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2025 Reading Challenge

2025

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David Kent has read 72 books of his goal of 50!

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David J. Kent

Goodreads Author

Born

June 20

Website

http://www.davidjkent-writer.com/

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DavidJKentWrite

Genre

History, Science, Travel

Member Since

August 2012

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https://www.goodreads.com/davidjkentwriter

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David J. Kent is an award-winning Abraham Lincoln historian and award-winning former scientist. He is the author of books on Abraham Lincoln, Nikola Tesla, and Thomas Edison. His website is davidjkent-writer.com.

His forthcoming book, "Lincoln in New England: In Search of His Forgotten Tours," will be released in March 2026. ...more

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How do you get inspired to write?

David J. Kent Inspiration comes in two ways. One is the simple drudgery of setting aside a time each day to write. Sometimes what I write during that time is wonder…moreInspiration comes in two ways. One is the simple drudgery of setting aside a time each day to write. Sometimes what I write during that time is wonderful, sometimes not, but the act of writing itself seems to inspire the imagination. The other way is to give in to the epiphanies of creativity that insert themselves into my schedule. I'm constantly tapping into my smartphone; if the inspiration hits while waiting in line I capture it immediately. Some of my best work comes when I'm in the oddest places.(less)

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

David J. Kent There are several ways to avoid writer’s block, including some I’ve already mentioned. For example:

Keep a list of topics: It could be bullet points o…moreThere are several ways to avoid writer’s block, including some I’ve already mentioned. For example:

Keep a list of topics: It could be bullet points or paragraphs, whatever can get you started typing onto the virtual page (or for those who prefer the manual method, putting pen to paper),

Keep a list of writing prompts, or links to writing prompt pages: Some writing prompts are silly and simple (e.g., “Write a 100-word story or poem using the words “Good Golly, Miss Molly”). Others may stimulate deeper introspection (e.g., “Write 1500 words on how you felt when you got an B in a class after getting an A on every exam and paper”).

Keep a blog calendar: This is a variation on keeping a topic list in which you schedule posts for future events. For example, your calendar for March 17th can say “Post about St. Patrick’s Day.” If you write your posts ahead of time (like you should), put the entry into a date prior to the 17th, such as the 10th or 12th or whatever the weekend day is before the 17th. Be as specific as you can (e.g., “Post about cousin Liam ending up in jail after last year’s St. Patrick’s Day mishap”).

Write stream of consciousness: Remember above that I said to type the word ‘The,’ then keep typing? That’s stream of consciousness. Just write whatever comes to mind even if it lacks organization or even sense. It might be something you later unceremoniously toss into the recycle bin, or it might be a nugget of gold that sets you on the journey of your life. You won’t know until you write it.

Write poetry: If you’re a prose writer, try writing a poem. If you write non-fiction, try a short fictional piece. If a science fiction writer, try memoir (or a science fictionalized version of your memoir). Write something different than you usually write, whether it be an opera, a play, erotica, a murder mystery, or an international thriller. Stimulate a few brain cells that have lain dormant.

See more on Writer's Block at https://hotwhitesnow.wordpress.com/20... (less)

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David J. Kent’s books

Average rating: 4.1 · 585 ratings · 112 reviews · 8 distinct works • Similar authors

	Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity 4.06 avg rating — 414 ratings — published 2013 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America 4.33 avg rating — 70 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln's Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America 4.36 avg rating — 44 ratings — published 2022 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World 3.83 avg rating — 41 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time 4.42 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate 3.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2015	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lincoln in New England: In Search of His Forgotten Tours 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln's Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America by David J. Kent (Goodreads Author), Sidney Blumenthal (Foreword) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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David J. Kent's Blog

Unable to Escape This Toil – Lincoln in New England Article

The process for rolling out my new book, Lincoln in New England: In Search of His Forgotten Tours continues. I previously shared an article that was published in the For the People newsletter of the Abraham Lincoln Association based in Springfield, Illinois. Today I’m sharing my article published in the Lincoln Forum... Continue reading Read more of this blog post »

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Published on November 22, 2025 07:25

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David is Currently Reading

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Rather Be the Devil (Inspector Rebus, #21)

by Ian Rankin (Goodreads Author)

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David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Judge

by Raymond J. McKoski (Goodreads Author)

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Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation

by Zaakir Tameez (Goodreads Author)

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Nov 22, 2025 12:41PM

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David Kent entered a giveaway Fly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself and China by Jung Chang 25 copies available, ends on January 02, 2026 Enter to win »
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Dec 22, 2025 03:51PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Rather Be the Devil by Ian Rankin. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Rather Be the Devil by Ian Rankin <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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David Kent rated a book really liked it Meeting Mr. Lincoln: Firsthand Recollections of Abraham Lincoln by People, Great and Small, Who Met the President by Victoria Radford	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This slim volume provides some wonderful insight into Lincoln from some of the people who met him during the Civil War. While there are familiar recollections from Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, virtually all the memories are from less well- ...more
Dec 20, 2025 07:55AM · 1 like · like · see review
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David Kent made a comment on his status in The Wedding People " A touch disappointed with a couple of things at the end, but found myself racing through the wonderful writing. "
Dec 19, 2025 05:48AM

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The History Book ...: * #16 (US) ABRAHAM LINCOLN (PRESIDENT) 1861 – 1865	310	755	Oct 27, 2025 07:51AM

David’s Quotes

“The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention.”
― Nikola Tesla, My Inventions

tags: invention, tesla

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“So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookshelf on the wall.”
― Roald Dahl

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“I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, The Sirens of Titan

tags: insightful

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“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!

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“It's enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment.”
― Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude

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