About Kasey

Reads things. Writes things. Fluent in sarcasm. Willful optimist. Cat companion, chocolate connoisseur, coffee drinker. There are some who call me Mom.

Review: I, in the Shadows by Tori Bovalino

I, in the Shadows by Tori Bovalino

I, in the Shadows
Tori Bovalino
Page Street
Published January 13, 2026

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About I, in the Shadows

Liam has been dead for ten months, haunting the house he used to share with his family, and facing intermittent and terrifying encounters with an eldritch entity called The Beast, who seems determined to consume his soul. Besides that complication in Liam’s new existence, he’s actually adjusted well enough to boredom. But all of that changes when a new family moves in and Liam finds himself sharing a room with Drew Tarpin, who is all of the things … Continue reading

6 Favorite Quotes from Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne

6 Favorite Quotes from Winnie the Pooh

The 100th Anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh

October of this year marks the 100th anniversary of the beloved classic, Winnie-the-Pooh. I grew up with Pooh stories and Milne’s poetry (my mom used to quote his poem about turning five pretty regularly).

Simon & Schuster sent me a really nice copy of the 100th Anniversary edition, which has a soft, flocked cover with a simple illustration of the bear himself. It’s a great size for little hands, and the cover has a great texture. The inside features the original illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard.

Quote from Winnie the Pooh Disney Movie: "If there ever  … <a class= Continue reading

Review: A Barista’s Guide to Love and Larceny by Caroline Bonin

A Barista's Guide to Love and Larceny by Caroline Bonin

A Barista’s Guide to Love and Larceny
Caroline Bonin
Feiwel & Friends
Published January 13, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About A Barista’s Guide to Love and Larceny

This cozy fantasy romance combines magic, college life, and first love into a sweetly brewed and delicious read about a girl roped into investigating a company’s dangerous product!

Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no … Continue reading

MMGM Review: A Year Without Home by V. T. Bidania

A Year Without Home by V. T. Bidania

A Year Without Home
V. T. Bidania
Nancy Paulsen Books
Published January 13, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About A Year Without Home

A poignant middle grade novel in verse about a Hmong girl losing and finding home in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. For fans of Jasmine Warga and Veera Hiranandani.

For eleven-year-old Gao Sheng, home is the lush, humid jungles and highlands of Laos. Home is where she can roll down the grassy hill with her younger siblings after her chores, walk to school, and pick ripe peaches from her family’s trees.

But home becomes impossible … Continue reading

2025 Goals Recap: Stats and Updates

2025 Goals Recap

2025 Goals Recap: Stats and Updates

2025 was a frustrating one for me as a book blogger, if I’m honest. Like, I read some amazing books. That was great. But I also faced some health challenges that left me feeling way behind schedule for most of the year. Not so great.

By the time I hit September/October, I was months behind, struggling to get caught up reading the books I’d promised publishers that I’d get to by release dates that had long since swept past me. I finally caught up in mid-December and finished the year reading a few 2026 titles. Better late than never, I guess!

I set my overall reading goal for 2025 at 200 books, which … Continue reading

Review: Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen

Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen

Garlic and the Witch
Bree Paulsen
Quill Tree Books
Published September 6, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Garlic and the Witch

Bree Paulsen’s brave little protagonist, Garlic, is back in this charmingly illustrated standalone companion to Garlic and the Vampire, serving up another tale of friendship, magic, and self-discovery. Give both books to readers who fell in love with Tidesong or Witch Boy!

Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes’s best attempts to home-brew … Continue reading