Category Archives: Books

2019 Newberys: Merci Suárez Changes Gears and The Night Diary

Posted on July 15, 2019 by

Here are reviews of this year’s Newbery and Newbery honor books.  I had read just one of these when it first came out, The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.  And shout-out to my blogging friend Sondy at Sonderbooks, … Continue reading →

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Diversity Update

Posted on July 13, 2019 by

I was full of optimism at the beginning of the year, when I posted about participating in a diversity read-along.  I haven’t linked a single review, nor am I sure that I’m reading the right topic in the right month. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Challenges, Lists | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Asian-American Graphic Novels 2019

Posted on July 7, 2019 by

A few years back, I went to put together a simple end panel display for my graphic novels for Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. There was not much in the way of easily available bibliographies on-line, so I started with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Graphic Novel, Lists | Tagged , | 6 Comments

A Week of Reading

Posted on June 29, 2019 by

Today I looked at the pages of review notes I have and decided to just give you shorter reviews of the books I read this week.  It’s a big mix of styles – two realistic fiction (one teen and one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Reviews, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Everything I Know about You and Halfway Normal by Barbara Dee

Posted on June 26, 2019 by

Here are some more books I read for my KidLitCon panel on taboo topics in middle grade this year.  I’d previously read and very much enjoyed her Star Crossed, but she has written a lot of books, all with very … Continue reading →

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Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

Posted on June 21, 2019 by

Here’s a magical midsummer book for the summer solstice!  I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book at KidLitCon, and waited to read it until closer to its release date. Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca. Yellow Jacket, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Sequels: Fated Sky, Exit Strategy, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy

Posted on June 5, 2019 by

Sometimes I read the first book in a series and never go on.  Other times I keep up in fits and starts. Here’s me trying to keep up.  All of these deserve longer reviews, but here’s to living with reality. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Historical, Print, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Baker’s Half Dozen of Gluten Free Cookbooks

Posted on May 24, 2019 by

I was diagnosed with celiac disease just before Christmas last year, so as a break from my usual fiction, here are some of the cookbooks I’ve been reading. The first one arrived in the mail as a gift, and all … Continue reading →

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Miss Buncle’s Book for Old School Wednesday

Posted on May 15, 2019 by

I’m going to borrow a feature title from the Book Smugglers again and call this Old School Wednesday – taking a break from trying to keep up with the latest hot releases by reading an older book.  This one first … Continue reading →

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4 Kids’ Fantasies from Outside the US

Posted on May 13, 2019 by

Here are four middle grade fantasy books from the English-speaking world outside of the US – South Africa, Australia, Ireland, and the UK.  (Shorter reviews as part of my trying to catch up with my reading.) The Turnaway Girls by … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , | 2 Comments