Girl in the Blue Boat by Monica Hesse

meh

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

A fascinating story and a phenomenally well-written book. Highly, highly recommended.

A Square Meal by Jane Ziegelman and Andrew Coe

A bit of this felt like irrelevant padding, but most of it was very interesting.

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

I'm still trying to decide how I feel about this one.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

I never would have picked this up on my own because I don't do celebrity bios, but it was free on Audible, so . . . and it was fantastic, because it wasn't really a celeb bio but rather a memoir of growing up under apartheid. Recommended.

Marriage: A History by Stephanie Coontz

Fascinating. (And accidentally fascinating in the ways in which it is already out-of-date after only a decade.)

The Fireman by Joe Hill

If this had been 1/3 the length, it would have been great. But I was resentful by the time I finished it.

Us by David Nicholls

I really, really enjoyed this. The narrator was so . . . much like me.

One Man Against the World by Tim Weiner

Fascinating (and horrifying, especially given the current political situation).

The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg

I was completely charmed by this big-hearted book.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Trespasser by Tana French

Decent.

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

I give pretty much the same review to all of Daisy Goodwin's books: this was like reading Downton Abbey. And if you are wondering: it tracks the new ITV series extremely closely, except that the book ends immediately after the engagement.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard

This was just OK.

Rome by Rick Steves

This was enormously useful. Recommended.

The Medieval World Complete by Robert Bartlett

I read this out loud to Truman as part of our study of the Middle Ages. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it.

Faithful by Alice Hoffman

I just don't know. Some parts of this were very well done, but others would slip into cliched nonsense.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Demon Under the Microscope by Thomas Hager

Fascinating. 

Emmett Till by Devery Anderson

Extremely well done.

Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple

I didn't love Where'd You Go, Bernadette, but I really, really liked this book: it is funny and goofy, but with some substantial social commentary. 

The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J. Gordon

Absolutely fascinating. Also: gorgeous cover.

Crosstalk by Connie Willis

I was so looking forward to this because I love Connie Willis, but I was disappointed.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Good combination of medical drama, courtroom drama, and social commentary--marred only slightly by one over-the-top twist at the end.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

I think I really liked this.

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross

I read this to Truman for his bookgroup. meh.

Empire of Things by Frank Trentmann

Absolutely fascinating.