The Last Hunger Season by Roger Thurow

 Fascinating, heart-wrenching, and inspiring.  Recommended. 

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

After Camelot by J. Randy Taraborrelli

I thoroughly enjoyed this; I was surprised at how engaging it was.  The only thing I can't figure out is if I am supposed to be feeling virtuous for reading a 600 page history book or sheepish for reading that much celebrity gossip.  Maybe a little of both?

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

When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro

 I hated this book.

The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood by James Gleick

 Very interesting.

Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton

 I only read this because I had to for book group. 

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

 meh

Defending Jacob by William Landay

I loved this.  It is a courtroom drama, but with enough meat that I don't quite feel right calling it fluff.  But this would make an excellent beach read this summer.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

 I read this because I am leading S's book group review of it.  I expected to hate it (400 pages of rabbit warfare?) but I didn't.  I think I may actually have liked it.

Eating Free by Manuel Villacorta

 I really appreciated his emphasis on enjoying food and living a balanced life.  There is a lot of good advice here.

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

The Candidate by Samuel Popkin

A fascinating peek at how the "inevitable" winner becomes a loser.  Lots of great historical detail here, but the larger theoretical framework that he proposes for understanding the dynamics behind campaign failure felt somewhat pedestrian.

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

Pride and Joy by Kenneth Barish

 So what sets this apart from other parenting books is that he isn't interested in managing behavior as much as he is in managing emotions (which in turn shapes behavior).  That said, there isn't a whole lot that is new here, but I felt like this was a good 'refresher' on the things that really count with kids (listening to them, spending time doing fun things with them, etc.) and it made me want to do a better job with my boys.

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

Two Americans: Truman, Eisenhower, and a Dangerous World by William Lee Miller

 Decent.

The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux

 I think I liked this.

To Ride the Gods' Own Stallion by Diane Lee Wilson

 I read this to N and T.  I didn't like it.

Mr. Bloomfield's Orchard by Nicholas Money

 I read this because Simon was reading it for Biology.  It was kind of boring and I felt that he was constantly using technical terms without explaining them.

Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

I was completely gobsmacked by this book--it was so well-crafted, so intense, so thoughtful.  Recommended.

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

Handbook of Biblical Criticism by Richard N. Soulen

How I wish I had had this book when starting out in biblical studies!  It would have made things so much easier!  This is also a great reference book for veterans, for those things you inevitably forget or somehow missed.

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

Genesis for Normal People by Jared Byas and Peter Enns

 If you are ready to begin a serious study of Genesis, this is a great place to begin.  The authors do a near-perfect job of situating Genesis in its context, in a readable and fun book.  If you have read a lot about Genesis, there will still probably be a few new ideas here, as well as a great example of how to talk about Genesis to newbies.  (Although I don't really buy the "Adam=Israel" thing; I think "garden=temple" works much better.)  (And this book is only $2 in the Kindle store right now.)

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

meh.

Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian

 I liked this.

The Great Warming by Brian Fagan

 Very interesting.

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

 Good fluff.  I particularly liked the ending.

The Litigators by John Grisham

 Good fluff.

Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith

 I loved, loved, loved this book.

Whatever You Love by Louise Doughty

Engaging. Not perfect, but intriguing.

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