Marriage: A History by Stephanie Coontz

Fascinating. (And accidentally fascinating in the ways in which it is already out-of-date after only a decade.)

The Fireman by Joe Hill

If this had been 1/3 the length, it would have been great. But I was resentful by the time I finished it.

Us by David Nicholls

I really, really enjoyed this. The narrator was so . . . much like me.

One Man Against the World by Tim Weiner

Fascinating (and horrifying, especially given the current political situation).

The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg

I was completely charmed by this big-hearted book.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Trespasser by Tana French

Decent.

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

I give pretty much the same review to all of Daisy Goodwin's books: this was like reading Downton Abbey. And if you are wondering: it tracks the new ITV series extremely closely, except that the book ends immediately after the engagement.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard

This was just OK.

Rome by Rick Steves

This was enormously useful. Recommended.

The Medieval World Complete by Robert Bartlett

I read this out loud to Truman as part of our study of the Middle Ages. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it.

Faithful by Alice Hoffman

I just don't know. Some parts of this were very well done, but others would slip into cliched nonsense.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Demon Under the Microscope by Thomas Hager

Fascinating. 

Emmett Till by Devery Anderson

Extremely well done.

Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple

I didn't love Where'd You Go, Bernadette, but I really, really liked this book: it is funny and goofy, but with some substantial social commentary. 

The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J. Gordon

Absolutely fascinating. Also: gorgeous cover.

Crosstalk by Connie Willis

I was so looking forward to this because I love Connie Willis, but I was disappointed.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Good combination of medical drama, courtroom drama, and social commentary--marred only slightly by one over-the-top twist at the end.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

I think I really liked this.

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross

I read this to Truman for his bookgroup. meh.

Empire of Things by Frank Trentmann

Absolutely fascinating.

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

I was super-excited about this because I love Room so much. And this was excellent--one of the best books I have read in a long time.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry

Very funny.

You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney

On the one hand, this was interesting and, yes, people are not so smart. On the other hand, I'd heard about most of this research elsewhere and I'm suspicious of social science research in general. So.

Best. State. Ever. by Dave Barry

I really enjoyed this. It was a bit more content-rich than his typical book, but still funny, and I actually want to visit the places that he mentioned.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Our Heavenly Family by McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding

Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families by McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding with artwork by Caitlin Connolly (link)

It's easy to underestimate a kid's book. After all, they look as if you could write one in less time than it takes for a Netflix binge and you can read one to your kid in twenty minutes or so. But the impact that a little book can have on a little mind is enormous.

And that is why I find this book fascinating. It presents an LDS theology of the family to preschool and younger elementary-aged children. And, perhaps amazingly, it is one I suspect progressive Mormons will warmly embrace. All references are to "Heavenly Parents," quotations are drawn from female and male leaders, and a variety of family formations are acknowledged. The focus throughout is on the crucial importance and central role of families, and how to make our earthly families more like our heavenly family.

Now, I don't know if children will love this book. Pages are titled, for example, "Families Thrive with Love" and "Families Counsel Together." There are two-paragraph explanations of each title followed by several questions for discussion ("What's your job in a family council?") and a quotation from an LDS authority. There's no story. It's pretty didactic. It reads a bit like a church lesson manual.

So this might be a book that pleases the adults more than the kids. But I still think it has great value. If you spend any time on the Internet, you realize that LDS sentiment (at least, the vocal portions of it) is divided into two camps: one thinks the family is under attack and so we need to talk and preach and teach about the family, and one thinks that appeals to "the family" are mostly efforts to stigmatize certain kinds of families. I'm not seeing a lot of middle ground out there. But I do in this book: it is extremely family-focused in a way which I think more conservative saints will appreciate but also extremely inclusive, in a way which I think more liberal saints will appreciate. The way that they pulled off the pro-family and pro-inclusion message in one short children's book could hopefully be a template for how we might talk about families--and for healing the chasm between the two sides. 

Review copy provided by publisher.