Go Inside The White House, Get To Know Jefferson Tayte & Check Out Channels On Audible In Lisa’s Reading & Listening Corner

Now that the madness of the holidays are over, you might find yourself with a little extra time to curl up with a good story. In this edition of my Reading & Listening Corner, I’ll introduce you to Jefferson Tayte, tell you how to get a private tour inside the White House and more. Before you read on, I mean the actual White House, not the Trump Tower annex.

If you have any interest in genealogy, you might like the Jefferson Tayte Genealogical Mystery series by Steve Robinson.  Jefferson Tayte (JT) makes his living by researching the family trees of his clients, though his own family history eludes him.  Not all information can be found online, and JT tracks the family lines wherever they lead him. Churches, graveyards, and family secrets (and murder!) abound, and you’ll be taken along for the ride.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

Audible used to be one of several audiobook apps on the market, but it has been part of the Amazon universe since 2008.  Several new perks have been added for Amazon Prime members, but one of my favorites is Channels.  Similar to podcasts, it features short recordings on a wide range of subjects including comedy spotlights, news and magazine pieces, talk shows, and short fiction.  If you’re so inclined, check out a few of these channels:  Get Smart in 20 Minutes or Less, Comedy Mixtape, Bedtime Stories for Cynics, Shortcuts – Ultimate Life Hacks, or Pursuits: Travel, Food & Culture.

Whatever your opinion on the current presidential situation, you might find The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House an interesting read.  Hundreds of interviews with the maids, butlers, florists, chefs, secretaries, and the rest of the multitude in charge of keeping the White House going on a daily basis, come together to bring an intimate glimpse into the lives of our first families. Including interviews with a few first ladies and some of the presidential children, it is at times somber and at times hilarious. Very heartwarming and highly readable:

If you need a breather from the pressures of daily life, and want/need a quick attitude adjustment, look no further than Find the Good by Heather Lende.

With a subtitle like “unexpected life lessons from a small-town obituary writer,” you can guess that the nuggets of wisdom are peppered with amusing stories and revelations about relationships, obligations, priorities, and community.  She gently reminds us that “We are all writing our own obituary every day by how we live.  The best news is that there’s still time for additions and revisions before it goes to press.”  This little book will help with your priorities and perspective:

In the spirit of that last book, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

“There are exactly as many special occasions in life and we choose to celebrate.”  — Robert Brault

Until next time… Cheers!

Featured image from James Tarbotton

Brought to you by Mills Apartments