Currently reading (May 2025)

The Edge of Water
by Olufunke Grace Bankole 

If I’m being honest, I finished this one yesterday. It’s not technically still in my pile. It’s such a powerful, heart-wrenching, beautiful story that I’m mentioning it here anyhow.

The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King
by Rich Cohen

This has been in my pile since the spine stopped me in my tracks at a book sale. I think it’s going to be a quick read because I don’t anticipate many doodles. I knew a little bit about this story going into it and it’s not flattering. I’m definitely laughing more than I expected, which honestly was not at all. It’s a fascinating and (so far!) fun read.

An Oral History of Atlantis
by Ed Park

I was delighted to find an advance copy waiting for me in my PO box. (It’s possible I may have squealed when I ripped open the mysterious package and realized what it was, but let’s pretend I have more chill than that.) I have Ed Park to thank (blame?) for getting me started sometimes doodling my way through fiction. His incredible book Same Bed Different Dreams featured so many presidential and historic cameos that I really had no choice. (See what I mean?)

---

Up next:

NON-FICTION

As always, I’m torn between a few different books:

Robert Rogers of the Rangers
by John R. Cuneo

I originally picked this up at a book sale because I’m married to a Robert Rogers, though not this particular one. This Robert Rogers has popped up again recently in my reading, which seems like a sign. With the upcoming 250th birthday of our country, I want to read more about the Revolutionary War.

Lincoln
by David Herbert Donald

I read about Lincoln long before I began doodling my way through the presidents. Having doodled my way through two books about William Henry Harrison, who was only president for a month, it kind of seems like Lincoln needs to be a priority. In any case, this book has been on my shelf waiting for me for two years.

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 Black Cabinet: The Untold Story of African Americans and Politics During the Age of Roosevelt
by Jill Watts

The Roosevelts have been featured prominently in many of the books I’ve read recently, so I’m going to read a book or two before I get to this one. But I am so excited to dive into this! (And not just because the author sent me a copy with a sweet note inside.)

FICTION

TBD

---

More!

You can find all the books I’ve read or am reading this year in my Bookshop:

Or check out my related doodles: