Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times by William Moss

American Literature January 16, 2010 Superfast Reader 4 Comments

Synopsis: An essay about the practice of Christian meditation. Review: I really should stop saying yes when asked if I want to review books like Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times, because I just keep finding theological bones to pick with foundation suppositions. But I really am interested in the topic of Christian meditation because I think we have a lot to learn about the discipline of focusing our minds on God. Sadly, this slim volume (really just an essay, and not even a very…

Interview–Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, Calamity Jack

On Reading January 15, 2010 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

As part of the blog tour for Calamity Jack by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, with illustrations by Nathan Hale (no relation), I’ve got an interview with Shannon and Dean! 1. What sparked your interest in creating a graphic novel? SH: Dean. Dean sparked my interest. DH: Shannon sparked my interest, too. That and 20 years of reading comic books. 2. What were your inspirations, graphic novels or otherwise? SH: Ooh, I don’t think I could choose even just a few. There are so many.…

Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale and Nathan Hale

American Literature January 12, 2010 Superfast Reader 4 Comments

Synopsis: In a steampunk fairyland, a charming criminal mastermind dogged by bad luck ends up battling a beanstalk of epic proportions. Review: Calamity Jack is a graphic novel sure to delight brainy teens in search of a cool story with fun characters. The illustrations, by Nathan Hale, have whimsy and solidity in marrying pixies and steel beams, yielding an anachronistic delight. The story, by Shannon Hale and husband Dean, has all the wit, emotional depth, and creativity that you’d expect from her. I don’t really…

Giveaway–The Lonely Hearts Club

On Reading January 11, 2010 Superfast Reader 10 Comments

I’m pleased to announce that the kind folks at Point have offered this blog 3 copies of The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg! To enter, please leave a comment below by 11:59 EST on Monday, January 25th. One entry per person–but get a second entry by blogging about this giveaway and leaving a trackback to this post. Winners will be selected at random. Open to US residents only. About the book: Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating, so she vows: No…

Roses by Leila Meacham

American Literature January 9, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: The rise and fall of a Texas cotton family cursed with success and tragedy in equal measures. Review: I was SO excited to dig into Roses. I love me a good epic melodrama, and I was hoping for something along the lines of Douglas Sirk’s Written on the Wind, a favorite movie of mine. Sadly, I was disappointed and gave up about 175 pages into it for lack of interest. There wasn’t enough drama or sweep or passion or grandeur. I wanted more society…

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

American Literature January 7, 2010 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: After getting her heart broken by her childhood love, Penny Lane takes inspiration from her parents’ favorite band and forms a “Lonely Hearts Club” that takes her high school by storm. Review: The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg is peppy, feisty, altogether modern, and a really fun teen read. The concept isn’t the freshest I’ve encountered, but Eulberg’s fine execution more than makes up for it. Though the book wouldn’t be considered edgy by most definitions, I felt like Penny and her friends…

Don’t Sleep There Are Snakes by Daniel L. Everett

American Literature January 5, 2010 Superfast Reader 3 Comments

Synopsis: The account of a missionary and linguist who has devoted his life to studying the language and culture of the Piraha in the Amazon, a people who have no numbers, colors, origin story, or perception of anything outside the immediate. Review: Don’t Sleep There Are Snakes is a fascinating first person account that looks at a culture that is so utterly alien to our own that it’s hard to believe we could ever have anything in common with them. The Piraha people live in…

Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter by AE Moorat

British Literature January 5, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A tongue-in-cheek tale of Queen Victoria’s rule of a demon-infested England. Review: Capitalizing on the unexpected success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter is wittily written and a breezy read, even if the concept feels a bit stale. Many thanks to Hodder for the review copy.

See How Much I Love You by Luis Leante

Spanish Literature January 1, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Santiago and Montse were young lovers, but after their breakup in 1975 Santiago flees to the Western Sahara with the Spanish army, to be caught up in the war between the Moroccans and the Saharawi and become lost in refugee camps until 20 years later Monste, now a doctor, sees his picture and embarks upon a rescue journey. Review: While I absolutely appreciate Luis Leante’s technical excellence and command of historical events, I really couldn’t stay engaged with See How Much I Love You.…

reading is my superpower

i read all the books

Monthly Archives: January 2010