How’s your summer reading going? Frankly, I’ve only finished two of my six summer challenge books, I have a backlog of library books (both physical and electronic), and I bought 8 new books for vacation. There are truly too many books and not enough time! Here are some new books releasing this week that you might want to add to your personal TBR list.
Books for Kids
A Place for Pluto (July 13) – Pluto is shocked when he is kicked out of the group of recognized planets and goes off to find where he belongs. I love the whole idea of this. Looking forward to this one.
Princess and the Pit Stop – A mashup of fairy tales and auto racing from Tom Angleberger (author of the terrific Origami Yoda series) and Dan Santat. This is a must read for me.
Sterling, Best Dog Ever – A dog looking for a home decides to settle for being the best FORK ever and wanders into a silverware factory. When a family finds the dog in their order, needless to say, they are surprised. This looks adorable!
That Bear Can’t Babysit – Bear isn’t the babysitter the rabbits had in mind to watch their seven little ones, but he is the only one who shows up. Yes, please. I would read any and all of these new picture books out this week!
Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults
Basque Dragon – Book 2 in the Unicorn Rescue Society about a secret group of adventurers charged with protecting mythical creatures. There are a few series out now with a similar premise, and they are a lot of fun. I have book one from this series on my summer reading TBR list. Book three releases later this fall.
A Hint of Hydra – Book 2 in the Mystic Cooking Chronicles series about a kid chef specializing in monster cuisine. I have book one in this series on my library wish list. Sounds like fun!
My Year in the Middle – In Lu’s classroom in 1970, the white kids sit on one side of her classroom and the black kids sit on the other side. Lu bridges the gap in the middle. As her friendships start to change as Lu and her peers get older, she wants to branch out beyond the racial divides of her school. This would be a fascinating story.
I’m Not Missing – A teen who was abandoned by her mother found connection with a friend who didn’t let her lack of a mother define her. But when that friend disappears, the teen is left with a lot of questions. I’m curious about this one.
Notes from My Captivity – A teen who longs to get away to college and become a journalist heads to Siberia to cover a story, but the story is not at all what she expected. This is one of my top choices for this week.
The Supervillain and Me – A teen with a superhero brother and an insiders take on the heroes is rescued by a new supervillain, and he tells her the hero world is not at all what she thinks it is. This is at the top of my list for the week.
Books for Adults
The Book in Room 316 – Four different individuals pass through Room 316 at the Markham Hotel, each one looking for comfort and answers to the trials of life. This is on my list as well. (Trade Paperback*)
A Brush with Death – First book in the new Susie Mahl Mystery series. Looking forward to checking this one out. (Trade Paperback*)
Clock Dance – An elderly woman receives a call from a stranger and flies across the country to take care of a young woman and her child. This one piques my curiosity. It’s been getting a lot of positive press in pre-release. I hope it lives up to the hype. I have this one on hold already at the library. (Hardcover*)
The Con Artist – An illustrated mystery that takes place at San Diego Comic Con. Yep, sign me up for this one! (Trade Paperback*)
European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman – Book 2 of the Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club series about figures from science fiction and horror classics coming together to solve crimes. This time the daughters of literature’s mad scientists are off to rescue one of their own. This is a fascinating premise! I have book one on my library wish list. (Hardcover*)
Jedi the Last – Star Wars The Last Jedi in Shakespearean form. These are small but amusing books. Great gifts for Star Wars fans or collectors of the other books in the series. (Hardcover – $15ish)
Live and Let Chai – First in the Seaside Café Mystery series about the owner of an iced tea shop and café who is suspected of poisoning a grumpy customer. I love trying new mystery series! (Mass Market Paperback)
Poisoned Pages – Book 12 in the Booktown Mystery series. This time someone dies at Tricia’s home at a party where she prepared all the food. This is a series I have lost track of. I know I started it. I would love to get back to it. (Hardcover*)
Shelved Under Murder – Book 2 in the fabulous Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. I’ll be reviewing this one here Wednesday. (Hardcover*)
A Souffle of Suspicion – Book 2 in the French Bistro Mystery series. This time a festival organizer is found dead in her sister’s kitchen. I’d love to dig into the first book in this series. (Hardcover*)
When We Found Home – A woman discovers siblings she never knew she had when they all move into the family home with their mutual grandfather. I already have this on hold from the library, too. (Hardcover*)
The Fall of Wisconsin: The Conservative Conquest of a Progressive Bastion and the Future of American Politics – The Wisconsin I grew up in and the one I see today in politics don’t have a lot in common. I am interested in reading this to dig into some of that history a little. The author’s bias is evident in the title. I’m curious to see how balanced his research is. (Hardcover*)
Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done – I love everything about this title and premise. I’ll be reviewing this one later this summer. (Trade Paperback*)
Prayers of My Heart: A Personal Prayer Journal – This is a structured journal to track your prayer requests and your prayer life. I would like to see this in person before I decide if it would work for me. (Trade Paperback in pricing although I am not certain about the format*)
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Live More Fully, Love More Deeply, Experience God’s Best for You – The latest from Lysa TerKeurst, this is absolutely on my Must Read list. Looking forward to digging into this one, too (Trade Paperback*)
*I’ve noticed that publishers have shifted some of their new mystery series to Trade paperback (full size paperback with a sale price around $15 or $16) or hardcover (with a sale price around $25) instead of Mass Market paperback which runs around $8. When I think of it, I’ll try to note the format so readers can plan their book budgets – and trips to the library – accordingly.