Category Archives: Print

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

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Katy K.

My brief thoughts of the 11 books I read in July of 2025 – so many books I loved! Worth sharing, even a year late. Continue reading →

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Magic and Mental Health: Rialto and Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Katy K.

On the surface, these two books don’t have much in common with each other. Rialto by Kate Milford is a contemporary middle grade fantasy book with all of the magic weaving in and out of everyday life that I’d expect … Continue reading →

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Books That Bridge Cultures: Hail Mariam, Every Day I Read, and Four Faces of the Moon

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Katy K.

These books – a mix of styles, format, fiction and memoir for kids, teens, and adults – all made me think about the differences and commonalities, from going to a Catholic school when not Catholic to thoughts on a life … Continue reading →

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Memorable Settings for Teens: Legendary Frybread Drive-In, Heiress of Nowhere, and the Maid and the Crocodile

Posted on June 12, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are three books for teens set in fictional places you’ll want to visit yourself, from the good tradish food and open-air movies of the Legendary Frybread Drive-In to the wild and misty shores of Orcas Island and the densely populated, culturally rich Oluwan City. Continue reading →

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3 Less Cheerful Fantasies: The Everlast, Katabasis, and This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me

Posted on June 5, 2026 by Katy K.

I have mostly been gravitating towards cozy fantasy lately, but I have read some still excellent fantasy recently that have a decidedly higher body count that I still wanted to share with you. I won’t judge you if you’re feeling … Continue reading →

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Engaging Chapter Books: The Mighty Macy, Raquel Reyes, The Avian Adventurers, and Heartwood Hotel

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Katy K.

I talk about three new chapter books and one older but very popular book – all aimed at about middle elementary school-aged kids, including books by Kwame Alexander, Angela Cervantes, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, and Kallie George. Continue reading →

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Adult Fantasy Sweet to Spicy: The Elsewhere Express, Masque, and Silver and Blood

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Katy K.

Friends, I don’t have to remind you that the real world is still a frightening place right now. If you, too, find yourself craving hope and the power of partnership in hard times, let me invite you to pick up … Continue reading →

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Post-Human Futures and Alternate Pasts: Death of the Author and The Relentless Moon

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Katy K.

Today I bring you two books of different times – one with a story of a post-human future, one of an alternate past. Both have exciting and thought-provoking stories that deal with what it is to be human as well … Continue reading →

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Magical Academia: The Incandescent and To Ride A Rising Storm

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Katy K.

Here are two books for adult fans of magical schools. The Incadescent takes us to a modern yet historical British boarding school that teaches magic as well as mundane subjects, told from the point of view of the Director of … Continue reading →

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Moving Verse Novels for Young Readers: A Sea of Lemon Trees and Octopus Moon

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Katy K.

I picked both of these books up because of the awards – honors for both the Newbery and the Pura Belpre awards for A Sea of Lemon Trees and a Schneider Family Award for representation of disability for Octopus Moon. … Continue reading →

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