Tag Archives: books

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

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

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

Posted in Adult, Books, Fantasy, Print, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

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

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

2024 in Review – My Favorite Books

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

Posted in Books, Lists | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

2024 In Review – by the Numbers

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

Posted in Blog, Books | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cybils 2024: 15 Middle Grade Spec Fic Books that Got Away

Here are 15 books that didn’t quite make the cut for the 7 finalists chosen by the Cybils Round 1 panel that I still loved. They all have strong characters and range from classic fantasy to science fiction, time travel to cryptids. Continue reading

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

MG Epic Fantasy Book Reviews: Splinter and Ash & Nox Winters

Here are two epic fantasy stories, one with a classic medieval European-like setting, and one contemporary, both hard to put down. Continue reading

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

Farrah Noorzad and Amir: Journeys with Jinn for Kids

Here are two Cybils-nominated books with rich worldbuilding, fast action, and thought-provoking themes: Farrah Noorazad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur, and Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan. Continue reading

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Exploring Found Family in Middle Grade: The Flicker and Wishbone

The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon and Wishbone by Justine Pucella Winans are both stories of kids trying to find their way through grim circumstances, learning about themselves and creating found families along the way. Continue reading

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Sci-Fi | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments