Candidate's Favorite Books: Tom Sloan

This election season, we're asking candidates the hard-hitting question "What is your favorite book?" We asked all candidates appearing on the ballot for state and local office. As the election nears, we'll post their answers here.

Tom Sloan, Republican from Lawrence, currently represents the 45th District in the Kansas House of Representatives. His favorite book is War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

"War and Peace by Tolstoy truly introduced me to history, foreign cultures, psychological drama, and exceptional writing skills. My PhD research and academic writing focused on identifying 'triggers' to conflict escalation and de-escalation behaviors in international conflicts. Tolstoy's writing undoubtedly was an influence in my academic and professional endeavors, as well as my efforts to communicate effectively."

Inclusion on this blog does does not constitute an endorsement of a candidate by the library. However, we do endorse the books they've chosen.

Candidate's Favorite Books: L.W. Abney

This election season, we're asking candidates the hard-hitting question "What is your favorite book?" We asked all candidates appearing on the ballot for state and local office. As the election nears, we'll post their answers here.

L.W. Abney, Republican from Topeka, is running for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives representing the 53rd District. His favorite book is The Bible.

"I learned to read from comic books at the town drug store. My favorite book is The Bible. There is more knowledge in it than all the laws we make. When I think I know it all I learn something new. To me it is a comfort in a crazy world and a hope for better things to come. I am told that the author is God."

Inclusion on this blog does does not constitute an endorsement of a candidate by the library. However, we do endorse the books they've chosen.

Candidate’s Favorite Books: Tony Brown

This election season, we're asking candidates the hard-hitting question "What is your favorite book?" We asked all candidates appearing on the ballot for state and local office. As the election nears, we'll post their answers here.

Tony Brown, Democrat from Baldwin City, represents the 10th District in the Kansas House of Representatives and is running for reelection. His favorite book is Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam.

"My favorite book of all time is Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam. I'm a big fan of memoirs and I think Mr. Hickam's story of growing up in Coalwood, West Virginia, is a great story of personal achievement. As a developmental psychologist, it illustrates to me the desire that all adolescents have to grow beyond their childhood circumstances. As a person, it challenges me to be better than I am."

Inclusion on this blog does does not constitute an endorsement of a candidate by the library. However, we do endorse the books they've chosen.

Candidate's Favorite Books: Roberta Eveslage

This election season, we're asking candidates the hard-hitting question "What is your favorite book?" We asked all candidates appearing on the ballot for state and local office. As the election nears, we'll post their answers here.

Roberta Eveslage, Democrat from Lenexa, is running for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives representing the 38th District. Her favorite books are from Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series.

"My honest favorite(s) was the science fiction Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. I read the series when I was about 11 years old, and it opened my mind to alternative ways of living. It surprised me because even in this fantasy world there were still rules to live by."

Inclusion on this blog does does not constitute an endorsement of a candidate by the library. However, we do endorse the books they've chosen.

Candidate's Favorite Books: Mike Gaughan & Arch Naramore

This election season, we're asking candidates the hard-hitting question "What is your favorite book?" We asked all candidates appearing on the ballot for state and local office. As the election nears, we'll post their answers here.

Mike Gaughan, Democrat from Lawrence, currently serves as a Douglas County Commissioner and is running for reelection. His favorite book is Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby.

"My favorite book of all time is Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch. I remember reading it for the first time and howling in laughter at some of the passages because of his dead-on accounts of what it means to be a fan. Kansas Basketball fans could identify with so much of what he describes. But now that I'm reflecting on it I want to read it again after some of the experiences I've had over the last few years - not as a fan of soccer or basketball - but as a father and as a young adult. Ultimately Fever Pitch is about embracing a passion, and even learning to live with it. I wonder if I will be more drawn to the anecdotes about Hornby's life and relationships, or still to the tales of the affliction of fandom. Regardless, I know I'll be laughing."

Arch Naramore, Republican from Lawrence, is running against Mike Gaughan for Douglas County Commissioner. His favorite book is Pudd'nhead Wilson and Those Extraordinary Twins by Mark Twain.

"How Pudd'nhead (the lawyer) got his name reminds me of a lot of other lawyers. The twins sharing one body with two heads and the struggle between the Methodist head and the free thinker head. Two heads one body that live life completely different, and how the the twins share each others life in one body. Lots of humor."

Inclusion on this blog does does not constitute an endorsement of a candidate by the library. However, we do endorse the books they've chosen.