Category: Book News

BOOK NEWS: August 8, 2023

BOOK NEWS: August 8, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books out this week!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Raven Throne – Sequel to The Raven Heir. When the newly crowned queen falls into an enchanted sleep, her siblings go out to find a cure.
A Long Time Coming: A Lyrical Biography of Race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama (Nonfiction) – Six biographies in verse.

Books for Adults

Accidentally in Love (Trade Paperback) – A woman with a mobile photo studio for boudoir shoots gets matched up with a newcomer who is supposed to launch a food truck on the same festival circuit she knows so well.
Blonde Identity (Hardcover) – YA author, Ally Carter, releases her first adult romance about a woman who has lost her memory and the spy who thinks she is someone else. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Forged by Blood (Hardcover) – First in a new duology based on Nigerian mythology. In an effort to protect her people and get revenge for the death of her mother, a young woman plans to kidnap a prince.
Out of the Dawn (Hardcover) – Sequel to Into the Mist (♥♥♥♥½). Mercury and her friends who have survived the green mist that gave them their powers while killing the men who encountered it face new challenges as they try to protect the community they have established. I can not wait to read this!!!
Saints AND Sinners (Nonfiction) – New installments in the Storyline Bible Studies. I’ll be reviewing these soon.

BOOK NEWS: August 1, 2023

BOOK NEWS: August 1, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Tomorrow is the first book release day for August 2023 – let’s look at some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

Books Aren’t for Bears – When Bear finds a book in the woods and learns how to read, he heads to the city to find more books. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale – Kanzi loves the variety of diverse books in her school library, but when the books disappear because of a ban, she decides to take action. I’ll be reviewing this one, too.
Taco Falls Apart – When the pressure of holding too much and trying to be too strong pushes Taco too far, he falls apart. I’ll also be reviewing this one!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Great Texas Dragon Race – A girl who has grown up around dragons takes her best dragon and sneaks into the Great Texas Dragon Race against her father’s wishes.
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: One Girl Can Make a Difference – A novelization of the Marvel series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
Young Alfred Pain in the Butler – A story of Batman’s famous butler, Alfred, as a young man at Gotham’s Servant School. This is definitely on my wish list for this week!
Swimming in a Sea of Stars – A novel about interconnectedness with a teen who attempted suicide at the center.

 

Books for Adults

Birder She Wrote (Hardcover) – Book 33 in the Meg Langslow series. Meg is hunting for a murderer and a bee killer as well as dodging a troublesome reporter in her latest adventure. I’ll be reviewing this soon.
Change of Plans (Trade Paperback) – A chef suddenly responsible for the care of her three nieces encounters a former military man still reeling from the loss of his lower leg. Navigating love feels like one more thing neither has the bandwidth for. This sounds lovely.
Deja Glitch (Trade Paperback) – Jack is caught in a time loop, but he’s certain if he can just get Gemma to fall in love with him it will break the cycle – and they can both find their HEA.
Kiss the Girl (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Meant to Be line of stories by various authors (If the Shoe Fits, By the Book). Ariel and her sisters are the princesses of pop, but their farewell tour means Ariel might be able to have a different life. But her father’s determined to have her launch a solo career, Instead, Ariel takes off with another band for a chance to be “part of their world.” This Little Mermaid-esque story is a must buy for me!
Positively Penelope (Trade Paperback) – An optimistic dreamer tries to save a historic theater despite a string of obstacles.
With Love from Cold World (Trade Paperback) – A by-the-book bookkeeper and her all-fun-all-the-time coworker are tasked with coming up with something to save the amusement park where they work.

BOOK NEWS: July 25, 2023

BOOK NEWS: July 25, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the final release week of July – here are some of the new books available this week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Adventures of Batgirl and Supergirl: Alien Bloom of Doom  AND Citywide Scream Scheme AND Luthor’s Deep-Sea Danger AND Two Face and the Fusion Confusion (July 31) – A new collection of Batgirl/Supergirl stories!
Ghosted – A grieving girl agrees to team up with a new student at her (allegedly) haunted school to see if they can prove the school’s reputation about ghosts. This sound fantastic!
One of Us Is Back – Book 3 in the One of Us Is Lying series by the amazing Karen McManus.
Their Vicious Games – One moment of lost control has left Adina blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college. She has one chance to get her future back – win the mysterious game called The Finish. I have this one on hold at the library.

Books for Adults

Mischief Nights Are Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 8 in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series. Participating the local Haunted Dinners Tour is one thing, but hosting a murderer during Halloween is something else entirely.
Murder at a London Finishing School (Hardcover) – Book 7 in the Beryl and Edwina mystery series. Beryl and Edwina go back to their finishing school – reluctantly – to help investigate allegations of sabotage and along the way find murder.
Someone Just Like You (Trade Paperback) – Childhood rivals are forced to work together to plan a joint anniversary party for their parents.
The Witch Hitch (Trade Paperback) – A young woman trying to plan her wedding discovers her birth mother is an actual witch while also conjuring a man from 1929 into the mix. I have this one on hold too.

 

BOOK NEWS: July 18, 2023

BOOK NEWS: July 18, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Hope your summer – and your summer reading – is going well! Here are some of the new books out this week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Buzzing (Graphic Novel) – While his new friends and their role playing game seem to be helping Isaac cope with his OCD, his helicopter mother and his therapist don’t think he should keep playing.
Charming – Prince Charming is really a con man and three of his recent victims have just met each other – and they’re ready for revenge. Yes!!!

Books for Adults

Only Good Enemies (ebook) – Book 2 in the Galactic Bonds series by Jennifer Estep. Vesper and Kyrion must team up again as they both try to take down Techwave before someone takes them out – permanently. I seriously need to dive into book 1 so I am ready for this one.
Star Trek: Godshock (Hardcover Graphic Novel) – Ben Sisko is back, and he has some new powers after his years with the Prophets. But his powers are fading just when there’s a new threat on the horizon. I’m intrigued by the teasers of who will be joining Sisko on this adventure! This includes the prequel story and issues 1-6.
Star Wars: Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade (Hardcover) – The story of a Jedi padawan who eventually turns to the Dark Side. This looks amazing.
Take the Honey and Run (Hardcover) – First in a new Bee Keeping Mystery series.  A mystery writer comes home to help her grandmother after a fall, but then her grandmother becomes the prime suspect in a murder. I love the clever set up of this one. I hope to review it soon.
The Intentional Year Journal – A guided journal companion to The Intentional Year book/philosophy.

 

BOOK NEWS: July 11, 2023

BOOK NEWS: July 11, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow – Bruce’s friends try to get him excited about Halloween but their scary story takes a spooky turn.
I Am Wonder Woman – The latest from the Stories Change the World series.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

Dear Rosie (Graphic Novel) – Four middle schoolers struggle to adjust after the death of one of their best friends.
The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle – Grady and his dad inherit a tapestry scrap that is rumored to be a map to lost treasure. This looks fun!
Sky Ropes (Older Middle Grade) – A girl at camp hopes to avoid the high ropes because of her fear of heights and memories of her father’s abuse.
What Do We Know About Alien Abduction? – A new nonfiction book from Who HQ in their cryptid/unexplained phenomena line, What Do We Know About.
Give Me a Sign – A girl with hearing loss who never feels hearing or deaf “enough,” finds community at a camp for hearing and visually impaired kids.
The Prince and the Apocalypse – A girl having the worst vacation in London rescues a runaway prince and they decide to keep helping each other out, especially as a comet seems determined to destroy the planet in 8 days. Yes, please!
Stars Hide Your Fires – A thief sneaks into the Emperor’s Ball on a space station only to become a suspect when the Emperor is found dead. A sci-fi mystery?! Again, yes, please!

Books for Adults

A Cryptic Clue (Hardcover) – First in the Hunter and Clewe Mystery series. A retired university librarian and a collector team up to catalog his collection of rare books and artifacts – and to solve a mystery. This sounds delightful!
Hello Stranger (Hardcover) – From the author of The Bodyguard, one of my favorite reads of 2022. When a portrait artist develops face-blindness, it’s only one of many things that throw her life into turmoil. I’ll be attending an event with the author this month – I’m super excited for it!
It Happened One Fight (Trade Paperback) – Just when Joan is ready to take charge of her film career and get away from Dash,  she discovers that one of his many pranks actually means they are legally married! She has to do one last project with him – and she’s had it moved to Reno so they can establish residency to get a divorce. But the time with Dash starts to change her opinion of him. This sounds amazing!
A Lady’s Guide to Scandal (Trade Paperback) – A widow prepared to enjoy her wealth and her freedom is drawn back into contact with the man who broke her heart. I hope to review this one soon!
Macarons Can Be Murder (Hardcover) – First in a new Paris Kentucky Bakery Mystery series. A woman with a French bakery in the South gets pulled into an investigation because her one chance to save her business has been arrested for murder.
The Only Purple House in Town (Trade Paperback) – An app designer encounters his high school crush and before he knows it he’s taken a room at her quirky boarding house. I hope to review this soon, too.
Thief Liar Lady (Hardcover) – Cinderella sets the record straight on what she and her “evil” stepsisters were really up to that night at the ball – and how all of their plans have unraveled. Top of my list for this week!
You with a View (Trade Paperback) – Grieving over the loss of her grandmother, Noelle discovers she had a secret love – but the road to learning more is tainted by her high school nemesis  who is along for the ride. This is another I hope to review soon,.

BOOK NEWS: July 4, 2023

BOOK NEWS: July 4, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Independence Day (week) and welcome to the first release week of July. Here are some of the new books out this week!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Pure of Heart (Disney Mirrorverse) – First in the new Mirrorverse line from Disney Press. A Mirrorverse Snow White, with new powers, faces evil versions of her friends created by Dark Magic. In order to defeat the Evil Queen, Sorcerer Mickey, the ruler of the Mirrorverse, assigns some special Guardians to help Snow White in her quest. This sounds quirky and clever, and I can’t wait to check it out!

 

Books for Adults

A Body in 3B (ebook – July 7) – First in the new Murder at Morrisey Mystery series. A woman and her ghost friend try to help the police solve a murder.
Business or Pleasure (Trade Paperback) – When a ghostwriter meets the next personality she is working with, it turns out to be they guy from that disappointing one night stand. So in addition to helping him with his book, she offers to help him in the bedroom, too.
Dane of My Existence (Trade Paperback) – From the author of For the Love of the Bard. A lawyer in Bard’s Rest on sabbatical runs into a developer who wants to take out the town’s outdoor theatre. I have book one on my TBR – I need to catch up on this series!
Excavations (Hardcover) – Four women at an archaeological dig have to team up to dig into a mystery surrounding an artifact they have discovered. I am intrigued by this one!
Flop Dead Gorgeous (Hardcover) – Book 27 in the delightful Andy Carpenter series.  Andy’s high school girlfriend – now a famous actress – is accused of murdering her co-star. Of course, Andy takes the case. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Marvel Wastelanders: Star-Lord (Trade Paperback) – Novelization of a scripted podcast. Star-Lord and Rocket are on Earth – in Doctor Doom’s Wastelands – at the behest of the Collector, looking for an ancient relic.
Don’t Let Them Bury My Story (Hardcover) – The oldest living survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre shares her story.
Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away (Trade Paperback) – How to say yes to Jesus while saying no to church politics and burnout.

BOOK NEWS: June 27, 2023

BOOK NEWS: June 27, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the last release week of June – here’s a quick look at some of the books out this week!

Books for Kids

Molly’s Tuxedo – Molly’s had enough experiences with uncomfortable dresses (with no pockets!) that she knows she can’t wear one for picture day. She wants to wear her brother’s tux instead – but her mother isn’t quite on board with that plan. Published in partnership with GLAAD.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Manslaughter Park – Book 3 in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series after Pride and Premeditation and Sense and Second-Degree Murder (♥♥♥♥). A queer retelling of Mansfield Park. When Fanny’s uncle dies in an accident, she finds evidence that it might have been murder.
Plus One – A matchmaker gets pushed into find a match for herself to spite her cousin.
The Quiet Part Out Loud – High school sweethearts watch their plans to be together at college blow up and they go their separate ways. Five months later they cross paths, but before they can really deal with their feelings about their past, an earthquake hits. Fascinating set up for this one!

 

Books for Adults

Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective (Trade Paperback) – Charlotte hung up her blue landline phone – and stashed it in her mother’s garage – after middle school when she stopped being a kid detective. Now as a young woman, the blue phone has rung again and she’s back on the case. I’m so excited about this one! I found it free for Kindle a couple weeks ago, and I snapped that up!
Murder Is a Piece of Cake (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Baker Street Mystery series. A rival bakery is coming to New Bison, and when the owner is found dead Maddy is the prime suspect. I loved the first book in this series – can’t wait to read this one!
A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder (Hardcover) – Book 6 in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series.  George and Frances join forces when Frances thinks someone might be trying to kill her latest “client” who asked for Frances’ help preparing her niece to meet the queen. I adore this series and can’t wait to read this one.
Playing for Keeps (Trade Paperback) – An amusing coffee house meet-cute leads to a gaming contest between a woman with a big personality that hides her lack of self-confidence and an overworked businessman. I’ve already pre-ordered this one!
Road to Roswell (Hardcover) – While in Roswell for a UFO-themed wedding, a skeptic is abducted by aliens. She ultimately believes she needs to  help the alien with something, but she’s not quite sure what. I have this on my list for this week!
Role Playing (Trade Paperback, July 1) – A grumpy-sunshine story starring two gamers who only know each other online and who have made some faulty assumptions about one another. Amazon offered this is a free read for June, and I snapped it up!
The Seven Year Slip (Trade Paperback) – A young woman in search of love – and afraid to let herself find it – starts to fall for a man she meets in her apartment. A man who lives seven years in her past. This is the next paranormal/science fiction romance from the amazing Ashely Poston, and I can’t wait to read it!
Will They Or Won’t They (Trade Paperback) – Two actors who have despised each other for years after a secret fling reunite on their hit show for the final season where their characters are supposed to (finally) get together. Sounds amazing!
You’ve Been Served (Trade Paperback) – Simone is finding that law school is not all the romantic comedies would have led her to believe. But she’s determined to finish, despite the professor who wants her to fail and the gorgeous suck- up in her class who infuriates her.
Freaks, Gleeks & Dawson’s Creek (Hardcover) – The behind-the-scenes stories of shows like Glee, Freaks and Geeks, Dawson’s Creek, Fresh Prince, and Friday Night Lights and their impact on television.

 

 

BOOK NEWS: June 20, 2023

BOOK NEWS: June 20, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Books for Kids

The Pumpernickel-Daffodil – Chili may come from two lines of extraordinary show dogs, but he and his new owner aren’t sure that’s where they belong. I can’t wait to see this one in person!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Ginny Off the Map – When Ginny’s life gets a huge shake up – dad deployed, geography camp cancelled, moving to a new town – she decides to make her own way by creating a camp for the kids on the street.
Ham Helsing: Raising the Stakes – Book 3 in the Ham Helsing series. Ham and his friends are snowed in at Helsing Manor.
We Ship It – A girl with her life planned out doesn’t want to spend the summer before senior year on a cruise with her broken family, still grieving the loss of her oldest brother. This sounds like a story that’s just right for me.

 

Books for Adults

Capture the Sun (Trade Paperback) – The third and final book in the Starlight’s Shadow series by Jessie Mihalik. When Lexi’s friends go missing in Valovian space, she will have to  trust Nilo and set aside their history if they are going to have any chance of finding them.  I have had this preordered since last August – I am SO excited for this one!
Dedicated to the One I Love (Trade Paperback) – Two writers in need of help are assigned to work together only to discover they are already online friends. I pre-ordered this weeks ago – it sounds perfect!
How the Murder Crumbles (Hardcover) – First in a new Cookie Shop Mystery series. Mallory is already having a tough time in life, despite her beloved cookie shop, but the murder victim found in the shop kitchen really complicates things.
Piece of Cake (Trade Paperback) – A disgraced society girl tries to save the bridal magazine she works for by running a series on the over-the-top society weddings of the South. This sounds fantastic!
Play for Me (Trade Paperback) – A professional athletic trainer is demoted to a position at an arts-focused boarding school where she has three male roommates, including one complete grump.

 

BOOK NEWS: June 13, 2023

BOOK NEWS: June 13, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

I Have Seven Dogs – Zoe can’t have a dog at home, but she knows all of the dogs in her neighborhood. This looks darling!
Spider-Man: Animals Assemble – When the Avengers get called into action, Spider-Man gets called in… to pet-sit. This looks adorable, too! I love Mike Maihack’s artwork so I am looking forward to seeing this one in person.
The Girl in the Tree – A girl raised by squirrels tries to make human friends. This sounds hilarious!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Hunt for the Hollower – Following in the footsteps of their ancestor, Merlin, Percy and Merlynda practice magic as well – although Merlynda’s is often a little off track. But when they cast a spell to help her, Percy is sucked into portal, directly to the magic-stealing Hollower.
Borrow My Heart – Something new from Kasie West. A girl steps into a fake relationship when she pretends to be an online crush for a guy who is getting catfished. I hope to review this one soon.
Fat Witch Summer – A young woman discovers she’s a witch, but her mother will get to choose her type of magic – and her mother wants to choose something to change how her daughter looks. So three young witches team up to steal their own gifts by traveling across the magical Thirteen States of America. I have to know what happens here – this is at the top of my list for this week.
Going Bicoastal (LGBTQ+) – Since Natalya can’t decide if she wants to spend the summer with her dad or her mom, both options play out over the course of the book. This sounds fascinating!
Part of Your World (Graphic Novel) – The Twisted Tale series is getting the graphic novel treatment – and the artwork here is stunning!

 

Books for Adults

A Degree to Die For (Trade Paperback – LGBTQ+) – Book 2 in the University Police series. A classics professor and a campus police officer team up when departmental changes seem to lead to murder.
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley (Trade Paperback) – A university researcher puts her skills to work on a magazine list of “Ways to Be Happy.” This looks fun!
A Little Ray of Sunshine (Trade Paperback) – Two families lives are upended when an 18 year old finds his birth mother. I love stories like this!
A Love Catastrophe (Trade Paperback) – Instead of a meet-cute, the Kitty Whisperer and her newest client have a meet-disaster. Yes, please!
Love, Theoretically (Trade Paperback) – A theoretical physicist waiting on a tenured position pads her bank account by working as a fake girlfriend. I haven’t read an Ali Hazelwood book yet, but this seems like the perfect place to start!
The Sweetheart List (Trade Paperback) – A woman reinvents herself by ditching anything that doesn’t spark joy, starting with her job, and starts over in the last place where she was happy. Yes, please! This is on my list, too.
The Body Revelation: Physical and Spiritual Practices to Metabolize Pain, Banish Shame, and Connect to God with Your Whole Self (Hardcover) – A new resource from the founder of Revelation Wellness, Alisa Keeton. This is on my list for the week as well.

 

BOOK NEWS: June 6, 2023

BOOK NEWS: June 6, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Welcome to the first release week of June 2023 – here are some of the books I’m excited about that are out this week!

Books for Kids

Burt the Beetle Lives Here! – A sequel to Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite. Burt learns about insect habitats as he tries to find what is “home” for him.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Fann Club: Batman Squad – A young Batman fan creates his own crime-fighting team who then stumbles across an actual bank robbery.
The Kingdom Over the Sea – Before she died, Yara’s mother left her instructions for finding a magical land called Zehaira. But the Zehaira Yara finds is very different from what her mother always described as the Sultan has outlawed magic.
A Spark in the Cinders (LGBTQ+) – The new queen’s step-sister joins forces with a lady knight to look for pieces of a broken artifact that is prophesied to save the kingdom.

 

Books for Adults

The Bookshop by the Bay (Trade Paperback) – Two women looking for second chances team up to run a beloved bookstore.
A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Saffron Everleigh Mystery series. Saffron and Dr. Lee encounter a case of murder by floral arrangements. This series sounds fantastic!
Cassandra in Reverse (Hardcover) – After getting dumped and fired, Cassandra discovers she can go back in time and fix her life, bit by bit.
Charm City Rocks (Trade Paperback) – A teen worried his dad might be lonely cooks up a scheme to get a once-famous rock star to perform at the music shop underneath their apartment so the two adults can meet.
Marion Lane and the Raven’s Revenge (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Marion Lane Mystery series. Marion is on the case when her best friend’s girlfriend goes missing and the Inquirers get a package containing a dead raven – just like what happened before Marion’s mother died.
Mortal Follies (Trade Paperback – LGBTQ+) – A young woman under a curse seeks out a dangerous enchantress for help.
Naming of the Queen (e-book) – Book 2 in the Return of the Ancestors series. The princess with no name is on the run, falsely accused of killing her betrothed’s family. She will have to figure out what schemes have led her to this place if she ever hopes to reunite with King Rowan and prove her innocence.
Unfortunately Yours (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Vine Mess series. A marriage of convenience may be just what Natalie needs to get her trust fund and launch a fresh start while August desperately needs some help with the vineyard he’s trying to save. But the chemistry between them isn’t really “convenient” for either.
Gentle Writing Advice (Trade Paperback) – Chuck Wendig, author of novels like Wanderers and Star Wars: Aftermath, pens this book of “gentle” writing advice with a focus on discovering who YOU are and what methods will work for YOU rather than a one size fits all set of writing “rules.”
Unlock Your Menopause Type (Hardcover) – Personal recommendations based on quiz results for the reader’s particular type of menopause.