A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller

I find it hard to pick books for book group: I don't want to pick something I've already read (old news! and I probably won't remember it well enough to discuss it!), but there is always the risk that something unread will be a stinker . . . or crazy vulgar . . . or whatever. Anyway, after seeing this title pop up as "the best sci-fi ever," I decided to pick it for my book to review this month. I thought it was a good read (not superb, but good), but with absolutely top-notch material for a book group to discuss: Is history cyclical? Is the inevitable cost of technology the ability to wipe out humanity? Is there a conflict between religion and science? So I'm pleased with the choice and look forward to the discussion.

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 It was absolutely hilarious and yet had a lot of historical content--a perfect combination.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

A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck

Steven was nice enough to send me a pre-publication copy; this is a wonderfully compelling little story. It would be great for a book group.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Not perfect but a good, quick read and very interesting in parts.

Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2) by Suzanne Collins

Am I allowed to say "meh" but to still be looking forward to the third book coming out?

Traitor to His Class : The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by H. W. Brands

I loved this. (It was made even more special by the fact that this was an autographed copy that my dad gave me for Christmas.)

Matilda by Roald Dahl

I read this to Truman. I didn't care for it; I thought the adults were just way too mean to the kids. It hurt my heart to read it.

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

I read this for book group and really enjoyed it. (I also enjoyed understanding all of the Hebrew words in it!) The writing is so unadorned and yet enjoyable and there are so many fascinating themes here--can't wait to discuss it. (Note: I read this in junior high and did not remember a word of it. And I think the themes are wasted on a kid. I was thinking of having Simon read it next year when we do modern history, but I won't.)

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

A pre-read for Simon; I think this is the best YA historical fiction I have read. Why? An exciting story, great historical detail (including non-fiction chapter epigraphs), and a compelling exploration of the irony of colonies fighting for freedom when 20% of their population was enslaved. Highly recommended.

Woodrow Wilson : A Biography by John Milton Cooper

This was very dull; I don't think I would have finished it if it weren't a book group book.

How to Be Good by Nick Hornby

Started out really strong and then fell apart.