Tag Archives: 21st Century

Love Will Keep Us Together by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt (Miracle Girls)

On Reading April 30, 2010 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: It’s senior year for the Miracle Girls, and thank to Ivy League pressure, the return of an ex-boyfriend, and a pregnant girl in youth group, golden girl Riley McGee is having a serious crisis of identity–and faith. Review: I’ve been following the Miracle Girls from the beginning, thanks to my friendship with co-writer Anne Dayton. Love Will Keep Us Together is a worthy conclusion to a fun series that really speaks to the tough issues facing Christian girls in today’s culture. I highly recommend…

Warriors in the Crossfire by Nancy Bo Flood

American Literature April 27, 2010 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: A fictional account of the invasion of Saipan in the south Pacific during WWII as told through the eyes of a native boy and his half-Japanese cousin. Review: For the history-buff teen, Warriors in the Crossfire is one to check out. Meticulously researched and well-plotted, author Nancy Bo Flood makes a forgotten incident from WWII come alive with poetic imagery and no shortage of action and adventure. For me, personally, it didn’t grip me as much as I wanted it to, but war stories…

The Healers by Thomas Heric

American Literature April 26, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Recruited by an elite medical society, an idealistic doctor discovers dark plans at odds with their stated mission to heal. Review: When I tell you that the secret of The Healers is Nazis, don’t worry, I’m not giving anything away–it’s right on the spine of the book. Set in the year 2021, the book posits a worst-case scenario where rising health costs have put medical care in the hands of only the wealthy. There are a lot of scenes where one character lectures another…

Brigitta of the White Forest by Danika Dinsmore

American Literature April 16, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Brigitta is a young faery thrust into the adventure of a lifetime–saving her forest home from a terrible curse. Review: Brigitta of the White Forest is a charming middle-grade fantasy by Danika Dinsmore, who blogs at The Accidental Novelist. It can be hard to find books in this genre that are both well-written and imaginative, and Brigittais both. She’s a spunky heroine with a lot of appeal. For a limited time, you can preorder the book and get a signed copy! Many thanks to…

Longbourn’s Unexpected Matchmaker by Emma Hox

British Literature April 15, 2010 Superfast Reader 3 Comments

Synopsis: A retelling of Pride and Prejudice with a crucial plot element changed. Review: I tried to read Longbourn’s Unexpected Matchmaker, I really did, but from the first sentence the writing was so clumsy and prosaic that I just couldn’t go on past the first few pages. And I admire Pride and Prejudice as much as the next person, but it’s not such a beloved of mine that I feel like I need some fan fiction. Come to think of it, fan fiction isn’t really…

Day for Night by Frederick Reiken

American Literature April 15, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A multiplicity of narrators weave together a story that spans WWII and the present day (1984), including a fugitive from justice and a troubled high school senior dubbed “Bored Girl Genius” by her chaotically evil ex-best friend. Review: Try as I might, I just couldn’t get into Day for Night. I greatly admire Frederick Reiken’s deft prose and complex characterization, but for me, I just couldn’t get engaged with any of the story lines. I felt that the dazzling prose hid some contrivances in…

Addict at 10 by Derek Steele

American Literature April 14, 2010 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: How a youthful drug addict turned his life around thanks to the 12 Steps. Review: As memoirs go, Addict at 10 is pretty standard. The child of divorced partiers, Derek Steele gets drunk for the when he’s just 8 years old, and by high school he’s selling ecstasy and cocaine. The second half of the book details his recovery and sober life as a family man and successful business owner. If you like this template, then you’ll probably want to check this one out.…

Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow

American Literature April 5, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Strapped for cash, a divorced mom and substitute teacher takes on a job as a celebrity double for a troubled young TV star. Review: Just Like Me, Only Better has a fresh premise and above-average execution. I enjoyed all the minutiae of the lookalike life, and it was enough to keep me engaged despite my lack of interest in Veronica’s love life difficulties, which felt a bit contrived. It’s not one that will stick with me, but I enjoyed the read. Many thanks to…

100 Great French Books: From the Middle Ages to the Present by Lance Donaldson-Evans

French Literature March 25, 2010 Superfast Reader 1 Comment

Synopsis: A catalog of Gallic must-reads from Le Chanson de Roland through The Possibility of an Island by Michel Houellebecq. Review: 100 Great French Books: From the Middle Ages to the Present is such a fine addition to my permanent library. I love lists, especially ones recommending books to me! I will definitely be working my way through this one. I am no expert on French literature, but author and U. Penn professor Lance Donaldson-Evans was knighted in France for his contributions to spreading French…

The Desert Spear by Peter V. Brett

American Literature March 24, 2010 Superfast Reader 3 Comments

Synopsis: The next book in the series begun with The Warded Man, set in a world where humanity is besieged by night by demons and await the promised Deliverer, who may be one of two blood brothers, one who shuns the name and the other who embraces it. Review: I freaked on Peter V. Brett‘s The Warded Man when I read it earlier this year and had the usual worries about whether or not the series would continue in the same exciting vein, or fail…

reading is my superpower

i read all the books