Katie Reads


Katie likes reading coming-of-age stories, essays, books about the outdoors, and books about our mind & body. She also loves children's picture books!

 

 

 

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Our Wives Under the Sea: A Novel By Julia Armfield Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250229908
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Flatiron Books - June 27th, 2023

A very beautifully written book that reads almost like a fable. Told in alternating voices from Leah, a scientist who gets trapped in a submarine with her crew, and Miri her wife who takes care of her after her return. This book explores our collective fears in a way that gets under your skin just the right amount. 


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The Verifiers By Jane Pek Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593313794
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Vintage - February 22nd, 2022

With more depth than a typical cozy mystery, main character Claudia Lin (a queer- bookish- bike riding- New Yorker) takes it upon herself to investigate a murder, suspiciously tied to her place of employment. The set-up felt original and the characters were enjoyable. If you've ever said, "I could solve that," while listening to a true-crime podcast, this book is for you. 
 


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Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation By Erika Krouse Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781250826466
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Flatiron Books - March 14th, 2023

For fans of Jon Krakauer, author Erika Krouse tells a fascinating story about her journey as a private investigator for a Title IX case in collegetown USA. The way she moves between her own history, the victims stories, & the legal implications is effortless and engaging. You could choose to individually follow either of the threads throughout the book (Krouse's personal journey or the development of the legal case) for a great story; but woven together it's just so good. 

content: abuse, rape


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Fiona and Jane By Jean Chen Ho Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593296066
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Penguin Books - January 3rd, 2023

A quick moving story about two life-long friends navigating their childhood, teen, and adult lives. This story wonderfully illustrates common experiences of long-term friendships and has such a satisfying and touching ending. 

TW: suicide


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Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal: A Food Science Nutrition History Book By Mark Bittman Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780358645528
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Harvest - April 26th, 2022

It's easy to be overwhelmed by the history of farming and agriculture in the United States; but this book guides you through the development of family farms, sharecropping, industrialization, factory farms, soil health, and much more. A recommended read for anyone who has an interest in sustainable farming/ agriculture and US history. 


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The Sentence: A Novel By Louise Erdrich Cover Image
$19.00
ISBN: 9780062671134
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Harper Perennial - September 6th, 2022

This is my favorite read in 2021. And maybe...ever? The ways the characters interact with each other and their community is so real and touching. The idiosyncrasies of Tookie working in an indie bookstore was the icing on the cake. I wanted to slowly read this book in hopes that it would never end. 


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Migrations: A Novel By Charlotte McConaghy Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250204035
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Flatiron Books - July 6th, 2021

A tale weaving together climate change, personal struggle & change, and a thrilling nautical adventure. A must read for anyone who loves being outdoors.


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Libertie: A Novel By Kaitlyn Greenidge Cover Image
$16.95
ISBN: 9781643752587
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Algonquin Books - March 15th, 2022

Libertie is a girl growing up at the end of the Civil War as a free person in NY. A fictional story, I found myself rooting for her to find her voice and place in her world. She's layered, nuanced, and I loved following her journey into adulthood. This is the first historical fiction book I have picked up in years and would definitely recommend it.


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When No One Is Watching: An Edgar Award Winner By Alyssa Cole Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780062982650
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: William Morrow Paperbacks - September 1st, 2020

Author Alyssa Cole takes on gentrification in this thrilling novel set in Brooklyn. Cole weaves together a fast paced story of community, current events, and an unexpected relationship. This reminded me of the movie Get Out. 


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In Winter's Kitchen: Growing Roots and Breaking Bread in the Northern Heartland By Beth Dooley Cover Image
$16.00
ISBN: 9781571313614
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Milkweed Editions - October 11th, 2016

Local food writer Beth Dooley moves from New Jersey to Minnesota and discovers all of the community based agriculture that contributes to our developing food, coop, and farmers market scene. Part memior, part local food study, Dooley write a book that is essential reading for Minnesotans.


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Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning By Cathy Park Hong Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9781984820389
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: One World - March 2nd, 2021

Hong weaves her personal experience with the broader Asian American experience. Her essays are full of history, emotion, and humor. Folks who enjoy reading memoirs, immigration stories, or witty personal anecdotes will love this collection.


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Patron Saints of Nothing By Randy Ribay Cover Image
$11.99
ISBN: 9780525554929
Availability: Backordered - Estimated Re-Stock Unknown
Published: Penguin Books - April 21st, 2020

I can imagine this book in every high school across the US. There are so many complicated topics covered in this book, but all are presented in an approachable way that begs for conversation. 


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Hungry Hearts: Essays on Courage, Desire, and Belonging By Jennifer Rudolph Walsh (Editor), Luvvie Ajayi Jones (Contributions by), Amena Brown (Contributions by), Austin Channing Brown (Contributions by), Cameron Esposito (Contributions by), Ashley C. Ford (Contributions by), Natalie Guerrero (Contributions by), Sue Monk Kidd (Contributions by), Connie (MILCK) Lim (Contributions by), Nkosingiphile Mabaso (Contributions by), Jillian Mercado (Contributions by), Priya Parker (Contributions by), Bozoma Saint John (Contributions by), Michael Trotter, Jr. (Contributions by), Tanya Blount-Trotter (Contributions by) Cover Image
By Jennifer Rudolph Walsh (Editor), Luvvie Ajayi Jones (Contributions by), Amena Brown (Contributions by), Austin Channing Brown (Contributions by), Cameron Esposito (Contributions by), Ashley C. Ford (Contributions by), Natalie Guerrero (Contributions by), Sue Monk Kidd (Contributions by), Connie (MILCK) Lim (Contributions by), Nkosingiphile Mabaso (Contributions by), Jillian Mercado (Contributions by), Priya Parker (Contributions by), Bozoma Saint John (Contributions by), Michael Trotter, Jr. (Contributions by), Tanya Blount-Trotter (Contributions by)
$17.00
Email or call for price
ISBN: 9780593229637
Published: Dial Press Trade Paperback - February 1st, 2022

I loved starting my day with one of these short essays. Each one is full of heart, honesty, inspiration, and provides a sense of belonging. This is a book many of us can use right now. 


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Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol By Holly Whitaker Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9781984825070
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Dial Press Trade Paperback - January 12th, 2021

This book provides judgement free support and a science based look into alcohol on our minds & bodies. If you're re-examining your relationship to alcohol, or are sober-curious, I highly recommend this book


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Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ (Revised Edition) By Giulia Enders, Jill Enders (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Giulia Enders, Jill Enders (Illustrator)
$17.95
ISBN: 9781771643764
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Greystone Books - March 27th, 2018

As we learn more and more about the mind-gut connection, we realize how much a healthy gut plays in our daily lives. No medical degree required for this book; just great information presented in bite sized winkpieces. 


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The Monk of Mokha By Dave Eggers Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9781101971444
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Vintage - January 8th, 2019

A thrilling, true story about a subject we love so dearly: coffee. I learned so much about coffee farming, the resurgence of Yemeni coffee, and the dedication of one man to a place he loves. I would recommend this book to EVERYONE who considers themself a coffee drinker. 


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Weird but Normal: Essays By Mia Mercado Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780062942807
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: HarperOne - May 19th, 2020

For a book to hold my attention AND make me laugh out loud during pandemic time?? YES. This book is one of the funniest books I've read with very relatable stories for Midwestern Millennials.


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The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden By Roy Diblik Cover Image
$27.95
ISBN: 9781604693348
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Timber Press - March 11th, 2014

This is the most encouraging, no pressure, intuitive "how-to" book I've read.  Although the author's intention is to help you plan a low-maintenance garden that is good for the earth and your family, some of the lessons can easily be applied to your daily life, outside of the garden. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in gardening and landscaping.


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Going Up! By Sherry J. Lee, Charlene Chua (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Sherry J. Lee, Charlene Chua (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781525301131
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Kids Can Press - April 7th, 2020

An adorable picture book that follows a girl going up on an elevator to party. She sees many friends from all walks of life. Adults will love that this book is friendly, imaginative, and demonstrates what a caring community might look like. Kids will love the silly pictures and easy to follow storyline. 


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Best Day Ever! By Marilyn Singer, Leah Nixon (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Marilyn Singer, Leah Nixon (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781328987839
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Clarion Books - June 29th, 2021

From debut illustrator, Leah Nixon, comes a warm story of friendship between a boy and his dog. When the dog's day goes from the best day ever to the worst day ever, the boy demonstrates how to make it all better and cheers up his best friend.  


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Over the Shop By Jonarno Lawson, Qin Leng (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Jonarno Lawson, Qin Leng (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781536201475
Availability: Usually Available/Ships Within 1 Week
Published: Candlewick - January 5th, 2021

Such a heartwarming, wordless picture book about a child and a grandmother working together to prepare their apartment for a new family. It's a sweet book with a welcoming message.