Fell a little behind in posting these.

August

Whiskey Sour by J. A. Konrath

Police thriller, not as funny as I had been led to believe it would be.
 

Off Center: The Republican Revolution and the Erosion of American Democracy by Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson

This is a few years old, and its thesis -- that the Republican Party has built up an institutional infrastructure dedicated to nothing but keeping themselves in power, and that democracy is suffering as a result -- been overtaken to some degree by recent events, but nonetheless it's a solid work of political analysis.
 

King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard

Surprisingly enlightened for a 19th century novel about British adventurers in colonial Africa, but the safari chapter is rather sickening to read with modern sensibilities.
 

The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio by Lloyd Alexander

This is basically Taran Wanderer relocated to the Middle East. Not bad, but it's too bad that Alexander's last book was yet another Prydain rehash.
 

Will the Vampire People Please Leave the Lobby? True Adventures in Internet Geekdom by Allyson Beatrice

You know, I probably could have done another week's worth of posts about this book.
 

My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student by Rebekah Nathan

Nathan's first-hand observations of her "fellow students" made for more compelling reading than her conclusions drawn from research and interviews.
 

Power Play by Joseph Finder

Finder has carved himself a nice little niche writing corporate thrillers, which is a nice change of pace from all the legal and medical thrillers out there.
 

Once Upon a Quinceañera: Coming of Age in the USA by Julia Alvarez

The American quinceañera celebration is essentially an invented tradition, in that in the majority of cases, the mother of the quinceañera did not herself have a quinceañera celebration. Interesting! ALso, it's Keen-say-ah-NEER-ah, in case you were wondering.
 

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

I think Stargirl was a more interesting character when seen through Leo Borlock's eyes.

September

Reasonable Doubt by Philip Friedman

Legal thriller. Meh.
 

Aftermath, Inc.: Cleaning Up After CSI Goes Home by Gil Reavill

Interesting portrait of a biohazard remediation company, and not nearly as gross as I might have though.
 

An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England by Brock Clarke

Great title, entertaining book.

October

How to Conquer the New York Times Crossword Puzzle: Tips, Tricks and Techniques to Master America's Favorite Puzzle by Amy Reynaldo

I think this actually did help me improve as a solver, not because of her hints and tips -- which, as a regular solver, I already knew -- but because of the practice puzzles included. Nothing like doing 11 Friday/Saturday puzzles in a row to improve your Friday/Saturday solving skills.
 

God’s Harvard: A Christian College on a Mission to Save America by Hanna Rosin

When Michael Farris ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia a few years ago, he seemed like sort of a nut, but having now read this book about him and the evangelical college he founded, I can see that yes, he's definitely nuts.
 

Outside In by Courtney Thorne-Smith

Not bad, but the antagonists are so cartoonishly drawn that t's hard to imagine anyone taking them seriously. Incidentally, this and Getting Over Jack Wagner ought to prove once and for all that I'll read just about anything that's even remorely related to Melrose Place.
 

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A. J. Jacobs

A surprisingly sincere look at how following the Bible literally led to author to a deeper understanding of his own faith. Big improvement over Jacobs's previous book, The Know-It-All.
 

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

A Chris Crutcher novel with a female character with a tragic past? You don't say!
 

Eternals by Neil Gaiman and John Romita Jr.

Gaiman's two series for Marvel have both been kind of disappointing. And maybe it's because as a longtime DC guy I was't exposed to it at the right age, but I've never really cared much for John Romita Jr.'s art. Yeah, I said it.
 

Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike & Louise Carey and Aaron Alexovich

Pretty good, but a lit down after Carey's previous Minx title, the fabulous Re-Gifters.
 

The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta

Sharply drawn characters and a sensitive portryal of evangelical Christians, but the ending is kind of flat.
 

Critical Condition by Stephen White

Psychiatric thriller. Meh.
 

Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

Is Vowell really as much a social retard as she appears to be in the introduction, or is it just some of that exaggeration for humorous effect that always seems inappropriate in works of non-fiction?
 

Drop Shot by Harlen Coben

This is written in the breezy, conversational style so often found in the wise-cracking detective genre, but in third person rather than first, which I don't get. Is the idea that Bolitar is writing about himself in the third person, like Woodward and Bernstein in All the Presidents Men? Also, least surprising surprise revelation about a character ever!