Kar·a Bab·cock

/ˈkɑɹə ˈbæbˌkɑk/

noun

An inveterate reader.
A word goddess.
A force of nature.

Welcome to my personal site, including my blog of 21 years and links to my book reviews, podcast, and other projects around the web.

Now offering freelance copyediting services!

Find Me Elsewhere

Recent Blog Posts

Supergirl is about learning to live with, instead of for, loss

Published June 28, 2026

Longtime readers of this blog will know that I am a fan of the CW Supergirl show] and even chose my name as an homage to that particular Kara Danvers. Having enjoyed the new Superman film that came out last year, I was very excited to hear about the related Supergirl project starring Milly Alcock. The subsequent trailers only made me more hyped. Yesterday, I went to see Supergirl in theatres, and now I need…

Dec 31

Two years budgeting towards financial flexibility with YNAB

It’s one thing to save and budget. It’s another to realize you can be flexible and resilient, even when you aren’t making a ton of money.

Feb 22

Must the spice flow?

What happens when we mistake the portrayal of sexual freedom for actual sexual liberation?

Jan 02

2024 book awards

Highlighting my favourite reads of the year through creative categories.

Oct 20

You should watch Will & Harper

Will Ferrell’s road trip documentary is more about friendship than transgender issues, and that’s exactly what this moment calls for.

Recent Book Reviews

A Master of Djinn

4 out of 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Published June 30, 2026

Umm, all I really want to say is give me more, please! I don’t remember how A Master of Djinn got on my to-read list, but I devoured this alternate history fantasy novel set in a 1912 Cairo where djinn walk the Earth. P. Djèlí Clark and his protagonist, Fatma el-Sha’arawi,

In this world, a mysterious figure named al-Jahiz returned magic to the world a half-century prior, changing everything. Djinn of varying abilities and…

Jun 25