Tag: May New releases

Happy May! I don’t know about you, but April was jam packed for me, so I have high hopes for a more relaxing May. Here are some of the new books releasing this week that I am excited about.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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The Marvellers – A middle grade debut by the author of The Belles. The first magic user of her kind at the Arcanum Training Institute, Ella initially encounters mistrust before finding her people. But when a dangerous criminal escapes prison with help from someone like Ella, and then her favorite teacher disappears, Ella starts investigating things for herself. I have this on my library wishlist.
Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game – Fans of the fantastic Mr. Lemoncello series can now go back and read about a teen Luigi Lemoncello. This is on my library list as well.
The Agathas – Two young women use the collected works of Agatha Christie to help them solve the mystery of a missing girl in their own town. This is on my review list for later this month.

 

Books for Adults

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Blame It on the Brontës (Trade Paperback) – Athena returns to her home town – and daily run-ins with her ex – in her quest to find a reclusive author (who is writing spicy retellings of classics) she is writing about in order to keep her job as an English Professor. This is waiting in my shopping cart right now.
Book Lovers (Trade Paperback) – This new novel by Emily Henry focuses on a cut-throat literary agent who goes on vacation determined to reinvent herself as the heroine of her own story. Instead she keeps running into an editor she knows – and loathes – from the city. Another for the library list!
By the Book (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Meant to Be series after If the Shoe Fits (which is still on my review list from last year). This series of fairy tale re-imaginings is right up my alley! A young woman feelings stuck in her publishing job decides to take charge of her own destiny by wrangling a delinquent author into completing his manuscript. But his beastly behavior is more of a challenge than she expected. *add to cart*
Claws for Suspicion (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the delightful Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. When Kari’s ex comes to town with the news that their divorce was never finalized he tells her this means he is entitled to half of her lottery winnings – but he’d settle for the land where her beloved rescue sits. Sure she’s upset, but she would never resort to murder! But that’s not what the police think. You can read my review of this one here.
The Dachshund Wears Prada (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Dogs in the City romcom series. After a social media disaster, an influencer settles for a job as a dogsitter for a foul-tempered dachshund with an owner who is just as prickly. Yes, please!
Double Twist (Trade Paperback) – After accidentally marrying a drug kingpin, Mia is eager to get her life back on the straight and narrow. But then she and some new friends stumble across a body. Then, when a friend is suspected of murder, Mia decides to dust off the skills of her old life to clear their name. I have already pre-ordered this one.
The Homewreckers (Hardcover) – A young widow falls in love with a money pit of a house. To help her stay afloat after a series of disasters she agrees to star in a reality show where she ends up embroiled in a mystery. I am thrilled so many of the books on my list this week are already on order with my library. This is on my wishlist there, too.
The Murder of Mr. Wickham (Trade Paperback) – Jane Austen’s Mr. Wickham is murdered at a house party, and Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy team up to solve the mystery.  Another for the library list!
Tear Down the Throne (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the fabulous Gargoyle Queen series, a spin off from the Crown of Shards series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week, so all I will say now is that the new book is just as fantastic as its predecessors.
The Wedding Season (Trade Paperback) – When Freya’s wedding – the first of 8 on her calendar for the year – is called off, she can’t imagine how she will survive watching happy couples all year while she feels devastated. So her friends devise a series of challenges for her to complete at the various weddings. Yet one more for the library list!
The Joy of Reading (Paperback – Professional Development) – When I was teaching, my go to resource for all things reading was Donalyn Miller. This is her latest book and I will be reviewing it soon. For now I’ll just say she never disappoints!

It’s the final release week of May – let’s take a look at the new books out this week.

Books for Kids

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Memory Jars – While Freda can save her favorite blueberries for later by turning them into jam, she discovers she can’t save all of her favorite things the same way.
Good Dog: Fireworks Night – Book 4 in the Good Dog series. Bo’s friend Scrapper isn’t a fan of summer fireworks.
Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell (Graphic Novel) – First in a new graphic novel series starring the delightful Scaredy Squirrel.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Diana and the Underworld Odyssey – Sequel to Diana and the Island of No Return. Diana goes toe-to-toe against Hades and an unexpected villain when Artemis brings word that children are going missing from around the world. I enjoyed the first book, and the two chapter teaser I read for this one was fantastic! This is on my list for this week.
How to Become a Planet – A girl struggling with depression makes a plan to help her get back to “normal” so she doesn’t have to move to the city with her dad.
Marvel-Verse Loki (Older Middle Grade, comics collection) – Part of a collection of books focused on one or two Marvel characters at a time. This book collects pieces of 5 or 6 comics (100+ pages) that focus on Loki. This one is on my list.
Aetherbound – The latest from E. K. Johnston. When her family starts to view her as a waste of food on their long space voyage thanks to a genetic mutation, Pendt sneaks off ship and joins the Brannick twins in a scheme to take over a space station and create their own destiny. I have had this on my list for months.
Every Body Shines: Sixteen Stories About Living Fabulously Fat – An anthology featuring fat main characters.
The Ivies – The Ivies at Claflin Academy are five young women determined to get into an Ivy League university – by any means necessary.
Not My Problem (LGBTQ+) – When Aideen agrees to help a peer who is overwhelmed with her extracurriculars – by pushing her down the stairs so she sprains her ankle – she finds herself getting approached by more kids at school who need her fixing abilities. I am intrigued by this one!
Pumpkin (LGBTQ+) – A companion novel to Dumplin’. Waylon is biding his time until he can leave his small home town. But when he throws caution to the wind and creates an audition tape for a TV drag show, his whole school ends up seeing it and someone nominates him for prom queen. When his twin sister’s girlfriend is also nominated to be prom king, the two decide to team up and throw the prank back in their classmates’ faces. This is on my library list.
Sixteen Scandals – When Prim decides to go rogue on her 16th birthday, her plan almost blows up in her face. But she is rescued by a mysterious stranger – who isn’t who he says he is. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

 

Books for Adults

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The Apocalypse Seven (Trade Paperback) – Seven strangers in a post-apocalyptic Cambridge, Massachusetts, fight for their lives and for answers as to what happened to the world around them.
Beyond a Reasonable Donut (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Deputy Donut Mystery series. Emily and Nina are working at the Friday the 13th festival when a string of bad luck hits – stolen product, stolen cash, vandalism, and murder.
Chasing Romeo (Trade Paperback) – First in a new series. A psychic points Chloe at her soul mate, but there’s one problem. It could be one of seven men, and she only has a week to find him. Chloe hires a private investigator to help her search – and he doesn’t believe in love or soul mates. This sounds fun!
Death in Bloom (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Flower House Mystery series. Sierra is licking her wounds after trying to launch a singing career in Nashville. Working at the Flower House is just a stop-gap measure – until someone drops dead and the shop owner disappears, leaving Sierra to manage the shop and his Corgi pup.
The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit (Hardcover) – Book 14 in the Domestic Diva series. Sophie is working a home decorating festival when her friend Nina calls needing a ride from the airport. When one of Nina’s traveling companions later turns up dead, Sophie is sleuthing again.
The Guncle (Hardcover, LGBTQ+) – “Gay Uncle Patrick” finds himself temporary guardian of his niece and nephew when their mother dies and his brother has a health crisis. While he’s a great uncle on short visits, taking over full-time parenting is a whole new ballgame.
Hang the Moon (Trade Paperback, LGBTQ+) – A dating app creator – and true believer in love and OTPs – reconnects with his childhood crush who has no interest in romance and is just biding her time until she leaves the country.
Heart & Seoul (Trade Paperback) – A random comment at her adoptive father’s funeral sends Hara to Seoul to look for her roots. I have this on my library list already.
How to Find a Princess (Mass Market Paperback, LGBTQ+) – Book 2 in the Runaway Royals series by Alyssa Cole. Makeda has grown up with her grandmother’s stories about a fling with the prince of Ibarania, but now an investigator has shown up looking for the long-lost heir. She plans to take Makeda back to Ibarania, but the situation is more fraught than either of them realize. I adored Cole’s Reluctant Royals series, but I haven’t been able to dig into this series yet.
The Invisible Husband of Frick Island (Trade Paperback) – When her husband’s boat capsized and his body was never found, Piper carried on like nothing happened, like he was still by her side all the time. A journalist on the island for a fluff piece stumbles onto the story of an entire island pretending to interact with an invisible man and thinks it is the career-making story he’s been looking for. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Legacy (Hardcover) – When Adrian was 7, she met her father for the first time, when he tried to kill her. Now, as an adult, she is receiving menacing messages and death threats. Her mother dismisses them, and Adrian starts to think they are nothing – and then the murders start. I already have this one on hold at the library!
Murder at St. Winifred’s Academy (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Ferrera Family Mystery series. When a Hollywood starlet from the 50s is found dead in her dressing room for a production of Arsenic and Old Lace, Alberta is the only one who thinks the death is suspicious.
Murder in a Scottish Garden (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Scottish Shire Mystery series. Paislee is on the case when a man is murdered at an estate while her son’s class is there for a field trip.
Pint of No Return (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Shake Shop Mystery series. Trinidad takes over one of her ex’s business locations to open her shake shop even though she knows it means living in the same town as his other two ex-wives. But when a neighboring business owner is found dead, and one of the other ex’s is the prime suspect, Trinidad starts investigating.
The Preacher’s Daughter (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Infamous Amish series. Planning to leave town to escape her father’s shame, Elizabeth takes a temporary position helping an elderly Amish woman. But when the woman’s grandson returns, with his own difficult history with the law, sparks fly.
Scorpion (Hardcover) – A grieving spy throws herself into her next assignment – tracking a serial killer/assassin who leaves numeric codes on his victims’ bodies.
Star Trek Year Five: Weaker Than Man (Paperback Graphic Novel) – Collects comics 13 through 19 of this series about Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise.
The Stepsisters (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Susan Mallery centers around rival stepsisters who respond to a plea for help from the younger sister they have in common. But while the tensions between them start to thaw, one thoughtless act could undo all the progress they have made. This sounds fascinating!
Talk Bookish to Me (Trade Paperback) – A struggling novelist finds inspiration when her infuriating first love shows up in the wedding party she is in. But if she is going to finish this book, she might have to give into old feelings and take another chance with her heart.
The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism (Trade Paperback) – A frank and funny primer on menopause. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

 

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

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Nerdycorn – A STEAM-minded unicorn, tired of being teased for being different, has to decide if she will fix the equipment and save the Sparkle Dance Party for the unicorns who have been so mean to her.
Fox Tails: The Giant Ice Cream Mess – When their mom says the fox siblings can only have one scoop of ice cream each, how will they choose what flavors to get?
Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs After Dark (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of the first Magic Tree House book.
Pixie Tricks: The Pet Store Sprite – Violet teams up with her cousin Leon to send a water sprite back to the Otherworld.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Bravelands: Shadows on the Mountain – First in the new Bravelands: Curse of the Sandtongue series. While the different animals usually keep to their own kind, all of the animals will need to step up against a terrifying new evil in their home.
Jude Banks, Superhero – Jude feels responsible for the death of his favorite person, his sister Katie. While Jude and his family wrestle with their grief, Jude meets Clementine who also lost a sibling. But while Katie always called Jude a “superhero,” he’s not sure he can help save Clementine. This is on my list for this week.
Just Pretend (Graphic Novel) – A girl going through a lot of changes – friendships, living in two different homes after her parents’ divorce – uses her stories and writing to help her adjust. This looks perfect for fans of Emmie and Friends, Smile (♥♥♥♥), Real Friends (♥♥♥♥), etc.
Kate In Between – Looking for a fresh start, Kate joins a group of popular girls at school, even though they are targeting her childhood friend. Kate manages to stop their latest cruelty, which could have killed Haddie. When video of the incident goes viral, Kate is viewed as a hero. But she knows she was really part of the problem. Does she keep her true involvement a secret and hope no one finds out? Or does she risk it all for the truth?
Not All Heroes – Zinnia’s family have moved to a new community to give them a fresh start after the death of her younger brother. And in this new town Zinnia finds real friends who, like her, want to make a big difference. But when the Reality Shifters start to lose their way, can Zinnia help them find their way again? This sounds awesome!
Ophie’s Ghosts – On that awful night in 1922 when Ophie lost her father and her home, she discovered she can see ghosts. Now her mother has gotten her a job as a maid in an old mansion, and Ophie is privy to the history and secrets of the old manor thanks to the ghosts she encounters there.
Taking Up Space – The author tackles disordered eating in this book about a girl who is struggling at home and on the basketball court when her mother forgets to feed her. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
That Thing About Bollywood – When their parents are struggling and might be breaking up, Sonali’s brother copes by constantly crying, something Sonali would never do. But when Sonali gets upset during a field trip, she breaks into song like she’s in a Bollywood show. Soon everyone in Sonali’s life is breaking into song like that’s completely normal. Somehow Sonali’s mis-managed emotions have caused this shift in her world. And she isn’t sure how to fix it. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Turtle in Paradise (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of the original story.
Don’t Breathe a Word – In 1962, six students at Hardwick went into the bomb shelter, but only five came out. Decades later, outsider Eva is asked to join the elite Fives, a secret society at Hardwick charged with keeping the school’s many secrets. Sounds fascinating!
Enduring Freedom – Two young men – one a studious Afghan teen, the other a young American soldier – meet on the streets of Afghanistan after the events of 9/11 where they find they have more in common than they might have guessed. But can they ever be true friends and allies considering the worlds they come from? From the author of If You’re Reading This (♥♥♥♥).
It Goes Like This (LGBTQ+) – When their hometown is devastated by storms, four ex-best friends and bandmates reunite for one last show. This is on my list for this week.
Last Chance Books – When a chain bookstore moves in across the street from her family’s book shop, Madeline declares war on the shop and the bookseller who is taking all of her customers. This is on my library list.
Made in Korea – She wants to take her halmeoni (grandmother) to Paris. He needs to pay for the music school he knows his parents won’t support. They are each trying to make money from selling Korean cosmetics at school. As they compete to be the best business at school, sparks fly between the two rivals. I have this on my library list, too.
Off the Record – A young journalist finds herself in over her head when she wins the chance to do a celebrity profile which puts her in the position to hear scandalous stories from woman after woman. Now she’ll have to decide what to do with the secrets she has learned. This is another one on my library list.
Shipped – Real life rivals at school are unknown friends in their online fandom. As they get closer to a cosplay meetup at a local con, their rivalry at school heats up with a scholarship at stake and a class project that could show them how much they actually have in common. YES, please! This one I actually have on hold already at the library. It sounds right up my alley.
Tokyo Ever After – First in a new series. Izzy discovers her previously unknown father is the Crown Prince of Japan. But being a princess also means dealing with scheming relatives, the weight of centuries of tradition, and a cranky bodyguard who could be so much more. This sounds fun, too! This is such a great month for readers. TONS of books to enjoy.

 

Books for Adults

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An Amish Surprise (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Berlin Bookmobile series. Miriam is afraid she is losing her husband over her inability to have children. When she discovers she is pregnant, she’s afraid to tell him right away in case she miscarries again, so instead she turns to the librarian who runs the Berlin Bookmobile for pregnancy books. But Calvin, who is not falling for another woman, has a secret of his own. This is a must-read for me.
The Break-Up Book Club (Trade Paperback) – Four women who seem to have little in common on paper bond over the struggles of life through their book club. This is another one for my list.
The Soulmate Equation (Hardcover) – The latest from Christina Lauren. A struggling single mom has sworn off dating until a new DNA-based matchmaking company catches her attention. And they find her a 98% match. Unfortunately it’s to the company’s grouchy co-founder. Jess is NOT interested. But the company offers to pay her to give the match a little more time, and she needs the money. This sounds fun. I’ll definitely be picking this one up at some point.
Star Trek Discovery: Wonderlands (Trade Paperback) – Find out what happened for Michael Burnham in the year she was waiting for Discovery in the future. I cannot WAIT for this one!
The Summer Seekers (Trade Paperback) – An eighty-year-old woman longing for adventure instead of the residential home her daughter wants her in goes on a road trip with a young twenty-something who is struggling to get her own life together.
Star Wars Mandalorian: Guide to Season One (Hardcover) – A behind-the-scenes look at season one of The Mandalorian.

 

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

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Bedtime for Bad Kitty – Bad Kitty is doing everything she can to keep from going to bed.
How to Apologize – Hilarious examples accompany instructions for how to make a sincere apology. This looks adorable!
Oh Look, A Cake! – When they find a cake, Sloth thinks they should tell all their friends, but Lemur wants to keep the cake to themselves.
Turtle in a Tree – Two dogs argue over what is hidden in a tree in this book about listening to other perspectives.
The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken – A mama worm wants to remember her children’s childhood, so she decides they should have their picture taken. But when one of the young worms tries to “fix” her family to make them photo-ready, she discovers how great they are just being themselves.
Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best Friend – First in a new chapter book series starring a young Ojibwe girl working through friend issues.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Alice Fleck’s Recipes for Disaster (Older Middle Grade) – When her father’s girlfriend enters Alice and her dad into a cooking competition, Alice isn’t sure she is ready for everyone to know about her hobby of cooking dishes from history. But during the competition, she also stumbles into a mystery. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Dog Squad – First in a new series by Chris Grabenstein. Fred, an “average” dog, gets the chance to be a stand in for Duke, the star of DOG SQUAD. But sometimes the adventures continue off screen. Is Fred brave enough to step up when real life trouble comes his way?
Kate the Chemist: Birthday Blastoff – Book 4 in the Kate the Chemist series. Kate is double booked with a birthday party for her brother and a science club event. And in her effort to do both, she forgets to pick up the cake for the party. Can science help her save the day?
Rule of Threes (Older Middle Grade) – A girl who loves interior design and living life by a plan has her plans up-ended when her family takes in her half-brother whose mother is struggling with addiction. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Shape of Thunder – Two girls, best friends, at least until the shooting. Now they are lost in their own grief. Then Quinn leaves Cora a note that she has decided the only way to move forward is to first go back in time and keep her brother from doing what he did. This is at the top of my list for this week!
Thanks a Lot Universe (Older Middle Grade, LGBTQ+) – Brian is newly placed in foster care with his brother and suffering from panic attacks. Ezra is trying to be a good friend to all the kids on his basketball team, including Brian, but he doesn’t want anyone to know he has a crush on Brian. But when Brian and his brother run away, Ezra decides to take a chance and reach out. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Awesome Book of Edible Experiments for Kids – New from Kate the Chemist. Includes 25 recipes/experiments for kids that dig into the ways cooking is like science and the impact of different ingredients on a recipe (like baking powder vs baking soda or brown sugar vs white sugar). Sounds fabulous!
Stamped for Kids: Racism, Anti-Racism, and You – A version of Stamped from the Beginning adapted for kids by authors Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds.
What Is Congress? 
Who Is RuPaul?
Baby & Solo – Joel is hoping to keep his past a secret while following his therapist’s instructions to get a job. He starts working at a video store (the book is set in the 1990s) where he gets a nickname (“Solo”) and connects with his first real friend, “Baby.” But everything is at risk when his secrets are exposed. I am really curious about this one.
From Little Tokyo with Love – Rika, an orphan, believes America’s romcom sweetheart could be her mother. But her search for clues could leave her disappointed. I am looking forward to this new book from Sarah Kuhn, author of the Heroine Complex series (Heroine Complex ♥♥♥♥) as well as Shadow of the Batgirl.
Lucky Girl – When an underage teen buys a winning lottery ticket, she has to figure out how to claim her prize without losing it to her hoarder mother or her scheming ex. And while she works on a solution, neighbor turns against neighbor as the community wonders who the winner is. I love a good lottery story! I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Lucy Clark Will Not Apologize – After being bullied for ages, Lucy finally pushes back and finds herself kicked out of her boarding school and sent to Manhattan to be a companion to an eccentric woman who believes someone is trying to kill her. Yep, this is on my list.
The Burning: Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 (Young Readers Edition) – A YA edition of this book that shares the history and impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Books for Adults

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Aftermath (Trade Paperback) – When a former military service member is accused of a terrorist act and insists he is being framed, his childhood best friend agrees to defend him even though it puts her entire career in jeopardy.
Competitive Grieving (Hardcover) – Wren’s closest friend is dead and his mother has put her in charge of disseminating his possessions, which is no small feat. Stewart was a rising TV star and everyone wants a piece of him, even in death.
Deadly Ever After (Hardcover) – Book 8 in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. While Lucy and Connor are celebrating their engagement, Lucy’s ex – and his mother – arrive to convince Lucy to take him back. Lucy agrees to a dinner party with them, counting on their subsequent return to Boston, but a body is discovered at the restaurant.
Hooked on You (Trade Paperback) – First in the Maple Falls Romance series. Riley may be a struggling artist in NYC, but she’s working hard to give the impression of having it all together. When her grandmother breaks her leg in a softball game, Riley agrees to come back to Maple Falls and help out. While Riley is itching to get back to her life in the city, her grandmother is matchmaking.
Peaches and Schemes (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Georgia B&B Mystery series. Nina hopes to expand her business by tapping into the destination wedding market. But when a friend is murdered during a bridal expo, Nina and Harry start investigating.
People We Meet on Vacation (Trade Paperback) – Best friends Poppy and Alex have been inseparable since they met on a ride share in college. In fact, every summer they take a week’s vacation together – until two years ago when they ruined everything. While they haven’t spoken since, Poppy knows that summer was the last time she was truly happy, so she asks Alex to take one more vacation together. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Raiders of the Campsite (e-book, May 13) – Book 3 in the Southwest Exposure Mystery series. Andie is the guide for a spring break camping trip where someone is attacked and a dead body is found.
That Summer (Hardcover) – Daisy knows she should be happy with the life she has, but she is still not sleeping and feels something is just not right. Then she starts receiving emails meant for someone else with a much more glamorous life. When the two women meet, Daisy discovers their connection wasn’t exactly an accident. I am intrigued by this one!
While Justice Sleeps (Hardcover) – A brilliant young law clerk finds herself in dizzying circumstances when the Supreme Court justice she works for slips into a coma and she finds she has been named his guardian and power of attorney. The justice has left behind research into a case that could have far-reaching implications on the world as we know it. As Avery digs into the clues left by the justice, she finds herself in harm’s way. By author and political activist Stacey Abrams. This is also on my list for this week.

Happy May!! There are a TON of new books releasing this week – I couldn’t even fit all of the ones I wanted into this list. My library holds list is maxing out this week! Let’s take a look:

Books for Kids – Board Books and Picture Books

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The Crayons’ Book of Feelings (Board Book) – Board book about feelings starring the delightful characters from The Day the Crayons Quit.
The Bruce Swap – Bruce’s friends start to think he is never any fun, but when Bruce goes fishing without telling anyone and his fun cousin shows up unexpectedly for a visit, they start to think Bruce might have a fun side after all. I can’t wait to read this one!
Hair Twins – A father helps his daughter with her hair every day, but her favorite look is when hers matches his joora which he wears under his turban. Pair this with Hair Love.
I Am the Shark – A group of sharks talk about what makes them all different, but still great. This will be a HUGE hit!
30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag – The story of the restoration of the flag that hung across from Ground Zero in the days following 9/11. This will be a fascinating story!
I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids – An alphabet book celebrating and honoring Black children. This looks beautiful!

Books for Kids – Early Readers and Chapter Books

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Sabrina Sue Loves the Sea – A barnyard chicken longs to visit the sea in this new Early Reader.
The Invincible Girls Club: Home Sweet Forever Home AND Art with Heart – The first two books in the new Invincible Girls Club series about a group of girls and their acts of empowerment. In the first book, the girls help senior shelter animals. In the second, they deal with bullying.
Let’s Go Swimming! – Book 4 in the Hello, Hedgehog! series. Hedgehog and Harry head to the pond to cool down on a hot day, but Harry is not yet ready to swim underwater.
Pea, Bee, & Jay: Lift Off – Book 3 in this early graphic novel series. When some super cool birds show up at the farm and invite Jay to join them in their games, he needs to learn to fly as soon as possible.
Unicorn Academy Nature Magic: Lily and Feather AND Phoebe and Shimmer – The first two books in this new chapter book series (a sub-series of Unicorn Academy) about  the environment. In both books, the girls and their unicorns are facing some unusual weather that endangers Unicorn Island.
The Story of Kamala Harris AND The Story of Nelson Mandela – Two new chapter book biographies.
She Persisted: Nellie Bly – A chapter book biography.
Sofia Valdez’s Big Project Book for Awesome Activists – Sofia Valdez, one of the Questioneers, shares a collection of projects with kids centered around activism, government, and politics.  

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens

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The Adventure Is Now – An ostracized kid gets the chance to be the naturalist he always wanted to be (and the one he gets to pretend to be in a video game) when his parents ship him off to an uncle who is a researcher on an island in peril. But if Milton and his new friends can decipher the clues in a field guide, they might be able to make a difference. This sounds terrific!
Bea Is for Blended – A girl negotiates the blending of her family while also fighting for a girls soccer team at school. I’ll be reviewing this one soon. (Sneak Peek – It’s AMAZING!)
Best Nerds Forever – A group of “nerds” band together when one of their own is targeted. This is on my list for this week.
Finding Junie Kim – Junie uses a history assignment where she interviews her grandparents about the Korean War to help her find her voice to fight back against racism at her middle school. I’ve heard rave reviews of this one!
Glitter Gets Everywhere – When Kitty’s mom dies, her dad decides to move their family from London – where all of her memories of her mom are – to New York.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Road Trip – The kids head out on a road trip to a High School Musical convention.
I Speak Boy (Older Middle Grade) – An Emma (Jane Austen) retelling. When Emmy’s matchmaking attempts go awry, a mysterious new app on her phone helps her to understand boys.
The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter: Narwhal I’m Around – Book 2 in this series about a boy who is cursed to be visited by ghostly animals looking for his help. In this book, Rex is trying to solve the death of a narwhal. This series sounds delightfully quirky!
The Last Fallen Star – A new debut from Rick Riordan Presents. When her non-magical adopted sister, Riley, feels like an outsider in their community, Hattie devises a plan to share her magic with her. But when the plan backfires and Hattie’s life is hanging in the balance, Riley is sent on a quest to find the “last fallen star,” whatever that is, to save her sister.
The Last Shadow Warrior – Described as Percy Jackson meets Thor. Abby is a young Aesir who has been training to hunt Grendel when she finds out a Grendel is hunting her instead, but no one believes her. When Abby goes on a quest to discover the truth about what happened to her parents and  what’s after her, she discovers a sinister plot. Yes, please! This is at the very top of my list for the week.
Metropolis Grove (Graphic Novel) – Everyone in Metropolis Grove knows Superman isn’t real. But a new-comer convinces a couple kids to believe when they discover a cave full of memorabilia. But they are in for some surprises about their discovery. This sounds fun!
The Mouse Watch: Underwater – Book 2 in the fun Mouse Watch series. Bernie and Jarvis are now level one agents and are sent on a mission to find a lost spy vessel under the sea.
Truly Tyler – Book 5 in the Emmie & Friends series. Tyler is feeling torn between art and basketball when he teams up on an art assignment with Emmie. You can read my full review here.
Wings of Fire: Forge Your Dragon World – An interactive journal for fans of the Wings of Fire series.
Basher Science: Pandemic – A mini Basher book about Covid-19.
Give This Book a Cover – An interactive book full of writing and drawing prompts by Jarrett Lerner.
A Kid’s Guide to Fandom: Exploring Fan-Fic, Cosplay, Gaming, Podcasting, and More in the Geek World – A celebration and how-to guide for fandom, including history and artist spotlights. This looks awesome!
Star Wars Galactic Baking: The Official Cookbook of Sweet and Savory Treats from Tatooine, Hoth, and Beyond – A Star Wars-themed cookbook releasing on May the Fourth (Be With You)/Star Wars Day? Brilliant marketing plan!
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy (Older Middle Grade) – A frank conversation about race and racism  for kids 10 and up from the creator behind the Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man videos and book. I’ll be reviewing this one soon – it’s exceptionally good!

Books for Teens/Young Adults

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10 Truths and a Dare – A companion novel to 10 Blind Dates. Olivia discovers she is half a credit short for graduation, and she needs to fix things before her family finds out. You can read my full review here.
Better Than the Movies – A girl looking for her romcom moment with the crush who got away starts to fall for the annoying neighbor who is supposed to be helping her get her crush. This sounds fun! I have this one on hold at the library already.
Blade of Secrets – Book 1 in the new Bladesmith series by the author of the fantastic The Shadows Between Us. A young magical blacksmith makes a sword that can steal secrets. But when she discovers what a warlord plans to do with it, she and her sister flee, trying to keep the sword safe until they can find someone worthy to wield it. I have this on hold as well!
Counting Down with You – When her parents return to Bangladesh for a month, Karina agrees to ignore their rules in order to fake-date the “bad boy” she’s been tutoring at school. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Ember of Night – The protagonist is biding her time until she turns 18 and can take her sister and build a better life, but then she’s caught up in a battle between Heaven and Hell. I have this one on my list for the week.
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry – When Quinn’s journal of lists, including all the things that scare her, goes missing, and one of her lists gets posted on IG for the whole school to see, she is blackmailed by the thief to face her greatest fears. I have this one on hold as well.
The Fourth Kinetic: Clairvoyants – Kinetics are Clairvoyants who can move things with their minds, and Rion is one, although he doesn’t know there are others in the world. When Rion is separated from the mother who has protected him, he finds himself on the run from military forces who want to exterminate him. I’m intrigued by this one which is supposed to be more about Rion’s journey to self-discovery than good vs evil.
Hurricane Summer – Tilla’s father regularly leaves their family to return to his home in Jamaica. When Tilla gets a chance to spend the summer there, she hopes to discover what keeps drawing him there, but secrets and a hurricane bring unexpected challenges to her trip.
Meet Cute Diary (LGBTQ+) – Noah is the author of a popular blog of trans happily-ever-after stories, but all of his stories are fake. When a troll tries to expose the truth, Noah finds a friend, Drew, who is willing to fake date him to save these stories which have become important to so many people. I’ve got this one on hold, too.
Realm Breaker – I am a sucker for a book with a sword on the cover! This is the first book in a new series by the author of Red Queen (♥♥♥♥). An unlikely band of heroes go up against an army that wants to burn their world to the ground. I am intrigued by this one, but it’s described as “monster fiction” which isn’t always a good fit for me. I’ll probably wait and see about this one.
Take Me Home Tonight – Two girls plan to spend one glorious night in New York City, but everything that can go wrong with their plan does. Someone at my local library loves me because they already have this one for me to request. *place hold*
They Better Call Me Sugar: My Journey from the Hood to the Hardwood – An autobiography from WNBA star, Sugar Rodgers.

Books for Adults

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Arsenic and Adobo (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series. When her ex drops dead right after a confrontation in her family’s restaurant, Lila becomes the prime suspect for his murder. This is on my library wish list – my hold list is full!
The Bookshop of Second Chances (Trade Paperback) – When Thea’s life is falling apart, her inheritance of a cottage and antique book collection in Scotland sounds like a perfect escape. And she loves everything about the cottage and the area – except the cranky bookseller she’s trying to get to buy the book collection. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
For Batter or Worse (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 13 in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. Mel, Joe, and their friends have their minds on weddings until a murder interrupts the plans.
The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 7 in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. Pen turns to her ghostly PI friend when an old painting seems cursed.
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes (Trade Paperback) Book 1 in a new series. Toni tries out for an up-and-coming band, The Lillys, but the ex who broke her heart is moonlighting as their manager. This is on my wish list, too.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Illustrated (Hardcover) – An illustrated version of the classic novel.
The Jam and Jelly Nook (Trade Paperback) – The fourth and final book in the Amish Marketplace series. A widow and a widower, each with troubled teens, start to fall for one another.
Just Last Night (Trade Paperback) – The four of them have been best friends since they were teens, but in one moment everything changes and Eve’s world turns upside down.
Let It Be Me (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Misty River Romance series. When Leah gets unexpected results on a DNA scan, she enlists Sebastian to help her dig for answers. But as they grow closer, Sebastian resists because he knows his best friend has his heart set on her.
Like Cats and Dogs (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Whitman Street Cat Café series. A new veterinarian moves in next to Lauren’s Cat Café, and sparks fly.
The Newcomer (Hardcover) – Tonya always told her sister Letty that if anything ever happened to her, it would be because of her ex. So when Letty finds Tonya dead, she grabs the woman’s go-bag and her four-year-old niece and they go on the run, trying to follow fleeting clues to what happened. I have requested this one from the library.
Project Hail Mary (Hardcover) – From the author of The Martian. The lone survivor of a desperate space mission has to puzzle out what he’s mission was and what he can do now to achieve it because he has lost his memories.
The Secret Bridesmaid (Trade Paperback) – Sophie is such a good bridesmaid, she has turned it into her job. She’s hired by a former model to work the woman’s daughter’s wedding, but the bride makes it exceedingly difficult. Sophie’s attraction to the bride’s very much off-limits brother doesn’t help either. This is on my wish list, too.
Star Wars Insider Fiction Collection (Hardcover) – A collection of Star Wars stories.
A Woman of Words (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Jerusalem Road series. Jesus’ mother, Mary, asks Matthew to compile a record of Jesus’ life and teachings.
40 Days on Being a One AND 40 Days on Being a Four (Hardcover) – Two new Enneagram-based devotionals, edited by Suzanne Stabile. The one written for Enneagram 2s (my type) was fantastic. I highly recommend these.
Dogwinks: True Godwink Stories of Dogs and the Blessings They Bring (Hardcover) – The Godwinks series releases a collection of dog-based stories.
Star Trek Shipyards: Borg and the Delta Quadrant (Hardcover) – Explore the ships of the Delta Quadrant.

 

Happy Memorial Day to those of you here from the US! Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

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Jasper & Ollie Build a Fort – Two friends decide to each build a fort to see whose is better. This looks darling!
Piglette – A precise piglet heads to Paris to use her skills in perfume shops, but she starts to miss the comforts of home.
Smug Seagull – A seagull who likes to snatch snacks from beach goers meets his match in a grabby crab.
Wonder Woman – A new Little Golden Book about Wonder Woman.
Big Shark, Little Shark, Baby Shark (Early Reader) – The latest early reader in the Big Shark, Little Shark series where Big Shark and Little Shark discover something they can agree on – Baby Shark is too little to be fun.
Storybots: Wheels on the Road (Early Reader) – The latest Storybots early reader focuses on cars and trucks and other things that go.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Disney Frozen True Treasure (Graphic Novel) – Anna and Elsa complete a scavenger hunt that was once created by their mother in this graphic novel that takes place before the events of Frozen 2.
Flash Crossover Crisis: Supergirl’s Sacrifice – Book 2 in the Crossover Crisis sub-series of the Flash middle grade novels. The Flash and Supergirl are trying to save the multiverse after the events of Green Arrow’s Perfect Shot.
Hello from Renn Lake – A girl who has always had a special relationship with the water near her home discovers an algae bloom is hurting her beloved lake.
Camp (LGBTQ+) – A boy at a camp for queer teens reinvents himself to get the attention of his crush, but he starts to wonder if it can really be love if he isn’t being true to himself.
Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco (May 31) – A teen investigates when one of the teachers at her new school is killed. At first Holly wants to keep her detective mom from arresting the socially awkward kid who is the prime suspect. But then that kid starts investigating, too, wanting to beat Holly to the truth. This sounds fun!
The Paper Girls of Paris – When her grandmother leaves her a secret apartment in Paris that hasn’t been opened in 70 years, a teen starts digging into family secrets. This is told from the teen’s perspective as well as her grandmother’s from Nazi-occupied Paris. Sounds like a fascinating story!
Parachutes – “Parachutes” are teens who are dropped off with American host families to live and attend school while their wealthy parents stay in Asia. Claire finds herself sharing a home with Dani who is not happy to be competing with the parachutes who are buying their way into opportunities she is trying to earn. While the girls try to leave one another alone, they keep bouncing into one another’s lanes. There are hints that there might be references here to sexual assault/abuse.

Books for Adults

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Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Honey Creek series. The Honey Creek mayor brings in an investigator to find her missing fiancé, but to avoid a scandal the undercover officer pretends to be an ex trying to win her back. This sound awesome!
Call for Kelp (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 4 in the Seaside Café Mystery series focuses on the murder of an iconic Hollywood actress who had been in town.
Death by Auction (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Abby McCree Mystery series. Abby is helping with a bachelor action chock full of surprises, including a dead body. I haven’t read anything from this series, but this story sounds terrific.
Ghosting: A Love Story (Trade Paperback) – Two people working out of a café, ghostwriting dating profiles for rival services, unknowingly cross paths online. This sounds like a hoot!
Girls of Summer (Hardcover) – A divorcée living on Nantucket creates sparks with her handyman who is 10 years her junior. Her grown children, worried she’ll get hurt, head home for the summer to keep an eye on her – and to maybe find love for themselves. This sounds like a great story of family and a second chance at love.
Killer Chardonnay (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 1 in the new Colorado Wine Mystery series. On a winery’s opening day a critic shows up unannounced and then is killed.
Marshmallow Malice (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower. Juliet and the Reverend are finally getting married, and Bailey is sleuthing when an uninvited wedding guest, there to cause trouble for the Reverend, is found dead. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey (Trade Paperback) – A spy for the crown and a woman with a secret find themselves posing as a couple to protect themselves and those they hold dear while they try to uncover a murderer. This sounds twisty and terrific! I’ve requested this from the library.
Murder with Clotted Cream (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. When a local girl who left town to become a star returns with a multimillionaire husband, everyone wants to get a glimpse. But when the woman is killed at the tea Daisy had prepared for her, Daisy is sleuthing again.
No Filter (e-book) – First in the Barks & Beans Café Mystery series. Siblings run a café where guests can pet shelter dogs, and one of them ends up with a new pet after a local is killed and his Great Dane is put up for adoption. But when the dog is kidnapped it’s clear there’s more going on. At the time of this writing, this is available for Kindle Unlimited subscribers to read for free.
Red Hot (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Red Herring Mystery series. Alex heads to South Beach for a little R&R, but gets pulled into shenanigans at her sister’s condo association elections. I’m a book behind in this series, but I am hoping to catch up soon.
Southern Sass and a Crispy Corpse (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Marygene Brown Mystery series. A woman haunted by the ghost of her mother is pulled into investigating again when she discovers not one but two burnt bodies.
The Marvel Studios Story: How a Failing Comic Book Publisher Became a Hollywood Superhero (Hardcover) – A business/entrepreneurial book based on the success of Marvel Studios.

There are several books releasing this week that are at the top of my May wish list. Take a look at what is releasing this week:

Books for Kids

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Two Dogs on a Trike – A counting book with 10 dogs and one calculating cat.
Through the Wardrobe: How C. S. Lewis Created Narnia – Picture book biography of C. S. Lewis, specifically about him writing the Narnia books.
What About Worms!? (Early Reader) – Part of the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading series. This book, by the author of Mother Bruce (♥♥♥♥♥) and We Don’t Eat Our Classmates (♥♥♥♥♥), is about a tiger afraid of worms.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Zeus the Mighty: The Maze of the Menacing Minotaur – Book 2 in the Zeus the Mighty series about Zeus the hamster and his gang of gods. This time they are tackling the labyrinth.
Who Was Harvey Milk? (LGBTQ+) – A biography of teacher, activist, and politician Harvey Milk.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – The highly anticipated – and sometimes derided – prequel to The Hunger Games. This book focuses on a young Cornelius Snow as he mentors the tribute from District 12 in the 10th Annual Hunger Games.
Bookish Boyfriends: Talk Nerdy to Me – Book 3 in one of my all time favorite YA book series, Bookish Boyfriends. The books at the center of this story are Frankenstein and Anne of Green Gables. I can not wait to see what the English teacher, Ms Gregoire, has in store for her students next! I pre-ordered this weeks ago. I might even have time to sneak in a re-read of the first two before it gets here.
Just a Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe – A new YA romance from one of the authors of the Upside Down Magic books, Sarah Mlynowski. A teen returns as a counselor to the camp of her worst summer nightmares when her boyfriend ditches her for the summer. She’s certain her summer will be a disaster, until she meets the camp sailing instructor.

Books for Adults

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Beach Read (Trade Paperback) – Two very different writers sharing side-by-side beach houses and struggling with writer’s block set up a challenge to help them get out of their writing ruts. The literary writer who usually kills off his entire cast will try to write something happy. And the romance writer will try to write the Great American Novel. This week is FULL of AMAZING books for adults and this is near the top of my list for this week!
Chaos Reigning (Trade Paperback) – It’s. Finally. Here. This is book 3 in the Consortium Rebellion series. Book 1, Polaris Rising, was my favorite book of 2019. I have been waiting for this book since the minute I finished book 2, Aurora Blazing (♥♥♥♥½). I am going to try to work in a re-read of this series, too, before my pre-order arrives. This book focuses on the youngest member of the von Hasenberg family who goes undercover to a rival house’s summer retreat. This week is like my perfect release Tuesday. If only book stores were open so I could fully enjoy the day. Shout out to my indie bookstores – Kids Ink for Talk Nerdy to Me and Second Flight Books for Chaos Reigning.
The Plus One Pact (e-book May 21) – When her dating app tells a woman there are no more eligible men in her area, and she is facing a summer of plus-one activities like weddings, she connects with a guy in a similar boat and they decide to be each other’s plus one to get through the summer together. Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read this one for free at the time of this writing.
Real Men Knit (Trade Paperback) – Four brothers struggle to keep their adoptive mother’s knitting shop open. Jesse is the brother pushing the hardest to keep the store going, but he knows next to nothing about knitting. Thankfully, a shop employee is willing to help out. The crush she has on Jesse probably has nothing to do with why she volunteers. This is also at the top of my reading list for this week. I’m going to be busy! Good thing we have a long weekend coming up.
A Royal Kiss & Tell (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Royal Wedding series after The Princess Plan. When popular Lady Caroline is snubbed by a prince, she gets even by secretly planting stories about him in the ladies’ gossip papers. When the rumors start to ruin his reputation, he seeks out help to fix his image – from Lady Caroline.
Stranger Ranger (e-book) – Book 2 in the Smart Ranger series from Smartypants Romance. A reclusive loner runs into a hot shot park ranger who thinks he is up to trouble on park land.
The Enneagram of Belonging (Trade Paperback) – One of my early Enneagram resources was The Sacred Enneagram from Chris Heuertz (♥♥♥♥). The author is now releasing a second book with an emphasis on self-acceptance for all the parts of our personalities. There is also a workbook to go with this one. I’m eager to see this in person and see how it stacks up to other resources that are available. [EDIT: Sadly, some new about the author came out after this post. Readers can decide for themselves how this will impact them. You can read the article here. ]

Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

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It Is (Not) Perfect – Two friends try to make their sandcastle perfect. At the time of this writing, this is available to read for free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
Memoirs of a Tortoise (May 15) – Book 5 in this series. Oliver and his human Ike are both 80 years old and have a lot of similar interests. But when Ike stops visiting the garden, Oliver wonders why. One of the subjects of this book is death and dying, so this sounds like a more serious entry into this fun series.
Teddy Spaghetti – A boy who loves spaghetti gets teased at school.
If You Love Robots, You Could Be… (Early Reader) – The latest in a line of leveled readers about career options based on childhood interests.
Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion – Book 3 in the Questioneers chapter book series. Iggy Peck, Architect, and his friends the Questioneers, hunt for missing treasure in an old mansion. You can read about some of the picture books that launched this series here.
The Infamous Ratsos Camp Out – Book 4 in the Infamous Ratsos series. This time the boys are going camping. But their special guide tells them that good scouts never ask for help, which causes a lot of trouble.
The Unbelievable Oliver and the Sawed-in-Half Dads (LGBTQ+) – Book 2 in the Unbelievable Oliver series. This time, Oliver has been hired to do magic at a wedding. He decides to use the grooms as his helpers in the sawed-in-half trick.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Bella’s Story – Looks like this is book 8 in the Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales series (Ellie’s Story: ♥♥♥♥♥). When Bella has to go to a foster home, she is determined to get back to her boy, Lucas.
Dragon Ops – From the author of the Camelot Code series comes this new book about a video game theme park, and three kids lucky enough to beta test it. But once there they get trapped inside by a rogue artificial intelligence dragon.
Elsa’s Hero Journal – The flip side of this is Anna’s Hero Journal. It’s one volume, but two pieces that start at the covers and meet in the middle. This guided journal includes writing prompts and gorgeous Frozen 2 artwork.
By the Book – A teen tries to use 19th century literature to create a Scoundrel Survival Guide to warn her friends off of guys who are bad news. I have this on hold already at the library. I can’t wait to read this one!
Dear Universe – A teen navigating her senior year and her father’s terminal illness encounters an unusual hospital volunteer who helps her walk the line between her two lives.
House of Dragons – “Three Dark Crowns meets The Breakfast Club with dragons.” I don’t know that I need to hear much more than that to put this one on my list!
The Princess Trials (e-book – May 14) – A desperate teen signs on for the Princess Trials, a contest to find a wife for the future king, in order to get into the castle and search for weaknesses to help the rebellion. This sounds like The Selection (♥♥♥♥♥), and I am here for it. At the time of this writing, this is available for Kindle Unlimited subscribers to read for free.
Say Yes Summer – A girl with lofty goals has spent her high school career saying no to everything but studying. And now that she has graduated, she is ready for a summer of “YES.” I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Superman Smashes the Klan – The latest graphic novel from DC Entertainment focuses on Superman in 1946 where he shows up to help a Chinese family who is being targeted by the Klan. I will be reviewing this one soon as well.

Books for Adults

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A Study in Murder (e-book/Hardcover) – First in the Victorian Book Club Mystery series. This will be releasing electronically this week, but the hardcover won’t release until June 9. 1890, England. When a mystery author gets news that her fiance is up to something illegal, she dumps him. When he winds up dead in her library a couple days later, she is the prime suspect. I can’t wait to read this one!
Aleph Extraction (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Galactic Cold War series after The Bayern Agenda. Misfit spies on a space heist? Yes, please. I have this series on my list.
The Bright Side of Going Dark (Trade Paperback) – One of the most popular influencers on social media chucks it all – literally, she chucks her phone off a cliff – to live life off the grid for awhile. Another young woman hacks the influencer’s idle accounts and pretends to be her in an effort to connect with her sister who is a fan and is struggling. This is currently available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers. I’m eager to read this one!
A Deadly Inside Scoop (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series. A woman trying to relaunch her family’s ice cream shop with a new image gets more than she bargained for with an unexpected snow storm and a dead body.
Love in Deed (e-book) – Book 6 in the Green Valley Library series. A recluse and a nomad find an unexpected life alongside one another – and the possibility of love. I am so intrigued by these books from Smartypants Romance because of their great covers. I have several on my reading list.
Of Literature and Lattes (Trade Paperback) – A woman reluctantly returns to her hometown after a series of problems and meets a man who is looking for help to save his business. The sparks between them won’t mean anything, though, if they keep running into roadblocks.
Read or Alive (Hardcover) – Book 3 in the Bookmobile Mystery series (not to be confused with the Bookmobile CAT mystery series by Laurie Cass – Book 1 is Lending a Paw – ♥♥♥♥ ). When a book scout comes to town for the Antiquarian Book Society fair and swindles locals out of rare and valuable tomes, it’s really no surprise he ends up dead. (This is a mystery after all!) But the surprise is that Cleo’s cousin Dot AND Cleo’s beau, Henry, are suspects.
A Spell for Trouble (e-book/Hardcover) – First in the new Enchanted Bay Mystery series. This is another book where the e-book will release this week, but the physical book won’t be out until June. A woman ignores her father’s warnings, forbidding her from contacting her extended family, and returns to Bellamy Bay, NC. What she finds is the family apothecary shop, rumors that her family are descended from MERMAIDS, and murder. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
To Kill a Mocking Girl (e-book/Hardcover) – The series debut for the Bookbinding Mystery series. This is yet another book (all from the same publisher) that will release electronically this week, but in print on June 9. A woman back in her home town at her family’s bookshop is suspected of murdering her high school nemesis – the woman engaged to her ex. So she teams up with her older brother’s detective friend and her cousin-turned-nun to find the truth. Frankly, it’s the ensemble that makes this one sound so amazing. I am eager to read this one.
The Trouble with Hating You (Trade Paperback) – A successful biochemical engineer has had enough of her family’s fix-ups. The latest, a lawyer, actually shows up at her work a week after the disastrous fix-up dinner, as he’s been hired to come in and help save her company. She realizes she might have been hasty to dismiss him early on, but both of them may have too much baggage to make a relationship work. I am eager to read this, too!
100 Days to Brave Guided Journal (Hardcover) – The latest accessory to Annie F. Downs’ popular devotional 100 Days to Brave. This guided journal walks users through excerpts, writing prompts and Bible verses. It can be used on its own or alongside the devotional.
For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World (Hardcover) – A memoir from the founding pastor of St. Lydia’s Dinner Church in Brooklyn, New York. The founding of this church sounds fascinating, and then add in the stories of how they interacted with their community in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and this will be one not to miss. (LGBTQ+)
This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers (Trade Paperback) – If God loves us, why does he allow us to hurt? This memoir/spiritual growth resource looks at suffering in the middle. What can be learned in this space, especially if it is a suffering that isn’t going to go away? I loved this description: “An antidote to our cultural idolatry of effort and ease.” This will be a timely resource!

Happy May! Yes, there have been a lot of release dates postponed because of the pandemic, but you can’t tell it by this great slate of books we have to look forward to. Here are some of the new books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

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Pterapunzel (Board Book) – Book 3 in the Once Before Time board book series of fractured fairy tales starring dinosaurs. You can read my review of Sleeping Bronty here. A dinosaur with a beautiful singing voice is captured by a witch and imprisoned in a tall tower. This looks adorable!
I Really Want the Cake – A girl and her pup struggle against temptation when there’s cake!
Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse – Sequel to Llama Destroys the World (♥♥♥). Llama clones his friend Alpaca to help him clean up his baking mess leading to the “alpacalypse.”
The One and Only Dylan St. Claire – A boy who loves the spotlight is cast as a squirrel in the school play about outer space – instead of the starring role he was hoping for.
Welcome to the Party – A new picture book by Gabrielle Union inspired by the anticipation of the birth of her daughter.
Clever Hans – The true story of a clever horse that changed the course of science! I am so excited to read this!
Cutiecorns: Heart of Gold – The first of two books launching this series this week. It’s time for the Cutiecorns to learn to use their magic when Sparkle’s locket is stolen.
Frog and Dog: Frog Meets Dog AND Goat in a Boat (ACORN) – There are three short, rhyming friendship stories in each of these books launching the Frog and Dog series from Scholastic Acorn.
Hotdog! AND Hotdog!: Party Time – These two books launch the Hotdog! series. Hotdog and his friends help a baby bird find its mother in book one, and in book two the friends are planning a surprise party.
Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: The Puppy Prince – Book 3 in the Itty Bitty Princess Kitty series about a princess kitty and her unicorn best friend. These look DARLING!! This time, a royal family of dogs comes to visit, and Itty has trouble connecting with the prince.
Jewel Kingdom: The Ruby Princess Runs Away – The first of FOUR books launching the Jewel Kingdom series release this week! Four girls about to become princesses must face personal challenges in their kingdom(s). These look so fun! The covers for all four are gorgeous! The other titles are: The Sapphire Princess Meets a Monster, The Emerald Princess Plays a Trick, and The Diamond Princess Saves the Day.
Layla and the Bots: Happy Paws (BRANCHES) – Book 1 in the new Layla and the Bots series from Scholastic Branches that combines a rock band with cool inventions. In this book, Layla tries to help a failing amusement park by turning it into a park for dogs. This also looks adorable!
Jesus, Who Are You? – An inductive Bible study for kids on the names of Jesus from Kay Arthur and other authors. This sounds really cool!

Books for Older Kids/Teens

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Becoming Brianna – Book 4 in the Emmie & Friends line of graphic novels after Invisible Emmie, Positively Izzy, and Just Jaime (♥♥♥♥). This book focuses on Bri’s preparations for her Bat Mitzvah, especially considering she does not enjoy being in the spotlight. I’ve already requested this one from the library.
Camp Jupiter Classified (Trials of Apollo) – The journal of Claudia, a probatio at Camp Jupiter might lead readers to discover who is really responsible for all the problems that have cropped up recently at the camp. Fans of Rick Riordan’s series should check this one out.
Cursed (Older Middle Grade) – The sixth and final book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series which started with Flunked (♥♥♥♥). Gilly is pitted against her own sister as she battles Rumpelstiltskin and his Stiltskin Squad when they try to curse Enchantasia out of existence.
Donut Dreams: Family Recipe – Book 3 in the Donut Dreams series focuses on an adopted girl wrestling with a family tree assignment for school.
Jacky Ha-Ha (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel adaptation of the Chris Grabenstein/James Patterson novel.
Katie Cupcakes and Wedding Bells – Book 33 in the Cupcake Diaries series. Katie is excited about her mom’s upcoming wedding until she finds out it means they are going to have to move.
Keep It Together, Keiko Carter – At the start of middle school, Keiko finds herself caught between her feuding best friends as the pressure builds to have boyfriends before Fall Ball.
Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy from 15 Muslim Voices – A collection of short stories about the celebration of Eid, the festival at the end of Ramadan.
The One and Only Bob – The long-awaited sequel of The One and Only Ivan. Ivan, Ruby, and Bob set off on an adventure as they search for Bob’s sister as a hurricane approaches.
One Last Shot – In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with a book by John David Anderson. I’ve already pre-ordered this one, I am so confident it will be amazing. A non-sporty kid discovers he loves mini-golf, but his dad’s sports obsession threatens to ruin the game for him.
Real Pigeons Eat Danger – Book 2 in the Real Pigeons series starring crime fighting feathered friends. I have book 1 on hold at the library. This series looks hysterical!
Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe – Book 2 in the Sal and Gabi series from Rick Riordan’s imprint for mythological stories. This time, there is a rogue Gabi duplicate on the loose that threatens the world as we know it.
Shuri – My favorite character from the Black Panther movie now gets her own book (in addition to the comics and graphic novels where you can already find her). From the author of Dear Martin (♥♥♥♥). In a story that seems to be launching a series, Shuri leaves Wakanda to find out what is causing the Heart-Shaped Herb to die. This is at the top of my list for this week.
Sprinkle Sundays: A Sprinkle of Friendship – Book 10 in the Sprinkle Sundays series. Allie and Sierra are trying to do the jobs of three people at the ice cream shop when Tamiko goes on vacation during the busy summer season.
Swimming with Dolphins – A girl’s worries about her family’s move and how she’ll adjust to new spaces with her wheelchair are compounded when her dream of swimming with a dolphin doesn’t go like she thought it would.
Throwback: The Chaos Loop – Book 2 in the Throwback series from the author of the Seven Wonders books and the Max Tilt series. In the first book, Corey discovered he has the power to go back in time and change history, but now he’s becoming addicted to the rush of fixing past problems. And a trip back to WWII Germany could ask more of him than he is able to give.
Turtle Boy (Older Middle Grade) – Will, a struggling middle schooler who prefers a quiet life by himself, gets to know RJ, a boy in the hospital with an incurable disease, as part of his Bar Mitzvah preparations. But when RJ’s health starts to decline, Will decides he needs to tackle the items on RJ’s bucket list for him. This will be powerful.
We Dream of Space – Three siblings in 7th grade (a pair of twins and an older sibling taking a second run at it) dig into a class assignment in anticipation of the Challenger launch (1986). This sounds lovely. I am fascinated by the full description of the three kids, the ways they are each struggling, and I’m eager to see how the class assignment impacts each of them.
Show Me History: Benjamin Franklin, Inventor of the Nation! (Graphic Novel) – A graphic novel biography of Benjamin Franklin.
What Is Lego? AND Where Is the Congo?

Books for Teens/Young Adults

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Aurora Burning – Sequel to the terrific Aurora Rising.  Squad 312 is still on the run as Aurora tries to get a handle on her powers. And a message from the past – the black box on the Hadfield – could be just what they need to figure out how to save the galaxy. I already have this on hold at the library.
The Betrothed – Kiera Cass, author of the fantastic Selection series, is back with a new story about a would-be queen. Hollis has grown up at the palace, so of course she is thrilled to hear the King has his eye on her. But a commoner with a mysterious gift shows Hollis that her heart may actually want something besides the future she was raised to pursue.
Clap When You Land – A novel in verse about two girls – one in the Dominican Republic and the other in New York – who learn about one another when their father is killed in a plane crash.
The Declaration, the Sword and the Spy – Book 6 in the Epic Order of the Seven series. The Epic Order of the Seven animals try to help the Founding Fathers through the treacherous twists of the American Revolution.
Forged in Fire and Stars – Ara was always told her destiny was to become the Loresmith, the blacksmith who armed the kingdom for war. But after the kingdom was overthrown years back, she thought that destiny was gone. Until the lost prince and princess come looking for Ara to help them retake their kingdom and defeat their foes.
Four Days of You and Me – Every year their class takes an all-day class trip. And every year the trip draws Lulu and Alex together again. Looks like this will explore the class trip from all four years of high school with these two teens.
Fractured Tide – A new novel from Blink YA publishing. A scuba diving teen is marooned on an island after her boat is attacked by a mysterious creature and some of her tourist passengers are killed. Reuniting with some survivors on the island is not the relief she first thinks it is. Described as a mix of suspense and horror.
Hunting November – Sequel to the stunning Killing November. November has survived her training at the espionage boarding school where her father sent her, but now she has to use those skills – and the ones he gave her growing up – to find her father before someone kills him. I adored the first book and will be reading this one as soon as I get my hands on it.
The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly – A teen waitressing at a medieval-themed restaurant longs for the chance to be a knight instead of a wench. The pay is better – and her family needs it – and the job is more fun. But when she fills in for her brother as a knight, wins, and then is revealed to be a girl, she decides there’s no way she is going back to waiting tables without a fight. I have this on hold at the library, too.
War and Speech – When her dad goes to prison, Sydney loses a lot. But she gains a new school that is ruled by the blistering speech team of all things. But Sydney’s new group of misfit friends realizes she could actually get onto the speech team and help them take it down from the inside. But what will Sydney choose to do when she realizes she actually has a chance to win the national competition and get some of her life back instead of toppling the power structure? I’ll be reviewing this one soon!

Books for Adults

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The Farm Stand (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Amish Marketplace series. An Amish woman running her own produce stand at the market starts to fall for the Mennonite chef working next door. But she’s already in a relationship.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish (Trade Paperback) – From the author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey. The top two chefs on the Culinary Channel have to work together as he is trying to repair his reputation, and she has all the sweet and respectable qualities he needs to find if he wants to keep his career.
Hello Summer (Hardcover) – A journalist stuck back at home working on the gossip column in the family newspaper stumbles into the story of a lifetime.
The Imperfects (Hardcover) – The three Miller siblings launch an investigation into their family history when their grandmother dies and they discover a  famous, long-missing diamond among her belongings.
Mousse and Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 1 in the Alaskan Diner Mystery series. A chef returns to her Alaskan home to take over the family diner, but soon finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation when her head cook is killed.
A Murderous Misconception (e-book May 8) – Book 7 in the Victoria Square Mystery series. When Kate hears her boyfriend Andy’s assistant manager is pregnant with his child, she is floored. When the woman is later killed (and determined to NOT be pregnant), Kate and Andy both become murder suspects.
My Brother’s Keeper (e-book May 8) – Book 4 in the Reverend Margot Quade Cozy Mystery series. When Margot tries to get away for a restorative vacation, the Lord has other plans. She finds plenty of people at the B&B in need of pastoral care and counsel. When one of those people ends up dead, she feels compelled to investigate. I love the idea of a Christian Cozy mystery! Book 1, Into the Lion’s Den, is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers at the time of this writing.
Network Effect (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Murderbot Diaries series, the first full-length, standalone novel in the series. I am fascinated by this Artificial Intelligence story. I have book 1 on my list at the library.
The Resolutions (Hardcover) – The Brennan siblings are close to achieving everything they ever dreamed. But when roadblocks threaten to undo everything, they return home to each other for the holidays, and then head to West Africa to try to save everything they have worked for.
Storing up Trouble (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the American Heiresses series. An independent young woman encounters a scientist on the train to Chicago when someone tries to steal the man’s research. When they bump into each other again, it becomes clear that the thieves have not given up their plans to steal the research, and both the scientist and the young woman may get caught in the middle. This series looks delightful! I can’t wait to read these.
The Tourist Attraction (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Moose Springs, Alaska series. A grumpy local with no patience for tourists may have to change his tune when he gets to know the  young woman who frequents his diner and blushes every time he catches her eye. I have had this on hold at the library for ages!
Upsy Daisy (e-book) – Book 1 in the Higher Learning series. Two young people at college believe this time in their lives is crucial to achieving the future they dream of, but they could quickly become a distraction for one another.
Grace for the Moment Family Devotional (Hardcover) – 100 devotions for families from Max Lucado.
The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s Sixteenth President – and Why It Failed (Hardcover) – The latest from Brad Meltzer looks into a little-known failed assassination attempt against President Lincoln.
The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power (Hardcover) – A collection of essays around these four American values and how they line up to Jesus’ commands for his followers.

Happy Memorial Day! Here are some of the books releasing this week – perfect for kicking off your summer reading.

Books for Kids

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Jasper & Ollie – A thoughtful sloth and an impatient fox have their differences on display in this book that shows what happens when the friends decide to head to the pool.
Oi Duck-Billed Platypus! – Several years ago I read Frog on a Log? (also called, Oi, Frog!) and loved it. The series continues here where Frog is trying to figure out where Platypus should sit. What rhymes with platypus? I cannot wait to read this!!
Up to Something – Dad invites Billy into his workshop, but will only let him watch. Billy gathers Dad’s scraps and builds a creation of his own.
What Kind of Car Does a T-Rex Drive? – A car salesman is desperate to sell some cars – to anyone! Then the dinosaurs show up. This looks fun!
When Pencil Met Eraser – Based on the true story of how pencils got erasers
The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon: The True Story of Alan Bean – The fourth astronaut to walk on the moon also painted what he saw there. Includes back matter with photos of the Apollo 12 mission and of Alan Bean’s paintings.
Kitten Kingdom: Tabby’s First Quest AND Tabby and the Pup Prince – A new transitional chapter book series kicks off with these two titles. Princess Tabby and her brothers accidentally give away an important scroll when they are tricked by an evil king. They have to keep their mission to save the day a secret from their parents. In the second book, the evil king is at it again and Tabby teams  up with a puppy prince to try and save the day. I thought the first book was cute.
Robo-Rabbit Boy, Go! – Book 7 in this Branches series about Super Rabbit Boy.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

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Batting Order – Two baseball players with different skills team up to improve their skills to help the team, but how can Matt really help Ben if Ben won’t listen to anything Matt has to say?
The Book Case – After getting expelled, Daphne is off to a girls’ boarding school where she meets a crime-solving genius in need of an assistant. This looks great. I love middle grade mysteries.
The Girls of Firefly Cabin – A group of girls who meet on the first day of summer camp hope to immortalize their summer by becoming the “face” of the camp in the promotional materials.
Other Words for Home – Novel in verse about a girl who must leave Syria for her own safety and finds “home” in the United States.
Rocky Road Ahead – Sprinkle Sundays, book 7. A middle grade story of ice cream and friendship and crushes.
Secrets of a Fangirl – A girl trying to keep her “geek life” separate from her popular “jock life” has a chance to win a contest to go to the movie premier for her fandom. But she will have to go up against older competitors who question her fan cred, and she risks showing her peers this geeky side of herself. This is on my wish list for this week!
She’s the Liar – Sisters at a boarding school have each crafted new personalities for themselves. But their personal plans run up against the agenda of the other sister and a power play ensues. This sounds great!
Solving for M – A fifth grader struggling at the start of middle school uses her math journal (art in math?!) to help her sort out the trouble she’s having both at school and at home. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.
Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go on a Class Trip – Book 3 in the fun and silly Two Dogs in a Trench Coat series. This time, the dogs join the kids on a trip to the history museum.
Science Comics: Cars – Engines that Move You – Graphic novel exploration of cars and engines.
Fake It Till You Break It – Mia and Jake have known each other their whole lives. Even though their moms (who are best friends) think they would make the perfect couple, the two teens can’t stand each other. They agree to fake date so they can have a spectacular break up and get their moms to let them move on to other dating options.
The Kingdom – One of the “princesses” at a fantasy amusement park is accused of murdering a park employee.  This looks amazing. I already have this on hold from the library.
Limited Wish – Book 2 in the Impossible Times series. After a time-travel adventure in book one, cancer survivor and reluctant prodigy Nick realizes there are creases in the fabric of time. I have book 1 on my reading list because this series sounds perfect for me!
Not Your Backup (June 1) – Book 3 in the Sidekick Squad. Emma is the only non-superpowered member of team of resistance fighters moving against the Heroes League of Heroes. I have book 1 on my list.
The Voice in My Head – When one twin develops a terminal illness and wants to die on her own terms, her sister starts hearing a voice in her head claiming to be God and telling her to take her sister to a rock formation in Arizona where she can be healed. I am requesting this one, too!
The Wise and the Wicked – In a family with only the barest hint of magic left, the women come of age and see a vision of who they will be when they die. When Ruby’s great-aunt dies and her vision did NOT come true, Ruby and her cousin start digging into their family history to see if they too can chart their own destiny.

Books for Adults

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The Amish Cookie Club (Mass Market Paperback) – From the author of the amazing Amish Fairy Tale series. First in a new series about a group of cookie-baking friends and the struggles their families experience in the course of day to day Amish life. This first book focuses on a young woman whose strong personality keeps her from keeping a job and finding a husband.
Crèpe Expectations (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Pancake House mystery series is focused on a cold case and an amateur chef competition.
A Daughter’s Truth (Trade Paperback) – A young Amish woman who feels the weight of her mother’s grief receives a gift that raises questions and sets her off to the non-Amish world to find answers. I already have this on hold at the library. I enjoyed Laura’ Bradford’s last Amish standalone, Portrait of a Sister.
The Flatshare (Hardcover) – A man who works nights and a woman who works days share a flat even though they have never met. A series a notes left for one another leads them to friendship, and maybe to something more. I already have this on hold at the library, too. What a clever premise!
Hitches, Hideouts & Homicide (ebook) – Book 7 in the Camper and Criminals Mystery series focused on a power outage, a treasure map and a dead body. I have the first book for this series in my reading pile.
Just One of the Groomsmen (Mass Market Paperback) – Addison is going to be one of the “groomsmen” when one of her best guy friends gets married. Seeing Addison again leaves Tucker feeling like they should give love a try, but if it doesn’t work, he knows it will destroy their friend group permanently. I’m looking forward to trying this one!
Murder, She Uncovered (ebook) – Book 2 in the Murder She Reported series about a young photographer in 1938 working for the Daily Trumpet and covering the aftermath of a hurricane. I don’t often read historical mysteries, but the covers for these are so gorgeous, I’m tempted to give this series a try!
Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. When a restaurant critic dies after eating food from the Tea Garden, Daisy and Aunt Iris must track down a killer to protect their business.
Passion on Park Avenue (Trade Paperback) – The first book in the Central Park Pact series. A young woman who is the new CEO of a jewelry empire still feels like she has to prove herself to the Upper East Side elite – including the son of the family her mother worked for as a housekeeper. I am SO excited about this series! Sounds so fun. Book 2 is out this fall, and I have both on my wish list.
Rebel (Mass Market Paperback) – First in the Women Who Dare series. This takes place in the aftermath of the Civil War when a young Black woman sets up a new school and thugs destroy the school and target her.
Sconed to Death (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Cat Latimer series about a cozy mystery writer’s retreat, a local baker stirring up trouble, and a dead celebrity chef. I am way behind on this series, but I intend to get caught up soon.
Seeing Red (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the terrific Red Herring Mystery series. Alex is still working her freelance career while enjoying her relationship with B&B owner, Ian. But when Ian’s father disappears and Alex finds a body in the B&B, she starts to wonder if she really knows Ian at all. This is a must read for me. I loved the first book in the series.
Smitten by the Brit (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Sometimes in Love series. An English professor in the aftermath of a broken engagement heads to England for the summer and finds a sexy distraction. I have this on hold from the library, too.
Something Borrowed, Something Mewed (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series. This time it is murder at the dress-fitting when a wedding planner is found dead and Daphne has to figure out if one of her sister’s future in-laws is a killer. I loved the first book in this series. I’d like to get caught up on this one soon.
Star Trek TNG: The Missions Continue (Hardcover Graphic Novel) – Graphic novel collection of The Space Between, Intelligence Gathering, Last Generation, Ghosts and Hive.
Star Trek TOS: The Captain’s Oath (Trade Paperback) – The story of James T. Kirk before his service on the Enterprise.
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come: One Introvert’s Year of Saying Yes (Trade Paperback) – A shy introvert commits to living one year like an outgoing extrovert. I adore books like this where someone digs into a differently lifestyle for a year – A Year of Biblical Womanhood, The Year of Living Biblically, My Life as an Experiment, 7, The Year of Less, etc.
Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide (Hardcover) – From the folks behind the podcast My Favorite Murder comes this book with personal stories from the authors’ lives in relation to their mission to encourage self-advocacy. I have this on my list, too.
Taste of Home Handmade Food Gifts (Paperback Cookbook) – Recipes and ideas for edible gifts. I love the idea of food gifts and jars of ingredients that people can use to bake something delicious!