Category: Book News

BOOK NEWS: November 2, 2021

BOOK NEWS: November 2, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy November! With the holidays right around the corner, now is a great time to start thinking about books your friends and family will love. Remember, supply chain issues are a thing right now. This might mean that a book’s release date gets moved around; it can also mean that shipping will take longer. Stay aware. If I can note a delay on something I thought was releasing during a certain week in November, I will.

I’ll be releasing my 2021 Holiday Hint List sooner than usual this year to give you some ideas and a few extra weeks to get your orders shipped. Stay tuned! (You can go here to see some of the previous Holiday Hint Lists.)

Books for Kids

Aaron Slater Illustrator – An artist discovers his struggles with reading are due to dyslexia. But he wonders if he can still be the storyteller he longs to be. Yes, please! I can’t wait to read about the newest member of the Questioneers!
Life Is Better with Friends – This picture book focuses on key moments in the series.
Our Table – As a family grows apart, their gathering space – a table – grows smaller. I don’t know that you can EVER go wrong with a Peter H. Reynolds book! I can’t wait to see this one in person.
Parker Shines On – A sequel to Parker Looks Up. This time Parker learns to be a good friend in her dance class. This looks lovely. I adored the first book, so this one is on my list, too.
Redlocks and the Three Bears – Instead of Goldilocks, the Three Bears meet Little Red Riding Hood – and the Wolf is not far behind. Fractured and mixed up fairy tales are one of my all time favorite things, so this is a must-read for me this week.
The Smart Cookie – A cookie doesn’t feel so smart compared to some of the other confections at the bakery.
What If You Had Animal Scales? – The latest in this fun line of books about animal facts.
The Bad Guys in They’re Bee-hind You! – Book 14 in the Bad Guys series of early chapter books.
Dragon Masters: Howl of the Wind Dragon – Book 20 in the Dragon Masters series.
I Survived True Stories: Courageous Creatures – A new collection of true survival stories. These books are fantastic!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

D&D Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed – First in a new middle grade series based on Dungeons and Dragons. A human girl, disguised as a minotaur so she can go to Dungeon Academy without scaring the other creatures there, heads off on a quest to find out more about a human adventurer named Allidora Steelstrike. This sounds SO FUN!
Eddie Whatever (Older Middle Grade) – Eddie gets stuck volunteering at a retirement home for his bar mitzvah service project. The residents may call him “Eddie Whatever,” but he discovers there is more to like – and secrets to uncover – there than he expected.  This sounds fun!
Tangled Up in Luck – Enemies become friends as two girls search for a town’s missing treasure. This looks awesome. I have this on my review list.
Blame It on the Mistletoe – A social media darling and a girl wanting to flee a holiday embarrassment switch homes for the holidays. Love the premise of this one, so I’ll have to check this out.
Gilded – A Rumpelstiltskin retelling from the author of The Lunar Chronicles.
Skin of the Sea – First in a new series. A mermaid saves a boy tossed into the sea instead of collecting his soul like she’s supposed to, bringing the wrath of the gods upon her.
Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed – A collection of Latinx short stories.

Books for Adults

All Her Little Secrets (Hardcover) – A lawyer with secrets is promoted after her boss – and lover – is murdered. But she can’t shake the feeling that something with her promotion or at the company is off. This sounds twisty!
The Donut Trap (Trade Paperback – Now releasing November 9th) – Without a job or a relationship keeping her away, Jasmine finds herself working at her parents’ donut shop and feeling trapped. But the relationship that could change everything for her isn’t falling into place like she expected. This looks fun. It’s on my review list.
The Fastest Way to Fall (Trade Paperback) – She’s supposed to be writing a feature about a new fitness app that includes a coaching component. He’s the CEO who isn’t supposed to be coaching, but it’s the only way he’s found to feel happy. But when their coaching relationships teeters on becoming something more, they both realize they could lose everything if they let themselves fall in love.
Game On (Hardcover) – Book 28 in the Stephanie Plum series. In Stephanie’s hunt for a ruthless hacker, she finds herself working with Diesel again, but she can’t be sure if he’s her partner or her competition.
How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days (Trade Paperback) – Rumors abound that Keanu Reeves is about to get married, so Lu and her best friend Truman hit the road so Lu can find Keanu and convince him she’s the one he should marry. Yep, I will have to read this one.
I Hate You More (Trade Paperback) – From the author of the DELIGHTFUL Forever Home series.  A former beauty contestant determined to help a lazy Golden Retriever make a good showing at the local dog show runs afoul of the veterinarian judge who thinks she is in over her head.
Killer Research (Hardcover) – Book 12 in the Library Lovers series from Jenn McKinlay. Curmudgeon librarian Ms. Cole is running for mayor. But a dead body in the trunk of her car might sink her campaign – and get her thrown in jail. Lindsey and Sully and the rest of the crew are determined to prove her innocence. I adore this series. This is a must-read book for me this week.
Lore Olympus (Graphic Novel) – A new take on the story of Persephone.
A Marvelous Light (Hardcover – LGBTQ+) – First in a new series. Robin has been named the liaison to a magical society he never new existed in secret around the British Isles. But between the prickly counterpart he has to work with in the society, and the fact that his predecessor went missing, Robin finds himself smack in the middle of mysteries and secrets people have died to keep hidden. I am intrigued by this one!
Miss Moriarty, I Presume (Trade Paperback) – Book 6 in the Lady Sherlock series. Moriarty seeks out Charlotte’s help when he fears tragedy has befallen his daughter.
Witches, Spiders, and Schemes (e-book, November 5) – Book 4 in the Destiny Falls series. Cracks are starting to show in the enchantments around Destiny Falls – and two dead bodies are found in the bay. Hayden and her friends will need to dig deep to solve the mystery and restore Destiny Falls. I loved book one, but I haven’t been able to carve out time to get caught up with the series. Hopefully that will happen soon.
The Journey Toward Wholeness (Hardcover) – The latest from the “godmother of the Enneagram,” Suzanne Stabile. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Prayers from the Throne Room (Leather) – A prayer book and devotional based on The Passion Translation. Includes a year’s worth of prayers and meditations.
Wholehearted Faith (Hardcover) – Rachel Held Evans’ last book, a collection of essays, finished by Jeff Chu.

BOOK NEWS: October 26, 2021

BOOK NEWS: October 26, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the last week of October. In some ways it has just zoomed by. I’m ready to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas, though, so that’s all right with me. Here are some of the new books releasing this week that have caught my eye. [Due to supply chain issues, release dates are subject to change. It’s happening so much right now, I don’t have time to reset all the books to their new dates. I’ll note the change when I see them. The bottom line is, order your holiday books early!]

Books for Kids

Return of the Underwear Dragon – Sir Cole teaches his former foe to read.
Slothy Claus (Now releasing 11/2) – What will the children of the world do when Slothy Claus doesn’t deliver their presents on time?
The Hunger Heroes: Missed Meal Mayhem (Graphic Novel – now releasing 11/9) – I have been waiting SO LONG to tell you about this DELIGHTFUL book – and now we have to wait even longer. You do not want to miss this superhero story where hungry kids are saved by some unusual heroes. Go ahead and just pre-order it now for your early chapter book reader – you can thank me later. My full review will post in November.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot – Book 16 in the ever-popular series. Greg decides to give sports one last try and tries out for the basketball team.
The Powers: Haven’s Secret – First in a new series by the star of Supergirl on the CW, Melissa Benoist, and her sister, Jessica Benoist. Twins with super powers are whisked away to a sanctuary where one feels at home and the other can’t wait to get away.
Cold War Correspondent (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales – graphic novel, nonfiction) – Book 11 in this fantastic nonfiction graphic novel series. This one focuses on Marguerite Higgins and the Korean War.
Little People Big Dreams Treasury (Nonfiction – now releasing 11/9) – Collection of 50 biographies.
Who Were the Navajo Code Talkers?
We Light Up the Sky – Three teens struggle to be heard when an alien comes to Earth and takes the form of one girl’s dead cousin and then proceeds to cause trouble.

 

Books for Adults – Fiction

All the Feels (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Olivia Dade. A therapist hired to keep a TV star in line finds herself falling for him. This is on my review list.
As the Wicked Watch (Hardcover) – First in a new series. An up-and-coming reporter moves to Chicago and finds herself in the middle of a series of murders of Black women. The cases in this one feel dark for me, personally, but I am completely in love with the description of the main character here. Thriller fans should be sure to check this one out.
The Christmas Bookshop (Hardcover) – A woman without a job or many options moves in with her sister and family and takes on a job trying to revitalize a charming, but disorganized, bookshop. I’m intrigued by the family dynamics of this one.
The Christmas Dress (Trade Paperback) – A young woman trying to save her late father’s apartment building and an elderly woman reluctantly moving to a nursing home connect over a Christmas dress.
Death by Hot Apple Cider (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Bookstore Café Mystery series. Krissy is investigating when a man who harassed not only her bookstore but also the local library and school over “scandalous books” is killed at a fall festival.
Deck the Donuts (Trade Paperback) – Book 6 in the Deputy Donuts Mystery series. When a tour bus crashes near Fallingbrook and a snowstorm strands the passengers, Emily discovers the body of the bus driver under her holiday ice carving. This has always sounded like such a fun series!
Donut Fall in Love (Trade Paperback) – A grieving actor and a baker have a meet-cute over specialty donuts. So when he signs up for a celebrity baking show, he knows just who to call in for help. This sounds darling.
Duke Actually  (Trade Paperback) – A new story set in the world of A Princess for Christmas. A notorious rake and a no-nonsense New Yorker hit it off when they meet to prepare for the wedding of their best friends. I adored the first book in this series, so I am eager to read this one. This is on my review list.
Enemy You Gnocchi (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Italian Chef Mystery series. Tessa is sleuthing when a new grinch in town is murdered and a friend is the prime suspect.
Gated Prey (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Eve Ronin series. When a sting operation turns deadly, Eve starts to wonder if they truly “solved the case” or if there is more going on than anyone realizes. Thriller fans should check this one out.
Getaway with Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the new Mountain Lodge Mystery series from the author of the Paw Enforcement series as well as several others. Misty’s relaunch of both her life and an old mountain lodge is in danger when there’s a murder at the first event of her new business. I love trying out new mystery series! I have this one on my list.
Grave Reservations (Hardcover) – A sometimes-psychic travel agent teams up on a cold case with the detective she saved from death with an impulsive flight reservation change. This is on my review list!
Hollywood Heroine (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the fun and quirky Heroine Complex series. Aveda and Evie’s superhero adventures are about to hit the small screen. But evil is lurking around LA, and the two heroes are about to have their hands full.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Catering Hall Mystery series. In the midst of a full slate of holiday events, Mia’s going to have to find time to solve a murder.
Murder at the Mistletoe Ball (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 6 in the Ferrera Family Mystery series. Alberta’s estranged daughter comes to town for help looking for her missing son who ends up the prime suspect in a murder.
Sleigh Bells Ring (Trade Paperback) – Annie has to settle for being the caretaker for her family’s former ranch, but her job is in jeopardy, first because she takes in her orphaned niece and nephew without permission and second when the new owners plan to sell the ranch.
Star Trek Coda: Ashes of Tomorrow (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in this new Star Trek trilogy that unites Picard, Sisko, Dax, and Riker along with their crews. I have this whole series on my Christmas list. Book 3 will release in November. making this a perfect holiday choice.
Strangers on a Skein (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Black Sheep and Co mystery series. Phoebe and the Black Sheep are on the case when murder strikes the Farmers’ and Crafts Market.
A Thorn in the Saddle (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the terrific Cowboys of California series. The fairy-tale foundation for this book is Beauty and the Beast, which is a favorite of mine. While Jesse’s behavior can be beastly at times, perhaps a beauty can help him smooth out his rough edges. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
To the Tome of Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 7 in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. As Thanksgiving approaches, Addie has her hands full with a murder.

 

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

Best Wishes, Warm Regards (Hardcover) – A coffee-table book about the series Schitt’s Creek.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas Movies: The Deck the Hallmark Podcast’s Guide to Your Holiday TV Obsession (Hardcover) – Includes reviews of Hallmark Christmas movies, interviews with the stars, and ideas for your own Christmas celebrations. Yes, please!
Renegades (Hardcover) – President Obama and Bruce Springsteen share their friendship and their thoughts on life and music and America.
60-Day Enneagram Devotional: The Achiever (3) AND The Challenger (8) AND The Thinker (5) – The latest entries in this series of Enneagram devotionals.

 

BOOK NEWS: October 19, 2021

BOOK NEWS: October 19, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week! [Due to supply chain issues, release dates are subject to change. It’s happening so much right now, I don’t have time to reset all the books to their new dates. I’ll note the change when I see them. The bottom line is, order your holiday books early!]

Books for Kids

Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom – Three girls from different faith traditions learn about one another during a class planting project. This looks lovely.
I Am Oprah Winfrey – The latest picture book biography in the Ordinary People Change the World series.
Good Dog: Life Is Good – Book 6 in the series sees Bo experiencing his first snowfall.
Sophie Mouse: The Hidden Cottage – Book 18 in the sweet Adventures of Sophie Mouse early chapter book series. Sophie and her friends find a darling cottage that seems to be abandoned.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

A Batch Made in Heaven – Mina is supposed to be starting a mentorship at the local bakery, but the son of the owner won’t let her in the kitchen.
Dust & Grim – Orphaned siblings raised apart try to figure out how to manage the family business – a monster mortuary.
Keeping It Real (Older Middle Grade) – A girl in a special fashion training program discovers some family secrets when she looks for the reason for another participant’s hostility toward her.
A Kind of Spark – A neuro-divergent girl looks for ways to honor the other “different” women her town used to burn as witches.
The Shattered Castle – Book 5 in the Ascendance series by Jennifer A. Nielsen that started with the stellar The False Prince. The king keeps a secret he hopes will help him hold his kingdom, but nothing for him has ever gone easily.
The Unfinished Corner (Graphic Novel) – A girl preparing for her Bat Mitzvah while questioning if she even wants to be Jewish is whisked away to the Unfinished Corner, a place in Jewish mythology where monsters dwell.
Bad Girls Never Say Die – A new novel from Jennifer Mathieu, the author of the outstanding Moxie – this one a gender-flipped version of The Outsiders. I am intrigued by this!
City of Shattered Light – An heiress and an outlaw will have to decide if they are better off teaming up or going their own way when the things most precious to them are threatened. I love the sci-fi angle of this one.
Little Thieves – A maid who magically takes the place of a palace princess is cursed for her greed and left to scrape together a solution in two weeks time before she loses everything. Yes, please!
Out of the Fire – A girl taunted by the man who once kidnapped her teams up with other girls searching for vengeance, but she unearths some unexpected secrets along the way.

 

Books for Adults

Best in Snow (Hardcover) – Book 24 in the fun Andy Carpenter mystery series. You can read my full review of this one here.
A Christmas Courtship (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Berlin Bookmobile series. The bookmobile librarian recommends reading romance novels to a man looking for advice for wooing his long-time crush.
Dear Santa (Hardcover) – A young woman trying to recover from a devastating betrayal tries writing a letter to Santa to lift her holiday spirits.
Jackets, Jack-O-Lantern & Justice (e-book, October 21) – Book 22 in the Camper & Criminals mystery series.
Mulled to Death (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Colorado Wine Mystery series. A romantic getaway turns dangerous when a resort owner is killed and Parker experiences some mysterious “accidents.”
The Night of Many Endings (Trade Paperback) – An eclectic group takes shelter in the local library during a snowstorm and discovers more about themselves, and each other, than any of them expected.
The Twelve Jays of Christmas (Hardcover) – Book 30 in one of my favorite mystery series! Meg has her hands full when an artist working in their home is killed in the midst of a blizzard and her brother’s wedding preparations.
Well Matched (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in this Renaissance Faire series. April agrees to be Mitch’s fake girlfriend for a family dinner, but their fake relationship will have to continue when his family later comes to the Faire. Between the fact that I love these two characters and I am a sucker for a fake relationship story, this one is definitely on my list for this week!
Forty Days on Being an Eight (Hardcover, nonfiction) – The latest in this devotional series edited by Suzanne Stabile. Looks like the print version of this has been pushed back to November 23rd.

BOOK NEWS: October 12, 2021

BOOK NEWS: October 12, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the fun new books grabbing my attention this week! [Due to supply chain issues, release dates are subject to change. It’s happening so much right now, I don’t have time to reset all the books to their new dates. I’ll note the changes when I see them. The bottom line is, order your holiday books early!]

Books for Kids

Dachshund Through the Snow – Crosby was so excited to finally be old enough to compete in the North Pole Animal Olympics, but when he’s teased for his small size, he gets discouraged and thinks about quitting. This looks adorable!
Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast (now releasing October 26) – Book 3 in the series. A little chicken tries to use nursery rhymes to convince Papa that she should have cookies for breakfast.
Pinkie Promises – A girl who keeps hearing, “That’s not what girls do” gets to meet a woman who is running for president.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Across the Desert – The latest from the author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. When a girl watches her favorite streamer – and online friend – crash her ultralight plane in the desert, she realizes she is the only one who has a chance to find her – and rescue her before she dies in the desert heat.
The League of Picky Eaters (now releasing November 2) – At a school where picky eating is frowned upon, a girl finds herself in the remedial eating class, RETCH.
The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy – When her brother’s magic assessment goes awry and Marya takes the blame, she is sent to a school for “troubled girls.” I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Violets Are Blue (Older Middle Grade) – The latest from Barbara Dee. As Wren starts to make her way in a new town and new school, her mother starts withdrawing and doesn’t seem to be doing well. This one is on my review list – I can’t wait to read it!
What Are the Winter Olympics?
The Heartbreak Bakery (LGBTQ+) – A teen baking at a queer bakery accidentally makes a magical batch of brownies that makes couples break up. I’m curious about this one!
So, This Is Christmas – When Finley goes home to Christmas, Oklahoma from her boarding school, she finds out everything has changed while she has been away.
Thronebreakers – Book 2 in the Crownchasers series. When the Crownchase ended in betrayal, everything changed for Alyssa Farshot. She never wanted to compete in the first place, but now she is in it for revenge. This is the sequel to my favorite book of all of 2020. I have had this on preorder for months. I cannot wait to get my hands on this one, just in time for my Fall Break!

Books for Adults

Betrayal on the Bowery (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Gilded Gotham Mystery series. Dying men screaming about demons are at the center of this historical mystery starring a society girl-turned investigative journalist.
A Brush with Murder (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Paint By Murder Mystery series. When a critic is killed behind Chloe’s new painting-event business, she becomes a murder suspect.
Christmas By the Book (Trade Paperback) – While their bookstore is in trouble, a couple decides to make this Christmas special with some anonymous book gifts for those struggling through the holidays.
Digging Up Trouble (Hardcover) – First in the Sweet Fiction Bookshop Mystery series. When Lexi’s dog unearths a body in a shallow grave, Lexi becomes the prime suspect in her neighbor’s murder.
In Hot Water (Hardcover) – First in the new Misty Bay Tea Room Mystery series. When Vivian’s assistant is suspected of murdering her ex, Vivian and Gracie team up with a local detective to find a killer.
No Words (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Little Bridge Island series. A writer looking at a festival on Little Bridge Island as a solution to her financial woes while she is in the throes of writer’s block doesn’t count on her author nemesis being at the same festival.
The Party Crasher (Hardcover) – The latest from Sophie Kinsella. Effie sneaks into her family home to find a treasure she left behind, hoping to go un-noticed by her father and his young new wife who are throwing a party over the sale of the house. But Effie’s sneaking leads her to overhear some things that change how she views everything in her past.
The Patriot List (Trade Paperback) – First in a new line of Dark Avengers/Marvel Untold novels. Norman Osborne is in charge of the Avengers, which he has secretly filled with a group of super villains. He’d love to put the Green Goblin days behind him and focus on becoming the Iron Patriot. But some members of SHIELD have other ideas. This sounds fascinating!
Seven Deadly Sequins (e-book, October 15) – Book 2 of the Bonnie & Clyde Mystery series by Julie Anne Lindsey. Bonnie’s grandmother is a murder suspect when the woman passing off Gigi’s cobbler recipe as her own is found dead.
The Shadow of Daph: Weddings. Funerals. Sleuthing. (e-book) – Book 2 in the Daphne Jones Mystery series. Daphne Jones is a traveling celebrant who officiates at weddings and funerals and the like. When she and her husband show up in Shady Bend so Daph can perform a funeral, the deceased disappears, but a murderer provides another body. I love the quirky premise of this series!
Slashing Through the Snow (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. As if Julie Anne Lindsey isn’t busy enough, she has a second book on the list this week under the name Jacqueline Frost. Holly White and her friends and family are back in another Christmas mystery. This time, a critic in Mistletoe to review a variety of businesses is killed, and Holly’s beloved friend, Cookie, is the prime suspect. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Strawberries and Crime (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Finn Family Farm Mystery series. Charlotte is sleuthing again when local strawberry crops seem to be sabotaged and when the one farmer with a good crop is found dead.
Tacos for Two (Trade Paperback) – Rivals in a food truck competition don’t realize they already know each other – they’ve been exchanging anonymous messages through a dating service for the last month.
When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace (Hardcover, nonfiction) – Find freedom from the never-ending quest for self-improvement and embrace God’s gift of grace.

 

BOOK NEWS: October 5, 2021

BOOK NEWS: October 5, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

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.).

 

BOOK NEWS: September 28, 2021

BOOK NEWS: September 28, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the final week of September. Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

 

Woodland Dance! (Board Book) – A new release from Sandra Boynton.
Rubylicious – Pinkalicious and her brother have the chance to make a once-in-a-lifetime wish.
A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything – The picture book story of the creation of Wonder Woman
Red Titan and the Runaway Robot (Graphic Novel Early Reader) – Based on a character from YouTube. Ryan and his friends must save the city from an out-of-control dancing robot.
Owl Diaries: Eva’s New Pet – Book 15 in the delightful Owl Diaries series. Eva and Lucy volunteer to pet-sit for all of their friends to help Eva choose a new pet.
Waffles and Pancake: Planet Try-Yum (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series from the author of CatStronauts. Waffles and Pancake get separated from Dad-Cat at the science museum.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teen/Young Adults

 

Barb, the Last Berzerker (Graphic Novel) – Barb and her Yeti best friend try to free the rest of the Berzerker warriors from a villain.
Black Panther: Spellbound – T’Challa and his friends team up during his visit to the American south when a man named “Bob” is not who he appears to be.
The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities – A collection of mythical short stories – starring characters from the Rick Riordan Presents series along with a new one from Rick Riordan himself. Since I haven’t read any of the RRP books, this sounds like a fantastic way to test out those books and see which ones I might want to try.
A Tale of Sorcery – Book 3 in Chris Colfer’s new Tale of Magic series. Brystal is running out of time on her one-year deal with Death. And the fairies and witches are working together to face a rising evil.
Unicorn Playlist (Comics Collection) – Book 14 in the Phoebe and her Unicorn series.
Violets Are Blue – The latest book from Barbara Dee (Maybe He Just Likes You, Everything I Know About You – ♥♥♥♥½). As Violet and her mom try to make a fresh start in a new town, it becomes obvious to Violet that her mom isn’t doing well. I have this on my review list.
Own Your Period – A guide to periods.
Once Upon a Broken Heart – Book 1 in a new series. Evangeline promises 3 kisses to the mysterious Prince of Hearts in exchange for his help when she learns her love will marry another.
Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in the Teen Titans graphic novel series that started with the fantastic Teen Titans: Raven and continued with Teen Titans: Beast Boy, and now brings the two characters together. I have this on my review list.
Grace Upon Grace Journaling Devotional: Trusting God No Matter What – Includes 100 devotionals with a devotional thought and journaling questions with space to write in answers and prayers.

 

Books for Adults

Ambush or Adore (e-book, October 1) – Book 3 in the Delightfully Deadly series by Gail Carriger. A brilliant and successful intelligence officer must go into hiding with the only person who has ever made her feel safe despite his training as an Evil Genius. Yes, please!
Amish Candy Shop Holidays (e-book) – Collects previously released novellas “Criminally Cocoa,” “Botched Butterscotch,” and “Candy Cane Crime.”
Chapter and Curse (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Cambridge Bookshop series. Molly, a librarian, and her mother, Nina, travel to Cambridge to help run the family bookshop. But their efforts to save the shop may be in vain when someone kills a guest at a store poetry reading.
The Corpse in the Gazebo (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Food Blogger Mystery series. When one of Hope’s neighbors is killed after threatening to run Hope out of town, she’s the prime suspect. And not even her police chief-boyfriend seems to be able to help clear her name.
Death at Holly Lodge (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Daisy Thorne Mystery series. Renovations at the historic Holly Lodge unearth the remains of a man in a Santa Suit, stuffed in the chimney.
Deliciously FoxTrot (Comics Collection) – The 43rd collection of Fox Trot comics!
Eight Perfect Hours (Trade Paperback) – Two stranded strangers spend 8 perfect hours together, then expect to never see each other again. But fate has different plans.
The Ex Hex (Trade Paperback) – When a young witch puts a drunken curse on her ex, she doesn’t think it will do much more than give him a few bad hair days. But instead, it makes trouble for their whole community. This is on my wish list for this week.
The Glitter End (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Stationery Shop Mystery series. Delta’s efforts to bring shoppers into the store backfires thanks to a murder.
Here Comes the Fudge (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Candy-Coated Mystery series. Allie is investigating when Jenn’s fiancé is arrested for murder.
It Started with a Dog (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Lucky Dog series after You Lucky Dog. A couple hit it off until they realize they are coffee shop rivals. And only one shop is likely to survive.
A Little Christmas Spirit (Trade Paperback) – A Scrooge-ish neighbor, haunted by the spirit of his beloved wife telling him it is time to move on, tries to be a little nicer to the single mother who moved in next door.
Mrs. Claus and the Halloween Homicide (Trade Paperback) – A fall sequel to one of my favorite Christmas books of 2020, Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings. As Christmastown celebrates its first Halloween, a murderer strikes. This is on my review list!
Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bakeoff (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. A murder at the Christmas Cookie Bakeoff leaves Lindsey the top suspect.
A Perfect Bind (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series. While Tru is still stuck working in the book-less town library/”Technology Center,” a vandal is breaking into the secret bookroom she and her friends created.
Star Trek: Coda: Moments Asunder (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Star Trek Trilogy that brings together fan favorites Jean-Luc Picard, Benjamin Sisko, Ezri Dax, and William Riker to deal with the unraveling of time itself, the Temporal Apocalypse.
William Shakespeare’s Avengers (Hardcover) – All 4 Avengers films, told as Shakespearean plays.
Wreathing Havoc (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Garden Squad Mystery series. The Garden Squad are hunting for a murderer when a Hollywood star in town for a memorial is killed.
The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up (Trade Paperback, October 1) – A fantastic new Enneagram resource from the author of The Complete Enneagram (♥♥♥♥) and The 9 Types of Leadership. I’ll be reviewing this one this week.
If God Is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk: Finding a Faith that Makes Us Better Humans (Trade Paperback) – New from John Pavlovitz. How can we embody a KINDER spirituality? This is on my wish list for this week, too.

BOOK NEWS: September 21, 2021

BOOK NEWS: September 21, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Let’s take a look at some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Change Sings – A picture book from Amanda Gorman about the change that is possible when we work together.
Uni the Unicorn in the Real World – When Uni visits her best friend in the real world, they discover no one else can see Uni.
With Great Power: The Marvelous Stan Lee – A picture book biography of Stan Lee
Hound Heroes: The Rise of Evil Weevil – Book 2 in the Hound Heroes graphic novel series. Pets all over the city are being hypnotized – but by whom and for what purpose?
I Am a Good Friend! – Book 4 in the Princess Truly series from Scholastic ACORN. This book contains a collection of stories about friendship and a sleepover.
Magic Tree House: The Knight at Dawn (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Magic Tree House series gets the graphic novel treatment!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Absolutely Nat (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in the Nat Enough graphic novel series after the delightful Nat Enough and Forget Me Nat. Nat discovers summer camp is nothing like she imagined. But could it be exactly what she needs?
The Insiders (LGBTQ+) – At Hector’s old school, being gay wasn’t a big deal, but at his new school it leaves him feeling like an outsider. But then one of his trips to hide out in the janitor’s closet opens up a room that shouldn’t exist where Hector can connect with new friends in far flung places.
Lost Legends: The Rise of Flynn Rider – First in the new Lost Legends series from Disney about some of our favorite heroes, but who they were as kids. Eugene and his best friend, longing for adventures like those they read about in the Flynn Rider books, connect with a circus group that promises one thing while delivering something else.
Maya and the Return of the Godlings – Book 2 in the Maya and the Rising Dark series. Maya and her friends discover that when they rescued her father, they left something very important behind.
Ms. Marvel Stretched Thin (Graphic Novel) – An original graphic novel starring Ms. Marvel. Kamala is feeling spread thin as she tries to be a hero on top of her other responsibilities to her school work, her family, and her friends.
Room to Dream – Book 3 in the Front Desk series. A trip to China with her family gives Mia an opportunity to take in the changes there as well as to think about the changes in her own world back home.
Set Me Free – The eagerly anticipated sequel to Show Me a Sign. Mary is summoned to Boston to help a young deaf girl begin to communicate. But as Mary discovers how desperately the girl needs to be able to tell her story, she also wonders if the job is just too much for her.
Sunny Makes a Splash (Graphic Novel) – Book 4 in the Sunny series (Sunny Side Up – ♥♥♥♥♥). While Sunny’s mom would be happy to have her babysitting all summer, Sunny is thriving with a job at the pool.
The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish – Book 5 in the wildly popular Vanderbeekers series. The Vanderbeeker kids get to know their grandparents in a new way.
What Is Black Lives Matter? – The latest WhoHQ Now book takes a look at the Black Lives Matter movement.
As If On Cue – Rivals are forced to work together to write and direct a school musical after their prank war goes too far.
Maybe We’re Electric – Two teens reinvent themselves with one another as they spend a snowstorm in a tiny Thomas Edison museum.
The Other Merlin (LGBTQ+) – Emry Merlin comes to Camelot disguised as her brother as girls aren’t allowed to do magic. I’m intrigued by the description of this one!

 

Books for Adults

An Impossible Promise (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Providence Falls series. The angels have made it clear – Liam has to set the timestream right by pushing the woman he loves towards another man. But as Liam and Cora, police officers in this time, work a murder case, their attraction only grows stronger.
Mistle Text: ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas (e-book, September 25) – Book 5 in the Accidentally in Love series. A young woman doing a variety of jobs to make ends meet for herself and the niece she is raising agrees to be a holiday shopper for a Scrooge. There’s a Hallmark vibe here, but I am here for it – I’ve already bought most of the books in this series!
Under the Whispering Door (Hardcover) – Something new from the best-selling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea. Wallace has 7 days to finish crossing over, which he supposes means he is really dead. So he’s determined to use those 7 days to live the best life he can.
When Sparks Fly (Trade Paperback) – Two roommates are thrown into a different sort of relationship when she is injured in a car accident and he becomes her caretaker out of guilt.
Crazy Faith: It’s Only Crazy Until It Happens (Hardcover) – Learn to live with crazy faith. This sounds fantastic!
My Reading Life (Book/Reading Journal – Hardcover) – A reading tracker from author Anne Bogel.
Star Trek Villains (Paperback) – A look at the villains of Star Trek.

 

 

BOOK NEWS: September 14, 2021

BOOK NEWS: September 14, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

 

Bear Is a Bear – A love letter to special childhood friends. This one is on my wish list for this week.
Saturday at the Food Pantry – Molly and her mom visit the food pantry where Molly sees a school friend who seems embarrassed to be there. But everyone needs help sometimes. This is waiting in a shopping cart, too.
Pete the Cat: Making New Friends – A new Early Reader starring Pete the Cat.
The Golden Dreidel – A chapter book about Chanukah and a magical dreidel.
Judy Moody in a Monday Mood – Book 16 in the Judy Moody series. This time, Judy fights the Monday blahs by trying to celebrate a holiday every day of the week.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Last Kids on Earth and the Doomsday Race – Book 7 in the Last Kids on Earth series, also on Netflix. While Jack and his friends are moving towards their own personal “boss battle,” they are sidetracked by a visit to Mallusk City where Jack faces down some old foes and his leadership skills are tested.
Once Upon a Tide – A new middle grade novel by one of my favorite YA authors, Stephanie Kate Strohm. While Princess Lana is representing her underwater kingdom in a Royal Festival, nothing goes right, from her mother’s new boyfriend to the mistrust of the other attendees and the news of a disaster in Lana’s kingdom. This is on my list for this week too! Sounds like my sort of middle grade fantasy novel!
The Raven Heir – A sorceress and her triplet daughters are in hiding from a decades long war. But when they are captured it is revealed that one of the triplets is the new ruler, an heir to the throne. But their mother has never revealed which of the girls is the oldest. Yes, please! *add to cart*
Recipe for Disaster – A girl lobbying her parents for a Bat Mitzvah learns what it truly means to be Jewish. This sounds amazing, too!
A Soft Place to Land – From the author of the fantastic From the Desk of Zoe Washington. The one bright spot in Joy’s family moving to the tiny apartment is finding the hideaway only the building’s kids know about. But when the kid exchanging secret notes with Joy stops writing, she wonders if her pen-friend is in trouble. My wish list for this week is quickly exceeding my book budget! Thank heaven for libraries!
Thor and Loki Double Trouble (Graphic Novel) – A comics collection starring Thor and Loki. This sounds fun!
What About Will (Older Middle Grade) – Trace’s family hasn’t been the same since his brother Will’s “incident” – a football hit that resulted in a brain injury. Out of love for Will, Trace starts covering for his brother whose anger and depression are escalating, leaving Trace to wonder if keeping his brother’s secrets is really the best for everyone.
Roar Like a Lion: 90 Devotionals of Courageous Faith – A devotional for kids about courage.
A Dark and Starless Forest – Derry and her siblings have been raised by Frank who took them in when their families abandoned them. And he says they are better off away from a society that wouldn’t understand or appreciate their magic. But when Derry’s siblings start to disappear, and the dark forest near their home starts calling to her, and she begins to see Frank’s true colors, Derry will have to consider surrendering to the darkness inside her in order to save her family.
Defy the Night – The latest series launch from the amazing Brigid Kemmerer. A girl trying to protect her community and the people she loves from a rampaging illness the kingdom’s leaders seem content to ignore sneaks into the castle looking for answers and finds more than she bargained for. I have this one on my review list.
It All Comes Back to You – Kiran and Deen dated once in secret, but now that their siblings are dating each other, they are face to face once again. But Deen and his brother seem to be hiding something. And Kiran is determined to expose them and protect her sister. This is also on my review list.
Kneel – A teen puts his scholarship chances and his future at risk to protest after his friend is unfairly arrested and kicked off the football team.
Allies: Real Talk about Showing Up, Screwing Up, and Trying Again – 17 YA authors talk about being an ally.

 

Books for Adults

Burden of Poof (e-book) – First in a new Bonnie & Clyde e-book series from Julie Anne Lindsey. Bonnie and her cat, Clyde, have moved back to her home town where Bonnie opens up a second chance dress shop. But when there’s a dead body in the middle of a donation for her shop, Bonnie becomes a murder suspect. This sounds fun!
Deadly Summer Nights (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Catskills Summer Resort Mystery series set in the 1950s. When a man is found dead at the resort her mother is managing, Elizabeth starts investigating because the local police chief seems to settle too quickly on his theories about the crime.
Death of a Red-Hot Rancher (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the new Love Is Murder mystery series. A romance bookshop owner investigates a murder when her aunt becomes the prime suspect.
Farewell Blues (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Lady Adelaide Mystery series. Addie’s ready to be rid of murders – and Detective Hunter – once and for all, but then her mother is accused of killing her secret lover.
The Love Hypothesis (Trade Paperback) – A biologist creates a fake relationship around the tyrant of the university lab, and he surprisingly agrees to go along with it. Yeah, this is totally on my list for this week.
Right Behind Her (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Bree Taggart series. Sheriff Bree Taggart is dragged into reliving the worst moment in her life – her parents’ murder suicide – when human remains are found on her family’s land and her late father is a murder suspect. This sounds twisty and fascinating!
Growing with the Enneagram: Guiding All Types in Spiritual Growth (Trade Paperback) – From the author of the type-specific Growing As… Enneagram devotional series. A 60-day devotional series for those who might not know their own type and therefore not be able to engage with one of the other books in the series yet. Written to be used in a small group setting.

 

BOOK NEWS: September 7, 2021

BOOK NEWS: September 7, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy September! Fall is on its way, and I am ready. Here are some of the new books releasing this week that you can enjoy with that pumpkin spice latte!

Books for Kids

12 Days of Princess – A Disney Princess take on the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Dragons Are the Worst! – From the author of Unicorns Are the Worst! A little goblin describes why dragons shouldn’t be feared because goblins are more fearsome.
Norman Didn’t Do It (Yes, He Did) – From the author of the fantastic Mother Bruce books comes a tale of a porcupine and his best friend, a tree.
Pete the Cat’s Groovy Imagination – See how Pete uses his imagination to save a rainy day.
Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever! – Stick and Stone are back for a new adventure when Stick goes looking for his family tree.
Thanks for Nothing! – A Thanksgiving story for Bruce and his friends.
Who Would Win? Extreme Animal Rumble – A collection of 5 previous books.
Bunbun & Bonbon: Captain Bun & Super Bonbon (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in the graphic novel series about two unusual friends.
DJ Funkyfoot: Give Cheese a Chance – Book 2 in the series. DJ finally gets the chance at his dream of being a butler.
Diary of a Pug: Scaredy-Pug – Bub and Duchess are convinced they have seen a ghost.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Aggie Morton Mystery Queen: The Dead Man in the Garden (Older Middle Grade) – Book 3 in the Aggie Morton Mystery series. This time, Aggie and Hector investigate deaths at a spa Aggie’s mother is visiting.
I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900 – Book 21 in this series.
Julie and the Phantoms: We Got the Music – A notebook/scrapbook with input from Julie, Flynn, Carlos, and the guys in the band from Julie and the Phantoms.
Pahua and the Soul Stealer – First in a new series from Rick Riordan Presents starring a Hmong girl who can see spirits.
Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero – In the midst of 20th anniversary remembrances of 9/11, a boy in a Muslim community watches as his neighborhood becomes the target of people’s long-held anger.
Battle of the Bands – A collection of YA stories centered around a Battle of the Bands.
Dark and Shallow Lies – A girl living in a town that considers itself the Psychic Capital of the World looks for answers to the disappearance of her best friend.
The Hawthorne Legacy – Book 2 in the Inheritance Games series by the always fabulous Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This is at the top of my list for this week!
The Jasmine Project – When Jasmine catches her boyfriend cheating, her family conspires to introduce her to other eligible men who might treat her as she deserves. This sounds a bit like 10 Blind Dates, and I am intrigued by this one.
Never Saw You Coming – As two teens begin to fall in love, each is dealing with questions of faith and forgiveness. This is high on my list for this week, too, as well as on my review list.
The Pick-Up – A chance meeting in a ride share to a music festival becomes a chance at something special. This sounds fun! It’s also on my review list.
We Can Be Heroes – Two girls grieving the loss of their friend after a school shooting look for ways to ensure she’s not forgotten.
What Once Was Mine – Book 12 in the Twisted Tales series, this one focused on the Rapunzel/Tangled story. When the queen is saved by the Moondrop flower instead of the Sundrop, it leaves her daughter, Rapunzel, with silver hair and dangerous powers. This is on my review list.
Whistle (Graphic Novel) – Desperate to save her sick mother, Willow agrees to work for an old friend of her mother’s, E. Nigma, which puts her on the radar of one of Gotham’s most dangerous villains. When Willow and her beloved stray, Lebowitz, are attacked, something mysterious happens to connect them. I’ll be reviewing this one later this year.

 

Books for Adults

The All-Consuming World (Hardcover) – A team of criminals dig to uncover what went wrong on their last mission while a group of AI conspire to ensure that humanity will never be in control again. I am curious about this one!
The Autobiography of Mr. Spock (Hardcover) – This often-delayed addition to the Star Trek autobiography collection is finally here – or coming soon, depending on what source you go to. Regardless, it looks like the book is finally going to be released to the world. I imagine the ways Star Trek Discovery chose to use the character is why this was pulled off of publishing lists a couple years ago. I have this one on my wish list.
Booked for Kidnapping (e-book) – Book 2 in the Vigilante Magical Librarians series. Janette and her friends are racing to prevent another assassination. I’m intrigued by this one. I didn’t expect the political spin to this series. I have book one on my e-reader.
The Charm Offensive (Trade paperback, LGBTQ+) – A successful producer of a TV dating show encounters a challenge with the latest star who doesn’t believe in love and is only on the show to rescue his tarnished image.
Hooked on a Feline (Hardcover) – Book 13 in the Magical Cats Mystery series. Kathleen and Marcus start investigating a murdered musician who was using the library to research his family history.
The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina (Hardcover) – Four family members travel to Ecuador looking for answers to their family’s powers and the “inheritance” each received from Orquidea. This sounds fascinating!
Matched and Married (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 of the Amish Mail-Order Bride series. A couple thrown together when neither is looking for love finds their future in jeopardy when she decides to go home and dutifully marry the man chosen for her by her mother.
Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes (Trade Paperback) – From the author of the terribly fun Playbook series. Best friends reeling from the hands life has dealt them decide to become roommates and face the future together. This is on my list for this week because I have enjoyed the author so much in the past.
Murder by the Bookend (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series. Jenna starts investigating when a local librarian is murdered with a set of glass bookends.
Portrait of a Scotsman (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the League of Extraordinary Women series. A suffragist finds herself wed to a Scot who sees her as a means to an end.
Writing a Wrong (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Writer for Hire Mystery series. Veronica is a writer for hire, recently contracted to write love letters. But when her client is murdered and she discovers he was lying about his identity, Veronica is drawn into the case.
The Enneagram at Work: Unlocking the Power of Type to Lead and Succeed (Trade Paperback) – A new Enneagram resource focused on using type in the work environment.

 

BOOK NEWS: August 31, 2021

BOOK NEWS: August 31, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the final release week of August. Let’s take a look at the new books out this week.

Books for Kids

Gitty and Kvetch – An enthusiastic girl and her grumpy bird friend have an adventure, but things don’t go like Gitty planned. This looks darling. I love all the Yiddish expressions included!
Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates – An introverted hamster strugglers with his chatty, extroverted roommate. This looks adorable!
Survivor Tree – The story of the Survivor Tree planted at the base of where the Twin Towers stood.
The Chicken House – The Chicken Squad get a leveled reader! I have loved the Chicken Squad chapter books, so I’m excited to see how they transition to leveled readers.
Nugget and Dog: Yum Fest Is the Best – Book 2 in the Nugget and Dog series of leveled graphic novels about a hot dog and a chicken nugget pair of friends. This looks so fun!
The Snoopy Show: Nest Friends – A new leveled reader starring Snoopy.
Thunder and Cluck: The Brave Friend Leads the Way! – Book 2 in the Thunder and Cluck series of leveled graphic novels.
Doodling 101: A Silly Symposium –  A kids activity book

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Fast Pitch – A new middle grade novel from Nic Stone. A softball player struggles to prove herself both on the field and off.
Friends Forever – Book 3 in the Real Friends graphic novel series by the delightful Shannon Hale.
Kid Classics: Dracula AND Frankenstein
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche – Book 7 in the Enola Holmes series. Enola and a somewhat reluctant Sherlock work on the case of a missing woman. Her twin sister has been told the woman died, but she doesn’t believe the story. You can read my full review here.
Take Me With You When You Go – When Bea leaves home on a quest to find someone who might not want to be found, she leaves her brother at home at the mercy of their abusive step-father and negligent mother. I am intrigued by this one.

Books for Adults

Be My Ghost (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Haunted Haven Mystery series. A woman inherits an inn and discovers it has ghostly inhabitants – and a dead body on the property.
Brides & Brothers (September 1, e-book) – A modern retelling of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? Yes please! This is on my review list.
Carved in Stone (Trade Paperback) – First in the Blackstone Legacy series. A reclusive heiress is charged by her powerful family with the task of getting a lawyer to drop a case that would dredge up a 30-year-old family mystery. That sounds awesome!
The Devil You Know (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Mercenary Librarians series. I have book one, Deal with the Devil, on my TBR shelves already. Can’t wait to dig into this action/sci-fi/romance series!
The Heart Principle (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Kiss Quotient series. Frustrated in her career and in her relationship with her longtime boyfriend (who has recently decided he wants an “open” relationship), Anna sets out to have as many ill-advised one night stands as she wants. But her quest doesn’t go as planned.
Her New Story (Trade Paperback) – The latest novel from the fantastic Laura Bradford. A journalist dreading her latest assignment in Amish country goes looking for scandal but finds only kindness and unexpected friendships. This is on my review list.
The Last Chance Library (Trade Paperback) – A wallflower librarian musters some moxie when her beloved library is threatened with closure. This is on my library list.
The Meeting Point (September 2, e-book) – While Maya planned to surprise her boyfriend for her birthday, the tables are turned when a Lift driver clues her into her boyfriend’s extracurricular relationship. But the Lift driver saves the day, encouraging her to explore a nearby beach town. I pre-ordered this months ago! I can’t wait to read it.
Partners in Lime (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 6 in the Seaside Café Mystery series. Everly is sleuthing when a friend is accused of murdering a surf pro.
The Royals Next Door (Trade Paperback) – When British royals – and their hot bodyguard – move in next door to Piper, she finds herself in the middle of a royal scandal. This is on my review list – I am so excited to read it!
What the Cat Dragged In (Hardcover) – Book 14 in the Cat in the Stacks mystery series. Charlie and Diesel are on the case when Charlie inherits his grandfather’s old home and discovers a skeleton in a closet. This is on my review list, too. I’m intrigued by this story.
Messy Art, Full Heart (Paperback) – A four-week Bible journaling study. [Disclosure: This book is published by Warner Press which is the same publisher that I work with when writing small group curriculum and who published my Identity in Christ Bible study.]
Reverse Coloring Book – In this reverse coloring book, the colored pages are there, waiting for you to draw the picture over the top. Some of the sample pages are clearly floral scenes while other are more generic and could be a background for almost any picture.