Category Archives: American Literature

Panic by Lauren Oliver

American Literature April 4, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A girl whose mom is an abusive alcoholic joins a dangerous game in order to win the money to escape with her younger sister, only to find herself caught in an even tighter prison of fear that may be deadly. Review: Panic has an irresistible hook–every year small town teens play a dangerous Survivor-style game that left one girl paralyzed–and breathless execution. Her intricate characterizations and willingness to linger on small moments between people, combined with her inventive plotting (tigers!) make this book yet…

Girl at the End of the World by Elizabeth Esther

American Literature April 4, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Subtitled: “My Escape from Fundamentalism in Search of Faith with a Future.” Review: I have long been a fan of Elizabeth Esther’s blog (especially her previous tagline: “I use my words.”) I did not grow up in fundamentalism (thankfully) but did grow up with some of the premillenial dispensationalism that had me scared that I’d be Left Behind. When I joined a church that was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America denomination, I was so relieved to find out that I no longer…

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

American Literature March 30, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: After living on the road with her truck driver father, Hayley is hoping to graduate from high school, but her father’s bouts with post-traumatic stress disorder after his time in Afghanistan are getting worse and threatening both of their lives. Review: I knew The Impossible Knife of Memory would be brilliant, thought-provoking, and poignant, like every other wonderful book by Laurie Halse Anderson, but I wasn’t prepared for how hopeful and romantic it would be. The love story between Hayley and Finn is one…

You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz

American Literature March 29, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: On the eve of the publication of her relationship advice book, a marriage therapist discovers that her husband has a secret life. Review: I think I only finished You Should Have Known because the last 5 books I started were so bad that I gave up on them, and I’m also halfway through three different 1200-page epic fantasies, none of which I like enough to get over the doldrums enough to finish them. In short, I feel a lot like Gracie. I put myself…

A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante

American Literature March 14, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A man is dead, but it turns out he has not one grieving wife, but three–and the detective investigating his murder finds herself affected by his apparent passion for love, and how it shows the defects in her own relationship. Review: A Circle of Wives surprised me with its emotional complexity. If only I could say the same about the plotting. I really couldn’t believe the sloppiness of the ending in an otherwise well-written book.

Starter House by Sonja Condit

American Literature February 18, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: When pregnant Lacey and her husband Eric move into their dream home, a little boy named Drew starts bothering Lacey–and she realizes that only she can see him. Review: I loved the depth of characterization in Starter House. I really felt like the author put a lot of work into fleshing out their back stories, like making Lacey’s mom more than just an aging hippie. She’s also a vegan dog psychic and you really get the sense that she has a life outside the…

Practice to Deceive by Ann Rule

American Literature February 5, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: When a man is found murdered in a secluded neighborhood on an island, the investigation lasts decades and uncovers a treasure trove of family secrets and craziness. Review: I am a bit of an Ann Rule junkie, but Practice to Deceive just didn’t do it for me–so much so that when I was interrupted with only 15 pages to go, not only did I set the book aside but I forgot to come back to it. That’s how little suspense was created in the…

Something Blue by Ann Hood

American Literature February 5, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: When Katherine leaves her fiancÃ© at the altar, she heads to New York City to crash with her ex-best friend, only to find a less-than-warm welcome from Lucy, who has man troubles of her own. Review: While the friendships in Something Blue were satisfyingly nuanced, I was left somewhat cold by the overall story. I loved visiting the New York City of the late 1980s/early 1990s, because some of the restaurants mentioned were places I went to when I moved to Manhattan in 1995.…

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, Book 1)

American Literature February 4, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A biologist signs up for an expedition to discover the secrets of Area X, a mysterious place that has driven the members of 11 previous to madness, suicide, and murder. Review: I am really glad that all three installments of this trilogy will be released this year, because after finishing Annihilation I am itching for more and certain that Jeff VanderMeer can deliver. The mood here is sublimely creepy, with outstanding descriptive passages that bring to life Area X in all its fecund, biologically…

The Vanishing by Wendy Webb

American Literature January 28, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Desperate to escape the notoriety inflicted on her thanks to her Bernie Madoff-esque ex-husband, a writer takes a job as companion to an elderly reclusive writer, only to find herself seeing ghosts around every corner. Review: The Vanishing started out with such promise, and while it did have some predictable elements, I felt that Wendy Webb did a great job parceling out the mystery to keep me engaged and interested. I was a bit disappointed in the ending, which felt like it came too…

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