Month: November 2021

BOOK NEWS: November 30, 2021

BOOK NEWS: November 30, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

The Christmas season has officially arrived! Take a look at some of the books releasing this week as November turns to December.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Smartest Kid in the Universe: Genius Camp – Book 2 in the Smartest Kid in the Universe series about a boy who eats what he thinks are normal jelly beans and becomes the smartest kid in the universe. This time, Jake heads to Genius Camp and goes head-to-head with the smartest computer in the universe. I got a kick out of book 1 last year – this new book should be great!
Spell Sweeper – A girl who flunked out of wizard school still has a chance to save the day when another wizard rips the fabric of magic itself and Cara’s group of cleaners just might be the only ones to save the day. This sounds fun and is on my list for this week!
Stuntboy, in the Meantime (Graphic Novel) – The latest from Jason Reynolds. Portico Reeves is the best superhero you’ve never heard of – Stuntboy. He works in secret keeping all the other superheroes safe. But sometimes that responsibility gives Portico “the frets.” I am really eager to see this one in person.
You’ll Be the Death of Me – Karen McManus is the queen of the teen thriller! And her newest sounds like another winner. Three old friends decide to ditch school together, and they kick off their skip day following another kid they see ditching – and then he ends up dead. Each of the three teens has a connection to the dead kid – and things to hide.

 

Books for Adults

And They Lived Happily Ever After (Trade Paperback) – A romance novelist has dreams that magically end up in her bestselling stories. But a real-life kiss threatens to expose secrets she has kept hidden for years. This. Sounds. AMAZING. Already pre-ordered.
Bear a Wee Grudge (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Teddy Bear Mystery series. Sasha is hunting a murderer when her father is accused of killing their business rival right before the big Highland festival.
Big Trouble in Little Greektown (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Goddess of Greene Street Mystery series. Athena and Case are looking for a killer when they find a dead body at a Save the Dunes event.
Christmas Candy Corpse (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Courtney Archer Mystery series. Courtney is sleuthing when the assistant director for a holiday baking special is murdered.
Claret and Present Danger (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Literary Pub Mystery series. It’s murder at the Ren Faire when the faire’s illusionist dies in the middle of his act. Local pub owner, Sadie, is on the hunt for a killer.
A Counterfeit Suitor (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the fantastic Rosalind Thorne Mystery series. Rosalind is serving in her role as a “useful woman” when her father unexpectedly returns to town. A drunk and a forger who ruined his family and fled town with Rosalind’s older sister, Sir Reginald has been closely corralled by her sister for years, but he recently ran off and connected with a man who would love to see Rosalind ruined. But when Rosalind’s father is killed, and her enemy is blamed, he comes to her for help. I will be reviewing this one soon!
Do I Know You? (Trade Paperback) – A new thriller from Sarah Strohmeyer (The Bubbles Yablonsky series, The Cinderella Pact – ♥♥♥♥). As heiress Bella Valencia prepares for her society wedding, she fears someone will uncover the secrets she is keeping – someone like Jane Ellison who is convinced Bella is responsible for the disappearance and presumed death of Jane’s sister.
Killer Words (Trade Paperback) – Book 7 in the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series by V. M. Burns. Sam and her grandmother take on a new mystery when a cop with history with their family is accused of murdering a mayoral candidate.
King of Battle and Blood (Trade Paperback) – First in a new series. Isolde’s plan is to end a years-long war by marrying a vampire king and killing him once and for all. But when her first attempt fails and the king threatens to turn her into the very thing she despises, she must consider other options – but falling for the king is NOT one of them.
Marriage Can Be Mischief (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery series by Amanda Flower. Millie is looking at a second chance with her childhood friend, Uriah, but Uriah has another mission while in town. His sister was thought to have murdered her abusive husband and run away, but now her body has been found. Uriah is hoping Millie can help him discover the truth. This is on my review list!
Mimi Lee Cracks the Code (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Sassy Cat Mystery series. Mimi, her boyfriend Josh, and their cat Marshmallow jump at the chance at a free stay on Catalina Island, But they are embroiled in another mystery not long after they arrive.
Murder at the Lobstah Shack (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series. Mac and her book group start sleuthing when a friend is suspected of murder after a woman she fought with is found, dead, in the Lobstah Shack’s freezer.
A Murder Like No Author (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Main Street Book Club Mystery series. A man accusing a local author of not actually writing his big bestseller is found dead, and Arlo and her friends start investigating.
A Murder Yule Regret (Mass Market Paperback) – [Look at that gorgeous cover!!] Ivy’s pictures become evidence in a murder case when someone is killed during the Dickensian holiday costume party Ivy is shooting for her photography business.
Petals and Poison (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Flower House Mystery series. A college professor is killed in the Flower House’s back room, which is not the sort of change in luck Sierra had been hoping for.
Star Trek Coda: Oblivion’s Gate (Trade Paperback) – The last book in this trilogy that brings together Jean Luc Picard, Ezri Dax, Benjamin Sisko, and William T. Riker.
Stink Eye (Baby Blues – Paperback Collection) – The 38th Baby Blues collection.
Tales of Life and Daph: Weddings. Funerals. Sleuthing. (e-book) – Book 3 in the Daphne Jones mystery series. Daphne is attending her first conference for wedding officiants when she receives a mysterious note that says “murder is on the menu.”
To All the Dogs I’ve Loved Before (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Pine Hollow series. Elinor and Levi were engaged, once upon a time. Neither one is inclined to see history repeat itself, but Elinor’s new rescue puppy seems determined to push the couple into giving love a second chance. This sounds adorable.
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience (Hardcover) – The latest from Brené Brown. Brown explores 87 emotions and experiences that make up what it means to be human and maps the skills we need for meaningful connection. This is on my list for sure.

 

Holiday Break

Holiday Break

Posted on by Jaymie

No review today due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. While I know the history around the holiday is problematic, I do love the idea of taking time to consider our blessings and encourage gratitude. I am grateful for this small corner of the internet where I get to share about books – and I am grateful for all who join me here.

If you are doing some holiday shopping this weekend, don’t forget my 2021 Holiday Hint List. Hope that helps you find some books your loved ones will enjoy.

REVIEW: Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest

REVIEW: Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

It was bad enough that traffic was going to make Grady run for his flight. But as he’s running, his travel agent, Leda, tells him she changed his ticket – without his permission! She won’t say why. But when he watches the plane he was supposed to be on go up in flames, the Seattle cop has questions.

Leda’s psychic powers have always been sketchy. But she’s learned the hard way not to ignore those feelings. And while she expects Grady to be furious for awhile, she figures he’ll get over it when he realizes what she spared him.

Not only does Grady get over his initial anger. He decides Leda could use her gifts to help him with a cold case. And she says yes, secretly hoping he might in turn help her with an unsolved case of her own.

Review

This was so fun! I’m not sure which I liked more – the twisty mystery or the great characters. I will definitely be watching for more books in this new Booking Agents series.

Leda and Grady are fantastic leads. I loved the little group they have around them at the bar. The psychic pieces added a fun twist to a book that fits many of the features of a cozy mystery, although with more swearing.

I loved how the two mysteries – Grady’s and Leda’s – pulled them together into this fascinating case. I was engaged in figuring things out all the way to the satisfying conclusion.

If you love mysteries with quirky hooks and great characters, you need to pick this one up! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: November 23, 2021

BOOK NEWS: November 23, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

The week of Thanksgiving is rarely a big release week in the world of books. Enjoy this handful of new titles for the week.

 

Books for Kids

Hornswoggled! – A group of animals find themselves hornswoggled (tricked) when someone takes some of their most precious things and replaces them with something silly. This looks adorable!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Huda F Are You? (Graphic Novel for Teens and Young Adults) – A Muslim girl searches for her identity when she moves to a new town. I am always intrigued by an identity story!

 

Books for Adults

The Becoming (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Dragon Heart Legacy series. Breen returns to Talamh with Marco who is trying to come to grips with the magical world while Breen’s grandfather is scheming to destroy Talamh. I have the first book on my wishlist, and just picked it up in e-book format for a great price.
The Bone Shard Emperor (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Drowning Empire series. As Lin assumes the throne, a faction of rebels prepares to strike while a legendary group of magicians returns, claiming they come in peace, but they leave Lin wondering if she can trust them. I have the first book from this on my wishlist, too.
Fated Blades (e-book novella) – Warriors from rival families must work together in secret to discover who betrayed their families and threatens their survival. I’ve already pre-ordered this one. It sounds perfect for me.
The Gospel for Loyalists – I am still waiting for Tyler to get to my number, but in the meantime I will tell you I enjoyed the layout and approach in his book for 3s, The Gospel for Achievers which I reviewed last year. While I wait (mostly patiently), I am happy to share the series with my Enneagram friends of other numbers.

 

 

REVIEW: Whistle by E. Lockhart

REVIEW: Whistle by E. Lockhart

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Willow is trying to do it all – marching and protesting to care for her community, earning money to take care of her sick mother, spending time with a boy she likes. When her mother’s old friend, E. Nigma, reaches out, she agrees to work for him at his shady secret poker games. The money she makes is helping keep her mother alive.

But working for E. also puts Willow on the radar of a killer. But when she fights back, trying to save herself and the stray dog she loves, something very strange happens – to Willow, and to the  dog.

Review

This is an origin story for a new hero in the DC Universe written by E. Lockhart (We Were Liars – ♥♥♥♥, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks – ♥♥♥♥). I think dog lovers are going to get a huge kick out of this hero duo.

I felt like Willow’s story was far more compelling than the hero bits. Her ethical dilemma about working for E. – a criminal and someone her mother doesn’t want in their lives – while being able to save her mom was fascinating. The hero pieces were okay – but I would have liked a stronger exploration of how Willow gets her powers. There’s also a bit of romance here that also could have been stronger.

Readers who love the dog angle or who are intrigued by the ethical questions here, as well as those who love to be in on the beginning of a new hero arc should give this one a try. (Some language)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

* ♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon

REVIEW: A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington/Dafina in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Jesse Pleasant is thrilled that his brothers have found love. But his anger and resentment at being the dependable one – the rock – the family caretaker – is starting to feel like too much. In fact, he completely loses his cool when he walks in on his grandmother and her new boyfriend. He knows his response was way over the top.

Lily-Grace is furious that her father got hurt because Jesse had a temper tantrum. And she’s prepared to make him suffer her wrath over it for awhile. But when he takes her chiding to heart and gets a therapist, she wonders if the sweet kid she met in elementary school is still there in the heart of this angry, brooding man.

While things start to thaw  – and then heat up – between Jesse and Lily-Grace, both are at a crossroads in life. Will their choices push them closer in the end or lead them on separate paths?

Review

When I first picked this up, I meant to just start it – a chapter or two before bed. Next thing I knew, I was up way past my bedtime and halfway through the novel. It was worth the loss of sleep to spend time with the Pleasant family again. The therapy-positive focus of this book was awesome. I enjoyed the exploration of Jesse’s anger and his journey through the whole book.

I loved Jesse and Lily-Grace together. There are some great one-liners here to balance out the more serious moments. Fans of re-imagined fairytales should enjoy this take on Beauty and the Beast. I have really enjoyed how the author has taken these well-known stories and made them her own. The connections are clear if you are looking for them, but they are also super subtle and nuanced so that it’s possible you won’t even notice the parallels. Series fans should NOT miss this latest installment of the Cowboys of California series. I don’t believe these have to be read in order to be enjoyed, but it does help establish the relationships in the family. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: November 16, 2021

BOOK NEWS: November 16, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s hard to believe we are only a couple weeks from Thanksgiving and the all-out push toward Christmas. Sit back for a few minutes and scroll through this week’s list of new releases. As always, keep in mind that release dates are changing thanks to the ongoing supply chain issues.

Books for Kids

Zoey and Sassafras: Wishypoofs and Hiccups – Book 9 in this darling series. The magical animals in the forest are being changed, and Zoey and Sassafras must find out why. I love this series that uses science to solve fun, magical problems. This is right up my alley.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Crown Heist (Older Middle Grade) – Book 3 in the Lost Art Mysteries series. Art helps his friend Camille when her estranged father goes missing right before she is supposed to meet up with him.
Graceling (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of Graceling by Kristin Cashore about a young woman serving as her uncle’s enforcer who agrees to help a foreign prince looking for his missing grandfather. I have wanted to read this book for years! Maybe I’ll have to pick up the graphic novel instead.
The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks – The third and final book in the Montague Siblings series. Adrian goes in search of the older siblings he never knew he had. I have this whole series on my wish list.
Sword of Desire – Book 2 in the Reigning Kingdoms duology, a spin-off from the Knights of the Realm series, which I loved. Harley has been kidnapped and is working to get free while Ackley is torn between his quest and going to rescue her.

 

Books for Adults

An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire (Trade Paperback) – Sequel to A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (♥♥♥♥). A couple with a rocky history team up when her friend is kidnapped. This is on my list for this week.
Beating the Wrap (e-book) – Book 3 in the Bonnie & Clyde Mystery series. A heated exchange with a neighbor over her cat leaves Bonnie in the hot seat when that neighbor is later found dead.
Doggone Deadly (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series after the DELIGHTFUL Furbidden Fatality. Kari is helping out at a dog show when her best friend is accused of murder. This is at the top of my list for this week!
The Hookup Dilemma (Trade Paperback) – A fantastic one-night-stand becomes a complication when Rashida and Elliott end up on opposite sides of an issue.
Mercy (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Atlee Pine series. Atlee may be on the final leg of her journey toward finding the sister who was kidnapped as a child as well as answers to all of the questions Atlee has dealt with all these years.
Peppermint Bark (e-book) – Book 9 in the Dogmothers series. A widow co-fosters a dog with the guy who stood her up for prom all those years ago.
Rare Danger (e-book, novella) – An air force veteran and a private librarian team up when a book dealer goes missing and his partner is murdered.
Sense of Danger (e-book) – A stand alone urban fantasy from the author of the OUTSTANDING Crown of Shards series about the team up of a spy and an assassin who needs her special talents.
The Singles Table (Trade Paperback)- Book 3 in the Marriage Game series. A lawyer and a security specialist make the best of being stuck together during the wedding season when she promises to help him find love if he introduces her to some of his famous clientele. This is on my review list.
Get Untamed the Journal – A guided journal based on the author’s book Untamed.
The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Love, Talk, Work, Drink, and Eat…. Everything With Ranch (Hardcover) – From one of my favorite internet personalities, Charlie Berens. I can’t wait to see this one in person.

 

REVIEW: The Hunger Heroes: Missed Meal Mayhem by Jarrett Lerner

REVIEW: The Hunger Heroes: Missed Meal Mayhem by Jarrett Lerner

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Edelweiss and Aladdin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Hunger Heroes are taco ingredients with the smarts, the compassion, and the skills to save the day when kids need a snack.

Today, the Heroes – Mr. Toots the bean, Chip Ninja, Tammy the tomato, and Leonard the cheese – receive an alert that Jason missed breakfast. And he has a big math test before lunch. He needs a snack!

Review

Delightful!!

I don’t always have a lot of luck with chapter books. I love middle grade because you can really dig into stories and characters since you have a lot of pages to work with. But chapter books sometimes fall flat for me because I want something “more.”

That is NOT the case here. This is the perfect sort of chapter book for me. The illustrations are so fun to explore. The heroes are a riot! And the story does the work to make sure the adult – one of the roadblocks to Jason getting a snack – is sympathetic and an eventual ally.

This is now at the top of my recommendation list for chapter book readers as well as young middle grade readers. I think graphic novel fans will love this as will kids who love funny books. I hope we’ll be seeing a LOT of adventures for the Hunger Heroes in the future.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

 

The release date for this delightful book has been pushed back into November. Pre-order this one; you won’t want to miss it!

REVIEW: All of the Marvels by Douglas Wolk

REVIEW: All of the Marvels by Douglas Wolk

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Penguin Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

The author read 540,000+ pages of Marvel comics – from 1961’s Fantastic Four #1 to 2017’s Marvel Legacy #1 – to see what the full epic story might say if someone had the tenacity to read it all.

The Marvel collection is not designed to be read that way – something that has always bothered me as a reader. The stories work in such a way that people can drop in almost anywhere and go as deep or as broad into the Marvel universe as they want. Wolk describes his reading experience as, “gorging myself on something made for cherry picking and nibbling,” one of MANY excellent metaphors in the book.

Reading this, I felt seen and understood. From the start, but especially in chapter 2, the author acknowledges the drive to know “where to start” and the desire to take in the whole story in order. And just like in my personal experience, he says that desire is likely to end in frustration. In a format driven by the idea that each issue will be someone’s first, searching for the beginning, and the “whole story” just doesn’t work. But Wolk quickly shows readers how this non-linear reading experience can be better than what I was longing for.

This is the sort of review book I would typically read carefully for a few chapters, and then skim through the rest so I could put together a cogent review. And the author even says his book likely should be read like the Marvel comics universe – dig into the chapters that speak to you. But I couldn’t put this down. While there were a few character explorations that didn’t click for me, much of this was fascinating – from the backstories of characters to the revolving door of writers and artists, and the impacts they had on stories, characters, and Marvel as a whole. The writing is fantastic, and the subject matter is captivating. I immediately ordered a print copy for myself and my family. This is an outstanding resource, and when life slows down enough again, I’d like this book to point me to some great comics and stories to enjoy. I think this would be a great addition to high school libraries and classrooms in addition to regular adult collections. Don’t let a Marvel comics fan in your life miss out on this one. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

Book Shopping Suggestions: The 2021 Holiday Hint List Is Here - Early!

Book Shopping Suggestions: The 2021 Holiday Hint List Is Here – Early!

Posted on by Jaymie

The world is abuzz with news of slowing supply chains, delayed shipments, and warnings to order your holiday gifts early. In light of that, I bring you the 2021 Holiday Hint list a couple weeks earlier than usual. You can look at my past lists here – I try not to repeat suggestions, except maybe in the case of books in a series. So you have LOTS of books to choose from for anyone on your gift giving lists.

Here is this year’s PDF of the Hint List: 2021 Neverending TBR Holiday Shopping Hint List

Also, this year I put together another Padlet so you can see covers while you look at the list. You can take a look at that here.

As always, you can find reviews of a lot of these books here at The Neverending TBR. Happy Holidays!