ICE: GREAT MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF COLD, HARD WATER

I’ve counted University of Minnesota art/American studies professor Karal Ann Marling among my favorite nonfiction writers (along with Susan Orlean and Mary Roach) because of her ability to balance substance with wit and fun, but her most recent book left me—sorry, just can’t resist—rather cold. It was enjoyable enough, especially during a 100-degree heat wave, and presented some interesting factoids, but it seemed a bit thin in some places and scattershot in others.