Author Archives: Katie

Confessions of a Scary Mommy by Jill Smokler

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Katie

I gave in. I wasn’t going to do it. At least not until I read a bunch of other stuff I already owned, but on a whim (and because Jill put up a link on facebook), I bought Confessions of … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfiction | Tagged confessions of a scary mommy, jill smokler | 2 Comments

American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Katie

This is not the first time this title has been over here. My friend, Jeremy talked about his experience reading American Salvage at the beginning of last year. As soon as his post went live, I knew I wanted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Naturalism, Realism, short story collection | Tagged American Salvage, Bonnie Jo Campbell, local lit, Michigan Lit, regionalism | 1 Comment

The Book of Ruthy by Jane Hamilton

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Katie

I stumbled upon The Book of Ruth in a pile of books that my best friend dropped off for me to look through. She said I could keep what I wanted to read and donate the rest. Most I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Bildungsroman, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Realistic Fiction | Tagged Jane Hamilton, The Book of Ruth | 1 Comment

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Katie

Once upon a time a friend sent me a book. I was told by every. single. person who has read the book in it’s entirety that it ranked in their top books picks of ALL TIME. It’s about a young … Continue reading →

Posted in Adolescent Lit, Fiction, Historical Fiction | Tagged Holocaust, Markus Zusak, Nazi Germany, The Book Thief | 5 Comments

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Katie

Whenever I start a new book, I hand up a little sign at the front of my room broadcasting to my students what it is I am reading. It’s right by our due date calendar, so kids see it as … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfiction | Tagged biography, HeLa, medical, Rebecca Skloot, science, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks | 3 Comments

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Katie

I did something I almost never do before reading The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown. I read reader reviews on GoodReads. As usual it was a mistake. While there were more good reviews than bad, I focused on what the … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Fiction, Fiction | Tagged Eleanor Brown, The Weird Sisters | Leave a comment

Why Women Need Fat

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Katie

A few months ago when I joined BlogHer Ad Network, I also had the opportunity to sign up to be part of BlogHer Book Club and be reviewer. I jumped at the chance. Especially since I got these sexy reading … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfiction | Tagged healthy living | Leave a comment

Cast Aside

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Katie

There was a time not so long ago when my motto was, “a book started is a book finished.” Even though as an English teacher, I always tell my students, “if you start a book and don’t like it, don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading in General | Tagged books I coudn't finish, crap, i don't finish what i start, i must be missing something, these books did not make my best ever list | 37 Comments

Nate Rocks the World by Karen Pokras Toz

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Katie

Back this summer I was sent a copy of a book geared toward upper elementary students. I was VERY excited to read and review the book in time for school to start. And then things got a bit weird around … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Lit | Tagged Karen Pokras Toz, Nate Rocks the World | 1 Comment

Books, Books for Everyone!

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Katie

The holidays are approaching and what better gift than the gift of imagination and wonder? That’s right, we bookish types need to spread the book love! And I have a list of books for EVERYONE on your list! For the … Continue reading →