The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Decent, but not deserving of all of the attention it is getting.

Religion of a Different Color by W. Paul Reeve

This was phenomenal. Phenomenal. If you are at all interested in Mormonism, you need to read this.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

I read this to the boys. I didn't like it.

Stuff by Randy Frost

Interesting.

The Misunderstood Jew by Amy-Jill Levine

This book makes a super-important argument that many Christians really need to hear: the way in which we talk about Jews and Judaisms is often harmful and often just factually wrong. That said, I did feel that she was playing a little loose sometimes: the Old Testament (a term which, incidentally, she prefers that Christians use) can't be treated as normative in first century Judaism(s)--except when it can, to show that Jesus was not unique. Similarly, the mishnah and Talmud don't describe first century Judaism(s)--except when they do. 

A Plainer Translation: Joseph Smith's Translation of the Bible by Robert J. Matthews

This is old, but excellent. Even after reading much of the newer research on the JST, I found this quite valuable. Anyone interested in the JST should read this, or at least have it around for reference.

Prayer, Power, and the Problem of Suffering: Mark 11:22-25 in the Context of Markan Theology by S. E. Dowd

I picked this up because Mark 11:22-25 doesn't get a lot of theological consideration because people are too busy considering its redaction history. And that's a shame, because it covers such important ground, especially when put into dialogue with Mark 14:36. So this was a good read.

Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper

Unique and charming.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Martian by Andy Weir

Holy cow. This is the best book I've read in a long time. (And I'm not even a space flight/sci-fi fan.) Do read this.

Because I Said So! by Ken Jennings

Moderately entertaining.

Jesus, Interrupted by Bart Ehrman

This is a good presentation of the historical critical approach to the Bible for someone unfamiliar with the topic. The conclusions he draws are definitely on the more liberal end of the spectrum, but the basic information represents the mainstream consensus.

Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

Not as funny as his stand-up, but funny.

Think Like A Freak by Levitt and Dubner

This was lame.

Six Amendments by John Paul Stevens

Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution

Fascinating topic; boring book.

A People's History of Christianity by Diane Butler Bass

I really enjoyed this. Lots to think about here, especially about its intersection with "faith-promoting history."

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

Love, love, love this book. I'm totally enamored with the protagonist, probably because I'm neuro-atypical in the same way he is. I also love the way that Simsion manages to make bizarre plot twists (rock star friend?) seem reasonably reasonable.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Story of Dr. Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

I read this because I am now in charge of T's book group and this is our first book. I thought it was charming and inventive.

Gray Mountain by John Grisham

Even for John Grisham, this was lame. Slow start, much exposition, no resolution to numerous plot strands.

Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett

I'm always vaguely embarrassed by how much I enjoy his books.

The Case for Mark Composed in Performance by Antoinette Clark Wire

Wire was my thesis adviser and I'm interested in performance criticism of Mark, so I was pre-disposed to like this book. That said, anyone familiar with studies of the origins of the gospels will know that you can't expect an air-tight case for composition. On the other hand, her speculations about the ending of Mark were very provocative.