Category Archives: American Literature

Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card

American Literature January 1, 2009 Superfast Reader 6 Comments

Synopsis: An account of the years between child admiral Ender Wiggins’ defeat of the formics and his career as Speaker for the Dead. Review: I have only read Ender’s Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind–and honestly only the first two stuck with me–so I was largely unfamiliar with the backstory featuring Bean and Petra Arkanian that figures largely in Ender in Exile. Still, it was a welcome pleasure to re-immerse myself in the world of Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, who was…

This One Is Mine by Maria Semple

American Literature December 22, 2008 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: A bored LA housewife falls into a flirtation with a scummy ex-junkie, while her sister-in-law sets about trapping a wealthy husband. Review: This One Is Mine cuts a lot deeper than my synopsis would imply. It’s not a trashy pulp beach read, but rather a scabrous dissection of the worst of human impulses, with a healthy dose of redemption thrown in at just the right time. In many ways, it reminds me of Elise Blackwell’s Grub, which I called a “satire brimming with humanism.”…

Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One Before by David Yoo

American Literature December 18, 2008 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: After winning the heart of the most popular girl in school, dorky Albert risks losing it all when her alpha ex-boyfriend develops Hodgkin’s. Review: Imagine the dorkiest kid you can imagine–the guy with no social filter, the one who’s never seen talking to anyone, who eats lunch in the cafeteria and never makes eye contact. Now picture the pretty popular girl with perfect calves and bouncy hair and a smile that’s an invitation to share in eternal happiness. Now make them kiss. You can’t…

Life After Genius by M. Ann Jacoby

American Literature December 15, 2008 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A math whiz blows a huge presentation just days before graduation, and now he’s haunted by the ghosts of his family’s past tragedies and the very real threat posed by his unhinged rival. Review: The afterword says that M. Ann Jacoby toiled at Life After Genius for years. I’m hoping it doesn’t take her as long to get the next one out because she’s got a great writing style and brings a lot of intelligence and originality to her storytelling. The book is reminiscent…

The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez by Alan Lawrence Sitomer

American Literature December 10, 2008 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: The only daughter in a big family of Mexican immigrants, Sonia has to take care of everyone but herself, and she’s finding it hard to achieve her goal of graduating from high school. Review: I love a good Cinderella story, and The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez hits all the right notes, with funny and appealing Mexican flair. Because her pregnant ama is on bed rest with twins, Sonia has to take care of her three brothers, her 3-job father, and her “drunkle,” who…

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

American Literature December 7, 2008 Superfast Reader 5 Comments

Synopsis: A slave girl bent on gaining her freedom finds herself embroiled in the furor of the Revolutionary War in 1776 New York City. Review: It’s simply perfect, that’s all there is to it. Chains is one of the finest examples of a young adult novel you’re likely to find, from one of the genre’s finest authors, Laurie Halse Anderson. I have been reading YA for almost three decades now and while Anderson’s Speak, a fine, fine novel itself, is a classic of a certain…

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

American Literature December 4, 2008 Superfast Reader 3 Comments

Synopsis: A collection of previously published works by humorist David Sedaris on the topic of Christmas. Review: To the tune of “Frosty the Snowman” Da-vid Se-daris Was a writer oh-so-droll With a quirky style and take on life That will put you on the floor. Da-vid Se-daris Writes the weirdest stuff you’ll see About the Christmas whore and the Macy’s elves And deathly children’s pageantry. There must have been some crazy In the Sedaris family tree ‘Cause David ain’t the only one Have you seen…

The Raucous Royals–Day Three

American Literature December 3, 2008 Superfast Reader

The Lead and Mercury Facial Mask The Blood Sucking Body Wrap The Puppy Love Purifier The Squirrel Cheeks Wax Lift The Boil Butt Beautifier If you want to know what I’m talking about, you’ll have to read The Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia. Check out the other blogs on the tour for more about this fun, educational book about the secrets of the British monarchy, and if you haven’t read my posts–check them out immediately below this one. 01 Charger, the 160acrewoods, A Mom Speaks,…

The Raucous Royals–Day 2

American Literature December 2, 2008 Superfast Reader

It’s Day Two of the blog tour for The Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia. I really had a great time with this book and can’t wait until Superfast to-be-homeschooled Toddler is big enough to appreciate it. My favorite class when I was a girl in an all-girls’ school was British History with Mrs. Phillips. For a long time I could actually recite all of the rulers of England, starting with William the Conqueror. My friend Bethany and I thought it was hilarious that our book…

The Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia

American Literature December 1, 2008 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

It’s the last blog tour of the year and I just wanted to say thanks to Sally from Kidz Book Buzz for letting me join the fun. Can’t wait to see what she’s got lined up for next year! Today is day one of the blog tour for The Raucous Royals: Test Your Royal Wits: Crack Codes, Solve Mysteries, and Deduce Which Royal Rumors are True by Carlyn Beccia. Quite a mouthful–but the book lives up, being jam-packed with all kinds of fun trivia about…

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