Category: Book News

BOOK NEWS: September 5, 2023

BOOK NEWS: September 5, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Labor Day to everyone in the US. Here are some of the books release during this first week of September!

Book for Kids

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! – A new book for the Pigeon!
How the Grinch Lost Christmas – A sequel!
A Lot Like Batman – A young Batman negotiates starting school for the first time. This looks darling!
Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles – A novice uncle gets some training in uncleology in this new picture book by Jake Gyllenhaal. With illustrations by Dan Santat, this looks like a must read to me.  I already have this on hold at the library.
Cat on the Run – From the author of the Bad Guys series comes a new hero – Princess Beautiful – a cat video star who is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Yes, please!
Cryptid Club: Chupacabra Hoopla – Book 3 in the Cryptid Club series. Something is stealing food at the school, so the Cryptid Club is on the case.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby – Thirteen years after Beatrice disappeared, six households are invited to a celebration of All Hallows Eve – and to help solve the mystery. This sounds AMAZING! I already pre-ordered this one.
The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity  (Nonfiction) – Discover the history of the Mona Lisa in this new nonfiction book for middle grade readers!
Who Was Accused in the Salem Witch Trials? (Nonfiction) – New from the folks at Who HQ.
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose – Book 9 in the Enola Holmes series. When a man connected to American publishing goes missing, a young author, Rudyard Kipling, seeks out Holmesian help. But he refuses to hire Enola, and instead moves on to Sherlock. But Enola won’t be dissuaded from investigating. Yes, please!
The Fallout – Book 2 in a dystopian series about our world, on the brink of a collision with a comet, and the holograms who come to offer rescue. Or do they? I have GOT to pick up the first book in this series!
Maybe Meant to Be (LGBTQ+) – Everyone thinks Sage and Charlie belong together, and they are just waiting around to see them finally figure it out. But a new boy at school leaves Charlie questioning the new feelings he is experiencing, and Charlie’s distraction leaves Sage to see if there might be something between her and Charlie’s twin brother. Fascinating!
Suddenly a Murder – Seven friends enjoy an end-of-high-school 1920s themed party until one of them ends up dead.

 

Books for Adults

Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other (Trade Paperback) – America’s sweetheart has to repair her reputation which means keeping her sunny disposition around the reclusive former journalist who is her driver while she’s back in Adelaide Springs. I am a big fan of Bethany Turner, and I can’t wait to pick this one up.
Death in the Romance Aisle (Trade Paperback) – Rarity is starting over after breast cancer with a new bookstore in Sedona. But the exciting return of her best friend’s brother coincides with a murder, and she can’t help but wonder if the two events are connected.
Enchanted to Meet You (Trade Paperback) – New from Meg Cabot. A woman banned from the World Council of Witches finds herself having to help save West Harbor from sinister forces. So looking forward to this one!
Fly with Me (Trade Paperback, LGBTQ+) – A nurse who goes viral for saving a life on her flight agrees to play fake girlfriend for the co-pilot whose airline is reaping the benefits of the heartwarming story.
The Long Game (Trade Paperback) – A soccer exec banished to redeem her reputation with a kids’ soccer team runs afoul of a local soccer star who wants to run her out of town. This sounds adorable!
Look Out for the Little Guy (Hardcover) – An “autobiography” of Marvel character Scott Lang (aka Ant Man).
Main Character Energy (Trade Paperback) – A struggling author has the chance to inherit a gorgeous villa in the French Rivera from her beloved late aunt. She just has to finish her novel first. YES. This is top of my list for this week.
Mother-Daughter Murder Night (Hardcover) – Lana misses her high-powered life as she finds herself fighting cancer and living with her daughter and grand-daughter.  But when her grand-daughter becomes a murder suspect, Lana puts her drive to use finding the real killer. Yes, please! Another for my list this week.
Witches Get Stuff Done (Trade Paperback) – First in a new series. The local librarian is eager to get access to Shaddow House now that it is under new ownership. The new owner, though, is just trying to wrangle her newly discovered magical powers as well as her new haunted home. Sounds fun!

 

BOOK NEWS: August 29, 2023

BOOK NEWS: August 29, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the last release week of August – here are some of the new books releasing to wrap up August 2023.

Books for Kids

Squash, the Cat – Squash accidentally mistakes his best friend’s favorite toy as a threat, and now the two friends aren’t sure what to do next. Can their friendship survive? This sounds adorable!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Do More Club (Older Middle Grade) – In response to an anti-Semitic hate crime, Josh and his friends start the Do More Club at school to spread kindness.
The Lost Library – A mysterious Little Free Library pops up in town, guarded by an old cat. Two kids find books inside that expose one of the town’s long-kept secrets. I have this one on hold at the library.
Vivian Van Tassel and the Secret of Midnight Lake – First in a new series. Vivian is angry about all she has lost and being uprooted to this weird new town, but when she discovers the town’s connection to Beasts & Battlements, things start to get interesting.
Wings of Fire Guide to the Dragon World (September 1) – A new collection of stories and art.
The Brothers Hawthorne – Book 4 in the Inheritance Games series. Greyson and Jameson are pulled into new adventures – and new risks – by their extended families. I cannot wait for this!! I pre-ordered the special edition from Barnes and Noble last year.  Just a few days more to wait!
Elles Vol 2 (Graphic Novel) – Elle is lost in her own subconscious while one of her personalities takes over her life. I’m checking out book 1 because I am intrigued by this whole premise.
House of Marionne – A girl with magic is inducted into a secret debutante society that is supposed to help her manage her magic, but they may have secret plans of their own. This is absolutely on hold at the library!!
Neverwraith – Yesir can feel something inside him changing – but no one has prepared him for what is about to happen. Yes please!

Books for Adults

Assistant to the Villain (Trade Paperback) – Desperate for a job, Evie agrees to work for the Villain, and then discovers that someone is trying to take him and his whole empire down. I could not hit pre-order fast enough on this one. Can’t wait to read it!
Beast Mom (Trade Paperback, August 30) – A typical suburban mom turns monstrous when she gets fed up with the things going on around her – and she’s not the only one. I have to get my hands on this to find out more!
Big Little Spells (Trade Paperback) – Sequel to Small Town, Big Magic. A banished witch returns to St. Cyprian where the local witch council has determined her friends are a danger to witchkind and must be eliminated. I have got to start this series – sounds fantastic!
The Love Plot (Trade Paperback) – A veterinarian hires a gig worker to be his fake girlfriend for family events. I love a good fake dating story!
My Roommate Is a Vampire (Trade Paperback) – The apartment seems too good to be true, but Cassie is desperate. Besides, Frederick is rarely around during the day, works at night, and is gorgeous. Although, the bags of blood in the fridge are alarming…. I can’t wait to give this a try!
The Phoenix King (Trade Paperback) – First in a new series.  Elena is supposed to someday ascend to the throne, but she’s the one person in her family who can’t wield their magical fire. As she considers how to prove herself worthy, a suspicious assassin arrives saying he is there to serve the king – but Elena is certain he can’t be trusted.
The Referral Program (Trade Paperback) – Three single friends decide to use their not-quite-right exes as referrals to find a perfect relationship for their friends.
Three Card Murder (e-book, August 31) – A detective trying to solve a locked room mystery finds out her sister has ties to the deceased. But there’s no way her con-artist sister is a killer. I have already pre-ordered this one!

 

BOOK NEWS: August 22, 2023

BOOK NEWS: August 22, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books out this week!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Truly, Madly, Sheeply (Older Middle Grade) – Book 4 in the Pumpkin Falls Mystery series for older elementary and middle school readers. Truly and her grandparents are farm-sitting for Truly’s aunt and uncle when they encounter some spooky goings on that seem designed to scare Truly’s family away from the new property. I adored the first book in this series. I’d love to find the time to catch up to this gorgeous-looking fall story.
Creeping Beauty – A plain-looking princes pricks her finger on a spindle and falls into a mysterious world of darkness and danger. I love a good fairy tale retelling!!
Unexpecting – A gay teen decides he wants to raise his unexpected baby as a single father, but he wasn’t ready for what that one decision would mean for all the other aspects of his life. This sounds amazing.

Books for Adults

A Beautiful Disguise (Trade Paperback) – Book one in the Imposters series. A pair of siblings have started an elite and  secret spy agency to save their family estate. This sounds clever – familiar in some ways to the Rosalind Thorne series. I’m always in the market for a new series.
Board to Death (Trade Paperback, LGBTQ+) – First in a new “quozy” (queer and cozy) mystery series. Even though the family game store is struggling, Cliff turns down an offer too good to be true and then ends up a murder suspect.  I’m looking forward to checking this series starter out.
Curves for Days (Trade Paperback) – A contractor resists falling for his newest client who has a secret that could destroy everything. Fairly standard grumpy-sunshine set up, and this is getting rave reviews. I’ll be checking this one out.
Mugshots of Manhattan (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Snapshot of NYC mystery series. Liv’s big break turns into a big nightmare when she’s suspected of murder. I’ll be picking this one up too!
A Secret Staircase (e-book, August 25) – Book 2 in the Murder at the Morrisey Mystery series. Meg discovers a secret staircase in the building that not only leads to the Seattle Underground, but also to two dead bodies.
The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? (Hardcover Nonfiction) – The first large-scale study of the shift in America away from the Church. I’m really curious about this one.
Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Have to Heal From (Hardcover Nonfiction) – A faith-based parenting book where kids are encouraged to explore God and faith rather than handed a list of things to believe. I hope to review this one soon.

BOOK NEWS: August 15, 2023

BOOK NEWS: August 15, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new releases this week!

 

Books for Kids

The Littlest Turtle – The littlest turtle tries to use her voice to help others in the community. I’ll be reviewing this soon.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Dust – A girl with severe asthma befriends a troubled boy who seems to be the cause of increased dust storms in their town.
No One Leaves the Castle – Something new from the author of the fantastic The Heroes Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (♥♥♥♥♥). A girl determined to become the best bounty hunter takes a case that leaves her locked in a castle with a murderer. This is at the top of my list for this week!!!
West of the Sea – Haven’s mom’s disappearance uncovers a long-hidden family secret – she, and Haven, can turn into a creature called a kitskara. Haven and her friends head out on a road trip to find Haven’s mom – and some answers.

Books for Adults

Codename Charming (Trade Paperback) – A gruff, business-first bodyguard and a perky, positive personal assistant stage a fake relationship to protect their boss from bad PR.
Rent to Be (Trade Paperback) – Isla agrees to a fake relationship with her brother’s best friend in exchange for him keeping a big secret for her.
The Witch Is Back (Trade Paperback) – An ex comes back to make things right, but the woman he finds isn’t the meek witch he left all those years ago.

BOOK NEWS: August 8, 2023

BOOK NEWS: August 8, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books out this week!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Raven Throne – Sequel to The Raven Heir. When the newly crowned queen falls into an enchanted sleep, her siblings go out to find a cure.
A Long Time Coming: A Lyrical Biography of Race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama (Nonfiction) – Six biographies in verse.

Books for Adults

Accidentally in Love (Trade Paperback) – A woman with a mobile photo studio for boudoir shoots gets matched up with a newcomer who is supposed to launch a food truck on the same festival circuit she knows so well.
Blonde Identity (Hardcover) – YA author, Ally Carter, releases her first adult romance about a woman who has lost her memory and the spy who thinks she is someone else. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Forged by Blood (Hardcover) – First in a new duology based on Nigerian mythology. In an effort to protect her people and get revenge for the death of her mother, a young woman plans to kidnap a prince.
Out of the Dawn (Hardcover) – Sequel to Into the Mist (♥♥♥♥½). Mercury and her friends who have survived the green mist that gave them their powers while killing the men who encountered it face new challenges as they try to protect the community they have established. I can not wait to read this!!!
Saints AND Sinners (Nonfiction) – New installments in the Storyline Bible Studies. I’ll be reviewing these soon.

BOOK NEWS: August 1, 2023

BOOK NEWS: August 1, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Tomorrow is the first book release day for August 2023 – let’s look at some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

Books Aren’t for Bears – When Bear finds a book in the woods and learns how to read, he heads to the city to find more books. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale – Kanzi loves the variety of diverse books in her school library, but when the books disappear because of a ban, she decides to take action. I’ll be reviewing this one, too.
Taco Falls Apart – When the pressure of holding too much and trying to be too strong pushes Taco too far, he falls apart. I’ll also be reviewing this one!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Great Texas Dragon Race – A girl who has grown up around dragons takes her best dragon and sneaks into the Great Texas Dragon Race against her father’s wishes.
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: One Girl Can Make a Difference – A novelization of the Marvel series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
Young Alfred Pain in the Butler – A story of Batman’s famous butler, Alfred, as a young man at Gotham’s Servant School. This is definitely on my wish list for this week!
Swimming in a Sea of Stars – A novel about interconnectedness with a teen who attempted suicide at the center.

 

Books for Adults

Birder She Wrote (Hardcover) – Book 33 in the Meg Langslow series. Meg is hunting for a murderer and a bee killer as well as dodging a troublesome reporter in her latest adventure. I’ll be reviewing this soon.
Change of Plans (Trade Paperback) – A chef suddenly responsible for the care of her three nieces encounters a former military man still reeling from the loss of his lower leg. Navigating love feels like one more thing neither has the bandwidth for. This sounds lovely.
Deja Glitch (Trade Paperback) – Jack is caught in a time loop, but he’s certain if he can just get Gemma to fall in love with him it will break the cycle – and they can both find their HEA.
Kiss the Girl (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Meant to Be line of stories by various authors (If the Shoe Fits, By the Book). Ariel and her sisters are the princesses of pop, but their farewell tour means Ariel might be able to have a different life. But her father’s determined to have her launch a solo career, Instead, Ariel takes off with another band for a chance to be “part of their world.” This Little Mermaid-esque story is a must buy for me!
Positively Penelope (Trade Paperback) – An optimistic dreamer tries to save a historic theater despite a string of obstacles.
With Love from Cold World (Trade Paperback) – A by-the-book bookkeeper and her all-fun-all-the-time coworker are tasked with coming up with something to save the amusement park where they work.

BOOK NEWS: July 25, 2023

BOOK NEWS: July 25, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the final release week of July – here are some of the new books available this week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Adventures of Batgirl and Supergirl: Alien Bloom of Doom  AND Citywide Scream Scheme AND Luthor’s Deep-Sea Danger AND Two Face and the Fusion Confusion (July 31) – A new collection of Batgirl/Supergirl stories!
Ghosted – A grieving girl agrees to team up with a new student at her (allegedly) haunted school to see if they can prove the school’s reputation about ghosts. This sound fantastic!
One of Us Is Back – Book 3 in the One of Us Is Lying series by the amazing Karen McManus.
Their Vicious Games – One moment of lost control has left Adina blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college. She has one chance to get her future back – win the mysterious game called The Finish. I have this one on hold at the library.

Books for Adults

Mischief Nights Are Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 8 in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series. Participating the local Haunted Dinners Tour is one thing, but hosting a murderer during Halloween is something else entirely.
Murder at a London Finishing School (Hardcover) – Book 7 in the Beryl and Edwina mystery series. Beryl and Edwina go back to their finishing school – reluctantly – to help investigate allegations of sabotage and along the way find murder.
Someone Just Like You (Trade Paperback) – Childhood rivals are forced to work together to plan a joint anniversary party for their parents.
The Witch Hitch (Trade Paperback) – A young woman trying to plan her wedding discovers her birth mother is an actual witch while also conjuring a man from 1929 into the mix. I have this one on hold too.

 

BOOK NEWS: July 18, 2023

BOOK NEWS: July 18, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Hope your summer – and your summer reading – is going well! Here are some of the new books out this week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Buzzing (Graphic Novel) – While his new friends and their role playing game seem to be helping Isaac cope with his OCD, his helicopter mother and his therapist don’t think he should keep playing.
Charming – Prince Charming is really a con man and three of his recent victims have just met each other – and they’re ready for revenge. Yes!!!

Books for Adults

Only Good Enemies (ebook) – Book 2 in the Galactic Bonds series by Jennifer Estep. Vesper and Kyrion must team up again as they both try to take down Techwave before someone takes them out – permanently. I seriously need to dive into book 1 so I am ready for this one.
Star Trek: Godshock (Hardcover Graphic Novel) – Ben Sisko is back, and he has some new powers after his years with the Prophets. But his powers are fading just when there’s a new threat on the horizon. I’m intrigued by the teasers of who will be joining Sisko on this adventure! This includes the prequel story and issues 1-6.
Star Wars: Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade (Hardcover) – The story of a Jedi padawan who eventually turns to the Dark Side. This looks amazing.
Take the Honey and Run (Hardcover) – First in a new Bee Keeping Mystery series.  A mystery writer comes home to help her grandmother after a fall, but then her grandmother becomes the prime suspect in a murder. I love the clever set up of this one. I hope to review it soon.
The Intentional Year Journal – A guided journal companion to The Intentional Year book/philosophy.

 

BOOK NEWS: July 11, 2023

BOOK NEWS: July 11, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow – Bruce’s friends try to get him excited about Halloween but their scary story takes a spooky turn.
I Am Wonder Woman – The latest from the Stories Change the World series.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

Dear Rosie (Graphic Novel) – Four middle schoolers struggle to adjust after the death of one of their best friends.
The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle – Grady and his dad inherit a tapestry scrap that is rumored to be a map to lost treasure. This looks fun!
Sky Ropes (Older Middle Grade) – A girl at camp hopes to avoid the high ropes because of her fear of heights and memories of her father’s abuse.
What Do We Know About Alien Abduction? – A new nonfiction book from Who HQ in their cryptid/unexplained phenomena line, What Do We Know About.
Give Me a Sign – A girl with hearing loss who never feels hearing or deaf “enough,” finds community at a camp for hearing and visually impaired kids.
The Prince and the Apocalypse – A girl having the worst vacation in London rescues a runaway prince and they decide to keep helping each other out, especially as a comet seems determined to destroy the planet in 8 days. Yes, please!
Stars Hide Your Fires – A thief sneaks into the Emperor’s Ball on a space station only to become a suspect when the Emperor is found dead. A sci-fi mystery?! Again, yes, please!

Books for Adults

A Cryptic Clue (Hardcover) – First in the Hunter and Clewe Mystery series. A retired university librarian and a collector team up to catalog his collection of rare books and artifacts – and to solve a mystery. This sounds delightful!
Hello Stranger (Hardcover) – From the author of The Bodyguard, one of my favorite reads of 2022. When a portrait artist develops face-blindness, it’s only one of many things that throw her life into turmoil. I’ll be attending an event with the author this month – I’m super excited for it!
It Happened One Fight (Trade Paperback) – Just when Joan is ready to take charge of her film career and get away from Dash,  she discovers that one of his many pranks actually means they are legally married! She has to do one last project with him – and she’s had it moved to Reno so they can establish residency to get a divorce. But the time with Dash starts to change her opinion of him. This sounds amazing!
A Lady’s Guide to Scandal (Trade Paperback) – A widow prepared to enjoy her wealth and her freedom is drawn back into contact with the man who broke her heart. I hope to review this one soon!
Macarons Can Be Murder (Hardcover) – First in a new Paris Kentucky Bakery Mystery series. A woman with a French bakery in the South gets pulled into an investigation because her one chance to save her business has been arrested for murder.
The Only Purple House in Town (Trade Paperback) – An app designer encounters his high school crush and before he knows it he’s taken a room at her quirky boarding house. I hope to review this soon, too.
Thief Liar Lady (Hardcover) – Cinderella sets the record straight on what she and her “evil” stepsisters were really up to that night at the ball – and how all of their plans have unraveled. Top of my list for this week!
You with a View (Trade Paperback) – Grieving over the loss of her grandmother, Noelle discovers she had a secret love – but the road to learning more is tainted by her high school nemesis  who is along for the ride. This is another I hope to review soon,.

BOOK NEWS: July 4, 2023

BOOK NEWS: July 4, 2023

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Independence Day (week) and welcome to the first release week of July. Here are some of the new books out this week!

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Pure of Heart (Disney Mirrorverse) – First in the new Mirrorverse line from Disney Press. A Mirrorverse Snow White, with new powers, faces evil versions of her friends created by Dark Magic. In order to defeat the Evil Queen, Sorcerer Mickey, the ruler of the Mirrorverse, assigns some special Guardians to help Snow White in her quest. This sounds quirky and clever, and I can’t wait to check it out!

 

Books for Adults

A Body in 3B (ebook – July 7) – First in the new Murder at Morrisey Mystery series. A woman and her ghost friend try to help the police solve a murder.
Business or Pleasure (Trade Paperback) – When a ghostwriter meets the next personality she is working with, it turns out to be they guy from that disappointing one night stand. So in addition to helping him with his book, she offers to help him in the bedroom, too.
Dane of My Existence (Trade Paperback) – From the author of For the Love of the Bard. A lawyer in Bard’s Rest on sabbatical runs into a developer who wants to take out the town’s outdoor theatre. I have book one on my TBR – I need to catch up on this series!
Excavations (Hardcover) – Four women at an archaeological dig have to team up to dig into a mystery surrounding an artifact they have discovered. I am intrigued by this one!
Flop Dead Gorgeous (Hardcover) – Book 27 in the delightful Andy Carpenter series.  Andy’s high school girlfriend – now a famous actress – is accused of murdering her co-star. Of course, Andy takes the case. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
Marvel Wastelanders: Star-Lord (Trade Paperback) – Novelization of a scripted podcast. Star-Lord and Rocket are on Earth – in Doctor Doom’s Wastelands – at the behest of the Collector, looking for an ancient relic.
Don’t Let Them Bury My Story (Hardcover) – The oldest living survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre shares her story.
Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away (Trade Paperback) – How to say yes to Jesus while saying no to church politics and burnout.