Seashells and Crumbs

Top 5 Historical Fiction Books about the Roosevelts

11/9/2023

It's soup season in my house. I wish you could hear the complaints from all my kids. One doesn't like beans, one doesn't like onions, one doesn't like anything other than yogurt. Still, I will persevere and cycle through all my favorite fall soups!

Nothing accompanies a warm bowl of soup like a good book! This week, I'm delighted to share my five favorite pieces of historical fiction on the Roosevelts and their perfect soup pairing!

1. American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton

One of the most fascinating Roosevelts undoubtedly was Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth. Her quick wit, colorful escapades, and ups and downs are masterfully captured in this novel by Stephanie Mari Thornton. Reading this novel made Alice feel like a friend while taking you inside the White House and Alice's deepest feelings.

It pairs perfectly with this lemon avgolemono soup. Like Alice, the vibrant lemon-flavored broth blends perfectly with the staples of a chicken soup in a comforting warm meal. I'm no chef, and the idea of egg in my broth seemed outlandish, but after trying this recipe, I haven't looked back!

Elise Bauer @ Simply Recipes

2. The Old Lion by Jeff Shaara

This new release by New York Times Best Selling Author Jeff Shaara expertly navigates the intricacies of Teddy Roosevelt’s life. From his childhood to two marriages, in wartimes and presidencies, Shaara brings his expert pen to this fascinating character.

A book on Teddy Roosevelt requires some form of meat and spice! Since I can picture him cooking lentils over an open flame on one of his many adventures, this lentil sausage soup would accompany The Old Lion perfectly. (I like to add green beans when I make this one!).

@Whole Foods Market

3. The Hyde Park Murder by Elliott Roosevelt

Elliott Roosevelt, Franklin and Eleanor’s third born wrote a mystery series back in the 80’s. Like his memoirs, which I adore, he writes about his father and mother with vivid characterizations. I have a copy of the second in the series, The Hyde Park Murder, and enjoyed reading about Springwood, Franklin, Eleanor, and Sara through the eyes of a family member. I’m not an avid mystery reader, so I don’t feel qualified to comment much on the plot, but this was a gem for the historical characters and settings!

I thought about pairing this one with a classic chicken soup. But there’s more to the novel: more boldness and flavor! So, I think it would be perfect with this black bean butternut squash soup. Butternut squash soup is a staple- but the black beans and cumin blended into this one adds such a fun and hearty twist like Elliott’s books!

4. Lucy by Ellen Feldman

I picked up this novel thinking, why would I like this? Reading about the “other woman” just isn’t my style. Still, I dove in, hoping to get a good look at how Feldman recreated the Roosevelt's world, and I completely fell in love! The way she described Franklin through Lucy’s eyes and captured their relationship spanning decades truly made you feel for Lucy Mercer. Fun fact: she even mentions Frances and Millie!

For this book, I’m pairing it with a Pasta E Fagioli. We’ve been using Rachael Ray’s recipe for years, and even my kids, who don’t like beans or onions, enjoy this one. My hunch is that it’s the bacon flavor that draws them in. In the case of Lucy, that bacon flavor is Ellen Feldman’s incredible writing that captures you!

Pasta and Bean soup by Rachael Ray

5. A Roosevelt Smile by Alexandra Kulick

Yes, I was tempted to leave my book off the list sheerly because I detest self-promotion. But, we're here, folks! My novel dives into my great-grandmother, Frances's time as a servant for the Roosevelts.

From the back cover:
"When Franklin Roosevelt and his family arrive for Christmas, Frances is drawn to his magnetizing presence and finds solace in his boundless generosity, lifting her spirits during her darkest hours. A world of opulence and belonging beckons her, promising the fulfillment of her wildest dreams.
Amidst the glittering allure of this newfound life, the lines between discretion and recklessness blurs, and Frances must navigate treacherous waters. Will her indiscretions jeopardize everything she has worked for? Or will they propel her even further into the tantalizing embrace of the life she has always yearned for?"

Picking the soup pairing felt impossible. I finally settled on this Pumpkin Chili. Why? Because you take a bunch of canned items and cook them together in this hearty stew, just as I blended pieces of Frances’s life and the Roosevelt’s world and blended them in my novel.