Summer Reading List

The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, by Chris Whipple.

 

Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford, by Clint Hill with Lisa McCubbin. The Secret Service Agent’s life story: from growing up in the Dakotas to joining Eisenhower’s mother’s detail (he was on duty when she passed away), then to Washington. Personal glimpses of the five Presidents as well as a couple of Vice Presidents. Ike liked to golf. JFK gave his detail his own golf shirts to wear in the heat. LBJ had Clint fitted for a ranch outfit. Agnew had Hill play cards with him on flights. Hill shared how he never got over the horror of that November day in Dallas, and how it eventually led to his stepping down from his position.

 

It’s a Long Story: My Life, by Willie Nelson with David Ritz.

 

The Rooster Bar: A Novel, by John Grisham.

This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection, by Carol Burnett. The entertainer shares dozens of hilarious and personal stories, many never before told - including the Shirley Temple skit and the Tarzan yell story.

 

Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy – Until You’re 80 and Beyond, by Chris Crowley and Harry Lodge. The keys – make it your job to exercise vigorously six days a week (four aerobic and two with weights), eat right, and connect with others. For the rest of your life. Keeps your heart strong – also your muscles, joints, and your mind. Staying active keeps renewing the connections and systems in your body. Build up, or your body will go into a state of decline.

 

Christmas in Plains: Memories, by Jimmy Carter. The Carters didn’t have much, but more than most. The ex-President details Christmases not only in Plains and Archery, but also at the Naval Academy, in the Navy, at the Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta, at the White House, and at Camp David.

 

The Magnolia Story, by Chip and Joanna Gaines with Mark Dagnostino. Their childhoods, growing up, college and after, how they met, how they started and grew their business.

 

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, by Malcolm Gladwell. Overmatched opponents can beat heavily-favored giants – if they play smart (and different).

 

And the Good News Is: Lessons and Advice from the Bright Side, by Dana Perino. Mostly the life story of the former White House Press Secretary, with intimate anecdotes of the 43rd President. 

 

Memorial Day, by Vince Flynn. Fifth in the Mitch Rapp series. I had read this novel once, but got started on it and decided to finish it again.

 

If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother, by Julia Sweeney, the former Saturday Night Live cast member.

 

Origin: A Novel, by Dan Brown. Fifth in Brown’s series of Robert Langdon books. Excellent as usual.