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Reading, Exploring & Everything In Between

on September 15, 2026

Exploring & Everything In Between Reading

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Moonlight Dunk Contest M.P. Hamburg

on September 15, 2026

M.P. Hamburg Moonlight Dunk Contest

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Cow Dunked Over the Moon MP Hamburg

on September 15, 2026

Bentley, Betty & Bee Make Reading an Adventure in Bentley's Fantabulous Idea

on September 14, 2026

Bentley's Fantabulous Idea Miki Taylor

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Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding Lian Dolan

on September 14, 2026

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding Lian Dolan

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Why Reading Still Matters

on September 14, 2026

Why Reading Still Matters

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Lo Wainwright: The Last Homo Superior Justin Bullock

on September 13, 2026

Justin Bullock Lo Wainwright: The Last Homo Superior

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The Love Behind the What-Ifs In Every Life

on September 13, 2026

In Every Life Rea Frey

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Beneath the Surface Wet, Warm and Noisy

on September 12, 2026

David A. Willson Wet Warm and Nosiy

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A Murder, a Lava Tube, and a Mystery: Death of a Messenger

on September 12, 2026

Death of a Messenger Robert McCaw

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What Does a Corn Maze Have to Do With Minecraft—and a Trilogy?

on September 10, 2026

Magic Maze Trilogy Phil Proctor Samuel Warren Joseph What Does a Corn Maze Have to Do With Minecraft—and a Trilogy?

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When Stillness Brings Clarity: What the River Knows by Ashya Khan

on September 10, 2026

Ashya Khan What the River Knows When Stillness Brings Clarity

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What Stayed With Me After Ham’s Heaven

on September 05, 2026

Ham's Heaven Joanna Chen Ori Gersht What Stayed With Me After Ham’s Heaven

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Birdbrains: A Book That Reminded Me to Look Closer

on September 05, 2026

Birdbrains: A Book That Reminded Me to Look Closer

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A Sentence That Made Me Stop in Straw Shoes

on September 04, 2026

Mathias B. Freese Straw Shoes

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LET'S TALK BOOKS

lorisbookloft@gmail.com

Hi, I'm Lori

I’m a lifelong reader, a Midwestener, book lover and the person behind Lori’s Book Loft. Here you’ll find book reviews, author conversations, bookstores worth visiting, books being adapted for film, and the occasional story about how a particular book found its way into my hands.

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When Stillness Brings Clarity: What the River Knows by Ashya Khan

I recently finished What the River Knows by Ashya Khan, a beautiful book that stayed with me in a quiet way. The writing drew me in through its conversations between a seeker and a river and the questions we carry quietly within ourselves. It speaks to the importance of finding clarity by returning to our own nature and taking the time to truly listen to what is within us. But it was the watercolor illustrations that gave me another feeling altogether. There was such softness and peace in them. As I moved through the pages, I found myself wanting to slow down, be still, and sink myself into the illustrations. They seemed to create a little space where I could breathe, feel more at ease, and simply let go. I think that is what I appreciated most about this book. The writing gives you something to think about, while the illustrations give you permission to pause. Together, they create a feeling of stillness that can be hard to find in everyday life. Sometimes we need that reminder—that...

Birdbrains: A Book That Reminded Me to Look Closer

Earlier this year, I received a copy of Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds from Raven Chronicles Press via Shannon O’Grady. I have to admit, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first opened it. I love books that bring together different pieces of a story, and this one immediately caught my attention because it isn't simply a book about birds. It is a collection of poetry, stories, observations, artwork, and facts that encourages you to look a little closer at the birds we so often take for granted. Birdbrains is a 314-page anthology featuring 107 species of birds from Washington State, along with other species from across the United States and around the world. It was edited by Washington State poet Susan Rich, with original pen-and-ink sumi-e paintings by artist Hiroko Seki and bird facts and notes from Stephanie Delaney. But what really makes this book interesting is the collection of voices inside it. Ninety-eight poets and writers contributed thei...

What Does a Corn Maze Have to Do With Minecraft—and a Trilogy?

September often makes me think of corn mazes. There’s something about stepping into a maze and not knowing exactly where you’re going. You have to make choices, figure things out, maybe get turned around a time or two, and wonder what’s waiting around the next corner. And that got me thinking about Minecraft. If you’ve ever played Minecraft , you probably understand the fun of exploring, building, getting lost, finding your way, and maybe making things a little more difficult for the next person who comes along. A maze in Minecraft can be more than just a maze. You can add traps, surprises, puzzles, hidden rooms—whatever your imagination comes up with. So I started wondering: What if the maze was part of a story? That’s what caught my attention about a trilogy of children’s books I’ve been reading. The story follows twins Tyler and Tess Porter, the eleven-year-old protagonists of The Magic Maze Trilogy. They begin the story with some playful banter. They make th...

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