Category: Book News

BOOK NEWS: March 21, 2023

BOOK NEWS: March 21, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Teens/Young Adults

The Future King – Book 2 in the Emry Merlin series after The Other Merlin (which is still on my TBR shelves). Emry and Arthur are as close as ever, but the king has warned Emry away and Arthur has discovered his fiancée has a secret. It doesn’t take much to persuade the friends to make a trip to France so Emry can seek help for her erratic magic. (The cover design has changed dramatically since book 1. The paperback of The Other Merlin is now out and matches this – which will be hardcover – if that matters to you.)

 

Books for Adults

Ellie Is Cool Now (Trade Paperback) – While she works on a TV show about cool high school kids, Ellie was anything but. So when she goes home to her reunion in order to secure a promotion, it’s not exactly something she’s looking forward to. I *love* reunion stories, so this is definitely on my list for this week!
How I’ll Kill You (Hardcover) – A set of triplet serial killers is in new territory when the youngest actually falls for her mark and decides she wants to keep him rather than kill him. I am super picky when it comes to thrillers – they aren’t always a good fit for me. But the premise of this one is FASCINATING. I might have to give it a try!
The Only Game in Town (Trade Paperback) – When a town’s eccentric benefactor dies, he leaves behind a game of sorts. The winners inherit his fortune. And he’s already set up the teams of competitors, including his grandson and a local who has settled for life in her hometown. This sounds right up my alley!
The Raven Thief (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Secret Staircase Mystery series after the fantastic Under Lock and Skeleton Key. A mock séance designed to playfully expel any trace of the homeowner’s ex is disrupted by the man’s dead body. The only suspects are the folks around the table – including Tempest and her grandfather. I can’t wait to read this sequel!!
Silver Sable Payback (Trade Paperback) – From the Marvel Heroines series. In order to get Dr. von Doom to stop terrorizing Symkaria, Silver Sable agrees to track down a device that will allow him to see the future.
Star Trek: Aliens (Graphic Novel) – Includes three stories: one about Kahless, one about Trill, and one where Quark goes home to Ferenginar.
The Enneagram and Your Marriage (Nonfiction) – A workbook for a 7-week study to strengthen your marriage based on the Enneagram.

BOOK NEWS: March 14, 2023

BOOK NEWS: March 14, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Let’s see what new books are releasing this week!

Books for Kids

 

Fish and Crab (Picture Book) – At bedtime, Crab is ready to go to sleep, but his best friend Fish has a lot of questions.
The Recess Genius: Open for Business (Picture Book) – A girl who feels most at home with her books becomes the playground fixer, but that doesn’t leave her much time to read.
Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem (Nonfiction Picture Book) – Whale fall is when a whale dies in the ocean and sinks to the ocean floor, becoming home and food for other ocean life. I have heard rave reviews of this book – great for budding oceanographers and marine biologists.
The Cryptid Club: A Nessie Situation (Chapter Book) – Book 2 in the Cryptid Club series. When a mysterious monster starts popping out of toilets, the principal shuts down the school bathrooms. It’s the Cryptid Club to the rescue, so their peers don’t have to hold it any longer!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Bruce Wayne Not Super (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. Bruce is attending a school for the super-powered, which leaves him feeling pretty un-super. But when he discovers some students are using their powers to bully others, he’s determined to make a difference. I can’t wait to read this one!
Hoops (Graphic Novel) – Inspired by a true story. A girls basketball team in Indiana in 1975 might have no resources, making their own uniforms and practicing in another school’s gym, but they keep winning! I have heard rave reviews about this one too!
Midnight Strikes – A commoner finds herself trapped in a time loop when the royal palace explodes during a royal ball. Yes please!
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway – The latest from the author of the outstanding Amelia Unabridged. When her late mother’s beloved Ren Faire comes under new management, Gwen is initially resistant to any change. The loss of her mom was more change than she can bear. But as she gets to know the son of the new owner, and she cautiously steps into some of the changes, she finds she might actually enjoy them. I cannot wait to read this!!
Whistleblower – A college journalist risks everything to write a story no one wants to come to light.

Books for Adults

The Fun Widow’s Book Tour (Trade Paperback) – A widow struggling to motivate herself for a book tour is rescued by her best friends who plan a tour for her in their home cities. In return, the widow plans to help fix some of their struggles while she’s in town as a way to thank them for their support. Fascinating!
Good Dog, Bad Cop (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the K-Team series by David Rosenfelt. The K-Team digs into a cold case featuring Corey’s former mentor. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Love and Other Flight Delays (Trade Paperback) – A collection of novellas set at the airport, including fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, and friends to lovers. These sound cute!
The Love Wager (Trade Paperback) – A new story from Lynn Painter. After a hookup gone wrong, a couple decide to be friends – and wing-persons – instead, and they even make a bet over who can find love first.  Sounds like a winner!
Not that Kind of Ever After (Trade Paperback) – A want-to-be writer finds her angle when she posts a fairytale retelling of a disastrous one night stand. This sounds awesome!
Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church (Trade Paperback) – Explore the many ways women were active parts of the early Christian church. I  heard Dr. Nijay Gupta speak a couple years ago on this very topic. I can’t wait to dig into this one! I’ll be reviewing it soon.

 

 

BOOK NEWS: March 7, 2023

BOOK NEWS: March 7, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the first release week of March – let’s see what books are out this week! I know there are some on this week’s list that I have been waiting for for ages!

Books for Kids

When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left – A picture book that looks at taking ownership over your own path.
Stink: Superhero Superfan – Book 13 in the series. Stink discovers a new superhero when he finds some comics at a yard sale.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Squished (Graphic Novel) – A girl in a large family is looking for some space of her own.
The Tapestry of Tales – Book 2 in the Unraveled series. Just as Cia is wrestling with her desire to be cool and fit in at school she discovers the Evil Queen’s latest plot. This sounds like a fun series!
What Do We Know About the Roswell Incident? 
What Is the Story of Captain Picard?
The Jump – The latest from Brittney Morris. When a vigilante group hijacks a scavenger hunting forum offering a life-changing prize, four teens see it as a chance to change the future for their families and their community.
Missing Clarissa – Twenty years after Clarissa goes missing without a trace from a party in the woods, two teens start a true crime podcast, determined to find out what really happened all those years ago.
Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute – A Sense and Sensibility retelling at a camp where kids are being scouted for a Bridgerton-type TV show.
Royal Blood – The King of England’s somewhat secret illegitimate daughter is outed to the press and then becomes a suspect in a murder. I’m super excited about this one!
Teen Titans: Robin (Graphic Novel) – Book 4 in the Teen Titans series by Kami Garcia. Damian has teamed up with Raven, Garth, and Maxine to dodge Slade Wilson and HIVE. It’s FINALLY HERE!!! I pre-ordered this almost a year ago. I cannot wait!

 

Books for Adults

Conquer the Kingdom (Trade Paperback) – The third and final book in the Gargoyle Queen series, the excellent follow up to the Crown of Shards series. While I am THRILLED this book is out, it’s also a little bittersweet knowing it’s the end of new content in this world that I adore. As a gladiator contest comes to Andvari, it’s making it harder for Gemma to determine who is friend and who is foe while she hunts for the one who is trying to destroy her family and her kingdom.
Final Draft (Trade Paperback) – First book in the new Olivia Lively Mystery series. A graduate student asks private investigator Olivia Lively to prove his professor stole his manuscript.
Mr. & Mrs. Witch (Trade Paperback) – Just as Savvy and Griffin are about to get married they discover they are spies in rival agencies that now want them to kill each other to prove their loyalty. I reviewed this last week – it’s so fun!
Queen of Deception (Trade Paperback) – From the Marvel Legends of Asgard series. Hela, Lady Sif, and a valkyrie are drawn to a burst of magic in Elizabethan-era Midgard, but the magic has also attracted the attention of a group of Dark Elves.
The Ultimate Infographic Guide to the Bible (Hardcover) – A visual resource on the Bible.

 

BOOK NEWS: February 28, 2023

BOOK NEWS: February 28, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the final release week of February – let’s take a look at some of the books releasing his week.

Books for Kids

The Recess Genius – A book-loving girl becomes the playground fixer, but it doesn’t leave her much time for reading. This is from the author of the delightful Help Wanted: Must Love Books, so I will definitely be picking this one up!

Books for Older Kids

Finally Seen – A girl left behind in China with her grandmother while her parents and younger sister moved to the US is finally reunited with them after five years. But her transition is much harder than she imagined. And her hurt feelings compound things. So when a book at school that makes her feel seen comes under attack, she will have to decide if she is willing to fight for herself in this new land where she feels like such an outsider. This is on my list, too!
Hilo: Gina and the Last City on Earth (Graphic Novel) – Book 9 in the fantastic Hilo series. Gina and her friends are back to try to save the world! This is going to be fantastic!
The House Swap – Two girls find common ground when their families do a house swap. This looks awesome!
A First Time for Everything (Upper Middle Grade – nonfiction graphic novel) – Coming of age memoir from Dan Santat.

Books for Adults

The Neighbor Favor (Trade Paperback) – A woman looking to exert some control of her life, starting with securing a date for her sister’s wedding, reaches out to her sexy new neighbor for help.  But she has no idea he’s the reclusive author she was emailing for months, growing closer, until he ghosted her. I am all in on this one!

BOOK NEWS: February 21, 2023

BOOK NEWS: February 21, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books out this week!

Books for Older Kids

Lasagna Means I Love You – A girl new to foster care finds a handmade cookbook with family stories so she starts to collect other recipes and stories, hoping to find some family stories for herself. I am so excited to read this one!

Books for Adults

Best Served Hot – When the online battle between two restaurant critics starts to get attention, they agree to do some joint events for additional publicity.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The High Country – The crew of the Enterprise are scattered on a strange world after a mysterious shuttle malfunction.

BOOK NEWS: February 14, 2023

BOOK NEWS: February 14, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Valentine’s Week! Here are some new books you might love!

Books for Kids

Super Pancake (Chapter Book Graphic Novel) – A struggling young pancake develops superpowers and wants to use them to help her town.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

On Air with Zoe Washington – A sequel to From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Now that her birth father is out of prison, Zoe wants to help him achieve his dream of opening a restaurant.
When You Wish Upon a Lantern – Liya has to team up with her former best friend to help save her family’s wishing-lantern store.

Books for Adults

End of Story – Susie’s unhappy to discover that the contractor for the house she inherited is her ex’s best friend. But even more surprising is the divorce certificate he finds in the house – dated 10 years in the future and with THEIR names on it.
The Last Orphan – Book 8 in the Orphan X series. Evan’s been able to stay one step ahead of the US government for years, but that advantage is now gone, and the President offers him a deal – if he eliminates someone she says is too dangerous to live, she will leave Evan alone. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year – A writer living in Scotland for a year to write a cookbook starts to see reasons to make her stay more permanent.
The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days – Faith-based blessings for the lives we actually live. I have this on my wishlist.

BOOK NEWS: February 7, 2023

BOOK NEWS: February 7, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the first release week of February. Let’s take a look at what is releasing this week.

Books for Kids

The Library Fish Learns to Read (Picture Book) – The fish on the librarian’s desk decides she wants to learn to read.
Bigfoot and Nessie and the Art of Getting Noticed (Chapter Book Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. Bigfoot’s family is disappointed in his inability to be photographed while Nessie gets more attention than she wants.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

City Spies: City of the Dead – Book 4 in the City Spies series. The young spies work to thwart a series of cyberattacks.
Nat for Nothing (Graphic Novel) – Book 4 in the Nat Enough series. Nat experiences friend issues while also trying to figure out what her “thing” is when all of the students at her school have to join a club.
Daughters of Oduma – In a world where young girls compete in fights for their futures, a retired fighter has to step back into battle to save her found family.
The Severed Thread – Sequel to The Bone Spindle, a gender-flipped Sleeping Beauty tale. I have both books on my wish list!
Stardust in Their Veins – Sequel to Castles in Their Bones, from the author of The Ash Princess. Three princesses trained by their mother to be her ticket to world conquest have found clarity thanks to distance from their mother, but they are still reeling from the events of book 1. I am gearing up for a re-read of book one so I am ready to dive into this one immediately!!

 

Books for Adults

A Good Day to Pie – Sequel to Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies, my most favorite read of 2022. This time Daisy is participating in a baking competition, but also delivering some of her super secret magical pies. But when one of her targets turns out to be a judge at the competition – and then dies before she delivers his murder pie – she’s pulled into a mystery again.
Just My Type – Two journalists – who happen to be high school exes – are pitted against each other by their boss to write relationship articles against type. She’s been in many long term relationships, so she has to write about being single and staying single while he has to stop being a player and write about being good boyfriend material.
Not Your Ex’s Hexes – Book two in the Supernatural Singles series. Rose is no longer the next Prima for her supernatural community, so she is trying to find a new path. When an animal rescue mission goes awry, Rose ends up having to serve community service hours with a grumpy vet – the one she hooked up with a few weeks earlier and can’t get out of her mind. Book 1 in this series  was one of my top 10 favorite reads from 2022. I reviewed this one last week – you can read my review here.
Of Manners and Murder – First in the Dear Miss Hermione Mystery series. Violet’s first Agony Aunt letter leads her to a murdered woman and a mystery to solve.
Secretly Yours – An uptight professor on sabbatical hoping to write a novel clashes with a bubbly landscaper from his past who is working at his family’s vineyard.
Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming (Or How I Stumbled and Tripped My Way to Finding a Bigger God) – From the author of  How the Bible Actually Works and The Bible Tells Me So. Dealing with life’s “curveballs” without losing faith.

BOOK NEWS: January 31, 2023

BOOK NEWS: January 31, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the last release week of January – let’s see what new reading treasures we can find this week!

 

Books for Kids

This Book Is My Best Friend – Two kids consider the same book from the library their best friend.
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends – A new leveled graphic novel. Worm assumes they are friends because they are so much alike, but Caterpillar thinks there are big changes coming.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Simon Sort of Says – The only boy in his class to have survived a school shooting moves to a community where the internet is banned – somewhere he might be able to be known for something else.
Where the Black Flowers Bloom – An orphan goes on a quest to find out what killed her caretaker.
The Davenports – The Davenports are a wealthy Black family in the early 1900s, and this story centers around four women in and around the family.
Going Dark – An influencer goes missing – just like another girl two years ago – and a hacker starts looking for the truth.
Promise Boys – When a prep school principal is murdered, three boys at the school become murder suspects.
Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling – Starting on New Year’s, Reggie and Delilah keep running into each other on holidays throughout a year – and they grow closer over time.

Books for Adults

Dear Henry, Love Edith (Trade Paperback) – A widow and a grump share a living space for a little while. He assumes she’s an old woman, and she assumes he’s a grumpy old man. The exchange notes in their shared space, but at the same time they keep running into each other around town – and they have no idea the other person is their house-mate. This is on my list for this week!
Dodged a Bullet (e-book, February 3) – Book 6 in the Samantha True series. Samantha is working with a woman dodging a stalker – and the stalker doesn’t care who gets in his way in his pursuit of his target. I can’t want to dig into this series!
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the fantastic Finlay Donovan series! Finlay finds herself in debt to the Russian mob, and they want Finlay to help them find a contract killer.
Sorry, Bro (Trade Paperback) – An Armenian woman’s mother is trying to set her up with men all over town, but it’s a woman who catches her eye.

BOOK NEWS: January 24, 2023

BOOK NEWS: January 24, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

There are some fun looking books out this week – let’s check them out!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

6 Times We Almost Kissed – Bickering friends try to stay on their best behavior for the sake of their moms who are recovering from major surgeries. Living across the hall from each other while their moms recover leads them to re-examine several almost-kisses from their past.
Begin Again – Andie’s plans to transfer from her community college to a hyper-competitive state school don’t quite go like she imagined. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with an Emma Lord book, so this is definitely on my list!
Spice Road – First in a new series. Imani must track down her missing brother – who seems to be sharing their land’s spice magic with outsiders – so she can protect her home.

Books for Adults

 

Breaking All the Rules (Mass Market Paperback) – Beatrice has had enough and moved to a new community to live life on her own terms – and a cute local LEO might be just the guy to help with the romantic side of her new life.
Georgie, All Along (Trade Paperback) – After years of putting others first, Georgie has the chance to get in touch with herself through an old diary and an unexpected friend.
Make a Wish (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Spark House series. Harley thinks she is over the mortification of trying to kiss the widowed man she worked for – it’s been years, and he moved away. But now he’s back – and he doesn’t seem to remember anything at all.
How to Human: Three Ways to Share Life Beyond What Distracts, Divides, and Disconnects Us (Trade Paperback, Nonfiction) – A look at how we can become the best versions of ourselves.
How We Relate: Understanding God, Yourself and Others Through the Enneagram (Hardcover, Nonfiction) – A new book on the Enneagram, so of course, I already ordered this one!
The Journey Home: A Biblical Guide to Using the Enneagram to Deepen Your Faith and Relationships (Trade Paperback, Nonfiction) – Another new Enneagram resource – I don’t have this one ordered yet, but it’s on my list

BOOK NEWS: January 17, 2023

BOOK NEWS: January 17, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Lots of great-sounding new books out this week – let’s take a look!

Books for Kids

I Am John Lewis – The latest in the Ordinary People Change the World series.
To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights – Examines the impact of the character of Uhura – and the actress who originally played her – on the world.
Nat the Cat Takes a Nap – First in a new leveled reader series from the author of the Enginerds and the Hunger Heroes. As Nat the Cat tries to nap, the narrator is keeping him awake.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Figure It Out Henri Weldon – Henrietta is excited about getting to move to a mainstream school, but the changes start causing problems at home. This one looks fantastic!
The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing – A girl who never seems to run out of questions gets some new ones when her grandfather moves in with them, still grieving the loss of his wife.
Lost Legends of Nothing (Graphic Novel) – Book two in this series. Nathan and his friends continue to work to save Nothing. I have book 1 on my wish list!
Star Trek Prodigy: A Dangerous Trade – An original story from the new Star Trek Prodigy series.
As You Walk on By – Theo hides in a bedroom when his promposal goes awry, but one by one he’s joined by other classmates also avoiding things outside the bedroom. This is on my list for this month!
Seven Percent of Ro Devereux – Ro’s remarkable app has gotten the attention of financial backers, but to show them her app is flawless she has to fake date her ex best friend.

Books for Adults

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (Hardcover) – The title of this alone would get me to pick this up! I can’t wait to read this family reunion mystery.
Murder at the Bookstore (e-book, January 19) – A mystery writer with writer’s block finds herself the suspect when a bookstore owner dies and she is named the heir. I have already pre-ordered this one!
The Reunion (Trade Paperback) – Former teen stars reunite at a cast reunion where they discover they still have chemistry together. This looks great!
Sweeter Than Chocolate (Trade Paperback) – A reporter and a baker team up to track the stories of customers who found love through the bakery’s special Cupid Chocolates.
Parenting: Getting It Right (Hardcover Nonfiction) – A parenting resource from pastor Andy Stanley and his wife.