Category Archives: American Literature

A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4)

American Literature March 3, 2011 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: The aftermath of the war of the 5 kings leaves Westeros in decay and despair, with Cersei the scheming queen and her twin brother the Kingslayer watching all they dreamed of shatter into pieces. Review: So I totally boycotted the audiobook for A Feast for Crows because the good folks at Random House didn’t think we’d care that they couldn’t make it work with Roy Dotrice. I couldn’t stand to listen to anyone else voice Jaime’s distinctive Lannister lilt, or Samwell Tarly and Brienne…

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1)

American Literature March 3, 2011 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: The bastard son of a prince gets training in the art of deception, eavesdropping, and murder, while failing to master the royal Skill, a sort of telepathy that is the Six Duchies chief weapon against the Red Ship Raiders, who harry the coast leaving only zombies in their wake. Review: This is my second read of Assassin’s Apprentice, and it’s been an odd experience. Actually, I listened to the audiobook version, and while I enjoyed the narrator’s performance I was disappointed to find Robin…

A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3)

American Literature February 19, 2011 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: The war of the Five Kings heats up, with intrigue, conspiracy, regicide, betrayal, and black magic abounding. Review: First of all, I am outraged beyond belief that Random House couldn’t get Roy Dotrice to perform the audiobook version of fourth installment of this series. It’s breaking my heart that I can’t continue listening to his incomparable narration. His work is masterful, bringing all the intensity of the plot and subtlety of the characterizations to life. It’s really depressing to me. A Storm of Swords…

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1)

American Literature February 4, 2011 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: The early rise of the mage who who became the Kingkiller and who now owns a humble tavern. Review: This my second time reading The Name of the Wind, in anticipation of the upcoming release of Wise Man’s Fear. I’m very very very very exciting. The book mostly held up well on a second reading. I was surprised at how fresh it seemed to me, a testament to the depth of Rothfuss’s vision. You can read my original review here.

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

American Literature February 4, 2011 Superfast Reader

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…

Fall to Grace by Jay Bakker

American Literature February 3, 2011 Superfast Reader 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…

The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman

American Literature January 18, 2011 Superfast Reader 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…

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

American Literature January 11, 2011 Superfast Reader

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.

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

American Literature January 8, 2011 Superfast Reader

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…

Pause for Power by Warren Wiersbe

American Literature January 3, 2011 Superfast Reader 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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