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 It was absolutely hilarious and yet had a lot of historical content--a perfect combination.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!

The Master Puppeteer by Katherine Paterson

I read this out loud to the boys. meh

Understanding the Book of Mormon : A Reader's Guide by Grant Hardy

[This is a placeholder; I reviewed this for publication and will link to the review when it is printed. But the short answer is: highly recommended.]

My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

I know that I am supposed to like this, but I didn't.

Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson

I read this to Truman. He liked it; I wasn't impressed.

Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian

Can't decide if I liked this.

Sea Glass by Anita Shreve

I really enjoyed this.

Nothing to Envy : Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

Fabulous book; highly recommended. (But what's up with the two glaring grammatical errors? Don't books have editors these days?)

The Autobiography of an Execution by David R. Dow

I did not like this book.