Reviews, Etc.

BOOK NEWS: August 11, 2020

BOOK NEWS: August 11, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

Girl Versus Squirrel – When a squirrel chases off the birds and eats the nuts she put out for them, a girl gets creative in her efforts to discourage the squirrel. This looks adorable!
Share Your Rainbow: 18 Artists Draw their Hope for the Future – 18 scenes of hope with hidden rainbows. All of the net proceeds from this book go to help World Central Kitchen.
H is for Honey Bee (August 15) – The latest from my favorite line of alphabet books. Readers can learn about all the ways we need honey bees in our world, and what they can do to help bees.
Splat the Cat and the Cat in the Moon – In this new leveled reader starring Splat the Cat, Splat and his friend Plank use a telescope to find out what the moon is made out of.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

A Place at the Table (Older Middle Grade) – Two sixth graders taking a South Asian cooking class develop a tentative friendship – and plans to create a dish to earn them a spot on a TV show – despite their different backgrounds (Pakistani-American and Jewish). I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Fighting Words (Older Middle Grade) – When the older of two sisters who have been through a considerable amount of trauma tries to commit suicide, the younger sister thinks it might be time to make some noise about what they are going through.
Lois Lane and the Friendship Challenge (Graphic Novel) – Lois is hoping to take her video channel viral this summer and create an amazing #FriendshipChallenge with her best friend. But nothing this summer is going like she planned. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Science Comics: Rocks & Minerals (Graphic Novel) – The latest Science Comics.
What Is the Story of Dracula? – The history of the character Dracula.
All Our Worst Ideas – The story of two very different teens who find each other through their jobs at a local record store.
Chasing Starlight – A society teen moves to Hollywood in 1938 and finds herself caught up in a murder at her grandfather’s mansion.
Cut Off – Four teens sign up for a virtual reality survival show, but find themselves stranded when all the safety measures fail and contact with the outside world goes down.
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything – Three years after ICE raids led to her mom’s deportation/disappearance, a space ship crashes in front of Sia’s car – and her mom is inside. That was NOT where I thought this story was going to go!
Star Daughter – When her starfire flares, Sheetal, the daughter of a star and a mortal, must go to the celestial court to find her mother, or another full star, to help heal her father. But her trip to the court places her in a competition she will have to win if she ever wants to return to Earth.

Books for Adults

Behind the Frame (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Shepherd Sisters Mystery series after the terrific Out of the Picture (♥♥♥♥½). This time, Savanna is planning an Art in the Park event when someone from her planning committee is murdered. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Booked for Death (Hardcover) – The first book in a new Booklover’s B&B Mystery series from the author of the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. Charlotte has spent the last year learning to run the B&B she inherited from her great-aunt, but none of her preparations have prepared her for a murder on the property – or for being the prime suspect. This sounds terrific!
Cold to the Bone (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Nicole Cobain Mystery series. Montana sheriff Nicole Cobain has her hands full with the murder of a young girl in her county. She certainly does not need her ex – with criminal connections – in town, much less as a suspect in the death.
Eighty Days to Elsewhere (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Ex Libris Adventure series. ExLibris Expeditions plans trips to recreate literary adventures, and Romy applies for a job there to earn some money to help her uncles protect their bookshop. She’s given an internship assignment – plan a trip to mimic Around the World in 80 Days for a client. And her competition for the task – and the job – is the nephew of the man making trouble for the bookshop.
Key Lime Crime (Hardcover) – Book 10 in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series. Hayley is on the scene to report on a pie contest in Key West during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. With her abrasive mother-in-law in town, she doesn’t need to stumble over a dead body while they are out sight-seeing.
Kiss My Cupcake (Trade Paperback) – When neighboring businesses, a cupcake-and-cocktails shop and a sports bar, open on the same day, hi-jinks ensue as the two business owners try to one up one another to gain customers. This sounds so fun!
Mums and Mayhem (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Magic Garden Mystery series from Amanda Flower. This time Fiona is regretting her agreement to help with a concert when the star is found dead, and his murder seems linked to her father.
No Offense (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Little Bridge Island series by Meg Cabot. The children’s librarian in Little Bridge and the sheriff have a difference of opinion when it comes to whether the person who left a newborn in the library bathroom is a criminal.
Paw and Order (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Dog Club Mystery series. When a billionaire is killed, Lilly ends up fostering his poodle, but when someone tries to steal the dog, Lilly thinks it might have something to do with the murder. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Peachy Scream (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Georgia B&B Mystery series. When Nina hosts a Shakespearean troupe at her B&B she is surprised to find their leader is her nemesis, the man who thinks her home should have been his. But when one of the troupe is murdered, she’ll need the help of her old rival to find the truth. (At the time of this writing, you can get the e-book of the first book, Peach Clobbered, for $2.99.)
Plotted for Murder (e-book) – Book 4 in the St. Marin’s Cozy Mystery series. Harvey is pulled into a new mystery when her old running coach is murdered.
Shadow Commission (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Dark Arts alternate history series. This time, it’s 1963 and the mages are hunting down the ones who orchestrated the Kennedy assassination as well as investigating a series of murders of magicians. I have this series on my wish list.
Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death (Trade Paperback) – A new novel set in the Kelvin timeline. The Enterprise is hosting Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan on a mission to a planet that appears under attack from demons. And someone in the ambassador’s entourage seems inclined to kill Spock.
To Love a Prince (e-book) – First in the new True Blue Royal series from Rachel Hauck. Daffy grew up around the royal family, but everything changed when she stumbled on a royal secret. Eighteen years later she comes across her former best friend, Prince Augustus. Gus has been dumped by two fiancées, so he’s hiding away from royal life. When he runs into Daffy, she convinces him his country needs him. This is at the top of my list for this week.
Four Threats: The Recurring Crises of American Democracy (Hardcover) – The authors assert there are four major threats to American democracy: political polarization, racism and nativism, economic inequality, and excessive executive power. These are the factors – alone or in some combination – that have threatened the country in the past. And in the present, we have all four at play at once. This sounds fascinating for both history lovers and those watching the current political landscape.

BONUS REVIEW: The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

BONUS REVIEW: The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

In the spring of 1992, Ashley is trying to endure the final days of her senior year. She’s a good student, and her parents’ hard work and success have given her opportunities she might not have had otherwise. She recognizes that being Black makes her perspective on things different from that of her while friends. But usually she tries to operate like it’s a non-factor.

Then the officers who beat Rodney King are acquitted, and her LA community explodes in anger and protest.

As her uncle’s store sits in the middle of the violence, and her cousin moves into their house for safety, and Ashley’s sister joins the demonstrations, Ashley tries to negotiate the ways the riots change her life and the way she thinks about herself, her friends, and her family.

Review

There’s a lot going on in this book. Ashley’s waiting to hear about college, she’s doing daily life with the white kids she’s grown up with. She and her family experience the same racist behavior as any other Black person in her community. Her fancy school, and her parents’ money, can’t protect them from those who only see skin color.  There’s relationship drama and prom and then rumors about one of the Black athletes at school. Ashley’s sister has eloped, which has only increased the tension between her and Ashley’s parents. The LA riots are a thread that runs through the story, but it’s one thread of many, and in some ways it seems more like a setting piece or part of the story’s context rather than a major part of the book itself.

This feels more like a cross-section of teen life than a story centered on the riots. Yes, Ashley is wrestling with her racial identity, and the wrestling is elevated by the Rodney King verdict. But there’s so much else going on. I struggled to hold onto a through line because I thought the riots were going to be that through line, and they weren’t for me. And at times, I also struggled with the timeline of passages of the book. A question might be raised, which would lead to backstory or fill-in details, but the answer for the question would come later or in the next passage. I found myself stopping and backtracking to see if I somehow missed the answer to the question. It’s a style choice that will work for some readers, but didn’t always click for me.

I think I would have gotten into the groove of this faster if my expectations were different. The materials I read leading up to starting the book left me with the impression that this would be more about the riots – something like I’m Not Dying with You Tonight – than it was. Instead, when you read this one, keep in mind that the riots are a backdrop for a more personal story about Ashley. This is really about her – her identity, her relationships, and the seismic shifts that come with graduation and with the impact of the riots on her family and community.

(Language, off-page sex, drug/alcohol/cigarette use, LGBTQ+: M/M couple, F/F flirting and kissing. TW: Abuse, suicide)

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood

REVIEW: More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Every year the core class teachers at Aligheri Prep choose a senior to represent their subject in a Renaissance Man competition. And every year excited parents and bored students listen to the presentations on English, math, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, and economics. It is the kind of thing that looks good on a college application for the few who are chosen. And the winner gets $5000 and doesn’t have to take the final for their subject area. But none of that mattered to Danyal Jilani because he was not the sort of student to ever be chosen for the Renaissance Man.

Except he IS chosen. By his history teacher. Mostly out of spite.

Danyal is supposed to speak about Winston Churchill. His history teacher is a major Churchill fan. But as Danyal starts reading about Churchill and talking to his father, he finds out about Churchill’s role in the Bengal Famine. Danyal feels a responsibility to talk about that part of Churchill’s story. But Danyal’s parents say he needs to deliver the story his teacher expects so he can graduate. His crush says the same. She likes him, but her parents won’t even consider a match between them if Danyal is going to settle for squeaking through high school and becoming a chef. He needs to wow them at the Renaissance Man, go to college, and follow the expected path.

If Danyal’s going to go against his parents, his teacher, and the girl he wants to someday marry, and live to tell the tale, he has to crush his speech at the competition. And Danyal’s rarely excelled at anything non-food related in his life. But his new friend Bisma might be just the help he needs.

Review

In the beginning, Danyal felt like an underachieving screw up. He’s not driven except when it comes to cooking. He struggles at school, both academically and with motivation. He goes for the laugh in awkward moments or when he’s caught unprepared. I thought I had him all figured out.

Then he defends Bisma, a girl he barely knows, to her father. And my whole understanding of Danyal shifted.

I am a character driven reader. If I love a character, I will excuse a lot of things that might not work for me in the storytelling. If I don’t like a character, it’s hard for me to be excited about even a well-written story. In that one moment, with Bisma and her family, I fell in love with Danyal. And he only got better as the book went on. And I loved it.

There’s a lot happening in this book. There’s the Renaissance Man speech that Danyal gets roped into. He has to decide how to approach his topic, do the research, write and prepare his presentation, and then deliver it in front of a crowd. In the midst of that, he has his “dream girl,” Kaval, pushing him to be someone he’s not. His parents are looking for a marriage match for him yet at the same time his father basically tells him that he’s a loser. Cooking is Danyal’s passion and something he is good at, but few people in his life value that about him (unless he is feeding them). Then Danyal meets Bisma, whose father shames her repeatedly. Danyal is decent to her – a true friend – and in friendship she helps him with his contest preparation.

The Renaissance Man contest and one of Danyal’s friend’s deep faith raise fascinating questions about colonization, history, and sin that weave in and around the people in this story and in their relationships with one another. And I thought it was perfect. There’s so much to enjoy here – don’t miss it.

(Language, TW: Shaming over sexual behavior) NOTE: While I thoroughly enjoyed this story, some Muslim reviewers have had a different opinion of the story and raise issues with how their faith is represented. Be sure to check out their reviews as you consider this book.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: Mr. Malcolm's List by Suzanne Allain

BONUS REVIEW: Mr. Malcolm’s List by Suzanne Allain

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Mr. Jeremy Malcolm is the hottest bachelor of the 1818 London season. He has no title, but he’s inherited funds and a country house. He’s feeling the pressure from debutantes – and their mothers – constantly. One dance or conversation – or a trip to the opera – can convince a young woman that he’s interested. But Mr. Malcolm knows what he’s looking for. When it comes to a woman he’ll spend the rest of his life with, he’s determined to be as careful about the choice as he would be about choosing a prize horse or a business investment. There are certain qualities that are non-negotiable. Mr. Malcolm has a list!

When one of those young women gets word of Mr. Malcolm’s list, she is incensed. She invites an old school friend to town under the auspices of helping her meet some eligible men at society events. But in truth, Julia only wants Selina to help her turn the tables on Mr. Malcolm. To string him along until he’s hooked and then dump him for not meeting her own list. Selina has numerous reservations, but she also has no where else to go if she wants to meet the right sort of men. Julia knows this and will not be dissuaded from her plot.

Review

With the exception of Selina, who is a delight, the other main characters in this book are infuriating. I despised the spoiled, bratty Julia from her first appearance. She is arrogant, smug, and manipulative, and I audibly grumbled about her for 2/3 of the book. Mr. Malcolm is no Prince Charming. He’s arrogant as well, and also entitled. Maybe the author was trying to show that the more plain-born Selina has better character than the wealthy, privileged people in the story. Julia’s cousin, who is supposed to be Mr. Malcolm’s friend, was just as awful. While I waited for everything in the story to inevitably fall apart, I grumbled about the lot of them.

The “Hallmark movie moment” – you know, the spot in 90% of these sorts of stories where all the secrets are spilled – was fairly predictable. But I was surprised that Jeremy thought so little of Selina that he immediately wrote her off. Sure, be angry. He was manipulated and lied to. But there was no grace offered and no opportunity for Selina to explain things.

I would have loved for this moment to happen sooner in the story so that when Selina gets riled by Jeremy’s dismissal of her, she could really make him feel the pain of his decisions. I wanted him to “suffer” his losses a little more. And sadly, Julia has no consequences whatsoever for her part in things. She becomes a somewhat better person, magically, because of love. This was not satisfying. These two pieces would have improved my mood considerably.

Despite all of that irritation and emotional upheaval, I could not put this down! I had to see if Selina would triumph over these yahoos around her. And to see if they could ever be worthy of her friendship and her love. I read this compulsively, from start to finish. And even with all of my grumbling, I enjoyed the overall story. Jeremy’s mom alone was worth sticking with the book through the aggravating parts; she’s a hoot!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman

REVIEW: A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, is enjoying some quiet days. No murders or investigations. Sure, she’s helping her sister plan her wedding, but otherwise she is just dealing with the day to day things and enjoying her secret engagement to George Hazelton.

Then she finds out her sister needs to move the wedding up. Immediately, if you catch my drift. Thankfully, George is heading to his family’s estate. It would be the perfect place for a small wedding. Lily and Leo could be married within a week and no one would have to know why the date changed. And of course, George is gracious and compassionate and welcomes the wedding party into his plans at the estate.

But from the moment their party gets on the train, there is no shortage of trouble. Leo’s younger sisters are constantly arguing and bickering. His best friend is making eyes at Lily, and she is not doing enough to dissuade him. Leo’s brother-in-law is bitter about feeling left out of the family business, and he isn’t quiet about it. And strange accidents keep happening. When several people are injured and one person ends up dead, Frances starts to think someone might want Leo dead.

Review

I fell in love with this series when I first read A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder. And it has never disappointed me. This is the third book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series, and it’s as strong as ever.

As much as I say I dislike historical fiction, the characters in this are what bring me back over and over. I have loved watching Frances’ growth over the last three books, finding both her confidence and true love.

The mystery in this particular book was especially twisty. I couldn’t settle on who I thought was the culprit. My choices all made sense. And were completely wrong! It was so fun to sit back and watch it all play out until the end.

Whether you love late 19th century London society stories, mysteries with a side of romance, or mysteries that leave you guessing until the end, be sure to pick up A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder. While you are at it, pick up the first two books in the series as well. I don’t think these have to be read in order, but if you like to see the evolution of the relationships in a series, you should start with book one.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

BONUS REVIEW: Beauty and the Beast by Jessica Gunderson

BONUS REVIEW: Beauty and the Beast by Jessica Gunderson

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Beauty is the youngest of three girls. She loves books and music and flowers and has a sweet disposition, unlike her selfish oldest sister Gritty and the vain middle daughter, Petty. The family has had a run of bad luck. They had to sell their possessions, get rid of their servants, and move into a small cottage.

When Beauty’s father takes a rose at a mysterious castle on his travels, the Beast who lives there says he can leave if Beauty comes and stays instead.

Beauty gets to know the Beast, and likes him. But when her father becomes sick, she leaves and the Beast is lonely and sad.

Review

The art in this is lovely! I enjoyed the familiar basics of the story and the diversity of the cast. Beauty’s sisters have a Cinderella’s step-sisters feel to them. Other than being catty, though, the story doesn’t do much with them, which was disappointing.

The art really made this enjoyable. I was pleased with some of the “extras” in the book as well – a guide to reading graphic novels, writing prompts, discussion questions and a craft. I wish the story had been more full and engaging to go with these terrific extras. The story was mild with no real conflict explored. There was space devoted to Beauty’s family, but they never became a factor in the larger story. Then that left fewer pages to explore the story with the Beast.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Party Problems by C. L. Reid

REVIEW: Party Problems by C. L. Reid

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

This is the first book in the Emma Every Day series. Emma is 8 years old and lives with her mom, dad and older brother. Emma is Deaf. She uses a cochlear implant to help her hear as well as using American Sign Language to communicate to others.

In this book, Emma is getting ready to go to her best friend Izzie’s birthday party. But she’s feeling nervous.

Review

This is a cute early chapter book that includes a finger spelling guide, some finger-spelled words in the text of the story, a glossary and signs in the back matter, as well as ideas of things to write about and things to talk about. These extra features are some of my favorite parts of the book.

This is the first of four books. In the other three Emma goes on a field trip, heads to the apple orchard, and learns to dance.

This has a simple and sweet story with a low level of conflict and a fun layout. I enjoyed Emma’s honesty about anxiety – worrying about her dress, if she will know anyone at the party, and if the party will be too noisy for her to hear and communicate with others. Everything works out pretty easily in the end.

Rating: ♥♥♥½

BOOK NEWS: August 4, 2020

BOOK NEWS: August 4, 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy August! Here are some of the new books releasing this week to kick off the back-to-school-somehow season.

Books for Kids

Quantum Physics for Smart Kids (Board Book) – A young scientist and her cat shrink down to discover the secrets of quantum physics.
The Best Worst Poet Ever – Cat and Pug get into a spat as they each try to have a poem-writing day.
Fussy Flamingo (August 7) – A young flamingo is eager for her pink feathers to come in, but she doesn’t want to eat shrimp.
LEGO A Not-So-Scary Monster – The mini-figure kid from I’m Fun, Too! is back with some LEGO monster friends.
No Fuzzball! – Fuzzball thinks her name is “No Fuzzball,” and when her family goes away for the weekend, she wonders if she should cause less trouble around the house. This looks darling!
Three Squeezes – A picture book about family
Eva in the Spotlight – Book 13 in the popular Owl Diaries series from Scholastic BRANCHES. Eva is disappointed when she isn’t chosen for the lead in the school play.
Grumpy Unicorn Hits the Road (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Grumpy Unicorn series. When Grumpy Unicorn gets bored, he decides to go on a road trip to find adventure.
Itty Bitty Princess Kitty Star Showers – Book 4 in the series after The Puppy Prince (♥♥♥♥). A star shower is a once-in-a-lifetime event where people can wish on a star, but this time something goes wrong, and the wishes get mixed up.
Layla and the Bots Built for Speed – Book 2 in this new series from Scholastic BRANCHES. Layla and the bots help re-configure a go kart for a girl who uses a wheelchair.
The Snoring Princess – Book 4 in the Once Upon a Fairy Tale series from Scholastic BRANCHES. Kara and Zed have to find a missing princess before the 100 year old curse on her castle resets and starts over.
Sparks!: Double Dog Dare (Graphic Novel) – The sequel to Sparks! (♥♥♥♥½) The two cats who operate the robot superhero Sparks run into unexpected trouble when a look-alike dog starts making a bad name for Sparks.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

13 and 3/4 – Book 4 in the Friendship list series. Two friends create a bucket list for their first summer apart at different camps. This will be the final book in the series.
Avengers Assembly: Orientation – Ms Marvel, Spider-Man (Miles Morales), and Squirrel Girl team up in the first book of this new series from Marvel. Kamala is the new kid at the Avengers Institute and she’s eager to make her place by winning the academic decathlon with her new friends. This one is on my list for this week .
Cleopatra in Space: Queen of the Nile (Graphic Novel) – The 6th and final book in this great graphic novel series. It’s time for Cleo to fulfill her prophecy.
A Dog-Friendly Town – When a jewel-covered dog collar goes missing at his family’s bed and breakfast, Epic is on the case. This is on my list, too.
The Magic in Changing Your Stars – A special pair of tap shoes transports a boy to 1930s Harlem where he has a chance to help his own grandfather who is struggling in similar ways in his own time.
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears – New from Rick Riordan Presents. Ignoring her mother’s legends about a ghost woman prowling around the Gila River, Paola plans to meet friends at the river to do some star gazing, but one of her friends goes missing.
The Revenge of the Werepenguin – Sequel to The Curse of the Werepenguin. Adjusting to life as a werepenguin, Bolt is called on to help a friend defeat another werepenguin who has imprisoned his friend’s father.
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure – Book 2 in Rowley’s spin off series from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Teen Titans Go! to Camp – The Teen Titans are heading to summer camp. And their competition in the camp games are familiar foes.
That Time I Got Kidnapped (Older Middle Grade) – Sequel to How to Rob a Bank. Jacob has been chosen to be in the next Marvel movie, but on the bus across the country to his big break, he meets Jennifer who is on the run from a guy known as “the Cowboy” and is desperately guarding a mysterious package. This sounds fascinating!
Athletes Who Made a Difference: Colin Kaepernick – One of four books launching this graphic novel biography series this week. Other books focus on Serena Williams, Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson. These would be great classroom additions.
Who Was Celia Cruz? – The biography of a performer who was also a Cuban exile in America during Fidel Castro’s years in power.
Wonder Woman: The Way of the Amazons – An interactive history of Wonder Woman’s people, the Amazons.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

The Black Kids – As Ashley and her friends enjoy the final weeks of their senior year in the spring of 1992, four police officers are acquitted after beating Rodney King. The city of Los Angeles ignites while Ashely watches the ways it changes her community, her family, and her life as one of the “Black kids.” I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Bookish and the Beast – Book 3 in the Once Upon a Con series after the fantastic Geekerella and The Princess and the Fangirl (♥♥♥♥½). Vance Reigns, Hollywood royalty, is hiding from a tabloid scandal in a small town. Rosie lives in that small town, and when she and Vance cross paths and a rare book is accidentally destroyed, Rosie finds herself having to work off the debt. She also finds out that Vance is a jerk. Beauty and the Beast, anyone? This is at the top of my list for the week.
The Game – Described as a mash-up of Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders and Riverdale. The seniors at Lincoln High always play assassin. But this year, the deaths are all too real. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Good for Nothings – A ragtag group of prisoners sets off to find missing treasure rumored to grant immortality in order to expunge their leader’s criminal record. There’s definitely a Guardians of the Galaxy feel to this one, so obviously it’s on my list.
How to Live on the Edge – A young woman is living life on the edge in defiance of her family history of early death. She’s not even sure she wants to watch the videos her mother made for her before she died. But when her aunt, who has been a mother figure to her, has to prepare for a mastectomy, it raises questions about what it means to truly live. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
More Than Just a Pretty Face – As Danyal prepares for his school’s Renaissance Man competition, he wants to prove to his crush, and her family, that he is the right guy for her. But the more time he spends with Bisma, who is helping him prepare for the competition, he starts to wonder if love is actually closer than he thinks. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Salvation – The third and final book in the Sanctuary series about super-powered criminal teens who hold hostage a prison guard in training, but then have to partner with her when their space station is attacked by monstrous aliens with their sights set ultimately on Earth. This is definitely a series to read in order.
The Scam List – A new con novel from the author of Don’t Get Caught. A teen and his ex-girlfriend team up to save their parents’ business, one con at a time. I love con stories, so this is on my list.
Set Fire to the Gods – When Ash’s revenge plot pushes the fire and earth gods into a war that can only be resolved through gladiator games, Madoc’s ancient and unusual powers might be just what she needs, but he refuses to put his family in jeopardy by helping her.
Star Wars: Poe Dameron Free Fall – A novel about a young Poe Dameron, telling a story hinted at in The Rise of Skywalker. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
They Wish They Were Us – During Jill’s freshman year, her best friend was killed. The girl’s boyfriend confessed, and the case was closed. Three years later, when Jill is ready for the epic senior year she always dreamed of, she starts getting texts that her friend’s killer was not the boyfriend who confessed.

Books for Adults

Acceptable Risk (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Danger Never Sleeps series after Collateral Damage (which is on my TBR shelves). A military journalist and the Army Ranger who once saved her when she was taken hostage team up to get to the truth after her brother mysterious commits suicide. Yep, I would absolutely read that.
Chaos in Little Leaf Creek (e-book, August 6) – Book 1 in the Little Leaf Creek Mystery series. A grieving widow moves to find a fresh start and instead finds herself a murder suspect. At the time of this writing, this book is part of the Kindle Unlimited program which means subscribers can read it for free.
Deadly Drama (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Britton Bay Mystery series. Molly is on the case again when the community theater director is murdered.
The Eighth Detective (Hardcover) – A math professor who once wrote a book of “perfect” detective stories is stunned to find an editor 30 years later who wants to re-publish his book. But as the editor digs into the stories to prepare them for republication, she notices inconsistencies that might be more than just mistakes. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Falcon Always Wings Twice (Hardcover) – Book 27 in the fabulous Meg Langslow Mystery series. This time, Meg’s grandmother is hosting a Renaissance Faire where Meg’s grandfather ends up a murder suspect when one of the actors – who mistreated a rare falcon her grandfather was protecting – is found dead. Meg Langslow PLUS a Renaissance Faire? Sign. Me. Up. I’ll be reviewing this one soon. There is also a Christmas book scheduled for later this year – The Gift of the Magpie – that is also on my reading list for 2020.
The Friendship List (Hardcover) – Two women who feel they might be “stuck” in life agree to check items off a bucket list that is supposed to help them live their best lives. I have this on my list for this week, too.
The Last Mrs. Summers (Hardcover) – Book 14 in the terrific Royal Spyness Mystery series. I’m way behind on this series, but I used to get these from the library all the time. This time, Georgiana is helping a friend inspect a cottage she inherited when there’s a murder at the estate where they are staying. This sounds like a twisty story!
The Lions of Fifth Avenue (Hardcover) – In 1913, a young wife and mother discovers a “radical” women’s group which leads her to question her life and the ways she assumed she had to fulfill her roles. In 1993, the young wife and mother’s granddaughter is struggling with her own questions as she stumbles across family secrets. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Love Scam (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Danger series after Danger, Sweetheart. A wealthy bachelor wakes up hungover, thousands of miles from home with no memory of how he got there, no wallet, and an empty bank account. What he does have is a stranger claiming to be his long-lost daughter. If only the gorgeous woman who brought this “daughter” his way would help him figure out what is going on. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Mockingbird’s Song (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Amish Greenhouse Mystery series. A grieving widow and her grieving mother struggle to recover from their tragic losses while their family greenhouse is under attack.
Murder in the East End (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Below Stairs Mystery series which kicks off with Below Stairs (♥♥♥♥). Kat, a young cook, is sleuthing again when she learns that children from the local foundling hospital are disappearing and one of the nurses there has been murdered,
Penned In (e-book) – Book 5 in the Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. A team-building lock-in at a spooky old penitentiary turns into a real-life murder mystery for Angie and her friends.
Space Between Worlds (Hardcover) – It is possible to travel to a parallel universe as long as you don’t already exist in the place where you travel. A young woman whose other selves have a habit of dying young becomes the perfect multiverse traveler. But when another of her doubles dies on her world, this Cara is pulled into a plot that could put the entire multiverse in danger. This one is on my list for this week, too.
Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop (Trade Paperback) – A young woman who has the power to see the future in tea leaves jumps at the chance to flee from her gifts and find a change of scenery, but her move to Paris only takes her deeper into her gifts. This sounds fascinating.
The Vinyl Detective: Low Action (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Vinyl Detective series. The Vinyl Detective is back, trying to figure out who wants the guitar player from a punk band dead. The suspect list is long and includes every person from the band’s past, except the bass player. Because she is already dead. I haven’t read any of these, but this one sounds spectacular!
You Had Me at Hola (Trade Paperback) – The new stars of a bilingual romantic comedy bring plenty of baggage to their onscreen – and off-screen – relationship. This sounds interesting, too.
Slow Cooker Soups: A Cookbook of Comforting Recipes You Can Prep and Forget (Paperback) – Just in time for fall soup season. “Prep and forget” are some of my favorite words when it comes to cooking. At the time of this writing, this book is part of the Kindle Unlimited program which means subscribers can read it for free.
What’s Your Enneatype? An Essential Guide to the Enneagram: Understanding the Nine Personality Types for Personal Growth and Strengthened Relationships (Paperback) – I loved this new Enneagram resource! You can see my full review here.

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Summer Reading Wrap Up 2020

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Summer Reading Wrap Up 2020

Posted on by Jaymie

At the start of June, I posted my reading goals and agenda for the summer. Today I have a summary of how it went.

 

Family Reading Challenge

I was the first to finish the family challenge again this year.  We added a prize for first, second, and third place last year which helped keep everyone reading. My husband finished in second place, and our teen wrapped up his last book this week. I think for next year I want to make the prizes equal so there is no disincentive – everyone gets the same “reward.”

I enjoyed both of the books recommended to me. The Red Pyramid was a re-read, so I knew I would like it, but it’s been so long since I read it, it was like getting a fresh start at the book. I would read the rest of the series again; I really enjoyed this re-read. And my husband was right, the teen character in Hell Bent really added a fun layer to the book. I will read more Orphan X books if she’s around.

My teen endured Millenneagram for me. He’s really not interested in the Enneagram, but he did affirm that the number we were thinking might fit him did seem like the best fit. He also read the second Lock In book, Head On, and enjoyed it. My husband said he, too, enjoyed the re-read of The Red Pyramid. And I heard him laugh often as he read Undercover Bromance, so I think that one was a winner, too.

All three of us thoroughly enjoyed our Percy Jackson re-read. My husband was inspired to watch the movies after we finished reading, and they were even worse than I remembered considering how great the books are. There are rumblings that we might choose to re-read some of the Heroes of Olympus series next summer. We’ll see, though. I really only like to go back to the first two.

The books we chose for ourselves were a mixed bag. I enjoyed both of mine, especially City Spies. My teen thought the mysteries he chose were fine, but he mostly cared about the cat parts of the books. My husband said his two were fine but not great. If nothing else, we each pulled at least two books from our TBR piles this summer.

 

TBR Books

Of the six review books I wanted to read, I got to all 6 of them. My favorite of the bunch was Lineage Most Lethal.

Of the 15 summer releases I listed, I only got to 4, but I have purchased several more to read when I have some time.

Of the 4 TBR books I hoped to read, I got to 3.

  • Out of the Picture was an excellent mystery from Hallmark Publishing. I will be reviewing the second book for the publisher later this fall, and I can’t wait!
  • Chaos Reigning is the third and final book  in the Consortium Rebellion series, which I have loved. It was terrific. I have some of the author’s other books on my TBR after discovering her through this series.
  • Finally, Talk Nerdy To Me is the third book in the fantastic Bookish Boyfriends YA romance series. It was just as delightful as the first two. Book 4 will be out early in 2021, and I already have it on my wish list.

I hope to post full reviews of these books later this year.

 

#Bookaday

It was my goal to read 56 books in 56 days. I actually finished 67 books as of July 30. I might squeeze in one more with my final day of July; we’ll have to wait and see. This was a mixture of picture books/chapter books (9), middle grade (19), teen/YA (11) and adult books (28) and a mix of fiction (62) and nonfiction (5).

Some of my favorites from this summer that I haven’t already mentioned have been:

So, what did you read this summer?

BLOG TOUR: The Mall by Megan McCafferty

BLOG TOUR: The Mall by Megan McCafferty

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Welcome to the BLOG TOUR for The Mall by Megan McCafferty. I am so happy to have you here today! Let’s talk about The Mall.

Summary

Cassie Worthy’s senior year (Go, Class of 1991!) did not finish as she planned. With the worst case of mono her doctor had ever seen, she was down for over a month. No prom. No graduation. But through it all, her boyfriend, Troy, was loyal, caring, and dedicated. They were moving steadily toward their plan for college – different schools, but in the same university system. And they even worked together at the cookie shop at the mall.

All of that fell apart the moment Cassie was well enough to step back into her life.  No job, no boyfriend, and even her big college plan was tainted.

While Cassie is still trying to figure out what just happened to her, she knows she needs another job asap – something at the mall, but far from Troy and the cookie shop. The one she finds leads her to an old friend, a secret stash of Cabbage Patch dolls – and a hunt through the mall for treasure!

Review

This was a delightful walk down memory lane! Stripped down to its core, this is a familiar tale of bouncing back after a break up, rediscovering an old friend, and preparing for the launch to college. And it’s a good version of those common story elements. I loved the characters in this. I cared about Cassie’s break-up recovery, and I thoroughly enjoyed her relationship with Drea. On its own, that made for a solidly good story.

But setting this in the early 90s at the mall made this nostalgia heaven for me. The clothes, the music, the cassette tapes and answering machines. Cassie had to go to the mall book store to research something; there’s no cell phone or Google. Someone in the book got a pre-paid calling card as a gift. It was perfect! While some pieces were nostalgic, others were hilarious! I enjoyed every minute of this.

My only hesitation here is that I’m not sure if the target audience will have the same reaction or appreciation for the 90s pieces of this. The core story will stand on its own, but will the 90s references be a distraction? Or will they make this as magical for other readers as they did for me?  All I can say for sure is that I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I recommend it. Be sure to check out The Mall by Megan McCafferty!

(Language, sex, sexual references, TW: assault reference)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½