Category Archives: books

20 Years of Blogging

Posted on February 24, 2024 by Katy K.

I started this blog Livejournal quite casually, just posting short summaries of books I’d read for my existing online friends, with no concept of trying to build an audience. It’s rather astounding to find myself still here 20 years later, … Continue reading →

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2023 in Review – the Books

Posted on February 11, 2024 by Katy K.

Here is my annual list of books that I rated at 9 or above. I rate most books I really enjoy as 8, but since that list would be over 100 books, I feel the need to limit myself. I do … Continue reading →

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No Time Like Now by Naz Kutub

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Katy K.

No Time Like Now by Naz Kutub Bloomsbury, 2024 ISBN 9781547609284 Review copy kindly sent by the publisher. 16-year-old Hazeem has spent this year following his father’s death wallowing in depression, getting out of bed to make sure his mom … Continue reading →

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2023 In Review – by the Numbers

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Katy K.

Here’s my super-geeky, graph-heavy dive into my 2022 reading. Continue reading →

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Cruzita and the Mariacheros by Ashley Granillo for MCBD 2024

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Katy K.

It’s time to celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day again! I’m reviewing this book here – be sure to head over to the website for lots of book giveaways, hundreds of reviews, and for information about the online party.  Cruzita and the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Middle Grade, Print, Realistic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

BLOG TOUR – Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Katy K.

Dear readers, I am so excited to once again be part of the blog tour for Anne Ursu’s latest book! This is one braids together a realistic middle school story with one of unease and slowly developing horror.  ABOUT THE BOOK … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Fantasy, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans by Isi Hendrix

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Katy K.

This is the last book I read for the Cybils this year – and it’s a lovely play on standard magic school tropes. It’s from Nigerian-British author Isi Hendrix, and has a lovely UK cover as well.  Adia Kelbara and the … Continue reading →

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

2023 Cybils Finalists and Ones that Got Away

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Katy K.

Here is my mostly-annual post about the seven fantastic books my fellow Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Cybils panelists and I chose, narrowing down from nearly 100 nominees. As always, while I truly love the books we chose, and I do see … Continue reading →

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Demons and Dark Lords: The Demon Sword Asperides and The Dark Lord’s Daughter

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Katy K.

Happy New Year, dear readers!  Here are a couple of Cybils reviews that I had waiting and am sharing with you, while I go put together a list of the finalists and my favorites that didn’t make it for your … Continue reading →

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Just a Pinch of Magic by Alechia Dow

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Katy K.

Here’s the final book from my Baking Fantasy list – I enjoyed it just as much as I was hoping.  Just a Pinch of Magic by Alechia Dow. Read by Renee Dorian and Amber Dekkers. Feiwel & Friends, 2023 ISBN … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, books, Fantasy, Middle Grade | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments