Category Archives: Books

2018 in Review: the Numbers

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Katy K.

This is the time of year when I look back at my reading and how well I did with my goals, with some pretty graphs. (Yes, I am that kind of geek.) 2018 Overview

Posted in Books, Challenges | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Hears It All for MCBD 2019

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Katy K.

It’s time for Multicultural Children’s Book Day!!!  This is a longer post – keep reading for information on giveaways, the twitter party, and my review of the book I was sent by author sponsor Jacqueline Jules. Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2019 … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Challenges, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Print | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The Stone Girl’s Story by Sarah Beth Durst

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Katy K.

Continuing on with reviewing our 2018 Cybils finalists. The Stone Girl’s Story by Sarah Beth Durst. Clarion Books, 2018. The stone girl Mayka is the oldest of the stone creatures carved by the Stonemason she called Father, who knew the … Continue reading →

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

Sweep by Jonathan Auxier

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Katy K.

Back to some Cybils books while I tabulate more end-of-year things. Sweep: the Story of a Girl and her Monster by Jonathan Auxier. Amulet Books, 2018. Nan Sparrow lived with the Sweep, a kindly man who took care of her, teaching … Continue reading →

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

My Top Nonfiction Read in 2018

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Katy K.

I don’t often get around to writing full-on reviews of the nonfiction I read, especially if it’s for adults.  Here’s a selection of my favorites from last year, handily separated into knitting and non-knitting books.   Faerie Knitting by Alice … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, nonfiction, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

12 more Cybils titles I loved

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Katy K.

One of the things I love about the Cybils awards are the many books I get to try that I wouldn’t get around to otherwise.  One of the hardest parts is making a shortlist of only seven books, because I … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Lists, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Cybils Finalists Announced!

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Katy K.

Happy 2019! The 2018 Cybils finalists have been announced! Here are the titles that my panel selected for the Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category: Inkling by Kenneth Oppel Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano Nevermoor: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Lists, Middle Grade, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged | 3 Comments

New Books at Christmas!

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Katy K.

Here are the new books received for Christmas at our house. I’ve always enjoyed curling up with a new book after the gifts are opened, and it’s delightful to see my children carrying on the tradition. My books: My son’s … Continue reading →

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Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Katy K.

I’m not having a lot of time to write reviews with my kids home from school and seeing friends and family for the holidays, but here’s one more Cybils nominee review to tide you over until the finalists are announced … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

3 Holiday Picture Books + Bonus Craft Book

Posted on December 23, 2018 by Katy K.

This year, I was given a last-minute request to read a Christmas book to the Girl Scout Junior troop. Here’s what I found on the shelves. Under the Christmas Tree by Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. HarperCollins, 2002. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Historical, nonfiction, picture books, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments