All posts by Superfast Reader

The Tremor of Forgery by Patricia Highsmith

British Literature April 12, 2008 Superfast Reader 5 Comments

Synopsis: While working on a novel in Tunisia, a writer encounters his own heart of darkness. Review: I had written a truly brilliant review of Patricia Highsmith’s The Tremor of Forgery, but it got eaten. Fie! The salient points were: Patricia Highsmith plays cat and mouse with the reader just like her most famous creation Tom Ripley played cat and mouse with anyone he encountered She is a master of nuance characterization The final third of the novel is a tour-de-force of subtle character dynamics…

Sexless in the City–Win a Free Copy!

American Literature April 10, 2008 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

My dear friend Anna Broadway‘s book Sexless in the City is coming out on Tuesday, April 15th. I’m so thrilled for Anna, who met the editor who bought her book in my very living room! I’ve read some sections of it and it’s just great. So how do you win a copy? Easy–just blog about it. Mention the soundtrack and get a second entry. Even if you don’t win, I hope you’ll check this book out.

Writing Challenge (Booking Through Thursday)

On Reading April 10, 2008 Superfast Reader 9 Comments

Pick up the nearest book. (I’m sure you must have one nearby.) Turn to page 123. What is the first sentence on the page? The last sentence on the page?

CSS Naked Day

On Reading April 8, 2008 Superfast Reader

What happened to the design? To know more about why styles are disabled on this website visit the Annual CSS Naked Day website for more information. My usual theme is Cutline, designed by John Pearson. My awesome logo is designed by the magnificent Hevan Chan.

Lit-Ra-Chur (Booking Through Thursday)

On Reading April 3, 2008 Superfast Reader 4 Comments

When somebody mentions literature what’s the first thing you think of? (Dickens? Tolstoy? Shakespeare?) Do you read literature (however you define it) for pleasure? Or is it something that you read only when you must? Honestly? I think of books I don’t want to read, not because they’re bad, per se, but because they’re written to do something other than tell a captivating story. I put Joyce and Pynchon in this category. They’re about as “high art” as novels go, and while I appreciate what…

The Internet is Eating My Brain

On Reading March 31, 2008 Superfast Reader 9 Comments

I promise I used to have an attention span. And then I had a baby. I had all these high hopes of doing tons of reading while nursing. But I’m not, thanks to the internet. The day my daughter was born I set my laptop on the radiator cover right next to my nursing glider, where I have full access to the world wide web over WiFi. Thanks to the Boppy & a well placed ottoman, I can nurse and browse the web at the…

Jen LiMarzi’s Making Dead Ends Meet

American Literature March 29, 2008 Superfast Reader

My friendly neighborhood humor writer Jen LiMarzi has published her first novel, Making Dead Ends Meet. I had a chance to read the manuscript & I’m really proud of her!

The Starter Marriage by Pamela Paul

American Literature March 28, 2008 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: An overview of the recent phenomenon of marriages that end before they reach the five-year mark. Review: I hate books that never tell you more than what you read in the title. I generally enjoy books like this, as I’m keenly interested in human behavior and social trends, but this book really didn’t do it for me. I never felt like Paul’s interviewees came alive, and as a result I wasn’t sucked into the drama of their lives. I gave up on it 2/3…

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

On Reading March 23, 2008 Superfast Reader 16 Comments

Synopsis: A young woman discovers her destiny among a cadre of psychic dragons, and hatches a radical plan to save her planet from a deadly threat using time travel. Review: I wish I had discovered Pern when I was in high school. Dragonflight, one of Anne McCaffrey’s books set in the dragon-strewn world, is perfect YA sci fi fantasy. Lessa is a fantastic heroine whose impulsive acts have big consequences, and the book doesn’t try to achieve too much. It’s difficult to talk about a…

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

American Literature March 21, 2008 Superfast Reader 8 Comments

Synopsis: Deanna’s lived under a dark cloud ever since her dad caught her having sex when she was just 13, and her dreams of getting out just might expire under the weight of his disapproval. Review: I’m a latecomer getting to Sara Zarr’s National Book Award Finalist novel Story of a Girl, though it’s been on my radar for quite some time. I’m so glad I finally carved out some time to read it. I’ve often criticized young adult literature for piling on the woe,…

reading is my superpower

i read all the books