BOOK NEWS: April 16, 2024

Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids


My Lost Freedom – Author, actor, and activist George Takei shares his story of being in an incarceration camp as a boy during WWII.

Books for Teens/Young Adults


Dear Wendy (LGBTQ+) – Two college freshmen who identify as aromantic and asexual start to become friends thanks to that shared identity. But neither knows that the other is behind their IG rival’s secret identity. I’m looking forward to reading this one!
The King’s Sword – Book 2 in the League of Rulers series by Jennifer Anne Davis. Sabine finds more than she bargained for when she went looking for her sister’s killer and then became a queen. I already have book 1 on my TBR, and this sounds amazing!
The Lady of Rapture – Book 3 in the Bones of Ruin trilogy. An immortal tightrope walker finds herself in a fight for her life. I have book one of this series on my TBR, too!

Books for Adults


Christa Comes Out of Her Shell (Trade Paperback) – Something new from Abbi Waxman! Christa’s lost and presumed-dead father returns, upending her family, her research, and her personal life. If I see a book is by Abbi Waxman, it’s an automatic purchase for me. I can’t wait to read this one!
The Finders Keepers Library (Trade Paperback) – A young woman lost and looking for any sort of anchor for her life decides to spend the summer with her aunt while trying to put the pieces of her life back together. While there, she finds a community – and the possibility of love.
Nun Too Soon (ebook – April 18) – Book 1 in the Bad Habit Book Club series from the folks with Smartypants Romance. A former nun-turned-librarian and a bounty hunter have a chance at love in this hilarious-sounding story that I have already pre-ordered!
One Last Word (Trade Paperback) – An app creator finds her life turned upside down when her app, which allows users to upload final messages to be released upon their death glitches and she watches her own drunkenly-saved messages get sent when someone else with her name passes away. YES!

BOOK NEWS: April 9, 2024

Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids


Shared Space – From the author of the Wombats! series. An order-loving mouse gets a new neighbor – Pak-rat. I discovered this book after falling in love with the illustrations for the Wombat! series. And now I want all of the author’s picture books too!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


 

Keeping Pace (Older Middle Grade) – A girl who wants to run a half-marathon starts training with her middle school rival.
What Was the Great Molasses Flood of 1919? – I had never heard of the “molasses flood” before I read an I Survived book that talked about it. I think this would be a fascinating title for kids to check out!
Teenage Dirtbags (LGBTQ+) – When Phil gets dumped by “golden boy” Cameron, he seeks out his old best friend Jackson to help him show the world who Cameron really is. I have this one on hold at the library already!

Books for Adults


The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers (Hardcover) – An orphan raised by the Fellowship of Puzzlers is given a final puzzle to solve that is supposed to tell him about who is is and how he came to be with the Fellowship.
How to End a Love Story (Trade Paperback) – Former friends with a complicated past find themselves working together in the writer’s room for a TV adaptation of her work.
The Kiss Countdown (Trade Paperback) – An astronaut and an event planner concoct a fake relationship plan that gives him a girlfriend for the 3 months leading up to his launch so his family will get off his back. In return, she gets a place to live, rent-free, while she tries to launch her own business.

BOOK NEWS: April 2, 2024

Happy April! No fooling, here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Mystery of Locked Rooms – A girl whose family is facing foreclosure teams up with her friends to find a rumored treasure in an abandoned fun house.
The Second Favorite Daughters Club: Sister Sabotage – Two girls tired of feeling like second class citizens in their families start a club with the goal of becoming their parents’ favorite children.
Draw Down the Moon – A girl who was never supposed to develop magic and a boy who thought he knew his magical destiny meet up at a magical school where something dark and dangerous is happening.  Yes, please!
The Reappearance of Rachel Price – A family agrees to be part of a true crime documentary about their missing and presumed dead mother – but she reappears during filming with an unbelievable story about where she has been. Fascinating!

Books for Adults


Bridesmaid for Hire (Trade Paperback) – In order to move her event planning business to the next level, Maggie has to not only work during her vacation, but also pretend to be dating her sworn enemy. Sounds fun!
How to Plot a Payback (Trade Paperback) – A screenwriter gets the job of a lifetime, but it puts him back in proximity to the woman who has repeatedly ruined his life over the years. So he decides a little payback is in order as he writes her character into some unexpected plotlines. This sounds cute!
An Inconvenient Wife (Hardcover) – A man’s 6th wife teams up with two of her predecessors when a headless body is found near her new home and she tries to determine who the victim is – and if it has anything to do with another headless body found eight years ago. That sounds amazing!
Just for the Summer (Trade Paperback) – From the fabulous Abby Jimenez. Two people “cursed” to always be the one BEFORE a person finds their perfect match decide to date each other in order to cancel out their curses so they can finally find love. Yes, please!
Marvel What If: What If Loki Was Worthy? (Hardcover) – First in a new trio of stories from Marvel’s What If universe.  Thor is dead, and Loki is a fault, so he is banished to Earth and charged by a Valkyrie to help him deliver Mjolnir to Jane Foster as Thor’s final wish. But when Tony Stark vows revenge on Asgard for all Loki destroyed, can the god of mischief become a hero for his people?
Only and Forever (Trade Paperback) – Book 7 in the Bergman Brothers series. A man with a struggling romance bookstore agrees to help a writer with writer’s block in exchange for her help with the store. I haven’t read any of the earlier books, but this book-based plot caught my attention.
The Rule Book (Trade Paperback) – An NFL tight end has a change for a little revenge on his college ex when she asks to be his agent as she launches her career. Ending up married after a wild night in Vegas wasn’t part of the plan.
What Is Love? (Trade Paperback) – Two trivia fans first meet when she wipes out his streak on the show Answers! But when they reconnect for a competition between the biggest winners of Answers! they decide to team up to prep for the big showdown.
The Unfiltered Enneagram (Trade Paperback) – A new Enneagram resource from the person behind the @RudeAssEnneagram social media account. I’ll post a full review for this one soon, but I will say now that this is OUTSTANDING!
Worth Fighting For: Finding Courage and Compassion When Cruelty Is Trending (Trade Paperback) – From John Pavlovitz. A collection of recent essays as well as new material from the author designed to encourage readers toward hope, courage, and compassion.

BOOK NEWS: March 26, 2024

Happy March! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids


For You I Will – A mother’s message to her daughter.
Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets – Penelope’s new pet is a lot to handle. This looks adorable!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens


Listen to This – Two teens negotiating friend and family issues meet and find in the other someone who finally sees them and listens to them.
Olivetti – An old family typewriter tries to help a boy whose mother has disappeared by sharing some of the things she would type when she used the typewriter regularly. What a creative concept!

 

Books for Adults


A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Ladies Most Scandalous series. When a governess’s employer is murdered, she teams up with a man who once broke her heart in order to find the killer. I have LOVED this series and can’t wait to read this one!
How to Solve Your Own Murder (Hardcover) – First in the Castle Knoll Files series. A fortune teller once told Annie’s aunt that she would someday be murdered. So her aunt spent her whole life digging up dirt to help her either prevent her own death or at least point a finger at her killer. And now that day has come, and Annie must figure out who killed Frances. This is going to be amazing!
The Last Available (e-book) – An unlikely group of adventurers has been hired to save the world – but they might end up destroying it instead.
Off the Air (Hardcover) – A reporter starts digging into the murder of the last man she interviewed.
Sincerely, the Duke (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Say I Do series. A forgotten whim of a marriage proposal brings together two people who might actually have a chance at real love if their secrets don’t keep the two of them apart.

BOOK NEWS: March 19, 2024

Happy March! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids


YOU Can Change the World – A compilation book that includes examples from many of the biographies in this series.
Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: The Sweet Shop – Book 13 in this darling chapter book series. Itty tries to figure out why no one is shopping at the new sweet shop.

Books for Teens/Young Adults


Cancelled – A teen is mistaken for someone in a viral video and that starts to tank all of her plans for the future.
Rules for Rule Breaking – Two high schoolers who want nothing to do with one another must go on a college visit trip together.

Books for Adults


Expiration Dates (Hardcover) – Daphne has been receiving a paper for 20 years telling her how long each of her romantic relationships will last. But the latest paper has only a name – with no “expiration date.” But she starts to question the reliability of the papers.
Flirty Little Secret (Trade Paperback) – A quiet school counselor with a bold online secret identity connects with a man who comes to @TheMissGuidedCounselor for advice, and then he discovers her true identity – as one of his coworkers.
Floating Hotel (Hardcover) – Imagine the adventures, romance, and intrigue possible on a space-faring luxury hotel!
In a Not So Perfect World (Trade Paperback) – A female game designer has somehow promised the all-male interview board where she’s applied for her dream job that she will stay single to devote herself to her job. But her hot neighbor invites her to go on a trip as his pretend girlfriend. But as feelings grow between them, she feels she might have to let him go to keep her professional dreams alive.
The Love Remedy (Trade Paperback) – An apothecary hires a PI to help protect her business and her products from a rival who keeps stealing from her.
How Great Is Our God: Living a Worship-Led Life in a Me-Driven World (Hardcover Nonfiction) – Worship leader Chris Tomlin looks at the lyrics of his widely sung songs as an example of living a worship-led life.

BOOK NEWS: March 12, 2024

Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Bird Brain – A girl who always wanted a pet ends up petsitting her uncle’s parrot and finds out the bird is more special than she ever would have guessed.
Get Your Hopes Up: 90 Devotions and True Stories for Young World Changers (Nonfiction) – A devotional for middle grade readers.
Not Your Average Jo – A girl is sidelined at her performing arts school for being “too Asian” and her replacement in her band takes credit for her original song. Another student who is working on a documentary about the band leaks the truth. This sounds fantastic!

Books for Adults


Happily Never After (Trade Paperback) – Two individuals start working as “objectors” at weddings when one party needs to break off the relationship but is not in a position to do so themselves. This sounds amazing!
Have You Heard from God Lately? (ebook, March 15) – Devotional focused on messages from the Bible – from God to the reader.
How to Walk Into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away
 (Hardcover Nonfiction) – How can you know when it’s time to leave a “room” (situation) you are in? I could have used a book like this many years ago. I’m curious to read what the author recommends.
Really Very Crunchy: A Beginner’s Guide to Removing Toxins from Your Life Without Adding Them to Your Personality (Trade Paperback Nonfiction) – A starter guide to building a “crunchier” life.

BOOK NEWS: March 5, 2024

Happy March! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids


The Imposter – A little girl’s lost stuffy goes missing and then is found – but something about Mr. Snuggles seems…. off.
Just Try It! – A dad tries to convince his daughter to try some new foods.
No Cats in the Library – A book loving cat tries to find a way into the library. I have already pre-ordered this one. It looks perfect!
Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park (Nonfiction) – A picture book biography of the woman who fought for the creation of a national park preserve the desert.
The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith (Nonfiction) – A picture book biography of a “pioneering female drummer.”
Duck and Moose: Duck Moves In! AND Moose Blasts Off! – An early reader graphic novel series starring unlikely friends.
The Critter Club: Liz’s Perfect Painting – Book 27 in this early chapter book series. Liz tries to paint the perfect picture while petsitting.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Absolute Zeros: Camp Launchpad (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. Three kids work together to save their space camp from a wealthy rival.
Coyote Lost and Found – A sequel to The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. Coyote is feeling ready to spread her mother’s ashes, but she sold the book where her mother said where she wanted them spread. So Coyote has to track down the book by going back to the places they visited on their first trip – without letting her dad know she lost  the book.
The First State of Being – A boy in 1999, prepping for the looming Y2K crisis encounters a time traveler with a book telling what will happen in the next 20 years, and he’s desperate to get his hands on that book.
Free Period – Two pranksters are forced to join a community action club as punishment, but they discover a cause they actually care about – menstrual products for the kids in their school who need them. I have this one on hold at the library!
Table Titans Club (Graphic Novel) – A new kid at school finds a home in the tabletop gaming club, and then must fight for it and her new friends when the club’s future is put in jeopardy. I have this on hold as well.
The Enigma Girls (Nonfiction) – Middle grade nonfiction from the fabulous Candace Fleming about a secret WWII program using young women to help the war effort.
The No-Girlfriend Rules (LGBTQ+) – In an effort to solidify herself as a “good girlfriend,” Hollis joins a girls tabletop group to learn her boyfriend’s favorite game. (She can’t join his campaign because of the “no girlfriends” rule.) This is on hold at the library, too!
Promchanted – Two quarrelling teens push through a secret door at Disneyland before the prom and find themselves in the middle of Sleeping Beauty’s story – for real. Sounds amazing!
An Unlikely Proposition – Book 2 in the Unexpected Seasons series. Two young women looking to make their own way despite society’s expectations find love in “inappropriate” places. Is there any way for both of them to have the love they want?

 

Books for Adults


Baby X (Hardcover) – In a future world where clones can be made from stolen DNA, a bio-security guard and her client encounter a woman who says she is carrying the client’s baby. This sounds fascinating!
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the terrific Finlay Donovan series. Finlay and Vero plan a girls trip to cover their latest investigation when Finlay’s ex and her mother decide to tag along. I love this series and can’t wait to pick up the latest book!
Kilt Trip (Trade Paperback) – Rivals at a Scotland travel agency find common ground when he creates a private tour for her to places that hold special meaning. I am so grateful to have a fantastic local library – this one is on hold too.
Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man (Trade Paperback) – A woman hopes to break an unwanted betrothal by proving her fiancé is a killer – and she wants his brother to help her do just that. But he has his own secrets to protect. This sounds amazing!
Listen for the Lie (Hardcover) – A woman once suspected of her best friend’s murder must open old wounds when a true crime podcast decides to dig into the unsolved case and find a killer.
Take Two Birdie Maxwell (Trade Paperback) – A Hollywood star in need of a career boost finds a letter from an ex who said he wanted her back. But the letter is unsigned. A reporter looking for a career boost as well, goes along on her quest to find the letter writer so he can tell the story – while keeping his own long-time crush on her a secret.
Three Kinds of Lucky (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Shadow Age series. A woman with a rare talent for working with dangerous magical byproducts is pulled in to help with a research project when something goes awry and sends her, and the professor she was helping, on the run. Yes, please!
Let’s Read the Gospels (Hardcover) – A guided journal from Annie F. Downs to accompany readers who work through the four gospels in a month.

 

BOOK NEWS: February 27, 2024

It’s the last release week of February – here are some of the books releasing.

Books for Kids


Sleepy Sheepy and the Sheepover – Sleepy Sheepy is back, and this time he’s going on his first sleepover to his grandparents’ house.
The Wrong Book – The narrator of a book keeps getting things wrong while a bookmark tries to fix things.
Pete the Kitty and the Three Bears – Pete the Kitty visits the Three Bears.
The Case of the Poached Painting (Graphic Novel) – Book 2 in the Pigeon Private Detectives series.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Coyote Lost and Found – Sequel to The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. Coyote feels like she might finally be ready to scatter her mom’s ashes, but she accidentally sold the book that said where her mother wanted her ashes spread. Coyote and her dad hit the road again as she tries to  find the book by tracing their earlier journey. I’m looking forward to this!
Hilo: Rise of the Cat (Graphic Novel) – Book 10 of the fantastic Hilo series! Polly the cat has been sent to a magical boarding school where she finds mysterious things afoot. I adore this series – can’t wait to read this.
The Partition Project – Something new from Saadia Faruqi. When a girl’s Pakistani grandmother comes to live with them in America, she finds out about her grandmother’s experience of the Partition of India and Pakistan. And that story makes an excellent subject for a documentary assignment she has for school. This sounds FASCINATING!
Unicorn Legacy: Tangled Magic – First in a new series set in the world of The Unicorn Quest. A girl at a magical school discovering her magic for the first time tries to figure out why the unicorns are disappearing.
Unstuck – A new book from Barbara Dee. A young writer experiencing writer’s block goes to her sister for help and discovers the struggles her sister is experiencing. I have already pre-ordered this one.
Snowglobe – A book translated from the original Korean. A young woman lives in a frozen wasteland where the least live and work to provide heat to those who live in the Snowglobe. In exchange for their heated home, the residents of the Snowglobe agree to be filmed round the clock. The young woman gets the chance to move into the Snowglobe to replace one of her favorite “stars,” but she finds the life she expected is very different from reality. This sounds AMAZING!
Tender Beasts – A teen charged by her late mother to take care of her youngest brother finds herself having to defend him against charges of murder. This sounds stunning!
Till Human Voices Wake Us – First in a new trilogy. A young woman who could do without other people’s secrets starts digging into some when a friend is found dead.

Books for Adults


A Fate Inked in Blood (Hardcover) – Betrayed by her husband, Freya discovers she has magic when the man sent to kill her can’t. Instead, he becomes her keeper because his father thinks she guarantees him a throne. Spending time together, though, puts them at risk of the chemistry between then derailing everything.
The Other Valley (Hardcover) – A girl living in a town that sits between two identical towns – one that exists 20 years in the past and one that exists 20 years in the future – sees something that reveals the future. What a fascinating set up!
The Partner Plot (Trade Paperback) – High school sweethearts bump into each other in Vegas and wake up married.
Right on Cue (Trade Paperback) – A screenwriter dusts off her acting chops for a role only to find herself playing against the last man on earth she wants to see.
Star Trek Picard: Firewall (Hardcover) – A prequel story covering Seven’s journey into the Fenris Rangers.
Lost World of the Prophets (Trade Paperback) – This new addition to the Lost World series by John H. Walton is AMAZING! I’ll be posting a full review later this week.
Star Trek Picard: The Art and Making of the Series (Hardcover)
Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling (Trade Paperback) – Something new from Dr. Nijay Gupta. This book looks at the first Christians in their context in the Roman Empire. I’m looking forward to reading this one!

BOOK NEWS: February 20, 2024

I hope wherever you are that February is treating you well! Here are some of the new books out this week.

Books for Kids


Wombats! Go to Wizards Wharf – Book 2 in the Wombat series. Pickles and Albert head to an amusement park – something Pickles loves and Albert doesn’t.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


The Myth of Monsters: Medusa – First in a new series.  After an incident, Ava and her brother are sent to a boarding school in Venice for the children of mythological monsters like Medusa.
The Someday Daughter – Even though she is eager to escape her estranged relationship with her mother, Audrey agrees to go on an anniversary book tour for the book that made her mother famous.

Books for Adults


The Bezzle (Hardcover) – A forensic accountant discovers the uber-rich are using the residents of the California Department of Corrections as their entertainment.
End of Story (Hardcover) – A dying mystery writer invites a writer to live with his family and help write his life story. But the mystery writer has lived through some real life mysteries – and a new dead body complicates things further.
Murder in Masquerade (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Lady of Letters Mystery series after Murder in Postscript. A Victorian Countess who secretly writes an advice column gets drawn into a friend’s family drama when she’s asked to dissuade a young woman from eloping.
Once Upon a Murder (Hardcover) – Book 2 in the Lady Librarian Mystery series after A Novel Disguise. Tiffany stumbles across a dead body and finds herself the top suspect in the murder.
Only Hard Problems (e-book) – Book 3 in the Galactic Bonds series by Jennifer Estep. I am looking forward to digging into this scifi/fantasy series!
Remedial Magic (Trade Paperback, LGBTQ+) – First in a new Course in Magic series. A librarian and a witch discover a connection, both romantic and magical. This looks so fantastic!
To Cage a God (Hardcover) – First in a new series. Sisters and living weapons join the rebellion to take down corrupt royals. Fascinating!
Battle for the Bird: Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and the $44 Billion Fight for Twitter’s Soul (Hardcover) – The story of Twitter.
Liturgies for Wholeness: 60 Prayers to Encounter the Depth, Creativity, and Friendship of God in Ordinary Moments (Hardcover) – Contemporary liturgies.

BOOK NEWS: February 13, 2024

For those who celebrate, Happy Valentine’s Day this week – or Happy Black Wednesday. Whichever you prefer. Here are a few of the new books releasing this week.

Books for Kids


Pearl – Part of the Gossie & Friends series. A little duckling who LOVES to sing loses her voice.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Averil Offline (Older Middle Grade) – Something new from Amy Noelle Parks. Two kids find a way to ditch their intrusive parents in order to find the creator of the app their parents use to monitor everything in their lives. I’m fascinated by this idea!
Eowulf: Of Monsters and Middle School (MG Graphic Novel) – Spin off from the Nico Bravo series. After enjoying an adventure with Nico Bravo, Eowulf returns home to a humdrum existence. Until a villain shows up and she has to team up with the last person she’d choose. I have GOT to catch up with this series.
The Princess Protection Program (Middle Grade) – A princess flees her story and finds herself at the Home Educational Academy and the Princess Protection Program. Yes, please!
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear (YA) – A typical teen experiencing typical things (friendship issues, romantic rejection) finds herself in a situation anything BUT typical when one of the Guardians of the magical fault lines in her town is murdered and all manner of magical creature begins to escape.

Books for Adults


At First Spite (Trade Paperback) – From Olivia Dade. After a break up, Athena has to move into the “Spite House” smack in the middle of her ex and the brother who talked him into breaking off their engagement. If she’s going to live in the Spite House, she might as well live up to the name. I already have this one preordered!
The Briar Book of the Dead (Trade Paperback) – When a non-witch steps into her witchy family’s “business” protecting their town boarders, she discovers the ability to speak to the dead which exposes her to old secrets and schemes and leaves her wondering who she can actually trust.
The Catch (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Influencer series. An influencer is mistaken for a grumpy Canadian’s fiancée when he is injured, so she agrees to a one week fake engagement for his family’s sake in exchange for his help with her social media.
Fangirl Down (Trade Paperback) – A down-on-his-luck golfer hires his one fangirl to be his caddy and help him get his game back and win the big tournament.
Fatal First Edition (Hardcover) – Book 14 in the Library Lover’s Mystery series. Lindsey and Sully are murder suspects when a priceless first edition is stolen, the conference director who had it is murdered, and the murderer leaves the missing book in their train compartment.
Fish Out of Water (Trade Paperback) – When her sister goes missing on a hike, Dahlia convinces the grumpy local survivalist to help her trek into the mountains to find her.
The Frame-Up (Trade Paperback) – Something new from Gwenda Bond. Dani needs to convince her mother and her mother’s magical art heist crew to help her on one job even though she was the one who turned her mother in to the FBI 10 years ago.
The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles (Hardcover, LGBBTQ+) – Book 2 in the Investigations of Mossa and Pleiti series. Mossa and Pleiti team up again on a case when 17 people go missing and no one seems to notice. I have the first book on my TBR – I’m excited to check this series out.
Ready or Not (Trade Paperback) – An unexpected pregnancy upends everything in a young woman’s “steady, no surprises” life.
Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Dog of War (Graphic Novel) – An Earth Corgi comes to DS9 in one of Quark’s infamous deals. But the dog comes with a surprise. I am looking forward to this one!
The Summer Book Club (Hardcover) – Three women in a book club are looking for inspiration to make their own lives more fulfilling while reading books that are an escape from their real lives.
Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It (Hardcover Nonfiction) – Jeannie Allen bring scientific information and biblical insight to the subject of emotions.