Kate Olson Reads professional reader
A warm gouache painting of a cozy reading nook with stacked hardcover books in muted oranges, deep navy blues, and cream tones, a steaming mug beside an open book, soft window light falling across the scene.

About

Welcome to my little corner of the interwebs!

My name is Kate Olson and this is my home for all things BOOKS! I'm a school librarian in Wisconsin, and I've built this space to share my reading life, reviews, and library resources with fellow book lovers.

While my blog is currently on hiatus from regular reviews, I'm still reading and writing constantly. You can find my main book community on Instagram at @kate.olson.reads, where I can't stop talking about all things nerdy and bookish.

Even during a hiatus from regular blog reviews, a reading life continues to unfold behind the scenes. For a school librarian and professional reader, the act of turning pages never truly stops. There is always another story waiting, whether it is a sweeping historical romance, a tightly plotted mystery, or a work of nonfiction that reshapes how we see the world. The quiet months away from public posting can be a gift, offering space to read widely without the pressure of deadlines. The love of books remains constant, even when the public conversation quiets down for a season.

Building a genuine book community takes time, patience, and a willingness to share honest reactions to every story encountered. Many readers find that their most meaningful connections happen not through formal reviews but through the spontaneous conversations that spring up around a beloved series or a surprising plot twist. Social media spaces dedicated to books become gathering places where recommendations flow freely and where the joy of discovering a new favorite author is celebrated by people who understand that particular thrill. These communities sustain a reader through any hiatus.

A librarian's relationship with books extends far beyond personal enjoyment. There is a deep professional commitment to matching readers with stories they will love, to maintaining collections that reflect diverse voices and experiences, and to modeling a life of reading for students and patrons. Even when the blog is quiet, the daily work of putting the right book into the right hands continues. That work is its own kind of review, written not in blog posts but in the grateful expressions of readers who have found their next great read.

Professional Reading & Reviewing

I review for School Library Journal (currently on temporary hiatus) and contribute occasionally to Frolic and SheReads.com. My reviews also appear on Goodreads under kateolson.

You can also find me on Twitter at @kateolsonreads, though Instagram is where the real book chatter happens these days.

Stay Connected

If you'd like to follow along with what I'm reading, the best place to find me is Instagram:

For the Nonfiction Women Book Club, reach out via Instagram DM or email nonfictionwomen@theloudlibrarylady.com.