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  I was told I read too much. Rather than get offended took it as a compliment. What a wonderful thing to be accused of.

  It seemed to annoy this person that every time we meet I bring a book. It’s true, the reason being, there are many opportunities in the course of ones day to read.

I learned this from Theodore Roosevelt who read at least three books a week.

  “But that’s because he didn’t have cable,” said my friend, but knew, no matter what, TR would have chosen Dickens over Netflix.

  “I am a part of everything I read,” Teddy said, and that goes for me too.

  Here’s my latest list.

  Let’s begin with some American History to ignite any snoozing patriotism.

    The Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, And The Birth Of America…Stacy Schiff (2005)

    All I knew about Ben was that he was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence (70), sired the first library and synagogue in Philadelphia, and invented a kick ass stove. Well, turns out there’s lots more about Ben, like how jealous his peers were including John Adams who was his roommate in Paris. How women trailed him like he was one of the Beatles and liked conducting business while breakfasting in bed often suffering from painful gout; but we would have too living on mutton, madeira and salty French women.

   Are you sold yet? If not, watch the Ken Burns documentary on Ben, Schiff sparkling much in the same way that he did.

     Lincoln’s Sanctuary: Abraham LIncoln and the Soldier’s Home…Matthew Pinsker (2003)

     It was Abe’s Camp David, his getaway especially in the humid summer months where the fetid smells of Washington D.C. prior to sanitation one could hardly bear or now imagine.

     Its 191 pages with photos are filled with Civil War lore our esteemed 16th President dealt with during the four fraught years he ran the country.

     His modest cottage is still there to visit in Northwest Washington now managed by the Park’s Department.

     I can’t wait to go.

    Assassination Vacation…Sarah Vowell (2005)

    I’ll admit, Ms Vowell isn’t for everybody same as David Sedaris, who’s a friend of hers by the way, but will say this. If you’ve never dipped your toe into American History or just need a refresher course, Sarah’s your girl. Her sarcasm and cheerful ghoul cannot be rivaled, nor her love of history taking you on a killer tour, literally, where four presidents were no more and what became of their infamous assassins. It’s as if Lily Munster hands you a map, shovel and a flask.

    The Murrow Boys: Pioneers On The Front Lines Of Broadcast Journalism…Stanley Cloud and Lynne Olson (1996)

     Imagine a time when those reporting the news told the truth rather than embellishing it while at home on a Mac in their underwear, trolling for LIKES.

    Edward R. Murrow and his brave band of brothers were in a class all their own when radio was king and those listening knew, when they heard Murrow say, This is London, it was as if they too were experiencing the 57 consecutive nights of the Blitz.

    If you’ve seen the film or play, Good Night and Good Luck, Murrow’s signature farewell after each of his nightly broadcasts, this 392 spectacular historical biography was a main influencer. It was my third time reading and again, couldn’t put it down.

   Manhattan 45’…Jan Morris (1987)

   My favorite part is the opening when in June, 1945 the Queen Mary coasted into New York harbor bringing 14, 546 servicemen back from six years of war while hundreds of grateful Americans welcomed them home.

   I’ve stood down at the Battery trying to recapture what it must have been like for our heroes returning to a country they fought so bravely for.

  Our author, dying in 2020 at 94, was born James, becoming one of the very first transgenders of her time; a very brave soul in her own right leaving this world with no regrets.

    Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival…Omid Scobie (2023)   

    When did England’s first family become a bad mini series? Between the arrest of Prince Andrew for extreme sexual misconduct, Prince William publicly shunning his brother Harry and his biracial wife, their stepmother their own mother called the Rottweiler and their father, now King for a limited time only, it more than rivals the National Enquirer.

    When Queen Elizabeth died in 2022 at 96 after reigning for 70 years was when all the wheels came off the royal coach.

    So go ahead, be a fly on the wall…it’s smut at its royal best.

    Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice…Virginia Roberts Giuffre (2025) 

    Published posthumously, a tough, heartbreaking story from one of Jeffrey Epstein’s biggest, saddest victims that sired the scandal that’s still going on today, including the downfall of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor forever tarnishing England’s royal family as we’ve known it.

   Her courage costing her greatly, Virginia took her own life in April, 2025 leaving that long awaited justice in her wake.

   Dusk Night Dawn: On Revival And Courage…Anne Lamott (2021)   

   Just when you need her, Anne gallops up on her celestial steed. It’s been night for far too long so that dawn of hers is just what the doctor ordered. She reminds us that all things pass and till they do, it’s whether we deal with them harshly or with grace. If you haven’t met Anne yet, I suggest now’s a good time.

   How bout a little first class fiction to cleanse the palette, like sorbet between the soup and the fish.

   There I was trolling the stacks when I see The Lincoln Lawyer winking from its shelf. Anything with Abe’s name is a showstopper. Little did I know I’d fall head over heels with its author, suspense novelist, Michael Connelly.

   Every one of his novels that take place in Los Angles 38 in all, grabs you on the first page making them hard to put down. After completing 24 it feels as if we’re dating. Next I’ll be ironing his shirts.

   Here are three favorites…

   The Lincoln Lawyer…Michael Connelly (2005)

    It has zip to do with Abe, but no matter, Mickey Haller and Abe who too was a lawyer would have been fast friends. Haller could be considered an ambulance chaser and one who advertises on the side of a bus, but in a courtroom dazzles with pluck, swagger and unexpected grace. Brave to a fault defending those who society would prefer eliminated, makes you his biggest fan rooting for the underdog. It’s no wonder they made a TV series about him.

   Echo Park…Michael Connelly (2006)

   Harry Bosch is the second of Connelly’s three heroes. A top L.A. detective and then some and Haller’s half-brother except on the other side of the fence doing what’s necessary to put all alleged criminals away.

   In Connelly’s 17th novel, two murders haunt Harry, and the tough, old school Vietnam Vet that he is goes the distance to find the truth…his motto…everybody matters or nobody matters grabbing you out of the gate.

   I warn you though, don’t read it before bed since you may wake up thinking you’re on a stakeout. 🙂

    The Late Show…Michael Connelly (2007)

    This may be my favorite of all, introducing Ms Renee Ballard, a woman demoted to the night shift after pressing charges against her boss for accosting her at an office party. Renee’s early METOO moves cost her dearly career wise at the LAPD, but turns out working The Late Show would be the best thing that ever happened to Renee, a shero, to quote Maya Angelou, and one you won’t soon forget. To entice you a little more, she has a sweet, loyal, rescued Pit named Lola. 🙂

    Let’s end the way we began, with Ben.

    Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos…Robert Lawson (1923)

   When the late, great David McCullough was asked what were his favorite books, this topped the list, about a mouse named Amos who lived in Benjamin Franklin’s hat.

   As Mr. McCullough proved, you don’t need to be a kid to love one of their books. I’m sure Ben would agree being the reader that he was with the same childlike twinkle in his eye….so…

   Happy reading everyone, and always remember, it’s a privilege.

Susannah 

March, 2026