Megan’s Comments (group member since Jun 29, 2011)

Megan’s comments from the Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library group.

I have started several books, but have yet to finish any of them. I am slowly reading Coolidge by Amity Shlaes. It is an interesting biography of Calvin Coolidge, but there is a lot of detail and I feel as if I've been reading it for years. I am also reading The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer. It has lots of action combined with American history, which I enjoy. So, hopefully I will finish soon.

I just finished reading Thomas Jefferson: the art of power by Jon Meacham. It took quite a long time for me to finish, but I would highly recommend this book. A great biography about a complex, power driven man. One of Jon Meacham's best.

Option 1: 20th Century Traveler

1900s-Nicholas and Alexandra
1910s-Nicholas and Alexandra
1920s
1930s
1940s-The Keep
1950s
1960s
1970s-Promised Land
1980s
1990s

Option 2: 1st Millennium Challenge

1-99
100s
200s
300s
400s
500s
600s
700s
800s
900s

Option 3: 2nd Millennium Challenge

1000s-Hood
1100s
1200s
1300s
1400s
1500s
1600s
1700s-The Seekers
1800s-The Seekers
1900s-Nicholas and Alexandra

Option 4: Back to the Future

Read 10 books that take place in the future

Option 5: Pre-History Lesson

Read 10 books that take place during the Bronze Age (3600-300 BC)

I am currently reading Winter of the World by Ken Follett. The book is the second in his Century trilogy. It is a daunting book well over 900 pages, but very entertaining. I am currently half way through and can't wait to read the rest.

My overall Goodreads Challenge is going well. I will probably surpass my reading total from last year and hit the goal I set for myself before December. I may have to adjust that number.

I am currently reading The River of Doubt by Candice Millard. It about Theodore Roosevelt's journey down the Amazon after he was president. So far so good. I always enjoy reading about Theodore Roosevelt, he was such an energetic and interesting man.

I just started one of P.D. James' first books Cover Her Face. I have enjoyed everyone of her books that I have read. She always writes you classic murder mystery. So far in this book the maid of a wealthy family has been murdered, and of course many people had a reason to want her dead. It is always entertaining to read how Det. Dalgleish will solve the crime.

I am currently reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. So far I have been very pleased. It pretty fast paced book about coming of age in a very different post-apocalyptic U.S. It is currently filling the void left when I finished the Hunger Games.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona-The Perfect Husband 3/5
Arkansas
California-You Suck 1/17
Colorado
Connecticut-The Perfect Husband 3/5
Delaware-Patient Zero 10/27
Florida-- Dexter By Design-7/2
Georgia-The Walking Dead Book 1-8/4
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois-Divergent 1/12
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas-Beyond the Phog by Jason King-1/11
Kentucky-The Walking Dead Book 1-8/4
Louisiana-Dead Until Dark-7/29
Maine-The Apprentice -12/2
Maryland-Patient Zero-10/27
Massachusetts-Mortal Stakes-2/21
Michigan-Abby Cooper Psychic Eye-7/24
Minnesota-Night Prey 8/3
Mississippi-The Neon Rain 8/16
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey - The Rebels 3/22
New Mexico
New York-Mortal Stakes-2/21
North Carolina-Charlemagne Pursuit-11/23
North Dakota
Ohio -Ready Player One 3/19
Oklahoma - Ready Player One 3/19
Oregon - Ready Player One 3/19
Pennsylvania - The Rebels 3/22
Rhode Island
South Carolina-Deadly Decisions 8/28
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah-Thunderhead 6/24
Vermont- The Perfect Husband 3/5
Virginia-Hell's Corner 1/24
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin-Night Prey 8/3
Wyoming


*Washington D.C.-Hell's Corner 1/24

I am currently reading A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva. It is the fourth in his Gabrial Allon series. The book is a mix of great spy action and history. Allon is an Israeli spy trying to track down a former Nazi. I have enjoyed all of Silva's books that I have read and I don't think I will be disappointed with this one.

I have been slowly reading American Brutus
by Michael Kauffman. It is a detailed history of John Wilkes Booth, from his acting roots to his assassination of President Lincoln. I have read a lot about Lincoln and Booth, but this book has kept me intrigued and entertained. I would highly recommend this book to any history buff.

I have just started Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman. I have read several of her historical fiction books and have enjoyed every single one of them. This particular one is about Richard I and his Crusades to the Holy Land. I would recommend any of her books. They have a lot of action, romance, and intrigue. Just about everything you would need out of a good historical fiction book.

I am currently reading The Fall by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan. I am really enjoying it even though it does not fit my normal reading tastes. I would classify it as a vampire, apocolyptic, modern thriller. It is a quick and fun read. I can't wait to read the third book.

I am going to preface this review by saying I love reading about presidential history. I enjoy reading about presidents from the most popular to the most obscure. So, it takes a lot for me to come away from a book about a president where not only did I feel like I learned a lot of useful information but was entertained from page one. The President and the Assassin by Scott Miller did just that.

Scott Miller does an excellent job of taking two seemingly separate narratives and intertwines them effortlessly. On one side you have the common man in the late 19th century. Working day in and day out in horrible factory conditions, just wanting a little more than what he’s getting. Unions, Anarchy, and different political theories all come into play here. On the other side you have big business, expansionism, and President William McKinley. Miller takes you on a wonderful ride between the two sides to this story until they finally converge with the assassination of President McKinley in 1901. (I hope I didn’t give anything away) I would definitely recommend this to any history enthusiast. I would even suggest casual non-fiction readers to pick this up. The President and the Assassin is an enjoyable quick read.

I am currently reading The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. It is the 7th book in their Agent Pendergast series. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of their books especially the earlier ones. They are all pretty dark with just a hint of the supernatural. This one is no exception. I would definitely recommend this book.