Category: Book News

BOOK NEWS: February 16, 2021

BOOK NEWS: February 16, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Books for Kids

Chickapiglet, Who Lives Where? (Board Book) – Board book based on the fun-sounding Chickapiglet board game. I would love to see this in person – looks fantastic!
Rectangle Time – A cat notices changes in his family’s “rectangle time” (reading) as his boy gets older. This was a must-buy for me. My copy should be here tomorrow.
Seven Special Somethings – A picture book celebrating Persian New Year.
Headstrong Hallie! – A picture book biography about the first woman fire guard for the US Forest Service.
Dave the Unicorn: Dance Party – Book 3 in the Dave the Unicorn series. Mira and Dave might miss the school dance party when a class quest gets out of control.
Who Was? Workbook, Grade 2 – Reading passages and writing prompts based on historical figures from the Who Was series.

Book for Older Kids/Teen/Young Adults

Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found (Older Middle Grade) – When Kingston’s father, one of the world’s greatest magicians, disappeared, all of Echo City’s magic disappeared with him. Now Kingston is back in town and determined to figure out what happened to his father.
Who Was? Workbook Grade 3 – Reading passages and writing prompts based on historical figures from the Who Was series.
Amelia Unabridged – Amelia and her best friend Jenna have the opportunity to attend a book festival where their favorite author is appearing – a dream come true. But when Jenna gets a chance to meet the author and Amelia doesn’t, it leads to a fight between the girls. And before they can reconcile, Jenna is killed in an accident. Everything in Amelia’s life is upended. Then she receives a package that leads her back to the girls’ favorite author – and maybe a clue to something Jenna was trying to tell her. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

Books for Adults

A Court of Silver Flames (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Court of Thorns and Roses series, this one focused on Nesta.
Dewey Belong Together (e-book, February 18) – Book 7 in the Green Valley Library series. Green Valley librarian Maxine Peters may come across as mild-mannered in her day job. But online, she is notorious in her gaming community. But when her online nemesis shows up in her offline life, they have a lot of obstacles to deal with on the road to potential love. This series sounds so fun!
The Echo Wife (Hardcover) – When Evelyn Caldwell’s husband has an affair with Martine, her clone from her research, he’s soon dead. And Evelyn and Martine have a mess to deal with.
First Comes Like (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Modern Love series. When someone uses his identity to catfish a woman, Dev initially brushes off the drama. But he can’t stop thinking about Jia. When the paparazzi make their private business public, they agree to play at being a couple to calm the gossip.  But is it possible for something real and lasting to evolve from a fake, false start? I have enjoyed the first two books in this series, so this is definitely on my list for this week.
Like You Love Me (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Honey Creek series. Childhood best friends engage in a marriage of convenience that starts to turn serious.
Love in the City (e-book, collection) – A collection of 13 romantic comedies. I’m looking forward to trying this one. I find collections like this can be a great way to discover new authors.
The Minders (Trade Paperback) – In the fight against cyberterrorism, a new procedure stores the country’s secrets into the genetic code of five individuals. But only four of them can be trusted with these secrets. This sounds fascinating!
The Paris Dressmaker (Trade Paperback) – In 1939 a Paris dressmaker infiltrates the Nazi elite, designing gowns and gathering secrets. In 1943, a woman cataloging works of art headed to Berlin discovers a Chanel gown with a hidden message.

BOOK NEWS: February 9, 2021

BOOK NEWS: February 9, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Soosie, the Horse That Saved Shabbat – While Jacob and Soosie usually deliver the challah for Shabbat, this time, Jacob is sick. How will everyone get their challah in time?
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: I Am Abigail Adams AND I Am Confucius – New biographies tied to the Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum show.
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: I Am Mary Anning – New early reader biography tied to the Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum show.
Jasper & Scruff: The Talent Show – Book 3 in the Jasper and Scruff early chapter book series about a smart cat and a messy dog. This time, Scruff wants to team up for the talent show, but Jasper wants the attention all to himself.
Simon and Chester, Super Detectives! – Book 1 in this new series about a boy who teams up with a ghost to solve mysteries.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Of a Feather (Older Middle Grade) – A cautious and distrustful girl rescues a baby owl, and together the two learn from one another.
Stick Dog Takes Out Sushi – Book 11 in the Stick Dog series. Stick Dog has to work around several obstacles keeping him and his friends from some sushi.
Tell No Tales (Graphic Novel) – A female pirate and her crew work to solve the meaning of her recent disturbing dream when their major heist is foiled.
Zoo Patrol Squad: Run Monster Run (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Zoo Patrol Squad series. Fennlock and Penny team up again to protect the Fast and Furry racers from a monster.
Strong in Spirit: 5-Minute Devotions for Pre-Teen Guys – Devotional for middle grade boys.
As Far As You’ll Take Me (LGBTQ+) – Marty heads to London with his oboe and the money from his summer job to start his life fresh, away from his parents’ disapproval about his sexuality. But while pieces of his fresh start are going great – his first boyfriend, a circle of friends, and life in Europe, Marty’s running through his money and he’s overwhelmed with anxiety and homesickness.
Game Changer – The latest from the author of Scythe. A hit on the field sends a football player through alternate realities which give him insight into the original one. But if he’s not careful, his life in his own reality could slip away from him.
The Gilded Ones – Already something of an oddity, the discovery of Deka’s gold blood would usually mean a fate worse than death. But instead she is offered the opportunity to join the emperor’s army of girls just like her, near-immortals with special gifts. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Hot British Boyfriend – After a humiliating public rejection from her crush, Ellie joins her school’s study abroad group to repair her reputation and to find a hot British boyfriend.
A Pho Love Story – The children of rival families, each with a pho restaurant, are well aware of the family conflict. But when they meet for the first time, sparks fly. What can they do when their families are constantly at odds?
We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire – When Em’s sister’s rapist goes free despite the guilty verdict at his trial, Em is devastated. She finds comfort in the story of a 15th century noblewoman who was an avenging knight for rape victims.

Books for Adults

The Devil Comes Courting (e-book) – Book 3 in the Worth Saga. Amelia Smith is the reclusive genius who has discovered a way to slash the cost of telegraphic transmissions, but she initially wants no part of working with the ambitious man who has come to her for help.
The Future Is Yours (Hardcover) – Two friends invent a computer that can connect to the internet one year in the future and show you not only what’s happening in your own life, but also in the world. Stock prices. Sports scores. And an apocalypse? This sounds fascinating!
Hiss H for Homicide (e-book) – Book 4 in the Nick and Nora Mystery series. When a friend asks Nora to intervene when her writing partner threatens to go public with her dark secrets, Nora agrees. But she finds the woman dead, and now her friend is the prime suspect.
Hit Me with Your Best Scot (Mass Market Paperback) – While Coll’s mother despairs of him ever settling down, Coll himself has met the perfect woman. But Persephone is not looking for a man. In fact, her top priority is evading the people who would see her dead to claim her inheritance. I had to laugh at first at the great title for this, but I find the plot intriguing! I’ve got this one on my list.
A Lady’s Formula for Love (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Secret Scientists of London series. When Lady Violet’s secret society of female scientists is in danger, she will team up with her bodyguard to find the culprit while denying her feelings for the man charged with protecting her. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Murder with a View (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the House-Flipper Mystery series. When Whitney scores a run down motel that she can convert into condos, she feels like she has won the lottery. Sadly, her big win includes a squatter and a dead body. Complicating things even further, the body is that of an up and coming country superstar. And his groupies want to turn Whitney’s property into a shrine.
The Path of Leashed Resistance (e-book, February 13) – Book 1 in the Addie Walker Mystery series about a veterinarian whose return home ends up with her as a murder suspect.
Slay Misty for Me (e-book) – Book 2 in the Matchmaker Marriage Mystery series. Gladie hopes to stay out of all of the craziness that has erupted around town, but when she finds a dead body that might be connected to some of the local shenanigans, she starts to investigate.
Wild Rain (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Women Who Dare series. An escaped slave turned reporter heads west for an interview, but instead he’s captivated by the man’s sister, a rancher who is not looking for a man in her life. This series sounds terrific!
The Witch’s Heart (Hardcover) – A witch, punished by Odin for not telling him the future, has lost her power and fled to the forest. There she meets and falls in love – with Loki. When her powers start to return, she foresees danger for her three unusual children, and maybe for all of existence. I am intrigued by this one!
The Epic Air Fryer Plant-Powered Cookbook: 100 Incredibly Good Vegetarian Recipes that Take Plant-Based Air Frying in Amazing New Directions (Paperback) –  Includes breakfast options, snacks, desserts, and main courses. (The cover shown here is the one for the Kindle version. Amazon is showing a different cover for the print version.)
Hearing God Speak: A 52-Week Interactive Enneagram Devotional (Trade Paperback) – Hear from God in the unique language of your Enneagram type.  I can’t wait to check this one out in person!
I Love My Instant Pot 5-Ingredient Recipe Book: From Pot Roast, Potatoes ,and Gravy to Simple Lemon Cheesecake (Paperback) – 175 quick and easy recipes that are fast and affordable.
My Wynter Season: Seeing God’s Faithfulness in the Shadow of Grief (Trade Paperback) – Pitts shares the journey of loving and losing his wife Wynter and raising their girls on his own. This will be powerful.
Star Trek Deep Space 9/Defiant Illustrated Handbook (Hardcover) – An illustrated deep dive into the space station and ship from TV’s Star Trek Deep Space Nine.

BOOK NEWS: February 2, 2021

BOOK NEWS: February 2, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy February! There are a TON of new books releasing this week. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Books for Kids – Board Books and Picture Books

Blankie AND Bubbles (Board books) – Two new board books celebrating imagination and friendship from the author of the Narwhal and Jelly series.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Board book) – A board book version of this classic story.
Flashlight Night: An Adventure in Trusting God – When a boy wonders why God isn’t answering his prayers, his mother uses their prayer wall and a flashlight to teach him  about faith. This looks lovely!
A Girl’s Bill of Rights – A declaration of the rights for every girl and woman.
The Great Passover Escape – Animals escape from the zoo to search for a Seder they can attend. This looks darling!
Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket – Sadie and her stuffed animal crew plan for a trip to Mars!
What About X? – When the alphabet goes on a camping trip, X can’t think of something to bring that starts with x.
Grace Banker and the Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators – The true story of Grace Banker’s role in the Signal Corps in WWI.
Little People, Big Dreams: Megan Rapinoe AND Stevie Wonder – Picture book biographies.
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre – The story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre from 1921.

Books for Kids – Chapter Books

Diary of a Pug: Pug’s Got Talent – Book 4 in the Diary of a Pug series. Bub has to work with his arch nemesis, Duchess the cat, to save Bella’s pet talent show.
Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly: The Coldfire Curse AND Shadow Hills (Graphic Novel) – The first two books of the Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly series are given the graphic novel treatment.
Give it a Try, Yasmin! – Four new Yasmin stories.
King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring – Book 7 in the King and Kayla series. When their friend Asia loses her ring in the snow, King and Kayla are on the case.
Owl Diaries: Eva at the Beach – Book 14 in the Owl Diaries series. When Eva goes to the beach with her best friend, she is afraid to go into water.
Pup Detectives: The First Case AND The Tiger’s Eye (Graphic Novel) – The first two books in the Pup Detectives graphic novel series. Pup Detective Rider Woofson learns there are other puppy sleuths at his school, so they all team up to solve mysteries. This looks darling!
Super Turbo Saves the Day AND Super Turbo vs the Flying Ninja Squirrels (Graphic Novel) – The first two Super Turbo books get the graphic novel treatment.
Flash Facts (Graphic Novel) – Flash and other DC heroes talk about science and technology. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
She Persisted: Claudette Colvin – Before Rosa Parks protested unfair segregation, teenager Claudette Colvin took a similar stand.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Brightly Woven (Graphic Novel) – A talented weaver and a young wizard team up to dodge a dark wizard and deliver vital news to the capital to avert a war.
The EngiNerds Strike Back – Book 3 in the fun EngiNerds series (EngiNerds – ♥♥♥♥). The alien who appeared at the end of Revenge of the EngiNerds tells the kids that he’s there to scope out Earth as a site for a new galactic billboard. But if Earth is chosen, the planet would be destroyed to make space.
Girls Just Wanna Have Pugs – When Kat’s parents say she has to pick up an extracurricular activity, she decides to start a dog walking business with her friends.
Ground Zero – On September 11, 2001, a boy is visiting his dad on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center when the planes strike. On September 11, 2019, in Afghanistan, a girl finds an injured American soldier after battle erupts in her village. From the author’s track record, this will be a book you won’t want to miss.
The Hatmakers – When her father goes missing and the magical peace items made by the local guilds cause the opposite of peace, Cordelia is the one who goes searching for answers.
Hilo: Gina, the Girl Who Broke the World (Graphic Novel) – Book 7 in the outstanding HiLo graphic novel series. Book 6, All the Pieces Fit (♥♥♥♥♥), wraps up the initial story arc for the series, so this book launches a new arc starring Gina. Magical beings are showing up on Earth, hunting the Nestor, but only Gina can see them. And Gina is torn between helping the Nestor and walking away from magic all together. I’ll be reviewing this one soon, but the fact that this was in my most favorite of favorites list from 2020 will tell you how much I adored this one!
I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944 (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of the original I Survived book.
The Last Bear – There aren’t supposed to be any more polar bears on Bear Island, but one night April sees something distinctly bear-shaped.
The Magical Reality of Nadia – First in a new series. Nadia is looking forward to winning a contest to design a museum exhibit, but a new classmate throws her off her game when he teases her about her Egyptian heritage. But the ancient Egyptian amulet she wears is concealing a secret that could help her confront this other kid and also win the contest.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as told to his brother) – Aidan was missing for six days. When he returns, he tells an outlandish story no one believes. The harder he is pushed on the story, the stronger he sticks to it. Aidan’s brother, Lucas, wants to believe him. And he’s getting worried about Aidan’s response to the conflict. But how can you believe in your own brother’s story whenever everyone else is telling you it can’t possibly be true? I am intrigued by this one!
Rome Reframed (Older Middle Grade) – Book 1 in the Wish & Wander series. Lucas is in danger of failing 8th grade. His family has been traveling the world, and Lucas doesn’t want to be there; he’d rather be home. The school work he is submitting from the trip is subpar. At their last stop in Rome, Lucas has one final chance to submit a stellar project and fix his grades. And help comes from a magical coin that teleports him to ancient Rome. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Shuri: The Vanished – Book 2 in the Shuri series by Nic Stone (Dear Martin – ♥♥♥♥). When Shuri hears of young, gifted female scientists going missing around the world, she is determined to find them. I enjoyed the first book and will be eager to dig into this one.
Strange Academy: First Class (Older Middle Grade – Graphic Novel) – A comics collection of the first six issues of the Strange Academy comic series about Marvel’s first school for sorcerers.
Ultimate Gamer Career Mode (Older Middle Grade) – A handbook for making a career out of gaming including game development, Twitch streaming, and eSports.
Who Was Catherine the Great? AND Who Was Walt Whitman? – New biographies from Who HQ.
You’re God’s Girl Prayer Journal – From the late Wynter Pitts. Devotional thoughts with space to write responses and prayers. The sample pages of this look lovely.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Crown of Power (e-book, February 5) – Book 4 in the Hidden Mage series. Verene and Darius try to focus on finishing magic school while also protecting their future kingdoms.
Fat Chance Charlie Vega – Discovering her crush asked out her best friend first is the final straw for Charlie Vega who is ready to speak out and stand up to a world that tries to tell her she should be thinner, whiter, and quieter. This one is on my list for this week.
Love in English – An Argentinian teen longs to return home after her family moves to New Jersey. But finding potential love at school AND in her English as a Second Language class is almost as confusing as the rules of English.
Love Is a Revolution – Nala tells a few lies to make herself sound like she has more in common with the activist she meets at Open Mic Night. But as she falls further and further for Tye, her lies start to spin out of her control.
The Obsession – Logan doesn’t think he’s a stalker – he’s “romantic.” But that video camera he has trained on Delilah caught her killing her step-father. And he’s not about to let her forget what he knows. But Delilah is DONE with men controlling her life.
The Project – When their parents died, Lo went to live with a great-aunt while her sister joined The Unity Project. Lo is convinced it’s a cult. And when a man shows up at her newspaper claiming The Unity Project is responsible for the death of his son, she thinks she finally has a chance to prove it. The group’s charismatic leader tells Lo she can investigate and try to prove her suspicions. If she can’t, she has to leave them alone once and for all. But what Lo finds will turn all of her ideas and theories upside down.
Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark – Padawan Reath Silas would rather work in the Jedi archives than go on a mission to the edges of civilization with his master.  But when disaster strikes, Reath and his traveling companions find themselves on an abandoned space station where strange things start happening. I shared my thoughts on the first three chapters of this book here. Hardly any of the action of the story was touched on in those three chapters, so while I wasn’t impressed with the beginning, the rest of the story sounds fascinating.
A Taste for Love – Liza agrees to help with the family bakery’s junior competition to show her mother she is not “rebellious” or “stubborn” or any of the other usual complaints. What she doesn’t know, though, is that her mother has chosen young men to compete that she wants Liza to date. This one is on my list, too.
This is Not the Jess Show – In 1998, Jess is trying to deal with the crush she has on her best friend, her overprotective parents, and her sister’s declining health when she discovers a mysterious device with an apple logo that leads her to question everything she thought she knew. This thriller is also on my list for this week.
Yesterday is History (LGBTQ+) – Andre’s new transplanted liver comes with a side effect of time travel. When Andre travels to 1969, he is drawn to Michael, who is everything Andre wishes he was. When he returns to the present, though, Andre is drawn to Blake who is teaching him to use this gift while grieving the death of his brother, the source of Andre’s liver. Andre will have to figure out where he belongs before the impact of his new gift catches up with him. A fascinating premise!

Books for Adults – Fiction

18½ Disguises (e-book) – Book 7 in the Maizie Albright Star Detective mystery series. Former TV teen private eye Maizie Albright is still waiting for her own PI licence, but that doesn’t mean she won’t start investigating when an old friend is killed. I am intrigued by this character!
All Fall Down (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Max McLean series. Black Ops British agent Max McLean finds himself framed for murder and on the run.
Beneath the Keep (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Queen of the Tearling series, this is actually a prequel to the original trilogy about an exiled princess returning to her kingdom and facing off against a sorceress. This book tells the story of the princess’s mother. I have heard great things about the first two books in the trilogy, so I am going to give that a go before diving into this prequel.
Bubble Gum and Blackmail (e-book) – A military vet and former assassin launches a new life as a candy maker. But when bodies start dropping, she can’t help but investigate, even if her former superiors have insisted she not do anything to draw attention to herself. Yes, please! This sounds fun!
Farewell to Murder (e-book, February 4) – Book 2 in the Deadly Paradise Mystery series. (Amazon says this is book 1, but there is an earlier book/prequel, Death in the Afternoon.) Mallory Hemingway, cousin to Ernest Hemingway, is excited to start a new job as the night caretaker at the Hemingway museum. But a series of incidents, including a dead body, cost her the job and leave her the prime suspect in the murder. There are plenty of other suspects, though, so Mallory starts investigating.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (Hardcover) – A struggling novelist discussing the plot of her new book with her agent is mistaken for a contract killer and offered a job. Soon, she is tangled up in a real- life murder. Yes, please! I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Firefly Junction: A Crafty Killing (e-book) – Book 10 in the Firefly Junction Cozy Mystery series. Sunni is covering the Firefly Junction Craft Fair when one of the crafters is killed.
Girls with Bright Futures (Trade Paperback) – When Stanford announces it only has one spot for a student from the high profile Elliott Bay Academy, three mothers discover how high the stakes are when one of the girls is nearly killed in an “accident.”
The Hiker’s Guide to Murder (e-book) – Book 2 in the Southwest Exposure Mystery series. Outdoor guide Andie Sullivan is racing against local law enforcement to find a killer and save the tourist season for her business and her community. Frankly, I want to read these just because the covers are amazing!
Killer Content (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Brooklyn Murder Mystery series. A Bayou transplant adds “sleuth” to her list of new roles when she moves to Brooklyn and a coworker is killed. This sounds great!
The Kindest Lie (Hardcover) – A Black woman on the verge of starting a family decides she needs to make peace with the child she gave birth to as a teen. This takes her back to her hometown where her family harbors secrets they want desperately to keep. While she searches for answers to her personal questions, racial issues in the town threaten to ignite.
Knitted & Knifed (e-book, February 5) – Book 1 in the Knitty Kitty Mystery series. Tessa Wakefield has moved back home to recover from her broken marriage, but she is quickly drawn into her weird family’s antics, helping at her grandfather’s yarn store, and trying to prove her brother innocent of murder. I pre-ordered this weeks ago. It sounds great!
Make Up Break Up (Hardcover) – Her app – Make Up – is all about conflict resolution and repairing failing relationships. His app – Break Up – is all about high efficiency break ups. These rival app developers who once hooked up in Vegas find themselves in direct competition for an award she needs to keep her business afloat.
Much Ado About You (Trade Paperback) – An English holiday – including a temp job at a quaint book store – is just what Evie needs to get some perspective on her life. She doesn’t expect to be so caught up in the lives of the locals, including an irresistible, flirty farmer. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Transformers vs the Terminator: Enemy of My Enemy (Paperback Graphic Novel) – In 1984, the time traveling T-800 goes toe-to-toe with a deadly race of machines.
Trial and Error (Trade Paperback) – When Buddy Smith’s wife took their young daughter and disappeared, he turned his focus to work and built a law practice that specializes in finding missing children. When a local teen goes missing, Buddy partners with a new PI in town as well as the clerk of the county court to find the girl, and he discovers hints about his own daughter’s location along the way. This sounds great!
Winter’s Orbit (LGBTQ+, Hardcover) – When Prince Kiem, the Emperor’s least favorite grandchild, is promised in marriage to a widower who is a suspect in his first husband’s murder, the two will need to work together to discover the truth. The success or failure of their efforts – and their marriage – could impact the survival of the empire. I love the combination of a science fiction/space story with the royal intrigue, so this one is on my list.

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 (Hardcover) – A history of African America, edited by Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be Antiracist and Stamped from the Beginning, and Keisha N. Blain, author of Set the World on Fire. Ninety writers take successive blocks of history and approach their years in a variety of ways. This sounds incredible. It is on my list for this week!
Gluten-Free Cooking for Beginners (Paperback) – Includes a sample meal plan, over 100 recipes, and tips and tricks for gluten-free eating. But to be honest, the book is on my list because of that cover. Yum!
The Gospel for Peacemakers (e-book/Paperback) – Last summer I posted a review for The Gospel for Achievers, a devotional for Enneagram 3s. Now the author has a second volume, this time for 9s. I can’t wait for him to get to books for the numbers represented by my family!
That Sounds Fun: The Joys of Being an Amateur, the Power of Falling in Love, And Why You Need a Hobby (Hardcover) – I read my first Annie F. Downs book last year (Remember God – ♥♥♥♥), and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I am looking forward to this new book which is an invitation to embrace fun. This is also on my list for this week.
The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation (Hardcover) – As these three Black women, born at the start of the 20th century, raised their families in light of the racial conditions in society, their lessons, their experiences, and their resilience influenced the Civil Rights leaders of the 1950s and 1960s.

BOOK NEWS: January 26, 2021

BOOK NEWS: January 26, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are the new releases for the final week of January 2021.

Books for Kids

What’s the Matter, Marlo? – A picture book about best friends and big feelings.
Pizza and Taco: Best Party Ever! – Book 2 in this “young graphic novel” series (early reader/early chapter book). When Pizza and Taco feel bored, they decide to throw a party.
It’s Her Story: Marie Curie – A kids graphic novel biography of Marie Curie. (I’ve seen mixed reports on the age group for this. The description says 6-9 but in other places it is listed for middle grade readers.)
The Story of John Lewis – A kids biography of John Lewis.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale – Book 2 in the Starfell series after Willow Moss and the Lost Day (♥♥♥♥). After recovering the lost day and setting things right, no one remembers the near- disaster Willow averted. But when one of her friends sends word for help, Willow assembles her crew once again, this time to face the Queen of the Undead. I loved book one in this magical series.
Star Wars The Clone Wars: Battle Tales – Stories from the Clone Wars era.
Star Wars Adventures: Rise of the Wookiees (Graphic Novel) – Comics collection (Issues 27-32).
Glory Girl: Daring to Believe in Your Passion & God’s Purpose – From the author of You Are the Girl for the Job comes this journaling guide for preteen girls about discerning your purpose.
NIV Verse Mapping Bible for Girls – Includes 350 partially-completed maps showing the first three steps done as well as 70 blank maps for readers to use. I love this idea – and the Bible looks beautiful inside. This would be so cool to do with a small group of students.
City of Villains – Book one in a new series about Disney villains in a Gotham-like city. This re-imagined origin story for villains like Maleficent, Ursula, and Captain Hook sounds fascinating. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Girls I’ve Been (LGBTQ+) – The daughter of a con artist and her friends get caught up in a bank robbery. I have this on my list – I want to see how Nora’s life of cons helps her out in a robbery.
Time Travel for Love and Profit – After a crummy freshman year, Nephele creates a time travel app to go back and give it another try. And it works – except she is the only one looping. She’s about to start her 10th freshman year, complete with a teacher who was once in her original 9th grade class. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Wings of Ebony – When Rue’s mother is killed, she is taken away from her sister by the father she never knew only to discover she is a half-god. Desperate to reconnect with her sister on the anniversary of their mother’s death, Rue leaves her magical new home to return to Houston, only to find it sinking into evil and her sister falling in with the forces that destroyed their mother. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

Books for Adults – Fiction

Capturing the Earl (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Wallflowers of West Lane. Mercy is determined to protect her friend from another disastrous match, but she doesn’t count on finding the Earl so irresistible herself. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Coffee House Clairvoyant: Emeralds in the Espresso AND Faberge in the Frappuccino AND Opals in the Oolong (e-book) – Three books in this new paranormal cozy series release this week. A woman who can read the history of an object by touch keeps finding items that are tied to murders in her caffeinated beverages. I’m looking forward to giving this series a try.
Claw & Disorder (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Cat Groomer Mystery series. When an elderly hoarder dies and suspicion falls on her husband and their cats, Cassie is there to help track down a killer.
Crime of the Ancient Marinara (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Tuscan Cooking School Mystery series. Chef Orlandini is set to reveal his secret marinara recipe to a group of American foodies, including a possible private investigator sent by Nell’s father, when one of the guests falls dead.
Death by Intermission (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Abby McCree Mystery series. Abby’s mother’s boyfriend is accused of murder at the final Movies in the Park night of the summer.
Egg Shooters (Hardcover) – Book 9 in the Cackleberry Club series. Suzanne stops a gunman at the emergency room by beaning him with a thermos, but he gets away. The Cackleberry Club are concerned he’ll be back, so they start sleuthing.
The Ex Talk (Trade Paperback) – From YA mainstay Rachel Lynn Solomon comes this adult romcom debut. Public radio host rivals have to pretend to be exes in order to keep their jobs. But as the public gets more invested in their new show based on this fake failed relationship, the two hosts start to fall for one another. I have this one on my list.
Falcon & Winter Soldier (Graphic Novel) – Comics collection (Issues 1-5). Sam and Bucky are reunited when someone tries to kill Bucky and the two former Captain Americas are drawn into the hunt for the newest head of Hydra.
Fruit Basket Upset (e-book, January 31) – Book 6 in the Taylor Quinn Quilt Shop Mystery series. A murder at her family’s strawberry farm pushes Taylor to do what she can to keep a family scandal a secret. Except her efforts undermine her alibi for the murder.
Hopeless RomeAntic (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the When in Rome series. Sixteen years ago, Leo gave up his dream and stuck around to work the family business and be a father figure for his niece. But just when things look like he could reconnect with that dream, he meets a woman who runs a concierge service in town as she also cares for her autistic brother. And he finds her captivating. I have book one from this series on my TBR shelves.
Ink and Shadows (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. When a Halloween window display at Miracle Books causes a stir, Nora and the Society try to calm things, but in the local uproar, someone is killed. While the death is ruled an accident, some clues lead Nora to believe otherwise. I have the first three books of this series waiting on my digital TBR shelves.
Irish Parade Murder (Hardcover) – Book 27 in the Lucy Stone Mystery series. Lucy’s reporting rival leaves her wondering if her job is in jeopardy – until he is suspected of murder.
Maryann’s Hope (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Amish Charm Bakery series. An Amish widow’s chance at love is shaken when her fiancé has to leave town to care for his family’s business and she discovers he’s been harboring secrets.
Murder at Mabel’s Motel (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Granny Reid Mystery series (Murder in Her Stocking – ♥♥♥♥), a spinoff of the Savannah Reid Mystery series. This series is set 30 years before the original series, when Savannah is a teen. When a gang leader is found dead, most assume it is from an accidental overdose, but Stella knows something more is going on.
A Pairing to Die For (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Colorado Wine Mystery series. In the chaos following the arrival of his estranged family,  Reid is accused of murdering his sous chef. Parker is determined to clear her new boyfriend’s name.
The Preacher’s Son (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 1 in the new Infamous Amish series. When Isaiah’s father is imprisoned for fraud, it costs him everything, not the least of which is his reputation. At his new job, he’s falling for a woman who has lost everything thanks to his father’s crimes. How could she ever take a chance on Isaiah after all she’s lost? I’m intrigued by this new series.
Prodigal Son (Hardcover) – Book 6 in the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz. Retired secret government assassin Evan Smoak is contacted by a woman claiming to be his biological mother. And she needs his help. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
A Sinister Service (Hardcover) – Book 6 in the A Lady and Lady’s Maid Mystery series. When Phoebe and her siblings travel to Staffordshire to commission a set of china, one of the two rival designers is found dead, and his design book is missing. Eva goes undercover to talk with the women who work there (and who are only allowed to paint, never design) while Phoebe and her younger brother investigate the case.
A Tourist’s Guide to Murder (Trade Paperback) – Book 6 in the Mystery Bookshop series. Sam and the Shady Acres ladies are on a London tour of sites related to famous mystery writers when people start dying.
Undercover Kitty (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 8 in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series. Charlotte’s Angels, a group of elderly sleuths operating a detective agency out of Sarah’s store, are hired to find out who is sabotaging cat shows around the state. They have Elvis entered in the next show “undercover,” so when a volunteer is murdered, Sarah starts sleuthing.
We Could Be Heroes (Hardcover) – Zoe and Jamie meet in a memory-loss support group with no memory of their past lives. Zoe uses her powers of speed and strength to deliver fast food. Jamie uses his ability to read and erase memories to hold up banks. Their friendship could be the key to discovering their past, but before they can dig too far into that, they discover a much larger threat. I can not WAIT to read this!

 

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

Ida B the Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells (Hardcover) – Born into slavery. Journalist. Suffragist. Activist. Co-Founder of the NAACP. This biography is written by the great-granddaughter of Ida B. Wells. This is on my list for this week.
NIV Verse Mapping Bible (Leather) – Just like the girls’ Bible described earlier. Includes 350 partially completed maps and 70 blank ones. From pictures, the Bible looks gorgeous!
Now that Faith Has Come (Paperback) – This six-week study of Galatians is the latest from Beth Moore, written with her daughter, Melissa Moore. I tweeted with Melissa, and she said you do not have to have the videos to complete the study. Personally, I do better with just the book and my Bible, but there are options for different sorts of learners. They also have a PODCAST option if that is more your speed!
Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner’s Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause (Hardcover) – The author, who grew up with the narrative of Lee as the “greatest man who ever lived” and Confederates as “underdogs who lost the war with honor,” shares the evolution of his thinking over time. Part memoir, part history lesson.
Verse Mapping Bible Study Journal (Hardcover) I am SUPER intrigued by this. I haven’t seen any sample pages yet, but I am assuming they will look like the blank maps in the Verse Mapping Bible. I am waiting to see some interior pictures, though, before I order one.

 

BOOK NEWS: January 19, 2021

BOOK NEWS: January 19, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Ambitious Girl – After hearing a strong woman on TV called “too ambitious,” a girl decides to investigate the challenges women face.
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners – A young Asian girl notices her eyes look different from the eyes of many of her peers, but their shape connects her to generations of her family. She recognizes the beauty in her features. This looks lovely.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

The Comeback – A figure skater faces competition on the ice and racism at school. Will she buckle under the stress or is she primed for a comeback?
Magic’s Most Wanted – Mason’s dad was recently sent to jail, his grades are plummeting, and he’s been taken into custody by officers of “Magix,” whatever that is. Thankfully, he’s got some people – and a talking rabbit – on his side.
The Million Dollar Race – Grant is close to setting the world record for the 100-meter for his age group, so when a sneaker company launches a contest to find the world’s fastest kid, he’s all in. But when he discovers his non-conforming parents never got him a birth certificate, his chances of competing start to dwindle.
Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies – A survey of Black history including political figures, sports figures, writers, etc. This would be an excellent classroom resource.
Who Is Kamala Harris? – Part of the Who HQ NOW series of middle grade biographies highlighting figures who are prominent in the news.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Bookish Boyfriends: Get a Clue (LGBTQ+) – Book 4 in the spectacular Bookish Boyfriends series. Ms. Gregoire has assigned Sherlock Holmes, and a mystery has arisen at Hero High. And Huck and Win team up to solve it. I have already pre-ordered this one. I can’t wait!
Cast in Firelight – Book 1 in the Wickery series, and one of my favorite books from 2019. (I read my review copy in November before realizing the release date had been pushed back.) Two magical heirs, betrothed since childhood, team up under false identities to address a challenge to their kingdoms. This was fantastic – I can’t wait to read it again! My review will post soon.
This Will Be Funny Someday – A girl unused to having and using her own voice stumbles into stand up comedy and loves it. But her new friends on the open mic scene think she’s a college student like them – because that is the lie she told them. I love a story about kids and teens finding and using their voices. I will be checking this one out.
Wench – When Tanya’s guardian dies, she’s at risk of losing the tavern and home where she’s grown up. So she goes on a quest to petition the queen to let her keep the property in her name. This has been on my wishlist for months!
Winterkeep – Book 4 in the Graceling Realm series. As Queen, Bitterblue sent envoys to the neighboring Winterkeep, but when they drown under mysterious circumstances, she heads off herself with two friends. But on the journey, tragedy strikes again. This is a series I have been waiting to read for ages.

Books for Adults

The Broken Spine (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series. When her beloved library is turned into a bookless “technology center,” Tru and her friends rescue some of the books and set them up in a secret book room in the library basement. But when the town manager who pushed for the change is found dead, Tru is the prime suspect. And the *secret* book room is her alibi. This sounds excellent!
A Deadly Discovery (e-book) – Book 4 in the Allie Cobb Mystery series. Allie investigates the murder of a young woman who disappeared 20 years ago, and whose body was recently discovered.
Enjoy the View (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the delightful Moose Springs, Alaska series (The Tourist Attraction – ♥♥♥♥♥). Former Hollywood darling River Lane is in Moose Springs to film a documentary. Strong and silent Easton Lockett is leading her crew up and down Mount Veil. While he’d like to do so without any emotional entanglements with River, she’s a hard woman to resist. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Firefly: New Sheriff in the Verse Vol 2 (Graphic Novel) – Sheriff Mal has been ordered to arrest the crew of Serenity.
Her Turn: A Bookish Romantic Comedy (e-book, January 21) – Addie Snyder became her brother Owen’s guardian after their mother died. When her new book becomes an overnight sensation, she needs her publicist to help her protect Owen who has Down syndrome from the hype, especially as her publicity obligations grow. But when their absent father shows up, threatening to take guardianship of Owen, and other relatives come out of the woodwork to take advantage of her success, she is going to need all the help she can get. This sounds fun!
A Perfect Amish Romance (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Berlin Bookmobile series. The bookmobile librarian partners Aaron, a man secretly pursuing his GED, with Kayla, a young woman hiding from the pain in her life in romance novels, to help him study for the GED test. This looks sweet.
Scripted to Slay (e-book) – Book 6 in St. Marin’s Cozy Mystery series. Harvey looks into the death of the new bartender in the neighborhood.
Shipped (Trade Paperback) – Work rivals competing for the same promotion meet in person for the first time on a cruise that is part of their promotion competition. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Black Panther Party (Graphic Novel) – A history of the Black Panther Party founded in 1966.
Dear White Peacemakers (Hardcover) – A guide for White Christians – based on the Sermon on the Mount – to grow as racial justice activists.
In Search of Wisdom (Hardcover) – An exploration of Proverbs from Joyce Meyer.
Revelation: Extravagant Hope (Trade Paperback) – Part of the Beautiful Word Bible Study series. This volume is written by Margaret Feinberg. A six-session study of Revelation. Video study available separately.

BOOK NEWS: January 12, 2021

BOOK NEWS: January 12, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Mia Mayhem and the Super Switcheroo – Book 10 in the Mia Mayhem series. When Mia wakes up with no powers one day, her best friend Eddie has them instead.
Stella Diaz Dreams Big – Book 3 in the Stella Diaz series. Stella is fully in the groove of 4th grade, including extracurriculars. But when school gets harder, she starts to feel like she is juggling too much.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Alone (Older Middle Grade) – Novel in verse about a girl who finds herself alone in a town that has been mysteriously evacuated and abandoned. Sounds like a fascinating read for those who love survival stories.
Animal Rescue Agency: Little Claws – Book 1 in the Animal Rescue Agency series. An animal odd couple run the Animal Rescue Agency whose latest quest is to rescue a polar bear cub.
Clues to the Universe – An #Own Voices story. Two kids who are science partners bond over missing their fathers and try to help one another with the things that are most important to them.
Halfway to Harmony – The latest from Barbara O’Connor. As Walter grieves the loss of his brother who went into the military and never came home, a summer of adventures with his new neighbor and an eccentric man in town help him start to figure out who he is without the brother who was so important to him.
Many Points of Me – When Georgia finds one of her father’s last sketches, it looks like he was working on a fourth asterism based on her. Her quest to prove her theory takes her all over her neighborhood and to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood – A middle grade memoir from the author of Hatchet.
What Is Nintendo? – The latest from the folks at Who Was?

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Angel of Greenwood – Historical YA novel exploring the story of Black Wall Street. Two Black teens with different ideas of how Black Americans should respond to the racism of 1921 experience the mob riots in Oklahoma City on May 31st. This is on my list for this week.
Concrete Rose – A prequel to Thomas’ The Hate U Give.  Maverick Carter decides to give up dealing and go straight once he has a child who is depending on him. But his family ties and family name make it hard to leave that life behind.
Every Single Lie – A teen who is already the target of rumors and speculation finds herself in the middle of a firestorm when she finds the body of a newborn baby in her school’s locker room. Everyone is saying the baby is hers, and it becomes all too clear that a lot of people are holding secrets at her school.
The Meet Cute Project – When Mia has to find a date to her bridezilla sister’s wedding, her friends think it would be brilliant to use their favorite movie meet-cutes to help, even though Mia hates those movies. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
You Have a Match – The latest from the author of the delightful Tweet Cute. Abby signs up for a DNA service to help a friend, never expecting to find out she has a secret older sister. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

Books for Adults

Artistic License to Kill (Trade Paperback, January 15) – First in a new Fine Art Mystery series. Amanda is trying to create a new life for herself post-divorce, and getting a spot at the Roadrunner Gallery could be an integral part of that. But her joy at being accepted is short-lived when she later finds the director dead and all of the Gallery members become murder suspects.
Birds of Prey: Hero Hunters (Graphic Novel) – A reprint of Gail Simone’s beloved line. Collects issues 96-103.
A Curious Incident (Hardcover) – Book 6 in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series (Book 1 is Elementary She Read – ♥♥♥♥). Gemma is approached by her 10-year-old neighbor who wants to hire her as a consulting detective, first to find the girl’s missing cat, which she does, and then to clear her mother of murder charges. I enjoyed the first couple books in this series, and this new story sounds fantastic!
Ever After Always (e-book) – Book 3 in the Berman Brothers series. A couple struggling in their marriage and in their lives are thrown together on an island getaway to celebrate her parents’ marriage.
The Forever Girl (Trade Paperback) – Book 6 in the Wildstone series. A group of friends, torn apart by tragedy as teens, is brought together again for a wedding.
The Frozen Crown (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Warrior Witch Duology. A naive woman becomes heir to the Frozen Crown because of her devotion to her people, but she is in no way prepared to defend her land from invading hordes or to navigate the political intrigue of the neighboring kingdom where she goes for help. And she must keep the secret of her magic at any cost. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Hope, Faith and a Corpse (Hardcover) – The first book in the Faith Chapel Mystery series from Laura Jensen Walker. Hope Taylor arrives in Apple Springs a widow, and the first female pastor for Faith Chapel Episcopal Church – and quickly finds herself under suspicion of murder. I am so looking forward to reading this one! I’ll be reviewing it soon.
The Last Exit (Hardcover) – First in the new Jen Lu Mystery series. A police detective in the Elder Abuse unit in a not-too distant future gets pulled into a bizarre investigation involving the highly sought after longevity drug – and a street version with dangerous side effects. I am fascinated by the sci-fi pieces of this thriller. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Lost Manuscript (Hardcover) – A woman on vacation finds an abandoned manuscript in the bedside table of her hotel room. She falls in love with the story and reaches out to the author whose address is scribbled on a page in the middle of the document. When she hears back, he confesses that he only wrote the first portion and then lost track of it 30 years ago. The woman is determined to find out who wrote the rest of the story.  This plot is fascinating to me.
The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry (Trade Paperback) – A young con-woman with some magical ability secures a job protecting a “Lady of some importance” before her wedding, but the job turns unexpectedly deadly – and undead. I’m not big on the “undead” part, but everything else in the description of this sounds fantastic. It’s on my list to check out, as is the author’s debut novel, Unnatural Magic.

BOOK NEWS: January 5, 2021

BOOK NEWS: January 5, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy 2021! I hope these first few days of the new year are treating you well. Here are some of the books launching this new year of reading:

Books for Kids – Picture Books

Blanket: Journey to Extreme Coziness – Discover the power of the blanket!
Loki – A Little Golden Book starring Loki
Spring Stinks – Bruce is not impressed with the smells of spring.
Stella’s Stellar Hair – When Stella’s hair isn’t quite right for her big day, she travels the solar system to visit her aunties for some help. A celebration of hairstyles of the African diaspora.
Star Wars The High Republic: The Great Jedi Rescue – The Jedi of the High Republic are on a rescue mission. Set 200 years before The Phantom Menace.
The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership, and Legacy – Picture book biography.
Prince (Little People, Big Dreams) – Picture book biography
What If You Could Spy Like a Narwhal!? – Part of the What If You Had series, this one focused on animal superpowers.

Books for Kids: Early Readers and Transitional Chapter Books

Libby Loves Science: Mix and Measure – Libby is hosting a party and accidentally leaves out an important ingredient for her cupcakes. She and her friends use science to solve the problem.
The Adventures of Allie and Amy: Stars of the Show – Book 3 in the series. Allie and Amy are supposed to perform together for a fundraiser, but Allie gets sick, leaving Amy to wonder if she will have to perform alone.
BunBun & BonBon: Hoppy Go Lucky (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the series. BunBun and BonBon have an epic adventure.
Geeger the Robot: Lost and Found – Book 2 in the series. When the class pet goes missing, Tillie helps Geeger prove he didn’t eat it.
Little Goddess Girls: Persephone and the Evil King – Book 6 in the series. Hephaestus has turned Athena and her dog into treasures and hidden them away. The girls only have 7 guesses to find their friends.
Pixie Tricks: The Greedy Gremlin – Book 2 in the series. A fairy traps Violet’s cousin in a video game.
Society of Substitutes: The Great Escape – First in a new series. When Milton finds out his classroom’s pet ferret is plotting for world domination, he’s grateful to know the Society of Substitutes – including his mom – is there to help. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Star Wars Galactic Storybook – Six illustrated stories.
She Persisted: Harriet Tubman – First in a new line of chapter book biographies of women. Part of Chelsea Clinton’s She Persisted line.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

The Lion of Mars – The latest from Jennifer L. Holm (Babymouse, Squish, and Sunny graphic novel series, The Fourteenth Goldfish – ♥♥♥♥♥). All the adults in Bell’s colony on Mars fall ill with a virus, leaving Bell and the rest of the kids to uncover the truth and save their families. This is going to be fantastic! I can’t wait to read it.
Meow or Never – Part of the WISH line from Scholastic. When Avery gets talked into singing in the school musical and her stage fright threatens to get the best of her, a stray cat tucked away backstage could be the help she needs – as long as no one finds it.
The Sea in Winter – Maisie struggles with her anxieties and dark mood when an injury keeps her from ballet training and auditions.
Star Wars The High Republic: A Test of Courage – One of three new books out today launching the new Star Wars High Republic line of stories that take place 200 years before The Phantom Menace. When the cruiser they are in is bombed, a new Jedi Knight, the young inventor she is supervising, a Padawan, and an ambassador’s son escape in a shuttle, but they have few supplies, and communications are down. I’ll be talking more about this one soon.
Star Wars The Mandalorian Junior Novel – A junior novel of season one of The Mandalorian.
Unplugged – The son of a tech billionaire dropped off at a device-free camp for the summer notices the adults acting strangely. But his reputation as a spoiled troublemaker makes it hard for him to get any of the other kids to take him seriously. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a book from Gordon Korman!
The World Between Blinks – Two cousins following their late grandmother’s map find themselves in a magical world where lost things – and people – wind up, and where someone wants to keep them from getting back home.
Baseball’s Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leagues (Older Middle Grade) – The story of the first and only woman inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Fascinating!!
History Smashers: Pearl Harbor – Explore little-known truths behind the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath.
Race Against Time: The Untold Story of Scipio Jones and the Battle to Save Twelve Innocent Men  (Older Middle Grade) – A self-taught attorney who had been born enslaved steps up to defend twelve sharecroppers wrongfully sentenced to death. Sounds like an excellent addition to history collections.
Trailblazers: Lin-Manuel Miranda: Raising Theater to New Heights – A biography of the creator of Hamilton.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

The Awakening of Malcolm X – An historical novel about Malcolm X’s adolescence in jail written by his daughter in cooperation with Tiffany D. Jackson (Monday’s Not Coming – ♥♥♥♥½)
Court of Swans – Book 1 in a new Christian historical fiction series for teens and young adults. When her father, an earl, dies, Delia watches his wife accuse her seven brothers of treason and murder just as Richard II is executing anyone who could be a threat to the throne. Delia is their only hope, and a captain of the guard who finds the situation fishy agrees to help her.
Happily Ever Afters – A young writer who has rarely seen herself in a romance novel writes the characters she longs for into her own stories. But when she is accepted into a prestigious creative writing program, Tessa’s words dry up. Her best friend is convinced that the solution is Tessa finding a real life romance of her own.
House of El: The Shadow Threat (Graphic Novel) – First in a new graphic novel series about Superman’s home planet of Krypton. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Influence – From the author of Pretty Little Liars. Four young women enjoying their moments in the spotlight have no idea they are on the verge of watching everything fall apart.
Monsters Among Us – After one semester of college, Catherine is dealing with the fleeting memories of a night she’s not sure she wants to remember. Days later someone close to her is killed. Then a stranger shows up with clues to the night Catherine can’t quite remember – and to the murder. But what is his angle, and is he actually trying to help?
One of the Good Ones – When Happi’s sister, Kezi, is killed after a social justice rally, she becomes another icon in the fight against police brutality. But Happi and her other sister, Genny, want to remember the real Kezi, not the idealized version in the news. So they set off on a road trip to honor her in their own way.
The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost-Kiss – By senior year, Evie has worked on her anxiety enough that she might just be ready to enter the national math and physics competition AND to flirt back with the new boy at school. She has no idea her best friend Caleb is in love with her, and he is devastated watching her meet cute with the new guy, so he uses an online forum to get her attention without revealing his identity. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Roman and Jewel – Roman and Jewel is the new hip-hop take on Romeo and Juliet, and Jerzie is desperate to play the lead. She will have to settle for being Cinny’s understudy. And falling in love with the male lead is definitely a no-no. Especially when Cinny has decided she wants him too.
Jesus for You: The Ultimate Answer to Your Deepest Needs (Teen Bible Study) – A Bible study over 8 sessions based on the author’s new book releasing next week.

Books for Adults – Fiction

Active Defense (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Danger Never Sleeps series. A former field surgeon is on the run from a dangerous stalker while a security expert has been tailing her for weeks, watching her back.
Blood Heir (Trade Paperback, January 8) – First in the Kate Daniels World series, a spinoff of the Kate Daniels series. A woman with a new name, new face, and new magic returns to an Atlanta drifting towards apocalypse in order to save her adoptive mother, Kate Daniels.
City of Schemes (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Counterfeit Lady series. Elizabeth and Gideon’s wedding is in jeopardy from Elizabeth’s past, but she’s also trying to help a wealthy friend who may be the target of a con.
A Double Dose of Love (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Amish Mail-Order Bride series. Impulsive Darla travels to Birch Creek in search of a husband while her responsible twin, Amanda, promises to bring her back home. Darla meets reckless Zeke, and his twin, Zeb, teams up with Amanda to protect their siblings from one another. This sounds convoluted but fun!
Joint Custody (Trade Paperback) – A dog in the midst of a custody battle ups the ante to get his owners to see they still belong together. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Killer Comfort Food (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. Angie is investigating the case of a missing woman with ties to the soybean processing plant that is trying to edge her out of her Nona’s farm.
Say I Do (Trade Paperback) – A collection of wedding stories from Rachel Hauck, Becky Wade, and Kate Ganshert. All three stories have previously been published in other collections, so be sure to check the titles carefully.
Star Trek Picard: The Dark Veil (Hardcover) – Following the novel The Last Best Hope comes this new Picard-era story starring Will and Deanna Riker and the crew of the Titan. This is at the top of my wish list for the month!
Star Wars The High Republic: Light of the Jedi (Hardcover) – The first adult novel of the High Republic era of Star Wars (taking place 200 years before The Phantom Menace). In the golden age of the Republic, the Jedi are called in to deal with a hyperspace disaster which signals something sinister in the works.

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

100 Days of Prayer (Devotional Journal) – A devotional with dot grid space on the facing page for journaling or art. Part of the series by Shanna Noel.
Book of Genesis Study Guide AND Book of Romans Study Guide (The Passion Translation – Trade Paperback) – Two new studies related to the Passion translation of the Bible.
Depression, Anxiety and Other Things We Don’t Want to Talk About (Trade Paperback) – A Christian exploration of mental health and mental illness.
Elijah: Faith and Fire (Paperback Study Guide) – A new Bible study from Priscilla Shirer.
Fighting Forward: Your Nitty-Gritty Guide to Beating the Lies that Hold You Back (Trade Paperback) – Essay collection of Christian thinking on stress management, empowerment, and pushing through hard times.
Healthy Keto Air Fryer Cookbook: 100 Delicious Low-Carb and Fat-Burning Recipes (Paperback) – Keto-friendly recipes for your air fryer.
How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice (Hardcover) – The latest from Jemar Tisby, the author of The Color of Compromise. Move beyond conversations about racism and into action against it. There is also a study guide that will be available in April.
Sacred Tears: Simple Reminders that God Sees You and Loves You (Hardcover) – Essay collection with art, photography, prayers, and scripture for weary souls.

BOOK NEWS: December 29, 2020

BOOK NEWS: December 29, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Here’s our final release week of December – and it is chock full of reading goodness! Take a look.

Books for Kids

My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World – A kid who doesn’t like reading has to find his “favorite book” for a school assignment.
Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles – Picture book biography.
Fairylight Friends: Time to Shine – Book 2 in the Fairylight Friends early chapter book series from the folks at Scholastic ACORN. Enjoy 5 magical winter stories with friends Ruby, Iris and Pip.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Julie and the Phantoms: The Edge of Great (Novelization) – The Season 1 novelization of the new Netflix show about a girl who is about to be kicked out of her performing arts school when she starts a new band – with three ghosts. This sounds amazing! I have heard great things about the show.
Otto P. Nudd – When a beloved neighborhood inventor is in trouble, a girl, her favorite bird Otto, and a mother squirrel will team up to save the day. This looks darling!
Wings of Fire: The Dark Secret (Graphic Novel) – The graphic novel version of the 4th book in the original Wings of Fire series.
Show Me History: Harriet Tubman Fighter for Freedom (Graphic Novel) – Graphic novel biography of Harriet Tubman.
What Is the Civil Rights Movement?
Black Canary: Breaking Silence – Book 5 in the DC Icons series after Wonder Woman: Warbringer, Batman: Nightwalker, Catwoman: Soulstealer, and Superman: Dawnbreaker (♥♥♥). An origin story for Dinah Lance. (This story stands apart from the story about Black Canary in the middle grade graphic novel Black Canary: Ignite.) Growing up in the oppressive Gotham City under the rule of the patriarchal Court of Owls, Dinah has never forgotten the time as a child she heard the voice of a woman singing, something forbidden in Gotham. She wonders what it might mean for the city if women could start using their voices. I am very excited about this one! I’ve enjoyed the Icons series.
Just Our Luck – Even though family history says that the Paros family cursed his family, Leo agrees to Evey Paros’ offer to sign him up for a hot yoga class (instead of the self-defense his dad wants him to take) in exchange for a favor. This sounds fun!

Books for Adults

Absence of Alice (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series. Sarah’s landlady is kidnapped, and the kidnappers have contacted Sarah with their list of demands.
Amish Secrets (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the River Haven series. When her wealthy new employer faces unusual accidents, Rachel reaches out to the only person she can with her suspicions that the woman is in danger.
Bait and Witch (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the new Witch Way Librarian Mystery series. A librarian hiding out in Oregon waiting to be the star witness in a corruption case discovers her family history of magic as well as discovering a body in the woods. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
A Catered Book Club Murder (Hardcover) – Book 16 in the Mystery with Recipes series. When their friend doesn’t pick up the elaborate desserts they made for her monthly book club, Bernie and Libby are concerned. They start sleuthing when she is found dead.
Chilled to the Cone (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 12 in the Bakeshop Mystery series. Jules has the chance to open a pop up ice cream shop, but the death of an eccentric town favorite throws everything into disarray.
Fairy Godmothers, Inc. (Trade Paperback) – When the magic of Ever After, Missouri – which is powered by love – starts to dwindle, the three fairy godmothers in charge decide to turn Ever After into a premiere wedding destination. Their first task is to ask their goddaughter to promote a fake wedding to her ex. This sounds so fun! I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Love at the Icicle Cafe (Trade Paperback) – Mina heads to Germany to facilitate a quick sale of her parents’ cafe, but an encounter with her childhood crush – Scott, the cafe’s chef who wants to buy their parents out –  threatens to put an end to those plans.
Swine and Punishment (e-book, December 31) – Book 7 in the Bought-the-Farm Mystery series. When Ivy’s sow is the prime suspect for the latest murder in Clover Grove, her sheepdog Keats is all in to help solve the mystery even though there is no love lost between the dog and the pig. This series sounds so fun!
Ten Rules for Faking It (Trade Paperback) – After a string of bad luck, Everly find herself in the middle of a Bachelorette-style dating situation and the possibility of a relationship with her boss and long-time crush. She hardly knows what to do with all of this attention when she usually strives to avoid people as much as possible. I’ll be reviewing this one soon. I can’t wait!
To Fetch a Felon (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the new Chatty Corgi Mystery series. (How cute is that cover?!) Emma and her talking corgi, Oliver, leave the fast pace of London to settle in Cornwall and open a tea shop. But the woman who owns the building Emma wants to rent is difficult to say the least. When Emma later finds the woman dead, she and Oliver start playing detective. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
A Wicked Yarn (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Craft Fair Knitters Mystery series. Lia and the Ninth Street Knitters dig into the death of the man who was determined to dismantle their spring craft fair. I’ll be reviewing this one soon as well.
The Case for Keto: Rethinking Weight Control and the Science and Practice of Low-Carb/High Fat Eating – An exploration of the health benefits of a low-carb, high-fat diet. You can read my review here.
Teach Reading with Orton-Gillingham: 72 Classroom-Ready Lessons to Help Struggling Readers and Students with Dyslexia Learn to Love Reading (Professional Book, paperback) – Materials for teachers wanting to incorporate Orton-Gillingham methods into their classrooms.
Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More (Hardcover) – I wouldn’t expect a productivity and goal-reaching book from pastor and speaker Mark Batterson, yet, here is just that. A spiritual self-help resource. I have liked some of Batterson’s previous work. I’ll be checking this one out.

BOOK NEWS: December 22, 2020

BOOK NEWS: December 22, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Not many new releases on my list this week, but you can see them here.

Curls (Board Book) – Four friends celebrate their different and beautiful hair styles.
Trouble at Table 5: I Can’t Feel My Feet (Early Chapter Book) – Book 4 in the Trouble at Table 5 series. Rosie, Molly, and Simon look for ways to keep their feet warm on the walk to school.
Franken-Sci High: The Good, the Bad, and the Accidentally Evil (Middle Grade) – Book 6 in the Franken-Sci High series about a school for mad scientists. Newton travels to the future where his friend has become accidentally evil. How have I never heard of this series before?
Super Easy Teen Cookbook (Teen/YA) – Recipes that don’t require prior cooking experience to prepare.
Crown of Strength (e-book, December 26) – Book 3 in the Hidden Mage series. Verene and Darius will have to deal with the rift between them if they want to have any hope of protecting the Academy and uniting the kingdom.
Rhubarb Pie Before You Die (e-book) – Book 2 in the Garlic Farm Mystery series. App developer Mabel Skinner is hoping to sell off the farm she inherited – Stinkin’ Stuff Farm. But when she finds the body of a local rhubarb farmer, dead in his green house after they had a disagreement over grass clippings, she starts sleuthing before someone decides she’s the culprit. This series sounds fun!

 

BOOK NEWS: December 15, 2020

BOOK NEWS: December 15, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Good Dog: Home Is Where the Heart Is AND Raised in a Barn AND Herd You Loud and Clear – A new early chapter book series kicks off this week with the first three books in the series. A young farm pup named Bo has adventures while looking for his lost dog tag, while introducing a foal to the farm, and when he tries to herd the farm’s sheep by himself. These look darling!

 

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Faraway Collection: The Prince and the Troll AND Hazel and Gray AND The Princess Game AND The Cleaners AND The Wickeds – A collection of fairytale retellings for teens launches this week with five stories told by some of the biggest names in YA literature.
This Is How We Fly – A teen whose family life and personal life are spinning out of control finds solace in an unexpected place – a muggle Quidditch team. Yeah, this is definitely on my list for this week!
A Girl’s Guide to Bible Journaling – A guide to Bible journaling including lettering tips, color techniques, and guidelines for studying the Bible. This could be a delightful Christmas gift for the creative tween, teen, and young adult women in your life. 

Books for Adults

Deadly Amish Reunion (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Amish Country Justice series. A man who is supposed to be dead shows up to save the Englisch wife he doesn’t remember.
Death By Fountain (December 18, e-book) – Book 5 in the Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery series. While tour guide Randy Wright and his girlfriend Lana are planning a wedding in Tuscany after they finish hosting a Christmas in Rome tour, Randy’s ex thinks they still have a future together. When she is later found dead in Trevi Fountain, Randy is arrested.
Ropes, Riddles, & Robberies (December 17, e-book) – Book 15 in the Camper and Criminals cozy mystery series. (There was no description available at the time of this writing.)
Truth, Lies, And Second Dates (Trade Paperback) – Sparks fly between an airline pilot and a local medical examiner when Captain Ava Capp returns to the hometown she’s been avoiding for 10 years and reconnects with Dr. Tom Baker who remembers all too well the cold case she ran away from.
Take Care of Your Type: An Enneagram Guide to Self-Care (Hardcover) – Self-care guidelines and recommendations for the nine types of the Enneagram. I have this on my wish list for this week, too.