Katie McLain
Katie's parents never told her "no" when she asked for a book, which was the start of most of her problems. She has a BA in Creative Writing from Lake Forest College and is working towards a master's degree in library science at U of I. She works full time at a public library reference desk in northern IL, specializing in readers’ advisory and general book enthusiasm, and she has a deep-rooted love of all things disturbing, twisted, and terrifying. (She takes enormous pleasure in creeping out her coworkers.) When she's not spending every waking hour at the library, she's at home watching Cubs baseball with her cats and her cardigan collection, and when she's not at home, she's spending too much money on concert tickets. Her hobbies include debating the finer points of Harry Potter canon, hitting people upside the head who haven’t read The Martian, and convincing her boyfriend that she can, in fact, fit more books onto her shelves. Twitter: @kt_librarylady
5 Books If You Liked A QUIET PLACE
April 22, 2018If you liked A Quiet Place, here are 5 novels that combine post-apocalyptic horror, primal fear, and moving emotion.
Read Harder 2018: A Book With a Cover You Hate
March 1, 2018Looking for books to fulfill 2018 Read Harder Challenge task #20: read a book with a cover you hate? Peruse these titles.
I’m Not a Superhero: The Stress of Library Work
February 2, 2018Librarians are often seen as community superheroes, but the increasing stress of library work can take a negative toll on our mental health, and it can prevent us from talking about our jobs and our personal needs honestly.
Reflecting on Jack Ketchum’s Horror Novels
February 1, 2018Reflecting on the impact the late Jack Ketchum had on the horror genre and one Rioter's complicated feelings about reading his books.
Read Harder 2018: Genre Fiction Classics
January 2, 2018Reading recommendations for the "read a classic of genre fiction" task of the 2018 Read Harder challenge.
Bookish Ideas I’m NOT Including in My Literary Wedding
December 24, 2017One Rioter on the things that their bookish wedding will NOT include.
5 Favorite Books That Other People Recommended to Me
October 30, 2017What's the best book anyone has ever recommended to you?
5 Horror Novels With Open Endings
October 24, 2017If you enjoy horror novels with open endings that leave you guessing, similar to the film IT COMES AT NIGHT, try these 5 dark, creepy stories.
100 Staff Picks From My Public Library
October 4, 2017A public librarian shares some of her branch's most popular staff picks!
3 Things I Learned From Running My Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program
September 11, 2017Lessons learned by a public librarian as she runs her library's adult summer reading programs.
The Psychological Stress of the Clovis-Carver Public Library Shooting
September 6, 2017A librarian calls for more open discussion of security and safety in public libraries after the New Mexico library shooting.
My Great White Whale: Searching for THE GOOD HOUSE by Tananarive Due
August 19, 2017The great white whale of used books: THE GOOD HOUSE by Tananarive Due
100 Must-Read Shortlisted Genre Fiction Titles
July 20, 2017100 of the best books shortlisted for awards, including the Agatha, Edgar, Bram Stoker, Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and RITA awards.
“What the Hell Is Going On?”: The Anxiety of Starting a New Book
June 19, 2017Does starting a new book stress you out? You're not alone.
Diverse Titles at Book Expo America
June 14, 2017A curated list of some of the upcoming diverse titles heard about at Book Expo America.