J's Pages

by Jodi Taylor

I think I'll have to get a copy of this one for my shelf. I own numerous* time travel novels--either tales of time agents who make trip after trip to the past to fix the timeline or stories of capers through time where an individual or group work to change history for the better. (Better being a matter of opinion, of course.) Ms. Taylor's story, however, fits neither category. Just One Damned Thing After Another introduces the St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research, a group that simply travels to the past to gather data first hand. Well, at least that's the plan. This story follows St. Mary's newest recruit, historian Madeline Maxwell. "Max" seems to be a magnet for trouble and, while she fits in well with the other misfits of St. Mary's, she does seem to be in the center of events that shake things up for the Institute. Hijinks ensue, peppered with humor, adventure, and romance. It's a fun read.
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* 75, according to my LibraryThing tags. But that also includes short story collections and graphic novels. 

LibraryThing link

Labels: ChroniclesofStMarys, JodiTaylor, OnMyShelf

by James Cannon

This one is a very positive biography, written by a former member of the Ford administration. The common perception of Gerald Ford is that he was one of the more mediocre politicians--he's probably more known for tripping down the stairs than for he succesful career in the House of Representatives. But while Mr. Cannon does not ignore Ford's flaws and mistakes, he paints a picture of an honest, hard working, and highly capable man.

While the book covers Ford's life before and after his presidency, it does so relatively quickly. The focus is on Gerald Ford as president. It tells of an era of political life of the United States when many politicians, including Ford, put the well being of the country before their own agendas. (And before you bring up the pardon of Richard Nixon, the book covers Ford's rationale for that in depth.)

Check it out! 
LibraryThing link

Labels: CheckItOut, PresidentialBioReadingList