One Second After William R. Forstchen

Fascinating concept, mediocre writing, insipid political commentary.

The Kindle

I've only had it for a few hours, but I'm already not clear how I survived without it. (And I'm pretty pleased that I got it brand new for $125--gotta love Craigslist!) Right now, Truman is sitting on the couch, having Aesop's fables read out loud to him.

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

This will, I'm sure, make for a very interesting book group discussion this week since Ali does a fabulous job situating the personal within the political. My own feelings about the book are quite mixed as, on the one hand, she presents a devastating critique of the usual western view of Islam but, on the other hand, the book sounds a little too much like the "disgruntled former member books" that we all know not to take too seriously. In any case, it was definitely interesting reading.

The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time by Jonathan Weiner

This is one of the very best books I have read in my entire life; it was utterly fascinating. I will save it and have my 9th graders read it as part of their biology curriculum.

By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman

A pre-read for Simon. This would make a great read-aloud to go along with a study of the California gold rush. Good historical detail and lots of clever fun.

Dispensation : Latter Day Fiction by Angela Hallstrom

meh

(But this might be my fault; I don't do short stories.)

The Passage by Justin Cronin

The first 300 pages of this book may be the best fiction I have ever read in my life. Cronin has a gift for characterization: you will find the characters real enough to invite to dinner and you will want to include the death row inmate and the prostitute because he portrays them so sympathetically.

The middle section of the book was muddled and convoluted.

By the last 100 pages, I was rolling my eyes at the stupidity of the plot.

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller

I find it hard to pick books for book group: I don't want to pick something I've already read (old news! and I probably won't remember it well enough to discuss it!), but there is always the risk that something unread will be a stinker . . . or crazy vulgar . . . or whatever. Anyway, after seeing this title pop up as "the best sci-fi ever," I decided to pick it for my book to review this month. I thought it was a good read (not superb, but good), but with absolutely top-notch material for a book group to discuss: Is history cyclical? Is the inevitable cost of technology the ability to wipe out humanity? Is there a conflict between religion and science? So I'm pleased with the choice and look forward to the discussion.

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Read this to the boys. Can't believe I had never read it before.

The Things We Do for Love : A Novel by Kristin Hannah

Like reading a Lifetime Original Movie. Had I not been sitting on the beach, there is no way I would have finished this.

Straight Man by Richard Russo

Everything you could want in a beach read.

Freedom Train : The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling

A pre-read for Simon. While I would describe it as more functional than fabulous, the story of Harriet Tubman is important enough to make this a recommended read (unless someone knows of a better biography of her).

The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall

meh

The Trouble Begins at 8 : A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West by Sid Fleischman

This was a pre-read for Simon. I have a soft spot for quality YA non-fiction, but this book was tremendous. It would make a great read-aloud.

Run by Ann Patchett

I adored this book.

Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber

I really liked this. It was somewhat reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code, except the writing was good and the plot made sense.

Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie

I really liked this. I'll have to get his Peter the Great book.

Oxygen by Carol Cassella

Virtually perfect light reading.

Ben and Me by Robert Lawson

I think I can say that this is my all-time favorite read aloud. It was absolutely hilarious and yet had a lot of historical content--a perfect combination.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Why is this book on every best seller list? It's a stupid soap opera! I want the hours I spent reading this back! With interest!