What did you read in 2024?

[Rob Wick]

Just curious as to your favorite reads of 2024, either Lincoln-related or not. The best book I read last year was The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, which is a history of the Great Migration from the South to the North and came out in 2010. Wilkerson combines a detailed history of the movement along with the personal stories of three of those involved. It was a fascinating story.

Also high on my list was Robert Caro's Master of the Senate, the third volume of his mammoth biography of Lyndon Johnson which came out in 2005. I am listening to it on audio (three parts, totaling 52 hours) and haven't quite finished it yet, but since the bulk of it was done in 2024, I am counting it.

As for Lincoln books, I have yet to finish Jon Meacham's book And There Was Light. To be honest, I am having a difficult time with this. I am a huge fan of Meacham, but for some reason, this book is very easy for me to put down. I will finish it this year, but it won't rank as high as some other books. The one I did finish was Lincoln in Private (2021), which I reviewed here earlier.

I only finished 24 books this year, which is disappointing since I finished 36 last year. Hopefully, I will do better this year.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

I recently re-read A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours by W. Emerson Reck. This book is extremely well-researched and difficult to put down once started. I believe the author approaches the topic as a true historian because he follows the trail of facts, not his own opinions. When he's not sure, he mentions both sides of the dilemma. Example: he cites both the evidence Laura Keene was in the box and the smaller amount of evidence that she wasn't.

[jbarry]

I recently finished the audiobook for 'James' by Percival Everett. VERY enjoyable read, and a well-done reimagining of the classic--albeit from a much different perspective. My only nitpick is a plot-twist, which I will not spoil, that seems a bit much and leaves much to the imagination. However, that minor issue does not detract from James being a very good read.

Also, the narrator does a fantastic job with the different voices, and I dare say the audiobook might be preferable to a physical book.