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 It was absolutely hilarious and yet had a lot of historical content--a perfect combination.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