The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

Immensely satisfying. Highly recommended.

The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths

I thoroughly enjoyed this--a great mystery, witty writing, and nice historical detail.

The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Funny and interesting.

NurtureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman

Fascinating; a must-read. Highly recommended.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

I read this out loud to the boys; it didn't do anything for me.

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

I really enjoyed this; very thought-provoking.

A Friend of the Family by Lauren Grodstein

Decent.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

for/about teenagers : Twilight :: for/about academics : A Discovery of Witches

(And, honestly, this was nothing special.)

The Little Book of Economics by Greg Ip

Mildly interesting.

Free-Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy

Funny and interesting.

There Is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene

Engaging, sobering, and nuanced.

Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley

An excellent, excellent book.

Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right by Jennifer Burns

I'm certainly no fan of Rand's, but this was a very interesting book.

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

Outstanding. Highly recommended.

A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer

I enjoyed this. It was a little pulpy, but still.

Deadly Spin by Wendell Potter

If you want to become spitting mad at the health insurance industry, this is the book for you!

Gilded: How Newport Became America's Richest Resort by Deborah Davis

Disappointing: I wish it had focused more on the cottages in their heyday and less on gossipy personalities.

The Last Bookstore in America by Amy Stewart

Brilliant and hilarious.

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord

I read this to the boys. Meh.

The President Is a Sick Man by Matthew Algeo

I imagine a lot of readers will feel put out by what seems like a short tale padded with irrelevant filler, but I found the digressions charming. This is a great slice of history; recommended.

The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

Lyrical writing, a suspenseful story, and trenchant social commentary. Recommended.

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Very moving.

Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir by Jennette Fulda

Funny and interesting.

Black Water Rising by Attica Locke

I loved this--a great combination of intersting story, social commentary, and local color.

The Big Short by Michael Lewis

Fascinating. Highly recommended.