Books from the Backlog #14

Posted June 28, 2018 by Carole in Books from the Backlog / 26 Comments

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
If you would like to join in, please feel free to enter your link and link back to this post, then spend some time visiting some of the other posts.  
This week’s neglected book

America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

Release Date: March 1, 2016

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.

From her earliest days, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France. And it is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that she learns of her father’s liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age.

Patsy too has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé, William Short, a staunch abolitionist intent on a career in Europe. Heartbroken at having to decide between being William’s wife or a devoted daughter, she returns to Virginia with her father and marries a man of his choosing, raising eleven children of her own.

Yet as family secrets come to light during her father’s presidency, Patsy must again decide how much she will sacrifice to protect his reputation, in the process defining not just Jefferson’s political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.

Why did I add America’s First Daughter to my bookshelf?
I actually won this book back in 2015.  Even though I won this book in a contest, it was filled through Edelweiss so I do need to read it and get it marked off of my list of books to review on that site.  I think it sounds really good and the reviews that I have seen are overwhelmingly positive.  I think that the only reason that I have put it off for so long is the fact that it is 624 pages long.  I don’t mind long books but they do take more time and are a little harder to squeeze into my reading schedule.  I do hope to fit this one in before the end of the year.

What are your thoughts? Have you read this book?  Would you recommend it to others?

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26 responses to “Books from the Backlog #14”

  3. Literary Feline

    I know what you mean about fitting longer books in. I don't mind them either, but length can be off-putting when it comes to time. I don't read a lot of historical fiction set in America during this time period for some reason. I tend to be in Europe. This does sound good though. I hope you enjoy it when you read it!

  12. Northwoman

    This sounds amazing and one of the authors is one I really like. BUT I sometimes have trouble with historical fiction. Since it's history I might rather have non-fiction? I mean I also seek truth and I'd have trouble unless I just said ok, it's just fiction. Or I'd have to go try to read the truth about what really happened. Does that make sense? Anne – Books of My Heart

  13. Katherine P

    This one has been on my radar because of the gorgeous cover but I think the length has always scared me off. I hope you read it soon so I can see what you think!