Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

I was completely gobsmacked by this book--it was so well-crafted, so intense, so thoughtful.  Recommended.

Note: The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

Handbook of Biblical Criticism by Richard N. Soulen

How I wish I had had this book when starting out in biblical studies!  It would have made things so much easier!  This is also a great reference book for veterans, for those things you inevitably forget or somehow missed.

Note:  The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

Genesis for Normal People by Jared Byas and Peter Enns

 If you are ready to begin a serious study of Genesis, this is a great place to begin.  The authors do a near-perfect job of situating Genesis in its context, in a readable and fun book.  If you have read a lot about Genesis, there will still probably be a few new ideas here, as well as a great example of how to talk about Genesis to newbies.  (Although I don't really buy the "Adam=Israel" thing; I think "garden=temple" works much better.)  (And this book is only $2 in the Kindle store right now.)

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

meh.

Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian

 I liked this.

The Great Warming by Brian Fagan

 Very interesting.

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

 Good fluff.  I particularly liked the ending.

The Litigators by John Grisham

 Good fluff.

Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith

 I loved, loved, loved this book.

Whatever You Love by Louise Doughty

Engaging. Not perfect, but intriguing.

Note: The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver

 Can't decide what I think about this.

The Mirage by Matt Ruff

Clever, funny, provocative . . . and then it all devolved into silly supernaturalism.

The Silent Land by Graham Joyce

Intense, weird, and ultimately unsatisfying.

A Bitter Truth by Charles Todd

 meh.

Planet of Viruses by Carl Zimmer

 I read this for Simon's school.  It is a great choice for middle or high school science:  very interesting and not too long.  (But if you've already read another book about viruses, this will be too basic.)

White Heat by Melanie McGrath

 A decent mystery in a fascinating setting.

Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler

 meh

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

 A very engaging book, but the ending felt rushed and sort of tacked on.

Trigger Point by Matthew Glass

 You know, I don't normally do political thrillers but this one just sucked me right in.  It was completely engaging and also thought-provoking.  Recommended.

Note:  The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

Clair de Lune by Jetta Carleton

meh

Note: The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

Jesus and His World by Craig A. Evans

An unnecessarily polemical introduction and some unwarranted conclusions combine with fascinating insights in this work.


Note:  The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

The Reconstructionist by Nick Arvin

I really enjoyed reading this but the ending confused me.

Note: The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.

Vital Circuits by Steven Vogel

 I read this along with Simon as part of his Biology studies.  Some parts were absolutely fascinating and others were kind of boring.

Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

 This did nothing for me.  If you want to read plantation lit, try The Kitchen House.

Note:  The publisher provided me with a digital review copy of this book.