Here are some of the books releasing this week!
Books for Kids
Ambitious Girl – After hearing a strong woman on TV called “too ambitious,” a girl decides to investigate the challenges women face.
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners – A young Asian girl notices her eyes look different from the eyes of many of her peers, but their shape connects her to generations of her family. She recognizes the beauty in her features. This looks lovely.
Books for Older Kids/Teens
The Comeback – A figure skater faces competition on the ice and racism at school. Will she buckle under the stress or is she primed for a comeback?
Magic’s Most Wanted – Mason’s dad was recently sent to jail, his grades are plummeting, and he’s been taken into custody by officers of “Magix,” whatever that is. Thankfully, he’s got some people – and a talking rabbit – on his side.
The Million Dollar Race – Grant is close to setting the world record for the 100-meter for his age group, so when a sneaker company launches a contest to find the world’s fastest kid, he’s all in. But when he discovers his non-conforming parents never got him a birth certificate, his chances of competing start to dwindle.
Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies – A survey of Black history including political figures, sports figures, writers, etc. This would be an excellent classroom resource.
Who Is Kamala Harris? – Part of the Who HQ NOW series of middle grade biographies highlighting figures who are prominent in the news.
Books for Teens/Young Adults
Bookish Boyfriends: Get a Clue (LGBTQ+) – Book 4 in the spectacular Bookish Boyfriends series. Ms. Gregoire has assigned Sherlock Holmes, and a mystery has arisen at Hero High. And Huck and Win team up to solve it. I have already pre-ordered this one. I can’t wait!
Cast in Firelight – Book 1 in the Wickery series, and one of my favorite books from 2019. (I read my review copy in November before realizing the release date had been pushed back.) Two magical heirs, betrothed since childhood, team up under false identities to address a challenge to their kingdoms. This was fantastic – I can’t wait to read it again! My review will post soon.
This Will Be Funny Someday – A girl unused to having and using her own voice stumbles into stand up comedy and loves it. But her new friends on the open mic scene think she’s a college student like them – because that is the lie she told them. I love a story about kids and teens finding and using their voices. I will be checking this one out.
Wench – When Tanya’s guardian dies, she’s at risk of losing the tavern and home where she’s grown up. So she goes on a quest to petition the queen to let her keep the property in her name. This has been on my wishlist for months!
Winterkeep – Book 4 in the Graceling Realm series. As Queen, Bitterblue sent envoys to the neighboring Winterkeep, but when they drown under mysterious circumstances, she heads off herself with two friends. But on the journey, tragedy strikes again. This is a series I have been waiting to read for ages.
Books for Adults
The Broken Spine (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series. When her beloved library is turned into a bookless “technology center,” Tru and her friends rescue some of the books and set them up in a secret book room in the library basement. But when the town manager who pushed for the change is found dead, Tru is the prime suspect. And the *secret* book room is her alibi. This sounds excellent!
A Deadly Discovery (e-book) – Book 4 in the Allie Cobb Mystery series. Allie investigates the murder of a young woman who disappeared 20 years ago, and whose body was recently discovered.
Enjoy the View (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the delightful Moose Springs, Alaska series (The Tourist Attraction – ♥♥♥♥♥). Former Hollywood darling River Lane is in Moose Springs to film a documentary. Strong and silent Easton Lockett is leading her crew up and down Mount Veil. While he’d like to do so without any emotional entanglements with River, she’s a hard woman to resist. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Firefly: New Sheriff in the Verse Vol 2 (Graphic Novel) – Sheriff Mal has been ordered to arrest the crew of Serenity.
Her Turn: A Bookish Romantic Comedy (e-book, January 21) – Addie Snyder became her brother Owen’s guardian after their mother died. When her new book becomes an overnight sensation, she needs her publicist to help her protect Owen who has Down syndrome from the hype, especially as her publicity obligations grow. But when their absent father shows up, threatening to take guardianship of Owen, and other relatives come out of the woodwork to take advantage of her success, she is going to need all the help she can get. This sounds fun!
A Perfect Amish Romance (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Berlin Bookmobile series. The bookmobile librarian partners Aaron, a man secretly pursuing his GED, with Kayla, a young woman hiding from the pain in her life in romance novels, to help him study for the GED test. This looks sweet.
Scripted to Slay (e-book) – Book 6 in St. Marin’s Cozy Mystery series. Harvey looks into the death of the new bartender in the neighborhood.
Shipped (Trade Paperback) – Work rivals competing for the same promotion meet in person for the first time on a cruise that is part of their promotion competition. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Black Panther Party (Graphic Novel) – A history of the Black Panther Party founded in 1966.
Dear White Peacemakers (Hardcover) – A guide for White Christians – based on the Sermon on the Mount – to grow as racial justice activists.
In Search of Wisdom (Hardcover) – An exploration of Proverbs from Joyce Meyer.
Revelation: Extravagant Hope (Trade Paperback) – Part of the Beautiful Word Bible Study series. This volume is written by Margaret Feinberg. A six-session study of Revelation. Video study available separately.