Search Results for: fractured fairy tales

BOOK NEWS: September 19, 2017

BOOK NEWS: September 19, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Blogiversary to me!

One year ago this week, I kicked off The Neverending TBR, and I’ve had so much fun tracking new releases and reviewing amazing books. I hope you have found some great treasures as you spent time here in the last year.

On to the new releases for this week!

Books for Kids

Her Right Foot – This ingenious nonfiction book looks at the Statue of Liberty from the perspective of her foot, sculpted in motion. I can’t wait to read this one!
It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk – The Jack in this story has NO interest in following the narrator’s instructions to sell his cow and climb a beanstalk! This time Jack is taking his story into his own hands. This reminds me of one of my favorite fractured fairy tales, Don’t Read this Book! I can’t wait to check this one out!
Read! Read! Read! – Twenty-three poems about reading!
JoJo and Daddy Bake a Cake – Fancy Nancy’s little sister gets her own Early Readers, including this story about baking with her dad.
Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker – This early chapter book stars Beatrice Zinker, a girl who has a unique perspective on the world – she prefers to look at it upside down. This makes her a very creative thinker. I’ll be reviewing this book tomorrow!
Jada Jones Rock Star AND Jada Jones Class Act – New transitional chapter book series. Book one focuses on Jada’s love of science and rocks and minerals, as well as some social issues at school. Book two focuses on her desire to be class representative and her fear of public speaking. This looks like a darling series!
Lark and the Diamond Caper – Book 2 in this series starring junior detectives searching for a missing pair of diamond earrings. I love mysteries for any age reader!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Falcon Wild – A girl who longs to be a certified falconer has to use all of her knowledge and skill to survive an accident and get help for her injured and trapped family.
No Place Like Home – A girl who has lived most of her life on the move with her dad for his job gets the chance to settle in for a little while, go to public school, and make some friends. Figuring they will be moving on soon, though, she decides to take some risks instead of playing everything safe. I love the whole line of MIX books from Aladdin, and this book sounds like my style of story.
Quests for Glory – Book 4 in the School for Good and Evil series. The students embark on their required fourth year quests where some are trying to return Camelot to its former glory and others find themselves in over their heads. Fans of this series will love to hear that there’s a fourth book to devour!
Renegades – Book 3 in the Randoms series. Poor Zeke seems to be in more trouble than ever. Whatever he does to save the galaxy (and get the girl) only seems to get him in more trouble. And this time, he doesn’t have any of his usual allies to help him. Our whole family has enjoyed the first two books in this series, and we will most definitely be reading book 3!
Saving Marty – A boy adopts a runty pig as his pet. The pig thinks he’s a dog, and acts accordingly, but when he reaches 350 lbs, it’s hard to pretend he’s a normal pet. This is described as “heart-wrenching” which makes me nervous about the pig’s future, but I HAVE to know what happens in this story.
The Way to Bea – A girl facing monumental changes writes haiku in invisible ink in a secret spot. Then someone writes back. I have wanted to read this since I first saw the cover. This is exactly the sort of book that I love!
Trolled – Book 3 in the Enchanted Files. Ned the Troll knows he is supposed to despise humans. But Ned just can’t do that; his heart is full of LOVE. This sounds fantastic! I will be putting the first two books on my library list asap so I can check out this fun fantasy series.
Rainy Day Unicorn Fun – A puzzle book from the Phoebe and her Unicorn folks. I ADORE the graphic novel books in this series – in fact the next one releases in October. I’m looking forward to checking out this activity book. It might be just what I need to keep in the car or in my purse for when I am waiting for an appointment, and I don’t want to bring along a book.
Jane Unlimited – A grieving teen accepts an invitation to the mysterious island Tu Reviens where she will have the chance to make different choices for her life. This author wrote the wildly popular Graceling (which of course is on my TBR shelves), so this is getting a lot of buzz.
Moxie: A Novel – A high schooler, fed up with the double standard, starts a feminist zine that becomes more popular than she could have ever imagined. This is probably at the top of my wish list for the week. This sounds like a terrific, girl-power sort of story, and I love to read those.
Murder, Magic and What We Wore – A young woman discovers her father is dead and his money is missing so she becomes a spy and learns that she has a magical affinity for sewing glamours. This is a hard story to summarize. Come back on Thursday when I will be reviewing this one and you can find out a little more. It’s terrific!
One Dark Throne – EEEEK! Okay, I was wrong – THIS will be top of my list for the week (Moxie is a close second). I absolutely loved Three Dark Crowns last fall – you can read my review here. After a long wait, the sequel is arriving this week. By the time I get it from the library, I hope to have re-read book one so I am fresh and ready to enjoy book 2.
The Victoria in My Head – A girl daydreams of being a rock star, but her very real life and insecurities make that dream almost impossible. I love this idea of throwing caution to the wind and just running after your dream. I do not have that sort of personality, so I am happy to enjoy it vicariously through books.

Books for Adults

13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do – Morin takes her original premise from 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do and applies it this time to parenting. I have her first book, and would love to read this one as well!
Bean to Bar Chocolate – I have no idea what the “American craft chocolate revolution” is, but I don’t even care. This is about chocolate. I’d love to read it. Includes recipes.
Becoming MomStrong: How to Fight with All That’s In You for Your Family and Your Faith – Helping moms grow strong in their faith and their identity in Christ so they can pass that strength onto their children. If I wasn’t so overloaded on Bible Studies and self-improvement books right now, I would have this on my list immediately. I love the whole idea of this – especially the Bible Study piece. This is one I may revisit in another season of life.
Becoming MomStrong Bible Study – Six week Bible study based on the book. There’s also a matching journal so you can keep your notes and thoughts together as you go through the material.
Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans: How to Decode their Behavior, Develop Unshakable Trust, and Raise a Respectable Adult – Parenting a teen is hard work. I am always in the market for a book that will give me new insights and strategies to make these the best years as a family. This isn’t just for parents, either. This works for any adult committed to a strong relationship with a teen – youth workers, mentors, teachers, pastors.
Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything – If you find personality differences and types and strengths and such fascinating – and I DO! – you’ll want to check this one out.
Sally’s Cookie Addiction – I’m not much for cooking. It seems like standing in the kitchen forever for something my family will finish in less than 20 minutes. I could use that time to read! But I generally enjoy baking. So a book like this – with lots of baking suggestions – would be a lot of fun for me. Cookies are great treats – small, easy to share, and they make great gifts for teachers, friends, pitch-ins, etc.
Thanks, Obama: My Hopey Changey White House Years – Former speechwriter for President Obama shares stories of his time in the White House.

BOOK NEWS: September 5, 2017

BOOK NEWS: September 5, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Disney Animation! Property Brothers! Mo Willems! It’s a great week for reading.

Happy Labor Day! Hope you and your family are getting to enjoy some relaxation over this long weekend. Here are the books coming out this week:

Books for Kids

     

Come with Me – A girl wonders what she can do to help when it seems the world is full of hurt and fear. Sounds like a timely story.
A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale – A young chef bakes some fairy tale components like an apple and a handful of beans into something yummy. I’ve been waiting for this one for awhile.
Give Me Back My Book – Friends fight over a book. I’m curious to see this one in person and see what happens.
Joey and the Shining Star/Twitch and the Invisible Wind – The Owlegories Christian video series now has books that look at how nature teaches us about God.
The King of Too Many Things – This is the sort of book that catches my attention with the illustrations, but keeps it with a great title and premise. I long to be more of a minimalist, but I am more like this king. I can’t wait to read this one.
La Princesa and the Pea – A Latino twist on the classic tale of the Princess and the Pea. This is definitely the week for some great fractured fairy tales! Keep on reading for several more.
The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABCs (the Hard Way) – Poor little red cat gets chased all the way through the alphabet in this darling picture book.
Pickwick’s Picnic – I can’t wait to see this counting book in person. Doesn’t it look adorable?!
The Pout-Pout Fish and the Bully Bully Shark – The Pout-Pout Fish series takes on the subject of bullying. This sounds like a great way to talk about bullying with younger kids.
Sam, the Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole Universe – Companion book to the outstanding Leonardo the Terrible Monster. I have been waiting for this book for months! I am so glad it’s finally time for its release.
Twinderella, A Fractioned Fairy Tale – A twist on Cinderella from the fabulous author of The Three Ninja Pigs.
Pete and the Lost Tooth – Early Reader for fans of Pete the Cat
Showdown in Space – A new DC Super Hero Girls Early Reader/Leveled Reader about Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Miss Martian on an outer space adventure.
Little Legends: The Magic Looking Glass – Book 4 in this fractured fairy tale transitional chapter book series.
Phone-Y Friends – Book 4 in the Project Droid series about a boy and his robot “cousin.” These are written by the author of the Magic Bone series, which I adored. I’d like to check out one of these early chapter books for younger elementary school readers.
Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate – Book 5 in the amazing Princess in Black series. This time, the princess is on a playdate when a monster strikes. I can’t wait to read this one. I adore this early chapter book series.
Audrey Hepburn/Rosa Parks (Sept 7) – Little People Big Dreams series  of biographies. The illustrations for these immediately grabbed my attention.
We Are in an Art-ivity Book – Activity book for kids starring Piggie and Gerald.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons (And Why They Keep Biting Me) – Book 2 in the Adventurer’s Guide series about adventurers who get a new quest to kill the Dragon Queen – except they don’t want to kill her at all! This sounds like an awesome series; I’d like to check out the first book and see what it’s like.
Alex Rider Scorpia Graphic Novel – A graphic novel version of the Alex Rider story, Scorpia.
All’s Faire in Middle School – New graphic novel from the author of Roller Girl about a girl who transitions from homeschool to public school where her Renaissance Faire upbringing gets her more attention than she bargained for. I love stories like this and will certainly be checking this one out.
Assassin’s Curse – Book 3 in the Blackthorn Key series about an apothecary’s apprentice who solves puzzles and codes. I have book one on my TBR shelves.
Click’d – A girl’s coding project goes viral, but then she finds a dangerous glitch. This sounds so fun! This is on my list for sure.
Elsie Mae Has Something to Say – A girl hopes to save her home in the Okefenokee Swamp by sending a letter to President Roosevelt and stopping local bandits, but her cousin may ruin all her plans.
The Glass Town Game – The Brontë sisters have invented a game called Glass Town and one day when they are expecting the worst for their family, the four girls are whisked away to their imaginary town. This seems like a mix of fantasy and history (Napoleon).
Halfway Normal – A young cancer survivor tries to settle back into middle school. I have a feeling this will be both emotional and inspirational. It’s on my list!
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus – A girl without arms moves with her family to a rundown theme park in Arizona where she finds not only a friend who really understands her, but also a mystery. This book has been wildly popular among early readers on Twitter.
Mighty Jack and the Goblin King – Book 2 in this graphic novel series that’s a twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. This time, Jack’s autistic little sister has been taken by an ogre and he’s off to get her back.
Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Won’t-Walk-the-Dog Cure – Book 2 in this series that is an updated re-boot of the classic Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series I read as a kid.
One Mixed-Up Night – Best friends run away to spend the night in IKEA. This has the feel of The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler to it. This is at the top of my wish list for this week!
Rapunzel and the Lost Lagoon –  Rapunzel is back at the castle after the adventures of Tangled. Now, she and a lady-in-waiting stumble on a mystery together. This sounds terrific.
Shadow of a Pug – Book 2 in the  Howard Wallace PI series. I loved book one in this series, and I am looking forward to reading book 2.
The Book of Massively Epic Engineering Disasters – A book of “great” engineering disasters. This would be a fun addition to a science classroom or school library.
Harley Quinn’s Brain Squeezers – An activity book for fans of the DC Super Hero Girls
Genuine Fraud – A new story from the supremely popular author of We Were Liars. This was a dark story, and the format is unusual – it starts at the present and then works backwards. A very interesting way to tell a story.
Girls Made of Snow and Glass – This re-imagining of Snow White has a young woman with a glass heart and her step-daughter who was magicked out of snow. I love re-worked fairy tales! This sounds terrific.
I Hate Everyone But You – Best friends exchange emails and texts as they head to different colleges for their freshman year.
If There’s No Tomorrow – One moment changes everything for a girl who was looking forward to her senior year. I have no idea what happens to change things – which means I’ll have to read this to find out!
Nothing – A girl who is convinced that real life is nothing like the books she reads decides to write down the things that happen to her during her sophomore year and finds it’s not so different after all.
Running Full Tilt – A young man turns to cross country and running to escape a difficult family situation with his out of control brother. I’m going to max out my library wish list this week!
They Both Die at the End – Two boys meet through an app that puts you in touch with others who are going to die on the same day. What a fascinating idea! A little dark, but I am curious to see what happens.
The Thing with Feathers – Emily goes from homeschooling with her mom and her seizure therapy dog to high school. She lives in fear that she will have a seizure at school.
Tower of Dawn – The next book in the Throne of Glass series. I would love to read this series some time soon. [So many books, so little time]
Wild Bird – A girl spends 8 weeks at a survivalist/wilderness therapy camp. This sounds fantastic. I have this on my list.

Books for Adults

    

Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard – I have the James T. Kirk autobiography, but I haven’t had a chance to read it. I am even more eager to read this one as Jean-Luc was “my” captain.
Bringing Maggie Home – An elderly woman carries the guilt of a lost sister for 70 years. Can her granddaughter, a cold-case agent, help her solve the mystery and ease the guilt that has impacted the family for generations.
A Christmas Peril – First in a new mystery series staring a former cop managing a community theater group. I enjoyed this one; I’ll be reviewing it in a couple weeks.
Conspiracy in Belgravia -Book 2 in the Lady Sherlock Historical Mystery series. I haven’t gotten to book one yet, but I am eager to check out this series.
Dead in the Water – Denise Swanson has launched a new series set in Scumble River and starring Skye Denison. I read many books from the earlier series and enjoyed them.
Essence of Malice – Book 4 of the Amory Ames Mystery series, this one about a perfumier in Paris. I haven’t read any of these, but the covers are gorgeous and catch my eye every time. I’d love to read one.
March of Crime – Book 11 in the Murder-By-Month series. I read the first couple books in this series, but I’ve fallen behind. I’d like to pick back up on this one.
Pudding Up with Murder – Book 3 in the Undercover Dish Mystery series about secret chef who cooks amazing casseroles that her clients can pass off as their own. I have yet to read one of the books, but they are definitely on my list. But I’d like to know where I can find a service like this in my town!
Tale of Two Kitties – Book 9 in the Magical Cats mystery series. I have several of the early books on my TBR shelves. I love mysteries with cats in them – dogs, too.
Trouble is Brewing – An ebook novella that bridges the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander with her new series about a brewmaster. I have already pre-ordered this one. This seems like a brilliant way to introduce your fans to your new series. I can’t wait to read this.
Armed and Dangerous: The Ultimate Battle Plan for Targeting and Defeating the Enemy – A new look at spiritual warfare.
Art of Star Trek The Next Generation – 178 posters featuring art for my favorite iteration of Star Trek, The Next Generation.
Blood Sweat and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made – My teen would probably love this one as video games are a big part of his life. I know many adults who would find this interesting, too. Sounds like a great history of technology book.
Education à la Carte – Dr. Kevin Lehman’s (The Birth Order Book) new book looks at the educational options available to families today and offers advice for navigating your choices. I’m looking forward to this one. I love Lehman’s work.
Forever Letter: Writing What We Believe for Those We Love – A guide book for writing letters that pass on your real treasures – your values, beliefs and love.
Ink and Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation – Get the behind-the-scenes story on the women who worked for Disney Animation.
It Takes Two – The Property Brothers tell their own story in this memoir. I love watching these guys on TV. Hopefully their terrific chemistry will translate well in book form.
The Last Arrow – How to live a life that leaves nothing undone at the end. This sounds inspiring. It’s on my library wish list.
Picturing Heaven – Adult coloring book for fans of Randy Alcorn’s writing. I tend to start adult coloring books but never finish them. But I am excited to see this one up close. I am interested in the devotions that go with the pictures.
The Suffragents (Sept 1) – Looks at the men who were part of the movement to get women the right to vote. This sounds like a terrific look at history.

BOOK NEWS: August 1, 2017

BOOK NEWS: August 1, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Welcome to the first post of new books coming this August. There are tons of things to get excited about this week including new Star Wars books for kids, new graphic novels, a Spider-Man book for teens, and several new Christian Living titles. Here they are:

Books for Kids

     

Confiscated – When two brothers keep fighting, Mama keeps taking things away until they have nothing left.
Dogosaurus Rex – This sounds a lot like Silly Doggy and Naughty Kitty, except this time the pet not quite behaving is a dinosaur instead of a dog.
Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale – A new take on a classic favorite, Red Ridinghood gets a Hanukkah spin.
Ace!/Jumpa!/Krypto!/Streaky! – This series for young readers focuses on the pets of super heroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman and Supergirl.
The Boy Who Cried Vampire/The Lion, The Mouse and the Invaders from Zurg/Robo Battle of Mega Tortoise vs. Hazard Hare/The Ugly Dino Hatching – Four new graphic novels in the Far Out Fabels series. I adore these fractured fairy tales! I bought some of the Far Out Fairy Tales series for the library when I was teaching, and my students loved them.
Secret Ninja Force – Early Reader focused on the story of the LEGO Ninjago Movie.
SW Forces of Destiny: Meet the Heroes – This Early Reader looks at the many female heroes of Star Wars.
SW Forces of Destiny, Volume 1 – Looks at the stories of Sabine, Rey and Padmé in this Early Reader format. Volume 2, out in October, will look at Jyn, Ahsoka and Leia.
Amazo and the Planetary Reboot – New addition to the Justice League series.
A Big Day for Baseball – Book 29 in the Magic Tree House series. Looks like Magic Tree House might be spinning off the Merlin Mission stories and picking up the regular series again with #29. This time Jack and Annie will get to be bat boys in 1947.
Bright Lights Big Kitty – Book 4 in the Animal Inn series for young readers about an animal spa.
Catwoman’s Purrfect Plot – A new Batman and Robin adventure.
Fishin’: Impossible – Book 8 in the Shark School series
Hooray! My Butt Left the Bench! – Book 10 in the Here’s Hank series, a younger reader’s version of the Hank Zipzer books.
The Missing Mola Lisa – New mystery series about 2nd grade crime solvers.
Baseball Fact Tracker – Nonfiction companion to the latest Magic Tree House book, A Big Day for Baseball.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

  

The Catacombs of Chaos/The Eagle of Rome – These are the first two books in the Lottie Lipton Adventures series. Lottie is an investigator who lives at the British Museum. I’ll be reviewing The Eagle of Rome next week here on the blog.
Confessions from the Principal’s Kid – During school she is an outsider because her mom is the principal, but after school she is part of the in-crowd of students whose parents are teachers. But what Allie really wants is to be on the popular math team so she can feel like an insider during the school day, too. As a former teacher, and a former teacher’s kid, I am looking forward to this one!
The Countdown Conspiracy – Six kids are chosen for a mission to Mars. When one of them starts receiving threats, the whole mission might be scrapped.
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo – A kid who longs for adventure may just get his wish when his parents are kidnapped, and he bands together with his butler, his nemesis, and his pet cobra to save the day.
Dinosaur Empire – Book 1 in the Earth Before Us graphic novel series about a girl who travels back in time to learn about the dinosaurs before her big test.
Friday Barnes No Rules – Book 4 in the fantastic Friday Barnes mystery series. In this story, Friday is looking for a prankster who fired all the teachers. I’ve already pre-ordered this one, and I’m excited to dive in as soon as it gets here.
The Loser’s Club – The latest book from Andrew Clements focuses on a boy who starts a club at school so he has time to read without getting hassled. He expects to be the only club member, but he is in for a surprise. I have adored Clements’ earlier books like No Talking and Frindle. This one is near the top of my wish list for this week.
Royal Crush – Book 3 in the From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess series by Meg Cabot. This is a Princess Diaries series for younger readers. I loved the first two books in this series, and I’m excited to see what happens next for Princess Olivia (half-sister of Princess Mia).
Surfside Girls: Secret of Danger Point – Graphic novel – first in a new series – about a girl who starts seeing strange things after swimming through an underwater cave.
Tiny Tim – Book 11 in the Dog Diaries series
Zinnia and the Bees – A young girl’s older brother/best friend has disappeared and a hive of bees have found a home in her hair. What else could possibly happen? This book has been getting a lot of positive buzz (pardon the pun) online all summer. I’m looking forward to reading this.
A Kid’s Guide to the Names of God – A kid’s study resource or maybe devotional, looking into the names of God from the Bible.
Genius: The Con – Sequel to Genius: The Game. I will review this one later this week.
Just Friends – Two kids fool the whole school into believing that they have been best friends for years. But the ones they might be lying to the most are themselves. This sounds terrific.
Miles Morales, Spider-Man – Latest in an exciting series of original YA stories about various superheroes (Black Widow, Iron Man, with Wonder Woman and Batman coming later this year). In this story, Miles is starting to wonder if he should even be Spider-Man any more when he discovers a plot that puts his friends and his neighborhood at risk. I’m not much of a Spider-Man fan – although I loved the Spider-Man: Homecoming movie this summer – but this story sounds intriguing, and I want to give it a try.
The Secret History of Us – A young girl has lost four years of her memory after a car accident. I’ve noticed more of this memory-loss books lately. They are a great way of exploring identity.
Solo – A young man on the brink of finishing high school and starting college finds his world crumbling around him, leading him to Ghana, Africa to find himself. I reviewed this one last week.
Truthers – A teen is drawn into the world of conspiracy theorists who believe 9/11 was part of a government conspiracy.
#Truth: 365 Devotions for Teens Connecting Life and Faith – Each month has a different emphasis, from the TRUTH that God exists to the TRUTH about Christ’s return. Looks like a great resource for teens looking for a daily devotional.

Books for Adults

The Assault – Book 2 in the Harbringer series which pulls together 4 renowned Christian authors writing about a group of strangers drawn together to fight a dark force. Book one was a bit much for me, but readers who like their fiction a little spookier might enjoy this series.
Cat About Town – First in the Cat Cafe mystery series about a town newcomer who finds a stray cat who in turn finds a dead body. Sounds like a fun start to a series.
Chime and Punishment – Book 3 in the Clock Shop mystery series. I have book 1 on my TBR shelves.
Dressed to Confess – Book 3 in the Costume Shop mystery series about a crime-solving costume shop owner. I’ve not read any of these, but the description of this story (murder at a board game-themed festival) makes me want to run out and grab book 1, A Disguise to Die For, to get caught up!
Gone Gull – Book 21 in the fabulous Meg Langslow mystery series. This is one of my favorite cozy mysteries. I absolutely adore the main character and her family. I’ve had this one on hold from the library for weeks already.
On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service – Book 11 in the Royal Spyness mystery series. I read the early books in this series and really enjoyed them. In this book, Lady Georgiana is on a spy mission for the queen while she checks in on a pregnant friend.
A Tangled Yarn – Book 5 in the Yarn Retreat mystery series about a baker running a crafting retreat.
All in All Journaling Devotional: Loving God Wherever You Are – 100 devotions with journaling prompts. This sounds great.
Discovering Hope in the Psalms: A Creative Bible Study Experience – A creative study of 10 Psalms of Hope. I’m eager to see this in person.
The Gospel Centered Mom:The Freeing Truth about what Your Kids Really Need – This one is on my list, too! This will join a pile of other books on my TBR about recognizing that you don’t have to be everything  because Christ is enough.
He’s Not Lazy: Empowering Your Son to Believe in Himself – Your “lazy” teen boy may actually be conflicted and afraid to fail. I’m eager to read this one.

BOOK NEWS: March 21, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Plenty of great books releasing this week! Here are some of the ones I am looking at:

Books for Kids

All Birds Have Anxiety – Look at that face!! I have to read this book just because of that face! Using birds, the author explains living with anxiety to kids. I can’t wait to read this one. Not just because of the cover, but I am curious how the author does with making mental health and anxiety accessible to kids. Mental health issues are big in children’s literature lately, which I think is a great trend!
I Am (Not) Scared – Third book in this series after You Are (Not) Small and That’s (Not) Mine, this time the two friends go to an amusement park and think about what might be scarier than the roller coaster.
John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. Tolkein – A picture book biography of Lord of the Rings author, J. R. R. Tolkien
We Are the Dinosaurs – A picture book version of Laurie Berkner’s song by the same name. I’m not familiar with this song, but the illustrations I have seen from the book are darling! I would definitely keep this in mind for any dinosaur fans you know!
Almost an Outlaw – Teddy Mars book 3  (final book in the series) about a boy who has to break a few rules to take care of some of his neighbors.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Big and Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd) – A shy girl tries to keep secret the fact that her parents separated over the summer. This kind of story is a staple of middle grade fiction and I imagine I will love it!
Miss Ellicott’s School for the Magically Minded – In this new fantasy, a city’s sorceresses go missing, leaving the kids at Miss Ellicott’s school to save their kingdom. This sounds like a book I will love!
The Princess and the Pearl – Book 6 in the delightful Wide-Awake Princess series. I have loved the books in this series – perfect for a lover of fractured fairy tales, like me! In this book, Annie has to get a cure from a sea witch to save her family.
The Hidden Memory of Objects – A girl who can see memories from her brother’s belongings searches for answers about his death. This sounds like a fascinating YA mystery!

Books for Adults

The Collapsing Empire – The latest book from science fiction great, John Scalzi. This story of a universe where humans have ventured into space and left Earth behind as an interstellar empire forms sounds awesome!
Girl in Disguise – A female private detective fights to make her way in Chicago in 1856. Inspired by a true story.
If I’m Found – Suspenseful sequel to If I Run about a woman running from arrest for a crime she didn’t commit.
The Lucky Few – A family’s journey, following God through adoption of special needs children. This sounds inspiring!

 

Which book releasing this week is going on your TBR list?!

REVIEW: Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Little Red Gliding Hood is a spectacular skater. But her skates are falling apart! If she could find an amazing skating partner to join her in the Pairs Skating Competition, maybe she could win a new pair of skates. All the usual options are either already skating or not interested in skating with Red.

Maybe she needs to try an… unusual option.

Little Red Gliding Hood

Review

I adore fractured fairy tales!! I picked this up when I met the illustrator, Troy Cummings, at a conference earlier this year. This book is the perfect addition to my collection of fractured fairy tales. The story is clever. The illustrations include references to many fairy tales and nursery rhymes. This makes the book a great one to come back to over and over to see what new tidbits you spot this time that you never saw before.

I love using books like this in a classroom setting for compare and contrast activities. Reading the original first helps. Then have students make a list of ways this is similar to the original. Then tackle ways it is different.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

REVIEW: The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Princess Rosamund wakes after 100 years of slumber to a smooching prince (Ew!), it takes a bit to get her bearings and remember her story. But when she arrives at the Orphans Home Educational Academy, it all comes back to her – the spindle, the 100 years, the angry fairy.

But Rosamund is now in the Princess Protection Program. It’s a safe, protected space for fairy tale characters who have left their stories to prepare for life in the “real” world.

As Rosamund acclimates to her new home and friends, however, she begins to notice strange things around the school – monsters, missing and forgotten friends, mysterious magic. Maybe HEA isn’t the happily ever after she’s been led to believe it is.

Review

This was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the worldbuilding here a lot. There are some clever design choices along with some little shout outs to other stories and writers of other fractured fairytales. This is a genre I have always enjoyed, and this is a great addition.

The characters here are lovely. I really liked this version of Sleeping Beauty – her curiosity, her questions, and her loyalty. The author does a great job keeping the focus on a small group of recognizable princesses while telling the larger story. Folks looking for middle grade books with LGBTQ+ representation will find some of that here, too.

My favorite thing of all was the way the author wove ideas of personal responsibility, independence, choice, autonomy, and identity into this fun fairy tale story. I’d love to read more books with these themes. And if these characters come back for another adventure, I am here for their stories!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read

BOOK NEWS: November 2, 2021

BOOK NEWS: November 2, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy November! With the holidays right around the corner, now is a great time to start thinking about books your friends and family will love. Remember, supply chain issues are a thing right now. This might mean that a book’s release date gets moved around; it can also mean that shipping will take longer. Stay aware. If I can note a delay on something I thought was releasing during a certain week in November, I will.

I’ll be releasing my 2021 Holiday Hint List sooner than usual this year to give you some ideas and a few extra weeks to get your orders shipped. Stay tuned! (You can go here to see some of the previous Holiday Hint Lists.)

Books for Kids

Aaron Slater Illustrator – An artist discovers his struggles with reading are due to dyslexia. But he wonders if he can still be the storyteller he longs to be. Yes, please! I can’t wait to read about the newest member of the Questioneers!
Life Is Better with Friends – This picture book focuses on key moments in the series.
Our Table – As a family grows apart, their gathering space – a table – grows smaller. I don’t know that you can EVER go wrong with a Peter H. Reynolds book! I can’t wait to see this one in person.
Parker Shines On – A sequel to Parker Looks Up. This time Parker learns to be a good friend in her dance class. This looks lovely. I adored the first book, so this one is on my list, too.
Redlocks and the Three Bears – Instead of Goldilocks, the Three Bears meet Little Red Riding Hood – and the Wolf is not far behind. Fractured and mixed up fairy tales are one of my all time favorite things, so this is a must-read for me this week.
The Smart Cookie – A cookie doesn’t feel so smart compared to some of the other confections at the bakery.
What If You Had Animal Scales? – The latest in this fun line of books about animal facts.
The Bad Guys in They’re Bee-hind You! – Book 14 in the Bad Guys series of early chapter books.
Dragon Masters: Howl of the Wind Dragon – Book 20 in the Dragon Masters series.
I Survived True Stories: Courageous Creatures – A new collection of true survival stories. These books are fantastic!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

D&D Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed – First in a new middle grade series based on Dungeons and Dragons. A human girl, disguised as a minotaur so she can go to Dungeon Academy without scaring the other creatures there, heads off on a quest to find out more about a human adventurer named Allidora Steelstrike. This sounds SO FUN!
Eddie Whatever (Older Middle Grade) – Eddie gets stuck volunteering at a retirement home for his bar mitzvah service project. The residents may call him “Eddie Whatever,” but he discovers there is more to like – and secrets to uncover – there than he expected.  This sounds fun!
Tangled Up in Luck – Enemies become friends as two girls search for a town’s missing treasure. This looks awesome. I have this on my review list.
Blame It on the Mistletoe – A social media darling and a girl wanting to flee a holiday embarrassment switch homes for the holidays. Love the premise of this one, so I’ll have to check this out.
Gilded – A Rumpelstiltskin retelling from the author of The Lunar Chronicles.
Skin of the Sea – First in a new series. A mermaid saves a boy tossed into the sea instead of collecting his soul like she’s supposed to, bringing the wrath of the gods upon her.
Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed – A collection of Latinx short stories.

Books for Adults

All Her Little Secrets (Hardcover) – A lawyer with secrets is promoted after her boss – and lover – is murdered. But she can’t shake the feeling that something with her promotion or at the company is off. This sounds twisty!
The Donut Trap (Trade Paperback – Now releasing November 9th) – Without a job or a relationship keeping her away, Jasmine finds herself working at her parents’ donut shop and feeling trapped. But the relationship that could change everything for her isn’t falling into place like she expected. This looks fun. It’s on my review list.
The Fastest Way to Fall (Trade Paperback) – She’s supposed to be writing a feature about a new fitness app that includes a coaching component. He’s the CEO who isn’t supposed to be coaching, but it’s the only way he’s found to feel happy. But when their coaching relationships teeters on becoming something more, they both realize they could lose everything if they let themselves fall in love.
Game On (Hardcover) – Book 28 in the Stephanie Plum series. In Stephanie’s hunt for a ruthless hacker, she finds herself working with Diesel again, but she can’t be sure if he’s her partner or her competition.
How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days (Trade Paperback) – Rumors abound that Keanu Reeves is about to get married, so Lu and her best friend Truman hit the road so Lu can find Keanu and convince him she’s the one he should marry. Yep, I will have to read this one.
I Hate You More (Trade Paperback) – From the author of the DELIGHTFUL Forever Home series.  A former beauty contestant determined to help a lazy Golden Retriever make a good showing at the local dog show runs afoul of the veterinarian judge who thinks she is in over her head.
Killer Research (Hardcover) – Book 12 in the Library Lovers series from Jenn McKinlay. Curmudgeon librarian Ms. Cole is running for mayor. But a dead body in the trunk of her car might sink her campaign – and get her thrown in jail. Lindsey and Sully and the rest of the crew are determined to prove her innocence. I adore this series. This is a must-read book for me this week.
Lore Olympus (Graphic Novel) – A new take on the story of Persephone.
A Marvelous Light (Hardcover – LGBTQ+) – First in a new series. Robin has been named the liaison to a magical society he never new existed in secret around the British Isles. But between the prickly counterpart he has to work with in the society, and the fact that his predecessor went missing, Robin finds himself smack in the middle of mysteries and secrets people have died to keep hidden. I am intrigued by this one!
Miss Moriarty, I Presume (Trade Paperback) – Book 6 in the Lady Sherlock series. Moriarty seeks out Charlotte’s help when he fears tragedy has befallen his daughter.
Witches, Spiders, and Schemes (e-book, November 5) – Book 4 in the Destiny Falls series. Cracks are starting to show in the enchantments around Destiny Falls – and two dead bodies are found in the bay. Hayden and her friends will need to dig deep to solve the mystery and restore Destiny Falls. I loved book one, but I haven’t been able to carve out time to get caught up with the series. Hopefully that will happen soon.
The Journey Toward Wholeness (Hardcover) – The latest from the “godmother of the Enneagram,” Suzanne Stabile. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Prayers from the Throne Room (Leather) – A prayer book and devotional based on The Passion Translation. Includes a year’s worth of prayers and meditations.
Wholehearted Faith (Hardcover) – Rachel Held Evans’ last book, a collection of essays, finished by Jeff Chu.

BOOK NEWS: October 5, 2021

BOOK NEWS: October 5, 2021

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy October! Fall weather is settling in, and my thoughts are turning to cozy reading sessions under a mound of blankets while the wind whistles outside. Here are some of the new books releasing this week that I might be reading soon! (NOTE: Due to supply chain issues, some release dates may be delayed.)

Books for Kids

The Christmas Owl – Based on the true story of an owl found in the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
The Dead Sea Squirrels: Jingle Squirrels – Book 9 in the Dead Sea Squirrels series continues the squirrels’ zany adventures while tying in the Biblical Christmas story.
The Underdogs – First in a new early chapter book series from the author of the Dragon Masters books. A group of dogs work together to pass their agility test because if one fails, they all fail.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Children of the Fox – “Oceans Eleven meets The False Prince.” How is that for a sales pitch?! Five young criminals are tasked with stealing something from the most powerful sorcerer. This looks fun!
Cinders and Sparks: Fairies in the Forest – Book 2 in the Cinders and Sparks series after Magic at Midnight. This time, Cinders and her talking dog, Sparks, encounter Rapunzel, some bears, and other adventures in the forest.
Cold-Blooded Myrtle (Older Middle Grade) – Book 3 in the delightful Myrtle Hardcastle mystery series after Premeditated Myrtle and How to Get Away With Myrtle. This time, Myrtle is trying to solve a string of murders that follow revealing changes in a shop’s Christmas display. I loved book one, and I am eager to dig into the next two!
Daughter of the Deep (Older Middle Grade) – A new story from Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief) based on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. While on their way to their freshman-year Trial at Sea, Ana and her friends witness a tragedy that draws them into a cold war that has been going on for more than 150 years between their school and a rival. This sounds fascinating – different than Riordan’s mythology books, but likely just as awesome.
Heroes – Book 3 in the Royal Academy Rebels series by Jen Calonita. Princess Devin’s dreams of becoming a Magical Creatures Caretaker seem completely out of reach when new villains are rising, old villains are cursing the kingdom, and the losers from the Fairytale Reform School move into the Royal Academy. I thoroughly enjoyed book one in this series, and I am eager to get caught up. This one is on my review list.
How to Train Your Dad (Older Middle Grade) – From the author of Hatchet and Lawn Boy. Carl starts using a puppy-training manual to encourage his dad to change his “off the grid”-leaning lifestyle.
Playing the Cards You’re Dealt – From the author of The Great Greene Heist (♥♥♥♥) and The Parker Inheritance. When Ant’s best friend gets grounded, Ant has to find another partner for the huge Spades tournament. When he teams up with Shirley, he keeps it a secret from his dad, who is holding secrets of his own. This is definitely on my list for this week.
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching – The third and final book in the series where Tristan starts moving north toward the final showdown with King Cotton.
The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case of Grave Danger – First in a new middle grade mystery series. While Violet works to earn a chance to help with the family funeral home, she stumbles across a ghost and decides to help him solve the mystery of his death. This is on my review list.
History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics (Non-Fiction) – Book 6 in the non-fiction series by Kate Messner. This one focuses on diseases from the plague to smallpox to polio to Covid19.

 

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Briarheart – Miriam is trained with magic and charged with protecting her baby sister, Aurora, from the Fae determined to curse her. Sounds like an awesome Sleeping Beauty retelling. This is on my list for this week.
I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas – Something new from Tiffany Schmidt, the awesome author of the Bookish Boyfriends series. Noelle is invited to accompany her babysitting charges and their family on a holiday ski trip, but everything – including Noelle’s heart – is up-ended by the arrival of the  kids’ older half-brother, Wyatt. Yep, totally on my list for this week!
A Spindle Splintered (LGBTQ+) – First in a new Fractured Fables series. Zinnia and her friends and family know that her 21st birthday will be her last. But when Zinnia’s friends plan a Sleeping Beauty experience for her birthday, the spindle-prick sends Zinnia off on an unbelievable adventure. Two Sleeping Beauty retellings in one week? Magical!
Squad (Graphic Novel) – A popular clique of girls are actually predators, werewolves who strike back at boys who take advantage of their peers. Fascinating!
Why We Fly – From the authors of I’m Not Dying with You Tonight. Best friends and cheerleaders see their friendship strain to the point of fracture as high school and college-prep pressures rise and following fallout over the squad’s choice to take a knee during the National Anthem.

 

Books for Adults

All that Is Secret (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Annalee Spain mystery series. A Black theologian tries to solve her estranged father’s murder.
The Cure for What Ales You (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Sloan Krause Mystery series. As Sloan continues to look into the mysteries of her past, a murder suspect indicates that Sloan’s family could be in danger.
Epilogue of an Epitaph (e-book) – Book 8 in the St. Marin’s Cozy Mystery series. Harvey and her father are looking into the death of a postmistress who was rumored to steam open people’s mail looking for gossip.
God Rest Ye Royal Gentlemen (Hardcover) – Book 15 in the Royal Spyness Mystery series. Georgie’s plans for her first Christmas with her new husband are upended by a royal request that draws her into a murder investigation. I’ve lost track of this series over the years, but I really enjoyed the early books when I was keeping up with it. This one sounds great!
The Holiday Swap (Trade Paperback) – Twins swap places for the holidays. Hallmark-sounding? Yes. In fact, isn’t there a Hallmark movie about twins who switch places (although for different reasons)? Yes. Do I care? No. Will I be reading this one? Absolutely.
A Holly Jolly Diwali (Trade Paperback) – After losing her job, Niki’s carefully controlled “good girl” life starts to feel stifling, so she throws caution to the wind and books a flight to her friend’s wedding – and finds love. This sounds lovely.
No Memes of Escape (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Brooklyn Murder Mystery series. A fun day out with the girls at an escape room ends in murder. This is on my review list.
The Throwback List (Hardcover) – The latest from Lily Anderson. When a woman who loses her job and goes back home to lick her wounds finds an old bucket list, it leads her and two of her old friends on a new adventure.
Twisted Tea Christmas (Hardcover) – Book 23 in the Tea Shop Mystery series. Right after a wealthy client reveals to Theodosia that she’s going to make a big announcement about giving all her money to charity, the woman is found dead.
Jesus Music: A Visual Story of Redemption as Told by Those Who Lived It (Hardcover, nonfiction) – Companion book to the documentary by the same name.
Live Like a Vulcan, Love Like a Wookie, Laugh Like a Hobbit: Life Lessons from Pop Culture (Hardcover, nonfiction) – Three cosplaying friends talk about what they have learned about life from pop culture.
Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith (Hardcover, nonfiction) – A look at five best-selling Christian novels – Love Comes Softly, This Present Darkness, Left Behind, The Shunning, and The Shack – and their impact on Christian publishing and on Evangelicals. I’m curious about this one!
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music (Hardcover, nonfiction) – Autobiographical stories from Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, etc.).

 

BOOK NEWS: November 5, 2019

BOOK NEWS: November 5, 2019

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy November! There are tons of fantastic books out today. Let’s take a look

Books for Kids

Bad Dog – A  little girl desperate for a dog treats the cat she got instead as if she were a dog anyway. This looks awesome!
Everybody Says Meow – While the title asserts that everyone says meow, readers will discover that is not quite true.
How to Catch a Dragon – A group of kids try to catch a dragon during Chinese New Year.
I Am Perfectly Designed – From one of the stars of Netflix’s Queer Eye and his son. Readers can celebrate how who they are is just right.
I Do Not Like that Name – When a new elephant arrives, it is his owner’s job to name him. This looks adorable!
One Snowy Morning – When some woodland creatures discover a snowman, they don’t know what it is, but they have their own ideas about the accessories they find on him. The illustrations for this are fantastic. I can’t wait to see this one in person!
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez – The latest picture book in the Questioneers series. When her grandfather is hurt at the local landfill, Sofia tries to figure out how she can make her community safer – and more beautiful – but she hits some roadblocks because she’s “just a kid.” I love this series!
A Trapezoid Is NOT a Dinosaur! – When Triangle decides to put on a shape show, no one believes Trapezoid is actually a shape. Sounds darling!
A Pony with her Writer: The Story of Marguerite Henry and Misty – Readers can learn about the author of Misty of Chincoteague and the real-life Misty.
Thomas Edison: Lighting the Way – An early reader biography.
Princess of Pets: The Snowy Reindeer (November 7) – Book 3 in the Princess of Pets series. Princess Bea rescues a reindeer and tries to keep it secret in a busy castle.
Roxy – Book 55 in the Puppy Place series. Charles helps an injured puppy as part of his science project.
Wake Up, Crabby! – Book 3 in the hilarious Crabby series from Scholastic ACORN. At bedtime, Crabby just wants to go to sleep, but Plankton has other ideas.
How Great Is Our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions about God and Science – Devotional for kids 6 to 10.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Beneath the Weeping Clouds – Book 3 in the Riders of the Realm series. Enemies and friends must work together to mount a rescue.
Legacy – Book 8 in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series. Sophie and her friends are drawn deeper into the conspiracies and mysteries surrounding her family.
The Missing (Older Middle Grade – 10-12) – A teen starts to question everything when a message in a video game ties his missing older brother to a secret government project. At the time of this writing, this book is available for free with a subscription to Kindle Unlimited.
Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Missing Adults (Graphic Novel) – Nancy and Frank and Joe team up when all of the adults in their community go missing. This sounds fun!
The Princess Who Flew With Dragons – Book 3 in the Tales from the Chocolate Heart . This time, Princess Sofia is being sent away on a diplomatic mission, and she’s fed up with being used for her sister’s political goals. But this mission – complete with exile and ice giants – doesn’t go the way anyone planned. I have this series on my wish list.
Shine! – A girl who feels there’s nothing about her that’s special finds herself in an all-school contest at her new posh prep school. I can’t wait to tell you all about this book tomorrow!
Smile, Sisters and Guts: The Boxed Set – Get all three Raina Telgemeier autobiographical graphic novels in one box set including her latest, Guts.
The Treacherous Seas – Book 2 in the Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem series by Christopher Healy, author of The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. Molly, Pepper and Emmett thought their adventures last time – you  know, when they saved New York – would get them admittance into the Inventors’ Guild. But the government decides to cover everything up, and they are left no better off than before. But then they learn of an expedition to the South Pole – where Emmett’s father disappeared years ago – and they are off on another adventure.
Wonder Under Cover – Book 3 in the Real McCoy’s series. Moxie joins the Wonder Scouts to solve a mystery and gets caught up in the hype of earning badges while her brother takes on a case of his own. I have the first book of this series on my TBR shelves. I can’t wait to read it.
Wrecking Ball – Book 14 in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. A surprise inheritance gives Greg’s family the chance to make some changes.
American Girl: Holiday Baking – Sweet Treats for Special Occasions – Includes more than 45 recipes.
Home of the Brave: An American History Book for Kids – 15 Immigrants Who Shaped U. S. History – Includes biographical information on Albert Einstein, Levi Strauss, and Nadia Comaneci.
Who Was Sam Walton? – Biography of the founder of Walmart.
A Constellation of Roses – A companion novel to The Deepest Roots. Trix has been staying on the move since her mother abandoned her, but when she stops over with some extended family she discovers the women in her family have always had special, magical gifts like hers.
Deadly Little Scandals – Sequel to Little White Lies. Sawyer has finished her Debutante year, and has chosen to stay with her grandmother and extended family for the summer, which means she’s at their lake house when the White Glove invitations arrive. While her cousin is thrilled with the opportunity to try to get into the exclusive group, Sawyer sees it as a chance to look into one more mystery that is still unsolved from 20 years ago. This was AMAZING! I’ll be reviewing it Thursday.
Every Stolen Breath – From the folks at Blink YA. After her father was killed by a mysterious, destructive group called the Swarm, Lia has suffered from PTSD compounded by her asthma. But she’s not backing down from finding out what the Swarm is up to and taking them down for good.
The Guinevere Deception – The first book in the Camelot Rising trilogy. Merlin believes Guinevere is the secret to saving Arthur and Camelot, but no one else knows her real name or her identity because Guinevere is a changeling. This sounds amazing!
Hero – Final book in the Monster trilogy and the Gone series about a group of mutants who must take down a new, unstoppable threat. This series is on my list.
The How & the Why – A girl who was adopted struggles to know who she is and where she comes from while a set of letters from her birth mother may hold the answers she seeks.
Sisters of Shadow and Light – Sisters imprisoned in a citadel behind a magical hedge are shocked the day a stranger passes through the hedge from the outside world. This sounds fascinating.
Supernova – Final book in the Renegades trilogy, a superhero series. I have book one, Renegades, on my pile of books to read.
The Toll – The third and final book in the Arc of a Scythe series. The good guys have disappeared and the series “big bad” seems to have a clear line of sight to anything and everything he desires. Our whole family will be fighting over this book when it arrives this week. We have all enjoyed this brilliant, dark, dystopian series.

 

Books for Adults – Fiction

The Angels’ Share (Hardcover) – Book 10 in the Wine Country Mystery series centers around a death at a Thanksgiving party and a 200-year-old wine.
The Bake Shop (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Amish Marketplace series. While the Bake Shop’s success is causing some trouble when her lines block access to the shop next door, Christiana and Jeffrey overcome their initial conflict and become friends. But a fire at Jeffrey’s shop – and his use of electricity – put their relationship, and Christiana’s business, in jeopardy.
Blind Search (Hardcover) – Sequel to the excellent A Borrowing of Bones. Mercy and Elvis are investigating again when a nine-year-old autistic boy gets lost in the woods and sees something disturbing and a woman is found murdered. I’ve had this on hold from the library for months. Can’t wait to dig into this book.
Boyfriends of Christmas Past (e-book) – A workaholic digital designer with a habit of working through Christmas is visited by the “ghosts” of boyfriends past. I’m eager to dive into this one, too.
The Bromance Book Club (Trade Paperback) – A baseball player on the verge of divorce discovers a secret book club for the top “alpha men” in Nashville. As the group reads a steamy Regency romance, the other book club members coach him on saving his marriage. Yes, please! This is at the top of my (very long) reading list for this week.
Cast Iron Alibi (Trade Paperback) – Book 9 in the Vintage Kitchen mystery series (with a main character who spells her name like I do!). A girls only college reunion vacation doesn’t go at all the way Jaymie envisions when the group simmers with hostility and a local with an eye on one of the ladies ends up dead. I have the first book in this series (I know, I’m so behind) on my TBR shelves.
The Chocolate Shark Shenanigans (Hardcover) – Book 17 in the Chocoholic Mystery series. Lee and her family’s plans to flip a house are interrupted when a developer outbids them after their offer had already been accepted. But when a gun is later found at the property – as well as the body of the developer – it’s time for Lee to start sleuthing again. I read several of the early books in this series, and it’s a lot of fun.
A Christmas Gathering (Hardcover) – An historical Christmas mystery from Anne Perry. The warmth of the holiday season is disrupted when Vespasia’s husband Victor is doing undercover work at the country gathering, work that reminds Victor of an unsolved case from twenty years ago.
City of Scoundrels (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Counterfeit Lady series. A wealthy man comes to Elizabeth’s fiancé Gideon for a new will to provide for his secret wife and their unborn child. But when the man is killed and his new will goes missing and his no-longer-secret wife is threatened, Elizabeth and Gideon try to protect her. That sounds fantastic!
Dead Wrong (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Agatha’s Amish B&B series. An Amish widow moves to Texas to make a success of her brother’s bed and breakfast dream after his death. When she finds a body in one of her cabins, she partners up with her neighbor, a retired detective, to investigate. Sounds fun!
Fate of the Fallen (Hardcover) – First in the Shroud of Prophecy series. When Mathias discovers he is destined to save the world, he grabs his best friend and goes all in. But over time, their allies start to turn away, feeling like they would be better off giving in to the evil forces Mathias is trying to stand against.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown (Trade Paperback) – When a chronically ill web developer is almost killed by a drunk driver, her life flashes before her eyes and she realizes it’s pretty bland and pathetic. So Chloe puts together a “get a life” list, and the super at her new apartment might be just the guy to help her cross a few items off the list. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry (Hardcover) – The latest from Mary Higgins Clark. When the women at a hot, trendy television network start making complaints of sexual misconduct, an investigative reporter starts digging into the story while the company’s in house counsel tries to pay off the ones who are complaining. But has someone gone a step further than payoffs and started killing off those who are making accusations?
Novice Dragoneer (Trade Paperback) – The story of an orphaned teen who seeks entry into a military order of dragonriders. I’ll be reviewing this one later this month. First in a new series.
Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders (Trade Paperback) – First in a new mystery series called A Woman of World War II. In 1942 in a remote village in England, the American Allies are using land as a new airfield. Not everyone in the community is comfortable with these outsiders, and those sentiments grow worse when two women from the village who were dating American pilots are found dead.
Smoke Screen (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Terri Blackstock. When they were dating as teens, Brenna’s preacher father was furious to find out she snuck out to see Nate. The subsequent argument between the teens’ dads was ugly and public. When the pastor was found dead, Nate’s dad was arrested. But now, years later, he’s been pardoned and Nate is back in town. Brenna is stunned at the pardon decision but she’s also consumed by her own problems. Can Nate and Brenna find their way through the troubles of their past and present and back to one another?
The Starless Sea (Hardcover) – A graduate student finds a mysterious book in the school library that records fantastical stories – including one from his own childhood. This launches him on a journey that takes him to an ancient and secret library – a place some would love to see destroyed.
Star Wars: Resistance Reborn (Hardcover) – Prequel to Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. After the events of The Last Jedi, the rebellion is in ruins and the First Order has all but won. If the resistance is going to survive to fight another day, they will need to find new allies and leaders.
We Met in December (Trade Paperback) – A young woman who moves into a London house share meets an intriguing man and sparks fly. But after a two-week holiday for Christmas she comes back to find him dating someone else in the house.

Books for Adults – Nonfiction

The Adventurous Eaters Club: Mastering the Art of Family Mealtime (Hardcover) – Read how these parents refused to give in to the childhood staples of chicken nuggets and mac and cheese, instead challenging their family to be adventurous eaters.
Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for Their Rights (Paperback Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel of the history of fighting for rights for women.
Conversations with RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty and Law (Hardcover) – Twenty years of conversations with Justice Ginsburg.
DC: Women of Action (Hardcover) – An overview of the women of DC, including full-color art for each character. Beautiful!
Friends Forever [25th Anniversary Edition]: The One About the Episodes (Hardcover) – Fully illustrated and authorized guide to the top 100 episodes of Friends.
The Grumble-Free Year: Twelve Months, Eleven Family Members, and One Impossible Goal (Trade Paperback) – A large family living in survival mode decides to be more intentional by eliminating grumbling from their home and cultivating more gratitude.
How to Save Your Child from Ostrich Attacks, Accidental Time Travel, and Anything Else That Might Happen on an Average Tuesday (Trade Paperback) – The latest book from the hilarious James Breakwell (on Twitter as @XplodingUnicorn). A parenting resource for those pesky questions you aren’t sure you can ask out loud. Our whole family loves Breakwell’s Twitter feed.
I Am C-3PO (Hardcover) – Autobiography of Anthony Daniels, the actor who portrays C-3PO in the Star Wars universe.
Losing My Voice to Find It: How a Rockstar Discovered His Greatest Purpose (Hardcover) – The front man for Audio Adrenaline shares the story of his journey through the loss of his singing career and his marriage and what he found on the other side.
The Meaning of Marriage: A Couple’s Devotional (Hardcover) – A devotional for couples based on the author’s book The Meaning of Marriage.
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook (Hardcover) – Inspired by the food at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney properties.
The Witches Are Coming (Hardcover) – Commentary about the contemporary culture and women, especially in the era of President Trump.

BOOK NEWS: October 15, 2019

BOOK NEWS: October 15, 2019

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

 

Buck Denver’s Big BIG Bubble: A Lesson in Courage – Buck tries to keep himself safe by living in a big bubble, but his friends have to rescue him and talk with him about courage when the bubble starts bouncing out of control.
The Crayons’ Christmas – Duncan and the crayons celebrate Christmas with this interactive Christmas book with letters to open, a game, a poster, and more.
Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment – Based on the viral photograph of young Parker mesmerized by the portrait of Michelle Obama. The illustrations on the sample pages I have seen are stellar. I can’t wait to read this one!
Pete the Cat’s Super Cool Science Fair – Book with stickers about Pete and his friends enjoying the science fair.
Sulwe – From actress Lupita Nyong’o (Black Panther’s Nakia). A young Black girl feels like her skin is too dark – darker than her family members, darker than the kids at school, dark enough to keep kids from wanting to be her friend. I’ve only seen a few sample pages, but they left me in tears. This is a hard but honest, beautiful story. I can’t wait to read the whole thing!
This Is Not That Kind of Book – New picture book from the author of the fantastic Hero’s Guide series! Just when you think you are reading one kind of story, this wild book turns in another direction. I can’t wait to read this one.
The Upper Case: Trouble in Capital City – So many good picture books out this week! This is the sequel to the terrific 7 Ate 9.  Private I is on another case when all the capital letters go missing. This is on my list, too!
All the Fun Winter Things – Book 4 in the Arnold and Louise early chapter book series. While Arnold is ready to hibernate, Louise doesn’t want him to miss all the winter fun. Darling!
DC Super Hero Girls at Metropolis High (Graphic Novel) – Launches a new look at the DC Super Hero Girls. This time the girls are getting in trouble at school for always being late (fighting criminals is rarely an after-school only activity), and they have to join a club to show some school spirit. I’m not sure how a joining a club helps with an attendance problem, but the sample pages I saw of this were great, and I am eager to dig into the whole book.
Superhero Playbook – Real life lessons for kids from their favorite fictional superheroes.
Pizza, Peanut Butter, and Pickles – The latest Fast Facts book from the world of My Weird School, this time with facts about food.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Allies – From the author of such books as Refugee and Ban this Book comes this new novel about D-Day.
Charlie Brown: All Tied Up – Comics collection
Dog Diaries: Happy Howlidays! – Book 2 in the Dog Diaries series. Junior the dog shares his story of the holidays.
The Dragon Warrior – Based on Chinese mythology. A girl and her brother go on an adventure to defeat demons and discover her destiny. Looks like this would be a good fit for Rick Riordan fans.
Give and Take – From the author of Finding Perfect and Smart Cookie (♥♥♥♥). A girl struggling with the death of her grandmother and other changes in her family starts hoarding.
Hope: Project Middle School – From actress Alyssa Milano. A bright, optimistic girl tackles middle school head on, but discovers things don’t go exactly as she planned.
The King Is Born – Book 7 in the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series focuses on the birth of Jesus.
Knock Three Times – Book 3 in the Wizards of Once series from the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series.
The Memory Keeper – A girl with a stellar memory tries to help her aging grandmother by finding the past trauma that must be the cause of her fading memory.
Naked Mole Rat Saves the World – Sometimes without warning kit (with a small k) turns into a naked mole rat. It started when her best friend was hurt in an acrobatic performance – in fact, both girls changed that day, inside and out. I am curious about this one!
The Perfect Star – The kids from the Perfect Score series by Rob Buyea (Because of Mr. Terupt) are back for their 8th grade year. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky – First in a new series from the imprint Rick Riordan Presents. This one focuses on African-American folk heroes and West African mythology. A boy who lost his best friend in a bus accident is not looking forward to “recovering” at his grandparents’ house in Alabama. But when a weird creature steals the only thing he has from his best friend, he chases after it and finds himself in a fight to save the world.
Wings of Fire: The Hidden Kingdom Graphic Novel – The graphic novel version of the third book in the original Wings of Fire series. I have enjoyed both of the books in this graphic novel series so far.
What Is the Story of Doctor Who? AND What Is the Story of The Wizard of Oz? – Read about the stories behind the Doctor Who franchise and The Wizard of Oz.
Fireborne – Book one in a new series about two orphans who are on the path to becoming dragon riders when the enemies of their world rise up to drag the world back to the old ways. As lines are drawn and one of the teens is drawn back toward the family he lost, they will have to decide if the family they have forged together will be more important than what they left in the past. This sounds great! My library has already bought this one for the collection.
Jackpot – From the author of Dear Martin (♥♥♥♥). A teen who sold the winning lottery ticket at her gas station job tries to track down the winner who hasn’t cashed in his/her prize.
The Never Tilting World – After generations of twin rulers, a rift splits a pair of sisters so that one ends up ruling the dark half of their planet while the other rules in perpetual sunlight. Each has a daughter who is sent out on a quest that might be just what the world needs to be united again. I’ve requested this one from the library.
Our Wayward Fate – A Taiwanese girl who hides behind a bland existence to blend in and avoid harassment finds a kindred spirit in the new boy at school who is also Taiwanese. But when the two start dating, the girl’s mother tells her to end the relationship. As the girl digs into her mother’s past to find out why, she uncovers family secrets. Sounds great!
War Girls – In a future war-torn Nigeria, two sisters dream of a life beyond the existence that’s been handed to them. Our library has already bought this one, too!
Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs who Mean Business – Highlights the women CEOs of companies like Spanx, 23andMe, Soul Cycle and more. I bet this book will be inspiring! I’ve requested this one from the library.

Books for Adults

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols: Adapted from the Journals of John H. Watson, M. D. (Hardcover) – Holmes and Watson board the Orient Express to investigate the death of a British Secret Service agent who had proof of a secret society determined to take over the world.
The Art of Theft (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Lady Sherlock series. Charlotte Holmes finds herself at a Yuletide Ball trying to secure the secrets posted behind a work of art that is about to be sold. This sounds terrific – an unusual premise!
Better Watch Out (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery series. A Christmas parade participant who is determined to publicly share her own “Santa’s Naughty List” is found dead, and Merry is sleuthing for a killer.
Christmas Angels (Trade Paperback) – A woman longs to return her grandparents’ inn to its former glory, and her neighbor – who had a huge crush on her when they were kids – is eager to help, but an accident leaves the woman wondering if she has made a huge mistake.
Christmas Shopaholic (Hardcover) – The Shopaholic is stuck hosting Christmas when things take a turn towards disaster.
The Devil’s Own Game (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Somebody’s Bound to Wind Up Dead mystery series. After winning the lottery and falling in love, Tom and Allie have started a detective agency. And it’s becoming obvious that someone is still bitter about the couple’s good fortune. I haven’t read book 2 yet, but I am eager to get caught up on this series. I got such a kick out of the first book!
Finding Christmas (Hardcover/Trade Paperback) – Trying to help her boyfriend out of his Scrooge-ish slump, Emmie plans a Christmas scavenger hunt that will lead him to Christmas Point where she has planned a romantic weekend. But the wrong guy has been picking up her clues! This is at the top of my list for this week.
The Guardians (Hardcover) – The latest from John Grisham. A man convicted of a murder he didn’t commit has been languishing in jail for 22 years when he reaches out to the Guardians, a nonprofit that takes on a few innocence cases a year. But there are powerful people committed to keeping their secrets and keeping this man in jail for the rest of his life. I haven’t cared for the recent Grisham books, but this one sounds like one I might have to try.
Murder in Black Tie (e-book) – Book 4 in the High Society Lady Detective series where murder at a black tie event puts Olive on the case to protect her cousin Peter. These look fun!
Owl Be Home for Christmas (Hardcover) – Book 26 in the delightful Meg Langslow Mystery series! A Christmas-time conference on owls ends in a snow storm – and murder. I can’t wait to read this one! I have read every book in this series, including the 5 previous Christmas books. I love this series!
Read and Buried (Hardcover) – Book 6 in the Lighthouse Library series. When repair work to the library digs up a Civil-War era diary and a coded map, people just can’t stay away from the library or the artifact. When murder follows, Lucy is drawn into sleuthing again.
Be More RGB: Speak Truth and Dissent with Supreme Style (Hardcover gift book) – Includes quotes and inspirational stories about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation (Trade Paperback) – A guide to help Christians pursue racial reconciliation and be leaders of the process for their communities.
Creative Cookie Decorating: Buttercream Frosting Designs and Tips for Every Occasion (Hardcover) – ‘Tis the season for holiday baking! Includes detailed instructions, instrument lists, and pictures.
Double Blessing: How to Get it, How to Give It (Hardcover) – The latest from Mark Batterson is based on the idea that the first blessing is what God gives to us and the “double” is what we give back to God.
Hello, Cookie Dough: 110 Doughlicious Confections to Eat, Bake & Share (Hardcover) – Safe to eat cookie dough as well as recipes to bake. This looks like a fantastic resource – lots of clear instructions, photos, etc.
Live in Grace, Walk in Love: A 365-Day Journey (Hardcover devotional) – The latest from Bob Goff (Love Does)
Rachel Ray 50: Memories and Meals from a Sweet and Savory Life: A Cookbook (Hardcover) – Memoir and cookbook combined.
Surviving the Great Indoors: A Baby Blues Collection (Paperback Comics Collection) – Comics collection.
To Hell with the Hustle: Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent and Overconnected World (Trade Paperback) – Embrace the slow, relaxed pace of Jesus.
Whole 30 Friends & Family: 150 Recipes for Every Social Occasion (Hardcover) – Entertaining on Whole 30.
Whole in One: Complete, Healthy Meals in a Single Pot, Sheet Pan or Skillet (Hardcover) – One pot/skillet meals.