The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

OK, so this isn't great literature, but it was charming, quirky, and touching. Recommended.

Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman

I read this to the boys. It was pretty good. The pictures are fascinating.

Juliet's Nurse by Lois Leveen

I really enjoyed this. I assumed it might be too formulaic, but it wasn't.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg

Love this.

The Children Act by Ian McEwan

I enjoyed the process of reading this; I thought it raised some provocative issues in a novel way; and yet, at the end, I was vaguely unsatisfied.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar

Loved, loved, loved this. Great characters. It took on class, race, immigration, customs, education, friendship, models of mental health, fidelity and betrayal, etc. And it did it in provocative ways. (I think this would be a good choice for book groups.)

Keep Your Friends Close by Paula Daly

This had great potential and several interesting elements, but it just didn't come together. It was a little too (and unnecessarily) over-the-top.

Review copy provided by publisher.