A Visit to the Obama Presidential Center

Hello my fellow bookworms,

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

This past month, I was lucky enough to visit the new Obama Presidential Center on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. Tickets are going fast, as it just opened this past June, but what a beautiful museum! It also sports a restaurant, a gift shop, and a Chicago Public Library branch on its campus. There is a parking lot, which you will need to pay via phone app or web browser, but there is also street parking. There is also an NBA-regulation sized basketball court, a Forum, a community garden, and lots of art. The outside in particular has a powerful installation at the top of it that quotes President Obama's speech "You Are America." Specifically, it states:

"You are America. Unconstrained by habit and convention. Unencumbered by what is, ready to seize what ought to be. For everywhere in this country, there are first steps to be taken, there is new ground to cover, there are more bridges to be crossed. America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We The People.’ ‘We Shall Overcome.’ ‘Yes We Can.’ That word is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone. Oh, what a glorious task we are given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.”

–President Barack Obama, 2015

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

If you walk around to the back of the campus, you will run into Chicago's Jackson Park, where there are beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. It is also the primary site for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. If you are not familiar with it, you may be familiar with the book Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. 

If you are lucky enough to visit the museum, be sure to stay on the right-hand side going in, as the left-hand side line is for tickets to the Sky Room. Each day, there are approximately 200 (or less) tickets available to the public to visit the 8th floor of the museum, which hosts the Sky Room. Here, you can see the skyline of Chicago, specifically Jackson Park, Lake Michigan, the University of Chicago campus, and even the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. On the ceiling are layers of text, highlighting President Obama's "You Are America" speech. It is a peaceful and beautiful spot. From here, I was able to capture the Chicago Public Library branch that holds The President's Reading Room, a City Maker Space, a courtyard, and an overall beautiful selection of areas to sit, read, and learn.

CPL Obama Presidential Library Branch
(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

According to one of the museum staff members, as you go up the museum floors, each floor is to be taken in as a chapter in a book. The slogan "Yes We Can" is shown and reflected in the exhibits, which celebrate the people and stories from those involved in the campaign to those who were honored by the President to everyday American heroes. There is a real Nobel Peace Prize, Grammy, a real copy of the Declaration of Independence, and other historical artifacts. I loved Michelle Obama's dresses! Very fashionable.

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

There is even a cute storywalk on the way to the replica Oval Office. You can even take a photo inside the replica as if you are in the Oval Office! There are areas in the museum where you can record your own story to add to the experience, play with interactive exhibits, and even places to sit and listen to clips from history.

The comradery, history, and just overall happiness in visiting was a pleasant experience. I enjoyed my time and hope others get to enjoy the museum and all it has to offer, as well. It was very inspirational and I will leave you with one of the quotes that spoke to me (the first was "Hard Work is Hard"):

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

Did you guys have a fun summer? Did you visit any book-related or historical places? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time - Happy Reading! 

Happy August!

Hello my fellow bookworms,

How have you been doing in terms of your reading goals this year? I have been attempting to keep up with my goals in Goodreads, but I know I can do better! Summer Reading prep at the library had taken over my work schedule and with the end of summer near, is at the end, but it was worth the smiles and fun patrons have shown throughout the summer! It was a little bittersweet this year, as I left the place I had called home for a few years, and miss my friends and the daily visitors. I have started a new journey, though, and am growing one day at a time. I am making new friends and am enjoying the visitors here, too! Summer is flying by, and I am making strides to keep moving forward. I hope you are, too!

For my own personal reading, I have been enjoying gardening and listening to audio books at the same time, and have lots on my TBR (to be read) pile. In case you were interested, here is my updated bingo card from earlier this year (I have some work to do, but at least I made a BINGO!) -->

Here is some fun bookish news for you:

• There's still some summer left! If you are looking for a fun summer read, Amazon has some original stories that are sure to make your summer day at the beach a fun one. Summer Lovin' is a series of six short stories from romance authors Tessa Bailey, Jessica Peterson, Falon Ballard, Rachel Lacey, Sarah Grunder Ruiz, and Rebecca Jenshak that is free if you subscribe to Prime. If you do not, each story is $2. 

• There's a new game you can buy as a book or play online for free called Murdoku. It is sudoku-meets-Clue and a fun way to pass the time online! Try your hand at it and let me know how far you go! (I'm still on the easy puzzles, but it is addicting!) 

• Fun fact: Americans are still opting for print books over digital or audio versions! Check out the statistics from Pew Research and read why even with the want and need for print materials, few of Americans are in book clubs. (Perhaps join a Silent Book Club, for those of us more introverted but want to be social? I am thinking of doing that!

• Have you ever wanted to see into how librarians order books? Booklist allows us to share the latest magazine online via the following link. Check it out for the latest August issue!

• Netflix has an option to watch your favorite books-to-screen.

• There has been a rise in book vacations, as in go retreat somewhere that you can read in peace and/or go visit somewhere you read about in a book. 
• Rest & Read gives women a weekend out in the Welsh countryside.
• Page Break is a New York City retreat, appealing to much of the younger crowd who wants to bond over reading.
• Forest & Fawn is a fantasy readers retreat (mostly for women and nonbinary readers) featured in different areas of the United States, and there is also a Found Family Club where you can meet like-minded individuals and have monthly book discussions, etc. I may or may not be signing up for this...
• Book Lovers' Binge Reading Retreat is for introverts who want to read in Southwest France.
• Ladies Who Lit is a luxury book-themed vacation in areas across Europe. It looks beautiful, if you can afford it!
• Silent Book Club also hosts retreats, so you can get a little solo time reading and some social connection while vacationing. The destinations are worldwide, so take a look and see what is close to you / where you want to go. 
• Travel Advisor also has a list of 6 Literary Trips Every Book Lover Should Take.

Photo by hello aesthe from Pexels

What have you been reading this summer? I have been trying to read the books that influenced Studio Ghibli movies. Spirited Away's book, The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwaba was really good - though not the same at all what the movie was about. They are both light-hearted stories that will warm your heart, though! I'm currently in the middle of Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, which is actually the first book in the series. At the moment, it is very similar to the movie, and I am enjoying the adventures very much. I am also rereading Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, which is a story that is unlike the movie, but still good.

Hope your summer is fun and you get to finish all the items and books on your summer bucket list. 

Happy Reading! :)