Happy October! Fall weather is settling in, and my thoughts are turning to cozy reading sessions under a mound of blankets while the wind whistles outside. Here are some of the new books releasing this week that I might be reading soon! (NOTE: Due to supply chain issues, some release dates may be delayed.)
Books for Kids
The Christmas Owl – Based on the true story of an owl found in the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
The Dead Sea Squirrels: Jingle Squirrels – Book 9 in the Dead Sea Squirrels series continues the squirrels’ zany adventures while tying in the Biblical Christmas story.
The Underdogs – First in a new early chapter book series from the author of the Dragon Masters books. A group of dogs work together to pass their agility test because if one fails, they all fail.
Books for Older Kids/Teens
Children of the Fox – “Oceans Eleven meets The False Prince.” How is that for a sales pitch?! Five young criminals are tasked with stealing something from the most powerful sorcerer. This looks fun!
Cinders and Sparks: Fairies in the Forest – Book 2 in the Cinders and Sparks series after Magic at Midnight. This time, Cinders and her talking dog, Sparks, encounter Rapunzel, some bears, and other adventures in the forest.
Cold-Blooded Myrtle (Older Middle Grade) – Book 3 in the delightful Myrtle Hardcastle mystery series after Premeditated Myrtle and How to Get Away With Myrtle. This time, Myrtle is trying to solve a string of murders that follow revealing changes in a shop’s Christmas display. I loved book one, and I am eager to dig into the next two!
Daughter of the Deep (Older Middle Grade) – A new story from Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief) based on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. While on their way to their freshman-year Trial at Sea, Ana and her friends witness a tragedy that draws them into a cold war that has been going on for more than 150 years between their school and a rival. This sounds fascinating – different than Riordan’s mythology books, but likely just as awesome.
Heroes – Book 3 in the Royal Academy Rebels series by Jen Calonita. Princess Devin’s dreams of becoming a Magical Creatures Caretaker seem completely out of reach when new villains are rising, old villains are cursing the kingdom, and the losers from the Fairytale Reform School move into the Royal Academy. I thoroughly enjoyed book one in this series, and I am eager to get caught up. This one is on my review list.
How to Train Your Dad (Older Middle Grade) – From the author of Hatchet and Lawn Boy. Carl starts using a puppy-training manual to encourage his dad to change his “off the grid”-leaning lifestyle.
Playing the Cards You’re Dealt – From the author of The Great Greene Heist (♥♥♥♥) and The Parker Inheritance. When Ant’s best friend gets grounded, Ant has to find another partner for the huge Spades tournament. When he teams up with Shirley, he keeps it a secret from his dad, who is holding secrets of his own. This is definitely on my list for this week.
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching – The third and final book in the series where Tristan starts moving north toward the final showdown with King Cotton.
The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case of Grave Danger – First in a new middle grade mystery series. While Violet works to earn a chance to help with the family funeral home, she stumbles across a ghost and decides to help him solve the mystery of his death. This is on my review list.
History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics (Non-Fiction) – Book 6 in the non-fiction series by Kate Messner. This one focuses on diseases from the plague to smallpox to polio to Covid19.
Books for Teens/Young Adults
Briarheart – Miriam is trained with magic and charged with protecting her baby sister, Aurora, from the Fae determined to curse her. Sounds like an awesome Sleeping Beauty retelling. This is on my list for this week.
I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas – Something new from Tiffany Schmidt, the awesome author of the Bookish Boyfriends series. Noelle is invited to accompany her babysitting charges and their family on a holiday ski trip, but everything – including Noelle’s heart – is up-ended by the arrival of the kids’ older half-brother, Wyatt. Yep, totally on my list for this week!
A Spindle Splintered (LGBTQ+) – First in a new Fractured Fables series. Zinnia and her friends and family know that her 21st birthday will be her last. But when Zinnia’s friends plan a Sleeping Beauty experience for her birthday, the spindle-prick sends Zinnia off on an unbelievable adventure. Two Sleeping Beauty retellings in one week? Magical!
Squad (Graphic Novel) – A popular clique of girls are actually predators, werewolves who strike back at boys who take advantage of their peers. Fascinating!
Why We Fly – From the authors of I’m Not Dying with You Tonight. Best friends and cheerleaders see their friendship strain to the point of fracture as high school and college-prep pressures rise and following fallout over the squad’s choice to take a knee during the National Anthem.
Books for Adults
All that Is Secret (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Annalee Spain mystery series. A Black theologian tries to solve her estranged father’s murder.
The Cure for What Ales You (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Sloan Krause Mystery series. As Sloan continues to look into the mysteries of her past, a murder suspect indicates that Sloan’s family could be in danger.
Epilogue of an Epitaph (e-book) – Book 8 in the St. Marin’s Cozy Mystery series. Harvey and her father are looking into the death of a postmistress who was rumored to steam open people’s mail looking for gossip.
God Rest Ye Royal Gentlemen (Hardcover) – Book 15 in the Royal Spyness Mystery series. Georgie’s plans for her first Christmas with her new husband are upended by a royal request that draws her into a murder investigation. I’ve lost track of this series over the years, but I really enjoyed the early books when I was keeping up with it. This one sounds great!
The Holiday Swap (Trade Paperback) – Twins swap places for the holidays. Hallmark-sounding? Yes. In fact, isn’t there a Hallmark movie about twins who switch places (although for different reasons)? Yes. Do I care? No. Will I be reading this one? Absolutely.
A Holly Jolly Diwali (Trade Paperback) – After losing her job, Niki’s carefully controlled “good girl” life starts to feel stifling, so she throws caution to the wind and books a flight to her friend’s wedding – and finds love. This sounds lovely.
No Memes of Escape (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Brooklyn Murder Mystery series. A fun day out with the girls at an escape room ends in murder. This is on my review list.
The Throwback List (Hardcover) – The latest from Lily Anderson. When a woman who loses her job and goes back home to lick her wounds finds an old bucket list, it leads her and two of her old friends on a new adventure.
Twisted Tea Christmas (Hardcover) – Book 23 in the Tea Shop Mystery series. Right after a wealthy client reveals to Theodosia that she’s going to make a big announcement about giving all her money to charity, the woman is found dead.
Jesus Music: A Visual Story of Redemption as Told by Those Who Lived It (Hardcover, nonfiction) – Companion book to the documentary by the same name.
Live Like a Vulcan, Love Like a Wookie, Laugh Like a Hobbit: Life Lessons from Pop Culture (Hardcover, nonfiction) – Three cosplaying friends talk about what they have learned about life from pop culture.
Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith (Hardcover, nonfiction) – A look at five best-selling Christian novels – Love Comes Softly, This Present Darkness, Left Behind, The Shunning, and The Shack – and their impact on Christian publishing and on Evangelicals. I’m curious about this one!
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music (Hardcover, nonfiction) – Autobiographical stories from Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, etc.).