I don't usually read books like this, collections of smaller pieces. In this case, six essays and 23 literary reviews. I call them "literary reviews" rather than "book reviews" because, in them, Oates examines at least a good chunk — and often the entire breadth — of a writer's work. Her essays deal with the sudden…

Starting to read a new Terry Pratchett novel, for me, has been a different experience since December, 2007. That's when Pratchett announced that he was suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Each time, I wonder: Is this the book that will show the impact of the disease? Will this be the one that shows the…