KaetrinReading Lists / Recommended Reads / Top Ten ListsBest of 20206 Comments

Well, 2020 pretty much sucked. I suffered my way through a number of reading slumps and spent a long time doing something I hardly ever did before – re-reading. I turned to comfort reads for weeks at a time because things were just awful. I didn’t read as many new ... more >

January 6, 2021

REVIEW: The Sea in Winter by Christine Day

JayneB+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Reads#ownvoices / Ballerina / family relationships / First-Person / health / middle grade / Native American / POC / POC author / school / Washington StateNo Comments

In this evocative and heartwarming novel for readers who loved The Thing About Jellyfish, the author of I Can Make This Promise tells the story of a Native American girl struggling to find her joy again. It’s been a hard year for Maisie Cannon, ever since she hurt her leg ... more >

January 5, 2021

REVIEW: Joint Custody by Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Jackie Logsted

JayneB+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended ReadsContemporary / dog / editor / First-Person / humorous / New York City / Writer6 Comments

A mischievous dog takes matters into his own paws when his beloved owners split up in this offbeat romantic comedy. The Man has custody Monday through Friday, The Woman has custody on the weekends. But that’s not enough for Gatz, who will do anything to bring them back together—even if ... more >

January 4, 2021

On Susanna Kearsley: gleanings and the value of them

KaetrinLetters of Opinion / Recommended ReadsContemporary / Fantasy / Historical / time slip15 Comments

Earlier this year, I read The Deadly Hours – well 2 of the stories in it anyway – which featured Weapon of Choice by Susanna Kearsley. The POV character is Hugh, who was the male lead in A Desperate Fortune. Hugh and Mary are most prominently featured but there are ... more >

January 1, 2021

REVIEW: Do Not Let Your Dragon Spread Germs by Julie Gassman, illustrated by Andy Elkerton

JayneA Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readschildren's book / Dragon / dragons / health / picture booksNo Comments

Your dragon loves to hug and high-five and shake hands and sing and blow bubbles and share happiness everywhere she goes. Dragons want to spread joy to everyone! But some of those actions are also spreading germs. It’s time to wash your hands, mask up, and teach your dragon how ... more >

December 30, 2020

REVIEW: For He Can Creep by Siobhan Carroll

JayneA Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readscats / Dark Fantasy / poetry / short stories7 Comments

Siobhan Carroll’s For He Can Creep is a dark fantasy story of poetry, devilry, and cats in a battle of good vs. evil for the fate of humanity. Nineteenth century poet Christopher Smart has been committed to St. Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics believing God has commissioned him to write The ... more >