Exercise

5 Books for November 2025…

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 2, 2026 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

November is a wonderful month because we take the time to remember what we are thankful for more than other times of the year. We should do this every day and some of us do, but even the commercials and stores have reminders for us to be thankful, even it is rooted in their desire for us to spend money while we do it. But I must remain confident in my thankfulness for books. Books have helped me learn, they have helped me be distracted when I needed to put my mind in better places, books gave be tools to be a better person. This month, I didn’t plan it but my wife, Karen G Clemenson, and I chose a lot of biographies to read. What a rich history we have here in the United States of America. Yet another thing to be thankful for. We are not perfect as a nation, but we have come so far.

Now without further ado here is 5 Books for November 2025:

Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of a Life by Tarya Lee Stone

Abraham Lincoln: A Photographic Story of a Life by Tanya Lee Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. His family was very poor. Before he was an Illinois Senator in 1837, Lincoln had helped his father clear land and build a home, fences and outbuildings for his family, twice. Lincoln’s mother died before he was 10 years old and his older sister died while giving birth to her first child. Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginnings helped form him into the leader that American History needed.

“Lincoln inspired closeness and generosity in his friends and reciprocated when he could, but he was intensely private and did not get too emotionally attached to anyone.” Chapter 3

Lincoln loved telling stories and reading. He was resilient and an overcomer. He loved to debate. He was a member of the Whig party. He became a self-taught lawyer in 1837 and served two more terms as Senator and then served in Congress before he ran for President as a Republican.”

“Persuade our neighbors to compromise whenever you can…As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man.” Abraham Lincoln

President Lincoln is probably known most for his leadership during the Civil War, when many Southern states succeeded from the Union. The Northern states did not want slavery and the Southern states did. There were other political and financial reasons for the separation but President Lincoln believed that it was illegal for the states to leave the Union and he wanted to restore all the states.

The first 3 generals fighting for the Union in the Civil War were not effective. The Confederates (the Southern states) had more soldiers and their generals were more successful. People were getting tired of the war on slavery and the feelings against Lincoln were becoming negative. But in April of 1863, Ulysses S. Grant had success at Vicksburg. There was a Union draft. Many people wanted to preserve the Union but some were afraid that freed slaves would take jobs and others were angry that wealthy people could pay their way out of the draft. A riot broke out in New York on July 13, 1863. The draft office was burned down, stores were looted and more than 100 people died.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. It will become one thing or the other.” Abraham Lincoln

Frederick Douglass suggested creating black units of soldiers to help fight against Confederate soldiers in August 1861. The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 encouraged black people to fight for the Union. The United States Colored Troops was set up by the War Department in May.

“Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away with malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” Abraham Lincoln

April 15, 1865, the 16th President of the United States was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Eight other men were also captured in relation to their plans. Booth was killed during capture.

The war was over. Slavery was abolished. But the South’s economy was in a shambles. 600,000 people had died and 300,000 were wounded from the war. Reconstruction would be slow, especially without President Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of Life by Tarya Lee Stone is a 15 chapter biography that is full of details that are easy to understand and follow with pictures that tell stories of our history as a nation, by themselves. I really enjoyed this nonfiction book.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of Life by Tarya Lee Stone on Amazon.

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On the Trapline by David A Robertson

On the Trapline by David Alexander Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Traplines are where Native American people hunt animals and live off the land. On the Trapline by David A Robertson is a book about a boy and his grandfather traveling from the city to where is grandfather lived as a child in the Indigenous Cree Nation. This special book shares words in the Cree language that express their culture. Julie Flett’s art helped bring this picture book to life.

The boy and his grandfather visited his old house, the site where his school used to be, where he learned to speak  English and would sneak off to speak Cree with his friends. They saw beaver dams and eagles on their way to catch fish. His grandfather told him how everyone shared chores with his family. The saskatoon berries they picked and ate were tastier in their nature environment, than any he had had from the store. The community had a feast before they were to head home and the elders were fed first before the children.

The boy was excited to think of future visits with this grandfather. I really enjoyed this fiction picture book.

I checked this book out at Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of On the Trapline by David A Robertson on Amazon.

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Elvis is King by Jonah Winter

Elvis Is King! by Jonah Winter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and recorded his first hit, “It’s Alright,” when he was just 19 years old. Elvis is King by Jonah Winter is a fun and energetic memoir about the King of Rock and Roll. A shy southern boy that loved music and performed like none other before him created a place for himself in history but also inspired many musicians and artists to come.

The 3-D illustrations by Red Nose Studios really make this biography one of a kind. I really enjoyed this book and I think kids will love the bright art and the great details in this nonfiction children’s book that is sure to entertain the whole family.

I checked this book out from the Longview Public Library. You can get a copy of Elvis is King by Jonah Winter on Amazon.

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Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris

Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

James Baldwin was born in Harlem, New York on August 2, 1924. Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris is an empowering memoir about how James Baldwin used art to speak for Black and LGBTQIA+ people and Civil Rights. This children’s nonfiction history picture book was brought to life by the art of Gordon C. James.

Baldwin loved words and he learned that words could heal. He used his words in writing and speaking for activism and teaching. This biography is both colorful and inspiring.

I checked this book out from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris on Amazon.

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When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson is a beautiful story about the author’s experience while growing up listening to the wisdom, history, emotion, religion, and spirituality that is felt and heard in this beautiful songs, meant to carry Black history, tradition, culture and stories for a people forbidden to even learn to read and write; whose lives were not their own but through poetry and song they endured in strength, perseverance and even some joy.

The words in spirituals are simple, yet powerful. The art is colorful. I often wanted to clap my hands to the music I imagined. I really enjoyed this children’s nonfiction picture book. The art by London Ladd really brought the music to life.

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I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson on Amazon.

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Such richness we have to look forward to in our history and our future. I hope you indulge yourself in it as 2025 has come to an end we look forward to a newness.

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Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.

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