A Saucy Cat and His Owner Take to the Road in this Contemporary Japanese Novel [Review]

19 August 2019 / review / 2 Comments
A Saucy Cat and His Owner Take to the Road in this Contemporary Japanese Novel [Review]

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa Translator: Jay GabrielFormat/source: Hardcover/LibraryPublished: October 2018Publisher: VikingLength: 277 pages Genre: Contemporary fiction Target Age: Adult (suitable for 13+) #OwnVoices: N/A ★★★★  This novel gives voice to Nana the cat and his owner, Satoru, as they take to the road on a journey with no other purpose than to visit three of Satoru’s longtime friends. Or so Nana is led to believe . . . With his crooked tail–a sign of good fortune–and […]

July 2019 Month in Review

3 August 2019 / month in review / 10 Comments
July 2019 Month in Review

I have started and deleted this paragraph four times because lots has been happening but not much that I feel is really worth sharing. I did a lot of great reading in July. That’s been refreshing! I’m settling back into middle grade. I also just finished my first week of full time work as a children’s librarian. I’m excited for the work ahead. Although the work days have been packed […]

Baking with Brujas in the Love Sugar Magic Series [Review]

28 July 2019 / review / 2 Comments
Baking with Brujas in the Love Sugar Magic Series [Review]

Love Sugar Magic Books 1 and 2 by Anna Meriano Title: A Dash of Trouble/A Sprinkle of SpiritsFormat: HardcoversSource: Library/purchasePublished: January 2019/February 2019Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Length: 320/309 pages Genre: Contemporary magicTarget Age: 8+#OwnVoices:  Biracial Latinx (Mexican-American)★★★★  Leonora Logroño’s family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more important than the annual Dia de los Muertos festival. Leo hopes […]

“I Can’t Believe I Haven’t Read That Yet” #8 (Help Me Choose!)

“I Can’t Believe I Haven’t Read That Yet” #8 (Help Me Choose!)

May’s Result – The House in Poplar Wood by K.E. Ormsbee I enjoyed a lot of elements in this book: divided families, a house tucked in the woods, apprenticeships to an unusual trio (Death, Memory, and Passion), a historical rival becomes an ally, an angry older brother who has more going on than you might expect, twins who look out for each other while remaining distinctly their own person, a […]

Fighting for Space: How a Group of Drug Users Transformed One City’s Struggle with Addiction [Family Reads]

23 July 2019 / family reads / 0 Comments
Fighting for Space: How a Group of Drug Users Transformed One City’s Struggle with Addiction [Family Reads]

Why we chose Travis Lupick’s Fighting for Space I spotted this book in a library display of local topics. I thought Ash might find the topic relevant to her interests. I was also curious to learn more about the area which I worked adjacent to for the past year. Fighting for Space tells the story of a grassroots group of drug users in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside who waged a political […]