Bulwer-Lytton Awards Announced

On Reading July 31, 2007 Superfast Reader 4 Comments

And the winner is: Gerald began–but was interrupted by a piercing whistle which cost him ten percent of his hearing permanently, as it did everyone else in a ten-mile radius of the eruption, not that it mattered much because for them “permanently” meant the next ten minutes or so until buried by searing lava or suffocated by choking ash–to pee. Jim Gleeson Madison, WI My personal favorite is the Children’s Literature winner: Danny, the little Grizzly cub, frolicked in the tall grass on this sunny…

How On Earth Do You Write a Novel?

On Reading July 30, 2007 Superfast Reader

I’m attempting to write a novel. Well, I’ve attempted to write several novels, at least five that I can think of. This time, I’m attempting to finish a novel. At least a first draft. In the past, I’ve tried free writing on the computer and in a notebook, but I always get bogged down somewhere around 50 pages.

Story vs. Language

On Reading July 30, 2007 Superfast Reader 6 Comments

From my shared items (available in the top left corner of the blog, as well as by RSS), I thought I’d highlight this post from the Guardian. It opens:

A Fatal Inversion by Barbara Vine

British Literature July 28, 2007 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: A long ago summer idyll at a manor-turned-commune ended in tragedy, and the recent discovery of the bones of a woman and a baby threaten the secrets carefully guarded by the young man who inherited the home. Review: It may be a lesser Barbara Vine, but A Fatal Inversion is still an above average read.

Blogging Tips Meme + Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles de Lint

On Reading July 27, 2007 Superfast Reader 3 Comments

Eva at A Striped Armchair tagged me for the Blogging Tips Meme. I’ve blogged on this topic before for Daily Blog Tips’s Blogging Mistakes contest. It’s a subject I’m interested in, and some great tips have been collected so far. Itâ€™s very simple. When this is passed on to you, copy the whole thing, skim the list and put a * star beside those that you like. (Check out especially the * starred ones.)

The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons

American Literature July 26, 2007 Superfast Reader 9 Comments

Synopsis: A new house in a suburban Atlanta neighborhood spells disaster for all its inhabitants. Review: It’s awfully hard to be frightened when you’re sitting on a rooftop deck in West Hollywood, letting the setting sun dry your bathing suit after discovering that you can float like a cork in the saltwater pool.

Breathe My Name by R.A. Nelson

American Literature July 26, 2007 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: When Frances’s birth mother contacts her asking to “finish it,” Frances must come to terms with the terrible crime that caused their separation, and learn how to forge her own path in life. Review: I devoured Breathe My Name, which will be published in early November 2007 by Razorbill. Not only is it an outstanding coming-of-age tale, Breathe My Name has a gorgeous, poignant love story that really drew me in. This is one I’m happy to give some advance praise to!

Emperor and Clown by Dave Duncan

Canadian Literature July 25, 2007 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: Now married to the cursed Sultan Azak, Princess Inos finally heads to the capital city to plead her case in front of the wardens, as stable boy Rap rushes to meet her and embrace his destiny. Review: (Is that like the worst cover you have ever seen? Seriously.) Emperor and Clown is the final installment in Dave Duncan’s A Man of His Word series, and a most satisfying conclusion indeed. The overall story is a rich, satisfying adventure full of political machinations and romance,…

Summer’s Hidden Treasures at West of Mars

On Reading July 25, 2007 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Lots of reviews already posted for West of Mars’s contest–check them out!

Perilous Seas by Dave Duncan

Canadian Literature July 23, 2007 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: Rap the stableboy joins a merchant crew still intent upon rescuing Queen Inosolan, who is crossing a haunted wasteland in order to appeal her case to the four wardens. Review: Perilous Seas is the third book in Dave Duncan’s A Man of His Word series, and again I’m impressed at the skill with which Duncan crafts his narrative. He continually places his characters in severe jeopardy, taking the kinds of risks that fantasy authors so often fear. It’s almost as if the work it…

reading is my superpower

i read all the books