Reviews, Etc.

BOOK NEWS: March 26, 2024

BOOK NEWS: March 26, 2024

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy March! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids

For You I Will – A mother’s message to her daughter.
Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets – Penelope’s new pet is a lot to handle. This looks adorable!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Listen to This – Two teens negotiating friend and family issues meet and find in the other someone who finally sees them and listens to them.
Olivetti – An old family typewriter tries to help a boy whose mother has disappeared by sharing some of the things she would type when she used the typewriter regularly. What a creative concept!

 

Books for Adults

A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Ladies Most Scandalous series. When a governess’s employer is murdered, she teams up with a man who once broke her heart in order to find the killer. I have LOVED this series and can’t wait to read this one!
How to Solve Your Own Murder (Hardcover) – First in the Castle Knoll Files series. A fortune teller once told Annie’s aunt that she would someday be murdered. So her aunt spent her whole life digging up dirt to help her either prevent her own death or at least point a finger at her killer. And now that day has come, and Annie must figure out who killed Frances. This is going to be amazing!
The Last Available (e-book) – An unlikely group of adventurers has been hired to save the world – but they might end up destroying it instead.
Off the Air (Hardcover) – A reporter starts digging into the murder of the last man she interviewed.
Sincerely, the Duke (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Say I Do series. A forgotten whim of a marriage proposal brings together two people who might actually have a chance at real love if their secrets don’t keep the two of them apart.

REVIEW: The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

REVIEW: The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Princess Rosamund wakes after 100 years of slumber to a smooching prince (Ew!), it takes a bit to get her bearings and remember her story. But when she arrives at the Orphans Home Educational Academy, it all comes back to her – the spindle, the 100 years, the angry fairy.

But Rosamund is now in the Princess Protection Program. It’s a safe, protected space for fairy tale characters who have left their stories to prepare for life in the “real” world.

As Rosamund acclimates to her new home and friends, however, she begins to notice strange things around the school – monsters, missing and forgotten friends, mysterious magic. Maybe HEA isn’t the happily ever after she’s been led to believe it is.

Review

This was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the worldbuilding here a lot. There are some clever design choices along with some little shout outs to other stories and writers of other fractured fairytales. This is a genre I have always enjoyed, and this is a great addition.

The characters here are lovely. I really liked this version of Sleeping Beauty – her curiosity, her questions, and her loyalty. The author does a great job keeping the focus on a small group of recognizable princesses while telling the larger story. Folks looking for middle grade books with LGBTQ+ representation will find some of that here, too.

My favorite thing of all was the way the author wove ideas of personal responsibility, independence, choice, autonomy, and identity into this fun fairy tale story. I’d love to read more books with these themes. And if these characters come back for another adventure, I am here for their stories!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival is celebrating their 50th anniversary by traveling by train through the country. Ernie Cunningham is on board with his girlfriend, Juliette, as one of the headliners thanks to the notoriety of his memoir, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.

But when someone dies on the train, could it be that Ernie is connected to another murder? Or is it just the wishful thinking of a writer on deadline trying to find his story?

Review

Wow. Another stunner of a mystery from Benjamin Stevenson! I am a huge fan of Ernie’s voice in this series. His self-awareness as the narrator hooked me in book 1, and it’s just as fun here.

I liked this even more than the first book. The secondary characters here are great! And I am a huge fan of this sort of mystery set-up – “strangers” gather at a venue for an event and through a murder you discover secret connections and hidden – or not-so-hidden – motives. And in the end the sleuth reveals the killer. As Ernie promises at the start, this follows all the rules and hits all the beats.

There are some laugh-out-loud moments along with some surprises here. And of course there’s a meaty mystery with a thorough, captivating resolution.

I don’t know that you have to read these in order, but it helps. I would recommend it just because the first book is the basis for Ernie’s presence at this event and is referenced often. If you have already read it – and loved it like I did – you do NOT want to miss this! (Language. TW: Reference to sexual assault.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

BOOK NEWS: March 19, 2024

BOOK NEWS: March 19, 2024

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy March! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids

YOU Can Change the World – A compilation book that includes examples from many of the biographies in this series.
Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: The Sweet Shop – Book 13 in this darling chapter book series. Itty tries to figure out why no one is shopping at the new sweet shop.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Cancelled – A teen is mistaken for someone in a viral video and that starts to tank all of her plans for the future.
Rules for Rule Breaking – Two high schoolers who want nothing to do with one another must go on a college visit trip together.

Books for Adults

Expiration Dates (Hardcover) – Daphne has been receiving a paper for 20 years telling her how long each of her romantic relationships will last. But the latest paper has only a name – with no “expiration date.” But she starts to question the reliability of the papers.
Flirty Little Secret (Trade Paperback) – A quiet school counselor with a bold online secret identity connects with a man who comes to @TheMissGuidedCounselor for advice, and then he discovers her true identity – as one of his coworkers.
Floating Hotel (Hardcover) – Imagine the adventures, romance, and intrigue possible on a space-faring luxury hotel!
In a Not So Perfect World (Trade Paperback) – A female game designer has somehow promised the all-male interview board where she’s applied for her dream job that she will stay single to devote herself to her job. But her hot neighbor invites her to go on a trip as his pretend girlfriend. But as feelings grow between them, she feels she might have to let him go to keep her professional dreams alive.
The Love Remedy (Trade Paperback) – An apothecary hires a PI to help protect her business and her products from a rival who keeps stealing from her.
How Great Is Our God: Living a Worship-Led Life in a Me-Driven World (Hardcover Nonfiction) – Worship leader Chris Tomlin looks at the lyrics of his widely sung songs as an example of living a worship-led life.

REVIEW: Slugfest by Gordan Korman

REVIEW: Slugfest by Gordan Korman

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A group of 8th graders have to take summer school PE in order to move on to high school. Kids call summer PE “Slugfest.” The “slugs” this year are:

  • Yash – He thought playing on the high school’s JV teams in 8th grade would meet his PE requirement, but it didn’t.
  • Cleo – She missed three months of school for medical reasons and has to make up ALL of her classes in the summer in order to move to high school – including PE.
  • Arabella – She hasn’t been to a gym class since elementary school out of protest.
  • Kaden – He also skipped gym all year, but for different reasons.
  • Fiona – She refuses to put her face in the water even though she CAN swim, so she “failed” the swim unit and has to retake PE.
  • Stuart and Sarah – Twins who seem to be trying to kill each other every day, not just in PE.
  • Jesse – The prank king is in summer PE as punishment.

And their “coach” is Mrs. Finnerty, a former 2nd grade teacher who is old enough to have had Fi’s DAD as a student!

As Yash watches his summer slip away while he tries to make the best of a bad situation that wasn’t his fault, he keeps his eye on the prize of being QB of the high school team when PE is over. But that goal starts to slip away too – and he begins to wonder if any of his sacrifice and “good attitude” has even been worth it.

Review

If you are EVER looking for a great middle grade book, I think you can blindly pick up any book from Gordon Korman and feel confident with your choice. He writes kids – and teachers – you will love. Some of my favorites of his books are:

And now, Slugfest. This was great! I loved watching the Slugs come together over the course of the story. While they were different and quirky, none were off-putting to the point of making the book hard to enjoy (which has happened to me with other books – but NOT this one!).  And when the group starts clicking and becoming a team, it’s even more enjoyable. Yash is an especially likeable character. While he’s really been unfairly treated and is at the mercy of the adults he trusted who have made things worse, he never becomes “that kid.” He’s frustrated and disappointed and angry. But he also works through that with maturity.

This would make a fantastic classroom read aloud or book group selection where kids can talk about teams, friendship, handling disappointment, etc.. There’s a ton here to love. Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan

REVIEW: The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Dorothy Gibson was the sort of politician everyone knows – no matter where they’re from – even before she ran for president. But after the election, when her run as an Independent split the ticket and the country ended up with “THAT guy,” she’s infamous. Which means it’s the perfect time for her to write her memoir. Thus, the ghostwriter.

The ghostwriter begins work at Dorothy’s home where they are when they hear Dorothy’s neighbor has died. As Dorothy and the ghostwriter had met the woman the day before her death, they go to pay their respects. And they find a curious collection of people as well as a death with more questions than answers.

Review

This was wild! The ghostwriter’s voice in this is spectacular! It’s the first thing I noticed when I started the book. And it continued to shine – and make me laugh – all the way through to the end.

The core cast around Dorothy and the writer was fascinating. I’m curious if they will stay on in the series or if the ghostwriter will move on to another sleuthing partner in the next book.

The mystery itself was twisty from start to finish. I didn’t predict or expect any of the final reveals. The mystery wrap up was stunning. I wanted something different from the book’s overall ending, but that’s just a matter of preference. This is an excellent mystery in the vein of Christie. Fans of the genre should not miss this one! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: March 12, 2024

BOOK NEWS: March 12, 2024

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Bird Brain – A girl who always wanted a pet ends up petsitting her uncle’s parrot and finds out the bird is more special than she ever would have guessed.
Get Your Hopes Up: 90 Devotions and True Stories for Young World Changers (Nonfiction) – A devotional for middle grade readers.
Not Your Average Jo – A girl is sidelined at her performing arts school for being “too Asian” and her replacement in her band takes credit for her original song. Another student who is working on a documentary about the band leaks the truth. This sounds fantastic!

Books for Adults

Happily Never After (Trade Paperback) – Two individuals start working as “objectors” at weddings when one party needs to break off the relationship but is not in a position to do so themselves. This sounds amazing!
Have You Heard from God Lately? (ebook, March 15) – Devotional focused on messages from the Bible – from God to the reader.
How to Walk Into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away (Hardcover Nonfiction) – How can you know when it’s time to leave a “room” (situation) you are in? I could have used a book like this many years ago. I’m curious to read what the author recommends.
Really Very Crunchy: A Beginner’s Guide to Removing Toxins from Your Life Without Adding Them to Your Personality (Trade Paperback Nonfiction) – A starter guide to building a “crunchier” life.

REVIEW: Wombats! Go Camping by Maddie Frost

REVIEW: Wombats! Go Camping by Maddie Frost

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Albert and Pickles have planned a camping trip. But while Albert has planned a light load to walk to the campsite, and a night in a tent under the stars, Pickles has been imagining a resort with all of his favorite things.

The friends’ miss-matched expectations, however, are nothing compared to what happens when Pickles makes a new friend along the way and they take a side trip to find a “monster.”

Review

This chapter book/early reader graphic novel is a hoot and a half! Hand this to young readers – 7 to 10 – who love friendship stories, camping, and silly tales. I got such a kick out of these friends, and the illustrations here are fantastic.

The beginning of the story would lead to an awesome conversation with kids about expectations. But that’s only the first quarter of the book. The rest is a fun, silly adventure, and I think kids will love it!

This is the first book in a series, and I’ll be posting a review of book 2 soon. Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Wisdom for Faithful Reading by John Walton

REVIEW: Wisdom for Faithful Reading by John Walton

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

Walton, Old Testament professor at Wheaton College, presents his overall approach to Old Testament (and in some ways Biblical) interpretation here. Readers of his Lost World books like The Lost Word of the Prophets, will be familiar with the general concepts. While the Lost World books apply these principles in a deep dive with a specific section of scripture, this book presents the overall approach. Many examples are given from Walton and other scholars.

I set an intention for 2024 to read one nonfiction book per month, and this was my January book. And then it became my February book as well. While I was tempted to blitz through to the end in order to check it off the list as “done” and meet that goal, I LOVED digging into this content, and I didn’t want to fly through it just to say I finished. I wanted to read and consider each section. I often read a few “chapters” at a time – or just one longer one – and made notes and dog-earred pages and then set it down for awhile so I could absorb it in polite-sized bits.

This rocked my world. It went into excellent, readable details of things I have encountered in other places about the care necessary when approaching Biblical texts with a 21st century mindset. The writing is conversational and easy to understand. I was challenged by what I read and saw familiar passages in new ways. While I could see using this with Biblical scholars, it doesn’t feel “academic.” (Although if your general approach to scripture is a verse or two at a time through a devotional, this will feel academic.) I think readers will need to approach this like any other scholarly work. Take your time with it; read carefully and closely. It may completely change your approach to reading and studying – and understanding – the Bible. I highly recommend it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: March 5, 2024

BOOK NEWS: March 5, 2024

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy March! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids

The Imposter – A little girl’s lost stuffy goes missing and then is found – but something about Mr. Snuggles seems…. off.
Just Try It! – A dad tries to convince his daughter to try some new foods.
No Cats in the Library – A book loving cat tries to find a way into the library. I have already pre-ordered this one. It looks perfect!
Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park (Nonfiction) – A picture book biography of the woman who fought for the creation of a national park preserve the desert.
The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith (Nonfiction) – A picture book biography of a “pioneering female drummer.”
Duck and Moose: Duck Moves In! AND Moose Blasts Off! – An early reader graphic novel series starring unlikely friends.
The Critter Club: Liz’s Perfect Painting – Book 27 in this early chapter book series. Liz tries to paint the perfect picture while petsitting.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Absolute Zeros: Camp Launchpad (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. Three kids work together to save their space camp from a wealthy rival.
Coyote Lost and Found – A sequel to The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. Coyote is feeling ready to spread her mother’s ashes, but she sold the book where her mother said where she wanted them spread. So Coyote has to track down the book by going back to the places they visited on their first trip – without letting her dad know she lost  the book.
The First State of Being – A boy in 1999, prepping for the looming Y2K crisis encounters a time traveler with a book telling what will happen in the next 20 years, and he’s desperate to get his hands on that book.
Free Period – Two pranksters are forced to join a community action club as punishment, but they discover a cause they actually care about – menstrual products for the kids in their school who need them. I have this one on hold at the library!
Table Titans Club (Graphic Novel) – A new kid at school finds a home in the tabletop gaming club, and then must fight for it and her new friends when the club’s future is put in jeopardy. I have this on hold as well.
The Enigma Girls (Nonfiction) – Middle grade nonfiction from the fabulous Candace Fleming about a secret WWII program using young women to help the war effort.
The No-Girlfriend Rules (LGBTQ+) – In an effort to solidify herself as a “good girlfriend,” Hollis joins a girls tabletop group to learn her boyfriend’s favorite game. (She can’t join his campaign because of the “no girlfriends” rule.) This is on hold at the library, too!
Promchanted – Two quarrelling teens push through a secret door at Disneyland before the prom and find themselves in the middle of Sleeping Beauty’s story – for real. Sounds amazing!
An Unlikely Proposition – Book 2 in the Unexpected Seasons series. Two young women looking to make their own way despite society’s expectations find love in “inappropriate” places. Is there any way for both of them to have the love they want?

 

Books for Adults

Baby X (Hardcover) – In a future world where clones can be made from stolen DNA, a bio-security guard and her client encounter a woman who says she is carrying the client’s baby. This sounds fascinating!
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the terrific Finlay Donovan series. Finlay and Vero plan a girls trip to cover their latest investigation when Finlay’s ex and her mother decide to tag along. I love this series and can’t wait to pick up the latest book!
Kilt Trip (Trade Paperback) – Rivals at a Scotland travel agency find common ground when he creates a private tour for her to places that hold special meaning. I am so grateful to have a fantastic local library – this one is on hold too.
Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man (Trade Paperback) – A woman hopes to break an unwanted betrothal by proving her fiancé is a killer – and she wants his brother to help her do just that. But he has his own secrets to protect. This sounds amazing!
Listen for the Lie (Hardcover) – A woman once suspected of her best friend’s murder must open old wounds when a true crime podcast decides to dig into the unsolved case and find a killer.
Take Two Birdie Maxwell (Trade Paperback) – A Hollywood star in need of a career boost finds a letter from an ex who said he wanted her back. But the letter is unsigned. A reporter looking for a career boost as well, goes along on her quest to find the letter writer so he can tell the story – while keeping his own long-time crush on her a secret.
Three Kinds of Lucky (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Shadow Age series. A woman with a rare talent for working with dangerous magical byproducts is pulled in to help with a research project when something goes awry and sends her, and the professor she was helping, on the run. Yes, please!
Let’s Read the Gospels (Hardcover) – A guided journal from Annie F. Downs to accompany readers who work through the four gospels in a month.