Reviews, Etc.

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: My Summer Reading Plan 2021

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: My Summer Reading Plan 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

As weird as 2020 was, I was feeling like 2021 would be an even harder year to pull off our annual Summer Reading Challenge, but my family was committed to keeping up the tradition. We’ve made some changes again this year to reflect a busier season. We also changed up our incentive system. In the past, the “reward” for finishing was higher for the first person done than for the second or the third person. This was a dis-incentive for the person who read the least/slowest. And that person, year after year, would just give up. So this year, the “prize” for completion is the same for everyone. We all feel much better about that.

Our Summer Reading kicked off Monday May 31st and will end on July 31 – 62days of reading. Here are the details for 2021. (You can read about past years here.)

Family Reading Challenge

This summer we are each choosing 2 books for each of the other members of the household to read for a total of 4 books each. Then each of us is also choosing a personal reading selection. The only stipulation was that picture books would not count. But anything else – graphic novel, a re-read, a new book, one that’s been languishing on a TBR pile – was fine.

I will be reading one TBR book (Enchanted, selected at random) and one favorite (Alien Nation, also picked at random) chosen by my teen. My husband chose Star Trek Picard: The Dark Veil and the new book by Stacey Abrams, While Justice Sleeps, for me to read. My personal choice book will be Star Trek Discovery: Wonderlands which just released in May.

For my teen I chose Kill the Queen, a favorite from 2018. I also gave him some YA books to choose from, and he picked The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. He’s enjoyed some of her other books in the past, plus he enjoyed the Westing Game feel of the description.  My husband chose the first Orphan X book as well as The Gray Man, two thrillers, for my son to read.  Then my son chose Quantum Prophecy: The Awakening, an old favorite, for his personal choice book.

For my husband, I chose Alien in the House which is his next book in the Kitty Katt-Martini/Touched by an Alien series that I adore. He usually gets one of those each year. This is one of my most favorite books in the series, so I am eager to have him read this one. I also chose The Blacksmith Queen for him. It’s a favorite from 2019 AND 2020 for me. I hope he gets a kick out of them. My teen chose the latest Baldacci book, A Gambling Man, for my husband to read this summer as well as Star Wars: Thrawn: Treason. Then my husband picked up one of my favorite John Scalzi novels, Redshirts, as his personal choice for the challenge.

#Bookaday

I have been doing the Bookaday summer challenge for 6 or 8 years now, but that was when I was off for the summers. I’m actually starting a full time job this summer, so I’ll be happy to stay on top of my ARC reading and the five books I have for the challenge. Therefore, I won’t be doing #bookaday this year.

 

ARCs

Speaking of ARCs, I have over 60 review books to read between now and the rest of the year, many of them releasing this summer. Here are some of the ones I’ll be reading and discussing in the coming months. And while there are other books I’d like to get to as well, the ARCs are my priority. We’ll see how many I get to!

REVIEW: The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez

REVIEW: The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Mark and his mother are living in Santa Julia, away from his congressman father. The deal was they’d officially, publicly, stay married. But she and Mark could move 40 miles away where Mark has the freedom to transition out of the public eye. In fact, only two kids at his school even know Mark started life as Madison Tegan.

Mark is in the International Baccalaureate program, and he’s obsessive about political science. But he can’t join Junior Statesmen of America at his new school because someone might recognize him. The deal with the congressman was that Mark would cut ties with his old life and stay under the radar in exchange for this move. And he’s passing; no one seems to have any idea that Mark is transgender. All he has to do is stay quiet and blend in.

But when a younger kid Mark knows strikes back at the football players who bully him for being gay, Mark knows he’s supposed to stay quiet, but he doesn’t feel good about it. When the school chooses to punish Mark’s friend, one of the football players uses the incident to spew hateful rhetoric in the race for student body president. Now Mark has to decide if he can actually stay on the sidelines, or if it’s time to make some noise.

Review

This was a fascinating story. This might be the first book I have read starring a transgender main character, written by a transgender/transmasculine author. So this was enlightening for me. I learned a lot, and it gave me a lot to think about. I felt for Mark as he was confined by the deal he made with his father and also confined by his secret. He also was learning and growing in his understanding of politics and leadership. I enjoyed his West Wing references. Mark even has a “cathedral” moment which was sad spiritually, but enlightening considering the character’s journey.

I thoroughly enjoyed the romantic relationship that starts for Mark in this book. It’s a sweet relationship, and it really adds to the story and the complexities between the characters.

Readers who are interested in politics – and in allyship – should give this a try. The characters have some interesting things to say about being queer in their community and about the Gay/Straight Alliance group at their school (which seems to have no LGBTQ+ members). This would be a meaty book for a book club or discussion group, too. Don’t miss this one. (Language, pot use/underage drinking, LGBTQ+ TW: coming out stories, parental disapproval)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Blind Spots by Kimberly Nix Berens, PhD

REVIEW: Blind Spots by Kimberly Nix Berens, PhD

Posted on by Jaymie

[I won a free copy of this book in a contest by the publisher.]

Summary

The author’s assertions include:

  • In America, proficiency declines over the course of learning, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress
  • Students are promoted due to age or time spent, or they are introduced to new concepts without mastering the earlier, prerequisite skills. This puts them further and further behind.
  • Some “interventions” are actually detrimental. When students practice those skills over and over, they become habits that interfere with effective learning.
  • Even the kids at the “top” are failing to reach advanced levels in subject areas. Over 75% of college freshmen need remedial classes in reading, writing, and math.
  • What is often a lack of opportunity to master basic skills is instead labeled a “disability” or given a medical diagnosis. Then the child is medicated and programmed accordingly.

The author instead comes to the world of education and learning as a behavioral scientist. She focuses on observation, skills practice, and reinforcement.

Review

The author is highly critical of the American schooling “establishment” which can be off-putting for someone who has worked in education. While I agreed with some of her assertions about unrealistic expectations of kindergarten and first grade students, about behavior modification over medication/diagnosis in some cases, etc., the delivery was a little too antagonistic for me.

One positive to the author’s criticism of every system from teacher training to social promotions is a sense that every student could succeed if only we gave them the right sort of environment and instruction. And I do love that philosophy.

Out of the 190 pages of content, not including appendices, 130 or so are focused on the “problems” of the system. I see the need to establish a strong case for the ways the current system is broken. But I would have enjoyed more emphasis on solutions. The author gives a lot of page space to her own learning program, but not much that the general reader could apply to their situation. I also would have loved more anecdotes and stories of kids and families who saw change and improvement.

The author makes a good case for a shift in instructional methods, but as both a former educator (Teacher/Librarian) and as a parent, this left me feeling pretty powerless. The case is strongly made that the “establishment” will do its thing regardless of research and data. What’s the average parent supposed to do to help their kids? There’s not even enough practical examples here for a parent to adapt to a homeschooling environment. If anything, this could be an interesting discussion starter. But I’m afraid the antagonistic, accusatory tone will keep educational professionals – from teachers to administration to the “establishment – from getting into ways to make a difference for real kids in real need.

Rating: ♥♥½*

*♥♥½ = Mostly solid to solid – some issues, but I was able to finish.

BONUS REVIEW: Arnold the Super-ish Hero by Heather Tekavec

BONUS REVIEW: Arnold the Super-ish Hero by Heather Tekavec

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Arnold’s superhero family keeps waiting for him to get a super power of his own. In the mean time, he answers the phone at headquarters and takes down messages in his very neat penmanship.

When an emergency call comes in and all of the heroes are busy, Arnold dons a mask and cape to see if he can save the day. Arnold’s hero-ing may not look like what his family expects, but to the people he helps, he’s a super-ish hero!

Review

DARLING! This is a such a fun story! This would be a great read-aloud. It has a fantastic message about heroic acts of everyday kindness and helpfulness. The illustrations are excellent. This is the sort of book kids will enjoy hearing, but will insist on exploring up close time and time again.

I think this would be perfect for classroom, story time, and bedtime reading. If your little reader(s) love(s) hero stories and/or you are looking to launch a discussion about kindness, helpfulness, or everyday heroes, be sure to give Arnold a try!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥=Outstanding!

REVIEW: Burt the Beetle Doesn't Bite by Ashley Spires

REVIEW: Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite by Ashley Spires

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Burt the june beetle learns all about the special skills of different bugs. And he starts to wonder what is special about june beetles like him.

What if the answer is… nothing?

Review

ADORABLE! Another delightful book by the spectacular Ashley Spires! (I included her in a list of my favorite illustrators a few years back. You can read that post here. ) This is funny, and full of awesome bug facts as well as a fantastic story starring an endearing character. It take something special to make a BUG an endearing character!

Spires writes such fantastic stories, but her illustrations are really what make her books memorable for me. This is the sort of book that kids – and adults – are going to want to read up close so they can really enjoy the pictures and the humorous little side comments. Even the end papers are not to be missed!

If you aren’t familiar with the author’s work, some of my favorites are: The Most Magnificent Thing (♥♥♥♥♥), Binky the Space Cat (♥♥♥♥♥) and the whole Binky graphic novel series. Do not miss her work, especially this delightful book starring Burt.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥=Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: June 1, 2021

BOOK NEWS: June 1, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

As June kicks off tomorrow, I am starting a new full time job. I’m hoping to keep up with my blogging schedule, but know that there might be adjustments this summer as I see what I can manage in a healthy way. I am scaling back my Book News posts for sure, which you will noticed this month. I’m hoping to focus on the new things I am most excited about. With the VOLUME of new books releasing each week, it likely means I will miss something *you* would be excited by. If you have questions or are looking for specific recommendations, let me know. For now, here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

Arnold the Super-ish Hero – A humble kid in a family of superheroes discovers that even without special “powers” of his own, he can be helpful to others. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite! – Burt would love to be a bug with super powers, but he’s not sure june beetles are very special. I’ll be reviewing this one soon, too.
Dear Librarian – A thank you to a librarian who helped a child during a difficult time.
Nia and the New Free Library – As a town tries to decide what to do with the space the library had been in, before it was destroyed by a tornado, Nia looks for ways to convince everyone that what they need most is a new library.
Strange Planet: The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature – Nathan W. Pyle’s first picture book starring his alien characters who are captivated by the sneaking, hiding, vibrating creature in their house.
Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress – A picture book biography focused on Shirley Chisholm’s daring qualities.
Layla and the Bots: Cupcake Fix – Book 3 in the Layla and the Bots series. Layla and the bots want to build a cupcake machine to make the opening of the new community center special.
Mia Mayhem Rides the Waves – Book 11 in the Mia Mayhem series. This time, Mia’s family goes on vacation.
Pacey Packer, Unicorn Tracker: Horn Slayer (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Pacey Packer series. While Pacey weakened the evil Arkane last time when she cut off his horn, she didn’t finish the job of defeating him, so she heads back to Rundalyn.
Pizazz – Pizazz shows readers the downsides to being a superhero. First in a new series.
Pup Detectives: The Soccer Mystery (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in the Pup Detectives series. Rider Woofson and the pup detectives start sleuthing when the school mascot and the star soccer player go missing.
She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor – An early chapter book biography.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Clique Here – After an embarrassing incident, Lily is more than ready to change schools and re-invent herself as Blake. But when a friend from her old school shows up at her new school, Lily/Blake will have to figure out who she wants to be.
Ham Helsing, Vampire Hunter (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series about a reluctant vampire-hunting pig.
The Hidden Knife (Older Middle Grade) – A girl hidden by her mother, a former-queen. Wise gargoyles who train and coach. A school full of secrets and mysteries. This sounds great!
Marcus Makes a Movie – An illustrated novel by actor Kevin Hart. Initially Marcus feels “stuck” in his after school film class. But then he realizes he can use the class to help him bring a comic character he created to film. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Miles Morales: Shock Waves (Graphic Novel) – Miles heads up a fundraiser to help Puerto Rico after an earthquake, but the missing father of a classmate might have ties to the corporation backing his fundraiser, so he has to investigate.
The Monster Missions – Two kids living on an old cruise ship, scavenging for supplies from the drowned cities around them start to hunt sea monsters when they accidentally awaken a Hydra that is seeking revenge.
Super Secret Super Spies: Mystery of the All-Seeing Eye – First in a new series. A lonely girl is recruited to join the Illuminati as a spy who works with other kids to keep things on the planet spinning along as they should.
Upside Down Magic: Night Owl – Book 8 in the Upside Down Magic series. Nory and her friends are part of the all-school sleepover. Nory is hoping if their team wins the big competition that night, her best friend won’t change schools. Meanwhile, Sebastian is struggling with the loud noises from the event, but none of his friends seem to care.
Brick Science: STEM Tips and Tricks for Experimenting with your LEGO Bricks – Science experiments kids can do with Lego bricks.
Who Is Neil deGrasse Tyson? AND Who Was A. A. Milne? – The latest Who Was biographies.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Ace of Spades – Devon and Chiamaka have been chosen to be senior prefects at school, which also means either could become valedictorian. But when anonymous text messages start going out from someone calling themselves “Aces” and their secrets are revealed, Devon and Chiamaka must stop Aces before things get deadly. This is already on my library wishlist.
Better Together – “Parent Trap meets Freaky Friday.” Sisters raised with no knowledge of one another meet at a retreat and magically switch places when they go home. Once they are stuck living each other’s lives, they start looking for a way back to themselves. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Castle of Refuge – Book 2 in the Dericott Tale series, this one an adaptation of the story of the Ugly Duckling. Scarred by her sister in an act of malice, Audrey flees her home when her father decides to marry off his “damaged” daughter. She finds a home at Dericott Castle, working as a servant, and falling in love with Lord Dericott. But when the man she’s supposed to marry shows up hunting for her, Audrey and Edwin will have to see if their love can triumph. This sounds awesome!
A Chorus Rises: A Song Below Water novel – A teen influencer finds her fans turning on her for exposing a Siren to the world. So Naema heads to the Southwest to start over and re-create what she has lost. But when some of her new fans start turning on other Black girls, Naema will need to discover her true purpose.
Gamora and Nebula: Sisters in Arms – From the same line and author as Loki: Where Mischief Lies. Gamora has been sent to Torndune to collect the heart of the planet. Nebula is in hot pursuit hoping to beat her “sister” to the prize and earn some credit for herself. Each aligns with different factions on the planet for help. But the closer they get to their prize, the more secrets are revealed about what they have really been sent to do.
Jay’s Gay Agenda (LGBTQ+) – As the only out gay kid in his town, Jay can only dream and plan what it would be like to be in a romantic relationship. But when his family moves to Seattle for his senior year, and Jay can start checking things off his “gay agenda,” he’ll find himself torn between his old life and his new one.
The Passing Playbook (LGBTQ+) – When Spencer transitioned last year, he experienced isolation and bullying. Now at a new school where no one knows him any other way, Spencer is finally getting to experience friendships and a chance to start for the soccer team. But when a new discriminatory law forces Spencer’s coach to bench him, Spencer has to decide if he will accept this or if he’s going to challenge it, which would mean coming out to his new community.
Poison Ivy: Thorns – Pamela Isley is keeping secrets and keeping people “out,” especially men who always seem to want something she isn’t willing to give. But when Pamela connects with a girl at school, she’s tempted to lower her guard. But Pamela – whose mother called her Ivy – has secrets that could turn deadly. I am fascinated by this one! I have been enjoying the DC YA graphic novels that have come out over the last few years.
A Sisterhood of Secret Ambitions – In 1926, a quintet of teens trained by the Society to snare powerful men are dropped off in a new city, charged with cozying up to a young man who is likely to one day become President.
Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous – The latest from the fantastic Suzanne Park! When Sunny accidentally films a PG-13 cooking video that goes viral, her parents send the social media influencer to a digital detox camp in Iowa. While she’s determined to do what it takes to find her way back online, there are some surprises in store for Sunny out on the farm. This is on my list for this week!
The (Un)Popular Vote (LGBTQ+) – A transgender guy with a politician for a father is supposed to be keeping a low profile and his past a secret, but he’s drawn into the election for student body president. This is on my list for this week, too.

Books for Adults

Dead Dead Girls (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Harlem Renaissance Mystery series. A kidnapping survivor gets drawn into a mystery when she notices that young Black women are being killed. This sounds excellent!
Girl One (Hardcover) – Josie is “Girl One,” one of 9 babies conceived without male DNA and raised in a compound. When the compound is attacked, the Girls and their Mothers scatter. When Josie’s Mother later goes missing, she starts looking for her “sisters,” believing they hold a key to the truth. I will be picking this one up for sure!
Murphy’s Slaw (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Alaskan Diner Mystery series. Charlie is resistant to going to the state fair with her friend, but when a vendor is murdered, Trooper Graham calls her in for help.
On Skein of Death (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Riverbank Knitting Mystery series. A knitting celebrity is coming to Libby’s new store Y.A.R.N., but when she is murdered, Libby starts looking for answers.
One Last Stop (Trade Paperback, LGBTQ+) – August meets a gorgeous girl on the train and develops a subway crush, but Jane is actually displaced in time from the 1970s. August will have to dig into all the things she tried to leave in her past in order to help Jane.
I’m Speaking Now: Black Women Share Their Truth in 101 Stories of Love, Courage and Hope (Trade Paperback) – New from Chicken Soup for the Soul.

REVIEW: Sixteen Scandals by Sophie Jordan

REVIEW: Sixteen Scandals by Sophie Jordan

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Primrose Ainsworth has finally made it. After years of watching her older sisters enter Society and entertain suitors, it’s finally Prim’s turn. She’s turning 16, the magical age when she can finally stop waiting and start living.

But Primrose’s parents are consumed with final details for her sister’s wedding. And with another sister already out looking for a husband, their parents have decided that Primrose needs to wait another year. Or more.

With her birthday essentially ignored and her debut postponed, Prim decides to take advantage of the family’s distraction. She and her friend, Olympia, sneak out to Vauxhall for a night of fun.

When things in a tavern get out of hand, Prim is separated from Olympia, but she is rescued by a young gentleman. When his chivalry turns to criticism, she’s ready to ditch him as quickly as possible. But when she has to rescue him in turn, it seems as though they are better off together. While Prim should be focused on finding Olympia and getting home before either of them are caught, she finds herself distracted by this young man. But she must keep reminding herself that even if the touch of his hand makes her heart flutter, all she truly has is this one night of freedom.

Review

This was so sweet! I loved Prim and Jacob together. (And I despised Primrose’s mother. She’s the worst!) I was heartbroken for Prim as she was ignored and shunted aside, essentially a commodity for her parents to wheel and deal to Society whenever it was in their best interests. To them she seemed only to be a means to an end, and it was awful. I loved her plan to have one night of freedom that she could always hold onto that was hers and hers alone, even if it was super risky. The ending/resolution of all this was perfect.

Anyone who routinely reads Victorian fiction/romance will find some familiar pieces here. I don’t know that there was anything super original in the story, although there wasn’t any of the usual “she’s ruined for being unchaperoned” that I often find in books like this. But the characters are a delight! Their banter and bickering, flirting and pining, was right on target for me. I loved every bit of the relationship.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction and sweet love stories should give this a try!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

REVIEW: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Visiting Frick Island is like going back in time. No cell service, no internet, no alcohol. They don’t even have enough kids to keep a school full; the kids take a ferry to the mainland for school.

Piper and Tom Parrish met in high school, fell in love, and got married all on Frick Island. But just a year into their marriage, Tom’s boat goes down during a storm. While the boat is found, Tom’s body is not. Piper refuses to believe he’s not coming home. She doesn’t even go to the memorial service those on the island planned.

Then one day, Tom was just… back.

At least for Piper. And because the islanders loved the young couple and were trying to help Piper in her grief, they went along with it, pretending that Tom was really there, right beside her.

Anders is a young reporter. On his first trip to Frick Island to cover their annual cake walk, he’s captivated by Piper. But she turns him away because, obviously, she’s married. Anders returns to do a story on how the island is disappearing due to climate change. That’s when he overhears the islanders talking about Piper and Tom. The situation – a whole island pretending a dead man is still around – is a story on its own. But then someone mentions that Tom’s accident wasn’t really an accident.

Review

This was a fascinating story, richer than just the invisible husband piece, although that piece was satisfying on its own. I enjoyed the characters – the prickly islanders, Piper, and Anders. The invisible husband plot was rounded out with threads about Anders’s job and family, about the island’s present and future struggles, and a few flashbacks of interchanges from before Tom’s death.

I got a kick out of the end. There were some nice twists to the story. I was captivated by all of it, waiting to see what Anders might uncover in the end.

If you are intrigued by the idea of an island of people going along with a grieving widow who thinks her dead husband is still with her, I encourage you to pick this one up so you can enjoy the whole story. (Some language.)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Rule of Threes by Marcy Campbell

REVIEW: Rule of Threes by Marcy Campbell

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Maggie’s trying to get adjusted to being in middle school – new teachers, new building, new kids. And she’s noticing her friends are changing. Maggie, Olive, and Rachel have a small design business – Best Foot Forward – but Rachel’s been acting strangely and seems more interested in boys and a new friend.

Smack in the middle of that, Maggie discovers her dad had an affair before she was born. He has a son from this other relationship. And when Tony’s mom has to go into rehab, Tony ends up on Maggie’s doorstep, rocking the entire household.

Maggie is a designer. She understands the rules of design and she follows them. But it starts to feel like nothing in her world is following the rules any more.

Review

What a fascinating story! It’s not often you’ll find a middle grade novel dealing with the fallout of an extramarital affair. But this is handled really well, and the focus stays on Maggie and Tony, two great characters. I loved watching Maggie’s compassion and empathy for Tony grow over time.

The design pieces were a fun way to develop Maggie as a character and as a metaphor for the changes she is dealing with in her life. It was a great thread all the way through the story from the way Maggie approaches the world to her relationship with her grandmother struggling with Alzheimer’s to the decorating contest at school.

Maggie’s family is walking through a lot of big things. And I loved how committed they were to each other through all of it. Don’t miss this great family story for readers 10 and older! (Drug use/abuse/overdose/rehab, marital infidelity)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: May 25, 2021

BOOK NEWS: May 25, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the final release week of May – let’s take a look at the new books out this week.

Books for Kids

Memory Jars – While Freda can save her favorite blueberries for later by turning them into jam, she discovers she can’t save all of her favorite things the same way.
Good Dog: Fireworks Night – Book 4 in the Good Dog series. Bo’s friend Scrapper isn’t a fan of summer fireworks.
Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell (Graphic Novel) – First in a new graphic novel series starring the delightful Scaredy Squirrel.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Diana and the Underworld Odyssey – Sequel to Diana and the Island of No Return. Diana goes toe-to-toe against Hades and an unexpected villain when Artemis brings word that children are going missing from around the world. I enjoyed the first book, and the two chapter teaser I read for this one was fantastic! This is on my list for this week.
How to Become a Planet – A girl struggling with depression makes a plan to help her get back to “normal” so she doesn’t have to move to the city with her dad.
Marvel-Verse Loki (Older Middle Grade, comics collection) – Part of a collection of books focused on one or two Marvel characters at a time. This book collects pieces of 5 or 6 comics (100+ pages) that focus on Loki. This one is on my list.
Aetherbound – The latest from E. K. Johnston. When her family starts to view her as a waste of food on their long space voyage thanks to a genetic mutation, Pendt sneaks off ship and joins the Brannick twins in a scheme to take over a space station and create their own destiny. I have had this on my list for months.
Every Body Shines: Sixteen Stories About Living Fabulously Fat – An anthology featuring fat main characters.
The Ivies – The Ivies at Claflin Academy are five young women determined to get into an Ivy League university – by any means necessary.
Not My Problem (LGBTQ+) – When Aideen agrees to help a peer who is overwhelmed with her extracurriculars – by pushing her down the stairs so she sprains her ankle – she finds herself getting approached by more kids at school who need her fixing abilities. I am intrigued by this one!
Pumpkin (LGBTQ+) – A companion novel to Dumplin’. Waylon is biding his time until he can leave his small home town. But when he throws caution to the wind and creates an audition tape for a TV drag show, his whole school ends up seeing it and someone nominates him for prom queen. When his twin sister’s girlfriend is also nominated to be prom king, the two decide to team up and throw the prank back in their classmates’ faces. This is on my library list.
Sixteen Scandals – When Prim decides to go rogue on her 16th birthday, her plan almost blows up in her face. But she is rescued by a mysterious stranger – who isn’t who he says he is. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

 

Books for Adults

The Apocalypse Seven (Trade Paperback) – Seven strangers in a post-apocalyptic Cambridge, Massachusetts, fight for their lives and for answers as to what happened to the world around them.
Beyond a Reasonable Donut (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Deputy Donut Mystery series. Emily and Nina are working at the Friday the 13th festival when a string of bad luck hits – stolen product, stolen cash, vandalism, and murder.
Chasing Romeo (Trade Paperback) – First in a new series. A psychic points Chloe at her soul mate, but there’s one problem. It could be one of seven men, and she only has a week to find him. Chloe hires a private investigator to help her search – and he doesn’t believe in love or soul mates. This sounds fun!
Death in Bloom (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Flower House Mystery series. Sierra is licking her wounds after trying to launch a singing career in Nashville. Working at the Flower House is just a stop-gap measure – until someone drops dead and the shop owner disappears, leaving Sierra to manage the shop and his Corgi pup.
The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit (Hardcover) – Book 14 in the Domestic Diva series. Sophie is working a home decorating festival when her friend Nina calls needing a ride from the airport. When one of Nina’s traveling companions later turns up dead, Sophie is sleuthing again.
The Guncle (Hardcover, LGBTQ+) – “Gay Uncle Patrick” finds himself temporary guardian of his niece and nephew when their mother dies and his brother has a health crisis. While he’s a great uncle on short visits, taking over full-time parenting is a whole new ballgame.
Hang the Moon (Trade Paperback, LGBTQ+) – A dating app creator – and true believer in love and OTPs – reconnects with his childhood crush who has no interest in romance and is just biding her time until she leaves the country.
Heart & Seoul (Trade Paperback) – A random comment at her adoptive father’s funeral sends Hara to Seoul to look for her roots. I have this on my library list already.
How to Find a Princess (Mass Market Paperback, LGBTQ+) – Book 2 in the Runaway Royals series by Alyssa Cole. Makeda has grown up with her grandmother’s stories about a fling with the prince of Ibarania, but now an investigator has shown up looking for the long-lost heir. She plans to take Makeda back to Ibarania, but the situation is more fraught than either of them realize. I adored Cole’s Reluctant Royals series, but I haven’t been able to dig into this series yet.
The Invisible Husband of Frick Island (Trade Paperback) – When her husband’s boat capsized and his body was never found, Piper carried on like nothing happened, like he was still by her side all the time. A journalist on the island for a fluff piece stumbles onto the story of an entire island pretending to interact with an invisible man and thinks it is the career-making story he’s been looking for. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Legacy (Hardcover) – When Adrian was 7, she met her father for the first time, when he tried to kill her. Now, as an adult, she is receiving menacing messages and death threats. Her mother dismisses them, and Adrian starts to think they are nothing – and then the murders start. I already have this one on hold at the library!
Murder at St. Winifred’s Academy (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Ferrera Family Mystery series. When a Hollywood starlet from the 50s is found dead in her dressing room for a production of Arsenic and Old Lace, Alberta is the only one who thinks the death is suspicious.
Murder in a Scottish Garden (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Scottish Shire Mystery series. Paislee is on the case when a man is murdered at an estate while her son’s class is there for a field trip.
Pint of No Return (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Shake Shop Mystery series. Trinidad takes over one of her ex’s business locations to open her shake shop even though she knows it means living in the same town as his other two ex-wives. But when a neighboring business owner is found dead, and one of the other ex’s is the prime suspect, Trinidad starts investigating.
The Preacher’s Daughter (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Infamous Amish series. Planning to leave town to escape her father’s shame, Elizabeth takes a temporary position helping an elderly Amish woman. But when the woman’s grandson returns, with his own difficult history with the law, sparks fly.
Scorpion (Hardcover) – A grieving spy throws herself into her next assignment – tracking a serial killer/assassin who leaves numeric codes on his victims’ bodies.
Star Trek Year Five: Weaker Than Man (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Collects comics 13 through 19 of this series about Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise.
The Stepsisters (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Susan Mallery centers around rival stepsisters who respond to a plea for help from the younger sister they have in common. But while the tensions between them start to thaw, one thoughtless act could undo all the progress they have made. This sounds fascinating!
Talk Bookish to Me (Trade Paperback) – A struggling novelist finds inspiration when her infuriating first love shows up in the wedding party she is in. But if she is going to finish this book, she might have to give into old feelings and take another chance with her heart.
The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism (Trade Paperback) – A frank and funny primer on menopause. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.