August has zoomed by and here we are – the last week. Here are some of the books releasing this week to close out the month.
Books for Kids
Once Upon a Goat – A king and queen ask their fairy godmother for a “kid” to start their family. And that is precisely what they get. This reminds me of the delightful book, The Princess and the Pig. I can’t wait to read this new one!
Oscar the Octopus: A Book About the Months of the Year – This picture book with flaps introduces preschoolers to the months of the year as well as marine life.
Spencer’s New Pet – Looks like this is a wordless picture book about a boy and his “dog.” This looks darling!
This Book of Mine – A celebration of books and readers. I can’t wait to see this one in person.
You Should Meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Get to know this Supreme Court Justice.
Arnold and Louise: Happy Fell – Book 3 in the Arnold and Louise series of early chapter books. When two friends have different ideas of how to spend a perfect fall day, what can they do?
Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults
The Battle – Book 2 in the Gauntlet steam-punk series. Ahmad is battling the evil Architect once again when a new virtual reality game causes time in New York City to stop. I didn’t get to read the first book, but these sound fun. I’ll have to add them to my list.
Beauty and the Dreaded Sea Beast AND Private Eye Princess and the Emerald Pea AND Rapunzel vs. Frankenstein AND Thumbelina, Wrestling Champ (September 1 – Graphic Novels) – When I was a librarian I discovered a line of graphic novels from Capstone/Stone Arch books called Far Out Fairy Tales. I loved them and so did my students. Four new books in the series release this week.
Best Friends (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Real Friends series. If you have a reader who can’t get enough of Raina Telgemeier’s books (Smile, Sisters, etc.), and they need something to keep them busy until her new book releases in September, steer them toward Shannon Hale’s graphic novels. The first was terrific, and I’m excited to dig into this new one. I already have it on hold at the library.
Count Me In (Older Middle Grade) – I have been hearing rave reviews all summer about this book! An Indian-American girl and her grandfather are targeted in an assault. While her grandfather recovers, the girl uses her social media accounts to bring attention to the attack. I am eager to read this one. This is one of a subset of middle grade books that are written for kids in the older, 10-14 age range.
The Good Thieves – A middle grade heist novel about a girl determined to right the wrongs done to her grandfather when he is conned out of his home and possessions.
Gryffindor – A small gift book celebrating Gryffindor House with pictures from the Harry Potter movies. There is a companion book for Slytherin.
Hoax for Hire – The latest from Laura Martin. A boy’s family members are legendary hoaxers – people who fake Bigfoot sightings and the like. When two members of his family go missing right when they are supposed to be pulling their biggest job, the boy and his brother have to save the day.
Last Meeting of the Gorilla Club (Older Middle Grade) – A boy starting at a new school tries to escape the imaginary friend he had at his last school – the one his parents say he is far too old for. But Big Brother is back – and a kid at the new school seems to see one of Big Brother’s friends. This is an unusual sounding story – an older take on the delightful Crenshaw. I am curious about this one. Another book for older middle grade readers (10-14).
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich (Older Middle Grade) – A girl raised by her grandfather – the first black engineer at NASA – in Huntsville spends time with her father in Harlem, not sure if she could ever fit in there. I am eager to read this one, too. I have it on hold at the library. This is also for readers 10-14.
Taming of the Shoe – Book 3 in a second-generation fairy tale series. Araminta is stuck at a new school, and she’s staying with her mother’s step-sisters (you know, the awful ones from Cinderella) while her parents travel for work. All she wants are some new friends and a ticket to Theo Downy’s concert. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
Code This! – Puzzles, games and coding challenges for kids.
Pumpkin Heads – A graphic novel for teens from Rainbow Rowell. Deja and Josiah are friends only when they work together in the fall at the pumpkin patch. Now that they are seniors, they are eager to wrap up their last season, and their last shift together, with a bang. I’m curious about this one. If my library hold list wasn’t already full, I’d have this one on hold.
Books for Adults
The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice (Trade Paperback) – The cover of this screams FALL!!! I’m ready for the coziness of the next few months. Includes three short romances set around a Halloween Parade.
The Blacksmith Queen (Trade Paperback) – A prophecy about a rising queen to replace the recently dead king angers his sons who want no part of anything that would force them to give up the throne. When it looks like the new queen will be her younger sister, a blacksmith gathers supporters to help her defend her family. I have requested this one from the library!
Crypt Suzette (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 6 in the Five-Ingredient Mystery series about a hit-and-run that kills a guest at the new bookstore in town.
Death by Cafe Mocha (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 7 in the Bookstore Cafe Mystery series. The main characters leave their usual setting and head to a convention of coffee lovers where someone is murdered. I’d love to dig into this series. Book one is Death by Coffee.
Death by Jack-o’-Lantern (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Abby McCree Mystery series about the murder of a pumpkin farmer. It is officially fall in publishing circles!
Decades: Marvel in the 10s – Legends and Legacy (Paperback Graphic Novel) – A celebration of Marvel comics in this decade.
Flour in the Attic (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Bread Shop Mystery series. This one focuses on the death of a local whose body washes up on the beach.
Jealousy Filled Donuts (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Deputy Donut Mystery series. A firecracker hidden in a stack of donuts kills someone at the Fourth of July picnic.
Molded 4 Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series. When a retiree in Sun City West Arizona is found dead with Phee’s mother’s name on a paper in his hand, she is investigating once again to be sure her mom hasn’t been targeted by a murderer.
Mulberry Mischief (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Berry Basket Mystery series, another fall title for this week centered around a health fair, an eccentric woman, and a murder.
Sidelined (Trade Paperback) – From the author of Trouble Brewing (which connects with this novel, although the series hasn’t been given a name that I can find). When a woman is chosen as the new high school football coach, she and the offensive coordinator clash as he expected to get the job. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Merry is hosting a reunion of her mother’s college friends when murder strikes. I love stories that include reunions, so I might have to check this one out!
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire (Hardcover) – A book designed to give backstory to Disney’s new Star Wars expansion at the parks – the planet Batuu. A rebellion spy is on Batuu looking for resources when the First Order arrives looking for her. I’ll certainly be giving this one a try!
Tilling the Truth (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Garden Squad Mystery series starring a group of spunky retirees who investigate the murder of a local who kept thwarting the sale of a piece of beachside property.
Wishful Thinking (Trade Paperback) – First in the new How to Be the Best Damn Faery Godmother in the World (or Die Trying) series. This urban fantasy stars a fairy who gets her big chance to join the fairy godpersons, but discovers there are more problems in the department than anyone wants to say. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week, too.
Wonton Terror (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Noodle Shop Mystery series. I have the first book on my TBR shelves, waiting. This time, murder strikes during the Asian Night Market when a food truck run by friends of Lana’s parents explodes during the festival.
How to Have Your Life Not Suck: Becoming Today Who You Want to Be Tomorrow (Trade Paperback) – Bianca Juarez Olthoff is one of my favorite Christian speakers from the collection of women who have spoken at If: Gathering events. Her new book looks at steps to becoming the person you want to be. The book centers around the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. This one is on my list. (Her first book, Play with Fire, is available right now on Kindle Unlimited)
Live Big Love Bigger: Getting Real with BBQ, Sweet Tea and a Whole Lotta Jesus (August 30 – Trade Paperback) – Christian blogger and mom of 6, the author writes about embracing imperfection with examples from her life and from a week-long road trip she took with her family. This is on my list, too.
See Jane Win: The Inspiring Story of the Women Changing American Politics (Hardcover) – The story of women, inspired by the 2016 election, who decided to run for political office, focusing specifically on 4 candidates through the whole process from decision to Election Day. This is on my list, too.
Sex and the Enneagram: A Guide to Passionate Relationships for the 9 Personality Types (Trade Paperback) – From the author of The Enneagram and Eating. This book focuses on the 9 Enneagram types and their most intimate relationships. I’m holding off on this one until I read some more reviews.
Write on, Sisters!: Voice, Courage, and Claiming Your Place at the Table (Trade Paperback) – An examination of the trials women face in publishing circles today and support to overcome them.