Tag: February New Releases

Happy President’s Day! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids

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Evolution for Smart Kids (Board Book) – Theories of evolution presented in story form.
Dream Big, Little Scientists  – Introduces 11 branches of science in a bedtime story.
Friday Night Wrestlefest – A family gets ready for Friday night bedtime in the style of a televised wrestling match.
Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring – A boy and his dog on a walk notice the signs of spring. Part of a series.
The Music of Life  – A composer with writer’s block is inspired by the sounds around him.
The Paper Kingdom – When the babysitter cancels, a boy has to go into work with his parents at night, but they turn the job into something magical and fun.
Tickled Pink: How Friendship Washes the World with Color – A flamingo is sad when a zebra and panda say they will only play with animals that are black and white. I’m eager to see this identity exploration in person.
Equality’s Call – Learn the history of voting rights.
God the Father and the Best Day Ever – A rhyming story about Easter and God’s love.
Frankie Sparks and the Lucky Charm  – Book 4 in the awesome Frankie Sparks series. Frankie and her classmates build Leprechaun traps, but Frankie is having trouble with her designs.
Miss Blake Is a Flake! – My Weirder-est School, book 4. The kids learn survival from an odd scout leader.
Born Curious: 20 Girls Who Grew Up to Be Awesome Scientists – Brief biographies of female scientists and mathematicians.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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The Fire in the Star – Book 3 in the Unicorn Quest series. Younger sister, Claire, finally gets a chance to lead in an adventure that might be their most important and dangerous yet.
Marvel Action: Spider-Man: Bad Luck (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in the Marvel Action: Spider-Man series. Peter, Gwen and Miles are working together against a new villain and her bad luck powers.
Middle School: Master of Disaster – Book 12 in the Middle School series sees a team up between the stars of several Patterson series. Rafe and Jimmy are working on a huge celebration of books and reading when they team up with Jamie Grimm (I, Funny – ♥♥♥♥), Jacky Ha-Ha, the Kidd family (Treasure Hunters) and Max Einstein. I love the whole idea of this!
Star Wars Adventures: Defend the Republic (Graphic Novel) – A prequel adventure. Collects issues 18-20.
Taylor Before and After – A story told in journal entries in two timelines – before and after a tragedy as a girl negotiates changes at home and at school. This sounds really good.
Zatanna and the House of Secrets – The latest graphic novel for kids from the folks at DC. Zatanna discovers some mysteries about her family and her home in this fun, magical story. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
A Black Woman Did That – A celebration of women of color in history.
The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid – A self-identified feminist who thinks prom is a prime example of the gender-based issues in her school finds herself on the planning team for the event. So she convinces the team to change things up this year. I have already requested this one from the library.
Foul Is Fair – A group of teen girls who tend to “rule the school” – and any other environment they find themselves in – experience something new and unexpected when they crash a party for a local prep school. But these girls know their power, and when one of their own is assaulted, they fight back with a vengeance. A bloody, violent and dark Macbeth retelling about rape. Sensitive readers should approach this one with care, but the reviews for this are overwhelmingly positive.
Miss You Love You Hate You Bye – When her strong, leader best friend starts cracking under the strain of family issues and develops an eating disorder, the quiet, blend-into-the-background best friend has to find a way to speak up.
Of Curses and Kisses – From the author of When Dimple Met Rishi and There’s Something About Sweetie (♥♥♥♥½) and the upcoming 10 Things I Hate About Pinky (June 2020). A princess and a lord from feuding families meet at boarding school where she is determined to make him love her and then break his heart for what his family has put her family through, but where he is just waiting for his cursed future. This is at the top of my list for this week.
The Seventh Sun – First in a new series based on Aztec and Mayan legends. A young prince feels unprepared to take the throne after his father’s death, and his family’s connection to the sun seems to be fading. He is presented with six noble women from which to choose his bride, but the gods seem to be working against the prince and the young woman he would choose – and they both know any woman not chosen will be sacrificed.
The Upside of Falling – A YA fake-relationship story! I love these! Tired of being hassled for not having a boyfriend, a girl claims she already has one. A guy nearby steps into the role so he too can get people off his case. What starts as pretend starts to feel pretty real when the two teens realize how much they have in common. I already have this one on hold at the library!

Books for Adults

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Dead to the Last Drop (e-book, February 21) – Book 8 in the Killer Coffee Mystery series. When Roxi’s Aunt Maxi gets involved in community theater, Roxi gets involved in another murder. This is free to read for subscribers to the Kindle Unlimited program at the time of this writing.
Ghost-Spider, Volume 1: Dog Days Are Over (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Gwen Stacey travels from Earth-65 to the Prime Marvel Universe to go to school. This looks fascinating! I have been interested in this characters since the Spider-verse movie came out in 2018.
Harley Quinn & the Gotham Girls (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Five issue mini series. Catwoman steals something thinking she is helping the lion preserve only to find out she is working for Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
Highway to Hel (e-book) – Book 2 in the Vikings of Virginia Mystery series. When the goddess of the underworld shows up in Freya’s town, she figures she’s just there to check out the Asgardian retirees. But then Loki goes missing and it’s obvious Hel is up to something. I am SO intrigued by this series! I have book 1 waiting on my TBR. Both books are free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.
Isaiah’s Legacy (Trade Paperback) – A young girl tutoring the child-King Manasseh starts steering him away from obedience to Yahweh. The king’s road to ruin starts to take her with him and leads her to seek out Yahweh for herself and her people.
Lawless Litter (e-book, February 20) – Book 11 in the Pet Whisperer series. A litter of kittens is left on the porch, their paws covered in blood. This cozy mystery series looks so fun!
Queen of Raiders (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Nine Realms series. The exiled princess is compelled by spirits to join a group of rebel raiders.
Here for It: How to Save Your Soul in America (Hardcover) – A memoir-in-essays exploring identity as well as the current political landscape, asking the question, “Why should we bother when everything only gets worse?” (LGBTQ+)
I Still Believe (Trade Paperback) – A memoir by Jeremy Camp. Christian singer Jeremy Camp shares his journey of losing his first wife months after their wedding.
Loving Well in a Broken World: Discover the Hidden Power of Empathy (Trade Paperback) – Jesus said to love our neighbors, but that would be a lot easier if they thought and believed and acted just like us. Readers can learn to leverage their empathy to help us put Jesus’ words into practice.
Star Trek Voyager: 25th Anniversary Special Book (Hardcover) – A celebration of the 25th anniversary of the science fiction show.

Here are some of the books releasing this week – maybe there’s something here your Valentine would love!

Books for Kids

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Honor to Us All (Board Book) – Mulan board book with tabs to pull.
The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe – The 10 Blunder kids are responsible for keeping track of each other, but when it is time to go home and they try to count everyone, they are one Blunder short.
The Box Turtle – A turtle born without a shell is content with his box shell until someone calls it weird.
Cyclops of Central Park – A cyclops loses track of one of his sheep so the others help him search for Eugene.
The Great Eggscape! – A dozen eggs escape their carton to have an adventure in the store.
Up on Bob – A friendship story of a cat and a dog.
You Are Mine, Porcupine (February 15) – A mama porcupine tells her child all the things she loves about him while readers get to learn about the animals.
Facts vs Opinions vs Robots – A fun, colorful book that explores the difference between facts and opinions.
Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – A biography of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Star Wars: R2D2 Is Lost! – The droids are back on Endor and R2D2 finds a young Ewok in need of help.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime (Graphic Novel) – Batman short stories with a fairy tale twist. I am eager to see this one in person!
Beginners Welcome – A girl grieving the loss of her father wonders if it’s worth the risk to care about some new friends she encounters.
Cat & Cat: Girl Meets Cat (Graphic Novel) – A father and daughter team discover how life changes when they adopt a cat.
The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street – Nineteenth century Boston is home to magical creatures and a father and daughter team who care for them and hide them. When the father, and most of the monstrous creatures, disappear, Cordelia starts sifting through clues for some answers. Sounds like a fun mystery!
Marvel Action Avengers: The Fear Eaters (Graphic Novel) – Book 3 in the Marvel Action Adventures series. Collects three comic adventures.
Middle School’s a Drag, You Better Werk! (LGBTQ+) – A young aspiring talent agent takes on a teen drag queen and his business starts to boom. His relationship with the “out” performer makes Mikey wonder if he can live his truth publicly as well.
Mulan: Before the Sword – A story set before the Mulan movie.
Odd Gods: The Oddyssey – Book 2 in the illustrated Odd Gods series. Oddonis is in big trouble – he’s turned his father, Zeus, into a giant baby.
Wanda Seasongood and the Mostly True Secret – A girl who can’t believe her obnoxious family is really hers makes a wish to find her true family. A talking bluebird arrives with news that someone has been meddling in her affairs – he just can’t remember the details.
Cloak of Night – Sequel to Circle of Shadows. Sora and Daemon and their friends are on their own in standing up to a seemingly invincible foe in this sequel to a great fantasy novel from 2019. I can’t wait to see how everything works out!
Freaky in Fresno – From the author of the delightful Pretty in Punxsutawney. Two cousins who couldn’t be more different swap bodies thanks to a shared car – a gift from their aunt – and an electric shock. Now they have to figure out how to unswap and salvage the major events and relationships in their lives. I will be reviewing this one later this week.
No True Believers – Salma, her family, and her friends experience the pain of Islamaphobia in their community which is only heightened when there is a terrorist bombing.

Books for Adults

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All the Best Lies (Hardcover) – An FBI agent investigating his mother’s murder from when he was a baby teams up with a suspended cop with her own troubled past. This one sounds like it will be twisty!
A Crafter Quilts a Crime (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Handcrafted Mystery series. A fun live-mannequin contest turns dark when one participant is found dead. The SHE detective team start sleuthing to see who might have wanted the quilter dead. I read book 2 in this series, A Crafter Hooks a Killer, and I enjoyed it. I’d like to read the other books in this Wisconsin-based series.
Felicity Carrol and the Murderous Menace (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Felicity Carrol Mystery series. Felicity travels to Montana when her friend from Scotland Yard suspects Jack the Ripper has taken up his killing spree in the US.
House Rules (e-book) – Uptown, book 3. A Manhattan chef must share an apartment with her ex-husband in order to afford life in the city. While they try to avoid the chemistry between them, their history together could keep them from enjoying this second chance at love. I have book 1 from this series on my TBR list. I need to catch up on this series soon.
In Cold Chamomile (Hardcover)  – Book 3 in the A Tea and a Read Mystery series. A murder at a Valentine’s Day event, and a suspect close to home, means Callie is investigating again.
Meat Cute: The Hedgehog Incident (e-book short story, February 16) – A prequel to the fun Parasol Protectorate paranormal series. I haven’t read those books in years, but I might have to dig into them again so I can enjoy this prequel about the series protagonist, Alexia Tarabotti’s first meeting with the new Alpha werewolf in town.
Microphones and Murder (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Podcasting Sisters Mystery series. A podcaster gives up everything to launch her own true crime/cold case podcast with her sister. When the 10 year old missing persons case they are talking about catches the ear of a killer, the women are threatened, but they won’t quit until they find out what happened to the missing woman. Pair this one with The Game Changer for a fun set of podcasting mysteries.
Sisters By Choice (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Blackberry Island series. Three women, cousins, face difficulties and look for solutions and fresh starts on the island.
Star Trek Picard: The Last Best Hope (Hardcover) – An original novel and prequel to the CBS streaming show Star Trek Picard by Una McCormack. Our family is enjoying the new series, and it will be a fight to see which of us gets to read this new book first.
The Unspoken Name (Hardcover) – An orc priestess turns her back on her faith and her prophesied destiny to become a thief, a spy and an assassin. I have requested this one from the library.
The Bible in 52 Weeks: A Yearlong Bible Study for Women (Trade Paperback) – Includes 6 days of reading passages (with a catch up day on day 7) as well as questions to answer and actions to take. This is currently available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad (Hardcover) – Explores simple practices you can add to your life to restore your soul.
Prayers for Faithful Families: Everyday Prayers for Everyday Life (Hardcover) – Simple prayers for busy families to pray in a variety of circumstances.

Happy February! Here are some books releasing this week to kick off a new month of reading.

Books for Kids

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Future Geniuses: Space for Smart Kids (Board Book) – First in the Future Geniuses series of board books. Looks like this is a LARGE board book – 28 pages and around 8 inches square. I’m eager to see this one in person.
Agent Lion – A lion detective looks for a missing cat.
Fritzy Finds a Hat – From Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton  and country music star Brad Paisley comes this story of a boy whose mom has cancer.
It’s Okay to be a Unicorn! – A unicorn pretends to be a horse until he learns it’s okay to be himself.
No More Naps! – From the author of the Mr. Lemoncello series. A dad takes his toddler on a walk to help her take a nap. Everyone they meet says they will gladly take Annalise’s nap if she doesn’t want it. Soon they are all asleep. When Annalise decides she’s ready for a nap, all the naps have been taken.
Pig the Tourist – Pig the Pug causes trouble on his vacation.
When Numbers Met Letters – When letters meet numbers for the first time, they run into some issues when 1 and A both say they should be first.
Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women’s Cross-Country Road Trip – The story of Alice Ramsey, the first woman to drive across the country in 1909.
Bones in the White House: Thomas Jefferson’s Mammoth – The story of our third president’s quest to find a full mastodon skeleton in America.
Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic Beginnings – Highlights Emily Dickinson’s early years and experiments with poetry and writing.
Leave It to Abigail!: The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams – A picture book biography of Abigail Adams that highlights the ways Abigail didn’t fit the mold of women in her era.
The Only Woman in the Photo: Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America – Picture book biography of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a Presidential Cabinet position and the mastermind behind FDR’s New Deal program.
Happy Pi Day to You! – The Cat in the Hat celebrates Pi Day (March 14).
Jack Goes West – When Jack and The Lady visit a dude ranch, the bank next door gets robbed, and Jack is accused of the crime. This looks funny and sarcastic, which is not surprising considering it was written by Mac Barnett.
Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights – A leveled reader biography of Susan B. Anthony.
The Colorado Curveball – Book 16 in the Ballpark Mysteries series. Someone threatens to mess with the scoreboard at a game in Colorado.
Kodiak – Book 56 in the Puppy Place series. Some kids off for a girls’ weekend in the woods rescue a Malamute stray.
The Pepper Party Double Dare Disguise – Book 4 in the Pepper Party early chapter book series. Each book focuses on a different member of the Pepper Family. Megs is grounded, but she can’t miss ComicCon, so she dresses in costume and sneaks away to the convention where she helps save the day.
Ranger in Time: Escape from the Twin Towers – Book 11 in the Ranger in Time series that feels like Magic Tree House, but with a dog. I haven’t read one of these in awhile, but when the series first came out, I read every book. The series, written by Kate Messner, is so great. Ranger tries to help a girl who was with her mom at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and then gets separated from her during the evacuation.
Speedah Cheetah – Binder of Doom, book 3, from Scholastic Branches. The kids of the Super Secret Monster Patrol are on the case when a monster tries to join the big race at the Stermont Derby.
Who Needs a Checkup? – Hello, Hedgehog, book 3, from Scholastic Acorn. Hedgehog helps Harry get ready for a trip to the doctor.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

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Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows – Book 3 in the Arlo Finch series. Arlo and the Rangers of Pine Mountain Company have finished their summer at camp and are getting ready for a new school year when Arlo is forced to choose between saving his family and friends and saving the Long Woods. This sounds like a terrific fantasy series for kids!
Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: The Body Under the Piano (Older Middle Grade) – First in the new Aggie Morton Mystery Queen series. Aggie discovers a dead body and is determined to find the killer. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
Chirp (Older Middle Grade) – Kate Messner has a second book out today, this one for older middle grade readers (10-14). Mia moves to Vermont, healing from a broken arm and hiding a secret. She and her new friends get pulled into helping her grandmother who believes someone is trying to sabotage her cricket farm. But Mia isn’t sure if there is a real threat, or if her grandmother’s thinking has changed after a stroke. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a book from Kate Messner. This one is on my list for this week.
Disney Frozen Adventures: Snowy Stories (Graphic Novel) – A collection of Frozen stories in comics form.
Dragon Fire (Unwanted Quests) – Book 5 in the Unwanted Quests series. Twins Fifer and Thisbe’s relationship continues to fracture as their kingdom turns against their family. This series sounds so amazing! I need to get caught up on both the original Unwanteds series and then this second series.
A Galaxy of Sea Stars – Izzy’s world has turned upside down after her dad’s return from deployment. And it’s shaken once again when he invites the family of his interpreter from Afghanistan to live in their upstairs apartment. She doesn’t know what to make of the girl Sitara. Sitara’s presence could disrupt Izzy’s friend group, the Sea Stars, but she also challenges Izzy to use her voice to stand up for herself. This sounds fantastic!
Here in the Real World – A kid who wants to live in his own fantasy world, and a girl who is all too aware of reality find a summer home in an abandoned church lot in their community. But when their refuge is threatened, the boy is determined to do everything he can to save their space.
Hilo: All the Pieces Fit (Graphic Novel) – Book 6 in the Hilo series where Hilo has been chased by Razorwark through the Universe. Their epic showdown happens here and now. I have had this on hold from the library for months! I can’t wait to see where this fantastic series goes next.
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic (Graphic Novel) – Graphic novel adaptation of the I Survived book about the sinking of the Titanic.
The Jigsaw Puzzle King – A boy starting at a new school is weary of trying to fit in while also being protective of his twin brother with Down syndrome. His brother never notices how people respond to him, but Warren notices every smirk and every comment.
Nikki Tesla and the Fellowship of the Bling – Book 2 in the terrific Elements of Genius series. When one of their friends is kidnapped, the kids at the Genius Academy plan to steal a lethal high-tech ring the kidnapper wants. I enjoyed the first book, and I’ve already requested the second from the library.
Onward: The Junior Novelization – The Junior Novel for the new Pixar movie, Onward.
Parked (Older Middle Grade) – Jeanne lives in an orange van, but she hopes to have a more permanent address by the time school starts. Cal lives in a big house across the street from Jeanne’s van, and he’s determined to “rescue” her. While Jeanne is not on board with that plan, the two do form a friendship that will impact both of them. I’ve already requested this one, too.
Red Menace (Older Middle Grade) – A teen has FBI agents staking out his house (in 1953) because they are convinced his parents, college professors, are communist sympathizers. He knows the Rosenbergs are scheduled for execution because of their suspected activities. A friend of mine who teaches history pointed out that most historical fiction seems to focus on WWII. I’m eager to read this new book that looks at America several years later in a part of our history we don’t talk about as much.
Sugar, Spice and Sprinkles – Book 9 of the Sprinkle Sundays series. Sierra writes an original song to help her find her voice.
Things Seen from Above – A girl struggling with lunch time drama signs up to monitor the Buddy Bench for younger kids at her school where she discovers something about one of the kids that no one else seems to notice. This sounds fantastic! I love the idea that her story is told in text while his is told in art. Clever!
Time Warp – Book 7 in the Geronimo Stilton Journey through Time series. This book includes a trip to Stonehenge and Atlantis.
The Wish and the Peacock – A girl wishes to save her family farm and believes she can help make that happen by nursing an injured peacock back to health. This sounds great, too!
Who Is Jackie Chan? AND Who Was Richard Nixon? – The latest biography from the folks at Who HQ.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

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All the Stars and Teeth – A princess trained in magic has to demonstrate her mastery in order to take the throne. But when her demonstration goes awry, she teams up with a pirate to get a second chance, as long as she helps him find his stolen magic.
Belle Révolte – A young noblewoman would rather be a doctor than live the life she was born into. So she swaps lives with a young woman with fewer opportunities so they can both live the lives they want – one can be a doctor and the other can be trained in magic. But both are drawn together to help a rebellion succeed in  sharing the truth of an unjust war. (LGBTQ+)
Ember Queen – The third and final book in the Ash Princess series. Theo is ready to fight for her people and her throne, but the stakes have never been higher. I can not WAIT to read this, but I need to get caught up with book 2 first. So many books, so little time!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – A high school senior starts digging into a five-year-old murder/suicide and discovers that things might not have played out like everyone thinks. This is on my list, too.
Malice – A voice from the future tells a teen that that a kid in their school will someday create a virus that will destroy 2/3 of the world. But is that voice even trustworthy? Wow!
The Queen’s Assassin – An assassin magically bound to the queen and a girl expected to serve on the court team up as assassin and apprentice when a surprise attack is launched.
Shadow of the Batgirl (Graphic Novel) – A teen assassin breaks away from her training and hides out in a library where she hears about the hero Batgirl. This was SO AMAZING! It’ll be another week until I can post my review, but I’ll tell you right now that I loved this one.
Straight on Till Morning – A twisted take on the story of Wendy Darling and Peter Pan.
What Kind of Girl – The girls at North Bay Academy are divided over one of their own accusing her boyfriend of abuse.
Yes No Maybe So – Two teens with strikingly different backgrounds and personalities are paired up to canvas for a political candidate. I’ve had this on hold at the library for months, too!

Books for Adults

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The Authenticity Project (Hardcover) – A green notebook brings 6 strangers together as they share the truths of their lives.
A Conjuring of Assassins (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Chimera series. A ragtag group uses forbidden magic at the behest of their ruler in order to protect their kingdom. I can’t wait to dig into this series.
Daughter of Rome (Trade Paperback) – A fictionalized story of biblical figures Priscilla and Aquila. This looks fabulous!
A Dozen Second Chances (e-book) – A woman who lost her “perfect life” when she lost her boyfriend and gave up her career to raise her orphaned niece has a new opportunity to start over with some “be kind to yourself” vouchers from her niece when she moves out. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
The Fifth Avenue Story Society (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Rachel Hauck. Five strangers from different walks of life each receive an invitation to join the Fifth Avenue Story Society. While they are skeptical of the never-heard-of-before literary society, they keep coming back, week after week discovering the stories that draw them together. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Murderous Macaron (e-book) – Book 1 in the Julie Cavallo Investigates series starring a pastry chef in Provence, France. When the man died in her patisserie, the police ruled it a heart attack, but Julie is convinced he was poisoned. I love the description of Julie’s sleuthing partners – this is on my list for this week for sure.
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Saturday Night Supper Club series. When a business woman loses her career when she refuses to cover up a client’s unethical dealings, she gets a second chance by helping a former professional rock climber launch a new business as he takes over a Columbian coffee farm.
Star Trek Year Five: Odyssey’s End (Graphic Novel) – Collects comics 1-6 into one graphic novel.
Two Steps Forward (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Deacon’s Family series. A woman desperate for help on her farm takes a chance on her neighbor’s son despite the friction between the families. But is he really there to help her or to help his mother steal her farm?
Upright Women Wanted (Hardcover) – To escape an arranged marriage, a woman stows away in a librarian’s book wagon. Her fiance was previously engaged to her best friend – a woman she loved – who is now about to be executed for possessing resistance propaganda. This sounds like a re-imagined western sci-fi story for those who love a good mash up. (LGBTQ+)
The Worst Best Man (Trade Paperback) – A jilted bride (and wedding planner) has to team up with the brother of her ex in order to help both of them out professionally, but the sparks between them can lead to nothing good in her opinion.
100 Bible Verses That Made America: Defining Moments That Shaped Our Enduring Foundation of Faith (Hardcover) – In the last few years I have become more interested in – and frankly more skeptical of – the intersection between faith and politics/government. I’ll be giving this book a try and will post a review later this month.
Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life (Hardcover) – The latest from Beth Moore digs into Jesus’ words recorded in John 15. I’m looking forward to reading this one. There’s also a DVD and a group resource to go with the book.
Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe (Hardcover) – An inspirational and instructional guide to prayer.
Goodbye, Yesterday!: Activating the Twelve Laws of Boundary-Defying Faith (Hardcover) – Dig into the book of Genesis and discover principles for being set from from your past.
Rage Baking: The Transformative Power of Flour, Fury and Women’s Voices (Hardcover) – Includes 50 recipes as well as essays and quotes from women encouraging readers to resist and persist.
The Toni Morrison Book Club (Trade Paperback) – A group memoir. Four friends, Black and white, gay and straight, immigrant and American-born, use Toni Morrison books to spark conversations about race, gender and identity. I’ve requested this one from the library.

LOTS of great reading material out this week for the final week in February!

Books for Kids

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Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog (March 1) – Madeline Finn and the Library Dog is one of my all time favorite picture books, perfect for reading aloud. I am so excited to get to review the sequel for you next week.
Say Something – The latest from Peter H. Reynolds teaches readers that the world needs their voices.
A Shazam Showdown – A leveled Early Reader starring Shazam.
Eva and Baby Mo – Book 10 in the Branches series Owl Diaries. Eva is on her first babysitting job for her little brother, but things don’t go like she thought they would. I already ordered this one from Scholastic. I love this series.
Fast-Forward to the Future – Book 3 in the Branches series Time Jumpers. This time the kids jump into a future of robots and flying cars.
Thief Strikes! – Book 6 in the Branches series Hilde Cracks the Case. This time Hilde is investigating the theft of some local tomato plants, right out of someone’s garden.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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A Drop of Hope – A well in If Only, Ohio has started granting wishes. Only three kids in the town know why. This sounds awesome!
Erth Dragons: A New Age – The third and final book in the Erth Dragons series. I have this dragon series on my wish list. This feels like one that would need to be read from the beginning.
Klawde Evil Alien Overlord Cat AND Klawde : Enemies – A cat warlord is cast out and sent to Earth where he meets a kid adjusting to his new home. I cannot wait to try these out!
The Light Jar – A boy and his mom fleeing an abusive situation hide out in an abandoned cabin, but when his mom doesn’t return from her trip to get groceries, the boy is left to fend for himself. I am curious to try this one!
Lion Down – Book 5 in the FunJungle series. A local lion is accused of killing a famous dog. I have book one of this series on my wish list.
Operation Frog Effect – Eight kids tell the story of what happened that got their teacher in trouble. One of the stories is told in graphic novel format. This is on my list, too.
Rise of the Dragons – In a world where dragons used to co-exist with humans, a human child connects with a dragon for the first time in centuries. This is at the top of my wish list for this week!
Science Fair Crisis – DC Comics Secret Hero Society book 4. A mysterious person offers to help the kids win the science fair where first prize is a trip to STAR labs. I love the idea of this series, but I didn’t care for the art style in the first book, so I didn’t keep up with it. In this book, there is a new illustrator, so I will be checking this one out the next  time I am at the bookstore.
Shazam: The Junior Novel – The Junior Novelization of the new Shazam movie.
Stolen Girl – A girl haunted by her memories of World War II wonders if she was raised by Nazis. Sounds like a great story for historical fiction fans.
The Treasure Seekers – First in a new series starring Thea Stilton on a quest for a series of treasures.
Wings of Fire: The Lost Heir Graphic Novel – The second book in the original series has been given the graphic novel treatment. I was able to get an early copy of this through a Scholastic order. Such a great series!
An Affair of Poisons – A teen accidentally helps her mother assassinate King Louis IV forcing her to look at everything she thought was true in a whole new way. This sounds fantastic!
The Deceiver’s Heart – Book 2 in the Traitor’s Game series by the fantastic Jennifer A. Nielsen (The False Prince, The Scourge). When a young woman fails in her quest to destroy a tyrant, he wipes her memory and leaves her friends to try to pick up the pieces. I have book one on my TBR shelves.
The Dysasters – There’s a different cover for this one now, but I LOVE this one. A group of genetically modified teens discover they were engineered to control the elements, and now they are being hunted. I have this one on my library list!
Four Dead Queens – Two teens – one a skilled thief and the other an upstanding citizen – find themselves tangled up in events that leave the four queens of their land dead. This has been on my library hold list for months!
Last of Her Name – When the Union leader shows up accusing the people of Stacia’s village of being traitors, he also says she is the lost princess of the royal family, presumed dead. It’s the story of Anastasia set in a space-faring world. Sounds awesome!
Pretend She’s Here – A girl grieving the loss of her best friend discovers her friend’s family is willing to do something desperate in their own grief. Yep, I have to read this one to find out what happens!
Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee – Two teens who host a Friday Night Creature Feature on a local cable station grapple with what they want for their futures. This sounds great, too.
The Stars Below – The fourth and final book in the Vega Jane fantasy series by David Baldacci. I haven’t tried these yet, but my husband has read one or two, and he enjoyed them.  They are on my list.
Tell Me Everything – A girl using an anonymous art-sharing app uses it to celebrate her creative classmates. I’m curious to know more about this one.
That’s Not What I Heard – The latest from Stephanie Kate Strohm. This sounds like an unintentional game of Telephone that turns a high school upside down. I was able to get a copy of this early thanks to a Scholastic order. I hope to read it asap.
We Set the Dark on Fire – In a world where the choices for young women of privilege are to either run their husband’s households or raise his children, a teen whose “privileged” pedigree is a lie is asked to risk it all by spying for a group of rebels. I am fascinated by this one! It’s on my list.

Books for Adults

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Alibis & Angels (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Sister Lou Mystery series about a nun and a local reporter who team up to solve cases in their community. These sound so fun! I have book one on my list.
California Girls (Hardcover) – Three sisters face life after their break ups, leaning on one another as they try to rebuild. I loved When We Found Home so much I put this straight onto my library list!
Captain Marvel: Liberation Run (Hardcover) – An original prose novel about Captain Marvel. The story includes Ant-Man, Mantis and Amadeus Cho (another Hulk). I am fascinated by that team up, so I have this on my list as well.
Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (Hardcover) – Book 24 in the Hannah Swendson series. I moved on from this series due to the love triangle that mired the series for many, many books. Then I heard Hannah got married to a completely different guy. Now, that relationships seems to be in trouble. Fans who have stuck with the series will want to tune in and find out what happened.
Criminally Cocoa (Ebook) – This short e-book is part of Flower’s Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This time, Bailey’s cousin, Charlotte gets to tell the story when she and Bailey kick off a cable TV baking show. I pre-ordered this one weeks ago. I can’t wait to check it out!
Drawn and Buttered (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Lobster Shack Mystery series, this one focused around a huge lobster named Lobzilla. That sounds hilarious!
Murder in an Irish Pub (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Irish Village Mystery series, this one focused on a murder at a poker tournament.
No Good Tea Goes Unpunished (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series where a beachfront wedding is disrupted because of murder.
One Feta in the Grave (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series where there’s a murder at the end of tourist season.
Pie Hard (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Pie Town Mystery series where murder steals the limelight on a reality TV show.
Please Don’t Feed the Mayor (Trade Paperback) – When a dog wins the mayoral election in a landslide, it does great things for town tourism, but it causes problems for the dog’s owner. This looks so fun!
Restaurant Weeks Are Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series where a B&B owner has the chance to work in a professional kitchen, but sabotage causes problems. I loved the first book in the series, so I have this one on my list, too.
Secrets of Paper and Ink (Trade Paperback) – A woman moves to England for the summer to deal with issues from her past. She rents an apartment above a bookstore and meets the owner and her brother-in-law who help her track down a 150-year-old mystery. This is also at the top of my list for the week.
Decades: Marvel in the 50s – Captain America Strikes (Graphic Novel) – The second in this new line of graphic novels from Marvel.
Keep Showing Up: How to Stay Crazy in Love When Your Love Drives You Crazy (Trade Paperback) – A faith-based guide to preserving and protecting your marriage.
The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook for Two: Perfectly Portioned Recipes for 3-Quart and 6-Quart Models (Paperback) – For all my instant pot-using friends!

The third week of the month is often the smallest week of releases, but there’s a lot of great quality this week you don’t want to miss!

Books for Kids

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Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep – A delightful-sounding story about unlikely friends. I can’t wait to read this one!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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The Amulet of Power – Book 3 in the Will Wilder series. Use of an amulet containing some of the hair of Samson attracts demonic attention. In general, this sort of fantasy series sounds right up my alley, but I need to see how dark the evil/”demonic” pieces are first.
Enter the Core – The third and final book in the Max Tilt series starring a descendant of Jules Verne who uses Verne’s books to solve world-ending problems.
The Fang of Bonfire Crossing: Legends of the Lost Causes – Book 2 in the Legends of the Lost Causes series. A group of orphans go up against an evil sorcerer and various monsters in their quest for an all-powerful object.
Good Enough – A girl in an inpatient unit for eating disorder treatment struggles to regain her old life in the face of her peers whose choices trigger her old behaviors. I have this one on my list!
Kim Possible Adventures – Looks like this will be a graphic novel of classic Kim Possible adventures from the original TV show. We loved the original show so much, I am curious to see how this book looks.
Middle School: Born to Rock (February 18) – Middle School Book 11. Rafe’s sister is juggling a lot of different projects but the one she loves the most is her girl band, We Stink. This sounds cute.
Revenge of the EngiNerds (MAX) – Sequel to the fun adventure, EngiNerds. This time, the crew is on the hunt for a rogue robot. I can’t wait to read this one!
Secret in the Stone – Book 2 in the Unicorn Quest series. Sisters stay in the magical land they discovered in book one, hoping one of them will develop the magic she needs to awaken the unicorns. I have book one on my reading list!
The Art of Losing – In one night a teen loses her boyfriend and her little sister when she catches them hooking up at a party. She storms off, he drunkenly tries to drive the sister home, and when he crashes, her sister ends up in a coma. It’s obvious to her now that her ex has a drinking problem, but will a relationship with another guy in recovery help or just be more of the same issues she has already experienced?
Honor Bound – Book 2 in the Honors series about a petty criminal who avoids incarceration by heading for the stars and finds herself in an unexpected war.
A Soldier and a Liar – Four superpowered teens are called on to help protect the city from rebels.

Books for Adults

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Batman: The Court of Owls Original Prose Novel (Hardcover) – This is an original novel pitting Batman against a secret society of wealthy families who have controlled Gotham for years. Batman nearly defeated the Court of Owls and their minions the Talons once, but they went into hiding. When a new rash of murders plagues the city, Batman, Nightwing and Batgirl dig to determine if the Owls and Talons are back and what they are after this time. My husband really enjoyed the Court of Owls line of graphic novels. I think he has this one on his reading list.
Captain Marvel Prelude (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Collects pertinent comics to help readers learn about Captain Marvel’s history and prepare for the release of the movie in March.
The Life of Captain Marvel (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Graphic novel with more backstory for Captain Marvel.
Once Thing I Know (Trade Paperback) – A sports radio guy who spends more time answering relationship advice is invited on a book tour with Dr. Donna. And he has the chance at a new career if he can dig up any dirt on the relationship guru. And there is dirt to find – Dr. Donna is only the face of the franchise while her assistant is the real author. This is a fun Christian-romance-meets-Hallmark-movie sort of story. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Whack the Mole (ebook – February 22) – Book 2 in the Whispering Bay mystery series. A Florida muffin maker uses her secret skill as a human lie detector to help her solve mysteries. I have this series high on my reading list; this sounds so fun!
Who Killed the Fonz? (Hardcover) – Based on the hit TV series Happy Days. It’s the mid-80s, and a struggling Richard Cunningham gets word that his best friend from home, Arthur Fonzarelli, is dead. There was an accident while the Fonz was on his motorcycle. No body has been recovered. When Richard goes home for the memorial, he teams up with his old pals Potsie and Ralph to look into things, because what happened to the Fonz was no accident. This is at the TOP of my list for this week!
Feeding You Lies: How to Unravel the Food Industry’s Playbook and Reclaim Your Health (Hardcover) – Get to the truth about the food industry with this book from the person behind FoodBabe.com.

It’s Valentine’s week, and as we celebrate love in various forms, here are some new books you might fall in love with this week!

Books for Kids

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The Babysitter from Another Planet – Promoted as “ET meets Mary Poppins.” A pair of kids get an out-of-this-world babysitter when their parents go out for the evening.
Chicks Rule! – Nerdy Chick has been looking forward to Rocket Club, but when she gets there, a sign says “No Chicks Allowed.” I can’t wait to read this girl-power picture book!
Dragons Get Colds Too – Help for anxious dragon owners with sick little dragons.
The Good Egg – A little egg starts to crack under the pressure he feels to be perfect.
I Am God’s Storyteller – Highlights examples of storytellers in the Bible.
Molly Mischief Saves the World AND My Perfect Pet – New picture book series from the author of the Little Men books starring a girl whose best ideas usually end with at least a little mischief.
Pencil: A Story with a Point (February 15) – How can Pencil compete with Jackson’s new Tablet?
Kids Who Are Changing the World (You Should Meet) – Each chapter of this 48-page Early Reader highlights a real-life kid who is changing the world for the better. I can’t wait to read this one!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams – From the author of the fabulous The Charming Life of Izzy Malone. Three girls living in a town that has suffered tremendous loss each receive a note to meet an anonymous person at the annual Carnival of Wishes. 
Eventown – A struggling family moves to Eventown where the days are always sunny and everyone is always agreeable. But the tradeoff for this “easier” life feels too steep for Elodee. This is at the top of my list for this week!
How I Became a Spy: A Mystery of WWII London – When a young woman goes missing, leaving behind a coded notebook, three kids try to solve the mystery to keep a spy from helping the Nazis. Sounds like a great historical mystery!
Jasmine’s Quest for the Stardust Sapphire – An original Aladdin and Jasmine story that takes place after the original movie.
Right as Rain – A grieving family moves to New York hoping a change of scenery can help them in their loss, but Rain is convinced her brother’s death is her fault. While she holds her secrets close, a new friend may help her open up and shine the light of truth on what happened that night. This is on my list for this week as well.
The Simple Art of Flying – An African parrot in a pet store is committed to a reunion when he is separated from his sister when they are purchased by different people. I’ve heard great things about this one.
To Night Owl From Dogfish – Two girls who couldn’t be more different find themselves together at camp because their dads have fallen in love with one another. I have this one on hold from  the library.
Too Many Toppings – Book 6 in the Sprinkle Sundays series. Sierra says yes to a job and yes to sports and now she is being asked to be the lead singer in a band. How much is too much?
From Idea to Disney AND Nike – This new nonfiction series for kids focuses on the origins of companies that are now household names.
The Black Coats – In this new book for teens, the Black Coats are a vigilante organization that right the wrongs for women who have been hurt by men. But where is the line between justice and revenge?
The Blood Spell – Book 4 in the Ravenspire series. A Cinderella retelling about an orphan girl and a prince who can’t stand each other, but need each other all the same. I haven’t read anything in this series before, but this book is definitely on my list for this week.
Comics Will Break Your Heart – Miriam’s grandfather was the co-creator of The TomorrowMen, but he sold his rights for practically nothing. Now Miriam’s family has just that – nothing. And things get even more complicated when a cute boy comes to town and he happens to be the grandson of the man who defrauded her grandfather. Yep, this is on my list for this week, too.
Kingdom Cold (February 14) – When her kingdom is attacked, Princess Charlotte must turn to the prince she betrayed for help.
Watch Us Rise – Two young women start a Women’s Rights club at their school. When the trolls show up and things start to escalate, the principal shuts the club down. Are the girls willing to risk everything to have their voices heard? Yes, this is also on my wishlist for this week.
Feminism Is… – A collection of history, questions and arguments on feminism.

Books for Adults

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Felicity Carrol and the Perilous Pursuit (Hardcover) – An intelligent young woman with little interest in the things expected of a Victorian woman plunges into a murder investigation when her mentor is killed and his King Arthur manuscript is stolen. Sounds like the start to a great mystery! First in a new series.
The Inn at Holiday Bay: Letters in the Library (ebook) – Looks like this is the second book in a series. When Abby starts some remodeling at the inn, she finds a stack of letters from 1954 in the wall. Even though she said she was going to focus on her own work, Abby gets drawn into the mystery of the letters as well as a homicide case from the summer. I’d love to check out this new series. Sounds like it has an interesting cast of characters.
Motorhomes, Maps & Murder (ebook – February 11) – Book 5 in the Camper and Criminals Mystery series. It’s murder, motorhome theft and a prison break for campground manager Mae West in this new mystery. Sounds like a great story!
Murder at the Palace (Trade Paperback) – First in the Movie Palace Mystery series. A woman fleeing her broken marriage discovers other film buffs, a ghost, and a dead body at the Palace. I will be reading this one for sure!
Murders and Metaphors (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the fantastic Magical Bookstore series by Amanda Flower. This time there’s a murder at a book signing. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Past Due for Murder (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert. A hit and run, a missing woman, and rumors galore will keep Amy busy in this mystery. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
The Puppy Who Knew Too Much (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Dog Club Mystery series. Lilly’s cranky neighbor accuses her dog of digging up his tulips, but what the dog really digs up is a dead body.
The Sisters Hemingway (Trade Paperback) – Three sisters return home harboring secrets as they try to determine what happened to their mother and their youngest sister.
An Edited Life: Simple Steps to Streamlining Life, at Work and at Home (Hardcover) – The author’s assertion is there is no one way to declutter your life. Instead it’s about “editing” your life. I am curious to see what this “editing” is all about.
Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service (Hardcover) – Actor Gary Sinise shares this memoir of his life, focusing on how his role in Forrest Gump drew him into a life of service for those who serve our country in the military and first responders.
Parkland: Birth of a Movement (Hardcover) – The author was one of the first at Columbine 19 years ago, and now he is chronicling the events at Parkland last year and the survivors-turned-activists.
Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls (Hardcover) – While anxiety levels in teen boys has stayed static in the last decade or so, the anxiety levels for girls has skyrocketed. Dr. Damour looks at why and what we can do to help. Great resource for teachers, parents, pastors and counselors.

Happy February! There are TONS of great books releasing this month – in fact, there are so many, I split the Older Kids/Teens section into a younger band and an older band so it’s not too overwhelming. Let’s dive in and see what the first week of February has in store for happy readers.

Books for Kids

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A Is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World (Board Book) – I love the latest trend in board book biographies. This one looks terrific! I can’t wait to see the illustrations in this one in person.
Bearnard’s Book – A bear discovers it’s okay to just be himself.
Fear the Bunny – A tiger who does not find bunnies very intimidating gets a big surprise in this new picture book. This looks adorable.
This Is NOT a Dragon Party – A girl’s birthday party turns into chaos, but when she chases the interlopers away, she misses them. This looks like silly fun!
Tooth Monsters – A girl who hates to brush her teeth and is afraid of the dentist meets a monster who explains the importance of tooth care – for monsters.
He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter – The story of Easter told by rock creations. I’ve seen a few of the pages, and they are fantastic.
Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor – The biography of Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood legend and inventor who changed the course of World War II.
I Am Billie Jean King – The latest in the Ordinary People Change the World series
Little People Big Dreams – Muhammad Ali AND Stephen Hawking – More picture book biographies
Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible – An illustrated children’s Bible. There are several Bibles like this for kids, but I think the illustrations in this one sets it apart. Those pictures are darling!
Mighty Marvels – Captain Marvel and Ms Marvel join Spider-Man in the latest adventure in this early chapter book series.
Narwhal’s Otter Friend – A new adventure in this early graphic novel series. In this book, Jelly wonders if his friendship with Narwhal can survive the addition of a new friend, Otty.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

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Best Babysitters Ever – Kicks off a new series about three girls who start a babysitting club.
Best Family Ever – Kingsbury’s Baxter family series branches out into children’s stories now, focusing on the Baxter children. I’m curious to see how this series works for kids. I’m not sure a lot of kids are familiar with the original series so the tie in may be more for adults who already read the series.
The Bridge Home – Four homeless kids make a family for themselves as they live near an abandoned bridge, but when illness strikes, will they continue to fend for themselves or will they have the strength to reach out for help?
Dragon Ghosts – Book 3 in the Unwanteds spin off series, Unwanteds Quests. I enjoyed the first book in the original series, but I haven’t been able to read through the whole collection, much less this spin off series. I have these on my library wish list.
Gogi’s Gambit – Book 2 in the Lost Rainforest series which combines animal stories with fantasy and magic.
Pay Attention Carter Jones – As Carter’s life is falling apart, a real life butler shows up on his doorstep to help out. I have requested this one from the library.
Song for a Whale – A deaf girl who is also a tech genius learns about a whale that can’t communicate with other whales, and she decides to find a way to “sing” to this whale. I am SO excited to read this! I have this on hold from the library already.
Starforce on the Rise – Before Carol Danvers was Captain Marvel, she was a Kree Starforce warrior named Vers. This is a story of a key Starforce adventure that will set readers up for the Captain Marvel movie that releases in March. I am eager to read this one, too.
Stick Dog Gets the Tacos – Book 9 in this fun series that has the look of Diary of a Wimpy Kid with funny animal antics.
Swap’d – Sequel to Click’d. Allie has learned from her mistakes and she is ready to develop another great app. And Swap’d is helping her friend raise money for a plane ticket, it’s getting Allie into conversations with her crush, and it’s her chance to beat her nemesis. What could go wrong? I loved Click’d and I can’t wait to read this one!
The Unspeakable Unknown – Sequel to A Problematic Paradox. Described as Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for older middle grade readers (ages 10+). Nikola is still looking for her kidnapped father, but she’s at risk of being abducted by aliens herself. I have to check out the first book so I can learn more about these interesting characters!
Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free – A kid-friendly layout with puzzles and quizzes and graphics along with solid teaching on the truths girls need to know for a life with God. There’s a mom’s guide to go along with this one.
Who Is Michael Jordan?

Teens/Young Adults

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The Antidote – A girl decides to use her secret magic to help her best friend the Crown Prince, but her magic attracts the wrong sort of attention. This sounds fascinating!
Between Before and After – A story told in two timelines explores family secrets and the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters.
Dark of the West – A young man’s mother is killed, and his father is convinced it was ordered by his old rival, the queen of a distant kingdom. So the young man is sent to spy on the queen’s children and gain information to help his father avenge his mother’s death. He doesn’t expect to fall for the queen’s daughter.
The Deceivers – A girl is recruited to a school for con artists, and she jumps at the opportunity to go after corrupt politicians. But it seems the headmaster of the school has a personal vendetta he is chasing, and his students may get caught in the crossfire. I have already requested this one, too.
Enchantée – Magical fantasy meets the French Revolution in this story of an orphan trying to keep her family together and infiltrating life at the Palace of  Versailles. This sounds magnificent!
Fame, Fate and the First Kiss – A young woman tries to salvage her acting career on the set of a movie, but someone there is trying to sabotage her, and her tutor may become too distracting for her own good. I just read one of the author’s previous teen romances and really enjoyed it. I have this one on my wish list, too.
Higher, Further, Faster – This story for teens focuses on Carol Danvers in her life as an Air Force pilot in the 1980s. I have this on my list, too.
Lady Smoke – Sequel to the AMAZING Ash Princess. Theodosia’s adventures continue as she seeks to secure freedom for her people while she wonders who she can trust. If you haven’t read Ash Princess, you need to rectify that right away so you can dive into Lady Smoke as soon as possible. I already have this one on hold at the library!
Look Closer -A girl grieving the loss of her father discovers letters circled on her cereal box. Those lead her to people who are in trouble which sends her on a quest to try to save them. I’ve requested this one from the library.
No One Here Is Lonely – A girl who loses her best friend and her crush around the same time discovers a virtual version of her crush online. As she spends more and more time with virtual Will, will she lose track of the real-life opportunities all around her? This sounds great!
On the Come Up – New from the author of The Hate U Give. A girl who longs to be a rapper pours all of her angst and frustration into her first song and it goes viral, but for all the wrong reasons. This novel is going to be HUGE. Be sure to check it out.
Roam – A girl whose family is living on the streets and facing a Minnesota winter wonders if she can trust her friends at her new school when she needs help most. This is on my wish list, too.
We Told Six Lies – Lies. Police, Suspects. A missing girl. Yep, this is on my list, too.
Marvel Powers of a Girl – An exploration of the lives of the women of Marvel. Yep, I’ll be buying this one!
Renegade Women in Film & TV – An exploration of the lives of 50 women in film and TV.
Show Up For Your Life: What the Girl You’ll Be Tomorrow Wants You to Know Today – Encouragement for young women to  see their lives as unique and of high value. Would be great for small group study or mother-daughter study.

Books for Adults

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The Amish Candymaker (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Amish of Mackinac County series. Two individuals trying to find their way through difficult family situations in an Amish community may find what they need in one another. This story sounds terrific.
Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Supper Club series. A pastry chef is disappointed in the turns her life has taken lately. And even the fascinating man she recently met is planning to leave town soon. When new opportunities come her way, will she pursue them or give them up for love? This sounds like an interesting series.
A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder (Trade Paperback – Feb 8) – First in a new series. Not long before a knight’s death, Miss Emmeline was threatening him as she was rescuing a maid from his clutches. Now she needs to find out who killed him before she hangs for the crime. This is on my list!
The Good Ones (Mass Market Paperback) – I am a huge fan of Jenn McKinlay’s Bluff Point romance series. This is the first book in her new Happily Ever After series, and it is terrific! I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Good Riddance (Hardcover) – A young woman inherits an old annotated yearbook from her mother, which she later discards in a fit of decluttering. When a filmmaker finds the yearbook, all of it’s secrets and stories take on new urgency. This is such an unusual premise, I have to read this and find out what happens!
I Owe You One (Hardcover) – The latest from Sophie Kinsella. A young woman who has set aside any of her own dreams to care for her father’s store helps out a stranger in a coffee shop, and he gives her an IOU. True to type, she doesn’t use the IOU for herself, but for her crush. This leads to a series of IOUs between the woman and the “stranger.” Yep, I have to read this, too!
The Murder Book (Trade Paperback – Feb 8) – Book 2 in the Cold Case Investigation series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week as well.
Polaris Rising (Trade Paperback) – A princess flees an arranged marriage in this book that kicks off a new space opera series. After evading capture for two years, Ada is found and flung into a prison cell with a notorious criminal. But when her jilted ex tries to capture her, Ada may have to trust the criminal to help her escape. Yep, sounds right up my alley.
The Ruin of Kings (Hardcover) – First in a new series. A thief raised in the slums is claimed as the long-lost son of a traitorous prince, but he discovers that the life of a long lost prince is nothing like the storybooks promised. Yep, I have this on my list, too!
Sisters of the Fire (Hardcover) – Book 2 after Daughters of the Storm. In the first book, 5 sisters team up against their step-brother in order to save their kingdom. Now, the relationships between the sisters are fractured and each is in her own space dealing with the fall out from her choices or hiding from her secrets or her fate. I have both of these books on my TBR list right now!
The Truffle with Weddings (ebook) – Book 12 in the Annabelle Archer Wedding Planner Mystery series. A colleague is poisoned and a friend is the prime suspect in this wedding related mystery. Looks fun!
The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning and Life (Trade Paperback) – Encouragement and information for homeschooling families.
Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder (Hardcover) – This book on empowerment for women and girls is based on a popular TED talk. The line in the description that caught my attention was “What if, in every decision you faced, you took the bolder path?” I’m eager to read this one!
I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations (Hardcover) – A timely book for our current political climate. Two moms from opposite political view points show how we can maintain our relationships and listen to those who have different thoughts and opinions.
Made for This: 40 Days to Living Your Purpose (Hardcover) – A 40-day journey for women to discover their identity in God – their gifts, their passions, and their purpose. This is sitting in my Amazon cart right now.
Minor Prophets 1 (Lifechange) (Trade Paperback) – I love this line of Bible studies from Navigators.
A Mom’s Guide to Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free (Trade Paperback) – The Mom’s Guide for the book Lies Girls Believe
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage (Hardcover) – Based on the original book by Marc Batterson, this version focuses on prayers for your marriage.
Q&A a Day for the Soul: 365 Questions, 5 Years, 1825 Answers (Hardcover Diary) – I am a fan of these 3- or 5-year journals. There are blank ones where you can record whatever you want, and then ones like this with questions for you to answer – the same question over 5 years. A brilliant idea!
Ready or Knot: 12 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have Before Marriage (Trade Paperback) – Christian resource for couples preparing for marriage.

Our last release week for February 2018 is a big one! Here are some of the new releases I am excited about this week:

Books for Kids

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Ada Lovelace AND Ella Fitzgerald (Mar 1) – Part of the Little People Big Dreams picture book biography series
All That Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem With Stuff –  Discover the event that helped spark the recycling movement. Another great nonfiction picture book!
No Truth Without Ruth – Picture book biography of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Unplugged – Blip discovers a whole new world when she is accidentally unplugged from her computer.
Baby Monkey Private Eye – This quirky little book from the author/illustrator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret is about a little monkey detective who has issues with putting on his pants. This one is a must read for me because I just have to see how this story plays out.
Eva and the Lost Pony – Book 8 in the fabulous Owl Diaries series. I have loved these colorful little Branches books since the first one released. Perfect for kids ready to branch into chapter books.
Hazy Bloom and the Pet Project – Book 2 in the Hazy Bloom series about a third grader who has visions of the future. This time, she is trying to convince her parents she is ready for a pet. I haven’t read the first book, but I’d like to check out this series for new chapter book readers.
Peachy and Keen: A School Tail – Book 1 in a new series about best friends who try to launch an electronic magazine/newspaper for their school. Looking forward to reading this one.
Sparks – Two cats operate a mechanical dog suit and fight an evil alien in this new graphic novel. Yes please!
Third Grade Mermaid and the Narwhals – When a mean girl says narwhals are fake, Cora and her friends head out to prove her wrong. This series looks adorable. This is the second book in the series.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Bears of the Ice: Quest of the Cubs – The first book in a new series by the author of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole and Wolves of the Beyond series. This book focuses on a pair of polar bears who have to rescue their mother from power-hungry bears determined to take over the Northern Kingdoms.
I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888 – Book 16 in this fantastic adventure series, this one about a frozen hurricane that hit the Midwest without warning.
Pixel Raiders: Dig World – First in a new series about a couple of kids who get trapped in a very realistic-feeling video game.
The Calculus of Change – A new guy in her calculus class helps a girl connect to her dead mother’s faith. This sounds terrific!
Daughter of the Siren Queen – Book 2 in the Daughter of the Pirate King series full of high-seas adventure. I’d love to check this series out!
Heart of Iron – A girl adopted by the crew of a space vessel will do anything to fix the android that has been with her as long as she can remember. Her quest will leave her on the run with her nemesis, pursued by people who don’t necessarily want to capture her alive. Yes please! This sounds awesome.
People Like Us – When a dead girl is found in the lake, Kay’s efforts to escape her past are in jeopardy. The dead girl has left her a scavenger hunt to find the murderer. This has been compared to One of Us Is Lying, which was amazing. I have this on my list as well!
Tess of the Road – A wild child, Tess is being sent to a nunnery when she disguises herself and sets off in search of a place where she might belong. I will be reviewing this one later this week. It has been receiving rave reviews.
This Heart of Mine – A girl in need of  a heart transplant receives one – from a former classmate who commits suicide. But the boy’s twin doesn’t think his brother killed himself. Sounds like a fascinating story.
The Traitor’s Game – The daughter of the evil king’s right hand man is a valuable bargaining chip for rebels in this first book in a new series by the author of the fabulous The False Prince. This is at the top of my list for this week!
Where I Live – A homeless girl living in her high school stumbles onto the secrets of another student. Doing the right thing for the other student could expose her own secrets. This is #2 on my list for this week. It sounds fantastic.
Hope Nation: YA Authors Share Personal Moments of Inspiration – A collection of personal essays from authors like Ally Carter, Libba Bray, James Dashner,  and Jason Reynolds. I am excited about this book.

Books for Adults

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Color Me Murder – Book 1 in the Pen and Ink Mystery series starring a bookstore manager who also designs adult coloring book pages. In this book, the bookstore owner is suspected of murder. The premise for this series is so clever. I can’t wait to see it in person.
Hummus and Homicide – First book in the new Kebab Kitchen Mystery series where a grown up mean girl is killed after visiting the Kebab Kitchen. The description of this one had me at “hummus bar”.
I Know What You Bid Last Summer – Book 5 in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series. This time, the school superintendent is murdered at a sports equipment swap.
Lethal Licorice  – Book 2 in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. This time, Bailey is trying to solve a murder at a candy competition. You can read my review of book one here.
Pawprints and Predicaments – Book 3 in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series. Daphne investigates the death of a controlling TV producer. You can read my review of book one here.
Raspberry Danish Murder – Book 22 in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series about a cookie shop owner. The recipes in this series are fantastic.
Bygone Badass Broads – Just in time for Women’s History month (March), this covers the stories of 52 influential women. I am looking forward to checking this one out.
Enough As She Is: How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy and Fulfilling Lives – The latest from Rachel Simmons
My Faith Journey (Mar 1) – A guided devotional including space to journal and pictures to color
The Rescue: Seven People, Seven Amazing Stories  – True stories that should have ended tragically, and the miracles that changed those stories. I have enjoyed the author’s previous books, so I am curious to see how this one is.

This is a small week for new releases, but there are still some fantastic choices for this week!

Books for Kids

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Anywhere Artist – A celebration of creativity and imagination. I can’t wait to see this one in person. The illustration style is exactly what I love.
Florette – A girl who is moving longs to take her garden with her to the city. This looks lovely.
The Lost Penguin (Feb 22) – Kate Hindley’s art work is what stopped me in my tracks on this one. Her work always catches my eye. This is the second Oliver and Patch story. This time, Oliver and friends try to find a lost penguin. This looks too precious to miss! Right now, I can only find this book listed as an e-book.
The Rabbit Listened – When something terrible happens, all the animals want to do something to help, but the rabbit just listens. This looks like a tender-hearted story.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Sticky Notes – A dad’s forgetfulness becomes something more serious. I want to cry just from reading the description. This will be an emotional one, but I still want to read it.
R Is for Rebel – A girl in reform school plans to follow in her parents’ footsteps to resist the government that wants to silence them. I am fascinated by the description of this story for teens. This is on my list.

Books for Adults

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Claws for Concern – In the 9th book in the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series, Charlie and Diesel are investigating mysteries close to Charlie’s own family. I’ll be reviewing this one next week!
The Bible Book – I love this series of informational books by the folks at DK. I have several in my personal collection. This one focuses on the Bible – history, personalities and major events recorded in its pages.

Happy Valentine’s week! If your Valentine’s plans and your Lenten plans are in conflict this week making a chocolate celebration difficult, consider a nice new book to celebrate LOVE. This week’s books left me pushing the requesting limits of my local library. Here are a few books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

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The Boo-Boos That Changed the World: A True Story About an Accidental Invention – The history of the band-aid! I love nonfiction picture books like this. Can’t wait to check this one out.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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The 11:11 Wish – A girl trying to re-invent herself at a new school makes a wish at 11:11. This sounds like All the Answers and similar stories – which I adore! This is on my list for this week.
The Ambrose Deception – Three kids compete for a scholarship by solving puzzles, but they start to wonder if the competition is even real. This is at the top of my list for the week. It sounds exactly like the sort of book I enjoy. I’ve already requested it form my local library.
The Art of the Swap – Two girls switch places Freaky-Friday-style as they try to solve a 100+ year old art theft. I really enjoyed this one! I’ll be reviewing it in March, but I’ll say right now it was a lot of fun.
Arts and Thefts – Sequel to (the fabulous) Under Locker and Key. I’ll be reviewing this one next week, but I will tell you right now if you know a mystery/suspense fan, get these two books asap. They are terrific.
Detective Nosegoode and the Music Box Mystery – First in a new mystery series (reissue of an older series) about an older gentlemen and his talking dog who solve mysteries.
Granted – The latest book from the author of the outstanding Ms. Bixby’s Last Day is about a wish-granting fairy. I will be checking this one out because I think the author is terrific. I heard him speak at a local event last year, and I enjoyed his sense of humor and his passion for his readers.
The Not-So-Boring Letters of Private Nobody – During a school assignment on the Civil War,  three 7th graders become friends and learn something unexpected. I am so excited to read this one! I’ve requested this from my library, too.
Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans – I’m scheduled to review this one at the end of the month. I am so looking forward to reading this story about a girl whose favorite uncle goes missing.
The Heat Is On – Book 2 in the Junior Chef series that takes place during a kids cooking competition. Books include cooking tips for kids.
Anthology of Amazing Women: Trailblazers Who Dared to Be Different – Releasing a few weeks before Women’s History month, this anthology highlights women in history. Full page illustration facing a page of biographical information. It looks to have a similar format to Little Leaders with a different art style. Great for classroom, home, and library use.
#PrettyBoyMustDie – A teen CIA operative’s cover is blown when a classmate posts a picture of him online and his enemies decide to drop into his 6th period chem class – literally. My library only lets me request three e-books a day. This is the third for me today. I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.
Honor Among Thieves – First in a new science fiction series where a teen is selected for an elite team of humans chosen to explore the outer edges of space. This book makes me wish the library would let me request four books a day. This is on my list.
Precious Dreadful – A teen who joins a writing group at the library starts to remember some things from her past. This is on my list, too.
The Traitor Prince – Book 3 in the Ravenspire series. I have the whole series on my TBR list on Goodreads. Magic and royals and betrayal, oh my!

Books for Adults

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The Cat of the Baskervilles  – Book 3 in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. I have this series on my list, too. I love anything that ties to a bookshop!
Death by a Whisker – Book 2 in the Cat Rescue series about the murder of a shopping channel personality.
A Grave Issue – First book in a new Funeral Parlor mystery series. I loved this book; I’ll be reviewing it here next week. I already have book two on my list, too.
Marvel’s Black Panther: The Art of the Movie – Our family loves these Art of books for Marvel movies. I’m sure there is a better cover image than this one, but this is all I could find in advance. We already have our movie tickets for later this week. I think this movie will be outstanding!
I Can Only Imagine – A memoir by Bart Millard (of the Christian music group Mercy Me) about his dad’s transformation from abusive father to man of God. This promises to be a powerful book.