The Story of the Country House by Clive Aslet

 

Interesting, but also a bit frustrating because it tried to cover so much ground so quickly. But a nice overview.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Three Sisters by Heather Morris

 

As a novel, this doesn't really break any new ground if you have already read Holocaust accounts. However, knowing how closely it is based on real-life experiences, it is amazing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

A Face for Picasso by Ariel Henley

 

So an interesting story, and a great job incorporating a critical critique of beauty culture, but -- and maybe it was just the narrator -- this just didn't hold together as well as it should have.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge by Charlie Lovett

 

This was lame.

The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock

 

This was OK -- a few glimpses of clever writing, a decent plot -- but not outstanding.

Review copy provided by publisher.

No One Goes Alone by Erik Larson

 

Still can't decide if I liked this.

The Circle by David Eggers

This was just OK. 

Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons

 

I still can't decide if I liked this. I'm leaning towards no because the end was too neat.

An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Turnsten

 

It's hard to say anything about this without major spoilers, but . . . this was so intriguing and unusual. I think it would be a great choice for book groups. 

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden

 

I didn't like this. The plot was too byzantine and the writing was not great.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen

 

meh

Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart

 

I did not like this.

The Poison Squad by Deborah Blum

 

Very interesting history -- it made me think about parallels to big tech today.

The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine

 

I really enjoyed this -- the plot was kind of different, the writing was clever. I'll be seeking out her other books.

The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve

 

I really liked this. It was a moving story.

Eat and Run by Scott Jurek

 

Decent.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

 

meh  (and, yes, I know everyone else loved this).

O Beautiful by Jung Yun

 

Usually when a book tries to explore several social issues, it irritates me. But this one worked really well. This would be a great title for book groups.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells

 

In some ways, this was a very predictable mystery, but in other ways, it was kind of innovative and interesting.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow

 

I had really been looking forward to this, and it did not disappoint. Basically, the Davids are challenging the assumption that societies evolve in a predictable and necessary way. I didn't agree with everything, but this book is fascinating.

Review copy provided by publisher.

All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris

 

This was amazing -- the perfect blend of thriller and social commentary. Highly recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

This was so, so funny. I had no idea she was so funny.

Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro

 

This was amazing. No one should be allowed to design anything without reading this first. Also, his palpable anger in the narration was, honestly, fabulous.

We Want to Do More than Survive by Bettina L. Love

 

This was fantastic. I learned so much. 

Susan, Linda, Nina, & Cokie by Lisa Napoli

 

The tone of this was frequently annoying, but there were great bits of history and NPR lore in it.

Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards

 

meh

Early Morning Rise by Katherine Heiny

 

I found this charming, but the ending was weak.

Running: A Love Story by Jen A. Miller

 

meh

The Second Marriage by Jess Ryder

 

This was pretty lame -- very predictable from scene to scene.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Killer Research by Jenn McKinlay

 

This just felt very shallow.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Girl Decoded by Rana el Kaliuby

 

Interesting in so many different ways.

Princess Mary by Elisabeth Basford

 

I liked this.

Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher

 

meh.