Category Archives: American Literature

The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson

American Literature

Synopsis: Subtitled “A Plot to Kill the Child King–A Nonfiction Thriller,” this book weaves together the discovery of King Tut’s tomb with his reign as Pharaoh in order to show that he may have been murdered. Review: In The Murder of King Tut, James Patterson turns history into potboiler, but I was less than thrilled. The characterizations were cliched and cardboard, and the writing lacked beauty. I was hoping for something along the lines of John Krakauer’s Under the Banner of Heaven, but James Patterson…

Read More »

Inamorata by Joseph Gangemi

American Literature

Synopsis: While investigating paranormal reports for Scientific American in the 1920s, a grad student falls in love with a woman claiming to be a spirit medium. Review: I picked up Inamorata at a recent swap meet I hosted for my babysitting coop. How could I pass it up? Set in the 1920s, featuring spirit mediums that may be faking, and the dust jacket alluded to a shady gynecologist and a passionate love affair. And it’s based on true events! The book more than delivered, and…

Read More »

The Devil’s Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis

American Literature

Synopsis: A fictional exploration of the life of Catherine de Medici. Review: The Devil’s Queen is a richly imagined, evocative, sexy, thrilling piece of historical fiction. Honestly, it was not really my cup of tea, but I had to check it out because the publisher created such a cool online promo book: Open publication – Free publishing – More spells

Read More »

Cooking For Mr. Latte by Amanda Hesser

American Literature 2 Comments

Synopsis: A food writer tells her own love story through vignettes of the wonderful meals she had during her courtship and engagement with a man who nearly lost her by putting Equal in his latte. Review: Amanda Hesser is so charming! Cooking for Mr. Latte was both romantic and mouthwatering, filled with funny, honest, and delightful anecdotes about food, dining, relationships, and love. Each chapter offers recipes that seem accessible and sound absolutely delicious. You bet I will be making her Kadjemoula (North African Lamb…

Read More »

Christianish: What If We’re Not Really Following Jesus at All? by Mark Steele

American Literature

Synopsis: An examination of a bunch of different ways that Christians get Christianity wrong. Review: Mark Steele’s heart is firmly in the right place, and he’s a fantastic writer, making for two excellent reasons to check out Christianish. He uses funny and insightful anecdotes from his own life to show the different ways that Christians allow their practice of faith to turn sinful. He speaks eloquently about arrogance, greed (what he calls Christian obesity) and worldliness, among others. His critique is right on. I do…

Read More »

Hunter’s Run by George RR Martin, Gardner Dozois and Daniel Abraham

American Literature

Synopsis: After encountering an alien species in a desolate woods, a man finds himself biologically tethered to a beast-like creature, hunting a man who might be himself. Review: I listened to the audiobook of Hunter’s Run, and really appreciated the eloquence of the prose as a result. The story wasn’t half bad, either, though I’m sure my lack of familiarity with science fiction meant that I didn’t figure out the catch as soon as a more savvy reader would have. I liked the emphasis on…

Read More »

The Dark Tower by Stephen King

American Literature

Synopsis: Roland the gunslinger reaches the Dark Tower he’s been pursing for a thousand years. Review: Obviously there’s a lot more to The Dark Tower, book 7 in Stephen King’s epic series of the same name, than my one sentence synopsis implies. But essentially, that’s it. And, honestly, was Roland’s not reaching the Tower ever an option for King? The suspense has never been “will he?” but “what will it be like?” But before Roland can reach the tower, he and his ka-tet (a former…

Read More »

Song of Susannah by Stephen King (The Dark Tower)

American Literature

Synopsis: Roland’s ka-tet disperses through New York City in various whens, trying to save the rose, find author Stephen King, and save the Tower–quite possibly from Susannah’s demon baby. Review: Book 6 in Stephen King’s epic series, Song of Susannah is the darkest, bringing some of the darkest scenes in all of King’s writing. It’s also a relatively short book, though no less dense than Calla or . The early books seem almost minimalist in comparison with the baroque tapestry that the plot becomes in…

Read More »

How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller by Julia DeVillers

American Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: When Jamie Bartlett accidentally turns her journal in instead of her homework, she becomes an overnight bestselling author and her life turns upside down. Review: How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller has a supercute, bubbly tone that I found exceptionally charming. Author Julia DeVillers absolutely nails her 14-year-old protagonist’s voice. Jamie is naive, exuberant, silly, bold, timid, smart, and goodhearted (despite several lapses in judgment). The plot moves quickly, though a bit predictable, which I think is more a genre issue than…

Read More »

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

American Literature 4 Comments

I’m giving away 3 copies of Hunger Games–check out this post for rules & to enter! Synopsis: After winning the Hunger Games, underdog Katniss Everdeen finds herself caught up in political intrigue as rebellion foments in other districts, and when the president himself makes a game-changing move, Katniss must choose between love and freedom. Review: I was totally and completely sucked in and swept away by Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins’s sequel to last year’s it novel Hunger Games. The series is starting to remind me…

Read More »