Yearly Reading Lists

2024

1.       Alamo All-Stars by Nathan Hale- We were going to the Alamo and I got this book for the boys. It’s a comic history series. Kind of interesting, and surprisingly info heavy. Not my thing, but useful.

2.       Relentless by Mark Greaney- Just an average entry in Gray Man series.

3.       Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus- Super interesting characters lovingly portrayed. 5 stars

4.       Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Coller Kroft- Too many twists… and unlikeable people. But interesting premise.

5.       Black Beauties: African American Pageant Queens in the Segregated South by Kimberly Brown Pellum- Catching up on pageants reading for course assignments. Assigned a chapter, so worth it!

6.       Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros- Lived up to hype. My scream at the end! I basically wanted to start #2 right away, but tried to pace myself (since #3 not out until end of year).

7.       The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen- Fantastic characters, looking forward to next entry. Five stars

8.       Dream Town by Lee Goldberg- Average entry in Eve Ronin series.

9.       Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros- Didn’t want it to end.

10.   Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore- Interesting presentation, but end unfulfilling.

11.   Sierra Six by Mark Greaney- Backstory interesting, though some seemed added in now.

12.   Beauty Diplomacy: Embodying an Emerging Nation by Oluwakemi Balogun- Great contribution to work on international pageantry and politics.

13.   Miss America’s God: Faith and Identity in America’s Oldest Pageant by Mandy McMichael- Taking on an important and overlooked topic.

14.   The Selection by Kiera Cass- Read quickly and it’s like a pretty version of Hunger Games. But short and clearly meant to read the next one quickly.

15.   Fodor’s Essential Australia- Guess where I’m going next?

16.   Mission Manhattan by James Ponti- #1 and I both read and agree it didn’t really get cooking until 75% through. Want more series story arc, too.

17.   Leader of the Pack by David Rosenfelt- My fave in this series in a while, with good lawyering by Andy.

18.   The Season: A Social History of the Debutante- Dry at parts historically, but good research and especially in modern times. Assigning last chapters in class.

19. Something Upstairs by Avi- I thought I’d like this because it’s basically set in my neighborhood. My eldest warned me it was terrible and I should have believed him…

20. Fodor’s Essential New Zealand- Possible trip planning!

21. Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon- This book sucked me in right away, then it got very slow. But overall interesting characters and premise.

22. The Ghost of Christmas Past by Rhys Bowen- For some reason I hadn’t read a Molly Murphy in a while and I was reminded how much I appreciate this quick-witted historical mystery series.

23. Burner by Mark Greaney- Another good Gray man yarn.

24. The Elite by Kiera Cass- Silly and quick read, less likeable than first.

25. Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson- I really struggled to get through this honestly.

26. Wild Irish Rose by Rhys Bowen- A little too pat and predictable.

27. The One by Kiera Class- Again, quick and light, but also, these characters are young for all this! Will give this series one more try…

28. The Plinko Bounce by Martin Clark- I really wanted to like this, and parts I found very good/informative as a law student, but by the end I was just a NO.

2023

1.      Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia Manansala- I really want to like this series, but I find the books too long in places and the main character just not very likeable. Still, I give every series three books usually, so… we’ll see.

2.      Sudden Death by David Rosenfelt- The protagonist is brash, but smart. I like all the supporting characters. These are quick reads that are perfect for law school.

3.      The Boys by Katie Hafner- This book blew my mind. Pandemic is part of it, impressive an author could write a book this good and twisty in that time.

4.      The Self-Made Widow by Fabian Nicieza- I still struggle a bit with the main character, but this is a very interesting and likeable series (in a place where I used to live).

5.      Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn- A really fun romp… especially for any woman who is, or will approach, a certain age. What happens to assassins when they age?

6.      Dead Center by David Rosenfelt- Not as good as #4 in the series, but still fun.

7.      A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley- Depressing, but very well-written and plotted, and about an interesting time in history with a female focus.

8.      Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia Manansala- I read so many good reviews of this (which is why I started the series). But I still just can’t get into, so it’s a pass for me now.

9.      The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson- I had to read this for obvious reasons. While parts were ridiculous, it still was a nice, fun read.

10.   Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus- Definitely not McManus’ best. Too many twists that were too convenient.

11.   A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone- I expected a Hallmark-ish book. Nope, this was S-T-E-A-M-Y! But I really liked the characters and would totally read a book like this again.

12.   Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets- Didn’t do the actual scavenger hunts, but definitely loved the info.

13.   Death by Bubble Tea by Jennifer Chow- Unlike the Manansala series, which clearly has some similarities, I liked this first outing much more. Interesting characters and back stories with a lot of potential.

14.   Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds- For a teen YA, this was multi-layered. I didn’t love it, but I enjoyed it.

15.   Fodor’s Utah- For spring break trip. Lots of good tips and not too big. Although missing a few things we enjoyed.

16.   Look Closer by David Ellis- Super twisty (sometimes too much), but a fun twist on a standalone legal thriller.

17.   A Short and Happy Guide to the MPRE by Leah Christensen- Hopefully it helps me pass, happily.

18.   Dead Eye by Mark Greaney- I think this was my favorite Grey Man entry yet.

19.   Play Dead by David Rosenfelt- Still perfect series for me right now- quick, legal, witty.

20.   The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz- This latest entry shows why this remains one of my absolute top thriller series. My only complaint is that they don’t come out more often…

21.   City of the Dead by James Ponti- My son and I really loved this latest installment in the City Spies series.

22.   New Tricks by David Rosenfelt- Wasn’t my favorite entry in this series, but sticking with it.

23.   The Big One-Oh by Dean Pitchford- My eldest’s school is doing this as their musical. We read it together and didn’t love it, but think it’s better than the script… In general, he’d call it “goofy.”

24.   Lighting Strike by William Kent Kruger- I took my awhile to get into this prequel, but once I did I found it pleasant.

25.   The Lemming Condition by Alan Arkin- A quick read with a big message.

26.   All the Devils by Livia Lone- Intense, but very good.

27.   War Horse by Michael Morpurgo- This isn’t really my type of book, and I didn’t love parts of it, but it does come together at the end. I think this is one of the first books to make my son cry!

28.   Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson- Delicious and delightful. Five stars.

29.   All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor- I did really like this, despite the fact it’s implausible and had some plot of holes/threads hanging. It really made me think.

30.   Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck by Adam Cohen- This was so well-researched and presented in a way that goes deep but also gives you a window to other issues. At times the eugenicists get hard to keep track of, but really appreciated the presentation of Carrie’s story and the take on Oliver Wendell Holmes. This case is a true Shanda.

31.   Inkling by Kenneth Oppel- This book is a mind trip. My younger son liked it and he’s not a reader so I read it. But, it’s (delightfully?) weird...

32.   Madison’s Music: On Reading the First Amendment by Burt Neuborne- I learned a lot, but this has a definite point of view—so if looking for a comprehensive take this isn’t quite it.

33.   The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear- I enjoyed this, but missed Maisie.

34.   The Chaos Kind by Barry Eisler- It had been a bit since I’d read about some of these characters and the book presumes you know, but enjoyable.

35.   A Short and Happy Guide to Constitutional Law by Mark Alexander- Speaks for itself.

36.   How to Read the Constitution—and Why by Kim Wehle- Good overview.

37.   Acing Constitutional Law by Russell L. Weaver- Sending a theme?

38.   A Home for Goddesses and Dogs by Leslie Connor- This book made me tear up several times. This writer has a gift for unusual and emotional stories.

39.   The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton- Read this for a book event I hosted with the author. A great take on a great woman and part of (recent) history.

40.   I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown- Very interesting book, kept me turning the page for sure, though I didn’t love the end.

41.   Back Blast by Mark Greaney- I like how this resolved a lot. It’s just very long, but also immersive!

42.   Blood Money by Scott Pratt- Meh entry to the series.

43.   The Do-Over by Suzanne Park- Just didn’t love these people.

44.   Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni- An interesting first entry.

45.   Gunmetal Gray by Mark Greaney- Solid if unspectacular addition to Gray Man series.

46.   Liar’s Beach by Kate Cotugno- Just ok.

47.   If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy- Totally not believable in any way.

48.   Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt- I’m in a rut with series- meh, unspectacular.

49.   Fodor’s Essential Hawaii- Spring Break planning! Very useful.

50.   Agent in Place by Mark Greaney- The Gray Man actually annoyed me in this book…

51.   Hawaii The Big Island Revealed by Andrew Doughty- Ok, but organized in a very strange way.

52.   I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai- I LOVED her last book, and this one has gotten good buzz, but I just never got this one at all.

53.   Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld- Wow, I GULPED this down. Spectacular.

54.   Frindle by Andrew Clements- My son told me I should read this. He was right! The end especially was poignant.

55.   Fox Creek by William Kent Krueger- Still really enjoy this series.

56.   Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum- Decent, but ugh these people are terrible.

57.   Mallory’s Oracle by Carol O’Connell- I just did NOT get this at all. Won’t be continuing with the series.

58.   A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s Rights by Kate Hannigan- Not as good as some books like this I’ve read, but shedding light on an overlooked shero.

59.   America’s First Woman Lawyer: The Biography of Myra Bradwell- I would have appreciated clearer organization, but I really admire the research that went into this book. What a woman!

60.   Hot Pot Murder by Jennifer Chow- I wanted to like this, but it’s just blah and I don’t understand the main character. So, I’m now passing on this series.

61.   Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban- Definitely interesting premise, but in the end just ok because too many characters I think, trying too hard to be twisty.

62.   Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto- This was very good. I hope it becomes a series! Such characters! Was a bit long in parts.

63.   The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer- Such a wonderful yarn. I really loved it.

64.   The Collector by Daniel Silva- Classic summer Silva.

65.   Behind the Bench: The Hudie to Judicial Clerkships by Debra Strauss- Fingers crossed.

66.   Same Time Next Summer by Abigail Monaghan- Still enjoy her writing, solid, just not my favorite (ends too pat).

67. An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo- Just an ok addition to this series. I need personal lives to move forward more!

68. The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson- I wanted to like this, but I just couldn’t. Too twisty with unlikeable people.

69. American Mermaid by Julia Langbein- Super original premise, enjoyable.

70. Robert H. Jackson: New Deal Lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, Nuremberg Prosecutor by Gail Jarrow- What a man! His words stand the test of time- someone to aspire to be like. Not a lot on him, but I learned a lot from this advanced level youth biography.

71. Birds of California by Katie Cotugno- Another interesting premise, involving a former child star. Enjoyable.

72.  The Lioness of Boston by Emily Franklin- I love Isabella Stewart Gardner (and her museum, possibly my all-time fave), so I was shocked to find this novel version of her life such a slogggg. But it’s too long and too interior.

73. Mission Critical by Mark Greaney- Solid if unremarkable entry in the Gray Man series.

74. Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier- I wanted to like this, and while I didn’t hate it I didn’t love it. More unique setting, filled with sad people, but decent twists.

75. Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen- See above description! Though characters less believable.

76. Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard- I believe it all, but they also come across as a bit manipulatable and manipulative. But important read for me giving long-standing interests! Nothing really surprised me… But I appreciate all the contract discussion.

77.  This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs- Another I wanted to like, but again found people to be just not likeable and who made many questionable decisions.

78. The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell- I love me some British Baking Show, but this was NOT THAT.

79. Amistad’s Orphans: An Atlantic Story of Children, Slavery, and Smuggling by Benjamin Nicholas Lawrance- I read this for a paper and it is certainly in my wheelhouse with lots of impressive original and archival work. That said, it’s a bit repetitive at times- but very useful and worthwhile.

80. One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt- A solid entry in the Andy Carpenter series. Appreciate these are light and quick reads, with quirky characters and some decent legal stuff in there! Feels like I’m only sort of cheating on school work.

81. Traded by Kimberly Knight- Wanted to like this, but I just found the characters so two-dimensional (when clearly they shouldn’t have been!)

82. One Minute Out by Mark Greaney- A very nice addition to Gray Man series on an important topic.

83. Mutiny on the Amistad by Howard Jones- A solid book on an important topic.

84. The Amistad Rebellion by Marcus Rediker- See above, as so similar. I guess if I had to choose, I’d chose the former.

85. The Exchange by John Grisham- I was SO DISAPPOINTED in this book! I was so excited to read a follow-up to The Firm. Wow, lacked all the zest of a usual Grisham.

86. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin- I personally found this to be an emotional read full of interesting people.

87. Children, Parents, and the Law: Public and Private Authority in the Home, Schools, and Juvenile Courts by Leslie Joan Harris- Diverse casebook sources on an important and often overlooked topic.

88. Education Law: Equality, Fairness, and Reform by Derek W. Black- Given the importance of these topics, I feel could have been presented in a slightly more dynamic way, but covers a decent amount of ground for a casebook.

89. Deciding for Others: The Ethics of Surrogate Decision Making by Allen Buchanan and Dan W. Brock- Read for a paper, good discussion if now a touch dated.

90. The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey- Bit disappointed by this entry. Pretty slow.

91. I Didn’t Do It by Jaime Lynn Hendricks- Interesting premise, good twists, but somehow just didn’t grab me as I expected.

92. Nuclear Family by Joseph Han- I really did not like this book. Especially the supernatural element.

93. Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan- I really liked these characters. It got a touch ludicrous at the end, but still a great premise.

94. The Stolen Coast by Dwyer Murphy- The writing was really beautiful here, and I liked the characters. But it just oddly never went anywhere for me…

95. Essential Costa Rica by Fodor’s- Helpful to planning a great trip, but would have liked more details in parts.

2022

1. The Companion Text to Law School: Understanding and Surviving Life with a Law Student by Andrew MCcClurg- Even useful for law students… starting second semester.

2. The Missing America by Kwei Quartey- I really wanted to like this first in a series (new to me setting, cool female lead), but I just found it wayyyy too slow.

3. One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus- Just ok, but I feel like I’m glad I found this author.

4. What if a Fish by Anika Fajardo- I expected to like this more….

5. If the Fates Allow: A Short Story by Rainbow Rowell- Maybe the first pandemic-focused fiction I’ve read? Enjoyable.

6. Marked Man by Archer Mayor- Latest Joe Gunther entry just meh.

7. The Cousins by Karen McManus- My first 5-star of year. I liked much more than One of Us Is Lying.

8. Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny- Interesting characters, very small town, ultimately not really my thing.

9. Framed by James Ponti- Another series child #1 told me I had to read. I like City Spies better so far…

10. Fallen by Linda Castillo- I’m losing patience with the Kate Burkholder series- get married, stop having so many murders in your small, Amish town!

11. The Judge’s List by John Grisham- I liked better than first in the series.

12. Full Out: Lessons in Life and Leadership from America’s Favorite Coach by Monica Aldama- Pretty much what I expected… Meh. Although I was shocked by the divorce discussion!

13. Suburban Dicks by Fabian Niceza- Interesting premise, needs to get smoother, but set EXACTLY where I went o graduate school so I’ll definitely be reading #2.

14. True Story: What Reality TV Says about Us by Danielle Lindemann- I blurbed this book! :)

15. Vanished by James Ponti- Still just ok (more middle grade), but will finish third!

16. Dark Horse by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz- The first Orphan X I didn’t love (didn’t love main case or romantic interest twist).

17. The Little Book on Oral Argument by Alan Dworsky- Guess what I was preparing for?! Useful.

18. Fearless by Mandy Gonzalez- I can’t lie, I thought I would love this ()kids on Broadway), but I just thought it was ridiculous, especially with supernatural element.

19. The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear- My favorite Maisie Dobbs in some time!

20. A Short and Happy Guide to Civil Procedure by Richard Freer- You can tell the kind of reading I was focused on in the spring. This man basically taught me Civil Procedure…

21. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus- She’s a skilled YA thriller writer!

22. A Short and Happy Guide to Torts by Roger Schechter- I do like this series.

23. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear- Not the strongest update to the Maisie Dobbs series.

24. A Short and Happy Guide to Property by Paula Franzese- Maybe me least favorite in the series, but still helpful!

25. Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg- Still really enjoying this series, which could definitely be a TV series.

26. Operation Joktan by Amir Tsarfati and Steve Yohn- I really wanted to like this, but it took a very strange religious turn that was not appreciated.

27. Forbidden City by James Ponti- I didn’t feel like this installment moved the series forward as much (my son agreed). 

28. City on Fire by Don Winslow- I wanted to like this given it is set where I live, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care about these characters.

29. I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston- I thought I would love this based on reviews, but in the end I found it just average.

30. The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling- This is an incredibly creative book. My youngest son LOVES it and told me I had to read it.

31. The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson- I am looking forward to the next installment!

32. The Lava Witch by Debra Bokur- This series keeps getting better.

33. Sparring Partners by John Grisham- Disappointing for a Grisham, disjointed.

34. The Gray Man by Mark Greaney- I read in anticipation of the Netflix movie, and can see how this series does well. I don’t know how this man survives, but curious to keep reading.

35. The Hidden One by Linda Castillo- Another good entry in Kate Burkholder series. I appreciated the new setting.

36. Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach- This was hard to read given subject matter- but powerful and well-written.

37. Reasonable Fear by Scott Pratt- Just a meh addition to this series.

38. On Target by Mark Greaney- I thought the Gray Man series would heat up. Still waiting.

39. Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan- I read in a single night. So.Good.

40. Movieland by Lee Goldberg- Still enjoying this series

41. A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan- I found this book really interesting! Good premise.

42. Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva- I really appreciated that this year’s entry was not about a plot that would kill a lot of people. I also appreciated the art aspect and returning to that part of Gabriel Allon.

43. The It Girl by Ruth Ware- My expectations may have been too high based on the reviews, but I just found this ok.

44. Trust by Hernan Diaz- I can appreciate that the writing in this was good, but WOW what a SLOG.

45. The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo- I was expecting this to be like a Sujata Massey series, but instead it was just so slow. So rarely is a boon DNF for me, but this one was.

46. Double Digit by Annabel Monaghan- Well, the second installment in this series was a massive let-down (and appears we won’t get a third even with cliffhanger ending)…

47. Sooley by John Grisham- Holy cow, I did NOT see this twist coming. Not typical Grisham (legal thriller), but so compelling.

48. The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer- Just never, ever came together for me.

49. Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt- An interesting first entry of an older series. I’ll try another (especially for the law).

50. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin- This book was a total showstopper for me. One of the best books I have read in years. It resonated with me for the timing, and I loved learning about video game storylines (which I know nothing about), but the writing is just WOW.

51. The Candid Life of Meena Dave by Namrata Patel- An interesting premise. Dragged a bit, but very good and strong characters.

52. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher- This magical world is getting more and more complex. It is sometimes hard to keep the characters and rules straight but still worthwhile.

53. Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley- One of my sons thought I’d really like this, and usually I agree with them, but not with this one! Didn’t like the plot at all.

54. Night School by C.J. Daugherty- I feel like the “mystery” was not nearly as bad as suggested, which took something away from it for me. But I’ll probably read the second one.

55. American Founding Son: John Bingham and the Invention of the Fourteenth Amendment by Gerard Magliocca- I learned so much from this book, about a man who is often overlooked, though it does digress too much at points.

56. John Marshall: The Man Who Made the Supreme Court by Richard Brookhiser- Marshall was so influential, interesting, and complex. I really appreciate this biography, which focuses a lot on his judicial opinions as well.

57. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han- This was ok. I liked the author’s previous series, and I knew this was made into a show. I’m meh on reading the second one.

58. Due Process of Law: A Brief History- Read for background, just ok (again).

59. Justifying Intellectual Property by Robert Merges- Read for background on a paper. Very interesting ideas, though maybe a touch too much theory.

60. Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer- Not as good as author’s last one.

61. Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield- Whoa, I totally hated this. It was just way too weird for me (I don’t like Sci-Fi)…

62. What’s Prison For?: Punishment and Rehabilitation in the Age of Mass Incarceration by Bill Keller- A slim volume that still covers a lot of ground, usefully.

63. Successfully Competing in U.S. Moot Court Competitions by Larry Teply- In case you are wondering why I read so many fewer books this fall. Long, but useful in parts.

64. Divided We Fail: The Story of an African American Community That Ended the Era of School Desegregation by Sarah Garland- Well-researched back story on an important and often overlooked SCOTUS case.

65. The Schoolhouse Gate: Public Education, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for the American Mind by Justin Driver- Very important book about a very important topic.

66. An Honest Living by Dwyer Murphy- Just a total disappointment—and not even feeling the noir aspect at all.

67. First Degree by David Rosenfelt- Still enjoying this series.

68. Bury the Lead by David Rosenfelt- Again, fun and quick read, which helped me with law school studies even!

69. All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers- I totally did not see the twist at the end coming. A very interesting read.

70. Glannon Guide to Evidence by Michael Avery- Well, it did help with Evidence.

71. Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala- An interesting start to a new mystery series.

72. The Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm- Both my boys insisted I read this. A very interesting premise about kids being part of a settlement on Mars.

73. Evidence by Sydney Beckman- Well, I read it all.

74. Family Law in a Changing America by Douglas NeJaime- For a textbook, this has a very good tone.

75. Ballistic by Mark Greaney- A bit much, but enjoyable.

76. The First Thing About You by Chaz Hayden- A very strong voice, quick and interesting read.

77. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood- A bit long, but an interesting premise.

78. The Midcoast by Adam White- I don’t feel like this lived up to the hype, but it’s a good yarn.

79. Conflict of Interest by Scott Pratt- I can see how this story will arc, but I’d like the protagonist to be a bit more appealing…

80. Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan- I wanted to like this more than I did. Perhaps a few too many threads.

2021

1. Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks: Celebrations Around the World from Fall to Winter by Rebecca Cline et al- This is a huge, heavy book that was gifted to me for the holidays and I loved it. It’s very beautiful and I learned about other Disney parks around the world. If you love Disney and holidays it is must have… especially since no 2020 visit for me.

2. Doctor Turner’s Casebook by Stephen McGann- I LOVE this show, and when I learned McGann (who stars in the show, and turns out is married to the creator!) is a science writer I wanted to check this out. Definitely worth it if you like the show, otherwise won’t be as interesting.

3. Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life by Lori Ginzberg- I so wish I could have met Stanton. Enjoyed learning more about her in this biography.

4. Very Important People: Status and Beauty in the Global Party Circuit by Ashley Mears- Fascinating inside look at the party circuit, which I definitely have never could/would have been part of… Read for class prep especially.

5. Slater Mill by Sarah Leavitt- Learning more about the history of my state.

6. Ethnography and Virtual Worlds by Tom Boellstrorff et al- More class prep (Qualitative Methods).

7. Bone Canyon by Lee Goldberg- Still loving this new series, quick and cinematic read.

8. Hybrid Ethnography by Liz Przybylski- More class prep, especially in COVID times!

9. Stories from Suffragette City edited by MJ Rose- Interesting idea, though only some had the through line. I did discover some new authors/books, which was great.

10. Teaching Effectively with Zoom by Dan Levy- So useful and needed. Highly recommend.

11. Spending Time by Dan Hamermesh- Hamermash is an economist who always writes on such interesting topics.

12. Focus Groups by Richard Krueger et al- More class prep, per student request from last year.

13. Netnography by Robert Kozinets- Can you tell I’m committed to making this class work this semester?

14. Doing Qualitative Research in Education Settings by J. Amos Hatch- This one didn’t make the cut.

15. The Mouse and the Motorcycle BY Beverly Cleary- Boys and I enjoyed this one- definitely holds up.

16. The Science and Art of Interviewing by Kathleeen Gerson and Sarah Damaske- This one made the class cut for sure.

17. The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier- My eldest son LOVED this book and this series. He told me I HAD to read it. I understand why it loves it, though not my thing.

18. Storm Front by Jim Butcher- I basically started this because James Marsters narrates the audio version (Spike from Buffy) and I love him. But seems like a super interesting series and I plan to do the next one as well!

19. Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20 Years of Slaying by Christpher Golden- I enjoyed this, but a lot of trivia was covered in trivia on Amazon. Would have loved more scripts, but great way to close out my seven season viewing.

20. Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs- Again, post-Buddy, I got into Bones (because of David Boreanaz). I really love it, so of course had to turn to books. Whoa, big letdown. I won’t even read next one…

21. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate- In the end I liked this, but was veryyyy slow at start.

22. The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman- My son told me I just HAD to read this, so I did. I get why he loved this a lot, though I probably compared it a bit too much to Snowpiercer. Good for middle grade reader interested in the environment and magic.

23. This Is How We Fly by Anna Meriano- I expected to like this, but I felt a bit let down. It’s very long and slow and I didn’t love the people involved. Important topics and interesting way to set them though.

24. Can’t Even: How Millenials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Peterson- Peterson always writes so clearly and in this case she synthesizes a lot of social science research with her own investigations. I would have liked some more tangible suggestions about how to improve things for both individuals and society at large.

25. Inez: The Life and Times of Inez Mulholland by Linda Lumsden- I certainly knew of Inez, but I didn’t know a lot about her. I really enjoyed this biography.

26. Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen- I like a series of Bowen’s, so gave this a try. But it was soooo slow, I just never developed a strong relationship with the characters, and the premise wasn’t scintillating to me.

27. So We Read On by Maureen Corrigan- Gatsby is my favorite novel, and this was gifted to me a few years ago. I finally made it through! Definitely lots of (interesting) details, and I really appreciated the integration of current teaching, but you have to love Gatsby to read this.

28. Tweet Cute by Emma Lord- Cute premise, though this went on a bit too long. I did like the characters and setting.

29. Runaway Ralph by Bevery Cleary- We didn’t like this quite as much as the first in the trilogy, but still fun— and good to think about summer camp for the boys.

30. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Lois Sachar- The boys thought this was goofy and hilarious- especially at the start. Mid-way through it became a little odd, but liked the twist at the end. Not sure if they will be interested in later books though.

31. Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary- Finished out the trilogy and enjoyed it.

32. The Kids Are Gonna Ask by Gretchen Anthony- I really liked the premise of this book. It also made me think about kids trying to find donor biological parents. The podcast within was also a good twist. At times some of the characters seem like characitures, but definitely worth a read.

33. The Card Catalog by Library of Congress- Cool book about the rise and fall of the card catalog. I love libraries (duh!), and used a card catalog at my wedding for place cards, theme, etc. So I’m target audience. Some of the key players blurred together in the history, but I liked the chronology. I was less interested in the images, but still interesting.

34. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry- My eldest has recently become very interested in World War II and the Holocaust. This is one of few age appropriate books tackling the latter. So much interesting history (I never knew about the handkerchiefs!), important issues to discuss with kids, and just a moving story. I did wish at the end we learned if the friends ever reunited. Nonetheless, worthwhile for anyone regardless and age and five stars (pun intended).

35. And Yet They Persisted: How American Women Won the Right to Vote by Johanna Neuman- I’m finally making a long awaited pilgrimage to Seneca Falls, so catching up on my suffrage reading. Definitely a clear history of suffrage fight, past the 19th amendment as well.

36. Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies by Michael Ausiello- I normally wouldn’t read a tragic memoir, but I used to read Ausiello a lot in grad school (my serious Veronica Mars fandom days) and was reminded of him during Buffy deep dive. I had no idea about this part of his story. I found this book very moving, and not just about his husband’s illness. It moved quickly (no shock, he’s a great writer) and I truly sobbed even though I knew what would happen— while I read in the middle of the night. Recommend for sure.

37. The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty- I really liked this. Cool premise (if far-fetched) and all the characters were complex. I read it fairly quickly and liked the ending.

38. Lady Tigers in the Concrete Jungle: How Softball and Sisterhood Saved Lives in the South Bronx- A lot of people and topics covered here, and at times difficult to sort them out, but a good example of how sports transfers, especially for girls.

39. Keep on Pushing: Hot Lessons from Cool Runnings by Devon Harris- This book was a bummer. Watched Cool Runnings with kids recently and wanted to know more about what actually happened. This book shifts all over the place in terms of timing, and it’s definitely hard to separate out different parts. I’d pass in future unfortunately.

40. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah- Little long, made me cry for sure. I didn’t like everyone, but it’s powerful.

41. A History of America in Ten Strikes by Erik Loomis- I learned about strikes, but not in terms of American history so much. At times it was had to keep some strikes within chapters straight (though I listened, so may be part of it). I wanted the history and this was more of an argument for specific interpretation/action.

42. Holes by Louis Sachar- I know many love this book, but I just found it both a little disturbing and then just way too coincidental. My boys didn’t love it either.

43. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne- The boys and I were like, “How could this boy be so unaware?!” I mean it’s a different take, but it’s not exactly revelatory in terms of perspective…

44. The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop- At first we liked this, then he traps the babysitter and we were like, “This got very weird.” Lots of unanswered questions. None of us recommend.

45. Bones: The Official Companion by Paul Ruditis- So I got realllllyyyy into Bones (I feel like I’ve lost cool, way smarter than me friends since finishing the 12 seasons). I really liked this behind-the-scenes volume and the color images are beautiful.

46. Homer Price by Robert McCloskey- For the first half we loved this- especially skunk angle (we have a skunk issue at our house). But then took a bit of a sexist turn. I know it’s older but…

47. Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning fo Everything by Raqual Vasquez Gilliland- This was an interesting book. It was clear from start it is SciFi. But it blended in well. I liked all the characters, too. In end somehow didn’t gel for me completely, but worth a read.

48. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden- Great little book, so creative. Boys felt sad at end, but love it evoked emotion. Will be listening (discovered listening in road trips!) to next installment for sure.

49. Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland- I’m not usually a big scifi person, so I vacillated on this book. However, it was always clear about its genre, so in the end it’s a 4-star for me. I definitely wanted to know what happened and found the characters very original, while rooted in contemporary events and scifi, romance, and YA. Definitely worth it for something different.

50. Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu- I had read rave reviews of this, so I went in with high expectations. I really like the creative in the format, but I never felt emotionally invested…

51. The Genius of Women: From Overlooked to Changing the World by Janice Kaplan- I did a panel with the author so wanted to be well-versed! Lots of interesting women spotlighted and thoughts about why women’s achievements are often overlooked.

52. We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker- Another one I had read raves of, but I had a very hard time getting into this. It’s heartbreaking, for sure, but I found the pacing very slow until I was at least mid-way through. If I hadn’t seen so many great reviews, I may have abandoned. In the end, it was just ok for me.

53. Prodigal Son (Oprhan X series) by Gregg Hurwitz- Honestly, I just love this series. I love all the characters and the nuance. And the backstory in this one really added depth. And what a cliffhanger!

54. Coup D’Etat by Ben Coes- I liked this second installment much more than the first. It’s fun escapism and I’m looking forward to the third.

55. Dark Moon by Deborah Hawkin- For my birthday/Mother’s Day my eldest picked out the first of four series of legal thrillers, as he knows I love to read and he’s very excited I’m starting law school. This first one was ok, but I’m not so excited about the series format of different people featured.

56. An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt- This gifted first-in-a-series was a success and I’m looking forward to the second! The characters all seem complicated but likeable and I think I will find the TN setting interesting.

57. The Last Refuge by Ben Coes- Still enjoying this series and look forward to next.

58. The Testament by John Grisham- Just meh to me for a Grisham. I typically find his storytelling more compelling.

59. Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner- Interesting premise, just didn’t like the characters very much.

60. Mother May I by Joshilyn Jaskon- I normally love her stories but this one didn’t do it for me.

61. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher- Still interesting, sometimes a lot of characters, but I’ll still stick with it.

62. Sami’s Sleepaway Summer by Jenny Meyerhoff- This came as a PJ Library book and since both boys going to sleepaway (Jewish) camp for first time I decided to read as well, and this was a very sweet book.

63. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto- I so rarely give a book 1 star, but I just DID NOT LIKE THIS. I didn’t like the characters, I thought it was way too long, didn’t like core problem. SKIP.

64. What’s Not to Love by Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka- I was not feeling this book, like the previous one. While I pushed through Dial A, I just decided to not finish this book. First time I’ve done that in a very long time.

65. 1L of a Ride by Andrew McClurg- I found this very useful- and can see I’ll keep using it over the next three years as I become a 1L myself!

66. While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams- I wanted to love this, of course. It just is very convoluted with a lot of characters.

67. The Zen of Law School Success by Chad Noreuil- I didn’t enjoy this nearly as much as 1L of a Ride, but it wasn’t a total waste.

68. Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan- A very interesting story. I liked the setting and history. I just didn’t find it compelling and page turning, but definitely good.

69. 1000 Days to the Bar by Dennis J. Tonsing- Also not as good as 1L of a Ride, and very long, so ultimately I might say this is a pass.

70. In Good Faith by Scott Pratt- Second entry in new series for me, Joe Dillard, about a former defense attorney turned DA. Good stuff.

71. Strategies & Tactics for the First Year Law Student by Lazar Emanuel et al- Sending a theme? I’d say this is the second most useful of the four pre-law school books I read.

72. The Cellist by Daniel Silva - Every summer I wait for the new Gabriel Allon. I thought this was the best entry in years. Five stars!

73. Injustice for All by Scott Pratt- I found this latest Joe Dillard installment a little too twisty, but still good.

74. The Bone Field by Debra Bokur- Bit better than first entry. I’ll keep trying this series set in Hawaii.

75. Eye for an Eye by Ben Coes- My least favorite Dewey Andres thus far. I’ll take a break, but surely be back.

76. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid- The writing is clearly great, as is the plotting. I just did not LIKE a bunch of them…

77. City Spies by James Ponti- My nine-year-old was really, really into this book and insisted I read it so we could discuss. He was right! It’s a great middle-grade book. Definitely recommend. He’s now read second installment and I will soon.

78. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher- It may be because I listed to this (HEY, James Marsters…) but there were a lot of characters and it seemed to go on and on. But I know this series has a cult following so I’m not giving up yet.

79. Hooked by Sutton Foster- A fun book (I listened- though sadly she didn’t sing) by someone who I have admired for a long time. She has certainly lived an interesting life!

80. The Whistler by John Grisham- Wow, so disappointed by this Grisham. Characters not very interesting, plot very meh. Can’t recommend it.

81. Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams by Richard Michael Fischl- I feel like in theory this should count as more than one book. Certainly one reason my total reading this year was down in terms of completed book reading!

82. Well-Behaved Indian Women by Saumya Dave- It took me a long time to get through this book. I think part of it is that it was very long, and part of it is that it was just meandering at times as characters seemed to be dealing with things real-time.

83. After the Bloodbath: Is Healing Possible in the Wake of Rampage Shootings? by James Diamond- Written by my Criminal Law professor! A different take on mass shootings for sure.

84. So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park- I just found this book unrealistic- especially the business side of the story- and just too formulaic in other ways.

85. The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson- Enjoyable entry in the Truly Devious series, especially in a new setting.

86. The Guncle by Steven Rowley- This is a very sweet book. People painted very well, flaws and all. Recommend!

87. Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson- A part of our history I did not know much about. Read quickly for a book of this type.

88. Feminist City: A Field Guide by Leslie Kern- I thought this would be right up my alley (especially in COVID times), but the author makes a lot of assertions without always providing facts or data- which I expect in a book like this. Ok, it sounds cool to say skyscrapers are ejaculating manhood, but I need more than a provocative statement to be convinced… (Also I listened to this and the narrator inserting endnote numbers was very distracting.)

89. A Short and Happy Guide to Contracts by David Epstein, Bruce Markell, and Lawrence Ponoroff- Contracts turned out to be my favorite class in 1L fall. I read several from this series to prep for finals, though did not quite complete a full one. This one I came closest to doing so and I really liked it.

90. Every Reasonable Doubt by Pamela Samuels Young- I really wanted to like this. But the people were just so two-dimensional. Not the right series for me.

91. What Were the Twin Towers? by Jim O’Connor- The boys and I read this to prepare for an NYC trip. I actually learned a LOT about how the Towers were built. Definitely recommend for anyone with young-ish kids visiting Ground Zero.

92. The Bombay Prince by Sujata Massey- I normally LOVE books by this author, but I just couldn’t get into this one. It took me forever to finish and I almost gave up. Also did not even find the ending satisfying…

93. Golden Gate by James Ponti- I did not like this installment as much as the first, but still good. I don’t want to spoil anything, and I’m waiting for third in trilogy to release, but I have a plot issue with this book.

94. The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer- This book was a weird read for me. It’s like I didn’t love it, yet I couldn’t stop reading/put it down. On the one hand I think I wanted it to end, but I did enjoy it. Kind of like the Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies it focuses on…

95. Modern Liberty: And the Limits of Government by Charles Fried- I discovered Prof. Fried in a 0L series and have been waiting for the time to start some of his work. What a mind!

2020

1. Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love by Jonathan Van Ness- I love his personality, but it’s harder to translate on the page. The most annoying thing was repeated use of Russian pseudonyms.

2. Feminasty: The Complicated Women’s Guide to Surviving the Patriarchy Without Drinking Herself to Death by Erin Gibson- This was ultimately meh for me.

3. American Royals by Katharine McGee- A really interesting premise— if Washington had become King and what monarchy would look like today. Fun and thought-provoking (first in what appears to be a YA series/trilogy).

4. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid- I really enjoyed this. Super intriguing premise, even if conclusion was obvious.

5. Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes (second edition) by Robert Emerson et al- I read the first edition like 15 years ago, but read this newer one for new class this semester (Qualitative Research Methods).

6. You Throw Like a Girl by Rachele Alpine- A book about a sports-loving girl who competes in a festival pageant. Right up my alley. Solid middle grade book.

7. Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum- Very, very helpful advice for those publishing books (though slightly fiction heavy).

8. The Prized Girl by Amy Green- A thriller about a child pageant competitor— again, up my alley. Was good, but many, many twists (perhaps one or two too many).

9. Start by Believing by John Barr and Dan Murphy- A more narrative version of the Larry Nassar abuse. The story is infuriating— partly because it’s long (and in real life shouldn’t have been!)— but well reported version.

10. I’m Not Really a Waitress by Suzi Weiss-Fischmann- Wow, a woman with such an interesting life who became such a business and beauty success. Inspiring, even though it jumped around a lot.

11. American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins- I had to read this controversial book for myself. So let me tell you, it’s long, but the story is GRIPPING. I would never read it and think it was “accurate,” despite being deeply moved. The end with the author’s note gets cringey, but if that hadn’t been included…

12. Laud Humphreys: Prophet of Homosexuality and Sociology by John Galliher- Read this as background when I taught about Tearoom Trade. Humphreys was surely a character. This biography moves around a lot, and wouldn’t have broad interest, but worked for what I needed it for.

13. The Long Call by Ann Cleeves- The writing was nice, but I never really felt fully immersed or gripped by the story. It lacked urgency I think.

14. We Contain Multitudes by Sarah Henstra- A very interesting way to tell such a nuanced story. Really enjoyed this, even if I don’t think intense teen love like that can last.

15. New Kid by Jerry Craft- I know this has won a whole bunch of awards, but I just didn’t get it. Nothing new at all in story, and I’m not generally a comic reader, so maybe that’s why?

16. The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson- I didn’t love this end to the trilogy. Way too convoluted.

17. Into the Fire by Gregg Hurwitz- My first 5-star book of year. I just love this Orphan X series. It’s thrilling, it’s character-driven, it’s compelling. But now need to keep those relationships moving forward.

18. Why We Can’t Sleep: Women’s New Midlife Crisis by Ada Calhoun- RARELY have I read a book where I would say, “Yes” so much to what was written. While I am very, very tail end of Gen X (born 1980) this book is pretty close to my life right now. But it never delivered on giving me tips. I felt like at end I had no real directive or ability to change my life. It reinforced others feel same way, but that made me feel worse and not better in this case!

19. The Bullet by Mary Louise Kelly- This was pretty eh. Interesting premise, but not enough suspense.

20. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin- Ok, this was a children’s “classic” I’d never read. Well, now I know why! Too many characters, not very interesting. SUCH a disappointment.

21. 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston- I wanted to like this, but my goodness, the girl was a senior in high school— the family did not need to be finding suitors for the protaganist. Good characters though.

22. The Tyrant’s Daughter by J.C. Carleson- Another interesting premise. Didn’t end quite how I expected. But in the end, just average.

23. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo- I’ve read rapturous endorsements of this story, and I’ve read other things by the author, but I just didn’t get the hype. I felt little to no emotional connection. Maybe just a reminder I don’t love middle grade lit?

24. Legacies of the War on Poverty edited by Martha Bailey and Sheldon Danziger- Read this for course prep, but really liked the counter-intuitive argument and findings.

25. Double Standard: Social Policy in Europe and the United States (4th edition) by James W. Russell- A good one stop shop on this issue (and it keeps being updated). The short chapters are good to assign, though the way back coverage of some issues (Middle Ages) is less useful from a policy perspective.

26. Why Americans Hate Welfare by Martin Gillens- Good, empirical coverage of an important topic.

27. The CQ Press Writing Guide for Public Policy by Andrew Pennock- This is a five-star book for me. Super useful, clearly written, lots of practical applications.

28. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson- This YA novel was WAY too long and the end was just too convoluted.

29. The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey- A serviceable YA book.

30. Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saaed- I liked the premise it was just SO dramatic.

31. Loyalty by Ingrid Thoft- The first in the Ingrid Thoft (female PI in Boston); very promising series.

32. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner- I reread as getting my sons into this during the pandemic. Doesn’t hold up as I remembered (though note I remembered it all these years!), but the boys love it (so works for its target audience still, clearly).

33. Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth- I can’t say I really like any of the protagonists, but Roth’s imagination (story, telling, formats) is so very impressive.

34. Red, White &Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston- Super interesting premise, liked the characters (though some got a bit convoluted), sex scenes were WHOA steamy— just thought it was a bit too long honestly. Some of it could have been condensed or left out. But definitely worth a read!

35. Lost Hills by Lee Goldberg- I really, really liked this. Read quickly, was interesting, seems like a great new character series.

36. 100 Years of Miss America by The Press of Atlantic City- Quick read, a few pictures I hasn’t seen before. If you are into this sort of thing you will want the book, but it won’t interest anyone else…

37. Delta Style: Eve wasn’t a size 6 and neither am I by Delta Burke- A funny, genuine, and behind-the-scenes take on her career and style tips. Really enjoyed this!

38. Camino Island by John Grisham- Haven’t read one of his in some time, but was quickly reminded why he is so successful. He knows how to write a an interesting (legal) thriller that is for sure.

39. Under the Rainbow by Celia Laskey- I was immediately drawn in by the voice of the author, the story, the different chapters on different characters. It’s a winner, baby.

40. China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan- I read Crazy Rich Asians a few years ago, but watched the movie recently, so decided to read #2. WAY too many characters, not even all tied together well. Many people just not likeable. I didn’t really like it, but I’ll probably still read third because that tends to be how I am…

41. Identity by Ingrid Thoft- I liked the Fina series so much I already read 2. Definitely recommend this series.

42. The Rooster Bar by John Grisham- Didn’t really like this one both because I didn’t feel much suspense and I really didn’t like the main characters.

43. Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren- This was cute; enjoyable read (somewhat steamy).

44. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder- This did not hold up quite as well as I remembered— was reading to see if my eldest would be interested. I though he would given the pandemic but after about 30 pages he declared it just “too boring.” Will try again.

45. The Never Game by Jeffrey Deaver- New series, still not sure (mainly if I like protagonist and premise), but moved quickly.

46. Beatiful on the Outside by Adam Rippon- A deeper dive than many athlete memoirs, though not about the sport itself (I always dislike when an athlete is just like, “Yeah, I was good and liked it…”). I may like him a touch less after this though? Some seemed a bit smoothed over— like relationship with parents.

47. What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume- Pageant themed by YA so you know I had to read it! Liked setting in Australia as different.

48. Dreamers and Schemers: How an Improbable Bid for the 1932 Olympics Transformed Los Angeles from Dusty Outpost to Global Metropolis by Barry Siegel- Well researched and interested for sports aspect, but never convinced me completely why I should compare (beyond sports and urban politics aspect).

49. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan- I muscled through this trilogy. Why? Honestly, I don’t know. One of the few cases where the movie (of first one) better than book and it sucked me back in…

50. Brutality by Ingrid Thoft- Still loving this series. Great main stories, good side stories, and varied characters and relationships.

51. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta- Read this after What I Like About Me author recommended it. Didn’t really enjoy it— characters especially.

52. The Room of White Fire by T. Jefferson Parker- Another series didn’t love premise. Not going to try #2.

53. Camino Winds by John Grisham- Really enjoyable and interesting, multi-faceted. Wish there would be another in this mini-series.

54. Parachutes by Kelly Yang- The topic here is different and I enjoyed it. The yawning disparities are almost too much to be believed, but fascinating and important.

55. Hid from Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming- Waited so long for this entry (didn’t know the author suffered so much personal tragedy) and enjoyed it. These characters keep getting more and more complicated though, so not sure how sustainable this was.

56. The Possible World by Liese O’Halloran Schwarz- This book is weird. I guess it’s magical realism? I liked the Rhode Island angle, but characters not super compelling.

57. This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel Levitin- Super interesting, though not compelling/page turner.

58. The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian- Weird time to be reading a book about a pandemic… Wasn’t bad but wasn’t great. Main mystery weird/not compelling.

59. All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor- Re-reading again to screen for kids. So sad not nearly as great as I remember; deciding no for kids at moment.

60. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson- I struggled with this one as it was a quick read and I was into it, and I liked most of the characters, but in the end it was just so (too neatly?) wrapped in a nice bow.

61. East Coast Girls by Kerry Kletter- I didn’t love this. The teenage trauma this group experienced was profound, but didn’t make up for how unlikeable many of them were as young woman. Narrative not terribly compelling either.

62. Duplicity by Ingrid Thoft- I really love this Fina Ludlow series— just said I have to wait for another addition.

63. The Goodbye Man by Jeffrey Deaver- The Colter Shaw series grew on me in this installment, so I will check out the third when it’s released.

64. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks- Wow, loved this book so much. So honest and interesting, tackling real and important issues for kids.

65. Name Drop by Ross Matthews- I liked the premise of this book, and the inclusion of recipes, but some of the stories/chapters were less interesting than others, which led to some skimming.

66. The Distant Dead by Heather Young- The writing is nice here, but the story was a little too mystical for my tastes.

67. The Holdout by Graham Moore- Lots of twists and turns, but a worthwhile read about the legal system from a different perspective.

68. Little Shaq by Shaquille O’Neal- Doing some of the rising third graders summer reading with him. This one felt a bit basic to both of us, though with a nice message.

69. Roll with It by Jamie Sumner- I really enjoyed this book and think protagonists with a physical disability are often overlooked. Liked the new friends she made and the baking angle as well.

70. Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury- Both the boy and I really enjoyed this book (for school). Calvin is a real character, with lots of other interesting people in his life. His adventures were more multi-layered as well. We decided to try the second entry in this series soon!

71. The Bell Ringers by Henry Porter- This book went on and on and on, which didn’t help given so many characters (not all of whom were very pleasant). Interesting to learn more about Parliament, but you could probably do that in other ways…

72. Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy- A sweet story, not bad and not amazing, but a nice read about middle school travails.

73. Being Teddy Roosevelt by Claudia Mills- WOW, this book kind of blew my mind. Both my boys really loved it, and learned a lot. A lot to learn about history and, most importantly, friendship and social differences. Thanks again to school reading for introducing us to a new author!

74. Violet Mackerel’s Natural Habitat by Anna Branford- This school reading book was less of a hit, with both of us. Felt very dry, neither emotional nor compelling.

75. The Order by Daniel Silva- My summer ritual reading. Always enjoyable. I liked the different topic this year, plus less death and imminent destruction. Sets up next stage. Looking forward to more Shamron next summer!

76. Run You Down by Julia Dahl- I still find this series interesting, and I’ll be curious how Rebekah’s relationship with her mother develops. One critique is an awful lot of coincidences…

77. Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary- The boys and I most definitely feel Ramona is annoying. So annoying they may not read more? Not what I was expecting/recalling.

78. Online Marketing for Busy Authors by Fauzia Burke- Definitely what I needed with new book coming out!

79. Outsider by Linda Castillo- I liked that the crime wasn’t within the Amish community and got some backstory on Kate more. Need Kate’s relationship to officially solidify though.

80. Lulu and the Cat in the Bag by Hilary McKay- This was another of our least favorite stories. Just didn’t seem that interested, though liked the twist at the end and the familial relationships.

81. Faith: Takng Flight by Julie Murphy- I definitely had very high expectations for this book given the author. But there were SO many story lines, characters, twists, etc. I know it was a set up for a series, but it felt unsatisfying.

82. The Fire Thief by Debra Bokur- I found this a bit uneven, but it’s first in series so that makes sense. Was slow, but I found main characters very interesting so will give #2 a try when it comes out!

83. Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace- I re-read from childhood to see if boys would like. I am passing for them, was still ok for me.

84. If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland- This came highly recommended, but I DO NOT GET IT. Nothing practical at all.

85. Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst- Quick (kid summer) read— very imaginative and good themes to discuss (being spoiled, helping others).

86. The Gold-Threaded Dress by Carolyn Marsden- I found this very moving, and interesting. Excellent kid summer reading choice.

87. Stink the Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald- At first I didn’t like this, and the boy had to convince me to read faster. But in the end I liked Stink and all the different facets included, like history, in the book. He loves this series.

88. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett- I know this book has been getting rave reviews but I didn’t love it. I especially thought one of the major plot devices was clunky (falling in love with trans man). I did read it quickly wanting to know what happened, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed it (I felt similarly about Crawdads…).

89. Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim- Found this very refreshing and original. A bit dramatic, but definitely worth it.

90. The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin- Final summer reading book and it blew me away! Loved the genre-busting elements, stories within stories, illustrations, just all of it. Definitely going to read rest of this series!

91. Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners- These people are very human. I enjoyed the parts that focused on the Baumgartners most, and one subplot super zany, but still quick and enjoyable.

92. Pizza Girl by Jean Kyoung Frazier- Whoa. This was heavy. And weird. One of those I got to end and felt icky. I know it’s been buzzy, but I can’t quite recommend.

93. The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart- I enjoyed this book- a little far-fetched, but emotional with interesting characters. Worth a read for sure.

94. The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper- Was lucky to do a panel with the author. Will definitely be of interest to those interested in medicine!

95. Double X Economy by Linda Scott- Also got to do a panel with this author! Very definite point of view on women’s contribution to the economy.

96. They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman- I wanted to like this. But the main character(s) aren’t super likeable. I was a tiny bit surprised by twist about halfway through.

97. Conviction by Julia Dahl- I still like the series, but the coincidences with characters is just getting to be too much.

98. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid- Ok, I did find this compulsively readable. But, again, I have to like the characters to enjoy the book. Still, four stars.

99. Rachel’s Roses by Ferida Wolff- My son got this as his PJ Library book for the month and we both read it. Started off well, but we both felt it got very slow in the middle, but finished strong.

100. Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner- FIVE stars. Loved this. Deep and complex, emotional and complicated. Issues of class, parenting, and so much more. Highly recommend.

101. The Orphan’s Guilt by Archer Mayor- Not the best entry in the series- premise was weak to me and worked hard to involve many team members- but still a solid read.

102. The Three Mrs. Wrights by Linda Keir- I found this read really held my attention. Recommend.

103. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King- I discoverd this series in graduate school. I want to start reading it again, but know I need a refresher on teh Russell Kanon, so I’m starting at the beginning. Starts slower thanI remembered, but still good fun.

104. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park- I loved this reimagining of Little House books- what would it be like for a half-Chinese girl in the Dakotas? In end a touch saccharine, but really great and definitely recommend.

105. Cover Your Tracks by Daco Auffenorde- I’d been waiting to read this and was exciting as the premise was intriguing. But it just didn’t work for me. I thought the characters unlikeable and the twist just too convenient.

106. A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie King- Continuing my re-read of Mary Russell series… Always find budding romance between them squicky, but so it is!

2019

1. The Kizuna Coast by Sujata Massey- I missed this latest Rei book when it was released. It’s been awhile and it was like visiting an old friend. I would have liked a bit more thriller, but I did like that it was set in the midst of a real world tragedy and that drove the story. Worth it for existing fans for sure!

2 . The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart- Truly a book that I could not stop reading once I started. My heart almost couldn’t take it— and my eyes and blubbering showed it. I think this is technically middle grade, but I loved it (rare for me). My boys should probably read this in a few years.

3. Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)- This was long. Probably should have been shorter. And a bit too convoluted honestly. I still enjoyed it. But need some relationship resolution in next one!

4. My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew by Abigail Pogrebin- I got this from PJ Library and started reading last fall, one holiday at a time. But then I got a bit behind and decided to try to do it all at once. Each chapter definitely stands alone so no need to that though. And each chapter is very dense (the writing on the page was sooooo small, though maybe I’m just getting older). I liked the author, felt like we could be friends, but her voice (which I liked) got lost sometimes in SOOOOO many other voices. So many rabbis especially- how to keep them straight? I just gave up. But worth it to learn more about Jewish holidays. Will keep with my Judaica books.

5. How College Athletics Are Hurting Girls’ Sports: The Pay-to-Play Pipeline by Rick Eckstein- You can read my review here.

6. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen- Just ok. And too long for just ok.

7. Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2019 by Seth Kubersky and Bob Sehlinger- Guess what I’m planning?!

8. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan- I really liked this. I think it’s a touch too long, with too many climaxes, but I really like the characters and abck story. A lot.

9. The Sparkle Effect: Step into the Radiance of Your True Identity by Kristen Dalton Wolfe- This is long. And you have to like scriptures. I read it for Miss USA parts, of which there were several. I found it odd she didn’t discuss motherhood at all. But sparkle is a good successful pageant concept!

10. Century of Struggle: The Woman’s Rights Movement in the United States by Elanor Flexnor- Interesting, for both content and foundational importance in field. Tried to do a bit too much at times, but a necessary book.

11. The Myth of Seneca Falls: Memory and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, 1848-1898 by Lisa Tetrault- Fascinating history. It’s very detailed and specific, but very important (especially if you’re interested in suffrage/women’s movement).

12. American Legend: The Life of P.T. Barnum- A quick read, very general and likely geared for younger audience, but ok overview.

13. The Woman Suffrage Movement in America by Corrine M. McConnaughy- Not as good as some of the others on this list, but still worth it.

14. Desolation Mountain by William Kent Krueger- A nice addition to the Cork O’Connor series— very serious— but twist at very, very end a long time coming.

15. Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han- I didn’t love it as much as first two, but I am sad to see this multi-layered trilogy end.

16. Stealing Home by Ellen Schwartz- I know this is a kid’s book, but I was so emotional reading it. Plus, I wonder how much of the historical nuance some kids would get. Definitely worthwhile, reminded me a bit of In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson.

17. The Circus Age: Culture and Society Under the American Big Top by Janet M. Davis- Fascinating, deep take on a previously core part of pop culture.

18. Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy- So terrible. I FORCED myself to finish this, hoping. But SO one-note, unrealistic, not compelling. Bad.

19. E Pluribus Barnum: The Great Showman and the Making of U.S. Popular Culture by Bluford Adams- The best of the Barnum bunch!

20. The Holy Trinity of American Sports: Civil Religion in Football, Baseball, and Basketball by Craig A. Forney- More actual theology than I expected; I can get the same for myself and students from an article but definitely an interesting take.

21. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson- Whoa, don’t get this. HATED it. So, so boring (I admit I scanned at times).

22. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling- Well, I finally get to reread (for first time since 2003 when I read Philopher’s Stone in the UK!) because I have a son reading it. Amazing how great still is— the world, the characters, the pacing! Fun to reread and see how plotted things out were from start.

23. Merely Moving Shadows by Katie Stam Irk- I make it a point to buy and read pretty much every book by a Miss America. This was mainly prayers with only a bit about her pageant story.

24. Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi- I wanted to like this, but it felt very melodrama-y. An older YA problem?

25. Big Game: The NFL in Dangerous Times by Mark Leibovich- This book was not nearly as substantive as I expected. It’s gossip-y and insider-y and fan boy-y. It could have been half as long as well. The news articles about the book were better than the book itself, as it is a very worthwhile topic.

26. My Shot: Balancing It All and Standing Tall by Elena Delle Donne- I’ve been intrigued by Elena Delle Donner for years, ever since she left the UConn women’s basketball team. This book was really well done. That story, and her sexuality, were handled remarkably well. I didn’t know about the Lyme before. Definitely worth it for fans of the game!

27. This Book Has Balls: Sports Rants from the MVP of Talking Trash by Michael Rappaport- Didn’t get it. Even with Real Housewives bits. Actually obnoxious and mean. Thank you, next.

28. Venus with Biceps: A Pictorial History of Muscular Women by David L. Chapman- Would have liked a bit more nuanced and chronologically synthesizing commentary, but interesting photos that many in field will find useful (especially international focus).

29. The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan- Again, a little long, but layered and enjoyable. Will look forward to last book in trilogy.

30. 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne- I wanted to like this, but in the end I just really didn’t like the characters.

31. Dust Bowl Girls: The Inspiring Story of the Team That Barnstormed Its Way to Basketball Glory by Lydia Reeder- My favorite part of this book was the surprise addition of a beauty contest! I liked the integration of women’s sports history with this story. I skipped over some of the regional issues, but like their inclusion. A touch long and hard to keep all the players straight, but a good addition to women’s sports history.

32. The Killer Collective by Barry Eisler- He knows how to write a good thriller. Very much a mash-up of his series, so a faithful reader is necessary.

33. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling- Re-read at a Wizardng Weekend with my kids. Holds up, but I see the twists coming much more in this one.

34. When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide: Black Athletes at BYU and Beyond by Darron T. Smith- This is very specific. Less context than I would have liked…

35. The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey- Excited to see where this new series goes and learning a lot about India and religious groups there. Bonus I like Perveen so much!

36. Race, Culture, and the Revolt of the Black Athlete: The 1968 Olympic Protests and Their Aftermath by Douglas Hartmann- This is a lot. You have to really want to know a lot about 1968 (before and after). But the framing is excellent and anyone interested in sports history/sociology should own this.

37. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevado- It took me longer than I expected to get into this, but once I did I was hooked. Very moving.

38. Midnight Basketball: Race, Sports, and Neoliberal Social Policy by Douglas Hartmann- This is good if you are into midnight basketball, or studying sports, but given time that is past since story in 1990s, I needed this to make a stronger case about why we should care NOW.

39. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty- I was surprisingly disappointed in this. Too long, too, weird, I even skimmed some parts toward the end. I usually love her stuff and brand of suspense.

40. Beauty Imagined: A History of the Global Beauty Industry by Geoffrey Jones- A well researched version of exactly what the subtitle says!

41. Bazaars & Fair Ladies: The History of the American Fundraising Fair by Beverly Gordon- A detailed take on something overlooked- I liked the pictures, would have liked a bit more narrative, or tie to present, but definitely worthwhile.

42. Celebrity Culture and the American Dream by Karen Sternheimer- Both a historical and contemporary take on a big topic.

43. Bound by a Mighty Vow: Sisterhood and Women’s Fraternities, 1870-1920 by Diana B. Turk- An interesting early take on women’s “sororities.” Especially of interest if you were in Kappa Theta.

44. The Grounding of Modern Feminism by Nancy F. Cott- Seen as a landmark book, doesn’t hold up as well as I’d like. Very dry in parts, but intro important.

45. Astroball: The New Way to Win It All by Ben Reiter- Ben is a friend and he’s a very talented writer. I wish I could write characters and narrative like he does! I would have liked the end to circle back to promises at start (about how this links to bigger societal trends), but a World Series victory will be enough for many.

46. The Anatomy of Competition in Sports: The Struggle for Success in Major US Professional Leagues by Christopher B. Doob- very formulaic, with some interesting facts, but not very compelling, including for students.

47. National Pastime: U.S. History Through Baseball by Martin C. Babicz and Thomas W. Zeiler- This doesn’t quite deliver on its promise. It’s definitely baseball history though! Dense if you aren’t a devoted fan/follower.

48. No Boston Olympics: How and Why Smart Cities Are Passing on the Torch by Chris Dempsey and Andrew Zimbalist- Definitely for those interested in Boston’s fight, and likely not others. It’s a very specific story.

49. The Rise and Fall of Olympic Amateurism by Matthew P. Llewellyn and John Gleaves- While there are some good insights here, the language is unecessarily dense, and it doesn’t get into the 1990s new Olympics enough for me.

50. Quest for Success: Legacies of Winning by Steven Ungerleider- This was such a disappointment to me. I had heard a lot about this, but it’s just a summary/collectioon of stories.

51. Sadie by Courtney Summers- I wanted to love this, and it was interesting, but also predictable in some ways, and heart breaking. Interestig genre mash-up though.

52. The Distance Home by Paula Sanders- Beautifu and haunting at times, but I ultimately didn’t get why we should care and why the characters ended up where they did.

53. No Crown Required: Raising a Confident, Courageous, and Compassionate Daughter by Susan Kay Wyatt- I highlighted often as there’s a kernel of something here, but the chronology was a bit confusing and probably could have used an editor’s help…

54. The Night She Won Miss America by Michael Callahan- Could have been shorter (a few too many twists and turns) and less salacious, but interesting (especially if you know the history).

55. The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote by Elaine Weiss- This book really got to me- emotionally- and I’m surprised it’s the first to tell this TN story in such depth. I definitely recommend, especially as we get close to celebrating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the US.

56. Woman’s Proper Place: A History of Changing Ideals and Practices, 1870 to the Present bby Sheila M. Rothman- An important book, though I don’t think it holds up as well as I would have thought.

57. California Girl: Miss USA 1959 by Terry Huntingdon Tydings- Ok, this book is crazy. But it’s entertaining. Not sure if it’s all accurate, but it’s not dull…

58. Boardwalk of Dreams: Atlantic City and the Fate of Urban America by Bryant Simon- A very well done book (and there’s not much Miss America in here, but still great!).

59. Unwinding Madness: What Went Wrong with College Sports and How to Fix It by Gerald Gurney, Donna A. Lopiano, and Andrew Zimbalist- I would have preferred more concrete examples, and less of a diatribe, and in the suggestions/proposal things with a path to success.

60. The Serpent’s Shadow by Rick Riordan- A disappointing end to the Kane Chronicles. WAY too long, too many adventures, and not a very satisfying conclusion…

61. Atlantic City: One Hundred Twenty-Five Years of Ocean Madness by Vicki G. Levi and Lee Eisenberg- More book research, I always like when images and text are intermixed. Worth it if you’re into the Jersey Shore!

62. Queen Bess: An Unauthorized Biography of Bess Myerson by Jennifer Preston- Wow, what a life. This is a long take on Bess, but worth it to anyone interested in her for sure.

63. Blood Oath by Linda Fairstein- The best Alexandra Cooper entry in some time. I still wish not EVERYTHING was life and death, but interesting main plots with character development (still more of that please).

64. A Subtle Muder by Blythe Baker- A quick read, fun historical mystery was a different take. Will definitely read the next one (also free on Amazon Unlimited).

65. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens- It took me a while to get into this book, which surprised me given the reviews, but by the end I was enthralled. And I cried.

66. Running Against the Tide: True Tales from the Stud of the Sea by Captain Lee- I wanted to love this since I love him on Below Deck, but it’s barely about the show (only last chapter), and I just wasn’t that interested in his earlier life…

67. Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger- I read this for pageant connection, but it was just so cheesy and pat that I can’t recommend it at all.

68. This Is Your Brain on Sports: The Science of Underdogs, the Value of Rivalry, and What We Can Learn from the T-Shirt Cannon by L. Jon Wertheim and Sam Sommers- The chapters are uneven and I wish the conclusions were a little weak, but sports lovers will love.

69. A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mizra- Another that got such great reviews, and which was so slow to me. At a certain point I just wanted to read for it to be done, and I really did not like how it ended.

70. I’m Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagan- A quick read, right for this time in my life. Ok.

71. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid- Not what I expected, but one of my few five star books this year. A must read.

72. The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear- Another one of my five stars! A great Maisie Dobbs entry— lots happening.

73. Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz- I liked this first in a new series. I’m eager to read more about Orphan X!

74. Charm: The Elusive Enchantment by Joseph Epstein- So not what I expected- maybe even, dare I say, lacking in charm?

75. The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir- I wanted to like this, but it was just weird.

76. A Grave Welcome by Blythe Baker- Not as good as first entry. I’ll give it a bit before trying one more entry.

77. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney- I read this because my older son is obsessed with the series. I think you have to be a young boy to get this?

78. What Strange Creatures by Emily Arsenault- Took me forever as I just did not like it very much. Characters not very likeable, but interesting premise.

79. Buy a Bullet by Gregg Hurwitz- A short that just wasn’t that interesting. At all. No wonder it was cut!

80. Power Down by Ben Coes- Definitely on the long side, but I’m going to give book 2 a try for sure.

81. That Girl In Your Mirror by Vonda Kay Van Dyke- Definitely an anachronistic journey by Miss America 1965.

82. The Rise of Women: The Growing Gender Gap in Education and What It Means for American Schools by Thomas DiPrete and Clausia Buchmann- A solid read on this topic.

83. The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance by Elna Baker- Recommended to me by an editor, but wow, a pretty unlikeable voice that doesn’t hold up great over time…

84. Dressing Up Debutantes: Pageantry and Glitz in Texas by Michaele Thurgood Haynes- Very well done, one of my favorite research books this month!

85. The Satapur Moonstone by Sujata Massey- Probably my favorite fiction this month. Really enjoying this series— though at end wished the geographic region actually existed.

86. Forever Barbie: The Unathorized Biography of a Real Doll by M.G. Lord- This is a very well done book. Entertaining, informative, with an interesting message/argument that still matters.

87. American Rose: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee by Karen Abbott- I wanted to like this, but it slightly underperformed for me.

88. True Colors: An Artists’ Journey from Beauty Queen to Feminist by Patricia Hill Burnett- I should think I would have liked conversing with Patricia!

89. Long Beach: Fortunes Harbor by Larry Meyer and Patricia Kalayjian- Read for research, but seems a well done volume for anyone interested in Long Beach!

90. Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl- I wanted to like this, but I’m not into Sci Fi and another case of not loving the characters…

91. The Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz- Really enjoying this new series. Moving quickly, and all the subplots were strong. Pacing myself to read next!

92. How To Be & Look Your Best Eveery Day by Donna Axum- Another anachronistic walk in time byb a former Miss America.

93. Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book by Ally Carter- Too long! Long story short, write instead of reading this (also, it’s all directed at fiction).

94. Going Too Far: The Personal Chornicle of a Feminist by Robin Morgan- Wow, this is a weird book.

95. Dear Vonda Kay by Vonda Kay Von Dyke- See #81.

96. Not Pretty Enough: The Unlikely Triumph of Helen Gurley Brown by Gerri Hirshey- Interesting, but long. So long for a book without official papers…

97. More Grace than Glamour: My Life as Miss America and Beyond by Jane Jayroe- This was actually very interesting, especially since done recently by Miss America 1966, so space for reflection, and well-produced. Big focus on Oklahoma, given series publisher.

98. American Women’s History: A Very Short Introduction by Susan Ware- Crams a lot in, and includes a lot of diverse perspectives while doing it.

99. A Legacy of Leadership: The US Junior Chamber of Commerce Celebrate 75 Years by John W. Clark- Trying to understand more about the Jaycees. This isn’t thrilling, but there’s a lot of info here (not reflective at all though).

100. Never Say Never by Phyllis George- Surprisingly snappy and interesting, but would have liked more just from her and not about famous friends.

101. The Sisterhood: An Intimate History of the Women’s Movement by Marcia B. Cohen- A rich story of women’s movement of the 1970s and 1980s. Perhaps one too many women were featured, but it’s a great account.

102. Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote by Susan Ware- Another great account of suffrage, paying attention to many different groups of women. A great history.

103. Miss Ameirica by Day: Lessons Learned from Ultimate Betrayals and Unconditional Love by Marilyn Van Derbur- A tough book to read as it is about incest (Marilyn’s father). A bit long, but worth it if you are interested in either Miss America or issues related to family sexual abuse.

104. The New Feminist Movement by Maren Lockwood Carden- An overlooked but very important study of the early Second Wave movement.

105. War and Chance: Assessing Uncertainty in International Politics by Jeffrey Friedman- New book by my brother-in-law Jeff Friedman. If you’re interested in foreign policy, intelligence analysis and reform, and numerical probability you don’t want to miss it!

106. Beartown by Fredrik Backman- Very slow, nice at times, ultimately a bit boring…

107. This Tiny Perfect World by Lauren Gibaldi- Also a bit boring (especially for YA).

108. Rampant Women: Suffragists and the Right of Assembly by Linda J. Lumsden- Such an important taken and argument on suffrage.

109. Hellbent by Gregg Hurwitz- This has fast become my new favorite series— trying to slow down by reading!

110. Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia- I just did not get this book. It just had this weird edge, but good setting.

111. Ask the Passengers by A.S. King- A very nuanced and real take inside of teen girl’s mind. Worthwhile.

112. The Intern by Gregg Hurwitz- I love the series, not so much the short stories. This will be my last one…

113. The Sweetheart by Angelina Mirabella- Good premise but didn’t deliver in the end. Felt lonely.

114. Don’t Assume I Don’t Cook: Recipes for Women’s Lives by Jane Evershed- A surprisingly interesting and informative (and useful) cookbook from NOW!

115. Sharlene Wells, Miss America by Sheri Dew- A very wholesome, religious look at Sharlene Wells’ life, up to and right after her year as Miss America.

116. Kissing a Frog : Four Steps to Finding Comfort Outside Your Comfort Zone by Sharlene Wells- An advice/inspirational book by Miss America 1985.

117. A History of U.S. Feminsims by Rory Dicker- A short, surface take on the movement, with useful boxes on some overlooked aspects.

118. When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present by Gail Collins- Ends in 2010, so we know a lot changes, and this is definitely a general audience take. Long with lots of interesting anecdotes.

119. Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back by Gretchen Carlson- More of an advice book, with some biographical details sprinkled in.

120. Yes, You Can, Heather by Daphne Gray- A surprisingly candid and detailed take by mother of Miss America 1995 (Heather Whitestone).

121. Living with Diabetes by Nicole Johnson- Seems a very one-sided narrative, but understand why she did a book.

122. Listening with My Heart by Heather Whitestone- Her mom’s was more interesting, but tells story of meeting her husnand while Miss America.

123. 101 Secrets to Winning Beauty Pageants by Ann-Marie Bivans- Tips for competing, some fun trivia as well.

124. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson- I didn’t love this, but was intrigued enough to commit to #2 of trilogy.

125. The Alice Behind Wonderland by Simon Winchester- In the end, I just didn’t get quite why I should care.

126. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang- I know this got good reviews, but honestly I was pretty meh. Nothing surprising happened, a bit long.

127. Drag: Combing Through the Big Wigs of Show Business by Frank Decaro- I really appreciated the history and organization of this book. At times I wanted more of the bios though!

128. In Defense of the Princess by Jerramy Fine- A good counter perspective on the princess craze. Worth a quick read.

129. The Stars in Our Eyes by Julie Klam- I definitely did not think that the subtitle (why we care too much about the famous) was ever fulfilled here.

130. Makeover TV: Selfhood, Citizenship, and Celebrity by Brenda Weber- A bit too theoretical.

131. The Makeover: Reality Television and Reflexive Audiences by Katherine Sender- Also a bit too theoretical.

132. Hollywood’s Children: An Inside Account of the Child Star Era by Diana Cary- An interesting read with good backstory.

133. Ascent from Obscurity by LaVern Cameron- This is a LOT (by mother of Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron).

134. Still Standing: The Untold Story of My Fight Against Gossip, Hate, and Political Attacks by Carrie Prejean- This was released right after the final answer at Miss USA scandal. I’d actually rather read a version that came out now… I bet she’d have even more to say.

135. Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure by Amy Kaufman- Of interest to Bachelor Nation.

136. Pretty Powerful by Eboni Williams- I have to be honest, I just didn’t get this at all.

137. Waiting for Unicorns by Beth Hautala- A quick, bittersweet YA novel. I wanted a touch more oomph.

138. Amazing Win, Amazing Loss: Miss America Living Happily, EVEN After by Angela Perez Baraquio- Of the Miss autogiographies, this has most intriguing details (but needed editing).

139. Broad, Casted by Rachel Barnhart- This probably should have been a blog post (or even a diary entry)…

140. Trespassers Will Be Baptized by Elizabeth Emerson Hancock- Fun to read the words of, and learn more about, Emy Hancock.

141. The Sexual Education of a Beauty Queen by Taylor Marsh- Very self indulgent, needed editing.

142. Broad Influence: How Women Are Changing the Way America Works by Jay Newton-Small- One of the best NF books I’ve read this year, though it is at risk for getting a bit dated.

143. The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty- The worst/least suspenseful/interesting Moriarty I’ve read. No one very likeable…

144. Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman by Anne Helen Peterson- Peterson writes with such a clear voice, so automatically an enjoyable read. Like the Newton-Small, I worry could get a bit dated (as not all the examples might “hold up?”), and I wish a bit more analysis at front and back, but definitely worth it.

145. Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West- Sensing a theme?! Much more personal book, another strong voice.

146. Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand for Menstrual Equity by Jennifer Weiss-Wolf- Such an important issue, and a clear book on the subject.

147. Beauty Sick by Renee Engeln- Broad coverage of topic of how focus on appearance impacting those who identify as female.

148. The Rhinestone Sisterhood by David Valdes Greenwood- I like that this focused on festival queens (all in Louisiana). Following them for year means dependent on queens and what happens that year, but still a light shown on something that matters a lot to some communities.

149. Disneyland Then, Now, and Forever by Tim O’Day- More pictorial than historical, I did learn some fun history and trivia for my Disneyland trip! But wouldn’t recommend.

150. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes- I read as has gotten rave reviews this summer, but I was pretty meh. Again, people just are not that likeable (though maybe realistic?)…

151. The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson- Am committed to finishing the trilogy, so eager for third installment, especially given the cliff hanger here. Not sure I’d recommend this series overall- will have to see how it ends.

152. They Could Have Named Her Anything by Stephanie Jiminez- A lot of heavy issues, but worth a read.

153. Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz- I just really enjoy this Orphan X series.

154. Sympotoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra- I really liked the premise of this (female, Indian Doogie Howser) but it was a bit too long and characters not the most likeable.

155. Boys Should Be Boys by Meg Meeker- Whoa, not useful. Some disturbing religious stuff I did not expect. Hard pass.

156. The Bette Davis Book Club by Jane Lotter- I unexpectedly really enjoyed this. The author passed away and her daughter edited it and the book probably could have been a bit shorter— but it was highly original and enjoyable!

157. Shamed by Linda Castillo- I had started to get a little bored with the Burkholder series, but I did enjoy this installment.

158. Moon New Mexico by Zora O’Neill- I really want to go to New Mexico and was working on a draft itinerary. This is a very useful book!

159. The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine- I really like the youth historical fiction by Kristin Levine. This was no exception. Useful way for kids to think about racial history and politics in this country.

160. City of Windows by Robert Pobi- I feel like this could be the beginning of a great series. Had elements of the old TV show Numb3rs with a quirky character and good law enforcement thriller. Definitely enjoyed!

161. The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai- Long, but lived up to the hype. Particularly liked the Chicago setting. Prepare to cry.

162. Pilgrims: A Nonfiction Companion by Mary Pope Osborne- Doing some summer reading with the eldest. Learned a few things myself!

163. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo- Short book that is a good primer on institutional racism.

164. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams- I enjoyed this not only for the historic and Rhode Island setting, but also because I genuinely did not quite see the plot twist coming!

165. Salt by Mark Kurlansky- This is certainly a well-researched book and there is no way you won’t learn something by reading it, but I don’t quite get the long-standing hype.

166. The Girls by Abigail Pesta- An important topic- the Nassar sex abuse scandal- but somehow the book didn’t resonate with me.

167. The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian- Better than the other boy mom book I read, but still not great (there is a need in this space!).

168. Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz- My kids and I got into The Descendants over the summer and we all wanted to read the books. But this disappointed for all of us… Too slow, and some of the backstory doesn’t fit with what comes later (at least in movies).

169. The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson- Very mixed feelings on this. At times I really liked it (plot, characters, showing complicated nature of youth issues), but in the end I thought it was more unrealistic.

170. A Cunning Death by Blythe Baker- A light historical fiction mystery series set in England. I just find these go down quickly and smoothly when I’m up in the middle of the night…

171. Bling! by Sondra Celli- Known for designing extravagant gypsy dresses (out of Boston!) this book tells more baout Celli, how she got started, and how she does some of the blinging.

172. This Time Will be Different by Misa Sugiura- An unusual five stars from me. Multi-layered, different, great characters. A win!

173. The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen- I liked this more than I thought I would! I seem to read a lot about WWI, but it is fascinating.

174. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach- I bought this a long time ago and finally read it. Definitely interesting. In the end I think it was too long, and it tried to be too big of a story, but it’s worthwhile.

175. The Birthday Girl by Melissa de la Cruz- I did not quite see the exact twist coming (though I knew there was one). Was just ok. Not sure anyone was likeable…

176. Bomber’s Moon by Archer Mayor- Solid entry in the Joe Gunther series, but not terribly remarkable.

177. Unpregnant by Jenni Hendriks- A rare five star for me. Great characters, story, social issues, everything.

178. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo- This feels like an important book for teens to read. I really appreciated the nuanced story.

179. You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz- I should learn I don’t love this author. Too long, too dark, too unresolved.

180. Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer Holm- I feel like I was expecting more like Little House, but I just wasn’t feeling this and didn’t like stream of consciousness-style writing.

181. Do You Mind if I Cancel? by Gary Janetti- So I love his work, and his Insta, but this book felt too disconnected across essays (lots of repetition), and how he became a successful writer is completely absent, which I found strange…

182. Swearing is Good for You by Emma Byrne- I loved the premise of this book. In practice it was a bit of a slog to read. Probably could have been a long article…

183. Miss Unlikely by Betty Cantrell Maxwell- Book research. I didn’t quite get the whole narrative that it was so shocking she became Miss America. What WAS shocking was her story of her mother-in-law’s (recent) suicide.

184. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle- A very rare case where I liked the movie more- though that may be because it first? Movie characters just more likeable, with different perspectives.

185. Frankly in Love by David Yoon- Wow. So many perspectives told with such a special voice. One of my favorite books of the year for sure.

186. Bloodman by Robert Pobi- This book gave me the heebie jeebies. At times I couldn’t stop reading- it’s freaky and may give you nightmares. And I HATED HATED HATED the ending.

2018

1. Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy– Julie Murphy has very quickly become one of my favorite authors. A multi-layered, enjoyable story about sexuality and coming of age (and not in the way you might expect!). Definitely recommend.

2. Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything by Aly Raisman– I was surprised by how compelling I found this story given that, 1) I knew how it would end up, and 2) I’m a bit older than the target audience. But Aly details a lot of her training, which was interesting, and some of her relationships with coaches and gymnasts. Of course the sexual abuse has gotten a lot of the press, but other issues discussed like adoption, are also handled very well. Probably not of interest to someone who isn’t a gymnastics or sports fan, but very much worth it to those who are.

3. Trouble Makes a Comeback by Stephanie Tromly– I didn’t like this as much as the first installment in the series, but I’m still in for the third entry in this smart teen mystery series.

4. American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land– A very clear voice on a crime, and region, not well known to most people. The history and psychology of arson was woven in quite well and I learned a lot– even if the conclusion seemed rather obvious.

5. All the Secret Places by Anna Carlise– Definitely not as good as book one. I can only give this series one more try. Slow paced, two many dramatic threads to be very believable; and the characters don’t seem likeable.

6. The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore– At the start of this book I thought I was going to love it. Unfortunately I think it really started to meander and try to address too many serious issues (and not always in enough depth or care). While it’s fine that the main character, Lolly, is flawed (we all are!) at times he didn’t seem as likeable as he could have been, so I didn’t root for him as much as I thought I would. In contrast, I wanted to know more about Rose. While all of the characters seemed colorful, I’m not sure how real they seemed, as opposed to standing in for some social issue. So in the end, disappointingly just ok.

7. Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls by Lauren Graham– Parts of this were interesting (especially the explanation of how the Netflix Gilmore Girls came about), and it sounds like Graham’s family is extremely interesting, but she comes across as a touch goofy. But still cool. The book is more telling than showing, but still frothy. In any case, the most uncomfortable part was her discussion of not wanting to do plastic surgery, but then her face looking SO DIFFERENT during A Year in the Life. Also, I thought the name Connie Britton would appear at least once…

8. The Night Trade by Barry Eisler– I really liked the Rain series mash-up here (with Dox finding love). It could have moved a bit faster, and was a bit too twisty (some obvious, some without proper set-up, like the US bad guy), so I still think Eisler needs a proper editor. But an enjoyable read.

9. Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham– After reading #7 I decided I needed to read this. In some ways it’s a redux (and it’s hard not to compare to Graham), but by the end I thought it was actually well-crafted novel (if a touch archetypal). It wasn’t unexpected, but I liked reading some of the process. The ’90s setting was fun for me, since I do remember that time period well! If I didn’t know who Graham was as an actress I may actually have enjoyed it more…

10. The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen– I liked this, even if it highlights how misunderstood some relationships can be. I liked the history (as Bowen is so good at), the slight mystery, and the Italian setting. I think for some readers it might be harder to connect with the two time periods, but it’s an enjoyable and quick read.

11. The Fantasy Sports Industry: Games within Games by Andrew Billings and Brody Ruihley– I did a new lecture in my Sports in American Society class this year on Fantasy Sports. This is one of the few studies on the activity, so even though it was written in a dry, technical way, I found it useful. But this one wouldn’t be of interest to the vast majority of Fantasy players.

12. Fantasy Life: The Outrageous, Uplifting, and Heartbreaking World of Fantasy Sports from the Guy Who’s Lived It by Matthew Berry– I can see that to someone who has followed Berry online this book would be lots of fun. And I actually love the examples he provides about others’ experiences with fantasy leagues (both good and bad, trivial and hugely meaningful). Somehow the book didn’t cohere well for me (I think maybe needed to connect more with other aspects of American life), but for a fan it’s worth a look.

13. Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore– This was too long. And convoluted. And unbelievable. I didn’t see one of the twists coming though. And basically no one is likeable.

14. Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History by Katy Tur– I wouldn’t say there’s anything earth shattering in here if you followed the campaign. It may send you back into a mild depression. I think it would be most interesting for someone thinking about a career in TV journalism as gives sense of that life. There’s something vaguely unlikeable about the author in some parts, but nothing overt.

15. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan– I started to read this to see if it was appropriate for Carston to read. I think it’s more age appropriate than Harry Potter for him. You clearly have to know some Greek mythology to “get” it though. I also thought Percy repeatedly made terrible decisions. That said, I’m in for #2 for sure!

16. To Die but Once by Jacqueline Winspear– I still like the Maisie Dobbs series, but this wasn’t the strongest. I do sense the WWII years will be very interesting though. I liked that I learned more about homefront living in this one.

17. The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue– The first really disappointing YA I’ve read in awhile. It was just very surface with too many characters and a very, very predictable (and somewhat unsatisfying) ending.

18. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng– It took me about 100 pages to really sink into this, but then it was unputdownable. The writing is so nuanced, layered, evocative. Definitely worth a read (especially if you came of age in the 1990s).

19. The Last Good Heist: The Inside Story of the Biggest Single Payday in the Criminal History of the Northeast by Wayne Worcester and Randall Richard- This book hit my radar after I heard about this heist on the podcast Crimetown. The podcast was better, but if you're really into East Coast mafia crime stuff, you'll want to take a look. 

20. Class Mom by Laurie Gelman- Mom books aren't typically my thing. This has an interesting edge. A super light, quick read. Take it or leave it.

21. Revolutionaries, Rebels, and Rogues of Rhode Island by M.E. Reilly-McGreen- I'm a proud Rhode Islander and I'm very interested in the revolutionary spirit aspects of the state. I was excited to read this and it started out ok, but then it takes a turn to tales, mocking historical figures, and no argument to the book. It ends super abruptly (not before a decent section on slavery), but unfortunately I can't recommend...

22. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan- This is the second in the Percy Jackson series and I can feel it getting better. This was shorter, smarter (especially with modernizing the Greek myths), and moved faster. Looking forward to the third one!

23. Trouble Never Sleeps by Stephanie Tromly- I'm sad to see this series end. Definitely flavors of Veronica Mars. Very clever (if illegal), with an ending that feels satisfying if unrealistic. Cinematic possibilities abound.

24. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas- This is a riveting book. My one complaint is that for a page turner it's long. I think at least 50 pages could have been trimmed, though I'm also not sure what I would have cut (one possibility is the DeVante story line as it's a bit too pat). Highly recommend.

25. In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen- On the one hand I enjoyed this, on the other hand the end felt very rushed. There were also most likely two many characters tied together in too complicated of ways. I love Bowen's Molly Murphy series, and don't much like Her Royal Spyness, and this was probably a combination of the two. It wasn't unenjoyable, but felt a bit like the result of  a failed historical mystery series that turned into a single book.

26. The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson- Probably my favorite book of the year so far-- which I can attest to because I didn't want it to end and I want to know what the characters are doing now. Multi-layered, complex, emotional, funny, and more, with serious social resonance. Highly recommend.

27. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan- I'm really getting into the Percy Jackson series now. Waiting for #4 to arrive at the library if that tells you anything. I still don't love all the unexplained magic, but very enjoyable nonetheless (and clearly what I will let my son read before he read the entire Harry Potter series I think, although mythology may be a bit much).

28. The Other Woman by Daniel Silva- Silva usually produces one of my favorite summer reads. Again, a lot happens and it's long. I liked that most of time there wasn't mortal danger. I still think we need Shamron story line move forward and more of Gabriel as father.

29. The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan- As Percy gets smarter and quicker so does Riordan. Sad to see this journey end in one more book!

30. Far from the Tree by Robin Benway- This is probably my favorite book of the year thus far. Made me cry, think, laugh. I learned from it, and learned bit more about humanity. Highly recommend.

31. The Incomplete, True, Authentic, and Wonderful History of May Day by Peter Linebaugh- If you are into Labor History you will find much to like in this short-ish book made up of historical essays. I was reading it for other aspects of May Day history (May Day queens and how that transferred from UK to US), so wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

32. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan- Sad to see this last one in the series end. Pretty satisfying. I'll look forward to sharing with my sons in a few years (good pre-Potter series, I think, even though death is involved here as well). Adults can enjoy with all the mythological references (my high school Mythology class came in handy!).

33. Feminism & Suffrage: The Emergence of Independent Women's Movement in America, 1848-1869 by Ellen Carol DuBois- Book research!

34. P.T. Barnum: A Captivating Guide to the American Showman Who Founded What Became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus by Captivating History- Not helpful book research.

35. Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women's Rights Movement by Sally McMillen- Extremely useful and interesting (book research). Sensing a theme yet?

36. Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard- Definitely part of US history I know less about, but I would have preferred less about Alexander Graham Bell and more about McKinley (his policies and what he did).

37. Gilded Suffragists: The New York Socialites who Fought for Women's Right to Vote by Johanna Neuman- So, so interesting (book research). I'd actually recommend to non-experts too!

38. What the Waves Know by Tamara Valentine- At times I liked this book, but in the end it's very slow and not a shocker in any way. The timing of the story was interesting, as well as the choice of a fictional place, though I'm not sure I agree with either choices... Just ok.

39. Feminism Unfinished: A Short, Surprising History of American Women's Movements by Dorothy Sue Cobble, Linda Gordon, and Astrid Henry- I know the book was deliberately broad, but I prefer the more detailed, focused histories. Until the ore recent history (last chapter), I do think that despite different authors the continuity shown was useful. And liked the included pictures, which were quite illustrative.

40. Not if Save You First by Ally Carter- I have liked a series by Carter before, so I found this book very disappointing. The best way to describe it is sophomoric. Not much worked well-- story, characters, writing. But premise was interesting!

41. Horrible Prettiness: Burlesque and American Culture by Robert C. Allen- More book research. Very interesting arguments. If you aren't a theater scholar some parts a bit too detailed, but worth a read for Intro at the very least. 

42. Providence by Caroline Kepnes- So I avoided this book-- despite great reviews in lots of places-- because I'm not really into supernatural. Well, I should have trusted my instincts. I set them aside given Rhode Island connection, but the story was just weird, unresolved, people weren't likeable. Very disappointing.

43. American Fun: Four Centuries of Joyous Revolt by John Beckman- Very, very long and not organized well within chapters (reader feels a bit confused about where going, whether chronologically or thematically), but I got some useful info about mid-late 19th century leisure (particularly Barnum).

44. India Gray by Sujata Massey- I LOVED Massey's Rei Shimura series so I was excited for this. I see these four stories as the attempt(s) to start new series. The first two are the best (first character most compelling, which makes sense that I think that is star of new series), though second story almost long enough to be stand alone, and compelling. The last two, especially penultimate in collection, less interesting. Fascinating to see author's voice/tone shift from story to story!

45. Walk in Their Shoes: Can One Person Change the World? by Jim Ziolkowski and James Hirsch- I was reading this for course research on impact of volunteering on students. I didn't get that, which would have been ok but this book is just all over the place. There is a lot of religion, fyi, and at times the founder comes across as unlikeable. Often it reads more like a travelogue than a book meant to share a particular message/finding. I would have liked much more about students and much less about author.

46. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider- I liked this. It was thoughtful YA with layers a non "young" reader can appreciate. Not as Gatsby-esque in narrative as you'd think.

47. The First Rule of Punk by Celia Perez- This was too middle grade for me, really. And none of the major themes resonated so much with me, but I can see why they would to others. In the end I just didn't find the narrative compelling and I didn't like the narrator.

48. For the Common Good?: American Civic Life and the Golden Age of Fraternity by Jason Kaufman- I'd read parts of this before (and the data collection is impressive) and I read the whole thing for a trip to an event sponsored by Jaycees. Lots of interesting, politically relevant ideas, for today (especially re: guns), but I didn't get as much on "fraternities" that still exist today. Not for everyone, but a fascinating book.

49. Building a Better Race: Gender, Sexuality, and Eugenics from the Turn of the Century to the Baby Boom by Wendy Kline- This is a very narrow book that will appeal most to specialists. I was interested in baby contests, which were only sparingly covered, and the topic is obviously disturbing, so it wasn't a pleasant read. But was based on research!

50. Strings Attached: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations by Joanne Lipman and  Melanie Kupchynsky- So I read this to try to learn more for a class I teach on music lessons. This wasn't super helpful there. But I kept reading because of the missing sister story line. Which basically went nowhere.  This was a very odd mishmash of a book, especially with two voices that didn't intersect much. Odd. Can't recommend.

51. Music Lessons: Guide Your Child to Play a Musical Instrument (and Enjoy It!) by Stephanie Stein Crease- I had avoided this book thinking it looked formulaic of basic. But, seriously, it's well done! I liked it both as a parent and as a researcher/instructor. I learned from it on both counts and it's not overly didactic. Assigning part of it in seminar this year!

52. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin- I know people LOVED this book. But it was so dark. So. Dark. And, after the first two siblings I just couldn't enjoy it as much as they and their story lines were so unpleasant. Interesting concept but no uplift AT ALL. I want to enjoy what I read so can't recommend...

53. A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo- I'm worried this is my last Kate Burkholder book. If they don't get married and if Kate doesn't stop having ridiculously contrived, multiple, near death experiences each book, I can't continue. I'd like more attention on periphery characters too. This was hastily done- disappointing.

54. Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza- I really wanted to like this book. But I just didn’t find it that compelling. Nothing surprised me. Nothing made me like the main characters (although I did really like Charlotte’s assistant). I even saw the non-ending coming.

55. Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town’s Secrey to Happiness and Excellence by Karen Crouse- I had high expectations for this book and it feel way, way short. I don’t think Crouse really dug deep into the town— often I thought this is too good to be true. I also didn’t understand why certain families were highlighted so much (especially those that seemed contradictory).

56. The Making of a Teenage Service Class: Poverty and Mobility in an American City by Ranita Ray- I read this new book for a few reasons: 1) Need better reading on youth employment for First Year Seminar, 2) My editor Naomi Schneider did this one so I knew it would be good. Ultimately this is a depressing story. “At-risk” students who do everything “right” (no early pregnancy, no incarceration, focus on higher ed) and yet can’t (literally) work their way out of poverty. Ray does a great job of showing the structural issues, less so on potential policy solutions. I also would have liked a bit more detail on some of the teens to help me remember their stories, but that’s more personal preference.

57. Playing with Purpose by Emily Cohen- You can check out my thoughts on this short, but effective, ebook on how to help your kids talk on the linked site!

58. A Place to Call Home: After-School Programs for Urban Youth by Barton J. Hirsch- While this book is older, it still lands. I wish the formatting were better (less text on page, less academic-y on page) because it lands in terms of relationships, gender, and more. Plus, I’d love to see an updated edition sometime!

59. The Explorer’s Code by Kitty Pilgrim- Wow, I spent so long trying to get through this awful book. The pacing, the characters, the plot, the length. It was just dreadful. Avoid!

60. Paul Simon: The Life by Robert Hilburn- It was uneven at times (personal life, some songs covered in such detail and others not so much), but overall a fascinating look at one of the best song writers of all time. It was especially fun to read the stories and then listen to the songs and watch videos with new understanding.

61. Sisterhood in Sports: How Female Athletes Collaborate and Compete by Joan Steidinger- Not quite what I expected— more suggestions than based on research, but many of the practical tips at end of each chapter useful. I found the family chapter, especially siblings, most interesting.

62. GuRu by RuPaul- Wow, what a disappointment. Little of substance (even repetitive)- I wanted to know more about Mama Ru’s life. Pass!

63. Newport by Jill Morrow- I found this slow at times, and I thought predictable, and then BAM! I was surprised by the twist. There’s not that much about Newport itself (by initial interest of course being Rhody), so worth it for some historical fiction.

64. The Mangle Street Murders by M.R.C. Kasasian- Wow, hard to imagine two more unlikeable protagonists. Historical fiction series that on paper should have delighted me, but which I loathed. And the mystery wasn’t even compelling to boot!

65. The Jigsaw Jungle by Kristin Levine- Definitely one of my favorites of the year, perhaps even of the past few years. I usually don’t love a gimicky format, but this really worked. The narrative moved forward well through emails, voicemails, transcripts. I gulped this down, was entranced. I saw the “secret” coming, but it was so nuanced and moving. Great for readers of all ages— an important book.

66. Transforming Providence: Rebirth of a Post-Industrial City by Gene Bunnell- I learned so much about my chosen hometown. My family loves Waterfire and it was fascinating to see the photos of the old downtown and learn about all the actors who transformed the city to what he looks like today. And more change is happening! A quick, but jam-packed, read.

67. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han- I did this one backwards. I lovethe Netflix movie so much I had to go back and read the book. Even knowing what happened in the screenplay (a little different) I loved this. Lara Jean is a fascinating character— even if I don’t understand how she bakes so quickly!

68. Bury the Lead by Archer Mayor- The latest Joe Gunther, which I have mixed feelings about. So as I was readingit I enjoyed it— I read quickly and wanted to know what happened. But at the end I was like, huh, that felt a little empty. The mystery was eh. I didn’t lovethe Ebola plot line. I do like the daughhter angle, the arm thing was also eh. I’ll keep reading but hope for more oomph next time.

69. P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han- I think I liked this. I definitely read it fast. I’m going to let the characters sink in a bit before I read the last book of the trilogy. I find the characters very realistic, unlike other books (not everything that happens, but who they are at their core). I like Peter, but he may not have enough substance for Lara Jean, besides being devoted and handsome. I want someone who challenges her. We’ll see!

70. Death by Wicket by Kerry Greenwood- Ok, I think I’m done with Phyrne. TOOOOOO many characters, too many twists, and I didn’t find the main plot compelling. Plus, again, Netflix. I liked the books better before I saw the series, which is quite well done.

2017

1. Dancing on a Powder Keg: The Intimate Voice of a Young Mother and Author, Her Letters Composed in The Lengthening Shadow of Hitler’s Third Reich, Her Poems from the Theresienstadt Ghetto by Ilse Weber (translated by Michal Schwartz)– You can read my review of this wrenching, but important, book in The Jewish Voice.

2. Chasing the Dream: Life in the American Hockey League by Ted Starkey– You can read my review in The Providence Journal here.

3. For Time and All Eternities by Mette Ivie Harrison– I started off the year in a fictional lull and I hoped the third installment of this mystery series featuring a Mormon Bishop’s wife would pull me out of it, but the book sorely disappointed. It felt too rushed, too depressed, Linda lacked her verve. And I HATED that they did things they knew were wrong, so terrible as a procedural as well. Hopefully the next one will be better…

4. Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports by Cyd Zeigler– I taught excerpts of this book for the first time in my Sports in American Society course this year. It is a quick read and has some good stats and narratives. I would have liked a bit more of the former, but the best book out there (pun intended) on the subject right now!

5. Wives, Fiancees, and Side-Chicks of Hotlanta by Sheree Whitfield– It’s no secret that I am a reality TV junkie. A “fictional” book by “who gon’ check me boo?” She by Sheree was a must read. It is as spectacularly awful as you might imagine… and if true extremely juicy, too!

6. Urn Burial by Kerry Greenwood– Still reading slowly (I blame politics, ha!). This took me FOREVER even though it is short. An ok addition, I am curious what Phyrne will get up to next.

7. Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner– Cleared me of my slow reading, gulped this down. May have kick-started reading again for the year? Serious topics, a bit fantastical, but compelling characters in short snippets. Love the Princeton references…

8. Bone Dust White by Karin Salvalaggio– I am intrigued by the Montana setting and a complicated new female, police detective protagonist mystery series. The main story had a lot of threads, and at times I had a hard time keeping all the players’ names straight, but I will give this another book or two. I think it will stay on my list of series though.

9. Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum– Continuing my love of YA… In the vein of Eleanor & Park, though I saw this twist coming. Shows parents as complicated, but bumbling; teens are pretty smart. Compelling story.

10. Burnt River by Karin Salvalaggio– I could tell this Macy Greeley Montana series was going to be good. GULPED this down (although still same complaint about so many different characters and at times hard to keep them all straight– or maybe I’m just getting old?!).

11. An English Boy in New York by T.S. Easton– Liked this much better than the first. It read faster and was fun, especially the take on the US from the UK. Bending gender norms for boys too is great.

12. Killer Show: The Station Nightclub Fire, America’s Deadliest Rock Concert by John Barylick– Written by one of the lawyers this is a very detailed book that covers so many areas (history of lawsuits, science of fires, the way touring bands work). But it is the human tragedy that is most compelling. I appreciate the book follows things all the way through, from disaster to years later… I live 10 miles from where this occurred and wanted to learn more, and that I did.

13. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay– I found this book intriguing, but ultimately not as satisfying as it could have been. It completely captures the intensity of adolescence and connections. It is unrealistic in terms of adult supervision and the tragedies seem very extreme. I was very interested but wasn’t thrilled with the resolution.

14. The Toddler Brain: Nurture the Skills Today that Will Shape Your Child’s Tomorrow by Laura Janna– You can see my review in The Providence Journal here!

15. The Company She Kept by Archer Mayor– A nice entry in the Joe Gunther series, will be interested to see where things go next.

16. The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald– This is a very quick read. For younger readers it is nice because the setting isn’t in the US. But it also may give some kids the wrong idea about some things (including running away). Because it’s quick it doesn’t go as deep into some necessary issues, so I liked it, but wouldn’t share with a middle schooler. But I liked it.

17. Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1) by Mary Pope Osborne– My older son just started this series (which was after my time as a young reader), so I will be trying to read these with him so we can discuss. We both read this one today and I can already see why young readers like this– magic, independence, adventures, brother/sister, mystery. Will be fun to read together!

18. A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner– I can’t lie, this book made me outright sob at least twice (once in public). I initially liked the historical portion more, then liked the 2011 story more– which shows I just liked the whole thing. Loved the blended stories, even if they didn’t exactly line up (which I actually liked– would have been to “pat” otherwise). I do recommend, but it’s a tearjerker.

19. The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis– I liked this book. It entertained me, but didn’t move me to recommend as a top book of the year. I liked the alternating chapters between 1950s and 20teens, and I liked the meditation on women’s options in terms of career and family. I think it got a touch too twisty and I can see some of the “twists” coming, but it was still an enjoyable read.

20. Good as Gone by Amy Gentry– In many ways this is a tragic book, very sad to read as parent when you think about the implications. It’s twisty, but satisfying. I didn’t *like* a lot of the characters, which made it tough to say I enjoyed, but ultimately it was worth my time.

21. The Maddie Diaries by Maddie Ziegler– I couldn’t resist this. It was a fast read and I can see that Maddie’s fans would like it, but SO much is missing. Like, the lack of a mention of Abby Lee Miller shows the extreme distancing taking place by the brand (given her legal troubles). It was weird that Maddie’s other siblings continue to be ignored. In the end she doesn’t come across as relateable at all, but I suppose that’s what makes it ok for her to give out advice to tweens?

22. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead– I know I was supposed to *love* this book (great reviews, Pulitzer prize, etc.), but I just didn’t. I liked the presentation of one young woman’s experience, in all its tragedy, but I thought the creation of an actual underground railroad (shout out to Porsha Williams on RHOA) detracted overall– especially because it wasn’t treated as magical realism, but as fact.

23. Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal– I really liked this. Lots of twists, and complicated dynamics. The end wasn’t as satisfying as I would have liked (sudden and no complete resolution), but it was an interesting and sad story with some (New Orleans) history sprinkled in,

24. Finishing School by Cary Tennis and Danelle Morton– Hoping to have a very productive summer of writing. The beginning discussion was useful, end not so much for me. Maybe I just should have been writing instead of reading this though (based on their advice), ha!

25. The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine– By far my favorite book read in 2017. It is technically YA, but serious themes, great characters, wonderful language, a forgotten part of history. Definitely a must read! (Set in Little Rock 1958-9)

26. Even in Paradise by Chelsey Philpot– Captures a rarefied world, and the world of adolescence. I liked that it went further chronologically, to show younger readers what can happen later in life. I didn’t think the “twists” were as twisty as they could have been, but they were probably more realistic. Overall, enjoyable, and both inspirational and real, with good romance and social commentary.

27. The Golden Hour by Todd Moss– I’m interested in filling my spy/thriller series need in between Silva novels. This was an uneven start– but I’m willing to try two more to see what I think. I obviously like the academic turned government worker angle, but not sure yet what I think about the marital twist… Liked learning more about Mali though! Note that certain threads aren’t fully developed (like Senator’s daughter’s kidnapping, for example).

28. We Never Asked for Wings by Vanessa Diffenbaugh– I had to keep reading once I started this book. It is a reminder that the world is full of such sadness, and struggle, but once in awhile things work out. A lot of issues at play here– inequality, immigration, disability, teen pregnancy– so it becomes a lot at times, but the story is beautiful and the addition of science very good.

29. Walleye Junction by Karin Salvalaggio– I didn’t like this as much as other installments. I wasn’t convinced by the over time conspiracy and I didn’t like Macy and all her continued romantic doubts. Will give this series one more book chance…

30. The Luminous Heart of Jonah S. by by Gina Nahai– This book could have used some heavy editing– it is very long and meandering at times. While I really liked the history and learning more about a group of people I don’t know a lot about, in the end I was disappointed by the ending, especially the magical realism and parts never quite resolved, or resolved too easily.

31. Minute Zero by Todd Moss– Not going to keep reading this series… Too unbelievable, pace too slow, weird relationships between characters. I do like the farflung settings but not enough to keep going.

32. Raisins and Almonds by Kerry Greenwood– Still love the focus on interesting subcultures in this historical mystery series set in Australia during the Roaring Twenties. Halfway through and liking Phyrne more and more!

33. Presumption of Guilt by Archer Mayor– I didn’t love the cold case angle, I doubt so much resources would go into this in Vermont. I enjoyed it, but was just ok in terms of the series.

34. Past Crimes by Glen Erik Hamilton– A great first entry in a series I think I am going to enjoy. Like the backstory, the foot in both worlds, the location, the characters.

35. No One is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts– Described as a modern Gatsby, I expected to really like it, but I thought it tried to be too atmospheric and it wandered a bit. I liked the setting though.

36. Drive Me Crazy by Terra Elan McVoy- You know I love YA, but this fell far short (despite good reviews). Wrapped up super quickly, one thread never felt like it made sense, and the characters weren’t super compelling. That said I though the two perspectives were realistic and could help a teen reader relate to others.

37. Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki– My kids are doing Suzuki so I have been meaning to read this as I don’t find all parts of the programming super compelling. This book did nothing to convince. Beyond the awful translation the book goes here there and everywhere. And the notion that ANY child can play is severely undercut by fact that Suzuki himself grew up in a violin family. Ok…

38. The Drowning Girls by Paula Treick DeBoard– I mean, there is absolutely nothing new in this story at all. It was fine if you want something light. It wasn’t suspenseful, and the twist in the last few pages was good, but the book then ended too abruptly as well.

39. In this Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear– I love the Maisie Dobbs series and try to read the latest installment as soon as it is out (this one I had to wait a bit to get from library as others clearly feel the same way!). Did not disappoint– and even made me cry. Can’t wait to see what WWII brings fro Maisie; I am sure many important adventures.

40. Making Miss India Miss World: Constructing Gender, Power, and the Nation in Postliberalization India by Susan Dewey– Not sure even pageant fans would like this. It is very theoretical, but it does have some interesting behind the scenes stuff. I found the history most intriguing, especially of Miss Universe/World/Earth.

41. Miss World: The Naked Truth by Don Short– It’s very dated. And gossipy. But if you are a diehard of pageants or this UK-based event, you will find nuggets juicy– and the only history of this pageant I have ever seen.

42. The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner– Here’s the things I really learned from this book (as if I didn’t know before!): writing a book is lonely and hard and, like pregnancy, it’s slightly miraculous when something comes out in the end because the odds seem infinitesimal (and yet, it happens all the time).

43. American Historical Pageantry: The Uses of Tradition in the Early Twentieth Century by David Glassberg– Such a fascinating book about a short time in American civic life, but thanks to great organizational records it can be studied and remembered. Even though the details became a bit much at times, and I would have liked to understand the later incarnations/evolutions, a very useful book.

44. Hard Cold Winter by Glen Erik Hamilton– I didn’t like this as much as the first entry (went from family issue to implications for global terrorism real quick). I think one of the new characters introduced will be back, so like that. Will still look forward to third book.

45. Science Fair Season: Twelve Kids, A Robot Named Scorch… And What It Takes to Win by Judy Dutton– Reading prep for new fall course on the afterschool hours– adding week on “fairs!”

46. The Children by Ann Leary– I found this disappointing. Was it a mystery? Not quite. Literary fiction? I guess. Overall left an icky impression.

47. Little Sister by Barbara Gowdy– The rare book that I can say I didn’t like at all. No explanation, didn’t really make sense, characters not very likeable. Writing was atmospheric, but not necessarily engaging. Pass!

48. Silent Rain by Karin Salvalaggio– Now I have to wait a bit for next entry in this great new series. I actually liked the reappearance of former victim as they don’t just disappear. I would have liked a bit more Montana details, but great read, and liked that the solution didn’t come so far out of left field.

49. The House of Spies by Dan Silva– This is now my designated summer vacation reading. Silva has a formula now, which is enjoyable, but next time I’d appreciate more twists on that formula. Also, very long, needs tad more editing at this stage.

50. The Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories by Anthony Marra– I read this to lead a First Reading seminar of Brown first year students. The language is amazing, and the structure is very interested, but the story itself is dark and at times meanders. I didn’t find it absorptive in the way I tend to enjoy fiction, but it certainly isn’t bad.

51. The Wives of Los Alamos by TaraShea Nesbit– At first I liked the second-person telling, then I hated it, but it still had it’s lyrical moments. Overall though it gave the book a slower pace than I would have liked. I enjoyed the personal take on such a massive world event, and the continued follow-up. It is worth a read.

52. Every Day Above Ground by Glen Erik Hamilton– I continue to really enjoy the Van Shaw series (now caught up, so have to wait for the fourth book). This was very entertaining but I think it could have done without at least one of the major rescues and still been good (and not quite so long). I like the childhood flashbacks, but they do have me wondering at times how Van can even function!

53. Deadfall by Linda Fairstein– I liked this installment of the Alex Cooper series more than the past few. I do wish she wouldn’t always end up in peril with bullets flying though. But the backstory and NYC history always interesting, and the personal relationships moved forward.

54. The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Laura Shovan– I liked the emotions conveyed in this book, and the poem/journal format, but I found it very difficult to keep the back stories of all 18 kids straight, especially because they switch back and forth every 1-2 pages. But it could teach kids (and grown ups) quite a bit about poetry!

55. How to Spell Like a Champ by Barrie Trinkle et al– Prep for class on spelling bees, and I’d been meaning to read this. Geared toward kids, but good design, interesting, and fun facts!

56. Invisible City by Julia Dahl– While the writing was clunky at times, I am looking forward to the second installment of this reporter on the Hasidic Jews in NY mystery series. Interesting story line and characters.

57. Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo– I liked this installment in the Kate Burkholder series a lot. The set-up was different and it was fast-paced and the story set in a good time frame. I find Kate’s ability to frequently get into serious situations weird (though necessary for a series). When will her relationship resolve though? And I bet she leaves Painter’s Mill within the next two books…

58. The New Cool: A Visionary Teacher, His FIRST Robotics Team, and the Ultimate Battles of Smarts by Neal Bascomb– I liked the positive attention this brought to robotics, and the excitement it conveys about the competition, events, and the kids. However, I think it got too bogged down in details of each competition and battle, and it made the attention wander a bit.

59. The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin– I am surprised by how much I disliked this book. It’s YA/Middle Grade and I can’t imagine having a child read it. It’s not the tough issues (death, bullying) but the way those issues are handled. The bullying thread is never well resolved and sends the wrong message to kids (you don’t need to tell an adult!). I also think the author really skirts around mental health issues. I liked the science project motif, but not the rest.

60. Sulfur Springs by William Kent Krueger– I always love the Cork O’Connor series and I gulped this down in one evening. The change of venue was helpful and bringing in new characters also good. Recommend!

61. Masterpiece by Elise Broach– I loved this middle grade book so much. It has art, history, thrills, friendship. I am going to have my son read it, probably next year. Slightly reminiscent of From the Mixed-Up Files…

62. Mambo in Chinatown by Jean Kwok– Really enjoyed this book, which exposes a segment of life many don’t know about (well, many of them!). I found it highly read-able and a page turner. I do think it could have been a bit shorter but a most worthwhile read.

63. Reading with Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by Michelle Kuo– You can read my review here!

64. Drama High: The Incredible True Story of a Brilliant Teacher, a Struggling Town, and the Magic of Theater by Michael Sokolove– I’ve read this book sporadically, but I finally finished it (mainly because I taught a portion from it this year)– good timing since it’s about to become a fictional series a la Friday Night Lights. The book is long and covers two years and a lot of varied experiences. There is a lot about Levittown (which is sociologically interesting given that one of the best ethnographies was done there decades ago), but most readers are most interested in the students and the musicals, I think. Sokolove writes so well though (as usual) and there’s probably something in here for everyone if you sift through a bit.

65. The Authentics by Abdi Nazemian– I really enjoyed this– not just because it’s a sort of younger version of Shahs of Sunset (in fact, it disses the show). I was shocked when I got to the end that a man wrote the book as he writes from the perspective of a teenage girl pretty well. Major issues are discussed here, but in an entertaining way. Definitely recommend.

66. Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes– This was an interesting book. It deals with very heavy issues (abuse, murder, stealing, running away) but I think ultimately the author was likeable. There were a lot of holes though– the kidnapping, the superstar missing father– but the romance will ring true for many (YA) readers.

67. Under Tower Peak by Bart Paul– This started off slow, but gained speed midway through and then I couldn’t put it down. Gets bogged down in details at times, and too much death, but I’m intrigued. Will try second installment.

68. The Last Days of California by Mary Miller– The problem with this book is that most of the characters are unlikeable (if real), and that it brings up such serious issues and then just punts on tackling them, along with repercussions (religious fervor, miscarriage, etc.). But intriguing premise and good exploration of teen sexuality.

69. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok– At times I found  this unputdownable. But that was more because of the rawness of the story. In the end the book needed some tightening and I HATED the ending (which wasn’t even realistic- timeline to educational completion way, way off). But sheds a light on an important issue (childhood and immigrant factory labor in the urban US) today.

70. The Forgers by Bradford Morrow– Wow, a despicable narrator. Basically ruins the story. And I don’t understand the obsession with rare books, etc. in general.

71. Trace by Archer Mayor– Wow, I have caught up on the Joe Gunther series (book 28!). Perhaps the best yet, setting up more characters to keep series going after Joe?

72. Cross-X: The Amazing True Story of How the Most Unlikely Team from the Most Unlikely of Places Overcame Staggering Obstacles at Home and at School to Challenge the Debate Community on Race, Power, and Education by Joe Miller– The subtitle– both in content and length– basically tells you what you need to know about this book. I had high hopes (and even tried assigning the last part for my seminar this semester), but this is just so bloated and polemical it fulls far short. Gary Alan Fine’s treatment of high school debate remains the best.

73. The Remarkable Founder of the Girl Scouts: Juliette Gordon Low by Stacy A. Cordery– I had read part of this five years ago, but reread for seminar week on scouting this year. It has interesting parts, but will be of interest only if you really want to know about the US-based Girl Scouts. Low seems interesting but the book would have been successful and interesting if it explained why everyone should care about Low, and what the story reflects.

74. Growing Girls: The Natural Origins of Girls’ Organizations in America by Susan A. Miller– I really enjoyed this book, especially the thematic chapters which enliven the historical analysis. Very interested to anyone interested in women’s/girl’s history, camps, activities, etc. A keeper for my course reading!

75. Shared Fantasy: Role-Playing Games as Social Worlds by Gary Alan Fine– While this book is old now (1983), it holds up over the years, even as games have gone digital. I do like Fine’s later books on subcultures more, but this is an important contribution on a topic (gaming) that is often overlooked. It gets a bit too in the sociological weeds at times, so hard to read all at once, but important ideas.

76. Lifelong Kindergarten: Cultivating Creativity through Projects, Passion, Peers and Play by Mitchel Resnick– I wanted much more from this, but it wasn’t bad.

2016

1. The Kill Switch by James Rollins and Grant Blackwood– Very much in the military thriller vein, the book entertains. I liked the introduction of Kane, the dog, and the brief exposition of his thoughts. I do think the book could have been about 40% shorter though and a bit less killing of primary, secondary, and tertiary characters. Entertaining first read of new year.

2. Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen– I don’t love the Royal Spyness series, but I wanted something really light and this worked. I was even proud I figured out the major twist. It was fun to mix the American Hollywood history in, but if I read more I’ll be looking for more life decisions/changes.

3. Hope by Bill Reynolds– Check out my review in The Providence Journal here.

4. Modern Families: Stories of Extraordinary Journeys to Kinship: A Book Review– Check out my review in Brain, Child here.

5. Finding my Shine by Nastia Liukin– Let it be known that I was/am a serious Nastia fan (like, I cried when she won the all-around gold). I was quite excited to read this, but was a bit disappointed. It’s definitely directed at a younger audience (ok, no biggie), but it was clear it was self-published and it should have been edited more heavily. I would have liked more on the Olympic experience, and less on food (food was discussed far more than I expected). Many of the points she made resonate with my research and findings in PLAYING TO WIN; for example point about anyone being able to open a gym (though here meant in positive way), focus on future life skills, and buffet approach. I loved her mom’s advice that you should never quit something on a bad day, but wait for a good day.

6. All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani– I normally love all of Trigiani’s books, like gulp down the culture, the history, the nuances. This one was waayyy too long. While it was interesting it also read a bit like biography and I think this constrained the storytelling since the people and events are rooted in fact. I didn’t find the book ends of the story compelling at all or a strong emotional hook. But I definitely will read Trigiani’s next book anyway!

7. Beyond the Pale: Folklore, Family and the Mystery of Our Hidden Genes by Emily Urquhart– You can read my review here. Note that I even quoted from it in my last lecture in Sports in American Society!

8. Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith– Unlike the other Cormoran Strike novels I had a harder time getting into this one (cannibalism can be a turn-off!). But in the end, just like all of J.K.’s other books, I was hooked and stayed up late one night to finish it. I do think it could have been shorter with some editing, but I like the character studies and the sense that sleuthing is often quite boring. I’m excited for the fourth installment.

9. The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz– Readers of all ages can learn something from this YA historical novel. My only complaint is that I actually would have liked it to go a bit further or have a more forward-looking epilogue as I’d like to know what happens! Could be a good resource to help teach children about Judaism, and appreciating those that are different from us in a variety of ways (race, class, gender, etc.).

10. Changing the Playbook: How Power, Profit, and Politics Transformed College Sports by Howard Chudacoff– You may have noticed that my reading list isn’t as long as other years thus far. That’s because most of the time I am busily preparing for the course I am teaching this semester, Sports in American Society. This involves lots of reading, most of which I have done before but need to re-read to be up-to-date. I assigned a few chapters from this new book and read the whole thing while I was it. If you are at all interested in NCAA sports this is a must read!

11. The God’s Eye View by Barry Eisler– My least favorite Eisler yet.  Needs to go back to Rain books or more traditional publishing very better editing. Predictable, too long, not compelling enough– although I did enjoy the presence of deaf characters.

12. Ruddy Gore by Kerry Greenwood– Another nice little Phryne Fisher mystery about a historical subculture(s) in Australia in the 1920s. Quick and easy read, a bit too convoluted to be properly solved on your own.

13. Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead– Definitely my favorite book of 2016 thus far. So captures the angst of relationships in middle school and budding romance, fused with modern technology. Tackles complicated issues while giving the kids agency and complexity, which I love. Highly recommend for adult and young readers! And, and, and.

14. On the Clock: The Story of the NFL Draft by Barry Wilner and Ken Rappaport- Very topical right now with the upcoming draft. It has some good facts, but could have been presented in a slightly more engaging, narrative way.

15. Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear– Maisie Dobbs returns to form here in this taut entry to the series. Sometimes it’s surprising for how much of history Maisie has been with us. Looking forward to the next round, though have a feeling with WWII on the horizon it won’t be “pretty.”

16. Is There Life After Football?: Surviving the NFL by James Holstein, Richard S. Jones, and George Koonce– I assigned portions of this new book to my students and I highly recommend it for football lovers and social scientists (it has lots of great insights, especially when it comes to “retirement”). I really like this book because it is balanced, acknowledges some bad things associated with football as well as good, and it tries to bring out other stories that aren’t as sexy (like players who are doing well financially). Based on great deal of research, facilitated by one of the authors who is an insider, Is There Life After Football? makes good and helpful use of social science theory to situate findings and make sense of them, to say what is or isn’t unique about the NFL.

17. Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly– I’ve been clear about my Veronica Mars love, and this book (what will clearly be a series) is very reminiscent of the TV series, movie, and book series. But it’s also different– a male “Veronica,” no Logan, etc. But a town with lots and lots of secrets, a class divide, an enduring mysterious crime, and kids who are too smart by half. It’s a quick, witty read with teenage angst and romance thrown in for good measure. Don’t miss it.

18. Boys Don’t Knit (In Public) by T.S. Easton– It took me some time to get into this book (I was about a third of the way through before I fully engaged), but once I did I genuinely wanted to know what would happen to this sensitive, smart, friendly boy. Going to tune in for the sequel. I think this would be an important read for young people to expose them to another culture, a subculture, and difference through the inner life of a young man.

19. First Bite: How We Learn to Eat by Bee Wilson– You can read my review over at Brain, Child here (my last as Book Review Editor!).

20. The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem by Sarit Yishai-Levy– No, this book isn’t about beauty pageants– and I never thought it would be. But it did take me forever to get through, which shows I didn’t really enjoy it. The history is interesting, but the pace of the book is awful (maybe translation issue) and many of the characters are SOO unlikeable. At the end I just thought, “What was the point?”

21. You Will Know Me: A Novel by Megan Abbott– I thought I might review this for a YA round-up, but this is not at all a YA book (though some teen readers may enjoy it). Like Abbott’s previous books it is a very dark take on adolescent girls today. The gymnastics twist was interesting, and added an eerie element (her previous book on cheerleading means ballet or figure skating must be next?!). Unsettling overall, but might be good pre- or post-Olympic reading for some.

22. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates– I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and a program I am working with over the summer assigned this to incoming students. From a structural point of view I wasn’t convinced by the extended letter model, but the book has its moments. One aspect that resonated with me was Coates’ college experience, which he refers to as his Mecca, which is similar to how I feel about college (though I would do it over and over and over again, and almost certainly earn a degree every time). Some things– like the leaving college– could have been explained better; in making them seem glossed over detracts from other messages in the book.

23. Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran by Roxana Saberi– Next week I am heading to the Miss North Dakota Pageant, so I wanted to read this memoir by Miss North Dakota 1997. She only mentions her pageant title three times throughout the book.

24. The Courage to Compete by Abbey Curran– If you haven’t seen the HBO doc Miss You Can Do It yet, you really should. Warning though, you will need tissues! Curran’s book has the feel of a YA book (though it’s not, and I suppose the comments about not finding romance yet are a bit higher level). It will appeal most to those involved in pageantry and those involved in the special needs community. I really enjoyed all the detail about the Miss USA experience, and the attention to detail in describing how she began her own pageant. Some personal comments could have been excluded, but add to the overall spirit of the memoir.

25. Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape by Peggy Orenstein– You can read my review in The Providence Journal here!

26. Promises I Made My Mother by Sam Haskell– I mainly read this for the Miss America parts, of which there were a few major sections, so it was helpful. It was interesting to read more of Haskell’s back story– even if it seems simultaneously inflated and unclear at times (like his relationships with his brothers, for example). Found it fascinating that Curran’s discusses more of the specifics on nonprofits than here, but a time and a place for everything!

27. Heartbroken by Lisa Unger– I didn’t find anything about this read surprising or satisfying. At times it was suspenseful, but I did see the plot twists coming (although expected more of a role for the retired sheriff). Really strong character development, but I don’t think in the end that really went anywhere.

28. Paradise City by Archer Mayor– I am coming close to catching up with all of Joe Guenther’s exploits. Nothing major happened character-wise here. But I enjoyed the book nonetheless. The main story was less appealing to me (a lot of moving parts, some of which were more extraneous), but a quick read and I liked the Northampton inclusion.

29. This Side of Providence by Rachel M. Harper– A haunting, lyrical, multi-faceted look at poverty, addiction, immigration, education, and more. Hit home for me in many ways, especially with the Providence location and my volunteer CASA work. It’s also written by a Wheeler grad (where my son is at school), but I would love this book anyway. I am still thinking about it.

30. Time of Fog and Fire by Rhys Bowen– I still like this series, and liked the change of location and the set-up for the next phase of the series…

31. Dryland by Sara Jaffe– I’d read a really good review of this book and it’s sat in my queue for some time. I got sucked in very quickly by the somewhat unique stream of consciousness writing style, which I enjoyed. There is both a grounded and ethereal quality to this coming of age/out story that I quite appreciated. It left me with a lot of questions and I found the end too abrupt, but I still wonder what is happening in these characters lives now, so that’s a definite good thing. Note that the 90s setting may interest, or could be an impediment, to some YA readers.

32. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo– You can read my review in The Providence Journal here!

33. The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson and A.L. Sonnichsen– You can read my review in The Providence Journal here!

34. A Season for Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel– You can read my review in The Providence Journal here!

35. Curvology by David Bainbridge– I read the version published in the UK, but I am sure the US version is similar. Catching up with recent writings on beauty and appearance (this came out in 2015). I like the premise very much and I like his discussion of social media and its impacts on women, but I wish the book was better annotated so the reader knows which studies show what. Also, at times his arguments get contradictory (women’s preferred portions stable across societies, but image changes over time, so women are lost), but still there is much of interest and to think about here. Although not sure ever get full answer on why women only mammals with curves!

36. The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich– This novel was so exquisitely painful to me at times that I had to take a break from me. A lovely, authentic, haunting story of a young Native American girl in the mid-19th century. A must-read for middle age readers, and much, much beyond.

37. Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman– This is pretty dark, even for Lippman. I liked it in the middle, then decided when the full conceit of the novel was revealed at the end that it was somewhat self-indulgent and I had been duped by the author and narrator (can’t decide if both of them, or only one of them). It’s definitely entertaining, so you might enjoy it more than I did, so worth a read.

38. White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg– You can check out my review in The Providence Journal here. Note that this book has such a valuable wide scope it can speak to almost anyone interested in US (cultural and social) history.

39. Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford– I know people loved this book and it was well reviewed, but I just couldn’t like the protagonist. She is the exact same age as I am, and I just could not at all understand her obsessions. The conclusion of the book, that it is actually a meritocracy and not an aristocracy, is basically my experience. And who would want to be part of the aristocracy as described anyway? Again, just found the characters unlikeable so couldn’t enjoy it.

40. Ugly: My Memoir by Robert Hoge– The tone is a bit odd here, and might have worked well as an article, but I read this for the comments and reflections on facial appearance. Hoge’s memoir for kids is out this fall (think real life Wonder), and that will probably be a more interesting take on the facial deformity and leg deformity he was born with (seems like it was thalidomide?).

41. Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo– Well, now I need to wait another two years or so for another Kate Burkholder. I read this in the first week it came out, in less than 24 hours. So, yeah, I enjoyed it. Still want the main relationship to move forward though…

42. Stewardess by Elissa Stein– Some fun facts in here (I am interested as stewardesses started to be selected based on looks at one point), but wish there was more content. Essentially this is a coffee table book, but a smaller size. But I want more!

43. Dark Road Home by Anna Carlisle– The first in a new series. The bed news is that it just came out this week and I read it in less than 12 hours, and now I likely have to wait a bit for the next installment! Interesting characters, setting, motivation. I’m excited to see where it will go. If you had any interest in the TV series “The Family,” note you will really enjoy this. Compelling stuff.

44. Raising the Bar by Gabrielle Douglas and Grace, Gold & Glory by Gabrielle Douglas and Michelle Burford– These are basically the same book, as I write about here. Unless you are doing “research” I would pass on these…

45. Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool– See my review in The Providence Journal here!

46. It’s Not Okay: Turning Heartbreak into Happily Never After by Andi Dorfman– I swear, I may have lost brain cells reading this book. It’s pretty self-indulgent. And awkward. And tacky. But I got two good quotes from it, one of which is: “It wasn’t as if I was a person with talent to be admired, or performing a service to making the world a better place. Instead, I was just a random girl who had made out with multiple men on national television. That was it. While I struggled with the attention, Number Twenty-Six relished it.” A few thoughts here: 1) True dat, Andi, Congrats to you or fairly untalented ghost writer for that self awareness. 2) Was very odd how she never referred to the men by their first/actual names. Worried about legalities? A small amount of backstage info on how The Bachelor/ette actually gets made, but nothing like UNReal.

47. Girl about Town by Adam Shankman and Laura L. Sullivan– I wanted to like this because I think Adam Shankman is so talented. But I just couldn’t From the poorly drawn (and unlikeable) characters to the ridiculous story to the flat-footed writing to the terrible mystery, this is a complete bust.

48. The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics’ Top Score- from Nadia too Now by Dvora Meyers– You can read my review in The Providence Journal here!

49. The Body Project: An Intimate History of American Girls by Joan Jacobs Brumberg– It is an actual shanda that I had never before read this amazing history (based on girls’ diaries) of girls and their bodies. I love the organization of this book, its focus on everyday life, and it’s insights that resonate today. Would love to know Brumberg’s take on the role of social media now– both as a cultural mirror AND as a diary– in young girls’ lives today.

50. Fat Studies: Bodies and Beauty in the Modern West by Peter N. Stearns– Such a well-researched, fascinating take on dieting history. I liked the new Preface, but scanned some of the writings about France.

51. Hair: Untangling a Social History by Penny Howell Jolly– Love the author’s name by the way… In any case, parts of this book very good. I honestly skipped a lot about men’s hair mainly because I focus on women, and the Jolly entries were clear and concise. Many of the essays, and the book overall, end abruptly, and I wish the images were integrated better with the writing, but definitely worthwhile in library on appearance/beauty.

52. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy– Wow, I LOVED this book. I had to stay up late to finish it after I began it that day. It’s been a long time since I have done that. About loving yourself, body, complicated role of pageants in small towns. But it’s also the story of friendship, romance, and more. Highly recommend.

53. Cheerleader: Ready? Okay! and Prom Night: The Best Night of Your Life by Elissa Stein- Listing these two together because they are pretty short. Cheerleader has more actual information while Prom Night is almost all pictures. Not much new in Cheerleader, bit liked more on Herkie. Best part of Prom Night is the chronology.

54. Plucked: A History of Hair Removal by Rebecca Herzig– Really enjoyed this book for its breadth and emphasis on why hair removal matters as a social science subject of study. Will definitely be citing and learned a lot of fun/interesting facts.

55. Mirror, Mirror: The Importance of Looks in Everyday Life by Elaine Hatfield and Susan Sprecher–

56. Killer Look by Linda Fairstein– I keep saying I’m not sure how much longer I can stick with this series, but this one was an improvement and I liked the cliffhanger ending. Sets up lots of new possibilities.

57. The Black Widow by Dan Silva– Gulped it down in less than 24 hours. A big move toward new action and possibilities– and eerie with real world ramifications. If only we had real life Allons, which I hope we actually do.

58. Full Bloom: Cultivating Success edited by Amy Goodman (et al)– This is a collection of essays by former America’s Junior Miss/Distinguished Young Woman contestants and winners. Has some good AJM history here and shows how successful many contestants have been, especially from the 70s and 90s.

59. Mother Camp by Esther Newton– Such a classic, and a short book, but very little of it seems “new” today. For a better, and still historical take, watch Paris is Burning.

60. Fashioning Fat: Inside Plus-Size Modeling by Amanda Czerniawski- This would appeal to many undergrad readers who are interested in learning more about beauty, modeling, body studies, and ethnography. The writing is very accessible, but thoughtful. Though it’s hard(er) for me to single out one chapter, it is a quick read.

61. Meet Miss Subways: New York’s Beauty Queens 1941-1976 by Amy Zimmer– I loved this book so much: the history, the images, giving voice to women’s interesting and everyday lives. It’s so worth the time to read this book!

62. The Miss Universe Beauty Book by Susan Duff– This is more a historical artifact than anything else, but despite this section being brief it is the most thorough history I have seen yet of Miss Universe. If you read some parts of it now you would simply laugh!

63. My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor– I read this primarily because I led a discussion about it for Brown’s First Readings Seminar. But I am genuinely glad I read it, even if the book was a bit long and a bit overly positive in its message of hard work overcomes all. The only personal downside was that– yet again– I questioned whether I should have gone to law school!

64. Black 14: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Wyoming Football by Ryan Thorburn– I think the Black 14 is an overlooked sports protest and it deserves to be the focus of a well-done documentary, but this book does it no favors. This should have been a heavily edited magazine feature story and not a poorly edited “book” that lacks a cohesive narrative structure.

65. On the Origins of Sports: The Early History and Original Rules of Everybody’s Favorite Games by Gary Belsky and Neil Fine– This new book has lots of fun facts and trivia. The short chapter on Fantasy Sports is especially worthwhile as not much has been written on Fantasy.

66. Breakthrough: The Making of America’s First Woman President– A timely book, though I would have liked to have seen a bit more in the way of historical arc and narrative. I appreciate all the interviews she did with trailblazers and consultants though. Big problem is that within the next few months it will feel dated…

67. The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee– This series is clearly aspiring to be the next Hunger Games trilogy. It’s different from it, but also similar with less bloodshed and more Gossip Girl-esque qualities. Parts of it are intriguing, especially the inequality and technology highlighted. The drama is all in the relationships and not in how or why there is now a tower with 1000 floors that has taken over Manhattan and seems to have not impacted the rest of the country. I would give book two a try to see if it explores these themes further.

68. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics– Such a great example of a sports story connecting to history, other sports, and larger social narratives. It is long, but by the last 100 pages you are on the edge of your seat (no spoilers!). Worth it for sure. I just wish other men had been similarly highlighted as Rantz…

69. Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland– I recently saw A Ballerina’s Tale and had so many questions, mainly about Misty’s back story, which I knew was complex. The ghost writer on this was quite good; for a memoir I found it quite page-turning. It’s interesting that there is little overlap in the two pieces, and I vastly preferred the book (which, even for me, isn’t always the case!). At times Copeland seems a touch unlikeable, but I can appreciate she is in a difficult position. It’s an interesting balance of her having something innate, but also training so hard, but still she wouldn’t be as successful if she hadn’t been born with those hyperextended knees!

70. Manitou Canyon by William Kent Kreuger– Great new entry in the Cork series. Great issues (and timely!), character development, etc. I am hoping Henry Meloux lasts through next two books at least (he must be there through the next one for some upcoming big events)…

71. We Could Be Beautiful by Swan Huntley– Has gotten great reviews but I could not get past how utterly unlikeable the main character is. I mean, pretty terrible. I completely saw the twist(s) coming. I suppose some people might like a peak into how “the other half” lives, but honestly there are better examples.

72. Three Can Keep a Secret by Archer Mayor– Series just keeps getting better! Especially like personal developments and overlay of political intrigue.

73. Fastpitch: The Untold History of Softball and the Women Who Made the Game by Erica Westly– This is much more of an insider history than I would have liked, but there are historical parts, especially about women in the Olympics, that I will definitely use in my Sports course.

74. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald– At first I really liked this book– captures some of the reasons why I love reading so much– but by the end I thought it had fallen apart. Characters became unlikeable, too long. Might have been a language thing, but also doing too many things at once and not realistic.

75. The Dread Line by Bruce DeSilva– So good. Gobbled it down so quickly. So many different, interesting threads. Movement forward in all directions. Can’t wait for next Liam Mulligan novel!

76. The Southern Lady: From Pedestal to Politics 1830-1930 by Anne Firor Scott– Great details in this classic of women’s history. But the best part is likely the afterword to the 1970 edition in which Scott details how she worked on book from 1959 on, while balancing marriage and kids and other projects. Perhaps most honest description I have read in print about a female academic’s research.

77. The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry– I usually love Dave Barry, middle grade fiction, and Washington, DC, but this book felt kind of silly to me because the plot is just too far-fetched. Might get some boys reading though?

78. The Playdate by Tamara Mose– Book review in American Journal of Play.

79. The Branson Beauty: A Mystery by Claire Booth– A strong first entry in a new series. There is clearly much to explore in Sheriff Hank Worth’s background. Loved the procedural nature here, and the strong characters, and I found the mystery quite compelling, along with the somewhat neat though complicated resolution. Definitely adding to my series list!

80. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan– I resisted reading this book because I thought I would be turned off by/envious of the extreme wealth on display, but like the reviews all said, this is a good book. There are a lot of characters to keep straight, but the main ones are compelling and I really wanted to know what was going to happen to them. I also like that it didn’t all end with a nice bow…

81. Before the Fall by Noah Hawley– I read this for a Book Club meeting (a rarity for me, partially precisely because I read so much making my tastes both catholic and super picky). I probably wouldn’t have read it otherwise, but I did enjoy it, and I liked some of what Hawley wrote about both motherhood and how people construct narratives of their lives. The conclusion is both satisfying and frustrating– certainly not what you would necessarily expect.

82. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women by Naomi Wolf– I read this yearrrsssss ago, but just reread carefully. I don’t agree with everything (some things need more evidence), but the argument holds up well, and it’s not hard to say it’s even worse for women today (hair removal, anyone?!)…

82. Pricing Beauty: The Making of a Fashion Model by Ashley Mears– It should never have taken me this long to read this important book! Will really appeal to udergrads, but I know there must be more juicy behind-the-scenes events still to be shared…

83. Face Value: The Hidden Ways Beauty Shapes Women’s Lives by Autumn Whitefield-Madrano– I had really high hopes, and at times it’s good, but overall a bit more surface than I expected (and maybe too much personal).

84. Born Again Bodies: Flesh and Spirit in American Christianity by R. Marie Griffith– This is such a fascinating topic, about links between diet culture and religion, especially Christianity. Looks at the history and more recent time as well… Can be dense at times, but important topic.

85. We Have Your Daughter: The Unsolved Murder of JonBenet Ramsey Twenty Years Later by Paula Woodward– This is a long, but ultimately unsatisfying take on the case… The author clearly has a story she wants to tell (even though she interviewed me for one of the chapters!). A lot on the Ramsey case this year.

86. Lift: Fitness Culture, from Naked Greeks and Acrobats to Jazzercise and Ninja Warriors by Daniel Kunitz– Not what I expected, more focus on Greek times than modern, a lot of philosophy when would have preferred analysis of bodybuilding and Jazzercise.

87. Becoming a Candidate: Political Ambition and the Decision to Run for Office by Jennifer L. Lawless– I bought this to learn more about what leads women to run for office, but turns out I need to read another book for that. But maybe I got some tips for other future activities?

88. It’s Not About the Truth: The Untold Story of the Duke Lacrosse Case and the Lives it Shattered by Don Yaeger with Mike Pressler– Read this because next semester I am again teaching about the Duke lacrosse case, but this book needed both editing (too many details lost without a narrative other than chronology) and less of a slant. Watch Fantastic Lies instead.

89. North of Boston by Elizabeth Elo– This book was strangely hypnotic. But I think it had one two many plot twists and could have done with some heavier editing. But I’m intrigued by the main characters and wonder if they will be back? Really liked all the scent focus, less so all the killing (of various animals).

90. Crowning Glory by A. R. Riverol– Not even sure what to say about this work of fiction (based on the 1970 Miss America pageant, but in point of fact no relation to reality at all)… It probably shouldn’t have been written it is so far fetched. Riverol’s pageant history is ok, but this makes me question that a bit. Way too long as well.

91. Into the Lion’s Den by Linda Fairstein– I was pretty excited for this kids mystery series by Fairstein, author of the Alex Cooper thrillers. But this first entry is a bit long and clunky. The premise is intriguing and ditto the characters, but it’s all a bit too fanciful as it relates to reality for kids…

92. The Face of Emotion: How Botox Affects Our Moods and Relationships by Eric Finzi– The book starts out stronger than it ends, mainly because I wish the author relied more on medical studies and less on anecdotes from his practice and his theory (unproven, though logical, that Botox can help alleviate depression by literally making it more difficult to frown. Two facts I learned from this book: 1) Botox as it occurs in nature is the most powerful poison naturally made; a single gram of purified toxin could kill a million people (8). 2) “The corrugators, the muscles that help pull the eyebrows together, have become much more developed in humans than apes.” (45).

93. Sweetbitter by Stephani Danler– Wow. This novel engaged all my senses. I wish I had read it sooner– believe the hype. It is such a specific moment in time and in age.

94. The Last One by Alexandra Olivia– I thought I would like this book, especially because it’s about reality TV, but while I did want to find out what happened so I read quickly, I ultimately found the book unsatisfying. I don’t need everything to be tied in a bow, far from it, but the end was abrupt and much was unexplained to the point that I wondered what the purpose of the novel was.

95. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond– This book is the real deal– well-researched, compelling writing, important issue. I love the last lines in the Prologue: “Not everyone living in a distressed neighborhood is associated with gang members, parole officers, employers, social workers, or pastors. But nearly all of them have a landlord.” (5) It is a little depressing (though by all means this should NOT deter you from reading and facing the subject), and at times the chronology feels off, but it is an important book. I will continue to think about stable poverty vs. grinding poverty.

96. Doppelganger by Marc Seifer– For the first time ever I had to decline to review a book– this after publishing over 60 reviews. I can’t find one nice thing to say about this book. It never resolves, it is riddled with errors, it needed heavy editing, and at times it is downright offensive.

97. Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries by Andy Cohen– I liked this iteration more than the first, The Andy Cohen Diaries. It is long, and the start and end dates don’t make logical sense, but there is something compulsively readable about it. I actually learned even more how networked these worlds are, and while at times you think “ugh!” or “glamorous!” it’s ultimately all about relationships. I don’t know where the man gets his energy from to party so much though… Several pageant references, especially kid pageants in relation to his dog.

98. The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan– I certainly found it a page turner, but I was ultimately unsatisfied with the resolution, and the scale of some of the secrets versus others. A few subplot seemed tangential as well.

99. Livia Lone by Barry Eisler– A more than worthy successor to the Rain series– loved this new character and the Then-Now technique. Very much looking forward to the follow-up and seeing what becomes of some old friends.

100. Proof Positive by Archer Mayor– I found this edition to the Joe Gunther series highly readable. I dislike the vast conspiracy model though, and would like to see more of a standard procedural in the next edition. Worried I am almost “caught up” with entry #25!

101. Presence by Amy Cuddy– A big focus of the book is her Ted talk, which I admittedly have not seen all of, so the book basically presumes you have watched that. The book is a bit of a letdown and I honestly don’t think I fully understand what “presence” is. For an HBS professor I expected something tighter with a clearer argument.

102. Looking Good: College Women and Body Image, 1875-1930 by Margaret Lowe– I read this for both pageants and sports research and I quite enjoyed this slim, historical volume that is well written and researched. Recommend for anyone interested in women’s history, fitness, and beauty culture. Great discussion of “student bodies.”

103. Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing by Jennifer Weiner– I was surprised by how compelling I found this memoir– which is roughly chronological, but also a book of essays you can dip into and out of (though I read it in one gulp). I feel like I should know Weiner (Reader extraordinaire! Michigan! Divorced parents! Princeton! Bachelor! MISS AMERICA!) and this book made me want to know her even more…

104. Pretty Smart: Lessons From Our Miss Americas by Penny Pearlman– A lot of (interview) work went into this book, but I’m more interested in the story the book doesn’t tell. What about the majority of former Miss Americas who didn’t agree to an interview? The book is very positive, but I’m sure the story is more complicated. I would also liked to have seen more analysis and less just quotes and blocks of words.

105. The Movement of the Stars by Amy Brill– This book took me FOREVER to get into. Like halfway through it was still a slog. Then it picked up a bit, but the end was very unsatisfying. Could have been so fascinating too- a female astronomer on Nantucket in the 1800s!

106. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty– This was my least favorite Moriarty book.  It was waayyyy too long. The kind of slogged through the first half, which went on too long. The end made it worth it, but I read more out of annoyance to know the ending. A few parts at the end made me tear though. I don’t regret reading it, but I would recommend other Moriarty books more.

2015

1. The Price of Malice by Archer Mayor– I fear that this year I will catch up to “real time” in the Joe Guenther series, which has been getting better and better.

2. The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin– I loved the language used in this novel (I had to look up many of the words, which I actually love), but I found the ending pretty unsatisfying both for the content and speed of the resolution.

3. We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas– I wanted to like this book after reading such great reviews, but I just couldn’t. Not only is it very depressing, it is waaayyyy too long. It could have been two books, at least– or needed more editing. The writing is good and I liked the beginning but the last third seriously dragged. And I didn’t view it as a sweeping pronouncement on America in the 20th century either.

4. The Diverse Schools Dilemma by Michael Petrilli– This book focuses on middle- and upper-middle parents decided where best to educate their children. A major issue (especially considering some don’t give it enough thought). I edited a review of this book here.

5. The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard– I wanted to try this to see if it would be better than the Pretty Little Liars series. Answer: no. Same formula, endless convolution, inappropriate sexual relationships, demanding affluent community. YA is better than this.

6. Inside Out and Back Again by Thannha Lai– What a gorgeous, unexpected delight. At first I wasn’t sure about the verse, but I quickly came to appreciate it like the new language Ha must learn. I fought back tears while reading in public and hope to share this book with my own kids someday to help them be better people (it reminded me of when I read In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson as a kid).

7. The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis– At first I thought this was just a cute book, but then it turned so terribly serious. This was my first ever Audible listen (thanks, Serial!) and I almost had to pull the car over when my eyes flooded with tears. The Epilogue really cemented how telling the story this way can make history and names matter to kids. I have done audio books better, and I didn’t like how “produced” this was, like with the music. I read to imagine things myself…

8. The Magicians by Lev Grossman– I feel conflicted about this book. When I started it (it’s a bit long) I loved it– not only because the protagonist’s name is so similar to my younger son (Quenton). And because of sentences like this: “It’s like he’s opening the covers of a book, but a book that did what books always promised to do and never actually quite did: get you out, of where you were and into somewhere better.” But then the book turns into a more sordid, more interactive with the real world Harry Potter. With the stakes not quite as sensical to boot. I am guessing I will try the second of the trilogy at some point, but will wait a bit to decide.

9. Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead– I should have seen the twist coming, but instead I was totally caught up in Shipstead’s prose, vocabulary, keenly observed insights (same as in her previously stellar Seating Arrangements). I loved the ballet, the relationships, the inevitability. Definitely a good one.

10. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea– This was almost too treacly, even for me. I liked it, but would recommend Wonder (in same vein) over it.

11. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead– I was never a fan of A Wrinkle in Time so it’s not a surprise I didn’t like this book at all- if I had known it was sci-fi I wouldn’t have picked it as I am just not a fan.

12. Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings by Laura Markham– You can read my review at Brain, Child here!

13. Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff– I enjoyed this smart coming of age novel; in fact I wondered if the sage insights might be lost on the young. Loved the take on America as well and hope for a sequel…

14. My Two-Year-Old Eats Octopus: Raising Children Who Love to Eat Everything by Nancy Tringali Piho– I really wanted to love this book, especially because I think it is one of the best titles I have ever read. While it starts off strong, in my opinion the writer’s tone is smug at times (while I breastfed and agree with many of the reasons she discusses, the discussion felt too heavy-handed, among others). This may also be because the book is primarily about what worked for Piho’s family (though research, often fascinating like about a built-in sensitivity to food for toddlers to protect self from eating unsafe things). Piho is involved in PR in the food industry, but as she writes, “This book is not written to be a guide to children’s nutrition, a medical discussion on the health benefits of a proper diet, another discussion on the perils of childhood obesity, or a parenting primer with advice on handling the inevitable conflicts that arise as young children are being trained to sit at a table and eat a meal.”So the book is more about how to develop the sense of taste in your young child (6 and under) and their palate, with advice from chefs who Piho interviewed (many of whom did not have culinary adventures as kids). One fact I did learn from this book that will stay with me– even though it’s not precisely practical for raising my own adventurous eaters– is that Gerber makes different jarred food for different countries. The same company!

15. Deadout by Jon McGoran– The second in the Doyle Carrick series covers familiar territory of environmental mayhem, verging on terrorism, and a Philly cop who gets into trouble often. I thought the setting was interesting, and bees are certainly in the news. Hopefully in the next installment the character development will continue on a more likeable course… I’ll give it one more in the series when it comes out.

16. Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis by Robert Putnam– You can read my review at New York Journal of Books here!

17. The Bishop’s Wife by Mette Harrison– I can see this could be the start of a promising series (I have found they generally always get better over time, as characters and relationships deepen). I like that it’s about a part of the US I know little about– Mormonism. I pace and tightness of the writing need work, but if this ended up being like a Julia Spencer-Fleming series, I will keep reading.

18. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart– I have mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand I found the writing strong and the story engaging. On the other hand, I sort of saw the twist coming and I found it unsatisfying. I can see why YA readers would eat it up though…

19. Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming– I had heard about his book and needed a good audible book for a drive and loved the idea of hearing this in Cumming’s native Scottish accent. It is certainly a fascinating story (though I am not surprised Cumming has such a fascinating life as pathos and intrigue seep out of his pores) and worth the consideration.

20. How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson– You can read my review at Brain, Child here!

21. Red Herring by Archer Mayor– This was my favorite one yet. I saw a few of the twists coming, but they were still deeply satisfying. I really liked that nothing dramatic happened, just a very good, smart investigation. Some of the science got a bit much at times, but it just shows the thorough research– one of the reasons I like this series so much.

22. Grandmaster by David Klass– I totally devoured this book. I don’t play chess, but I studied kids who do and I thought the mix of generations here worked really well. The themes explored– being great at something but letting it consume you, finding your niche, romance, parental relationships, and even class issues– were nuanced and universal. I definitely recommend this one!

23. The Headmaster’s Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene– I thought I would like the topic (my husband likes to insist our boys will go to boarding school like him someday, but I have a hard time imagining letting them go so early!), but in general this book was squicky. At first really squicky, then a bit less so, then just depressing. I saw many of the twists coming, though there are so many it’s hard to predict them all in order. It wasn’t a surprising book in the end.

24. Tag Man by Archer Mayor– Another great addition to the series– just keeps getting better. A multi-layered, multi-state plot here that continues to develop all the cast.

25. I Want it Now! A Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka and the Child Factory by Julie Dawn Cole– This was very repetitive, with little narrative thread (but chronology) but if you are interested in child stars (or Willy Wonka!) you will find some interesting things.

26. Hider, Seeker, Secret Keeper by Elizabeth Kiem– I again enjoyed Kiem’s offering, even more so than last year’s Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy (although I must confess I didn’t make the connection to the same characters until later). I wonder if this will be trilogy? If so, I almost think this should have been the first entry and then get the historical back story… I like the Russian culture, but would like more ballet as well.

27. The Magician King by Lev Grossman– I liked this SO much more than the first in the trilogy– although it got super squicky at the end again. I’ll definitely be reading the last installment though!

28-38. Top 10 Humor Books about Parenting- Check out my brief reviews here!

39. The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant– Oh, how wonderful this book is! I cried happy tears from it at least three times. One of the rare occasions where I probably preferred the audio version because Linda Lavin reads it with such pathos.  And her accent, Oy! Maybe my favorite Diamant yet. The focus on pre-motherhood was interesting for me, as it reminds us of how formative those years are. Also, people this age (born around turn of last century) lived through so much change of every type; love Addie’s view though that things are absolutely better than they used to be.

40. Blood and Circuses by Kerry Greenwood– A darker entry in the Phryne Fisher series (in which I learn how to pronounce her name as well). Still like it, though beginning to tire of the multiple romantic entanglements.

41. Hush Hush by Laura Lippman– I have long loved the Tess Monaghan series and this new addition didn’t disappoint. Lippman’s writing has become tauter, more suspenseful. I couldn’t wait to return to this book, it kept me enthralled. I didn’t like the resolution of one of the story lines as it kept out of left field a bit but otherwise a great read. And, of course, I’d love to know what Lippman and Tess (!) think of what has happened in Baltimore as of late…

42. The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth– I had read really great reviews of this book deemed “women’s lit” for obvious reasons. Parts were interesting but I saw every single plot twist coming a mile away. I did like it was unexpectedly (for me) set in the state I will be moving to next week– Rhode Island– but I couldn’t really recommend this one even though I am fascinated by childbirth.

43. Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva– Now this series was started with the express purpose of learning about my new hometown area of Providence. For a first in a mystery series this was quite well done. I can see how characters will develop and deepen over time and the premise of an investigative reporter is a good one. I only worry if Rhode Island is really as corrupt as DeSilva makes out?!

44. The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman– I remained engrossed in the series, but again felt let down at the very end. I know it’s a “YA” series, but the ending was just all too happy with a character coming back. Basically everyone got what they wanted and I’m not sure I liked that, but it certainly is an imaginative almost anti-Harry Potter series.

45. The Blue Jay’s Dance by Louise Erdrich– My thoughts and an excellent review by Daisy Florin here!

46. The Broken Hearts’ Society of Suite 17C by LeighAnn Kopans– This had the potential to be a really interesting YA addition, especially dealing with first year of college. I liked the diversity of the characters and the “dirtiness” (swearing, highly sexual content) didn’t bother me. I did think it could have been significantly edited and streamlined though, cut by at least 30% and that would have made for an impactful read.

48. Murder at Beechwood by Alyssa Maxwell- I’ve stuck with this series because I NOW LIVE IN RHODE ISLAND (35 minutes north of Newport). I’m glad I did because it’s gotten better. It may be moving brain but I didn’t see one of the twists coming. Also, the integration of historical fact and fiction is getting better.

49. All In by Josh Levs– You can read my review over at Brain, Child’s blog.

50. The Heist Society by Ally Carter– I read a great review of this and am so glad I got to it because I really liked it (MUCH better than the first, and only, Gallagher Girls book I read). Will stick around for the trilogy and try Carter’s new series as well. Think teenage Thomas Crown affair…

51. Cliff Walk by Bruce DeSilva– Loving this series set in my new state (and even an appearance from my new hometown!). Mulligan is a complex character; in getting to know him better I am getting to know his style, like being deadpan when things are actually quite serious. The ending came together quickly, but knowing there are more books to come I am ok with that.

52. The English Spy by Dan Silva– I love a Gabriell Allon thriller, no doubt. As usual this has many twists and turns, reads quickly but could have been shorter. I enjoyed learning about the “troubles” in Northern Ireland but I am also happy for Allon’s next chapter as the Director and new father again. Full disclosure: when he paints something at the end of the book, I actually cried.

53. A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear– I have generally enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs series, but hated this latest entry. There is no reason for Maisie’s life to be so full of tragedy and there was little to no resolution in this book (and we will have to wait years for the next). I did enjoy learning more about Gibraltar and the Spanish war. I just felt for Maisie and felt angry at Winspear (also the “mystery” wasn’t very interesting or well-resolved)!

54. Child, Please by Ylonda Gault Caviness– You can reach my review over at Brain, Child here!

55. The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham– Given I am a serious Veronica Mars it’s no surprised I adored this book (gulped it down!). More on it soon… Ok, here’s the more!

56-66. Top 10 books to give at baby showers– See my brief reviews here!

57. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter– I didn’t like this one as much as the first in the trilogy– hopefully all the dangling threads come together in the wrap-up one. The main mystery just wasn’t very compelling to me.

58. After the Storm by Linda Castillo– I still enjoy this series, but I felt this was a weaker entry. I saw the ending coming a mile away– but it started off quite strong, good mix of events and characters.

59. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham– The second Veronica Mars book did not disappoint (though I did find one minor continuity error). Can’t wait for #3!

60. Devil’s Bridge by Linda Fairstein– I’m glad I gave this a go (after being disappointed in the other recent Alex Cooper entries). This was much improved– I think the change of perspective worked well. I also appreciated the gumshoe detective work here. Look forward to seeing Battaglia fall-out in next installment.

61. The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Lianne Moriarty– I found this book (no pun intended) hypnotic. Like all of Moriarty’s books there is an undercurrent of tension. I kept waiting for something bad to happen! I did think it was overlong in parts and definitely could have been cut by 50-100 pages but it was a winning summer read, especially thinking about how others think…

62. Providence Rag by Bruce DeSilva– I’m beginning to think this is some really great regional literature, but it is great nonetheless. One of the things I love most is the timing– not everything happens in a compressed way, it’s more like “real life.” I also love the inherent tension, even when nothing is happening. Only very good mystery writers can do this so well. Can’t wait for #4! Warning, details of the main mystery are pretty disturbing…

63. You Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her No-nonsense Mother, and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss (and Each Other) by Vanessa Williams and and Helen Williams (with Irene Zutell)– This book has been on my pageant shelf for a year or so, but hearing that Vanessa Williams was returning to Miss America meant I *had* to read it. The most interesting stuff was at the beginning, all about the lead-up to Miss America, her year, and the photo scandal. It was interesting to read how all that intertwined with her love life too.  Of course with a ghost writer (no judgment!) the story isn’t quite as organic as it could have been, but what distinguishes this from other celebrity memoirs was the mother’s perspective as well, which was interesting. If they had added one of Vanessa’s daughters that could have been a home run as well. In any case, here are some of my thoughts on the latest Williams Miss America situation.

64. Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai– I loved her first book, and I enjoyed this as well, though not quite as much. The themes are heavy, and I wish a bit more of the actual history of Vietnam had been included, but I can see why it is a great book for the 10-13 crowd. Showing children why multiculturalism and understanding is important and transformative.

65. The Monopolists by Mary Pilon– Pilon writes about sports for the NYT, and you can tell. She transforms a single game into a more sweeping tale about the American legal system, capitalism, history, and invention. I loved the little connections she made throughout, though couldn’t believe no mention of Miss America re: Atlantic City (though AC really small part of Monopoly history).

66-76- Top 10 Books for Raising a Reader– Some books I read for this that were omitted, some read before, so it’s all a wash in the end. Two favorite new books I read for this include Born Reading by Jason Boog and Enchanted Hunters by Maria Tatar (I liked this much more than her previous Off with Their Heads!).

77. What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by Carole Radziwill- This was a wrenching read. Even though I knew how it would end (and even beyond) I could NOT stop reading at the end. The chronology is sometimes off, but that ends to the fact the grief and remembering is not always linear.

78. Pageants, Parlors, and Pretty Women: Race and Beauty in the Twentieth-Century South by Blain Roberts– My list is a bit shorter than usual because I am spending a lot of time re-reading books for my pageants seminar this semester. This is one book that in its  entirety is new to me– and I love it! Chapters 3 and 4 are especially worthwhile. I don’t find the writing dry at all– in fact it is quite clear. I do think that the publisher should  have made text a bit larger so students don’t get overwhelmed with each page. Other than that, this is a true thoughtful accomplishment. (Only other quibble is that it really only runs though the 1960s, which is no biggie, but title and framing could be a bit clearer.) I will be using this book for years to come.

79. Getting Real by Gretchen Carlson– Another pageant book, though of a very different vein– the former autobiography. I chose this moment to read it because I am teaching William Goldman’s Hype and Glory, which is about the year Gretchen Carlson won Miss America. He writes some pretty unflattering things about her and I was curious if she discusses them– sure enough she tackles them head-on. I learned a lot about her, especially things that inform multiple strands of my work (family very well-off, religious, Tiger Mom, student of Dorothy DeLay, serious study of Miss America, etc.). Carlson is very driven and accomplished and I will be interested to see what she does later in life for sure. The writing is very straightforward and could have done with some more flourishes or a different structure, but I am sure this works especially well with target audience.

80. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter– I rarely say I hated a book, but I can say this for the third in the Heist Society Trilogy. Beyond unrealistic, not even a creative or satisfying twist, and no resolution (the use of a mysterious and ancient name) left me seriously wanting. At this point I say ditch the whole trilogy, sadly. Too many other good books, and YA ones at that, to spend time here.

81. The Happy Kid Handbook by Katie Hurley– Check out my Brain, Child review by clicking here!

82.  A Scourge of Vipers by Bruce DeSilva– Even if it wasn’t set in RI I would be loving this series. This entry really advanced the professional and personal connections of Liam. Just bummed I caught up and have to wait for a new entry. The writing is getting snappier, connections deeper, threads stand on own and interwoven.

83. The Fixer by Joseph Finder– I think this could have been a bit more fast-paced (and I still have lingering questions about how/why people started following him the first place when they did) but overall I enjoyed it– especially having lived in the Boston area for 10 years.

84. America’s Favorite Holidays by Bruce David Forbes– Check out my first review in The Providence Journal, my new hometown newspaper!

85. Charleston by Margaret Bradham Thornton– I knew this book would not end well, though I found the specific way it didn’t end well a surprise but ultimately unfulfilling. The 1990 setting was interesting, but I’m not sure why that choice was made. The world described is unknowable to me, so that was intriguing, and the writing quite nice, but for some reason I really didn’t enjoy this.

86-96. Top 10 Books on Discipline– You can read my Brain, Child round-up here!

97. Away in a Manger by Rhys Bowen– I had previously been getting a little tired of the Molly Murphy Sullivan books, but this (holiday) one restored my interest. I actually appreciated that nothing horrible happened TO Molly or her kids (and the injury to Daniel was not related to the main mystery). I can see the set-ups for the next few books with the gangs, but I enjoy learning about historical New York and reading about how social mores have (and have not) changed.

98. Queens of Academe: Beauty Pageantry, Student Bodies, and College Life by Karen Tice– Like the Blain Roberts book, I had read parts of this book before, but took the opportunity to read the whole thing recently (even though I didn’t assign all of it to my students). Chapter 7, “Flesh and Spirit: Bibles, Beauty, and Bikinis” is the only somewhat systematic take on pageantry and religion in the US that I have ever seen. Definitely worth it, if only for that! Those who are interested in pageants beyond the “big ones” of Miss America and Miss USA, will find much of interest here, with a focus on all types of campus and community events.

99. His Right Hand by Mette Ivie Harrison– Such an interesting subculture, and a good mystery/character study to boot! If just the second installment is this good can’t wait for what is to come!

100. Shakespeare’s Guide to Parenting by James Andrews– Read my Brain, Child review here!

101. All Fall Down by Ally Carter– I decided to give the new Embassy Row series a try, but I just couldn’t get into it and I found the protagonist to be not terribly likeable (though friends seem interesting).

102-105. Read my review essay of these four books about sex education and puberty in the December issue of Brain, Child!

106. The Lake House by Kate Morton– On the one hand I really wanted to see how this ended. On the other it took WAY WAY WAY too long to get there and while I was surprised by the end it was partly because it just seemed too pat. I was shocked by the turn of one part of the larger mystery, which was good. The writing was enjoyable, but the characters not as much, so a mixed bag.

107. Raising the Barre by Lauren Kessler– Check out my review in The Providence Journal here!

108. To the End of June: The Intimate Life of Foster Care by Cris Beam- I think the writing and editing could have been a bit tighter, but this important story needs to be told. Informative and frustrating…

109-112. Look for three reviews in academic journals in 2016! [Here’s the first, review of Intensive Mothering: The Cultural Contradictions of Modern Motherhood.” May 2016. Contemporary Sociology. 45(3); 299-301. Here’s the second review, Driving after Class: Anxious Times in an American Suburb.” July 2016. Contemporary Sociology. 45(4): 455-7. Here’s the third, a review of Empire in Waves: A Political History of Surfing by Scott Laderman in Sociology of Sport 34(1) 92-3.]

2014

In addition to all her reading “for fun,” Hilary is the Book Review Editor at Brain, Child Magazine. If you have a non-fiction parenting book you think would be a good fit for the magazine/site, please email her at bookreviews[at]brainchildmag.com.

1. The Hunting Wind by Steve Hamilton– Of the new series I tried in 2013, this is the best of them. Although I am noticing at the end that all these novels become quite complicated and sometimes convoluted. I will give McKnight a go one or two more times before making a final decision. Bonus to this one was seeing my actual hometown of Farmington Hill, MI make an appearance!

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth– The closest thing of the “Hunger Games” aspirants. It didn’t suck me in as much, but it is far more interesting. I am going to read the second one, and likely complete the trilogy– none of which I have done with any of the other wannabes. I like that it is set in Chicago, in a recognizable way, but in an indeterminate future. I understand the need for romance in a teen series like this, but it almost seemed added in and not as central as you would think to the storyline.

3. This Bright River by Patrick Somerville– This book took me FOREVER to get through (not just because I gave birth while reading it). It’s long, it meanders, it feels odd at times. I bought it after reading reviews and who endorsed it (it is a wannabe Gone Girl) but I just can’t recommend it.

4. Chat by Archer Mayor– One of the best additions to the Gunther series yet. Like that the two mysteries weren’t related, but were solvable. Liked the personal connections. Fast-paced, definitely enjoyed.

5. Long Lost by Linda Castillo– I really like the Kate Burkholder series about a former Amish police chief, but this short story (Kindle only) was a weak entry. I can see why it didn’t make it as a full book-length story. I didn’t like the resolution, found it implausible, and I got the relationship stuff from the rest of the series. Feel free to skip if you do this series!

6. Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini– I thought nursing would give me lots of time to read, but Q is a power nurser and it’s just much harder with a toddler about (and Olympics to watch). Plus, I started this book, kept hoping it would get better (it never did, it actually got worse), which meant I wasn’t excited to read. This book reads much like an apology for Mrs. Lincoln’s dressmaker, though much of the history is interesting, the writing and pacing falls short.

7. Son by Lois Lowry– After being disappointed in the second installment, I must say this one was a welcome surprise.  I do feel like there were many lose ends (how did Claire reach the village after the cliff, why had medicine and technology not reached beyond one place, etc.) but I felt satisfied overall.

8. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood– I originally downloaded this after reading a review and seeing the Kindle price ($.99!); while in general I feel like I have learned not to download at cheap prices because the quality is bad, this first installment in the Phryne Fisher mysteries is an exception. I liked the setting (Australia) and the characters and can see that it will be interesting to see them evolve over time. The next several books are also very affordable ($2.99), so I look forward to reading more!

9. Once Upon a Lie by Maggie Barbieri– I read a starred review of this book in PW so added it to my queue. I was looking for a page turner to read, so turned to what appears the first in a new series. But I won’t be checking in for the next installments. First of all, I feel like the author couldn’t decide what the book would be– the tone at the beginning surprised me by almost reading like a mystery cozy and then turning darker (almost too dark for me). The uneven tone just didn’t sit well. Also, I just didn’t “get” the narrator, Maeve. Finally the sense of time in the novel confused me at times (pun intended). It did read quickly though.

10. Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally– I enjoyed this YA book (though I found parts a bit racy [no pun intended] for teens, though I know it is accurate– just the mom in me now!) and read it quickly. The sociologist in me appreciated the social class issues that I thought were handled adeptly and the curious person in me found the horse racing stuff interesting, even if the jump to jockey may have been a touch unrealistic. Probably will check out more by this author.

11. Black Fridays by Michael Sears– I really enjoyed this first-in-a-series about financial thrillers featuring a disgraced former Wall Street guru with an autistic son. Interesting plot (even if I didn’gt understand all of the financial nuances), great pacing, wonderful and memorable characters. I was unsure about the timing in parts, and how quickly some people became connected, but I can overlook that. Will definitely read the next installment.

12. Isabelle: American Girl Today 2014 by Laurence Yep– Like last year I read the Girl of the Year book as it is about an activity I study (in this case, dance). I liked this one less, and it has multiple parts/issues without a super strong plot, but I liked the DC setting and the contemporary history talked about.

13. City of Darkness and Light by Rhys Bowen– I enjoyed this change of setting in the Molly Sullivan series. It wasn’t a thrilling or compelling read, but pleasant enough and the sprinkles of historical artistic figures was fun.

14. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer- This is the first in the “Southern Reach” trilogy, which has been well reviewed, but I will NOT be reading the next two. This sci-fi novel made me feel uncomfortable and included so many incomprehensible things. I didn’t feel like I learned anything about science, morality, or society and I certainly wasn’t entertained (though if the point was to make you feel creepy, I definitely got that at times)! Trying to hard to be a grown-up Hunger Games, methinks.

15. North of Nowhere by Steve Hamilton– I have been wavering on this series and with this addition I’ve decided to call it quits. Too many deaths, too much trouble for one guy in his 50s to suspend my disbelief any more… William Kent Krueger’s work is similar, but I much prefer his series, so I’m eagerly awaiting next installment of that instead.

16. A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante– Without question the best book I have read this year. A true psychological thriller with different characters and personalities vividly rendered. Worth a read, especially if you know anything about Palo Alto!

17. Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood– A fun little light ditty in the Phyrne Fisher series. Still liking the Australian setting and the development of series regulars. Will give it a few more installments before making a final decision on full series.

18. Graveyard of Memories by Barry Eisler– I’m a fan of the John Rain series- and have been interested in Eisler’s choice to start self-publishing. However, I feel this book makes the case for having a good editor. I like getting some back story on Rain and how he got his start as an assasin, but I honestly didn’t need a whole book about it. I kept waiting for more thriller action, especially since I knew how things would turn out (he lives! shocker!), I felt little suspense which is part of the reason I like this series so much. Should have been a segment of a book and not the whole thing.

19. The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High by Laurie Boyle Compton– If you follow reality TV you’ll be interested in this take on the genre. Plot points were a bit stretched at times, though the characterizations were good. A quick read that is well written and can make young people think.

20. The Catch by Archer Mayor– Another fine entry in the Joe Gunther series, that takes him to Boston and Maine. I figured out the murderer early on (Mayor isn’t known for this telegraphing or maybe I just know his style well now). Read quickly and I’m interested to see how an unfinished thread from here develops in the next book or two.

21. Experimenting with Babies: 50 Amazing Science Projects You Can Perform on Your Kid by Shaun Gallagher– Check out the review I wrote about this fun, interesting, and informative book at Brain, Mother!

22. The Dinosaur Feather by S.J. Gazan– This book started out very slow for me, but by the end I was rapt. I think I may have difficulty reading translated works, or I find the translated tone a bit distant, but the story and characters pulled me in (even if I often thought at times there was too much back story). The science was interesting as well, but the lasting human message was a bit depressing (everyone had bad things happen to them and they are sad is basically it). When the author’s next work is translated though I will be queued up for it!

23. What’s Your Baby’s Poo Telling You? by Anish Sheth and Josh Richman– I have an infant and a toddler (with gastro issues, specifically a pancreatic enzyme deficiency), so I was really eager to read this short guide for parents. I don’t think I really learned anything new though, even if it was a quick and quirky/funny read. I admire the word play, but would have preferred more science (explanation of anatomy, research studies, etc.). I also think they should have included more poo questions parents often have– like mucus issues, other red flags, etc.

24. Fin & Lady by Cathleen Schine– I adored this little gem of a book. Such characters! Such style! Such beauty! Such sadness! Definitely recommend this quick-reading novel set in NYC in the late 50s and 60s.

25. Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell– This was frothy, summer cozy/mystery. I liked the setting, and the bit of history and class issues, but found the mystery a bit convoluted and the cast of characters not compelling. Won’t tune in for next installment as I can kind of predict how it will read, but I don’t regret reading this.

26. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell– This book reminds me of why I read. What a novel can do for you. How everything else– all your problems, concerns, worries– fade away and a world is created for you in your head. I needed this right now. Read this fantastic novel about two teen somewhat-misfits and how they find each other in the mid-80s in Omaha. I swear, you won’t regret it.

27. Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood– I am enjoying these quick historical mysteries even more, with their interesting characters, setting, and historical moment. Set in Australia it allows people from different parts of the world to come together in the 1930s. Looking forward to next installment.

28. The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan– I found this first in a series mystery to be a bit long with a lot of characters and story lines to manage. I think it would have worked better if each chapter didn’t switch back and forth so much. I appreciated all the Boston settings and references, but I’m not sure those who don’t know the city would appreciate that as much as I did. Interesting resolution, but shorter would have made it more suspenseful.

29. China Dolls by Lisa See– I’ve always enjoyed See’s books about Chinese-American women and friendship and this was no exception. It wasn’t my favorite, but I learned a lot about Asian relationships and history in the US around WWII. The Epilogue was also very interesting…

30. Cold Shot to the Heart by Wallace Stroby– I was excited to try a new mystery series, about a complicated criminal. I was hoping for something of the John Rain variety, but I definitely did not like anything about Crissa Stone. It felt very clinical and I just couldn’t get into it sadly. There was tension, but no likability…

31. The Fever by Megan Abbott– I found this book (currently buzzed about) to be haunting and disturbing and filled with the tension of adolescence (and even unsettled adulthood). I previously read the author’s Dare Me and I found The Fever to be less squicky and more realistic. It’s a slow-burning page turner and I wasn’t disappointed in it as a summer read. Also, made me happy for a  bit I don’t currently have a daughter…

32. The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry– I used to read most of Berry’s novels, but stopped because I thought they were becoming too out there and even polemic at times. But I thought The Lincoln Myth sounded okay and I wanted a mindless thriller. It started out better, but by the end I remembered why I can’t read his stuff. The characters can be two-dimensional, the history suspect, and the politics verging into strange territory. So, likely my last Berry book.

33. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith– This was good, but not nearly as good as the first Cormoran Strike. I felt it went on a bit long and I found a few holes (especially re: author Dorcus). I’ll tune in for the next installment anyway! Gory at times, but interesting because Strike is so inside-outside different communities.

34. The Unexpected Waltz by Kim Wright– This novel continued to surprise me. I actually loved that no real romance was at the center of it, but rather a woman trying to find her identity in an unexpected place with unexpected people after a lot of life happened. I think it would appeal more to an older crowd but in the end I enjoyed it even if I wasn’t totally satisfied by the conclusion.

35. The Heist by Daniel Silva– Anyone who reads Silva’s books is excited when there is a new installment in the Gabriel Allon series. Not as gripping as last year’s The English Girl, this is still a good read (and in a way I was thankful I could put it down at times). This was an in-between book as we wait for the arrival of the twins and Gabriel taking up as the new head of The Office. I’m also guessing Shamron dies in the next one, which will be tough (and a grown-up version of Dumbledore’s death for me at least).

36. Terminal City by Linda Fairstein– I liked this one more than the more recent installments of the Alex Cooper series. Still no real denouement to the Mike-Coop romance, but at least there is progress. I really enjoyed the history of Grand Central here and all the fun facts and interesting subcultures of NYC presented with care. Again, an in-between story as we wait for more on the Tanner case’s resolution in the next book.

37. One Plus One by Jojo Moyes– This book has gotten a lot of positive reviews and press attention, for good reason. One of the more compelling books I have read this year for sure, I enjoyed the quirky characters and situations. Though I will say there is an inherent sadness to the book and its view of the human condition. People can be kind, but it’s often complicated– as One Plus One conveys so well.

38. The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo– I enjoyed this, and found it to be a quick read, but I have to wonder how many violent crimes really befall the Amish? I hope for the next Burkholder book it’s not just about murder and rape of Amish families. Warning, a lot of gruesome death in this one!

39. Landline by Rainbow Rowell– This is no Eleanor & Park, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. It’s not YA, it’s adult, and there is a touch of magical realism (which I never quite like). It wasn’t gripping, but I wanted to know what happened to the characters. The one thing I really took away from this book about a marriage in trouble is that it hit me that for the first time when I read a book about middle-aged people and marriage it is now ABOUT ME TOO. When they do flashbacks to when they were “young” (in college in 1998), I realized I was a freshman in college then. Pretty crazy.

40. Mama Doc Medicine: Finding Calm and Confidence in Parenting, Child Health, and Work-Life Balance by Wendy Sue Swanson– I like the tone of this book by pediatrician mom Swanson, but I wish it was more than a compilation of her more popular blog posts. Important topics are covered that often aren’t in parenting books that address more specific issues, but I wish she actually talked more about the science and research behind many of her assertions and statements (perhaps this would have happened if there was a tad more of a narrative thread and it wasn’t so broken up). Then again the short chapters are about right for the attention span of busy parents!

41. Sign with Your Baby: How to communicate with infants before they can speak by Joseph Garcia– I only did a few signs with my older son and communication became so much easier once that happened, so I plan to do more signs and earlier with my second. This was helpful in saying which signs to start with and how and not to do more than 20. He talks about research related to this too, which I found helpful. This was a short read and there is also a DVD (though I haven’t watched it yet!)

42. Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood– Again, an interesting and short Phyrne Fisher mystery describing historical events I don’t know much about, so felt educational too.

43. The Husband’s Secret by Lianne Moriarty– I had been warned in reviews that once you start this one it is hard to stop, and that is true. This is the kind of book I slowed down to read because I didn’t want the interesting, tangled web to completely unravel. As a mom it made me sad, as a wife angry, etc. I guess then it shouldn’t surprise me that she is labeled “chick lit,” but I honestly didn’t think of this novel that way at all. I also appreciated the Australian setting and can’t wait to read more!

44. Drift by Jon McGoran– Rarely have I read a main character in a mystery/thriller series with SUCH a strong and unique voice in the first book. I definitely recommend this and have already bought the sequel, just out.

45. Windigo Island by William Kent Krueger– Another strong entry in the Cork O’Connor series, and I like how this books illuminates an interesting social issue. I also like that Krueger is addressing issues with characters and making them even more complex. Look forward to the next one, hopefully only a year from now!

46. The Young World by Chris Weitz– I read a highly laudatory review of this older YA novel. It’s no Hunger Games, but there is something here. At times the plot was cliche and the characters predictable. Other times I was really surprised and interested in the plot twists. In particular the alternating chapters between two main characters, with extremely different voices, is effective– and would make the novel appeal to both male and female readers. It lacks the sheer page-turner-ness of Hunger Games, and it’s an even more grown up version given all the sex and drugs, but it’s in that vein. Lots of class and gender and race warfare and in the sure-to-come sequel the science should get interesting. Those who love NYC will especially enjoy it; one downside is that the pop culture is so current it might not last and translate for long. (Fun side note: I was surprised to see so much place overlap with Fairstein’s latest, Terminal City)

47. Child Workers and Industrial Health in Britain, 1780-1850 by Peter Kirby– This is an academic text written by a social historian exploring the occupational health of children in labor towns in the UK. Interesting, counter-intuitive arguments, even if data sparse on this topic. Here it is in review essay!

48. Child Labor in America: A History by Chaim M. Rosenberg– Packed with lots of historical facts, it is missing a bit of a historical narrative. Here it is in review essay connected to above and below books.

49. The Price of Silence: A Mom’s Perspective on Mental Illness by Liza Long– You can read my review on Brain, Child’s blog here!

50. I’m Ready! How to Prepare Your Child for Reading Success by Janice Greenberg and Elaine Weitzman– Click through to my Editor’s column for Brain, Child about why I think all parents with young kids should check out this short and informative book!

51. How Toddlers Thrive by Tovah Klein– A thoughtful book on how to interact with your toddler inspired by Dr. Klein’s experiences running a toddler program at Barnard. Would have liked a bit more science here, but a helpful and reflective book. Here’s the review.

52.  The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp– There is a reason why this book hasn’t duplicated the runaway success of the genius The Happiest Baby on the Block. Here’s the review.

53.  Positive Discipline: The First Three Years, From Infant to Toddler—Laying the Foundation for Raising a Capable, Confident Child by Jane Nelson, Cheryl Erwin, and Roslyn Ann Duffy-  More a philosophy with useful bits sprinkled in, not so much based on research. But the series is popular for those who agree with its notion. Here’s the review.

54.   Jo Frost’s Toddler Rules: Your 5-Step Guide to Shaping Proper Behavior by Jo Frost– The most useful toddler parenting book I have read and the one that has resonated most for me. Here’s the review.

55. Day After Night by Anita Diamant– Haunting, beautiful I gulped it down in a few hours. Shows how complicated questions of religion, nationhood, femininity are– and yet the every day life prevails even in the darkest moments. I cried so many times reading this, definitely recommend.

56. Murder at Marble House by Alyssa Maxwell– The second in this cozy series set in Newport was ok. I wasn’t going to continue with the series but once I found out my family is moving to Rhode Island in 2015 I thought it would be fun. Sadly, we won’t be living in any Newport “cottages!” If anyone knows any good books (fiction or non-fiction) set in Rhode Island please send recommendations my way!

57. Like No Other by Una LaMarche– Such a wonderful story showing how teens can be sensitive and thoughtful and open to all sorts of change. If you liked Eleanor & Park you will like this book. I was riveted– loved it!

58. The Marshmallow Test by Walter Mischel– Here’s my review. I really loved my book– I am even insisting my husband read it!

59. Lucky Us by Amy Bloom– Such characters, showing is complicated, sad, full of love and connections. I liked the historical setting too, covering race, class, gender, and sexuality. A quick read (though I listened to it on a few long drives).

60. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater– So I’m not into magical realism. I either want all magic or all realism. But I like the way this author writes even if I don’t always “get it” and find some of the plotting very slow. About 60% of the way into this YA novel I was BLOWN AWAY by a plot twist I did not see coming. Because of them I’m in for Book 2 of the trilogy (which means more than likely I will do the third…).

61. Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace by Nan Marino– I had read a good review of this and given topic (kids, reality TV, arts) I thought I would love it. It has some quirky characters, history, and a different setting than usual (also a bit of a commentary on society), but the tone seemed off to me.

62. Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes by Shauna Niequist– I edited a review for this book, and was so intrigued I read it as well. This type of nonfiction isn’t always my cup of tea, but I found the format interesting. It’s a way I could imagine turning a blog into a book.

63. Gray Mountain by John Grisham– I haven’t read a Grisham in awhile (he was one of the first “adult” authors I read in middle school). This is no Firm, or Pelican Brief. I was fairly riveted by the plot (though it’s a touch long), and I liked learning about Appalachia and coal, but I found the end a little unsatisfying (even if it was realistic).

64. The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look at a Shallow Year by Andy Cohen- I write a bit about the book here, but should add that it is definitely long. And it’s sometimes hard to keep the people straight (maybe a Glossary or “Cast of Characters” at the back would have helped?). At times you may wonder if you can like Andy so much after. But in the end, it’s like a Robin Leach look at how an “ordinary” celebrity lives.

65. The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood– I love learning more about Australia (I have been into Australia this year with Real Housewives of Melbourne, too!) and this latest entry in the Phyrne Fisher series wasn’t great in terms of the mystery, but was a quick little read nonetheless. Liked reading about jazz from a non-US perspective, too.

66. Where Children Sleep by James Mollison– See my review here.

67. Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty– A great book to nearly end the year with, as it is one of my favorites. Moriarty is a sociologist at heart with a reporter’s eye and a thriller’s pen. In this one I figured out the one of the major twists halfway through, but I still compulsively read whenever I could. Highly recommend this sharpy comedy of manners.

68. Feeding Your Child by T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua Sparrow– I’m anxious to make sure my second son eats well, especially since he appears to not have the malabsoprtion issue his older brother has. I did find some useful tips and facts here, though some (especially with allergies) appear to be slightly out of date already (this book was published in 2004). The shorter versions of Touchpoints are useful though in general.

69-79. Here’s my Top 10 books on children’s sleep for Brain, Child. While I had read some before this year, I also read others that didn’t make the cut (if you want to know some of them email me– I don’t want to put any down publicly).

80-89. Here’s my Top 10 books on parenting children with disabilities. See above comment about list!

90-91. Being Miss America: Behind the Rhinestone Curtain by Kate Shindle and Push Dick’s Button: A Conversation on Skating from a Good Part of the Last Century — and a Little Tomfoolery by Dick Button- My joint review of both is up here!

92. Rights and Wrongs of Children’s Work by Michael Bourdillon, Deborah Levison, William Meyers, and Ben White– Here it is in review essay (connected to titles 47 and 48 above)!

2013

Wondering why I’m keeping track of my reading in 2013? Click here for the answer.

1. Death and the Maiden by Frank Tallis (Kindle for iPad)- I’ve enjoyed Frank Tallis‘ Max Liebermann series- about a Jewish psychiatrist in pre-WWI Vienna- since 2007. Tallis’ use of language is quite impressive and he has the rare distinction of being an author who uses words that make me use my dictionary app, which I love (a few books ago he used the word “minatory,” which I loved so much I now try to sneak it into educated conversation, so I was delighted it makes an appearance again in the latest book). It helps if you love classical music if you read this series, but lovers of historical mysteries in general won’t be disappointed. I found the main mystery in this installment to be a bit complicated (but that may be because I finished reading it on a 6 am cross country flight), but liked the movement forward of other series plotlines.

2. Bossypants by Tina Fey (Kindle for iPad)- I know people LOVE this book and I can’t lie and say that I did. Finally read it after many people referenced it to me after reading my nanny piece (Fey’s apt comments on nannies are on pages 237 and in a footnote on 268 where she chooses the title “Coordinator of Toddlery” instead of “nanny” or “babysitter,” though I don’t think I can get away with that one…). So I think it was a bit hyped in my mind, but I also think that I would have liked it better if the whole book resembled the second half. I loved all the details on how 30 Rock came to be and what it was like to play Palin. I felt the first part of the book lacked those details (like I wondered why she went to UVA, how her first interview with Lorne Michaels came to be, etc.). I never laughed out loud once, but I did enjoy her comparison between a female writer doing child beauty pageants vs. team sports– that part was definitely up my alley (page 165). All in all, now I can say I read it. Next!

3. Pizzicato: The Abduction of the Magic Violin by Rusalka Rey (Kindle for iPad)- I got this as a promotion through Amazon and thought it might be worth a read. It’s in the vein of Harry Potter (though obviously it is not Harry!) and I would say it skews for a much younger audience. It’s about an orphan who is exposed to some magic and new, interesting people. The story is set in Germany, and it is a translation, which impacts the language. Better choices from your 8-11-year-old readers are out there for sure– but I did enjoy learning a small amount about violin-making.

4. Looking for Alaska by John Green (Kindle for iPad)- I’m gearing up to read his latest (The Fault in Our Stars), which people rave about, but which I know will make me cry. In any case, I really enjoyed this book (which did not make me cry). It’s YA and deals with serious teenage/life issues, but with heart and seriousness and a good eye for reality. Has some elements of cliched boarding school life and stereotypes about class, but there is also much truth here.

5. Your Baby’s First Year Week by Week by Glade Curtis and Judith Schuler (paperback)- My son just turned one so I finally finished this book. I found it very helpful when he was younger (it’s all relative!), and I read ahead the first few months when I was still pregnant. Because every child is so different I found the later weeks not as helpful (like my son started walking at 10 months but he’s still not speaking words beyond babbling and jargon). My favorite baby/toddler book so far is The Portable Pediatrician, but since that goes up to age 5 it’s going to be awhile before I finish that one!

6. Your Child at Play: One to Two Years by Marilyn Segal (hardcover)- Continuing to try to learn more about my one-year-old I bought this book after several people on a mommy email list recommended it. I’m not sure I agree with the rec. I would have appreciated more discussion of what is going on developmentally (and why). The book suggests lots of play games, but I felt that many of them were just common sense. I also did not feel that the pictures added much and I would have appreciated more discussion of important issues, like what happens when you add a sibling or have a pregnant mom during this time (which is quite common; sibling are discussed on 175-7, but it was obviously a small part of this almost 300 page book). I’m hoping Welcome to Your Child’s Brain is more my style.

7. Tucker Peak by Archer Mayor (Kindle for iPad)- I started reading Mayor’s Joe Gunther detective series last year when I was nursing. I read a review and decided that because the books had all been released as Kindle books that I should give them a try. Set in Vermont I’ve enjoyed learning more about this nearby state. One of the books even inspired my family’s fall trip to Montreal. This is the 12th entry in the mystery series, which is heavy on research and police procedural details. As usual Joe gets injured a few times, and the cases are complicated (by death, again, of course too), but this entry moves the characters slowly along. You’ll see more from this series throughout the year as I like working my way through series.

8. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Kindle for iPad)- Lived up to its hype, but didn’t exceed it– although given that I read it in a single day I’d say I enjoyed it! What I liked most about this book is that I *know* my teen self would have loved this book, but my adult/mother self appreciated it in a different way. Think this one will stick around library bookshelves for good long while. It’s very smart, well-written,and  familiar but foreign enough to interest readers. There are similarities to Looking for Alaska, which is okay with me, but important to note. I did see the “twist” coming, but that didn’t change anything for me and my younger self might not have. I did wonder about the second Venn diagram a bit (if you read it you’ll know what I mean– similarly, I was relieved the book didn’t end mid-sentence), but all in all very thought provoking for readers of any age. Now I’m looking forward to reading Will Grayson Will Grayson by Green, which a literary lady friend recommended!

9. The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (Kindle for iPad)- This is a lovely novel that blends literature and mathematics with fascinating characters (including the eponymous professor who is a brilliant mathematician who only remembers things from 25 years ago and the last 80 minutes). It’s a short book that has been translated beautifully; there is a powerful economy of language and images that is almost formulaic in the mathematical sense. One of best and favorite teachers of all time (Sue Strong, my middle school math and social studies teacher) recommended it to me– and when Mrs. Strong, who taught me facts and study/organizational habits that I truly still use every single day, says to do something, I listen!

10. Teach Your Children Well: Parenting for Authentic Success by Madeline Levine (Hardcover)- I’ve been a bit slow to update this page because I’ve been very busy with work (including a review of this book for my favorite parenting magazine– so stay tuned and don’t look for my thoughts on it here- AND HERE IT IS IN THE SUMMER 2013 ISSUE OF BRAIN, CHILD!), computer issues (Windows 8 is horrendous, especially on a Sony Vaio– get a Lenovo!), and my usual daily/weekly/monthly newspaper/magazine subscription reading (I read The Boston Globe and The New York Times every day, People, Publisher’s Weekly, Sports Illustrated, and The Economist every week, and a variety of (bi)monthly ones like Boston Magazine, PAW, Brain, Child, In Style, Marie Claire, Smithsonian, Harvard Magazine, Parenting, Parents, Working Mother, Family Circle, The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar, and ESPN The Magazine). I also got completely addicted to this Australian show called Dance Academy, which you can download on iTunes. So far there have been two seasons of 26 episodes each (about 22-24 minutes). Let’s just say I got less sleep and shed some tears over this drama about talented teens and their romantic/friendship travails. The dancing is pretty great, but be warned that it sucks up your reading and sleeping time! Can’t wait for Season 3– and Teen Nick (oy) will soon be airing Seasons 1 and 2 in the US.

11. Trigger Point by Matthew Glass (Kindle for iPad)- I also got stuck reading this novel recently. It’s very long and detailed and didn’t quite have the suspense I was looking for. Set in he near-future it shows how the US can descend into WWIII with China based on a variety of global and cultural misunderstandings. It’s also possible that the political, economic, and military implications strike a bit too close to home, which is why I didn’t enjoy it more. The drama is real rather than sensational, which makes it more thought-provoking, but less of a page turner. Wouldn’t recommend this to many people, but it’s the type of fiction my economist husband might enjoy (even though he doesn’t like fiction). For me, not so much…

12. The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers (Kindle for iPad)- I actually took a class from Randy at Grub Street about two years ago (Incidentally, a class where I was first introduced to the writing of Nina Badzin, who I now email with about writerly topics– so because she helped make that fun connection and because hr books are good I will *always* read what Ms. Meyers writes!), and shortly thereafter I read her first novel, The Murderer’s Daughters. Her latest has a slightly different tone; it is still honest and raw, but less dark. As a local it was fun to read about places I know (also why I DVRed the new reality show Boston’s Finest!), but it’s certainly not crucial. As women and moms we can all sympathize or empathize with the three women at the core of the book. The men are very much present, but this is a book about women’s innermost fears, friendships, and follies. But it is also a book about love and you will quickly become entranced by the vivid characters and want to know what happens to them and their relationships. The perfect read after my last disappointing thriller (see above)!

13. Create Your Writer Platform by Chuck Sambuchino (Paperback)- I’m gearing up for the release of my first book, Playing to Win: Raising Children in a Competitive Culture, in September, which explains why I read this recent book by Sambuchino (who has also written a book about finding a literary agent along with original humor books). It contains helpful tips for (aspiring) authors, especially those like me who focus on nonfiction.  I especially appreciated the very up-to-date tips on how to manage social media and seek speaking and writing opportunities.

14. Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Hardcover)- I rarely endorse a book so heartily. But: Please, please go read this story. It is amazing for many reasons but I especially love that it has an ageless quality, in two ways: 1) I can imagine my son and my grandchildren reading it someday, and 2) It appeals to a range of readers. As an adult I appreciated the Doogie Howser reference (my first crush, fyi!) and the Natalie Merchant lyrics; as an elementary school-age kid I’d like the middle school and high school stories; as a middle school kid I’d like the bit of romance; and as a high school student I would appreciate the transformations of the characters. The story is written clearly and each character has such a distinct voice. It’s not an exaggeration to say that it will make you laugh and make you cry. Truly one of the most compelling novels I have read in a long while that makes me think and feel– and stays with me.

15. The Love Song of Jonny Valentine by Teddy Wayne (Kindle for iPad)- I gulped down this novel in about a day, like a sugary treat that seems good and then makes you feel sick after. I mean, the point of Jonny Valentine’s story (Bieber-esque– made me feel even more that I want to see the documentary about his rise to fame, Never Say Never, which I hear is actually quite good) is to make you feel a bit icky and it succeeds. I found the discussion of the music industry informative (though I don’t know how accurate it is) and I appreciated the honest portrayal of a young boy going though puberty, but the discussions of fame and family are rightfully disturbing. A lost childhood indeed, told sensitively, so very thought-provoking. The ending seemed a bit rushed to me, but overall for anyone interested in fame and music it’s very much worth a read.

16. How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby by Landrum Shettles and David Rorvik (Paperback)- While I don’t quite buy all the “research,” and I didn’t always like the tone of this book, I guess I’ll let you know in a few months if this (maybe) actually works… [Update: Not quite. Very excited to have another healthy baby boy, but didn’t work to get the girl.]

17. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg (Kindle for iPad)- Many, many thoughts. Check out my blog post for some of them!

18. Chanel Bonfire by Wendy Lawless (Kindle for iPad)- What a fabulous title, right?! A friend recommended this memoir and it almost read like a thriller to me– I really wanted to see what happened to Wendy and her sister, Robin. If you like Mommie, Dearest or the Jeannette Walls memoirs, you’ll find much to like here; one (positive) difference is that I think Lawless uses humor more effectively in her writing and presents tragic events with a wry eye. Definitely one of the best memoirs I’ve read in some time (Note: I did not love Cheryl Strayed’s Wild— I prefer this story).

19. The Family Way by Rhys Bowen (Kindle for iPad)- The 12th book in the Molly Murphy series (about an Irish immigrant in early 19th century NYC) is a quick, fun read. I keep going back to this series even though it’s not as historically rooted as the Maisie Dobbs books or as clever at the Mary Russell ones (both personal favorites for smart, historical mysteries featuring unusually independent women). The problem with the Bowen books is that 1) it’s pretty easy to figure out the murdered/criminal and 2) everything always ends so tidily (though not nearly as bad as her other series, Her Royal Spyness, which I actually stopped reading). I do love Molly’s friends Gus and Sid, and other colorful characters, which is what keeps bringing me back. This particular book ends quite quickly, with a major life event, which I assume will figure prominently in the next book. But I confess I wanted more on that front here and less of the mystery. But, a super quick and pleasurable read– I hear it’s a perfect read while getting a mani/pedi… 

20. Whitey Bulger: America’s Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice by Kevin Cullen and Shelley Murphy (Kindle for iPad)- This is a long, researched, but concisely and elegantly written book on a Boston legend who is finally in jail. I had no idea that Whitey was involved with so many different Boston crimes– all the info on busing and bombing the Kennedy house was new to me, for example. I learned a lot about the history of Boston while reading this and am glad I bought into the advertising hype and read it.  I liked that the book didn’t speculate and only drew on established facts, but at the same time I know Whitey’s name has been connected to the Gardner heist and I wondered why Weeks reported Whitey told him he committed 40 murders (who might the other victims be?). So I would have liked some discussion of rumors and what may be true and what may not be. In any case, I’ll definitely follow the trial with interest in the coming months and look for an epilogue to the epilogue…

21. Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas (Kindle for iPad)- No joke, this was my first ever Romance Novel. I didn’t even realize it when I bought it. I bought the Kindle book because a Facebook friend posted that it was on sale (for $2.99) and it was written by a former Miss Massachusetts (1985). Now, as you likely know, I am interested in beauty pageants (especially Miss MA, which I wrote about, and this year I helped select four of the women competing for the title in June 2013) and I don’t know too many beauty queen authors, so I wanted to check it out. The novel wasn’t my usual cup of tea (this from one of the few women in her 30s who did not read 50 Shades yet…), both for the plot and unusual characters, who are mainly witches. I did like the setting, a part of the country I have never been to (the San Juan Islands), but the rest was a bit too fanciful and undeveloped for my reading tastes. If only the character details were as detailed as the sex scenes! I don’t know what many Miss America contestants would say about those.  [FYI, this is a very interesting 1987 People Magazine article about the Wellesley grad!]

22. The Innocents by Francesca Segal (Kindle for iPad)- I’d read several positive reviews and the book didn’t disappoint. The romantic tension made me sweat through the first 50 pages (at least), tormented by the clear implosion that it seemed would come on the next page every time I turned one. The end is unexpected though. Not a thriller in the traditional sense, but a thriller of mores and customs. Even if you’re not Jewish and don’t live in London (which I’m sure would help in getting some of the references), there is much to admire in Segal’s use of character, language, and plot.

23. Tumbleweeds by Leila Meacham (Kindle for iPad)- After enjoying Meacham’s previous effort (Roses), I purchased her latest, Tumbleweeds. It sat in my Kindle queue for some time, but I decided to give it a try while visiting a friend in Texas because that’s the state where the story is set. Overall I have to say I was disappointed. The book is very long and has an unbelievable amount of drama. I actually really enjoyed the first 70 pages, but by page 470, I barely even liked any of the main characters any more.

24. The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro (Kindle for iPad)- After the Boston Marathon Bombings on Monday I wanted to read a book about Boston. I’d heard lots of good things about The Art Forger and I was not disappointed. Personally my favorite art museum is the Isabella Stewart Gardner, which is made only more fascinating by the robberies (which have been back in the press), so I found it especially interesting. But even if you’re not into the Gardner lore this is a great book. It’s very well written and plotted; the word choice is great and the characters are vivid, but still mysterious. I love the atmosphere of the story, not unlike a Degas painting or drawing. I also loved reading The Art Forger because while I actually know very little about art and painting, but I really learned something. I learned about different techniques and brushstrokes and a bit more of the history around Impressionism. So read The Art Forger for the story and the writing and also because you’ll learn something about history, Degas, and art. And, because I’m an academic, I really appreciated the detailed explanation of what was real and what wasn’t at the end of the book.

25. Diaper-Free Before 3 by Jill Lekovic (Paperback)- Like #16, I suppose I’ll let you know if it works at some point. That said, I loved this book because it put toilet training into historical perspective, talked about how technological and medical changes have impacted our social norms, and made constructive use of medical studies. In short, this book 100% spoke my language. The tone and writing were accessible and targeted at parents interested in research, so thumbs up for that! Now, on to the potty books for the babe… [Update: He went in the potty at 16 months, so it seems to be working!]

26. The Sniper’s Wife by Archer Mayor (Kindle for iPad)- This 13th entry in the Joe Gunther Vermont detective series I wrote about in #7, finds the main characters (though thankfully no Gail) in a new setting [NYC] and with a new character focus [Willy instead of Joe]. I liked the new style and I’m even more eager to see where the story develops. I only wonder how long it can last given Joe’s advancing age. Given that there are 8 more books (and counting) to read, I guess I’ll find out!

27. Sad Desk Salad by Jessica Grose (Kindle for iPad)- As a reader of Jezebel and Slate’s Double X, I found this “behind-the-scenes” novel great fun. The book is well-written and snappy (not surprising given Grose’s background); it could have veered in the direction of too “in the moment” with a multitude of pop culture references, but it struck the perfect balance. Overall I think this falls into the recently created category of “New Adult Fiction,” meaning it will appeal most to those in their 20s starting out in careers, relationships, and life. Of course it’s not off limits to others (case in point: I’m early 30s), but those dealing with that complicated life stage will find it especially resonant. Finally, considering  part of me aspires to be Grose, it’s fair to wish– while turning green with envy– that I could pen a novel in just five months, right?!

28. Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear (Kindle for iPad)- The Maisie Dobbs series (of which this is the tenth installment) is easily one of the my favorite historical mysteries. Maisie is a smart woman who challenges class boundaries in many ways in England between the two World Wars. Winspear’s writing is beautiful and she sets a calm and curious tone for each novel. This one focuses on the death of an Indian woman and moves Maisie closer toward India and away from the mainstays of her life (a change I worry about for Maisie’s sake)! I always learn something about cultures and history when I read a Maisie Dobbs and whenever a new one comes out, it quickly jumps to the top of my reading queue. You won’t be disappointed by this series in general, or this specific entry.

29. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan (Kindle for iPad)- John Green is definitely the premiere adolescent fiction writer right now (note #4 and #8 on my list from this year– and there will be more!), and I appreciate how his story are set in different places across the US, giving the reader a sense that these issues are region-less. It’s amazing to me how he “gets” the teen years; while his stories are of the moment, with modern technology, they are also timeless. Reading Will Grayson I was struck by how accurately he captured the feelings I remember from those high school years (oh, the angst) and how it simultaneously relieved me that I am over that time in my life. This particular story deals with sexuality (and kids both gay and straight) with a message of love and acceptance; note that music plays an especially important role in the story. The narrators alternate and I definitely preferred one Will Grayson’s voice to the other, but by the end I noticed that less. 4 stars and a solid recommendation from me for this very quick read.

30. The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout (Kindle for iPad)- As usual, Strout writes beautifully. And she goes straight to the heart of humans and their relationships. This book wasn’t quite as depressing to me as Olive Kitteredge, but it was certainly not uplifting about the human condition. I do love how she portrays people so clearly in such short portraits or snatches of time. You just don’t always like what you see, even if it’s superbly crafted.

31. Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster (ARC)- Reading for a review, so more to come, but definitely a smart, worthwhile read for any woman or man in his/her child-bearing years who wants to be informed. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REVIEW ESSAY PUBLISHED BY BRAIN, CHILD!

32. The Business of Baby: What Doctors Don’t Tell You, What Corporations Try to Sell You, and How to Put Your Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Before Their Bottom Line by Jennifer Margulis (Hardcover)- Also for review, but this book is so awful and such a un0nuanced polemic (in my opinion), that the less said the better. Annie Murphy Paul’s scathing review sums it up. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REVIEW ESSAY PUBLISHED BY BRAIN, CHILD!

33. A Womb with a View: America’s Growing Public Interest in Pregnancy by Laura Tropp(Hardcover)- Sensing a theme here? While this book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, as it is written using a lot of academic language, it is a smart, clever, updated take on the various technologies shaping modern pregnancy. It’s short, and I wish Tropp had taken the space to present some original data analysis (perhaps a content analysis of recent pregnancy guides or reality shows), but it’s worth a look for sure. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REVIEW ESSAY PUBLISHED BY BRAIN, CHILD!

34. Sutton by J.R. Moehringer (Kindle for iPad)- Moehringer has quite the literary range! He has conquered memoir (The Tender Bar, great book), co-writing biography (Andre Agassi’s Open, still in my pile, but I’ve heard great things), and now historical fiction. Sutton is beautifully written. The first few pages were a bit difficult as I settled into the narrative style, but then I found it simply hypnotic. I confess I had never before heard of Willie Sutton, and I went through a range of emotions about him reading this, and in the end I was pretty confused by this likeable/unlikeable character– which is part of the point. A book about a true escape artist that is sure to transport you. One of the more interesting and entertaining books I have read this year.

35. Momster by Heather Ryan (Paperback)- Here’s my full review on The Huffington Post Celebrity, “Unleashing Momsters: It’s a Small World of Pageant Reality.” Though it’s clearly a diatribe, there’s something about the story that is oddly addicting.

36. Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner (Kindle for iPad)- I enjoyed this thriller and stayed up late to find out what happened to the kidnapped family that is the subject of Gardner’s stand alone. I haven’t read anything by the NYT-bestselling author before, but I enjoyed it– it was smarter than similar authors like Linda Fairstein, for example. While this is a standalone Gardner apparently has a series about a female Boston detective that appears tangentially in this story, but it didn’t interfere with my reading. My sense was that this could be the start of a new series, but it has in its satisfying conclusion as well.

37. A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow (Kindle for iPad)- This is the first in a series (of over 20 books) about a native Alaskan woman who is an investigator around Anchorage. It was a short, quick read, but I didn’t immediately connect with the main characters or the setting.  You often need to read a few in a series to make a final decision, but given that I didn’t even feel enthralled by the mystery, the series is a pass for me. For this type of book I’ll stick to the Nevada Barr books.

38. The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr (Hardcover)- I blogged about this book, about a 16-year-old girl who quit competitive piano playing and the fallout with her family and friends, but I absolutely enjoyed it. The characters, the writing, the story were all very compelling– so much so I just had to finish the same day I started. Really great insights about teens, family relationships across generations, and competition among kids. Recommended for young readers, and old(er)!

39. The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Klein (Kindle for iPad)- Another slamdunk read! Great characters, good history (about an event in American history I had not previously been aware of, so bonus to learn something specific), two intertwined compelling stories. I actually wish it had gone on a bit longer– again, I read it in a single day.

40. Allegra by Shelley Hrdlitschka (Paperback)- See my blog about this book and #38 for my thoughts!

41. Inferno by Dan Brown (Kindle for iPad)- If you’ve read any Dan Brown book before then you pretty much know what to expect. This performed a bit below my expectations (I like a thriller that keeps me wanting to read, which this one didn’t quite do and it is definitely on the long side). I did appreciate the twist though, and learning some art history, though certain explanations in the story are just a bit too tied up in a bow– and upon further reflection the political implications are very odd. But as summer beach reads go you won’t be horrendously disappointed.

42. The Short Seller by Elissa Brent Weissman (Hardcover)- A fun middle grade story about a 7th grader who becomes very good at online trading very quickly. It was a spritely read, and even if I found a few parts unbelievable I am sure young readers would enjoy it– and learn a lot while reading it. I enjoyed it enough that I now plan to check out the author’s book Nerd Camp as well.

43. Trickster’s Point by William Kent Krueger (Kindle for iPad)- Even though I neither live in the wilds of Minnesota, nor have any Native American blood (that I know of), I love the Corcoran O’Connor series. The latest entry doesn’t disappoint. I also love how Cork’s son, Stephen, directly addresses what many mystery readers think about their protagonists– that they are magnets for murder and violence. Can’t wait for the latest edition in a few months. If you like thrillers, you’ll also appreciate this detective series, as it has some elements of more traditional thrillers.

44. The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich (Kindle for iPad)- I really enjoyed this historical novel set in the Jewish Ghetto in Venice. I was far more invested in Hannah’s story than her husband’s, and at times I found the timing of the two confusing (they weren’t parallel or lagged consistently), but it was a quick, nice read that allowed me to learn a few things about Malta and the plague.

45. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard (Paperback)- I have watched the ABC Family series based on this book and I’m started to get a little bored/frustrated by all the twists and turns– so like any good reader I decided to just go to the books for some answers. The first entry in the series is pretty much the exact same as the TV series (a few siblings are missing in the show and the hair color of the Liars is different), but at least I’m confident that the books read quickly and I’ll get some answers sooner rather than later.

46. Flawless by Sara Shepard (Paperback)- The second in the PLL series, this one starts to diverge from the TV show in some important ways. I find the girls in the books to be FAR less likeable than in the show. Not sure how many of these I’ll keep reading– perhaps I am just over the whole franchise…

47. Judgment Calls by Alafair Burke (Kindle for iPad)- I read a review of a Burke novel in Publisher’s Weekly and was intrigued, so decided to start at the beginning of her mystery novels. For a variety of reasons it took me a LONG time to make my way through this legal thriller/procedural and given that I’d have to say I didn’t love it. I think if you lived near Portland you’d find a lot of the setting interesting, but when I’m interested in a novel about a female DA involved with sex crimes, for now I’ll stick with the Linda Fairstein series.

48. Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker (Kindle for iPad)- This book, directed at younger readers, about two foster girls was incredibly moving. It had shades of From the Mixed-Up Files for me, but with a sadder undercurrent. It’s set on Cape Cod, so nice for summer reading. Definitely a good yarn that will find you with tears prickling your eyes at the end. Good way to expose readers to difference as well.

49. The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Catherine Steiner-Adair with Teresa Barker (ARC)- Good thing I didn’t read this on my iPad in front of my son… Formal book review to follow in a few months.

50. The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler (Kindle for iPad)- Writing more about this engaging, well-written, and informative book in the above review. But I found some tips I am already trying to implement in our family. At times I sometimes wondered why certain chapters went together, but it doesn’t really disrupt the flow or import of this book.

51. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Paperback)- While it doesn’t have the “big picture” message of some of his other books I read this year, I think I *enjoyed* this one the most. Loved the footnotes, math, characters, etc. A sign of a truly great book: I wondered what happened to the characters after the book ended, and in my mind a few days later. Also, my favorite lines from page 10: “Prodigies can very quickly learn what other people have already figured out; geniuses discover that which no one has ever previously discovered. Prodigies learn; geniuses do. The vast majority of child prodigies don’t become adult geniuses. Colin was almost certain that he was among that unfortunate majority.”

52. The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton DiScalfani (Kindle for iPad)- A gorgeous, romantic, page-turner– a serious, but compelling, summer read. I plan to recommend this to many friends! Captures the teen years and desire in all their complexity, set in a unique place with historical significance. A must read for this year.

53. Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo (Kindle for iPad)- Another great addition to the Burkholder series (about a former Amish woman who is Police Chief of the town in which she grew up in Ohio), I read it very quickly and can’t wait for the next one. Although in that next one I’m ready for more action in Kate’s personal life. I totally did not see the reveal coming (well, part of it, but not the whole thing). I actually wanted the book to be longer, to get more details…

54. Nobody’s Secret by Michaela MacCool (Kindle for iPad)- A super fun, quick, and clever read– especially if you like Emily Dickinson’s poetry. In this YA detective novel Emily is a teenager determined to solve a murder in Amherst, while jotting down lines of poetry and doing household chores. Pleasant book with its literary and historical ties.

55. The English Girl by Daniel Silva (Kindle for iPad)- Every year I wait for one of Dan Silva’s new Gabriel Allon novels. Every year I’m not disappointed. The only problem with them is that I *always* devour them in one day and then I am so sad when it’s over (this year I tried to string it out over two, and even with horrible morning sickness that has kept me from my favorite pasttime- reading- I still couldn’t do it). The usual characters make their appearance, a new old face comes back (who I expect to see more of), and a new character who I also expect to see more of emerged. The main departure here is that there weren’t major Middle Eastern terrorist/Holocaust ties, but still about geopolitical scandal and violence. The next installment should be interesting with some developments in Gabriel’s personal and professional life– I just Shamron sticks around for several more books (I fear I will cry for him as I did for Dumbledore…).

56. Gatekeeper by Archer Mayor (Kindle for iPad)- My latest read in the Joe Guenther Vermont detective series. Good character development, though I realized at the end I basically didn’t care at all about the “mystery.” Much more proecedural than thriller, but a solid read.

57. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (Kindle for iPad)- Working my way through the “trilogy” (though it now has four books). I didn’t like this as much as The Giver, and it is more of a clear cliffhanger so you really need to read the next one. But Lowry’s writing and the worlds she creates never disappoint.

58. The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith [aka J.K. Rowling] (Kindle for iPad)- Well this book did not disappoint. I loved getting to know Cormoran Strike and his sidekick Robin– a modern day Sherlock-Watson pairing. This book is fantastically written, well-plotted, and so very smart. Enough clues for you to figure things out, but tons of suspense and twists. I love that the critics got this oh-so-right even if publishing houses didn’t. While the book is clearly written with a skilled hand, readers of Potter won’t really recognize much. Should delight a new generation of Rowling fans, or simply those who love a good mystery (like yours truly!). I will say that the book is long, but I was gripped and spent nearly an afternoon plotting ways I could finish it as quickly as possible; in other words I was still very sad when it was over and can’t wait for the next installment.

59. The Poacher’s Son by Paul Doiron (Kindle for iPad)- In gearing up for a family vacation to Maine I decided to try the first in this well-reviewed mystery series about a young, Maine Park Ranger. I’m intrigued by the job and the setting, but not sure I like the main character of Mike Bowditch. I’m going to give the second, and maybe third, installments a chance before making a final judgment. It was a pretty quick read even if I didn’t find it terribly suspenseful.

60. Death Angel by Linda Fairstein (Kindle for iPad)- I’ve mentioned this series before here, and this is the 15th addition. Not much is new, but I enjoyed it, and I’m happy to see Coop and Mike’s relationship finally inch along. As usual, lots of fun NYC history and insight into trial issues (for those who especially like the Law & Order: SVU series).

61. A Cold Day in Paradise by Steve Hamilton (Kindle for iPad)- About halfway through this first in series (a retired Detroit cop turned PI in the UP of MI) I wasn’t sure it was anything different. Boy, was I wrong. By the end I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, was totally shocked, and a bit creeped out. Looking forward to reading the second installment soon!

62. Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy by Emily Bazelon (Hardcover)- Read for a review– stay tuned! NOW YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO READ AT BRAIN, MOTHER BLOG!

63. Hopeless by Colleen Hoover (Kindle for iPad)- This book has a huge cult following, which I can understand if you are a teen reader but not so much if you’re an adult. There are many twists in the story, which all wrap up into a neat bow at the end. The book is long, but it is readable, with many heavy issues (molestation, suicide, abduction, etc.). Oh, also there is teen sex– a LOT of teen sex. Would have liked some sort of update like 6 months-1 year later as well.

64. Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger (Kindle for iPad)- After a long day I started this book, and basically couldn’t stop. Fans of the series (see #43 from earlier this year) won’t be disappointed with how many personal story lines move forward here. I was less interested in the main case and far more interested in how it impacted the main characters. Just like I did when Dumbledore died, and I will do when Shamron in the Silva books passes, I’ll mourn the loss of Henry Meloux from this series.

65. Playing to Win: Raising Children in a Competitive Culture by HILARY LEVEY FRIEDMAN– ME!(ALL FORMS)- I’m allowed to put my own book on this list?! I’ve surely read, and read, and read it… And you can catch me doing more readings at vrious places around the country! http://hilaryleveyfriedman.com/playing-to-win-book-tour-dates/

66. A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn (Kindle for iPad)- Took me awhile to get through this, but it was interesting. I’ve enjoyed previous historical mysteries/romances from Raybourn, though this one is different. Set in Africa it has a touch of mystery, British colonial history, and lots of glamour/drama. At times it was hard to keep all the characters straight, but I enjoyed learning about the setting, etc. even if it was a bit long.

67. The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns by Margaret Dilloway (Kindle for iPad)- At times I really enjoyed this book– interesting subculture, nuanced characters– but overall I felt unsatisfied by it as a whole, especially the ending. For another “flower” related work of recent, lovely fiction, I recommend Vanessa Diffenbaughs The Language of Flowers, which I read last year and LOVED (still think about it, in fact).

68. Paper Towns by John Green (Audible)- Completing Green’s YA oeuvre for the year, this was my least favorite entry. Definitely wasn’t because I listened to it on a long road trip and more because I didn’t really like some of the characters and I thought the message to teens was muddled at best (or perhaps I’m just getting older…).

69. The Surrogate Thief by Archer Mayor (Kindle for iPad)- I enjoyed this shorter, quicker paced entry in the Joe Gunther series. I also appreciated that nothing life-threatening happens to anyone, makes it more realistic– and the relationship stuff was real as well. You definitely get to know Joe better here, which is great!

70. The Prophet by Michael Koryta (Kindle for iPad)- This wannabe-suspense novel disappointed. It was so long with just a little action every 100 pages or so. Very unsatisfying end– won’t be giving this author another try.

71. The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer (Kindle for iPad)- This book definitely lived up to the hype. The writing is just so wonderful, the characterization amazing. While it is long, the end seemed to come on suddenly, and then almost abruptly. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was related to the age of the author (like that is how far she has gotten in her own life– so perhaps we have to wait for older age for Wolitzer to age)? Highly relateable from my vantage point in early-30s right now and definitely recommend.

72. The Cana Mystery by David Beckett (Paperback)- A college friend’s husband wrote this thriller– in the tradition of The DaVinci Code and Steve Berry’s novels– and it’s always fun to support fellow writers! Given the level of historical detail (wide-ranging over time and impressive), I’d liken it more to Berry than Brown. Will be fun to see if there is an Ava follow-up and what she does once she finishes her PhD at MIT.

73. Mary Coin by Marissa Silver (Kindle for iPad)- Beautifully written in three different viewpoints, across time and sex, this is a little gem of a historical novel. It takes an iconic image and reimagines it for readers today. I could see this appealing to a range of ages– even the college students who one of the protagonists teaches in his social history courses. Definitely recommend.

74. The Good House by Ann Leary (Kindle for iPad)- I gulped this book down– it’s that good. The narrator, Hildy, is unreliable but very likeable. So many different characters and personality types so sharply drawn and with such a smart voice. It probably helps that the book is set in a somewhat local place (though the town itself is fictitious). Also worth mentioning that I really liked the movement of time in the novel, as sometimes it is quite fast and sometimes a single day lasts for a chapter or two.

75. Trespasser by Paul Doiron (Kindle for iPad)- I saw I would give this series another chance, and I am glad I did. I’m still not sure I like the protagonist, and I did figure out the killer, but I have a feeling it will continue to get better. I already downloaded the third installment.

76. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J. Freedman (Hardcover)- A thoughtful YA book that I review over at The Jewish Daily Forward!

77. The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson (Kindle for iPad)- This is truly a bizarre family and a bizarre story. Made for an interesting, though not a compelling, read for me. I feel like the author could have done much more with the Hollywood fame complex, rise of reality TV, etc. Although that may be all too lowbrow for the intentions, but still made me think about the ways parents use their children for fame these days.

78. The Universe Versus Alex Woods (Audible)- A story so crazy you almost have to believe it’s true, this YA novel set in the UK mingles astronomy, assisted suicide, marijuana, reading (and especially Vonnegut), bullying, single parenthood, and much more. Took me awhile to get through it as I was on several driving trips, but each time I was thrust right back into the action. Ends on just the right note.

79. St. Alban’s Fire by Archer Mayor (Kindle for iPad)- One of the fastest paced- and faster reads- in the Gunther series for me. I liked this one a lot, for the mystery, and because one important relationship in the book is finally over!

80. The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri (Hardcover)- An absolutely lyrical novel, haunting at times. Oh, to write like Lahiri! She cuts to the quick of a person, a scene, a detail. Somehow the smallest bit conveys the truth of character and humanity, the realities of living in a difficult world. I also learned more about Indian history from this book, albeit with an American twist of course. Definitely recommend.

81. Designing the Creative Child: Playthings and Places in Midcentury America (Paperback)- Stay tuned for my formal review in an academic journal– but given where this will appear, note that the book is most well-suited for academics, though could be of interest to parents interested in the history of play in the US.

82. Messenger by Lois Lowry (Kindle for iPad)- I still can’t say I completely understand why everyone is so into The Quartet- the first remains the best by far. But I will read The Son soon just to finish it all out… A very quick read.

83. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (Audible)- This book (and series) has been heavily hyped but I think it falls far, far short of Hunger Games quality. The terms and ideas can be fun, and fact she uses real settings of London and Oxford is interesting, but the plot of was just too predictable while trying too hard to be mysterious– ditto for the characters and their relationships (with one exception, I didn’t see he gay storyline coming). I’d pass as there are much better Teen/dystopian series for all ages to enjoy (though note I could barely read the first book in the Twilight series, so maybe this just isn’t my thing!).

84. Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy by Elizabeth Kiem (Hardcover)- I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. Though there is very little actual dancing, the suspense, and history (it is set in 1982-3 in Moscow and Brooklyn) made it a page turner. I can’t say I felt fully clear about the ending, but that is part of the point of the book. I wonder what teen readers will think, but I was certainly captivated!

85. Lookaway, Lookaway by Wilton Barnhardt (Kindle for iPad)- Took me awhile to get through this book, a sweeping tale of amazing characters set in Charlotte, NC. I thought it was a bit long in the end, and some of the history could have been cut, but I loved the alternating viewpoints throughout. I also wish it had been a bit more straight-line chronological, but it definitely kept me on my toes. One of the more innovative books from a literary standpoint that I read this year, I think.

86. Bad Little Falls by Paul Doiron (Kindle for iPad)- I read this third installment and while I remain impressed by the writing and the setting of this Maine Warden series, I just simply don’t like the protagonist. He makes such awful choices all the time (which he admits) and because of that I find the series not very enjoyable. But Doiron is a gifted writing, great word choice and setting (if plotting always a bit rushed at the end). I can see it working for some, just not for me.

87. Through the Evil Days by Julia Spencer-Fleming (Kindle for iPad)- I feel like I have been waiting *forever* for the latest installment of the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series– so of course I read the book in one day so now I need to wait another few years for the next one! This is without doubt one of my favorite series, though I’m hard pressed to pinpoint why. Set in the Adirondacks it’s about an Episcopal priest and a Chief of Police who are constantly in danger in some way. I like how this book especially expanded my interest in other recurring characters. It’s very well written and the characterization keeps getting better and better. But if you start the series, start at the beginning for sure!

88. The Sleeping Dictionary by Sujata Massey (Kindle for iPad)- I love Masseys’ Rei Shimura mystery series (and am DELIGHTED to hear she is still working on it), though this standalone novel is completely different. It’s historical, set in India under British rule, and it is not a mystery. It’s well-researched (I think) and creative (even the name of the title) and I enjoyed it, though it is a bit on the long side. In some ways it’s the prescursor historically to Lahiri’s The Lowlands, which I of course loved.

89. Winter of the Wolf Moon by Steve Hamilton (Kindle for iPad)- I enjoyed this second installment of the Detroit cop turned UP PI series. I like where the characters are going, I think, though not sure how I feel about crime/mysteries and personal relationships being so interconnected. I plan to read a few more in the series before making a final decision– and given that the books are quick reads with a strong sense of place, they should be enjoyable entries on my reading list.

90. The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani (Kindle for iPad)- I read the third and final installment of the Valentine trilogy very quickly. Like everything Trigiani writes, the characters are extremely memorable. I don’t think you would enjoy this though if you hadn’t read the first two in the trilogy though. I didn’t love this trilogy as much as Big Stone Gap, and the sense of time was off at points in the book, but it was an enjoyable read (especially while sick!).

91. Death Comes to the Village by Catherine Lloyd (Kindle for iPad)- I suppose this might be the first in a “mystery cozy” series. It’s set in a small English village after the Battle of Waterloo and the characters both follow and don’t follow the mores of the times. It was a quick, fun read, and I likely will check out the second installment when it is released. Parts were quite predictable (the romances, the criminals) though I liked how the social issues of the day were woven throughout. I also appreciate when enough clues are there that I figure things out, without figuring it all out at once.

92. One Rough Man by Brad Taylor (Paperback)- I read this in the hopes of finding a John Rain/Gabriel Allon-type series, but was a bit disappointed. The pacing is uneven and the plot is a bit out there. I can see how this will become a series, but I won’t be along for the ride…

93. The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell by William Klaber (Kindle for iPad)- I read some great reviews of this book, and I am impressed a man wrote it (which was highlighted in many of the reviews). It was an interesting read– though at the beginning I felt such a sense of dread a la Boys Don’t Cry, not like Yentl— it was hard to enjoy. But once I got past that I enjoyed the interwoven history of the Midwest and a bit of women’s rights. Ultimately though this isn’t at all an uplifting tale, which is based on a true story.

94. Shedding Light on Murder by Patricia Driscoll (Kindle for iPad)- I downloaded this after reading a favorable review in PW and because the Kindle price was $3.99. I also was interested in the location (Cape Cod) and time of year (Christmas!). The book is definitely a decent first entry in a cozy series about a lamp store in Barnstable. It introduces a variety of complicated, engaging characters with different types of backgrounds. Of course the plotting is uneven at times, but I will check out the next entry in the series for a quick, light read when it comes out.

95. The Missing File by D.A. Mishani (Kindle for iPad)- Another one I downloaded after reading a strong review in PW. I disagree with the protagonist that no great crime novels are written in Hebrew (Batya Gur’s series is one of my faves, but I can’t bring myself to read the last one because I know the series wasn’t complete when the author passed away), but I’m not sure this is it. I don’t like a blatant “To be continued” format, and I found the book pretty creepy (though that can be good). I wasn’t impressed by Avraham Avrham’s skills though, which is the main reason I won’t stick with the series.

96. The Second Mouse by Archer Mayor (Kindle for iPad)- I really liked this quick-paced installment in the Gunther series. Maybe the mystery was a bit too wrapped in a bow, but I liked the twists and turns. And the personal developments for Joe, which I hope aren’t over yet!

97. The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell (Kindle for iPad)- I tried this in the hopes of starting a new Victorian mystery series, but it was just flat for me. Much better options out there!

98. Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (Paperback)- When I found out I was having a second boy, I put out a call to my Facebook friends for books on raising brothers. Somewhat surprisingly, I didn’t get any great suggestions, but this book was suggested several times. I actually did think it offered very helpful advice (though I would have liked a bit more about sibling issues while pregnant or in infancy) and I especially liked the discussion of seeing a new baby as a new marriage partner/lover. My biggest thing is that in a non-fiction book like this I also want some DATA in addition to advice. I want to know what the research shows about sibling relationships. I want to know what social scientists and medical professionals, in addition to therapists, think. I have mixed feelings about condensing the authors into one, their kids into two, and many, many workshops into one, but I suppose that makes it easier for the lay reader. I did like that they present people’s feelings and stories in their own words. Overall, definitely good for parents like me… But makes me think I might have a future project here. 

99. Montana by Gwen Florio (Kindle for iPad)- I really enjoyed this, and liked that I didn’t feel a sense of dread the whole time. The pacing and characters were good, and the setting was interesting. Definitely looking forward to the (hopefully) next installment. Note this was a quick read and combined US and foreign reporting/politics.

100. Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson (Kindle for iPad)- I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read by this author, who has a unique Southern voice, and this was no exception. Complicated characters, improbable (yet also somehow probable) situations that show how complicated we humans are in our relationships. Some of the characters and storylines will stick with you after you finish this book.