Category: Book News

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.

 

BOOK NEWS: August 24, 2021

BOOK NEWS: August 24, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are a few of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Little Naturalists: George Washington Carver Loved Plants AND Wangari Maathai Planted Trees (Board Books) – Board book biographies focused on naturalists. I LOVE this idea! Part of a series.
Just Be Yourself, Dragon! – Dragon is nervous about the first day of school.
The Snoopy Show: A Snoopy Tale AND When Snoopy Met Woodstock – Two new leveled readers starring Snoopy.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

Say It Out Loud – From the author of Property of the Rebel Librarian. Charlotte’s stutter keeps her from a lot of things like speaking up about bullying or speaking on stage. (When she sings, though, she doesn’t stutter!) But when her silence fractures a friendship and the musical theater program she cares about is cut, Charlotte finds her voice through writing. I have already pre-ordered this one!
Who Is Tom Brady?
Both Sides Now (LGBTQ+) – A trans teen looking forward to his senior year debate cycle wrestles with the possibility of having to argue against his own interests when the topic for Nationals is transgender rights.
Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things – In a world where vampires exist, a teen travels to New Orleans looking for a vampiric solution to her father’s terminal cancer diagnosis.

Books for Adults

Alaska Reunion (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Wild River series. Callum volunteers to be Ellie’s fake boyfriend for their reunion and the wilderness retreat afterwards, hoping that the time together will show her how he feels about her. Reunions AND a fake dating scenario? Sign me up!
Bombshell (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Hell’s Belle’s series. Lady Sesily has embraced her scandalous reputation, but her brother’s best friend wants to rescue her from herself.
Dial M for Maine Coon (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Furever Pets Mystery series after The Pomeranian Always Barks Twice. Liz finds someone to adopt a beautiful Maine Coon rescue, but before the adoption can take place, the prospective owner is murdered. But he’s not who everyone thought he was. This sounds amazing! It’s on my wish list.
Double Chocolate Cookie Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Cook-Off Mystery series. Sherry re-connects with her high school home ec teacher only to lose him again when he is murdered.
No Grater Crime (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Country Store Mystery series. Robbie has to temporarily close her business and track a murderer when a series of incident threatens her livelihood.
The Second Rebel (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the First Sister space opera trilogy. This series is on my wish list, too.
The Secret Staircase (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Victorian Village Mystery series. In the middle of renovations, Kate’s contractor finds a secret staircase – and a dead body,
Seven-Year Witch (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Witch Way Librarian series after the delightful Bait and Witch. Sam’s soon-to-be ex-wife goes missing, and Sam is a suspect, which means Josie starts sleuthing. This one is on my review list.

 

BOOK NEWS: August 17, 2021

BOOK NEWS: August 17, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Let’s check out some of the new releases out this week!

Books for Kids

Poultrygeist -The title makes me cackle. Find out what happens to that poor chicken who tries to cross the road.
Pug & Pig and Friends – When the cat who has been tormenting him gets stuck in a tree in a storm, will Pug choose to help?
School of Rock – A picture book version of the movie.
Unraveled – When Cole’s favorite blanket becomes unraveled, Mom saves the day.
Gizmos, Gadgets, and Guitars: The story of Leo Fender – A picture book biography.
Pigskins to Painbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Earnie Barnes – A picture book biography.
Aven Green Baking Machine – Book 2 in the chapter book series starring the protagonist from Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Klawde: Revenge of the Kitten Queen – Book 6 in the Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat series. (Book 1 – ♥♥♥♥♥) Klawde is looking for allies in his quest to rule the universe while Raj is dealing with his own troubles at school.
The Lost Things Club – From the author of the exceptional Captain Superlative. Leah’s summer with her aunt and uncle is different this year because her cousin TJ is different. Ever since a shooting at his school, TJ has stopped talking. But Leah is determined to connect with her cousin and draw him back out again. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Ashfall Legacy – From the author of I Am Number Four. Syd discovers a device that proves his long-missing, presumed-dead father is still alive. But in his search, Syd discovers something that could destroy his father’s home planet, Denza, as well as Earth – and maybe even the whole universe.
The Endless Skies – A young woman on the verge of becoming the warrior she has always dreamed of being – a protector of winged lion shapeshifters – discovers her friends on a rescue mission are in even more danger than they realize. And she must decide if she is going to stay and become a warrior or leave and try to save her friends.
How We Fall Apart – A group of prep school friends are suspected of murder when a girl who knew all their secrets is killed. Now someone who knows those secrets is incriminating them through the school’s social media app
Redemptor – Book 2 in the Raybearer duology. Tarisai has ascended the throne, but her rule is shaky as assassins try to kill her, her friends grow distant, and a quest to the Underworld awaits her.

 

Books for Adults

Battle Royal (Trade Paperback) – While Sylvie is getting invited to be a judge on the baking show she lost, that means judging with the grouchy chef who ensured her loss. If that wasn’t enough, they are also both drawn into a competition to bake a wedding cake for a princess. This sounds fun!
The Dating Playbook (Trade Paperback) – From the author of The Boyfriend Project. Taylor agrees to help Jamar train to get back into the NFL, but they have to keep it a secret, so they decide to fake date. I love that this is something of a companion book to The Boyfriend Project. And I love fake dating stories. This is on my review list
The Exiled Fleet (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in The Divide series after The Last Watch. Adequin and her soldiers that no one wanted may be the galaxy’s only chance of survival. I have both of these books on my wish list.
Husband Auditions (Trade Paperback) – Feeling like the last single person around, Meri decides to try the recommendations in a 1950s article about finding a husband. And she agrees to let her friend Kai film her efforts as he tries to catch a break in his career. And Meri Me quickly goes viral. But Kai starts to wonder if he wants Meri to find love with anyone but him.
Star Trek Picard: Rogue Elements (Hardcover) – The third book in the Star Trek Picard book line after The Last Best Hope and The Dark Veil provides backstory to one of my favorite characters, Rios. We have already pre-ordered this one. I am behind on my Star Trek reading, but my husband has enjoyed the first two books.
40 Days on Being a Five AND 40 Days on Being a Six (Hardcover devotional) – The latest releases in the Enneagram devotional line from Suzanne Stabile and friends. I *loved* the version for my number and highly recommend these.
Sweet Jesus, Is It June Yet?: 10 Ways the Gospels Can Help You Combat Teacher Burnout and Rediscover a Passion for Teaching (August 20, Trade Paperback) – A Gospel-centered resource to help teachers battle burnout.

BOOK NEWS: August 10, 2021

BOOK NEWS: August 10, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: I Am Mary Shelley – The latest leveled reader from the Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum series.
Pizza and Taco: Super-Awesome Comic – Pizza and Taco create their own comic.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Elfie Unperfect – From the author of the AMAZING Annie’s Life in Lists. Elfie thinks she has found the perfect school where she will finally fit in, but she gets expelled on the first day and has to make the best of 5th grade at her old school. I have already pre-ordered this one.
Hope Springs – While Jubilee and her grandmother rarely stay anywhere for long, their stay in Hope Springs just might be different as Jubilee makes some real friends and finds a cause worth fighting for. This is on my wish list for this week.
The Renegade Reporters – Three girls who are kicked off their school news crew decide to start their own when they stumble on a huge story. This is on my list, too!
World Champions: A Max Einstein Adventure (Older Middle Grade) – Book 4 in the Max Einstein series. A powerful group tries to stop Max and her friends from their work to save the world.
Heartless Heirs – A sequel to Twin Daggers from the folks at Blink YA. This is a sci-fi/fantasy/romance/royalty/sisters story that I cannot wait to read! I have book 1 on my wish list.
How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe – Traveling and working in influencer circles leaves Moon feeling like a wallflower, but a love-to-hate-him relationship might change how she views herself.

Books for Adults

Death & Sensibility (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Jane Austen Society Mystery series after Pride, Prejudice and Poison. When the featured speaker at a Jane Austen conference dies, Erin finds it suspicious and starts asking questions.
Dust to Dust (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Ivy Nichols Mystery series after Murder at Hotel 1911. Ivy wants to prove the hotel manager, Mr. Figg, innocent when he is accused of murder. I am eager to check out this series!
Miss Lattimore’s Letter (Trade Paperback) – An unexpected matchmaker finds her own romantic situation challenging when her ex and her client both seem to be interested in her.  This one is on my review list.
One for the Hooks (Hardcover) – Book 14 in the Crochet Mystery series. Molly and her crochet pals are investigating when someone dies  because a drone dropped seafood shells on someone with a severe allergy. It looks like the series might have been given a new cover designer recently, and I love the change. This cover would get me to pick this book up even though I don’t crochet and I haven’t read the first 13 books.
Scone of Contention (Hardcover) – Book 13 in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series. Hayley is sleuthing in Scotland when her honeymoon trip becomes a family outing and her new sister-in-law and her friends seem to be tied to a recent death.
She Wouldn’t Change a Thing (Hardcover) – A wife and mother finds herself with a second chance at life when she wakes up as her 17-year-old self. But can she change a tragedy she knows is coming while not losing any of the life she loves in the future?
Still Life and Death (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Shepherd Sisters Mystery series after Out of the Picture (♥♥♥♥½) and Behind the Frame (♥♥♥♥). Savanna’s uncle takes a job at the flower shop where she is teaching an art class, but he stumbles across a murder that sets the Shepherd sisters sleuthing again. Looking forward to this one!
Wait for It (Trade Paperback) – A new stand alone romance from the always delightful Jenn McKinlay. A young woman desperate for a fresh start rents a guest house from a “crabby old man” who turns out to be a good-looking guy her own age who is working through his own pain. This is on my review list.
Baptized in Tear Gas: From White Moderate to Abolitionist (Trade Paperback) – A self-described former “white moderate” who cared about social justice but not as much as keeping the “peace” shares her story of revelation and transformation.
The Secrets of Lego House (Hardcover) – A coffee-table book for Lego fans about the home of Lego.

BOOK NEWS: August 3, 2021

BOOK NEWS: August 3, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy August! There are so many books releasing this month to get excited about. Let’s take a look at some of this week’s new releases!

Books for Kids

Squasherella – A fall twist on Cinderella.
The Secret Life of Viruses – A picture book about the science of viruses.
Agent Moose: Moose on a Mission – Book 2 in the Agent Moose graphic novel chapter book series. Agent Moose, Granny Moose, and Owlfred are working a new case when the circus comes to the forest.
J.D. and the Family Business – A brother and sister with a flair for working with hair team up to grow their businesses. This looks awesome!
Super Turbo Protects the World (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel version of book 4 in the Super Turbo series.
Total Mayhem: Monday Into the Cave of Thieves AND Tuesday The Curse of the Blue Spots – The first two books in the Total Mayhem chapter book series starring a kid named Dash Candoo.
Unicorn Diaries: Bo and the Merbaby – Book 5 in the delightful Unicorn Diaries series. Bo wants to help a merbaby who can’t swim on her own yet.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Black Boy Joy – A collection of 17 stories celebrating Black boys.
Boots – Book 3 in the League of Secret Heroes series. This is a fun historical fantasy mashup with a trio of teen superheroes helping fight World War II. The Infinity Trinity take on the Metallic Falcon when he captures Mae’s aunts.
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2021 (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of the I Survived novel about 9/11. This is a perfect release for the 20th anniversary of an event that impacted the world today’s kids live in, but happened long before they were born. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Julie and the Phantoms: Whatever Happens – A book that takes place immediately after the end of season one of Julie and the Phantoms, but which reveals stories from before the boys became ghosts and before Julie’s mom died. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai – After a break-up, Jenna swears off boys. But her ex is competing with her for a major scholarship and another boy keeps stealing her favorite diner booth where she goes to hide every day.
Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares – Book 2 in this series from Rick Riordan’s imprint. Paola is having nightmares again, but with her relationships in flux, there’s really no one she can tell. But her mysterious and absent father is at the center of the nightmares – and he just might be the solution she needs to help her ailing grandmother.
Stowaway – The latest middle grade story from the fabulous John David Anderson. This is the first book in a planned sci-fi duology. Leo and his brother have been stranded in space when the galactic battle over a rare but important resource discovered on Earth heats up and their scientist father is kidnapped. This one is on my review list.
Wish Upon a Stray – Looking for friends in her new American home, Maria gets attached to a stray who turns out to belong to her neighbor. In exchange for more time with the dog, she agrees to sing in her neighbor’s band.
Dangerous Play – When Zoe is assaulted at a party, she and her field hockey teammates decide to do whatever they have to in order to ensure no girl ever feels unsafe again.
The Dead and the Dark (LGBTQ+) – Two girls team up to find out what has been happening to the teens in the town of Snakebite, but neither are ready for what they discover.
The Fatal Error – First book in the Holding the Fort series. A secret military project decides it doesn’t want to be kept a secret any more. And a group of teens wakes up to find everyone else in their town has gone missing. I have this one on my wish list.
Suns Will Rise – Book 3 in the System Divine series described as “Les Misérables meets The Lunar Chronicles.” I’m not sure I can do the description to this justice since I haven’t read the first two books. But book one, Sky Without Stars, is on my list.

 

Books for Adults

An Amish Schoolroom (Trade Paperback) – A collection of three stories about Amish school teachers.
The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole (Hardcover) – Book 18 in the Chocoholic Mystery series. Lee starts looking into a series of robberies where only sweets are taken when her friend’s boyfriend becomes a suspect.
The Dating Dare (Trade Paperback) – Sequel to the fun novel, A Sweet Mess. While their secret dates always end in some romcom-level disaster, their chance meetings are always something special. And that’s a problem because Tara doesn’t want anything serious, and Seth is going to be leaving the country soon for a job. This one is on my review list.
Death in Castle Dark (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new A Dinner and a Murder Mystery series which I have heard is written by Julia Buckley. An actress cast in a murder mystery troupe finds a real mystery when one of the other actors is killed during a performance. This is also on my review list.
Delia Suits Up (Trade Paperback) – A woman convinced her job woes would be gone if only she was a man finds herself magically transformed.
Hostile Intent (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Danger Never Sleeps series. A military officer requests an early discharge to spend time with her dying mother, but she’s attacked. Now the special agent of the FBI who saved her says she may have the answers to a series of unsolved murders. And they need to work together to find the killer before the killer strikes again.
If the Shoe Fits (Hardcover) – From the author of Dumplin’. Cindy, a shoe-loving fashion designer who can’t find work in her field, finds herself thrown into a reality tv show when a guest cancels and the show-runner (Cindy’s step-mother) needs a fill-in. As the first plus-sized woman to appear on the show, Cindy finds herself getting a lot of attention, but she’s not sure she can trust any of it – the fans, her fellow contestants, or the things she is feeling for the star of the show. This is also on my review list.
Murder Most Fowl (Hardcover) – Book 29 in the always delightful Meg Langslow Mystery series. While Meg’s husband is directing a production of Macbeth, and a group of reenactors are exploring the life of the real Macbeth, a murderer strikes. (Book 30, The Twelve Jays of Christmas, will release in October.) This one is on my review list.
So We Meet Again (Trade Paperback) – When Jessie heads home to lick her wounds after being laid off, she runs into her childhood nemesis who, surprisingly, offers to help her relaunch her YouTube cooking channel. I have adored the last couple books I have ready by Suzanne Park, so I am eager to dig into this one, which is on my review list.
To Write a Wrong (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series after the wonderful To Steal a Heart. When a mystery writer finds himself the target of murder attempts, he enlists the help of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. And Daphne, a mystery writer herself, is assigned to help. I am so excited about this one!
The Walnut Creek Wish (Trade Paperback) – First in the Creektown Discoveries series. A couple in a strained marriage move to Walnut Creek and find unexpected help at an antique store.
3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager (Hardcover) – Based on research from the Fuller Youth Institute. Contains information to help pastors, parents, youth leaders, and mentors shepherd teens through their three big questions: Who am I? Where do I fit? and What difference can I make? This sounds amazing!
The Daily Bible Project (Three-Year Journal) – A multi-year journal with a Bible reading prompt (roughly three chapters a day) with room for notes. Will take the reader through the Bible in a year, three times. No text, just the reference so any translation can be used. I am eager to see this one in person.
Holy Hot Mess: Finding God in the Details of This Weird and Wonderful Life (Hardcover) – No matter how “messy” life feels, you can trust you are being transformed into Christ’s likeness.
A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A AND Year W (Trade Paperback) – A lectionary focused on the stories of women in the Bible.

BOOK NEWS: July 27, 2021

BOOK NEWS: July 27, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Books for Kids

Good Dog: The Swimming Hole – Book 5 in the Good Dog series about Bo. Bo is going to go swimming for the first time.

Books for Older Kids/ Teens/Young Adults

Marvel-Verse: She-Hulk (Older Middle Grade, Graphic Novel) – A collection of She-Hulk stories to introduce the character to kids.
Super Sidekicks: Ocean’s Revenge (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Super Sidekicks series. The sidekicks are settling into their new life as heroes while the Mother of the Seas stirs up trouble.
Star Wars The High Republic: Out of the Shadows – Book 2 in the middle grade portion of the High Republic series. A girl trying to keep the family business her mother built and a young Jedi are drawn into a property dispute on the frontier.
Weird Kid – Jake is a mysterious boy with shape-shifting powers who is just trying to blend in  when mysterious sinkholes start popping up around town – holes filled with goo like Jake was when he arrived on Earth. Then, the whole town starts to act… weird. This one is on my review list.
Mightier than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World Through Writing – What an awesome idea for a book! I can’t wait to see this one in person. This would be a great book to add to classroom libraries and for young writers.
Red Wolf – A reimagined Little Red Riding Hood about a young woman who is part of a line of protectors who take the shape of a wolf to guard their village. But her role could cost her everything that truly matters to her.
When We Were Strangers – A young woman is the only one in her family who knows that the day he died her father was planning to move out of the house to live with his pregnant mistress. When the mistress needs help, the young woman who has been following her discovers there’s even more to the story than she thinks. This sounds fascinating!

Books for Adults

Cider Shop Rules (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Cider Shop Mystery series by delightful Julie Anne Lindsey. (She also writes under other names such as Bree Baker, Julie Chase, and Jacqueline Frost.) Winnie is sleuthing again when one of the more popular people in town is murdered. I missed book 2 somehow in this series, but I plan to catch up soon – I picked up the e-book for a dollar! This one is on my review list!
Claws for Alarm (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Cat Café Mystery series. JJ’s House of Purrs is attracting national attention, which draws in some big names who want to work with Maddie on rescue fundraising. But when the big executive is found dead, Maddie has a lot of questions. This sounds like a fun series I’ll have to add to my list.
A Few Drops of Bitters (Hardcover) – Book 26 in the fun Savannah Reid Mystery series. Savannah and her friends are drawn into a high profile case when the wealthy husband of a new friend is murdered.
A Fiancée’s Guide to First Wives and Murder (Hardcover) – Book 4 in one of my favorites – the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. It seems Frances’ fiancé George has some explaining to do when a young French woman comes to town insisting she is George’s wife. I adore this series and can’t wait to dig into this story. This is on my review list as well.
A Good Day for Chardonnay (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Sunshine Vicram series. A small town police chief, Sunshine just wants a simple, quiet day but instead she has a bar fight gone wrong, an unsolved murder, and her own abduction cold case. The description of this is an absolute delight. I have book one waiting in my shopping cart.
Heartbreak for Hire (Trade Paperback) – Brinkley’s job at Heartbreak for Hire makes sense to her. She helps women get the revenge they deserve on the men who cruelly broke their hearts. But when Brinkley’s boss decides to hire male heartbreakers – and her first choice is a guy Brinkley had to take down – things don’t seem quite so simple any more.
Knot Ready for Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Quilting Mystery series. Martha and her friends have a little extra incentive this time when they take on a missing person’s case. The missing person is technically still married to Martha’s fiancé, and her wedding plans are hanging in the balance.
The Matchmaker Bride (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Blue Hills Brides series. Meredith’s little white lie about an engagement to a Maine boatbuilder spirals out of control and threatens her plans for the future until she convinces the man to play along for awhile. I love a good fake relationship story, so this is on my radar.
Much Ado About Nauticaling (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Whit and Whiskers Mystery series. Whitney decides to help clear her brother’s name when he is accused of murder not long after she comes home to help him run the family business. The description promises all the cozy mystery vibes combined with some romcom fun, and that put this one on my list, too.
Murder in a Teacup (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Tea by the Sea Mystery series by Vicki Delany. When a guest’s special tea is used to commit murder, Lily’s business – and her freedom – are in jeopardy.
Murder in Connemara (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Home to Ireland Mystery series. Tara is a murder suspect when an heiress is found dead, killed with a brooch from Tara’s shop. But there are other suspects too as the woman was entertaining folks she wronged back when she was drinking.
The Rocky Road to Ruin (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. A travel food blogger – and CIA librarian – is home for a funeral when a murderer strikes. This sounds like an interested set up; I’d give this one a try!
A Time to Swill (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. When a sailboat washes ashore with a skeleton inside, Chloe starts sleuthing to clear the name of an old friend.
Ephesians: Head Held High (Trade Paperback) – A Bible study over the book of Ephesians.

BOOK NEWS: July 20, 2021

BOOK NEWS: July 20, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Boo! Baa, LaLaLa! (Board Book) – A new board book from the delightful Sandra Boynton.
Amara and the Bats – A bat-loving girl looks for a way to help the bats near her new home when their habitat is disturbed.
Trick Or Treat, Crankenstein – Halloween may be ruined after a series of problems for Crankenstein.
Dragon Masters: Wave of the Sea Dragon – Book 19 in the Dragon Masters series.
Pup Detectives: Ghosts, Goblins and Ninjas! (Graphic Novel) – Book 4 in the Pup Detective graphic novel series.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Better with Butter – An anxious girl finds a true friend in a fainting goat named Butter, but their friendship is in jeopardy when she is told she might have to give Butter up.
Linked – The latest from the fabulous Gordon Korman. Three kids team up to find out who has been painting swastikas around their school.
Titans: The Fallen Queen – Book 3 in the Titans series by Kate O’Hearn. Astraea and her friends must take their fight to the Mimic’s home world, but their only chance to defeat the Mimic queen will require a team up with some unlikely allies. I have enjoyed the author’s other mythology books, and the first book in this series was terrific!
History Smashers: The American Revolution – A new nonfiction book from Kate Messner.
After the Ink Dries – Told from different viewpoints, including portions told in graphic panels. A girl wakes up after a party half clothed, with names of boys all over her body, including the name of her new “boyfriend.” A dark subject, told in a creative way. Something to check out.
Curses – A Beauty and the Beast retelling about a girl cursed to live as a beast and the con artist she gets to help her find the love that can break the curse.
The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor (Graphic Novel) – A fan of Gothic romance novels finds herself living in one when an act of heroism transports her to an alternate universe.

Books for Adults

Fatal Family Ties (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the outstanding Ancestry Detective Mystery series. Lucy’s least-favorite former co-worker asks for her help tracing an ancestor accused of being a Civil War deserter, but their investigation leads to murder. This is definitely on my review list.
Isn’t It Bromantic? (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the fantastic Bromance Book Club series. The Russian’s marriage of convenience is the focus of this book in this hilarious series about a group of men in a romance book club. I don’t know that these have to be read in order necessarily, but you don’t want to miss any of them! This is on my review list as well.
Mother of All (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Women’s War series. While women have wrested back control of their reproductive rights, the battle against the forces that would keep them subjugated is heating up. This series sounds fascinating! I have the first book on my list.
Second Blind Son (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Saylok series. An orphan girl teams up with a blind cave dweller who discovers he can see when she sings. Together they confront secrets and prophecies while the world around them continues to deal with warring factions and power struggles. This is another series that’s new to me. I’ll be checking out the first book of this as well.
Star Trek Voyager: Seven’s Reckoning (Graphic Novel) – A comics collection starring Voyager’s Seven of Nine.
So Long Normal (Trade Paperback, Nonfiction) – A new book from singer/songwriter Laura Story, author of the amazing When God Doesn’t Fix It (♥♥♥♥♥). Looks at both biblical and personal stories of leaving “normal” behind for the life God has for us.
The One with All the Cross-Stitch (Paperback, Nonfiction) – Includes 21 cross stitch patterns like the couch, a smelly cat, and a raw turkey wearing sunglasses.
When Thoughts and Payers Aren’t Enough: A Shooting Survivor’s Journey into the Realities of Gun Violence (Hardcover, Nonfiction) – This is another nonfiction book releasing this month from someone I follow on social media. This look at gun violence and the response of the Church should be a fascinating read.

BOOK NEWS: July 13, 2021

BOOK NEWS: July 13, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week to enjoy during your summer vacation!

 

Books for Kids

Tiny Barbarian – Inspired by a movie character, Tiny becomes a barbarian, facing down fierce creatures – and giant broccoli. But what can a barbarian do to defeat his fear of the dark?
Goat Wants to Eat – Every time Cat tries to find somewhere to nap, Goat shows up and tries to eat something.
Rocket Has a Sleepover – Rocket has trouble falling asleep during his sleepover with his friends. Could the illustrations here be any more adorable?!

 

Books for Older Kids/ Teens/Young Adults

Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alive (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series from Chris Colfer, a spin-off from his Land of Stories series. This is the origin story for the character. This looks fun!
Margie Kelly Breaks the Dress Code – Margie notices how the dress code is unfairly applied to just the girls at her school, so she decides to fight back. But in the fight she also starts to recognize her own privilege and ways she can take a stand that helps all students. I like the extra twist on this story.
Ten Thousand Tries – Golden knows if he wants to improve on the soccer field, he has to put in the work – 10,000 tries. But when his father’s health gets worse, more practice and pushing harder isn’t going to be enough to fix things.
Faking Reality – What is Dakota willing to sacrifice when her best friend and crush’s family business is in big trouble?
Radha & Jai’s Recipe for Romance – In a new community after a devastating disappointment, Radha thinks she will have to leave dance behind her. But Jai sees that Radha could be just the talented partner he needs to find happily ever after – for both of them.

Books for Adults

Dogged by Death (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Furry Friends Mystery series. Ally moves back to Wisconsin to help her grandfather and ends up investigating a murder when her grandfather decides he can solve the case. This looks so fun! It’s on my review list.
Hex for Danger (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series after the delightful A Spell for Trouble. Alex and Celeste are planning the annual Mermaid Festival when Celeste is suspected of murder. This is on my review list, too!
How Sweet It Is (Trade Paperback) – An event planner used to planning weddings takes on a horror writer’s book launch – and sparks unexpectedly fly. This sounds fantastic!
It Happened One Summer (Trade Paperback) – A pampered Hollywood Princess is cut off and forced to “rough it” running her late-father’s dive bar. The burly local sea captain thinks she won’t stick it out, so she has something to prove.
Make You Feel My Love (Trade Paperback) – Two strangers in Chickadee Creek looking for a fresh start are drawn together by an old violin.
Midnight Spells Murder (e-book) – Book 2 in the Happy Camper Mystery series after Open for Murder. Zo is getting ready for Halloween at the Happy Camper gift shop when a self-proclaimed witch is murdered and Zo is drawn into hunting down another killer.
Murder at the Lakeside Library (Hardcover) – First in the new Lakeside Library Mystery series. After the death of her husband, Rain has moved to the family cabin in Wisconsin and is preparing to re-open the library her mother used to run then when she discovers a dead real-estate buyer. Rumor has it that Rain’s mother was having an affair with the man.
Secrets of the Force: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Wars (Hardcover) – A single volume retelling of the Star Wars saga.
Silence in the Library (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Lily Adler Mystery series. Lily teams up again with a Bow Street Runner when the husband of her new friend is murdered.
Song of Echoes (e-book) – Kicks of a new “epic fantasy series.”
Star Trek The Next Generation: Shadows Have Offended (Trade Paperback) – The crew of the Enterprise is split up to tackle two missions. While Picard, Worf and Troi are dealing with a diplomatic crisis related to Betazed, Riker, Data, and Crusher are investigating a tragedy at a science station. This is at the top of my reading list for this month!
Trusting Molly (Trade Paperback) – A schoolteacher kidnapped along with hundreds of girls in the jungle is rescued by a team of government assassins who thought they were coming in to take out a target and leave.
While We Were Dating (Trade Paperback) – They were just supposed to be working together for an ad campaign. But flirting and banter might turn into something real – if the Hollywood spotlight doesn’t ruin everything.
Subpar Parks: America’s Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors (Hardcover, Nonfiction) – Based on the Instagram account that puts up art based on the National Parks with hilarious, real criticisms. This is supposed to include 50% new material just for the book.
You Can’t Say That: Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free Expression, and the Stories They Have to Tell (Hardcover, Nonfiction) – Thirteen authors of children’s and young adult books talk about what it’s like to have their work banned or challenged.