Summer Reading

Thought I would post an update of what I've been reading this summer.  I have finished all but the last two books which are my current reads.  I have some books I am working on for professional development.  This list is my summer pleasure reading.

1. Lost Moon by Jeffrey Klugar & James Lovell
2. Power Failure: The Inside Story of the Collapse of Enron by Mimi Swartz with Sherron Watkins
3. The Promise: President Obama, Year One by Jonathan Alter
4. Moonwar by Ben Bova (fiction)
5. Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief by James M. McPherson
6. A Long Time Coming: The Inspiring, Combative 2008 Campaign and the Historic Election of Barack Obama by Staff of Newsweek
7. The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House by Nancy Gibbs & Michael Duffy
8. The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington by Jennet Conant (currently reading)
9. The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough (Sarah & I reading together)

I never used to have much use for non-fiction but the last three years or so I have developed a real hunger for non-fiction reading.  In fact, the only fiction book that I read this summer (Moonwar) was also my least favorite.    I am still a big fan of fiction, but the writing in Moonwar wasn't that strong.

"Lost Moon" was a really fun read stylistically as well as in subject matter.  I enjoy the movie "Apollo 13" and really enjoyed going deeper with the book.

While I enjoyed all of these books (that I have read so far) my two favorite were "Tried By War" and "The Preacher & the Presidents".  Both of those were exceptionally interesting and very well written.  I learned a lot from both.  The Billy Graham book was very inspirational in several areas.  The book on Lincoln was not only interesting, but extremely well written.  This is the second book by James McPherson I have read and I enjoy his work.

I am just starting "The Irregulars" and look forward to what looks like a very exciting story.   As for the Panama Canal book that Sarah and I are reading; we are both really enjoying it so far and learning a lot.  I really enjoy David McCullough and I have read several of his works in the past couple of years (1776, John Adams, The Johnstown Flood).  At some point in the not-to-distant future I hope to read his book on President Truman.

Most of these books were borrowed from the Jay-Niles public library which is a wonderful place with a great staff.  I did almost spend a night there this summer when I lost track of closing time and was so quiet browsing in the stacks that they didn't know I was still there until they shut off the lights and I came hustling out!  :)   It made for a fun story to tell this summer.

One of my personal goals for this fall is to continue to read more and just keep the TV turned off most of the time.  I really enjoy reading and it is much much better for me.  If you see me, feel free to keep me accountable on this one.  :)