Category Archives: Books

Exploring Grief and Growth in ‘The Trouble with Heroes’

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Katy K.

Here’s a moving story in verse that includes mountains, blisters, many varieties of chocolate-chip cookies, and finding the space for the main character to reevaluate and come to terms with his deceased first responder father as the pure hero that other people see him as and the more complicated person he was in real life. Continue reading →

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Exploring Queer Joy in ‘The Queen Bees of Tybee County’

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Katy K.

When I got an email asking if I’d like to take a look at a middle grade book from a founding Drag Queen Story Hour Queen and Asian-American, the answer was an enthusiastic yes! This is a sparkling and heartwarming … Continue reading →

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Guest Post: Author Nancy McCabe on the inspiration for her new MG book, Fires Burning Underground

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Katy K.

Join me for a guest post by Nancy McCabe on the inspirations for her new middle grade novel, Fires Burning Underground. Continue reading →

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Monthly Book Round-Up Middle Grade-Adult: March 2025

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts of the 16 books I read in March – so many books I loved! Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade, nonfiction, Print, Realistic, Romance, Sci-Fi, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis: Magic, Romance, and Royal Intrigue

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Katy K.

It’s always a happy day when Stephanie Burgis comes out with a new book, and this, her first traditionally-published book for adults in many years, is especially exciting. If you’re in the mood for a cozy fantasy romance with crows, … Continue reading →

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Adventures and Prejudice: Accidental Demons and Sona and the Golden Beasts

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Katy K.

Here are reivew of Accidental Demons by Clare Edge and Sona and the Golden Beasts by Rajani LaRocca, two of the 2024 Cybils Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Finalists that I didn’t get to back when I first read them. Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Cozy Fantasies with Cats: Literary Escapes

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Katy K.

Here are two cozy fantasies – both with cats – to comfort and inspire: The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner and The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong. Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Print | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Exploring Grief in Renée Watson’s All the Blues in the Sky

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Katy K.

Grief comes whether we want it to or not, and All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson is a beautiful and sensitive verse exploration. Continue reading →

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2024 in Review – My Favorite Books

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Katy K.

Here’s my annual look back at the books I rated 9 – the ones I’d be mostly likely to go back to in the future – and the two I actually did reread. Continue reading →

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2024 In Review – by the Numbers

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Katy K.

Here’s my super-geeky, graph-heavy dive into my 2024 reading. Continue reading →

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