I spent so much time working on my pilot, falling into bed at 2 am after doing rewrites after work, that I ended up reading much less than usual. But I did read some great stuff. The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff A delightful first novel, wonderful in that way first novels are wonderful. Packed full of everything the author ever read, thought, saw, felt, loved, hated, etc.
Arcadia by Lauren Groff And with this, Groff really comes into her own.
The Newlyweds by Nell Freudenberger I love Nell Freudenberger's books. I can't honestly say if the book is an accurate reflection of Bangladeshi culture, but it feels absolutely, perfectly true.
Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan I read this because I needed to see how a young writer does period, and the transition back and forth between periods. The ending is desperately unsatisfying, which ruined the whole book for me.
Crusoe's Daughter by Jane Gardam Not my favorite of Gardam's books, but still awesome.
Imagine by Jonah Lehrer I gave copies of this to my whole staff on my TV show. It's a fun fascinating read. I'm sure you'd learn more reading the actual science, but you wouldn't have anywhere near as much fun.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed I read this in a single sitting on the plane from Boston to SFO. It's terrific. I cried like a maniac.
Purge by Sofi Oksanen I had such high hopes. Sigh.
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell This may be the best book I've ever read. I mean, except for my husband's books. This book does everything a novel should, and more and more.
The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright She is such a breathtaking writer. So exact. So hilarious. GOD I love the Irish.
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James The thing is, Jane Austen is perfect. So...even a master like P.D. James is doomed to fail trying to write in her voice.
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen Anna Quindlen is about a dozen years older than me, we're both writers, we both have kids, we're in happy marriages, we're comfortably situated in life (kenahora), so I find it very comforting to read her essays. Gives me an idea of what might be coming down the pike.
The First 20 Minutes by Gretchen Reynolds I'm a desperate hypochondriac so I love reading zippy exercise books like this one.
Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd I love William Boyd, but this novel didn't do it for me.
Enchantments by Kathryn Harrison This is a competent, interesting book. I'm not very into the Russian royal family, though.