Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking by Leonard Mlodinow

 

If you've never read anything about this topic, this is fine. But there's nothing new here.

The Sentence by Louise Erdich

 

Lots of great stuff in here, but somehow I'm still conflicted as to whether I actually liked it.

Royal Valentine by Jenn McKinlay

 

This was epically bad. I only finished it for the same reason that people slow down to gawp at a car accident.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Ghosts in the Schoolyard by Eve L. Ewing

 

I didn't love all of this, but it also fundamentally changed the way that I think about "failing" schools.

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

 

Outstanding -- a great combination of fun story, interesting social commentary, and look at history/current events that was fresh. Recommended.

Seven Games by Oliver Roeder

 

This was fascinating. It was heavy on the ability of computers to play games, with interesting insights on what that means.

Losing Our Minds by Lucy Foulkes

 

This was very interesting; it raised some good questions about mental health.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger

 

This was fun.

Killer by Design by Ann Burgess

 

Burgess was one of the first criminal profilers, and this story is fascinating. 

Review copy provided by publisher.

When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger

 

This was great fun.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

 

This was dumb.

The Final Case by David Guterson

 

This was lame.

The Overstory by Richard Powers

 

The first half of this was magical; the second half was good.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

 

I don't usually do YAL because it tends to be shallow and cliched, but this was fantastic. Highly recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Last Resort by Andrew Lipstein

 

Clever plot, some clever dialogue, but just . . . not outstanding?

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Mitford Vanishing

 

I would describe this as "just OK." There are so many British mysteries that are so much better than this.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Hotel Portofino by J. P. O'Connell

 

Surprisingly good -- a nice choice for Downton Abbey fans.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Hush by Sara Foster

 

This was very interesting and well written.

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

 

This was fantastic. I need to see what else Umrigar has written.

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

 

So I was deeply, deeply emotionally affected by this. I don't want to get into spoilers, but I would love to have someone to discuss this one with. There is a lot going on here.