All posts by Superfast Reader

Labor of Love: A Midwife’s Memoir by Cara Muhlhahn

American Literature

Synopsis: The autobiography of a homebirth midwife in New York City. Review: Labor of Love is a book that really meant a lot to me. I had both of my daughters at home with midwives and worked quite hard this spring lobbying Albany to pass the Midwifery Modernization Act. My first midwife is featured heavily in the book as she is a good friend to Muhlhahn, and it was nice to encountar her in a different way. Muhlhahn became a divisive figure after an unflattering…

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Fall to Grace by Jay Bakker

American Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s son Jay, a pastor of a hipster church that meets in a Brooklyn bar, gives an exegesis of the book of Galatians and urges the church to return to grace-centered theology. Review: I found much to admire in Fall to Grace, most notably Bakker’s firm grasp of the freedom that grace offers the believer in Christ. However, I just couldn’t get past his round dismissal of the book of James. Bakker would have us believe that the book was…

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The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman

American Literature 3 Comments

Synopsis: On bed rest and housebound, detective Tess Monaghan gets concerned and starts an investigation when she stops seeing a stylish woman walking her dog. Review: I do love Laura Lippman, who sets her stories in Baltimore, where I was born and raised, but haven’t lived since 1991. Reading her books is at once nostalgic and fresh, and I enjoy trying to figure out the geography and have a thrill when I recognize a reference. The Girl in the Green Raincoat was a satisfying entry…

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Traitor’s Gate by Kate Elliott (Crossroads, Book 3)

American Literature

Synopsis: The conclusion to a trilogy about a world at war. Review: If I were not the exhausted mother of two small children, perhaps I might be inclined to spend more time writing about Traitor’s Gate. But as it is, I am bummed that I spent my precious reading time on a trilogy with such a lackluster conclusion. I just really feel like I wasted my time.

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Clash of Kings by George RR Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2)

American Literature

Synopsis: With four kings fighting for control of Westeros and a dragon queen rising in the south, the scattered children of the executed traitor Eddard Stark try to survive the perils of civil war. Review: Continuing to love re-reading this series. I am just so in love with the complexity that Martin brings to his characters and the world. Yes, A Clash of Kings gets really dark, but the second time around I noticed how much hope he puts into the story. Martin is a…

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Pause for Power by Warren Wiersbe

American Literature 4 Comments

Synopsis: Daily devotions from Bible teacher Dr. Warren Wiersbe. Review: Pause for Power is kind of perfect for me right now. I have hardly any time at all for myself, juggling two kids and freelance work and life in general. This book gives one verse and a short but profound meditation for each day. It’s no substitute for an in-depth Bible study but it still gives plenty to chew on. I have heard that Protestants love devotionals and study Bibles and all kinds of other…

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Shadow Gate by Kate Elliott (Book Two of the Crossroads)

American Literature

Synopsis: The Hundred swirls with intrigue, magic, and war as long-gone Guardians awaken and the eagle-riding reeves join with fierce outlanders to make war against a sorcerous foe, while an avenging demon casts new light on the accepted practice of slavery. Review: Shadow Gate was a good second book. It told an exciting, thrilling story while laying the groundwork for a big conclusion. Not much more to say until I read the finale, up next.

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The Write Start: A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories by Jennifer Hallissy

American Literature

Synopsis: A guide for parents to teach their children how to write, from scribbles to stories. Review: I plan on homeschooling the Superfast girls so I’m always keen to read these kinds of books. I found The Write Start to be engaging, informative, and useful. I have started using some of her techniques, like “boss hand” and “helper hand” with Superfast Preschooler, and she’s responded really well. Hallissy makes teaching writing sound fun and achievable by ordinary parents.

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This Glittering World by T. Greenwood

American Literature

Synopsis: After the body of a badly beaten Navajo man is discovered in the snow outside his home, Ben Bailey takes the investigation into his own hands, with devastating consequences for his own disordered life. Review: With every book of hers I read, I become convinced that T. Greenwood is my favorite contemporary author. This Glittering World is one of her best yet, achieving the same level of intensity and feeling as her second novel (and my favorite) Nearer than the Sky. Protagonist Ben Bailey’s…

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Spirit Gate by Kate Elliott (Crossroads, Book 1)

American Literature

Synopsis: A democracy known for peaceful governance by reeves riding giant eagles falls into chaos and possible civil war when the reeves of the north stop responding and a military captain fleeing his murderous brother lands right in the middle of it; meanwhile, a slave sells an eerie, ghost-like girl into prostitution in order to free his sister, who, as a temple prostitute called a Devouring girl, has a few tricks up her sleeve as well as a personal stake in the larger story. Review:…

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