1682 ratings | 1215 reviews | avg rating:4.18

Kathleen’s Year In Books

Kathleen’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Kathleen’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Kathleen’s 2025 Year in Books

Kathleen Rooney’s Followers (1,400)

Kathleen’s Bookshelves

to-read (844)
currently-reading (6)
read (1719)
did-not-finish (0)
abandoned (13)
books-i-ve-published-with-rose-meta (31)

Kathleen’s Friends (1,777)

Danger

1,050 books | 3,628 friends

Katie

997 books | 110 friends

Deb

2,087 books | 192 friends

Robert Wechsler

1,620 books | 190 friends

D.H. Jonathan

772 books | 318 friends

Cooper Renner

2,793 books | 157 friends

Margaret

1,767 books | 25 friends

Sarah Giragosian

1,232 books | 80 friends

More friends…

Kathleen Rooney

Goodreads Author

Born

Beckley, West Virginia, The United States

Website

http://www.kathleenrooney.com/

Genre

Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry

Member Since

February 2008

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Kathleen Rooney is a founding editor of Rose Metal Press, a publisher of literary work in hybrid genres, and a founding member of Poems While You Wait, a team of poets and their typewriters who compose commissioned poetry on demand.

She is the author, most recently, of the novels Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey. Her latest collection Where Are the Snows, winner of the XJ Kennedy Prize, was published by Texas Review Press in September 2022. Her novel from Dust to Stardust, was published by Lake Union Press in Fall of 2023, and her debut picture book--co-written with her sister Beth Rooney and illustrated by Betsy Bowen--was published by University of Minnesota Press in Fall of 2025.

Her fifth novel, Man Overboar ...more

367 posts
Kathleen Rooney's Blog

It was an honor and a delight to deliver the keynote address…

…at this year’s Third Annual Writing On the Door Conference for Write On, Door County in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Thanks to Al DeGenova and Jerod Santek for having me and giving me a chance to speak about Curiosity, Connection, and Community: What We […]

The post It was an honor and a delight to deliver the keynote address… appeared first on Kathleen Rooney.

Combine Editions
Kathleen Rooney’s books

Average rating: 3.86 · 37,808 ratings · 6,291 reviews · 35 distinct works • Similar authors

	Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk 3.84 avg rating — 33,643 ratings — published 2017 — 21 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey 3.96 avg rating — 2,458 ratings — published 2020 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	From Dust to Stardust 3.87 avg rating — 627 ratings — published 2023 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Live Nude Girl: My Life as an Object 3.97 avg rating — 182 ratings — published 2009 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	O, Democracy! 3.91 avg rating — 118 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Robinson Alone 4.47 avg rating — 103 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	For You, for You I am Trilling These Songs 3.91 avg rating — 116 ratings — published 2009 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oneiromance by Kathleen Rooney (Goodreads Author), Patty Seyburn (Editor) 4.48 avg rating — 69 ratings — published 2008 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Reading with Oprah: The Book Club that Changed America 3.46 avg rating — 70 ratings — published 2005 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Man Overboard! 4.06 avg rating — 47 ratings — expected publication 2026 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Kathleen Rooney…

Kathleen is Currently Reading

Kathleen is currently reading

The Forty Rules of Love

by Elif Shafak (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Apr 03, 2026 01:42PM

Kathleen is currently reading

The Bee Sting

by Paul Murray

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Mar 22, 2026 10:54PM

Kathleen is currently reading

Common soldiers: A self-portrait and other portraits

by Janet Richards

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Mar 13, 2026 04:51AM

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Kathleen’s Recent Updates

Kathleen wants to read The Golden Dream: Seekers of El Dorado by Robert Silverberg	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8 hours, 50 min ago · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Golden Dream by Robert Silverberg. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Golden Dream by Robert Silverberg <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Kathleen rated a book it was amazing A Long Desire by Evan S. Connell	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
From "The Innocents' Crusade" "Nor is the pilgrim's motive clear. According to one theory, a villager who had noticed the boy's excitement during Black Crosses decided to play a cruel joke. But most scholars believe it is more complex, perhaps related ...more
8 hours, 55 min ago · 1 like · like · see review
Kathleen wants to read Debbie: An Epic by Lisa Robertson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 29, 2026 11:03AM · 1 like · like
Kathleen rated a book it was amazing The Book of Saints by Jenny Schroedel	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
On the patron of midwives: "St Raymond Nonnatus (August 31). Thirteenth-century Spanish cardinal who was born by cesarean section after his mother died in labor. His surname means 'not born'--an odd but interesting choice, since he obviously was" (26 ...more
Apr 24, 2026 07:04PM · 5 likes · like · see review
Kathleen liked Ruth's review of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk: "Loved the walk. Audio voice is FABULOUS. now trying to track down the map which I believe is included in the hard copy book. Also a soft spot for me because my mother (who was 30 years younger than Lillian ) was a department store copywriter who had " Read more of this review »
Apr 23, 2026 04:49AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Kathleen liked Barbara's review of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk: "I enjoyed this tale of octogenarian Lillian walking through Manhattan in 1984 while recalling her long and eventful life."
Apr 23, 2026 04:49AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Kathleen liked LORI JEAN ROONEY's review of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk: "Soft cover book Sweet book"
Apr 23, 2026 04:49AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Kathleen wants to read This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 22, 2026 04:38AM · 1 like · like
Kathleen started reading A Long Desire by Evan S. Connell	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 20, 2026 05:22AM · like
Kathleen started reading The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 03, 2026 01:42PM · 2 likes · like

More of Kathleen's books…

Quotes by Kathleen Rooney (?)

“I thought at times that poetry might be an elegant way of screaming.”
― Kathleen Rooney, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

tags: anger, expression, feeling, poetry

44 likes

“The point of living in the world is just to stay interested.”
― Kathleen Rooney, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

tags: keep-on, living, motivation, resilience

36 likes

“If you love something, know that it will leave on a day you are far from ready.”
― Kathleen Rooney, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

tags: loss, love

29 likes

See all Kathleen Rooney's quotes »

Polls

April Side Read Nominations ~ 1st Poll
Top 5 Books move onto final round

The Almost Sisters

by Joshilyn Jackson

10 votes, 21.3%

The Breakdown

by B.A. Paris

10 votes, 21.3%

It's Always the Husband

by Michele Campbell

7 votes, 14.9%

Beneath a Scarlet Sky

by Mark T. Sullivan

7 votes, 14.9%

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

by Kathleen Rooney

4 votes, 8.5%

The Party

by Robyn Harding

3 votes, 6.4%

All the Bright Places

by Jennifer Niven

3 votes, 6.4%

Wonderstruck

by Brian Selznick

2 votes, 4.3%

Sweet Tooth

by Ian McEwan

1 vote, 2.1%

The Map That Leads to You

by J.P. Monninger

0 votes, 0.0%

47 total votes

1 comment

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