I did this last year during my sabbatical, too, but I don’t know that it is ever a bad idea to revisit some five star books. You can go here to see my 5 star reviews for books for teens and young adults which includes books from this year. Enjoy!
Reviews, Etc.
SABBATICAL – Must Read Series, Part I
I am on a “sabbatical” from my blog this month, so I am sharing some posts that compile information my readers might find useful. Today it’s a look at what I consider my “Must Read” series. These might be books I buy or books I get at the library, but either way, I am NOT missing a book in these series. (It’s highly likely that I have forgotten some series, but this is a great starting list.)
This week I am focusing on series that are ongoing. Next week I will post some completed series that were must-reads when they released.
Series Still Releasing New Books
Meg Langslow mysteries – This series kicks of with Murder with Peacocks. The most recent addition to the series, book 31, is Round Up the Usual Peacocks; a new Christmas book will release in October, Dashing through the Snowbirds. I love these because Meg feels so much like me in a lot of ways, and I have grown to love the chaotic, fascinating group of family and friends who populate each book.
Andy Carpenter mysteries – This series kicks off with Open and Shut (my least favorite book in the series – but it sets things up). The most recent addition to the series, book 25, is Holy Chow; a new Christmas book will release in October, Santa’s Little Yelpers. I love these because the mysteries are so good, and Andy is sarcastically delightful.
Gargoyle Queen series – This series kicks off with Capture the Crown and then Tear Down the Throne. The next book, Conquer the Kingdom, will release in the spring of 2023. I am thoroughly enjoying this series spun off from the Crown of Shards series (which will be in next week’s post). The world is fantastic, and I love the characters here. These books can’t release fast enough for me.
Scarred Earth Saga – This series kicks off with The Blacksmith Queen and The Princess Knight. The next book, The Heretic Royal, releases at the end of the year. The first book was an unexpected delight – violent but SO fun, with clever world-building and a fascinating family at the center of the story.
Kitty Katt-Martini/Touched by an Alien series – This series kicks off with Touched By an Alien. The last book released was Aliens Abroad in 2018 – book 16 in the series. The next book will be Aliens Like Us, but there’s no release date set for that yet. This series, which I picked up after the release of book 3, changed my reading life. I discovered a fun, sexy sci-fi series with a strong, bright, hilarious, sarcastic heroine I wanted to have as my best friend. These are my comfort reads, and I read at least a few of them, if not the whole series, every year.
Galactic Cold War series – Now considered book 0 or a prequel, this series kicks off with The Caledonian Gambit, while The Bayern Agenda is considered book 1, and The Aleph Extraction is considered book 2. Book “3”, The Nova Incident, just released this summer. It’s my favorite book in this scifi-spies series.
Bromance Book Club series – This series kicks off with The Bromance Book Club. The fifth book in the series, A Very Merry Bromance, will release later this fall. I love this series about a group of guys who help each other with their romantic relationships by reading romance novels together.
Countess of Harleigh mysteries – This series kicks off with A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder. Book 5, A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder, released this summer. You’ll notice there’s not a lot of historical fiction on my list, but there are a couple series where the characters and the mysteries are so good, they have worked past my mental block against historicals.
Rosalind Thorne mysteries – This series kicks off with A Useful Woman. Book 6, The Secret of the Lost Pearls, complete with a new cover design, will release later this year. This is the other historical fiction series that I love for the fantastic mysteries.
By the Book mysteries – This series kicked off this year with Buried in a Good Book. I fell in love with the characters in this, and the mystery was fantastic. Book 2, On Spine of Death, releases in November, and book 3, Murder Off the Books, will be out next spring.
Pies Before Guys series – I picked up the first book, Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies, at the library this summer, zoomed through it, but never had space to post a full review, although I have talked about it in other posts. The first book really connected with the small, angry part of me that sees how women have been harassed and dismissed for centuries and feels powerless to effect real change. Book 2, A Good Day to Pie, will release in 2023.
Inheritance Games series – This YA mystery series kicks off with The Inheritance Games followed by The Hawthorne Legacy. The third and final book. The Final Gambit, released a couple weeks ago.
Castles in Their Bones series – This fantasy/royalty series kicked off earlier this year with Castles in Their Bones. It was stunning. Exactly the right kind of book for me. Next year’s release will be Stardust in Their Veins. I cannot wait!!
Teen Titans Graphic Novel series – This DC graphic novel series kicked off with stand alone books for both Raven and Beast Boy. Then there was a book where they teamed up, Beast Boy Loves Raven. Book 4 will be Robin, and it releases in the spring of 2023.
HiLo series – There is no middle grade series I am as excited about as this one! This series started with a six-book arc, kicked off with HILO. They are now in a second arc starring Gina, which has released two books – Gina, the Girl Who Broke the World and Gina and the Big Secret– so far. Book 9, Gina and the Last City on Earth, will release in February. (I’ve already recommended it to my library!)
BOOK NEWS: September 13, 2022
Here are some of the new books releasing this week!
Books for Kids
Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! (Board Book) – A Christmas board book – complete with “Deck the halls with cows and holly.”
I’m a Unicorn – A one-horned calf thinks they are a unicorn. This is too adorable not to pick up and read! This is from the author of the absolutely delightful Off-Limits; I’m a huge fan!
The Hunger Heroes: Snack Cabinet Sabotage – Book 2 in the Hunger Heroes series by one of my favorite social media follows, Jarrett Lerner, following the exceptional Missed Meal Mayhem. (I bought the first book for a young family member last year, and it was a HUGE hit! I pre-ordered this one weeks ago to check in out for a possible follow up purchase.) The Hunger Heroes come to the rescue of a babysitter on the verge of “hangry.”
Books for Teens/Young Adults
Your New Playlist – Author and speaker Jon Acuff teamed up with his teen daughters to produce a young person’s edition of his book Soundtracks. Both books talk about mindsets and habitual thoughts that lead to behavior – and how to build more positive and productive mindsets. I have Soundtracks on my TBR, but I’d love to pick this one up, too.
Books for Adults
A Death in Door County (Hardcover) – First in a new Monster Hunter Mystery series. A Wisconsin bookstore owner and cryptozoologist (person who studies creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster) is called upon to help Door County police investigate mysterious deaths near Lake Michigan.
The Make-Up Test (Trade Paperback) – Exes end up in the same PhD program in literature, and competing for the same spot on a research team. Couldn’t hit the pre-order button fast enough on this one!
Murder Out of Character (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Peach Coast Library Mystery series. Marvey comes across a mysterious list of four names – one is that of a person who has already died under mysterious circumstances – including one of her new friends. I have book one on my TBR; I need to catch up!
Star Trek Picard: Second Self (Hardcover) – Raffi receives a message from a Romulan spy in need of help and Elnor accompanies her on the mission. This takes place between the events of season 1 and 2 of Star Trek Picard.
Typecast (Trade Paperback) – Just as Callie is feeling settled in her life she discovers her ex has used their real-life break up as fodder for his new screenplay. Her feelings about it leave her wondering if she has truly moved on or not.
15 New Testament Words of Life (Trade Paperback) – Explore the 15 “most important” words in the New Testament as the author seeks to make them fresh again and remind Christians of our charge from Christ. I met the author of this book, Dr. Nijay Gupta, last year at an event where I work, and I thoroughly enjoyed his presentations.
SABBATICAL – Five Star Books for Kids (Updated)
I did this last year during my sabbatical, too, but I don’t know that it is ever a bad idea to revisit some five star books. You can go here to see my 5 star reviews for books for kids. Enjoy!
SABBATICAL: Mysteries that Break the Mold
I’m on sabbatical for the month of September, but I am setting up some posts in advance, including this one. I have noticed in the last couple years some mysteries that are on the “cozy” side, but that shake up the usual formula – and I love them. Here are some examples you can read about:
Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies (♥♥♥♥♥) – First in a new Pies Before Guys Mystery series about a woman who “bakes vengeance into her pastries.”
Finlay Donovan series – A struggling novelist discussing the plot of her new book with her agent is mistaken for a contract killer and offered a job. Soon, she is tangled up in a real- life murder.
Double Twist – After accidentally marrying a drug kingpin, Mia is eager to get her life back on the straight and narrow. But then she and some new friends stumble across a body. Then, when a friend is suspected of murder, Mia decides to dust off the skills of her old life to clear their name.
Skeleton Key
Dial A for Aunties – Described as “What happens when you mix 1 (accidental) murder with 2 thousand wedding guests, and then toss in a possible curse on 3 generations of an immigrant Chinese-Indonesian family? You get 4 meddling Asian aunties coming to the rescue!” There’s a sequel now, Four Aunties and a Wedding, but I haven’t gotten to read it yet.
Under Lock and Skeleton Key – Tempest heads home to lick her wounds, hoping she can find something else to do so she doesn’t have to join her father’s business – Secret Staircase Construction. (They build secret rooms and sliding bookcases into their clients’ homes.) But when her former stage double is found dead inside a wall that was supposed to be sealed for more than 100 years, Tempest has to wonder if she was the intended victim. This is less unusual in structure, like the previous books, and more unusual because of the clever premise with Tempest and the family business.
BOOK NEWS: September 6, 2022
Happy Labor Day and happy September and Sabbatical month.
Last summer, I took a month off from my blog, and it was such a good investment in myself, that I decided to do it again. I’ll be pre-posting things for September and taking the next few weeks to take a bit of a break. I hope you will find some great things to read this month, and I’ll see you all in October.
Books for Kids
Star Trek: My First Book of Colors (Board Book) – A color book with Trek references for the youngest fans of the franchise (and their parents).
Little Red and the Big Bad Editor – The Big Bad Wolf keeps getting distracted by Red’s thank you note errors that he misses the chance to eat her. This sounds fantastic!
The Most Magnificent Idea – A sequel to the outstanding The Most Magnificent Thing (♥♥♥♥♥) by the always fabulous Ashley Spires. The star of The Most Magnificent Thing struggles when her ideas run out and her brain begins to fill with sadness instead of ideas. This is a must read for me!
Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults
Attack of the Black Rectangles – Mac and his friends go looking for answers when they discover certain words are being blacked out of their books at school. Yes, please!
Aces Wild: A Heist – A teen and his asexual support group team up to help him infiltrate a high-stakes gambling club so he can find out what an unscrupulous casino owner has over his mom that’s put her in jail.
Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade – A new Enola Holmes adventure. Lady Cecily is in need of Enola’s help once again, but after Enola rescues her from home, she goes missing. Enola is one of only a few people who know Lady Cecily has multiple personalities. She must find her before one of them gets her into trouble. You can read my full review here.
Monsters Born and Made – The daughter of an indentured family must sneak into the Glory Race – a chariot tournament with life and death stakes – for a chance to save her family.
Books for Adults
Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match (Trade Paperback) – Victor Frankenstein’s younger sister toys with creating the love of her life when she thinks she is running out of options. This sounds quirky!
The Decoy Girlfriend (Trade Paperback) – A writer with writer’s block decides to use her look-alike status with a famous actress for a little distraction. But the distraction becomes all too real when the media think she’s the real deal. So Freya agrees to pretend to be the actress for a month, living with her on- and off-screen boyfriend, pretending they are in love in order to squash the rumors she inadvertently started. Hijinks! Sounds delightful.
The Holiday Trap (Trade Paperback) – Greta needs a break from her small-town life and her friend Truman needs space to cope with the news that his ex-boyfriend had a secret husband and daughter. So they decide to swap houses for the holidays.
Killers of a Certain Age (Hardcover) – Four female assassins think they are being sent on a vacation to celebrate their retirement after 40 years in the business, but instead it seems their agency wants to retire them in the PERMANENT sense. Yes, please!! I already have this on hold at the library!
The Most Likely Club (Trade Paperback) – Four high school friends meet up at their 25 year reunion only to discover that their high school superlatives (“Most likely to…”) have not remotely come true. So they make a pact to make their old dreams come true. I am a sucker for a reunion story, so I have to read this one!
REVIEW: Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade by Nancy Springer
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is scheduled to release on September 6th.]
Summary
Enola’s friend, Lady Cecily Alastair, had been through a lot in their short acquaintance, and the pair had quickly become best friends. Enola was the one who had figured out that Cecily had two distinct personalities – one confident and clever, the other meek and helpless.
When Enola goes to visit her friend and is turned away at the door, she is concerned. Turns out, Cecily’s father has been holding her captive, locked in her room with no clothes other than what she is wearing and no food. Enola is able to rescue Cecily, but the girl soon goes missing before Enola can find her a safe haven.
Almost immediately, Sherlock is on the case at the behest of Cecily’s mother who is also locked away, although with a bit more support than Cecily had. Enola is only too aware of the trouble Cecily can walk into, out in the world, alone, especially if her more helpless personality takes hold. So Enola needs to find and rescue her friend while dodging her brother, the famous detective. Well, it’s not like she hasn’t done that before!
Review
This was great! I enjoyed the mystery and loved Cecily and the other characters who help Enola with this case. The dual personality portion of the story was well done. (Earlier books in this series establish Cecily and Enola’s relationship and some of these factors. While I have read the earlier books, it’s been AGES, but I had no difficulty following this story without a review of the earlier tales.)
The relationship between Enola and Sherlock is as delightful as ever. I didn’t notice the Netflix tie-ins as much as I did reading the last book, Enola Holmes and Black Barouche, but it’s been awhile since I watched the movie. It’s not as fresh in my mind as it was when I read the previous book.
Mystery fans, Enola fans, and even Sherlock fans should definitely give this a try. I think fans of historical mysteries and historical fiction in general might enjoy this as well. There’s a lot to love! You can read more about Enola’s books here.
Rating: ♥♥♥♥*
*♥♥♥♥ = Great. Might re-read.
REVIEW: Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder by Valerie Burns
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Maddy’s always been a bit pampered and spoiled. But being stood up at the altar has left her feeling determined to build a life she can be proud of, and to stand on her own two feet. And her late great-aunt Octavia gives her a head start.
Octavia left Maddy a house, a bakery, and a dog in her will. Maddy has to stay in Michigan and run the business for a year before she can take full possession. And no matter how many times her father, the Admiral, tells her she can’t do it and should just give up and return home, Maddy wants to make it work.
When someone is murdered in the bakery, Maddy teams up with Octavia’s friends – the Baker Street Irregulars – to find a killer.
Review
This was delightful! I loved the whole cast of characters. These are people I would want as friends. The baked goods at Baby Cakes sound divine. The “voice” for the book is fantastic. The relationship between Maddy and her dad adds a fascinating layer to the story. (I can’t wait for a book where he comes to town!) This is the sort of set up – the community and the characters – that will put a new series on my must-buy list.
The book ended abruptly with a few questions still unanswered. While jarring, my assumption is that those will be picked up in the next book. The mystery here was good, and I’m eager to test my guesses on those remaining threads. I will absolutely be picking up the next book, both to see how things play out, and also to spend more time with these characters.
My only complaint was the use of the expression “deaf, dumb, and blind” twice in my review copy. That phrase has been out of fashion for decades since society determined that using “dumb” for mute was inappropriate. Hopefully that will be addressed in final edits.
Mystery fans who love endearing animal characters, recipes, and mouth-watering descriptions of baked good in their cozy mysteries should snap this up right away!
Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*
*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read
BOOK NEWS: August 30, 2022
It’s the final release week of August. Here are some of the new books releasing this week.
Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults
The Midnight Children – The latest from Dan Gemeinhart (The Honest Truth – ♥♥♥♥♥, Scar Island – ♥♥♥♥, Good Dog – ♥♥♥♥). When Ravani witnesses a group of kids arrive in town and move into an abandoned home across the street, he has tons of questions including “Where are their adults?” I’ll be reviewing this soon.
A Taste of Magic – Before Kyana can really enjoy the news that she is a witch who gets to learn to use magic, her magical school loses funding and is in danger of closing. Kyana is certain she can save it if she can win a big baking competition, but soon the pressure of regular school, magic school, the competition, and keeping her secrets becomes too much. This sounds awesome!
The Final Gambit – The third and final book in the Inheritance Games series by my all time favorite, Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Weeks before Avery is scheduled to inherit billions, an unexpected visitor arrives setting Avery and the Hawthorne brothers on a dangerous path. I have had this pre-ordered for most of this year – my wait is almost over!
The Liar’s Crown – A secret, hidden twin gets kidnapped when she steps in – as she is supposed to – for her sister, the queen. EEK! This sounds so amazing! I’ve already pre-ordered this one.
Nothing More to Tell – The latest from the author of One of Us Is Lying (♥♥♥♥), Karen McManus. Brynn left St Ambrose four years ago after the death of her favorite teacher, but now that she has an internship with a true crime show, she’s going back to find out the truth of what happened. I have this one on hold at the library!
Books for Adults
Holiday Heroine (Trade Paperback) – Book 6 in the Heroine Complex series (Heroine Complex – ♥♥♥♥). During a fight with other-worldly forces, Bea is transported to a romcom-version of her holiday and she’ll have to figure out what happened – and fight the temptation to go to the dark side – so she can get back to her real life. I’d love to get caught up on this series – it’s quirky and sassy and fun!
Two Parks Sugar, One Part Murder (Trade Paperback) – When Maddy’s fiancé leaves her at the altar, an inheritance and the chance to start over is too tempting to refuse. But when Maddy is accused of murder in her new town, she’s going to have to figure out who really did it to save her future. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library (September 1) – Colby Sharp and Donalyn Miller team up to help teachers build a classroom library. I can’t wait to read this one!
REVIEW: Spellbound by Jess Townes
[The book originally scheduled for review today was NOT a good fit for me, so instead I’m going to share a brief review of a picture book I read in the bookstore earlier this summer.]
Summary and Review
A little girl starts to suspect her new baby brother is a wizard because he enchants everyone he meets, interrupting her own magical little world.
This was OUTSTANDING! I was, of course, immediately drawn in by the purple cover with the darling illustration. But the set up of the magical story, where a charming little girl “enchants” her entire family only to be overthrown when a new baby joins the family, is an absolute delight! It’s clever and sweet.
This would make a lovely gift for a family expecting a second child, or for a story time with children who can identify with how a new baby changes family dynamics. Pair this with The New Small Person, which is another new sibling picture book I loved.
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*
*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!