Women and Jesus in Mark: A Japanese Feminist Perspective by Hisako Kinukawa

This is solid, with an important perspective.

The Gospel according to St. Mark by C. E. B. Cranfield

This is extremely dated; I read it mostly just for historical interest.

Mark: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist by Francis J. Moloney

Decent.

Mark (Baker Exegetical) by Robert H. Stein

This is another solid commentary. 

The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary by Ben Witherington III

This is a solid commentary and one of the better ones. However, it oddly is sometimes quite friendly for the non-specialist but at other times, a little technical. So it is hard to say who the ideal audience is.

The Gospel of Mark as a Model for Action by John Paul Heil

I would describe this as a middle-of-the-pack, user-friendly commentary on Mark.

A Translator's Handbook on the Gospel of Mark by Robert G. Bratcher and Eugene A. Nida

So this isn't something I would recommend to others in general--as it is not a general commentary on Mark--but it was useful to me on occasion because it covers issues relevant to translators and so it was helpful as I was working on the Rendition.

Perspectives on the Ending of Mark edited by David Alan Black

This was interesting. I can't fathom Mark 16:9-20 as original, but I think it's worth thinking about whether Mark 16:8 was the original lending or whether a now-missing original ending was lost or suppressed.

Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham

Even for John Grisham, this wasn't that good.

A Book of Mormons ed. by Emily Jensen and Tracy McKay-Lamb

This isn't a review proper because I have an essay in this book, but can I just say that the other essays are well worth reading and several of them are phenomenal?

Call and Consequence: A Womanist Reading of Mark by Racquel Annette St. Clair

There are very important insights here. I do wish that she had focused more on her interpretation of Mark and less on relaying and then critiquing other interpretations, however.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This was very solid.

Mormon Feminism: Essential Readings

This is an important book--good for newbies to the topic as well as those who have been closely following it for a long time. The editing is disappointing: I couldn't believe how frequently information was repeated in the introductory materials from section to section.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Dark Corners by Ruth Rendell

I was about to give up on this at the half-way mark because the characterization was so shoddy, but I stuck with it because there were several interesting sub-plots and I was most interested to see how she'd tie everything together. Guess what? She didn't. I really, really disliked this book.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

I read this for Truman's book group. It's pretty good.

The Savage Fortress by Sarwat Chadda

Truman and I listened to this. I didn't really care for it.

Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe

Another one for Truman's book group. This was fun; I remember reading it when I was a kid.

Who Do You Love? by Jennifer Weiner

This was cheesy, but I kind of liked it. (I was sick, OK?)

Heft by Liz Moore

Decent. I liked how it wasn't quite Hollywood but was hopeful. But still.

Injustice by Lee Goodman

So this was an enjoyable read with good twists and turns but then the end was completely over-the-top.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Corridors of the Night by Anne Perry

This wasn't perfect--I don't need that much description of multiple emotions playing across someone's face. But I always appreciate Perry's unusual pacing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Seven Women by Eric Metaxas

One of the best books I've ever read. (One of the worst introductions I've ever read.) Inspiring and powerful.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan

This is a great introduction to the story of Jesus' last week.

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

I'm completely embarrassed by how much I enjoyed reading this.

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

Have I mentioned that I've been leading Truman's book group for the last year? Anyway, this was our first title for this school year. It's a charming story.

The Admissions by Meg Moore

The Admissions: A Novel

This wasn't perfect, but it was very, very good. It helped that it was evocative of Marin County and Rhode Island--both places I've lived.

Review copy provided by publisher.