Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells

 

In some ways, this was a very predictable mystery, but in other ways, it was kind of innovative and interesting.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow

 

I had really been looking forward to this, and it did not disappoint. Basically, the Davids are challenging the assumption that societies evolve in a predictable and necessary way. I didn't agree with everything, but this book is fascinating.

Review copy provided by publisher.

All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris

 

This was amazing -- the perfect blend of thriller and social commentary. Highly recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

This was so, so funny. I had no idea she was so funny.

Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro

 

This was amazing. No one should be allowed to design anything without reading this first. Also, his palpable anger in the narration was, honestly, fabulous.

We Want to Do More than Survive by Bettina L. Love

 

This was fantastic. I learned so much. 

Susan, Linda, Nina, & Cokie by Lisa Napoli

 

The tone of this was frequently annoying, but there were great bits of history and NPR lore in it.

Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards

 

meh

Early Morning Rise by Katherine Heiny

 

I found this charming, but the ending was weak.

Running: A Love Story by Jen A. Miller

 

meh

The Second Marriage by Jess Ryder

 

This was pretty lame -- very predictable from scene to scene.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Killer Research by Jenn McKinlay

 

This just felt very shallow.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Girl Decoded by Rana el Kaliuby

 

Interesting in so many different ways.

Princess Mary by Elisabeth Basford

 

I liked this.

Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher

 

meh.

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout

 

I think I liked this?

Race after Technology by Ruha Benjamin

 

This is an excellent introduction to the ways in which seemingly objective technologies can entrench and even expand systemic racism.

State of Terror by HRC and Louise Penny

 

Objectively silly, but kind of entertaining.

Cogs and Monsters by Diane Coyle

 

Good, but too similar to other things I have read.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

 

This was decent, but not amazing.

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

 

Amazingly well written, and an infuriating story. This is one of those books that everyone should read.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

 

A fascinating bit of history wrapped in a mediocre story.

The Privileged Poor by Anthony Abraham Jack

 

Everyone who works in higher ed admin should read this.

Racism without Racists by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva

 

On the one hand, this felt dated; on the other hand, it felt completely relevant.

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

 

I was just charmed by this -- I loved the characters.

The Children's Secret by Nina Monroe

 

This was lame -- it just tried to do too much.

Running Smart by Mariska Van Sprundel

 

Interesting. As a summary: everything you've read about running (good shoes, foam rolling, warming up) lacks any scientific basis.

Hell of a Book by Jason Mott

 

I'm not usually in to (pseudo?) magical realism, but I loved this.

How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith

 

This was stunning, as well as amazingly lyrical.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

 

Really well done and thought-provoking.

The Genetic Lottery by Kathryn Paige Harden

 

I didn't agree with all of this, but it is a fascinating topic.

The Judge's List by John Grisham

 

Classic Grisham -- this worked really well. A fun read.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

 

So much fun. The characterization is really clever.

The 99% Invisible City by Roman Mars

 

This was amazing -- seriously, so fascinating. Highly recommended.

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

 

This was very unusual, and I still haven't decided if I liked it.

The Dilemma by B. A. Paris

 

This was dumb -- too many coincidences. It might have worked as a farce.

A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century by Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein

 

Wow, this was epically bad. The only reason I finished reading it was the same reason people slow down to gape at car wrecks.

Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui

 

Super-interesting. I started lap swimming a few months ago, and a lot of this really resonated with me.

Bewilderment by Richard Powers

 

This would be a great read for a book group -- there's so much here to discuss.

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

 

Very well written and great fun.

Review copy provided by publisher.

My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson

 

This was amazing. Highly recommended for its excellent writing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen

 

I disliked this at first because of my strong conviction that, if Franzen were female, their works would be dismissed as "chick lit" instead of as one of the best novelists of this generation.

Be that as it may, the story grew on me. Franzen has a gift for characterization, specifically for showing how events appear differently from different perspectives.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Dear Evan Hansen

 

This was charming.

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

 

I liked this glimpse of rage, although it feels somehow wrong to say that.

Something Must Be Done About Prince Edward County: A Family, a Virginia Town, a Civil Rights Battle by Kristen Green

 

This was fascinating and very sad.

Run the world by Becky Wade

 

Great topic, poor execution. I think she may have been too young to write this.

Last Seen Alone by Laura Griffin

 

Clever and fun, with a nice romantic angle (if a bit eye-rolling of a sex scene).

Review copy provided by publisher.

Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley

 

Honestly, this was kind of lame.

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum

 

Everyone working in education should read this book, as well as anyone who wants to have an opinion about affirmative action.

The Heron's Cry by Ann Cleeves

 

This was mediocre.