Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence

• I really wanted to like this book.  It is about loving books, which I do.
• The format was too repetitive with letters written to books.
• I am actually sad I didn't love it.

The Address by Fiona Davis

• This is an engaging novel that tells the story of a historical building in New York City.
• I read Davis' other recent release The Dollhouse immediately before this, which I wouldn't recommend.  The books are a bit too similar.
• Like The Dollhouse this novel celebrates the love of historical architecture.

Wedding Toasts I'll Never Give by Ada Calhoun

• This is a realistic and optimistic perspective on marriage.
• Calhoun establishes real world expectations for marriage.
• While this is not completely a feel good book, I'm glad I read it.

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

• Vance recounts his personal story as the descendent of rural Kentuckians.  
• The author also ties his experiences into trends within the decay of the Rust Belt.
• Much of the Vance's experience centers around feeling as if he doesn't fit in as he crosses cultures.  
• Vance focuses on how we as a society answer this question: Who is responsible for my success (or lack of)?

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

• This book was a huge departure for me as I tend to avoid violent thrillers.  I doubt I'll return to this genre too soon.
• The main character tells the story through current day and flashbacks.  Both contribute to the suspense of the novel.
• I was truly relieved when the novel concluded.

The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson

• Bryson works his magic with a topic that could easily be dry.  He brings his curiosity and storytelling to this topic as he does with any that he touches.
• I think the alternate title of "Word Facts" would be more concise.
• I regret my decision to ready this as an audiobook.  The narrator spelling out various forms of words was cumbersome.
• Overall, I loved this book.

Sisters by Lily Tuck

• This is short and highly-readable novel.
• The entire story is told from the viewpoint of a second wife.  The work focuses on her fixation with her husband's first wife.
• I enjoyed reading this in one sitting.

The Waste Makers by Vance Packard

• Decades ago Vance Packard sounded the alarm about American society becoming wasteful.  This was well before the era of disposable... nearly everything.
• While this book and the examples it uses are dated, the concept is the same.
• Overall, Packard explores how an economy focused on manufacturing produces waste by design in order to stimulate demand.

Rude Cakes by Rowboat Watkins

• This is a bit of an oddball book with a great sense of humor for preschool readers.
• This book is about manners without being preachy.
• The text of the book lends itself easily to silly voices.

Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney

• I picked up this book at my local library for my 4 year old who has struggled with tantrums in the last few weeks.
• As with all the Llama Llama books, this is a fun read that has a nice rhythm for the reader.
• The illustrations clearly communicate the emotions of Llama Llama as he goes shopping with his mother.
• This book spurred a good conversation about how to be nice, even when we are mad.

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

• The story is told from two eras: near the present day by a journalist and a young woman in the early 1950's.
• This story jumps into what independence means, and how that has changed especially for women.
• Overall, I enjoyed this novel.

The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri

• This short work devotes its entirety to book covers.
• The narrow topic is surprisingly interesting, especially from an author's point of view.

The Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor

• This is a love story between a scientist and a chef.
• While this is a story about a woman being torn between her work and love, it is much more.
• Instead of simple and common theme, the main character is engaging.  It is about finding herself, not choosing either a career or the man in her life.