Reviews, Etc.

SABBATICAL: Memorable Protagonists

Before my sabbatical,  I would spend one Saturday a month on a list post or some other deep dive into a topic. You can find all of these posts together under the category of Saturday Smorgasbord. This week, to wrap up my month off, I am going to revisit three of my favorite posts.

Today, I want to highlight the post about some of my favorite protagonists. While this list was put together over 3 years ago, much of it is still true today. If you asked me to name memorable protagonists without having this 2017 list in front of me, I would have named Kitty Katt-Martini, Tess Kendrick, and Rydan Corvis without even blinking – three of the characters on the original list.

Today I’d add two young women – Elizabeth Vrabel from the Kitty Katt-Martini series and Joey Morales from the Orphan X series – to the protector category. Both of these young women star in short stories from their authors, and I love the roles they play in the full-length books that focus on other characters. Their smarts and their sass put them both into my list of favorites. I’d also add Ada VonHasenberg from Polaris Rising in the protector category. I don’t know that I have new brooding men or funny characters that immediately come to mind to add to my original list. And Meg Langslow is still the character most like me in the books I read.

You can read the full original post here: Saturday Smorgasbord: Memorable Protagonists.

BOOK NEWS: July 27, 2021

It’s the final week of July. Here are some of the great books releasing this week!

Books for Kids


Good Dog: The Swimming Hole – Book 5 in the Good Dog series about Bo. Bo is going to go swimming for the first time.

Books for Older Kids/ Teens/Young Adults


Marvel-Verse: She-Hulk (Older Middle Grade, Graphic Novel) – A collection of She-Hulk stories to introduce the character to kids.
Super Sidekicks: Ocean’s Revenge (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Super Sidekicks series. The sidekicks are settling into their new life as heroes while the Mother of the Seas stirs up trouble.
Star Wars The High Republic: Out of the Shadows – Book 2 in the middle grade portion of the High Republic series. A girl trying to keep the family business her mother built and a young Jedi are drawn into a property dispute on the frontier.
Weird Kid – Jake is a mysterious boy with shape-shifting powers who is just trying to blend in  when mysterious sinkholes start popping up around town – holes filled with goo like Jake was when he arrived on Earth. Then, the whole town starts to act… weird. This one is on my review list.
Mightier than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World Through Writing – What an awesome idea for a book! I can’t wait to see this one in person. This would be a great book to add to classroom libraries and for young writers.
Red Wolf – A reimagined Little Red Riding Hood about a young woman who is part of a line of protectors who take the shape of a wolf to guard their village. But her role could cost her everything that truly matters to her.
When We Were Strangers – A young woman is the only one in her family who knows that the day he died her father was planning to move out of the house to live with his pregnant mistress. When the mistress needs help, the young woman who has been following her discovers there’s even more to the story than she thinks. This sounds fascinating!

Books for Adults


Cider Shop Rules (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Cider Shop Mystery series by delightful Julie Anne Lindsey. (She also writes under other names such as Bree Baker, Julie Chase, and Jacqueline Frost.) Winnie is sleuthing again when one of the more popular people in town is murdered. I missed book 2 somehow in this series, but I plan to catch up soon – I picked up the e-book for a dollar! This one is on my review list!
Claws for Alarm (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Cat Café Mystery series. JJ’s House of Purrs is attracting national attention, which draws in some big names who want to work with Maddie on rescue fundraising. But when the big executive is found dead, Maddie has a lot of questions. This sounds like a fun series I’ll have to add to my list.
A Few Drops of Bitters (Hardcover) – Book 26 in the fun Savannah Reid Mystery series. Savannah and her friends are drawn into a high profile case when the wealthy husband of a new friend is murdered.
A Fiancée’s Guide to First Wives and Murder (Hardcover) – Book 4 in one of my favorites – the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. It seems Frances’ fiancé George has some explaining to do when a young French woman comes to town insisting she is George’s wife. I adore this series and can’t wait to dig into this story. This is on my review list as well.
A Good Day for Chardonnay (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Sunshine Vicram series. A small town police chief, Sunshine just wants a simple, quiet day but instead she has a bar fight gone wrong, an unsolved murder, and her own abduction cold case. The description of this is an absolute delight. I have book one waiting in my shopping cart.
Heartbreak for Hire (Trade Paperback) – Brinkley’s job at Heartbreak for Hire makes sense to her. She helps women get the revenge they deserve on the men who cruelly broke their hearts. But when Brinkley’s boss decides to hire male heartbreakers – and her first choice is a guy Brinkley had to take down – things don’t seem quite so simple any more.
Knot Ready for Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 9 in the Quilting Mystery series. Martha and her friends have a little extra incentive this time when they take on a missing person’s case. The missing person is technically still married to Martha’s fiancé, and her wedding plans are hanging in the balance.
The Matchmaker Bride (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Blue Hills Brides series. Meredith’s little white lie about an engagement to a Maine boatbuilder spirals out of control and threatens her plans for the future until she convinces the man to play along for awhile. I love a good fake relationship story, so this is on my radar.
Much Ado About Nauticaling (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Whit and Whiskers Mystery series. Whitney decides to help clear her brother’s name when he is accused of murder not long after she comes home to help him run the family business. The description promises all the cozy mystery vibes combined with some romcom fun, and that put this one on my list, too.
Murder in a Teacup (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Tea by the Sea Mystery series by Vicki Delany. When a guest’s special tea is used to commit murder, Lily’s business – and her freedom – are in jeopardy.
Murder in Connemara (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Home to Ireland Mystery series. Tara is a murder suspect when an heiress is found dead, killed with a brooch from Tara’s shop. But there are other suspects too as the woman was entertaining folks she wronged back when she was drinking.
The Rocky Road to Ruin (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. A travel food blogger – and CIA librarian – is home for a funeral when a murderer strikes. This sounds like an interested set up; I’d give this one a try!
A Time to Swill (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. When a sailboat washes ashore with a skeleton inside, Chloe starts sleuthing to clear the name of an old friend.
Ephesians: Head Held High (Trade Paperback) – A Bible study over the book of Ephesians.

SABBATICAL: Five Star Books for Teens and Young Adults

This week my sabbatical posts have been links to the books that earned a five star review from me. Today my focus will be on books for teens and young adults. Some of the reviews you will find in the full list include outstanding books that didn’t make it into a Year in Review post like these:

Thanks a Lot, Universe
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy
Amelia Unabridged
What I Carry
The Shadows Between Us
Shadow of the Batgirl
Slay
Fire & Heist
Zenn Diagram
Madly (The Potion Diaries)

Check out the full list here: Five Star Books for Teens and Young Adults

SABBATICAL: Five Star Books for Adults

This week my sabbatical posts will be links to the books that earned a five star review from me. Today my focus will be on books for adults. This list will include fiction and nonfiction books that I adored. Some of the reviews you will find in the full list include outstanding books that didn’t make it into a Year in Review post like these:

Furbidden Fatality
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
To Fetch a Felon
Bait and Witch
The Color of Compromise
Broken Genius
Storing Up Trouble
How to Raise a Reader
Planet Hulk
Lock In

Here’s the full list: Five Star Books for Adults

SABBATICAL: Five Star Reviews for Kids

This week my sabbatical posts will be links to the books that earned a five star review from me. Today my focus will be on books for kids. This list will include picture books as well as middle grade and older middle grade books that I adored. Some of the reviews you will find in the full list include outstanding books that didn’t make it into a Year in Review post like these:

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog
Solving for M
Wedgie and Gizmo
Mabel Opal Pear and the Rules for Spying
Sidetracked
Framed

Here’s the full list: Five Star Reviews for Kids

BOOK NEWS: July 20, 2021

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids


Boo! Baa, LaLaLa! (Board Book) – A new board book from the delightful Sandra Boynton.
Amara and the Bats – A bat-loving girl looks for a way to help the bats near her new home when their habitat is disturbed.
Trick Or Treat, Crankenstein – Halloween may be ruined after a series of problems for Crankenstein.
Dragon Masters: Wave of the Sea Dragon – Book 19 in the Dragon Masters series.
Pup Detectives: Ghosts, Goblins and Ninjas! (Graphic Novel) – Book 4 in the Pup Detective graphic novel series.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Better with Butter – An anxious girl finds a true friend in a fainting goat named Butter, but their friendship is in jeopardy when she is told she might have to give Butter up.
Linked – The latest from the fabulous Gordon Korman. Three kids team up to find out who has been painting swastikas around their school.
Titans: The Fallen Queen – Book 3 in the Titans series by Kate O’Hearn. Astraea and her friends must take their fight to the Mimic’s home world, but their only chance to defeat the Mimic queen will require a team up with some unlikely allies. I have enjoyed the author’s other mythology books, and the first book in this series was terrific!
History Smashers: The American Revolution – A new nonfiction book from Kate Messner.
After the Ink Dries – Told from different viewpoints, including portions told in graphic panels. A girl wakes up after a party half clothed, with names of boys all over her body, including the name of her new “boyfriend.” A dark subject, told in a creative way. Something to check out.
Curses – A Beauty and the Beast retelling about a girl cursed to live as a beast and the con artist she gets to help her find the love that can break the curse.
The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor (Graphic Novel) – A fan of Gothic romance novels finds herself living in one when an act of heroism transports her to an alternate universe.

Books for Adults


Fatal Family Ties (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the outstanding Ancestry Detective Mystery series. Lucy’s least-favorite former co-worker asks for her help tracing an ancestor accused of being a Civil War deserter, but their investigation leads to murder. This is definitely on my review list.
Isn’t It Bromantic? (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the fantastic Bromance Book Club series. The Russian’s marriage of convenience is the focus of this book in this hilarious series about a group of men in a romance book club. I don’t know that these have to be read in order necessarily, but you don’t want to miss any of them! This is on my review list as well.
Mother of All (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Women’s War series. While women have wrested back control of their reproductive rights, the battle against the forces that would keep them subjugated is heating up. This series sounds fascinating! I have the first book on my list.
Second Blind Son (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Saylok series. An orphan girl teams up with a blind cave dweller who discovers he can see when she sings. Together they confront secrets and prophecies while the world around them continues to deal with warring factions and power struggles. This is another series that’s new to me. I’ll be checking out the first book of this as well.
Star Trek Voyager: Seven’s Reckoning (Graphic Novel) – A comics collection starring Voyager’s Seven of Nine.
So Long Normal (Trade Paperback, Nonfiction) – A new book from singer/songwriter Laura Story, author of the amazing When God Doesn’t Fix It (♥♥♥♥♥). Looks at both biblical and personal stories of leaving “normal” behind for the life God has for us.
The One with All the Cross-Stitch (Paperback, Nonfiction) – Includes 21 cross stitch patterns like the couch, a smelly cat, and a raw turkey wearing sunglasses.
When Thoughts and Payers Aren’t Enough: A Shooting Survivor’s Journey into the Realities of Gun Violence (Hardcover, Nonfiction) – This is another nonfiction book releasing this month from someone I follow on social media. This look at gun violence and the response of the Church should be a fascinating read.

SABBATICAL: Year in Review 2020

One of my favorite activities as the year winds down is to take stock of what I have read and whittle down my favorites list to 10 or 12. This is my final Year in Review sabbatical re-post.

2020 was such a weird year all the way around. But it was an unusual reading year for me because two of the top books of the year were re-reads. That has happened before, but it’s unusual. The other thing that catches my attention is that the sequel to my top book, Crownchasers, is releasing later this year. Watch for Thronebreakers in October. I cannot wait! You can read the whole year in review post here:

Year in Review 2020

SABBATICAL: Year in Review 2019

One of my favorite activities as the year winds down is to take stock of what I have read and whittle down my favorites list to 10 or 12. My Sabbatical posts the rest of this week will be links to my past favorites. Today, it’s my list from 2019.

Wow, 2019 was a great year of reading for me. So many of the books from this year’s list are ones I recommend over and over, or ones I re-read myself. The book in the number 1 slot, Polaris Rising, was one I read twice during the year and loved both times. And I’ve read it at least once a year since. The whole Consortium Rebellion series is great, but the first book is my favorite.

The top books in 2019 are a solid mix of YA and adult titles, including one of my most favorite Enneagram resources. Since there weren’t any kids books in my top 12, I added some honorable mentions. So there’s something on this list for everyone! Take a look:

Year in Review 2019

SABBATICAL: Year in Review 2018

One of my favorite activities as the year winds down is to take stock of what I have read and whittle down my favorites list to 10 or 12. My next few Sabbatical posts will be links to my past favorites. Today, it’s my list from 2018.

One of the first things I thought when I pulled up this post is how my #1 book, Kill the Queen, has stood up to multiple re-reads. I enjoyed the whole  Crown of Shards series, and the first book in the spin-off Gargoyle Queen series, Capture the Crown, released last week. I have a signed copy on its way to me. I can’t wait!

The other thing that I notice when I look back at this post are the middle grade novels on this particular year in review list. I remember how incredible those books were and how often I have recommended them to kids over the last few years. Be sure to check on the books in this post:

Year in Review 2018

BOOK NEWS: July 13, 2021

Here are some of the new books releasing this week to enjoy during your summer vacation!

 

Books for Kids


Tiny Barbarian – Inspired by a movie character, Tiny becomes a barbarian, facing down fierce creatures – and giant broccoli. But what can a barbarian do to defeat his fear of the dark?
Goat Wants to Eat – Every time Cat tries to find somewhere to nap, Goat shows up and tries to eat something.
Rocket Has a Sleepover – Rocket has trouble falling asleep during his sleepover with his friends. Could the illustrations here be any more adorable?!

 

Books for Older Kids/ Teens/Young Adults


Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alive (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series from Chris Colfer, a spin-off from his Land of Stories series. This is the origin story for the character. This looks fun!
Margie Kelly Breaks the Dress Code – Margie notices how the dress code is unfairly applied to just the girls at her school, so she decides to fight back. But in the fight she also starts to recognize her own privilege and ways she can take a stand that helps all students. I like the extra twist on this story.
Ten Thousand Tries – Golden knows if he wants to improve on the soccer field, he has to put in the work – 10,000 tries. But when his father’s health gets worse, more practice and pushing harder isn’t going to be enough to fix things.
Faking Reality – What is Dakota willing to sacrifice when her best friend and crush’s family business is in big trouble?
Radha & Jai’s Recipe for Romance – In a new community after a devastating disappointment, Radha thinks she will have to leave dance behind her. But Jai sees that Radha could be just the talented partner he needs to find happily ever after – for both of them.

Books for Adults


Dogged by Death (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Furry Friends Mystery series. Ally moves back to Wisconsin to help her grandfather and ends up investigating a murder when her grandfather decides he can solve the case. This looks so fun! It’s on my review list.
Hex for Danger (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series after the delightful A Spell for Trouble. Alex and Celeste are planning the annual Mermaid Festival when Celeste is suspected of murder. This is on my review list, too!
How Sweet It Is (Trade Paperback) – An event planner used to planning weddings takes on a horror writer’s book launch – and sparks unexpectedly fly. This sounds fantastic!
It Happened One Summer (Trade Paperback) – A pampered Hollywood Princess is cut off and forced to “rough it” running her late-father’s dive bar. The burly local sea captain thinks she won’t stick it out, so she has something to prove.
Make You Feel My Love (Trade Paperback) – Two strangers in Chickadee Creek looking for a fresh start are drawn together by an old violin.
Midnight Spells Murder (e-book) – Book 2 in the Happy Camper Mystery series after Open for Murder. Zo is getting ready for Halloween at the Happy Camper gift shop when a self-proclaimed witch is murdered and Zo is drawn into hunting down another killer.
Murder at the Lakeside Library (Hardcover) – First in the new Lakeside Library Mystery series. After the death of her husband, Rain has moved to the family cabin in Wisconsin and is preparing to re-open the library her mother used to run then when she discovers a dead real-estate buyer. Rumor has it that Rain’s mother was having an affair with the man.
Secrets of the Force: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Wars (Hardcover) – A single volume retelling of the Star Wars saga.
Silence in the Library (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Lily Adler Mystery series. Lily teams up again with a Bow Street Runner when the husband of her new friend is murdered.
Song of Echoes (e-book) – Kicks of a new “epic fantasy series.”
Star Trek The Next Generation: Shadows Have Offended (Trade Paperback) – The crew of the Enterprise is split up to tackle two missions. While Picard, Worf and Troi are dealing with a diplomatic crisis related to Betazed, Riker, Data, and Crusher are investigating a tragedy at a science station. This is at the top of my reading list for this month!
Trusting Molly (Trade Paperback) – A schoolteacher kidnapped along with hundreds of girls in the jungle is rescued by a team of government assassins who thought they were coming in to take out a target and leave.
While We Were Dating (Trade Paperback) – They were just supposed to be working together for an ad campaign. But flirting and banter might turn into something real – if the Hollywood spotlight doesn’t ruin everything.
Subpar Parks: America’s Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors (Hardcover, Nonfiction) – Based on the Instagram account that puts up art based on the National Parks with hilarious, real criticisms. This is supposed to include 50% new material just for the book.
You Can’t Say That: Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free Expression, and the Stories They Have to Tell (Hardcover, Nonfiction) – Thirteen authors of children’s and young adult books talk about what it’s like to have their work banned or challenged.