"Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

This was one of the books I asked Ray to buy me for Christmas. An enjoyable, extremely imaginative book. I didn't love it, but I liked it a lot. I enjoy almost anything that includes an off kilter world.

"Stumbling on Happiness" by Daniel Gilbert

I found this book (psychology I guess) to be kind of boring and pedantic. Too many references to boring university student studies. I only skimmed it. The message I got from it was that both our memory of the past and our ability to foresee the future for good decision making are flawed by the way our minds work. To make good decisions, it's good to discuss with people who have experience.

"Death Comes to Pemberley" by P.D. James

This was a Christmas present from Ray, at my request. Ultimately a disappointing book which does not do justice to either PD James or Jane Austen. Its primary interest to me was as a historical document of the times. For example, I didn't know that they drank coffee in England in 1803.

"A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" by Mark Twain

Not as easy a read as I expected from Mark Twain, and ended up skimming parts of it. But a good read overall. I've been curious about this book for years, because of its subject matter. Now I can start reading my Christmas presents.