BOOK NEWS: February 26, 2019

LOTS of great reading material out this week for the final week in February!

Books for Kids


Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog (March 1) – Madeline Finn and the Library Dog is one of my all time favorite picture books, perfect for reading aloud. I am so excited to get to review the sequel for you next week.
Say Something – The latest from Peter H. Reynolds teaches readers that the world needs their voices.
A Shazam Showdown – A leveled Early Reader starring Shazam.
Eva and Baby Mo – Book 10 in the Branches series Owl Diaries. Eva is on her first babysitting job for her little brother, but things don’t go like she thought they would. I already ordered this one from Scholastic. I love this series.
Fast-Forward to the Future – Book 3 in the Branches series Time Jumpers. This time the kids jump into a future of robots and flying cars.
Thief Strikes! – Book 6 in the Branches series Hilde Cracks the Case. This time Hilde is investigating the theft of some local tomato plants, right out of someone’s garden.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


A Drop of Hope – A well in If Only, Ohio has started granting wishes. Only three kids in the town know why. This sounds awesome!
Erth Dragons: A New Age – The third and final book in the Erth Dragons series. I have this dragon series on my wish list. This feels like one that would need to be read from the beginning.
Klawde Evil Alien Overlord Cat AND Klawde : Enemies – A cat warlord is cast out and sent to Earth where he meets a kid adjusting to his new home. I cannot wait to try these out!
The Light Jar – A boy and his mom fleeing an abusive situation hide out in an abandoned cabin, but when his mom doesn’t return from her trip to get groceries, the boy is left to fend for himself. I am curious to try this one!
Lion Down – Book 5 in the FunJungle series. A local lion is accused of killing a famous dog. I have book one of this series on my wish list.
Operation Frog Effect – Eight kids tell the story of what happened that got their teacher in trouble. One of the stories is told in graphic novel format. This is on my list, too.
Rise of the Dragons – In a world where dragons used to co-exist with humans, a human child connects with a dragon for the first time in centuries. This is at the top of my wish list for this week!
Science Fair Crisis – DC Comics Secret Hero Society book 4. A mysterious person offers to help the kids win the science fair where first prize is a trip to STAR labs. I love the idea of this series, but I didn’t care for the art style in the first book, so I didn’t keep up with it. In this book, there is a new illustrator, so I will be checking this one out the next  time I am at the bookstore.
Shazam: The Junior Novel – The Junior Novelization of the new Shazam movie.
Stolen Girl – A girl haunted by her memories of World War II wonders if she was raised by Nazis. Sounds like a great story for historical fiction fans.
The Treasure Seekers – First in a new series starring Thea Stilton on a quest for a series of treasures.
Wings of Fire: The Lost Heir Graphic Novel – The second book in the original series has been given the graphic novel treatment. I was able to get an early copy of this through a Scholastic order. Such a great series!
An Affair of Poisons – A teen accidentally helps her mother assassinate King Louis IV forcing her to look at everything she thought was true in a whole new way. This sounds fantastic!
The Deceiver’s Heart – Book 2 in the Traitor’s Game series by the fantastic Jennifer A. Nielsen (The False Prince, The Scourge). When a young woman fails in her quest to destroy a tyrant, he wipes her memory and leaves her friends to try to pick up the pieces. I have book one on my TBR shelves.
The Dysasters – There’s a different cover for this one now, but I LOVE this one. A group of genetically modified teens discover they were engineered to control the elements, and now they are being hunted. I have this one on my library list!
Four Dead Queens – Two teens – one a skilled thief and the other an upstanding citizen – find themselves tangled up in events that leave the four queens of their land dead. This has been on my library hold list for months!
Last of Her Name – When the Union leader shows up accusing the people of Stacia’s village of being traitors, he also says she is the lost princess of the royal family, presumed dead. It’s the story of Anastasia set in a space-faring world. Sounds awesome!
Pretend She’s Here – A girl grieving the loss of her best friend discovers her friend’s family is willing to do something desperate in their own grief. Yep, I have to read this one to find out what happens!
Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee – Two teens who host a Friday Night Creature Feature on a local cable station grapple with what they want for their futures. This sounds great, too.
The Stars Below – The fourth and final book in the Vega Jane fantasy series by David Baldacci. I haven’t tried these yet, but my husband has read one or two, and he enjoyed them.  They are on my list.
Tell Me Everything – A girl using an anonymous art-sharing app uses it to celebrate her creative classmates. I’m curious to know more about this one.
That’s Not What I Heard – The latest from Stephanie Kate Strohm. This sounds like an unintentional game of Telephone that turns a high school upside down. I was able to get a copy of this early thanks to a Scholastic order. I hope to read it asap.
We Set the Dark on Fire – In a world where the choices for young women of privilege are to either run their husband’s households or raise his children, a teen whose “privileged” pedigree is a lie is asked to risk it all by spying for a group of rebels. I am fascinated by this one! It’s on my list.

Books for Adults


Alibis & Angels (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Sister Lou Mystery series about a nun and a local reporter who team up to solve cases in their community. These sound so fun! I have book one on my list.
California Girls (Hardcover) – Three sisters face life after their break ups, leaning on one another as they try to rebuild. I loved When We Found Home so much I put this straight onto my library list!
Captain Marvel: Liberation Run (Hardcover) – An original prose novel about Captain Marvel. The story includes Ant-Man, Mantis and Amadeus Cho (another Hulk). I am fascinated by that team up, so I have this on my list as well.
Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (Hardcover) – Book 24 in the Hannah Swendson series. I moved on from this series due to the love triangle that mired the series for many, many books. Then I heard Hannah got married to a completely different guy. Now, that relationships seems to be in trouble. Fans who have stuck with the series will want to tune in and find out what happened.
Criminally Cocoa (Ebook) – This short e-book is part of Flower’s Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This time, Bailey’s cousin, Charlotte gets to tell the story when she and Bailey kick off a cable TV baking show. I pre-ordered this one weeks ago. I can’t wait to check it out!
Drawn and Buttered (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Lobster Shack Mystery series, this one focused around a huge lobster named Lobzilla. That sounds hilarious!
Murder in an Irish Pub (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Irish Village Mystery series, this one focused on a murder at a poker tournament.
No Good Tea Goes Unpunished (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series where a beachfront wedding is disrupted because of murder.
One Feta in the Grave (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series where there’s a murder at the end of tourist season.
Pie Hard (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Pie Town Mystery series where murder steals the limelight on a reality TV show.
Please Don’t Feed the Mayor (Trade Paperback) – When a dog wins the mayoral election in a landslide, it does great things for town tourism, but it causes problems for the dog’s owner. This looks so fun!
Restaurant Weeks Are Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series where a B&B owner has the chance to work in a professional kitchen, but sabotage causes problems. I loved the first book in the series, so I have this one on my list, too.
Secrets of Paper and Ink (Trade Paperback) – A woman moves to England for the summer to deal with issues from her past. She rents an apartment above a bookstore and meets the owner and her brother-in-law who help her track down a 150-year-old mystery. This is also at the top of my list for the week.
Decades: Marvel in the 50s – Captain America Strikes (Graphic Novel) – The second in this new line of graphic novels from Marvel.
Keep Showing Up: How to Stay Crazy in Love When Your Love Drives You Crazy (Trade Paperback) – A faith-based guide to preserving and protecting your marriage.
The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook for Two: Perfectly Portioned Recipes for 3-Quart and 6-Quart Models (Paperback) – For all my instant pot-using friends!

BOOK NEWS: February 19, 2019

The third week of the month is often the smallest week of releases, but there’s a lot of great quality this week you don’t want to miss!

Books for Kids


Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep – A delightful-sounding story about unlikely friends. I can’t wait to read this one!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Amulet of Power – Book 3 in the Will Wilder series. Use of an amulet containing some of the hair of Samson attracts demonic attention. In general, this sort of fantasy series sounds right up my alley, but I need to see how dark the evil/”demonic” pieces are first.
Enter the Core – The third and final book in the Max Tilt series starring a descendant of Jules Verne who uses Verne’s books to solve world-ending problems.
The Fang of Bonfire Crossing: Legends of the Lost Causes – Book 2 in the Legends of the Lost Causes series. A group of orphans go up against an evil sorcerer and various monsters in their quest for an all-powerful object.
Good Enough – A girl in an inpatient unit for eating disorder treatment struggles to regain her old life in the face of her peers whose choices trigger her old behaviors. I have this one on my list!
Kim Possible Adventures – Looks like this will be a graphic novel of classic Kim Possible adventures from the original TV show. We loved the original show so much, I am curious to see how this book looks.
Middle School: Born to Rock (February 18) – Middle School Book 11. Rafe’s sister is juggling a lot of different projects but the one she loves the most is her girl band, We Stink. This sounds cute.
Revenge of the EngiNerds (MAX) – Sequel to the fun adventure, EngiNerds. This time, the crew is on the hunt for a rogue robot. I can’t wait to read this one!
Secret in the Stone – Book 2 in the Unicorn Quest series. Sisters stay in the magical land they discovered in book one, hoping one of them will develop the magic she needs to awaken the unicorns. I have book one on my reading list!
The Art of Losing – In one night a teen loses her boyfriend and her little sister when she catches them hooking up at a party. She storms off, he drunkenly tries to drive the sister home, and when he crashes, her sister ends up in a coma. It’s obvious to her now that her ex has a drinking problem, but will a relationship with another guy in recovery help or just be more of the same issues she has already experienced?
Honor Bound – Book 2 in the Honors series about a petty criminal who avoids incarceration by heading for the stars and finds herself in an unexpected war.
A Soldier and a Liar – Four superpowered teens are called on to help protect the city from rebels.

Books for Adults


Batman: The Court of Owls Original Prose Novel (Hardcover) – This is an original novel pitting Batman against a secret society of wealthy families who have controlled Gotham for years. Batman nearly defeated the Court of Owls and their minions the Talons once, but they went into hiding. When a new rash of murders plagues the city, Batman, Nightwing and Batgirl dig to determine if the Owls and Talons are back and what they are after this time. My husband really enjoyed the Court of Owls line of graphic novels. I think he has this one on his reading list.
Captain Marvel Prelude (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Collects pertinent comics to help readers learn about Captain Marvel’s history and prepare for the release of the movie in March.
The Life of Captain Marvel (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Graphic novel with more backstory for Captain Marvel.
Once Thing I Know (Trade Paperback) – A sports radio guy who spends more time answering relationship advice is invited on a book tour with Dr. Donna. And he has the chance at a new career if he can dig up any dirt on the relationship guru. And there is dirt to find – Dr. Donna is only the face of the franchise while her assistant is the real author. This is a fun Christian-romance-meets-Hallmark-movie sort of story. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Whack the Mole (ebook – February 22) – Book 2 in the Whispering Bay mystery series. A Florida muffin maker uses her secret skill as a human lie detector to help her solve mysteries. I have this series high on my reading list; this sounds so fun!
Who Killed the Fonz? (Hardcover) – Based on the hit TV series Happy Days. It’s the mid-80s, and a struggling Richard Cunningham gets word that his best friend from home, Arthur Fonzarelli, is dead. There was an accident while the Fonz was on his motorcycle. No body has been recovered. When Richard goes home for the memorial, he teams up with his old pals Potsie and Ralph to look into things, because what happened to the Fonz was no accident. This is at the TOP of my list for this week!
Feeding You Lies: How to Unravel the Food Industry’s Playbook and Reclaim Your Health (Hardcover) – Get to the truth about the food industry with this book from the person behind FoodBabe.com.

BOOK NEWS: February 12, 2019

It’s Valentine’s week, and as we celebrate love in various forms, here are some new books you might fall in love with this week!

Books for Kids


The Babysitter from Another Planet – Promoted as “ET meets Mary Poppins.” A pair of kids get an out-of-this-world babysitter when their parents go out for the evening.
Chicks Rule! – Nerdy Chick has been looking forward to Rocket Club, but when she gets there, a sign says “No Chicks Allowed.” I can’t wait to read this girl-power picture book!
Dragons Get Colds Too – Help for anxious dragon owners with sick little dragons.
The Good Egg – A little egg starts to crack under the pressure he feels to be perfect.
I Am God’s Storyteller – Highlights examples of storytellers in the Bible.
Molly Mischief Saves the World AND My Perfect Pet – New picture book series from the author of the Little Men books starring a girl whose best ideas usually end with at least a little mischief.
Pencil: A Story with a Point (February 15) – How can Pencil compete with Jackson’s new Tablet?
Kids Who Are Changing the World (You Should Meet) – Each chapter of this 48-page Early Reader highlights a real-life kid who is changing the world for the better. I can’t wait to read this one!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams – From the author of the fabulous The Charming Life of Izzy Malone. Three girls living in a town that has suffered tremendous loss each receive a note to meet an anonymous person at the annual Carnival of Wishes. 
Eventown
 – A struggling family moves to Eventown where the days are always sunny and everyone is always agreeable. But the tradeoff for this “easier” life feels too steep for Elodee. This is at the top of my list for this week!
How I Became a Spy: A Mystery of WWII London – When a young woman goes missing, leaving behind a coded notebook, three kids try to solve the mystery to keep a spy from helping the Nazis. Sounds like a great historical mystery!
Jasmine’s Quest for the Stardust Sapphire – An original Aladdin and Jasmine story that takes place after the original movie.
Right as Rain – A grieving family moves to New York hoping a change of scenery can help them in their loss, but Rain is convinced her brother’s death is her fault. While she holds her secrets close, a new friend may help her open up and shine the light of truth on what happened that night. This is on my list for this week as well.
The Simple Art of Flying – An African parrot in a pet store is committed to a reunion when he is separated from his sister when they are purchased by different people. I’ve heard great things about this one.
To Night Owl From Dogfish – Two girls who couldn’t be more different find themselves together at camp because their dads have fallen in love with one another. I have this one on hold from  the library.
Too Many Toppings – Book 6 in the Sprinkle Sundays series. Sierra says yes to a job and yes to sports and now she is being asked to be the lead singer in a band. How much is too much?
From Idea to Disney AND Nike – This new nonfiction series for kids focuses on the origins of companies that are now household names.
The Black Coats – In this new book for teens, the Black Coats are a vigilante organization that right the wrongs for women who have been hurt by men. But where is the line between justice and revenge?
The Blood Spell – Book 4 in the Ravenspire series. A Cinderella retelling about an orphan girl and a prince who can’t stand each other, but need each other all the same. I haven’t read anything in this series before, but this book is definitely on my list for this week.
Comics Will Break Your Heart – Miriam’s grandfather was the co-creator of The TomorrowMen, but he sold his rights for practically nothing. Now Miriam’s family has just that – nothing. And things get even more complicated when a cute boy comes to town and he happens to be the grandson of the man who defrauded her grandfather. Yep, this is on my list for this week, too.
Kingdom Cold (February 14) – When her kingdom is attacked, Princess Charlotte must turn to the prince she betrayed for help.
Watch Us Rise – Two young women start a Women’s Rights club at their school. When the trolls show up and things start to escalate, the principal shuts the club down. Are the girls willing to risk everything to have their voices heard? Yes, this is also on my wishlist for this week.
Feminism Is… – A collection of history, questions and arguments on feminism.

Books for Adults


Felicity Carrol and the Perilous Pursuit (Hardcover) – An intelligent young woman with little interest in the things expected of a Victorian woman plunges into a murder investigation when her mentor is killed and his King Arthur manuscript is stolen. Sounds like the start to a great mystery! First in a new series.
The Inn at Holiday Bay: Letters in the Library (ebook) – Looks like this is the second book in a series. When Abby starts some remodeling at the inn, she finds a stack of letters from 1954 in the wall. Even though she said she was going to focus on her own work, Abby gets drawn into the mystery of the letters as well as a homicide case from the summer. I’d love to check out this new series. Sounds like it has an interesting cast of characters.
Motorhomes, Maps & Murder (ebook – February 11) – Book 5 in the Camper and Criminals Mystery series. It’s murder, motorhome theft and a prison break for campground manager Mae West in this new mystery. Sounds like a great story!
Murder at the Palace (Trade Paperback) – First in the Movie Palace Mystery series. A woman fleeing her broken marriage discovers other film buffs, a ghost, and a dead body at the Palace. I will be reading this one for sure!
Murders and Metaphors (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the fantastic Magical Bookstore series by Amanda Flower. This time there’s a murder at a book signing. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Past Due for Murder (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert. A hit and run, a missing woman, and rumors galore will keep Amy busy in this mystery. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
The Puppy Who Knew Too Much (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Dog Club Mystery series. Lilly’s cranky neighbor accuses her dog of digging up his tulips, but what the dog really digs up is a dead body.
The Sisters Hemingway (Trade Paperback) – Three sisters return home harboring secrets as they try to determine what happened to their mother and their youngest sister.
An Edited Life: Simple Steps to Streamlining Life, at Work and at Home (Hardcover) – The author’s assertion is there is no one way to declutter your life. Instead it’s about “editing” your life. I am curious to see what this “editing” is all about.
Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service (Hardcover) – Actor Gary Sinise shares this memoir of his life, focusing on how his role in Forrest Gump drew him into a life of service for those who serve our country in the military and first responders.
Parkland: Birth of a Movement (Hardcover) – The author was one of the first at Columbine 19 years ago, and now he is chronicling the events at Parkland last year and the survivors-turned-activists.
Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls (Hardcover) – While anxiety levels in teen boys has stayed static in the last decade or so, the anxiety levels for girls has skyrocketed. Dr. Damour looks at why and what we can do to help. Great resource for teachers, parents, pastors and counselors.

BOOK NEWS: February 5, 2019

Happy February! There are TONS of great books releasing this month – in fact, there are so many, I split the Older Kids/Teens section into a younger band and an older band so it’s not too overwhelming. Let’s dive in and see what the first week of February has in store for happy readers.

Books for Kids


    

A Is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World (Board Book) – I love the latest trend in board book biographies. This one looks terrific! I can’t wait to see the illustrations in this one in person.
Bearnard’s Book – A bear discovers it’s okay to just be himself.
Fear the Bunny – A tiger who does not find bunnies very intimidating gets a big surprise in this new picture book. This looks adorable.
This Is NOT a Dragon Party – A girl’s birthday party turns into chaos, but when she chases the interlopers away, she misses them. This looks like silly fun!
Tooth Monsters – A girl who hates to brush her teeth and is afraid of the dentist meets a monster who explains the importance of tooth care – for monsters.
He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter – The story of Easter told by rock creations. I’ve seen a few of the pages, and they are fantastic.
Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor – The biography of Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood legend and inventor who changed the course of World War II.
I Am Billie Jean King – The latest in the Ordinary People Change the World series
Little People Big Dreams – Muhammad Ali AND Stephen Hawking – More picture book biographies
Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible – An illustrated children’s Bible. There are several Bibles like this for kids, but I think the illustrations in this one sets it apart. Those pictures are darling!
Mighty Marvels – Captain Marvel and Ms Marvel join Spider-Man in the latest adventure in this early chapter book series.
Narwhal’s Otter Friend – A new adventure in this early graphic novel series. In this book, Jelly wonders if his friendship with Narwhal can survive the addition of a new friend, Otty.

Books for Older Kids/Teens


Best Babysitters Ever – Kicks off a new series about three girls who start a babysitting club.
Best Family Ever – Kingsbury’s Baxter family series branches out into children’s stories now, focusing on the Baxter children. I’m curious to see how this series works for kids. I’m not sure a lot of kids are familiar with the original series so the tie in may be more for adults who already read the series.
The Bridge Home – Four homeless kids make a family for themselves as they live near an abandoned bridge, but when illness strikes, will they continue to fend for themselves or will they have the strength to reach out for help?
Dragon Ghosts – Book 3 in the Unwanteds spin off series, Unwanteds Quests. I enjoyed the first book in the original series, but I haven’t been able to read through the whole collection, much less this spin off series. I have these on my library wish list.
Gogi’s Gambit – Book 2 in the Lost Rainforest series which combines animal stories with fantasy and magic.
Pay Attention Carter Jones – As Carter’s life is falling apart, a real life butler shows up on his doorstep to help out. I have requested this one from the library.
Song for a Whale – A deaf girl who is also a tech genius learns about a whale that can’t communicate with other whales, and she decides to find a way to “sing” to this whale. I am SO excited to read this! I have this on hold from the library already.
Starforce on the Rise – Before Carol Danvers was Captain Marvel, she was a Kree Starforce warrior named Vers. This is a story of a key Starforce adventure that will set readers up for the Captain Marvel movie that releases in March. I am eager to read this one, too.
Stick Dog Gets the Tacos – Book 9 in this fun series that has the look of Diary of a Wimpy Kid with funny animal antics.
Swap’d – Sequel to Click’d. Allie has learned from her mistakes and she is ready to develop another great app. And Swap’d is helping her friend raise money for a plane ticket, it’s getting Allie into conversations with her crush, and it’s her chance to beat her nemesis. What could go wrong? I loved Click’d and I can’t wait to read this one!
The Unspeakable Unknown – Sequel to A Problematic Paradox. Described as Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for older middle grade readers (ages 10+). Nikola is still looking for her kidnapped father, but she’s at risk of being abducted by aliens herself. I have to check out the first book so I can learn more about these interesting characters!
Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free – A kid-friendly layout with puzzles and quizzes and graphics along with solid teaching on the truths girls need to know for a life with God. There’s a mom’s guide to go along with this one.
Who Is Michael Jordan?

Teens/Young Adults


 

The Antidote – A girl decides to use her secret magic to help her best friend the Crown Prince, but her magic attracts the wrong sort of attention. This sounds fascinating!
Between Before and After – A story told in two timelines explores family secrets and the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters.
Dark of the West – A young man’s mother is killed, and his father is convinced it was ordered by his old rival, the queen of a distant kingdom. So the young man is sent to spy on the queen’s children and gain information to help his father avenge his mother’s death. He doesn’t expect to fall for the queen’s daughter.
The Deceivers – A girl is recruited to a school for con artists, and she jumps at the opportunity to go after corrupt politicians. But it seems the headmaster of the school has a personal vendetta he is chasing, and his students may get caught in the crossfire. I have already requested this one, too.
Enchantée – Magical fantasy meets the French Revolution in this story of an orphan trying to keep her family together and infiltrating life at the Palace of  Versailles. This sounds magnificent!
Fame, Fate and the First Kiss – A young woman tries to salvage her acting career on the set of a movie, but someone there is trying to sabotage her, and her tutor may become too distracting for her own good. I just read one of the author’s previous teen romances and really enjoyed it. I have this one on my wish list, too.
Higher, Further, Faster – This story for teens focuses on Carol Danvers in her life as an Air Force pilot in the 1980s. I have this on my list, too.
Lady Smoke – Sequel to the AMAZING Ash Princess. Theodosia’s adventures continue as she seeks to secure freedom for her people while she wonders who she can trust. If you haven’t read Ash Princess, you need to rectify that right away so you can dive into Lady Smoke as soon as possible. I already have this one on hold at the library!
Look Closer -A girl grieving the loss of her father discovers letters circled on her cereal box. Those lead her to people who are in trouble which sends her on a quest to try to save them. I’ve requested this one from the library.
No One Here Is Lonely – A girl who loses her best friend and her crush around the same time discovers a virtual version of her crush online. As she spends more and more time with virtual Will, will she lose track of the real-life opportunities all around her? This sounds great!
On the Come Up – New from the author of The Hate U Give. A girl who longs to be a rapper pours all of her angst and frustration into her first song and it goes viral, but for all the wrong reasons. This novel is going to be HUGE. Be sure to check it out.
Roam – A girl whose family is living on the streets and facing a Minnesota winter wonders if she can trust her friends at her new school when she needs help most. This is on my wish list, too.
We Told Six Lies – Lies. Police, Suspects. A missing girl. Yep, this is on my list, too.
Marvel Powers of a Girl – An exploration of the lives of the women of Marvel. Yep, I’ll be buying this one!
Renegade Women in Film & TV – An exploration of the lives of 50 women in film and TV.
Show Up For Your Life: What the Girl You’ll Be Tomorrow Wants You to Know Today – Encouragement for young women to  see their lives as unique and of high value. Would be great for small group study or mother-daughter study.

Books for Adults


       

The Amish Candymaker (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Amish of Mackinac County series. Two individuals trying to find their way through difficult family situations in an Amish community may find what they need in one another. This story sounds terrific.
Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Supper Club series. A pastry chef is disappointed in the turns her life has taken lately. And even the fascinating man she recently met is planning to leave town soon. When new opportunities come her way, will she pursue them or give them up for love? This sounds like an interesting series.
A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder (Trade Paperback – Feb 8) – First in a new series. Not long before a knight’s death, Miss Emmeline was threatening him as she was rescuing a maid from his clutches. Now she needs to find out who killed him before she hangs for the crime. This is on my list!
The Good Ones (Mass Market Paperback) – I am a huge fan of Jenn McKinlay’s Bluff Point romance series. This is the first book in her new Happily Ever After series, and it is terrific! I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Good Riddance (Hardcover) – A young woman inherits an old annotated yearbook from her mother, which she later discards in a fit of decluttering. When a filmmaker finds the yearbook, all of it’s secrets and stories take on new urgency. This is such an unusual premise, I have to read this and find out what happens!
I Owe You One (Hardcover) – The latest from Sophie Kinsella. A young woman who has set aside any of her own dreams to care for her father’s store helps out a stranger in a coffee shop, and he gives her an IOU. True to type, she doesn’t use the IOU for herself, but for her crush. This leads to a series of IOUs between the woman and the “stranger.” Yep, I have to read this, too!
The Murder Book (Trade Paperback – Feb 8) – Book 2 in the Cold Case Investigation series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week as well.
Polaris Rising (Trade Paperback) – A princess flees an arranged marriage in this book that kicks off a new space opera series. After evading capture for two years, Ada is found and flung into a prison cell with a notorious criminal. But when her jilted ex tries to capture her, Ada may have to trust the criminal to help her escape. Yep, sounds right up my alley.
The Ruin of Kings (Hardcover) – First in a new series. A thief raised in the slums is claimed as the long-lost son of a traitorous prince, but he discovers that the life of a long lost prince is nothing like the storybooks promised. Yep, I have this on my list, too!
Sisters of the Fire (Hardcover) – Book 2 after Daughters of the Storm. In the first book, 5 sisters team up against their step-brother in order to save their kingdom. Now, the relationships between the sisters are fractured and each is in her own space dealing with the fall out from her choices or hiding from her secrets or her fate. I have both of these books on my TBR list right now!
The Truffle with Weddings (ebook) – Book 12 in the Annabelle Archer Wedding Planner Mystery series. A colleague is poisoned and a friend is the prime suspect in this wedding related mystery. Looks fun!
The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning and Life (Trade Paperback) – Encouragement and information for homeschooling families.
Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder (Hardcover) – This book on empowerment for women and girls is based on a popular TED talk. The line in the description that caught my attention was “What if, in every decision you faced, you took the bolder path?” I’m eager to read this one!
I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations (Hardcover) – A timely book for our current political climate. Two moms from opposite political view points show how we can maintain our relationships and listen to those who have different thoughts and opinions.
Made for This: 40 Days to Living Your Purpose (Hardcover) – A 40-day journey for women to discover their identity in God – their gifts, their passions, and their purpose. This is sitting in my Amazon cart right now.
Minor Prophets 1 (Lifechange) (Trade Paperback) – I love this line of Bible studies from Navigators.
A Mom’s Guide to Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free (Trade Paperback) – The Mom’s Guide for the book Lies Girls Believe
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage (Hardcover) – Based on the original book by Marc Batterson, this version focuses on prayers for your marriage.
Q&A a Day for the Soul: 365 Questions, 5 Years, 1825 Answers (Hardcover Diary) – I am a fan of these 3- or 5-year journals. There are blank ones where you can record whatever you want, and then ones like this with questions for you to answer – the same question over 5 years. A brilliant idea!
Ready or Knot: 12 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have Before Marriage (Trade Paperback) – Christian resource for couples preparing for marriage.

BOOK NEWS: January 29, 2019

There are a TON of new books out this week – something for everyone! In fact, there are so many transitional chapter books out this week, I gave them their own category.

Books for Kids


Friends Don’t Eat Friends – Shark has eaten his friend Bob, but now he won’t even admit to it! This is one I have to check out in person!
Carter Reads the Newspaper (Feb 1) – Picture book biography of Carter G. Woodson, a man born to two former slaves who read to his father and then to the men working the coal mines who could not read for themselves. This is a MUST read for me.
Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet – A celebration and exploration of space and astronomy. This looks terrific.
The Night Fury and the Light Fury – I am so looking forward to this movie!

Transitional Chapter Books (7-10 year olds)


 

All Tangled Up (GN) – Book 5 in the Bird & Squirrel graphic novel series. I have loved all of the previous books in this series. Looking forward to this one!
Cuddles – Puppy Place, book 52.
DC Origin Stories: Catwoman AND The Joker AND Lex Luthor (February 1) – The cover art is really what grabbed my attention on these. It’s glorious! (This is the third line of these the publisher, Stone Arch Books, has produced. There’s a superhero line, a super pet line and now these villain books.)  I have these on my wish list for this week. (Not pictured: Bizarro)
Disaster on the Titanic – Book 9 in this series that is like Magic Tree House with a dog.
Everybody Needs a Buddy AND Worst Mascot Ever – The Big Idea Gang is a new series from the author of the Jigsaw Jones mysteries that we LOVED when my son was starting to explore chapter books.
Fairy in Waiting – Book 2 in the Fairy Mom and Me series about a young “Fairy in Waiting” eager to grow up and get her wings.
I Survived the Battle of D-Day – Book 18 in this terrific historical fiction series!
Mighty Meg and the Magical Ring AND Mighty Meg and the Melting Menace – The first two books in a new series about a girl and a magic ring that gives her super powers.
Ready for Action – Book 2 in the Toy Academy series. Toy Academy is where toys learn to play. This time Grumbolt discovers he is the sidekick to the school bully.
The Shadowlands – Book 5 in the Last Firehawk series from Branches
The Soccer Secret – Book 4 in the Zach and Zoe Mystery series about eight-year-old twins.
Yay for Vaycay – Book 2 in the Pug Pals series

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


 

Breaking Boundaries (GN) – Continuing stories of Anna and Elsa.
Fangs for Everything – Book 4 in this fun series about a kid who thinks his dog might be a vampire.
Frenemies – Book 2 in the Ask Emma series about a middle school blogger. This time, Emma is trying to prove that she can be neutral and keep her opinions to herself for once, but that is causing a lot of trouble. I’d like to try this series out – it sounds great.
Girls Survive: Ann AND Emmi AND Noelle – A new survival series kicks off this week with stories about the Underground Railroad, the Great Chicago Fire, and the Titanic.
HiLo: Then Everything Went Wrong (GN) – Book 5 in this fantastic graphic novel series. I love this one! This time, HiLo and his friends go back to HiLo’s world to find out what set HiLo on this adventure in the first place. I’m ready for a series re-read and then to check out this new story!
One-Third Nerd – A family story about three kids (the youngest has Down Syndrome) with different gifts and challenges, trying to help their pup who’s been peeing in the house. If they can’t make enough money to get the dog to the vet, their parents might have to find Cupcake a new home. I am really excited to try this new series!
The Test of Time – Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #6. This time a variety of historical figures are brought into present-day New Mouse City.
Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Start a Club By Accident – Book 2 in this funny series. I’m curious to see what sort of club the dogs start and what hilarious things happen after that.
Come Find Me – This new teen thriller focuses on two teens who have been through family tragedies and discover some mysterious signals from space. This is on my library list.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely – The latest from one of my favorite authors for books for teens, Brigid Kemmerer. In this book, a girl from our world is sucked into an enchanted land in a story that brings to mind Beauty and the Beast. This is a must-read for me!
The Dead Queens Club – A new girl discovers that she is one in a long line of girlfriends for the school’s homecoming king. And two of the previous “queens” are dead. Yep, this is on my list, too!
Death Prefers Blondes – A teen socialite leads a double life as a cat burglar with a crew of drag queens. It’s such a bizarre premise, I have to read it to see what it’s all about!
King of Scars – First book in a new fantasy duology that takes place in the Grishaverse of the author, Leigh Bardugo (Six of Crows, Shadow and Bone)
The Lonely Dead – A teen with the power to communicate with the dead finds herself the prime suspect in the death of her ex best friend. Now, with the help of her friend’s ghost, she is trying to find out what truly happened and keep herself from becoming the next victim.

Books for Adults


Coffee Club Mysteries (Kindle/Paperback – February 1) – Six mysteries in small-town Kansas.
Crazy Cupid Love (Mass Market Paperback) – Described as Percy Jackson for romance fans, this book focuses on a descendant of Eros whose matchmaking work starts to go awry. I’m eager to try this one out.
Dead as a Door Knocker (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new house flipper mystery series. A body in a flower bed could ruin the main character’s investment – and could cost her her life.
Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Death by Chocolate mystery series. When murder ruins the wedding of the season, the ladies a the Chocolate Moose are on the case.
Death by Committee (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new series about a young woman who inherits property with a body buried in the back yard. This one sounds fun!
Decades: Marvel in the 40s (Paperback Graphic Novel) – A new series from Marvel covering a decade at a time of their history. This book covers their earliest years.
A Dog Called Jack (Hardcover) – An abandoned dog finds a home with the residents of Christmas Street.
The Forgiving Jar (Paperback – February 1) – Book 2 in the Prayer Jars series. When Sara discovers her estranged grandparents are Amish and goes to visit them, she finds someone has been pretending to be her for awhile (Book 1, The Hope Jar). I have book one on my TBR shelves. I need to bump it up on my list so I can get to this one as soon as I finish.
Grand Slam Murders (Paperback) – Book 1 in the Bridge to Death Mystery series. Four bridge players are murdered, and a wannabe member of their exclusive group starts to investigate. This is on my list for this week, too!
The Gun Also Rises (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 6 in the Garage Sale Mystery series. When a wealthy widow asks Sarah to sell off her collection of mysteries, she discovers a priceless set of stolen books.
Hot Fudge Murder (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Lickety Splits Mystery series. The ice cream shoppe owner is tasked to providing treats for the swankiest party of the year, but the host is found murdered.
Murder, She Meowed (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 7 of the Pawsitively Organic Mystery series. The owner of the organic pet treat business finds a body at her own bachelorette party.
No Escape Claws (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 6 in the Second Chance Cat mystery series centered around a secondhand store.
Pruning the Dead (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Garden Squad Mystery series about a woman who causes trouble at a garden party for the protagonist – and then is found dead a few days later.
ESV Scripture Journal – Isaiah (Paperback) – The ESV Scripture Journal is a book containing all the text of a particular book of the Bible, in this case Isaiah, on one side of the page while the other side is blank for journaling. I received several of the New Testament books for Christmas. Now the Old Testament books are available. A great study resource!
Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House (Hardcover) – Touted as the “first honest account” of life in the Trump White House. I personally have not read any of the political books about the current climate. It’s hard to know who to believe in this era of saying whatever panders to the voters you are courting. It remains to be seen how “honest” this account will be.

BOOK NEWS: January 22, 2019

Lots of fun books out this week!

Books for Kids


Hello Robots! – A new board book about robots and sequencing. Cute!
Dress Like a Girl – Set at a slumber party where girls talk about fashion rules and the careers open to women today (all of them). This looks fun.
Under My Hijab – A girl notices how different women wear their hijab and contemplates how she might display her own unique personality through her hijab. This is not a cultural piece I am familiar with so I am excited to read this and learn something!
The Great Louweezie AND Lost and Found – A new transitional chapter book series kicks off this week starring a big black bear and a small chipmunk.
Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Captain Marvel – The latest in this fun Marvel line of stories for kids. I’m really looking forward to reading this one.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


 

Where Is Antarctica? AND Where Is Hollywood? – The latest in this nonfiction line.
Circle of Shadows – Two young people, training as magical warriors in a kingdom that has been at peace for ages, discover a mysterious band of soldiers and decide to infiltrate them to protect their home. I have this one on my list.
Unnatural Disasters – In a dark future, a teen tries to survive an attack by an unknown group of terrorists. Yep, this is on my list, too.
The Vanishing Stair – The sequel to the twisty Truly Devious.
Parkland Speaks – A collection of essays from the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting in 2018. I received an early copy of this one and will be reviewing it soon.

Books for Adults


Murder Wears a Little Black Dress – A woman trying to take over her grandmother’s consignment shop stumbles over a murder. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Secrets at Cedar Cabin – The latest by Colleen Coble – Book 3 in the Lavender Tides series – focuses on a woman on the run after her mother’s murder.
The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism – I imagine this will be a difficult read, but I also feel it is a necessary one. This is on my list for this week, too.
Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers and Fresh Food Makers – I am a big Margaret Feinberg fan! Her latest book looks at God’s perspective on food. I’m eager to see this one in person.

BOOK NEWS: January 15, 2019

It’s a small release week for me, but there are plenty of fun things for kids to get excited about.

Books for Kids


Chicken Talk – In this new book, illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, the chickens are leaving messages scratched out all around the farm.
Sleepover at the Museum – A birthday celebration takes place at the natural history museum. This looks terrific!
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré – Picture book biography of New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian who advocated for bilingual literature.
The Cat Who Ruled the Town – Part of the Tails of History series, this one about a cat who was elected mayor.
A Spring to Remember – The fourth and final book in the Orchard chapter book series about a group of friends who live and work at a New England apple orchard.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Fastest Finish – Book 2 in the Junior Ninja Champion series about a group of kids competing in a reality TV obstacle competition.
Famous in a Small Town – When a town’s marching band has the opportunity to perform in the Rose Parade, one of the teens tries to convince a local-turned-country-singer to perform for their fundraiser. I have this on my wish list for the library.
Genesis Begins Again – A teen keeps a list of all the things she hates about herself – she’s up to 96 things on the list. While I find the premise of this so sad, I absolutely have to believe that in the end she finds something positive to hang onto. I’ve requested this one from the library.
Pretty in Punxsutawney – Described as “Groundhog Day meets Pretty in Pink.” Yep, I’ve requested this one, too!
Stain – A mute princess is cast out of her kingdom and rescued by someone who steals her memories and raises her as a boy.  Her betrothed is dying and can only be saved by marrying her. An imposter princess is trying to steal the prince and her crown. I’m intrigued by this one.
A Life of Lovely: The Young Woman’s Guide to Collecting The Moments that Matter – A teen version of Looking for Lovely by Annie F. Downs. There’s a companion journal that releases this week as well.

BOOK NEWS: January 8, 2019

Happy 2019! Already the year is shaping up to be a great one for readers. Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids


 

I Am Captain Kirk AND I Am Mr. Spock – Little Golden Books takes a look at these two iconic characters from Star Trek The Original Series.
Sealed With a Kiss – A seal new to the zoo tries to make some friends. This looks adorable!
Turkey’s Eggcellent Easter – I have enjoyed Turkey’s Thanksgiving story, Turkey Trouble, for years. Now Turkey has an Easter story. Turkey wants to win the Easter Egg Hunt, but animals aren’t allowed to enter the contest. This looks fun.
The Duchess and Guy: A Rescue-to-Royalty Puppy Love Story – There was another picture book about Guy that released back in November of 2018 that was cute. Now there is a new one that looks just as sweet!
A Gift for Goose – An early reader starring picture book pals, Duck and Goose. I love their picture books, and I’m excited to read this new story.
The Secret of Shazam! – The live-action Shazam movie will debut this spring, but now is a great time for kids to learn more about the character. This new early reader has Shazam teaming up with Wonder Woman and Superman for an adventure.
Meet the Pilots (SW Resistance) – The latest Star Wars animated series now has books, too, with this new early reader that looks at some of the characters.
Breaking the Piggy Bank – Book 6 in the Craftily Ever After early chapter book series. In this story, the kids decide to start a lemonade stand.
Dr. Snow Has Got to Go! – First in a new My Weird School series by Dan Gutman – My Weirder-est School.
Everybody Is Somebody – Book 12 in the Here’s Hank series about a younger Hank Zipzer from the original series. In this one, Hank and his friends get to escort an author around the school for a visit, but Hank doesn’t want to admit that he’s never finished one of her books because of his reading struggles.
Warriors in Winter – Book 31 in the non-Merlin Mission line of Magic Tree House books where Jack and Annie go back in time to ancient Rome.
Sleepover Scientist – Book 3 in the Jada Jones series. Jada is hosting a sleepover, and she has all sorts of cool science experiences planned. But what happens when her friends get tired of the science “lessons?”

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


 

The Adventurer’s Guide to Treasure and How to Steal It – Third and final book in the Adventurer’s Guide series. This time, the Saint Lupin’s Completely Ordinary School Where Nothing Bizarre Ever Happens is invaded by pirates. This series sounds absolutely delightful! I have this on my list.
The Friendship War – A girl shares at school about her discovery of a closet stuffed full of buttons and starts a button fad. I love Andrew Clements’ books, and this one is no exception. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
Kim Possible Junior Novel – I am a HUGE fan of the old Disney Kim Possible animated show. I’m not sure how the live-action version will live up to the original, but I am absolutely going to be checking it out!
Lizzy Legend – A girl who loves basketball makes a wish that she’ll make every shot she takes. That wish will take her farther than she ever imagined. This sounds great!
Max and the Midknights – From the author of the Big Nate series comes a new book about a kid named Max who wants nothing more than to be a knight, and about his adventure when he has to save his uncle who has been kidnapped. This looks fun.
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise – Coyote and her dad have lived life on the road in their renovated school bus since Coyote’s mother and sisters were killed in an accident. But now she is desperate to get back home before her last moments with her mom and sisters are lost forever. This was lovely! I’ll be reviewing it next week.
Supergirl: Master of Illusion – The third and final book in this series based on the CW television series. I haven’t read these, but I have enjoyed the Flash series in this line. Suggest this series to the super hero fans in your life!
The Unteachables – The latest from Gordon Korman (Ungifted, Swindle, Restart) is a school story about a teacher who just wants to make it to the end of the year so he can retire and the self-contained class of “troublemakers” he’s given. This was a treat to read! I’ll be reviewing this one as soon as I have an open date.
The Wishbreaker – Ace and his genie, Ridge, are back to try and correct some of the trouble that happened at the end of their last adventure. This series looks like a lot of fun – I have book 1 on my library list.
Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha  Washington’s Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away – This is the young reader’s edition of the book Never Caught. This looks like a great middle grade nonfiction title for home and school use.
Standing Up Against Hate: How Black Women in the Army Helped Change the Course of WWII – Another non-fiction book specifically for middle grade readers! I have both of these titles – Standing Up and Never Caught – on my list for this month.
Even If I Fall – A stunning story of grief. A young woman whose brother is in jail for murder starts spending time with the victim’s younger brother. This was fantastic. I’ll be reviewing this one Thursday.
The Girl King – Two princesses – one expecting to rule and the other expecting a quiet life in her sister’s shadow – are stunned when their father sets their cousin on the throne instead. This sounds amazing! I’ve already requested this one from the library!
Match Me If You Can – When her matchmaking best friend refuses to set Mia up with her dream guy for homecoming, she takes things into her own hands and finds herself at a crossroads. This sounds fun!
Slayer – Set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A girl whose gifts and personality lean more towards healing instead of slaying is chosen as the last slayer ever.
Two Can Keep a Secret – From the author of the spectacular One of Us Is Lying comes a new twisty tale. A new girl moves into a town known for missing or murdered high schoolers, and it seems everyone around town is keeping secrets. I have this one on hold at the library already!
You Won’t See Me Coming – Third and final book in the Black Angel Chronicles series about a girl raised to be a spy. I have this series on my list!
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America – It’s a great week for nonfiction for kids! This book for teens is a collection of essays from bestselling Black authors. I have this on my list, too.
We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World – Yep, this book, by Malala Yousafzai, is on my list, also.

Books for Adults


In Dog We Trust (Paperback) – Book 5 in the Black Dog Bay series. A woman is named guardian of a pack of pedigreed dogs in their owner’s will, but she has to battle his son who thinks he should have received what was left to the pups. This sounds great! I haven’t read any of these before, but this one sounds fun.
A Literal Mess (Paperback/Kindle*) – First in a new series. A New York literary agent is back in Indiana following the death of her father where her best friend is accused of murder. This sounds like a lot of fun! It’s on my list.
Murder Likes It Hot (Paperback) – Book 6 in the Downward Dog yoga series. When Kate tries to get a yoga class started at a center for homeless youth, she’s pulled into another murder case. This series looks fun, but I haven’t tried one of the books, yet, but I have picked up book 1 for my Kindle.
Seven Deadly Zins (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Wine Country mystery series. When an inspector is found dead at a local vineyard, Taylor and her friends are convinced the owner is innocent. Sounds like a great mystery!
The Way to the Stars (Star Trek Discovery) (Paperback) – Book 4 in this line of books based on the CBS series Star Trek Discovery. Tilly is my favorite character in this new series, so I can’t wait to read this story of her years as young cadet. I already have this on hold from the library.
The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington (Hardcover) – Brad Meltzer releases a nonfiction book about treacherous soldiers in George Washington’s inner circle  who conspired to kill him. I am pretty excited to try this one, too.

 

*The Kindle price for this is $3.99 which leads me to believe that Kindle is the primary format and the Paperback is secondary. Most Trade Paperbacks that are offered as e-books are priced around $10 or so.)

BOOK NEWS: December 31, 2018/January 1, 2019

Thanks to the Tuesday holiday, release dates for this week are a little wonky, too, but you should find these books out sometime this week. Enjoy!

Books for Kids


Woke Baby – In both Board Book AND Picture Book format. Looking forward to reading this one!
Hamster Holmes, a Bit Stumped – Mysteries for the Early Reader set! I love the whole idea of this. There are a handful of previous titles out – I can’t wait to check them out.
Pete the Kitty and the Case of the Hiccups – Picture book star Pete the Cat now has early readers starring his younger self. Adorable!
Disney Top 10s – Disney Princess AND Incredibles AND Toy Story – These are 3 of the books releasing today in this new line from Disney. There are a few others, too – Coco, Cars, Frozen. These are small books – only about the length of a standard picture book – but filled with trivia from your kids’ favorite Disney properties.
I Wish I Was a Wolf – Pretend you are a wolf pup and learn all about wolves in this new Early Reader from Ranger Rick.
Bad Kitty: Kitten Trouble – When the neighborhood cat shelter is destroyed, Kitty’s family decides to foster as many kittens as they can. I haven’t read a Bad Kitty book in awhile, but this is one I can’t wait to read!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Digging Up Danger – Book 2 in the Story Pirates series that helps kids think about creative writing while they enjoy a fun adventure story. Such a great idea!
Secrets of Winterhouse – Sequel to Winterhouse. Elizabeth and Freddy are back, digging into the mysteries unresolved at the end of book one.
Science Comics: Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice – The latest from Science Comics
Evermore – Sequel to Everless. A teen learns the stories she has heard all her life about the evil Alchemist and the good Sorceress were twisted for the benefit of others. Turns out she is the Alchemist and the Sorceress is a murderer. I’m curious about this series and have book 1 on my list.
The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm – New stories set in the world of Eragon. While I love dragon stories, this is a series I haven’t tried. I have it on my list.
The Similars – Six new students enroll in a boarding school – and all of them are clones attending alongside their originals. Except for the clone of a boy who is dead. I’ve requested this one from the library!

Books for Adults


Flights of Fancy (Paperback) – Book 1 in a new American Heiress series. A young woman being pressured into an undesirable marriage flees and finds herself working as a housekeeper. This sounds delightful!
Live and Let Pie (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Bakeshop series by Ellie Alexander. In this one, Juliet finds a skull which could tie to a cold case from the 1960s, plus there’s a contemporary murder as well. I have this already on hold at the library!
Nightchaser (Mass Market Paperback) – Tess Bailey is on the run, but she has no idea there is a bounty on her head. Shade Ganavan is willing to help Tess, but when he finds out about the bounty, he’s torn between helping the sexy outlaw or pursuing his own agenda with the money he would get by turning her in. I’ll be reviewing this science fiction adventure in January.
Strawberry Hill (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Mystic Creek series of stand alone stories set in Mystic Creek, Oregon. Estranged after their engagement dissolved just days before their wedding, a couple is thrown together once again. Could the close quarters and constant contact rekindle what they once had? I’m curious to try this one. I haven’t read this series before. This is on my library list.
13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do: Own Your Power, Channel Your Confidence, and Find Your Authentic Voice for a Life of Meaning and Joy (Hardcover) – Part of a series of books. I have the first one – 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do – on my TBR shelf. I’m interested in seeing how this one differs from the original, and also about checking out the one for Parents.
The Art and Making of Aquaman (Hardcover) – Our family is excited about seeing this movie, and I love to look through the making of books after enjoying the movie in the theater.
Queen of the World: Elizabeth II: Sovereign and Stateswoman (Hardcover) – In the sea of books on political figures, this is the one I am most likely to read. I know next to nothing about the royal family, and I would love to dig into this in the new year. The Queen is a fascinating person – she even has Funko Pop figures! (I love the new one in the lime green dress and hat.)

BOOK NEWS: December 24/25/26, 2018

With Christmas falling on Tuesday this year, release dates for the next two weeks are a little wonky. But these books – all for kids – are releasing SOMETIME this week. Enjoy!

Books for Kids


Robot in Love – This looks adorable! Perfect for Valentine’s Day.
What if You Had T.Rex Teeth? And Other Dinosaur Parts – I have teacher friends who have done amazing things in the classroom with this series of books. If you have dinosaur fans in your life/classroom, check this one out!
Words to Love By – A picture book from the author of The Purpose Driven Life about the power of words to do good.
The Bad Guys in Superbad – Book 8 in this fun transitional chapter book series. This time the guys get super powers! Really weird super powers….
Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild – Book 6 in this fun graphic novel/early chapter book series for kids. This time Dog Man is sent to the pound for a crime he didn’t commit.
Mac B Kid Spy: The Impossible Crime – Book 2 in this fun, silly spy series for kids. You can see my review of book one here.
Treasure of the Gold Dragon – Book 12 in this BRANCHES series about dragons. Branches series usually don’t go on this long, but this one (and a few others – Owl Diaries, Eerie Elementary, Notebook of Doom) has really connected with readers. Maybe it’s the dragons!

Books for Older Kids


  

Blizzard Besties – A girl hoping for a fun week of skiing must band together with the other kids to find her brother who goes missing during a blizzard.
The Hive Queen – Book 12 in the Wings of Fire series, book 2 in the current story arc of the Lost Continent. I JUST finished the first book and it was terrific. I already have this one pre-ordered so I get it as soon as it releases. In this arc, there were three dragon tribes on the Lost Continent of Pantala, but after the Tree Wars, the Leafwings have been destroyed and the Hivewings have taken over. There is some cross over with the last story arc, but I think readers could start with book 11 (book 1 for this arc – The Lost Continent) without issue. It might even prompt them to go back to the Jade Mountain books (Books 6-10) to check out the characters they missed. You can read my review of The Lost Continent in the new year.
I Only Have Pies for You – In a family of bakers and pie makers extraordinaire, it’s hard to be the one person who can’t make a pie to save her life. But Dacey has a chance to help her family’s pie shop in her own way, even if it means having to partner with her nemesis, Chayton.
The Terrible Two’s Last Laugh – This is the last hurrah for epic pranksters Miles and Niles. This has been a fun series. Fans will not want to miss the final installment.