Currently reading (February 2026)
President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier
by CW Goodyear
Years ago when I read Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President (here are my doodles), I made a note that I needed to read a second book about Garfield that explores more of his life.
Finally got around to it! My goal is to finish by March 13, the anniversary of when Crete died. If I read 20 pages a day and keep doodling, this should be a breeze. The doodling bit is a problem though — waiting for my new glasses to come in. In the meantime, drawing kinda makes me queasy.
The Night We Became Strangers
by Lorena Hughes
It was an emergency situation. Busy day. No time for exercise. The few pages left of my current book weren’t going to through bedtime… walked to the library and quickly grabbed this off the shelf. Gorgeous cover. It’s historical fiction, revolving around the radio dramatization of The War of the Worlds.
Everything You Need to Ace U.S. History in One Big Fat Notebook
by Lily Rothman, editors of Brain Quest, illustrations by Tim Hall
I didn’t read my way through the presidents chronologically. Many of them I read a long time ago. I’m working my way though this fun little book as I prepare my upcoming presentations to refamiliarize myself with how events unfolded over time.
It’s already inspired this map, which will debut in my Thomas Jefferson presentation in March. Although technically, it appears it’s debuting here and now. But without any context! Guess you’ll have to join me in March to know what’s what.
Poems by First Ladies: The First-Ever Anthology
Louisa Adams, Mary Todd Lincoln, Dolley Madison, Michelle Obama, Edith Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and More
by Michael Croland
To be honest — I find poetry intimidating. Croland generously sent me an advance copy. I’m nervously excited to read it — particularly the poem by Mary Lincoln that nearly lead to a duel (I read about that near-fiasco not too long ago).
This is my I Need A Book Just In Case But It Has to be Light and Compact book, which is super-convenient but I’m not getting through it quickly. Now that I think I’m related to Presidents Adams, I’m even more excited to read it…
Up next:
FICTION
The Girl with the Louding Voice
by Abi Daré
Recommended by my best friend; she’s never failed me.
NON-FICTION
American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House
Jon Meacham
This has been on my shelf for a while, but I never doodled my way through Andrew Jackson and I’m presenting about him this summer.
You Can’t Catch Us: Lady Bird Johnson’s Trailblazing 1964 Campaign Train and the Women Who Rode with Her
by Shannon McKenna Schmidt
Full disclosure: it’s going to be a bit until I get to this one, but I pre-ordered it and it arrived yesterday and I’m very excited about it, so I had to mention it. Lady Bird is incredible. The First Lady of World War II: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back was, too. See?? I already know I’m going to love this.
More!
You can find all the books I’ve read this year or am reading this year in my Bookshop:
Or check out my related doodles:
Read this book.