Currently reading (July 2025)

Lincoln
by David Herbert Donald

I read about Lincoln long before I began keeping presidential sketchbooks. It seems a bit unbalanced that I’ve doodled my way through two books about William Henry Harrison, who was only president for a month, and none about Lincoln. This book has been on my shelf waiting for me for two years, but I’m finally reading it.

Lincoln: His Life in Photographs
by Stefan Lorant

I’m not reading this one, but I’m referencing it for doodles and it’s incredible.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette
by Stephanie Dray 

Technically, I’m done reading this. I’m not done with my wrap-up post yet. Narrowing the doodles down is a challenge.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
by David Grann

This has been on my shelf for a while. I needed a book that I won’t want to doodle, that will be good but not so good as to pull me away from working on my History Camp presentation, and is light enough to carry it in my bag if I’m not done by the time I leave for my conference. Well, it’s light enough. But I suspect I’ll be done with it before I leave because it is, in fact, shaping up to be both too good and also making me want to collect related doodles.

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Up next:

NON-FICTION

I’m torn between a few books:

The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President
by Edward F. O’Keefe

This book sounded fascinating when I first heard about it, but I’ve already read three books about Theodore Roosevelt so I didn’t plan to read it anytime soon. I may tackle it next because:

• The book I’m reading about Lincoln is interesting but very slow going

• I need to chase with a faster and more entertaining

• Theodore Roosevelt is endlessly entertaining

• As were the women surrounding him

• I just found out that O’Keefe is also speaking at History Camp (about this book!) and hopefully I’ll get to attend his session [audibly squeals with all fingers crossed]

This book is now yipping at me like TR used to yip at Grover Cleveland, according to Daniel S. Lamont. Doodle inspired by The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, by Edmund Morris.

Of All Tribes: American Indians and Alcatraz
by Joseph Bruchac

Alcatraz keeps popping up in the news lately and this book has been my pile since I heard the author speak about it at an event a couple of years ago. It’s beautiful, with tons of photos and graphics. It’s also for younger readers, so perhaps I won’t have to consult my dictionary as much while reading it.

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.

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

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More!

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

Or check out my related doodles: