gasp!). Naturally, I was powerless to not buy it.
The Age of Acquiescence: The Life and Death of American Resistance to Organized Wealth and Power
by Steve Fraser
This spine also stopped me in my tracks. (Same library book sale as the previous title!) Seems particularly timely.
Note to self: blog post idea — Spines that Stopped Me In My Tracks. I’ll need to add Booth to that post.
FICTION
West With Giraffes
by Lynda Rutledge
More!
You can find all the books I’ve read or am reading this year in my Bookshop:
