Tag: May New releases

BOOK NEWS: May 8, 2018

BOOK NEWS: May 8, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

Did you know that books make excellent Mother’s Day gifts? Maybe there will be something that you see in the list today that would make someone on your gift giving list happy this Sunday (and if not in this week’s list, maybe something from earlier this year!).

Books for Kids

 

Mustache Baby Meets His Match (BdBk) – This is a board book version of the second Mustache Baby picture book. I ADORE the two picture books in this series, but I bet they are even more fun to read in board book form where your kiddos (or grandkiddos) can carry them around with them. If you aren’t familiar with this series, I highly recommend you check them out!
Today I’ll Be a Unicorn (BdBk) – The stars of the graphic novel series Phoebe and her Unicorn get their own board book about the joys of being a unicorn. Fun introduction to the characters for the youngest readers.
The Detective Dog – The Detective Dog loves to hear children read, but when all the books go missing, she is on the case. This looks delightful. I can’t wait to read this one!
MVP: Most Valuable Puppy – An adorable puppy book by ESPN personality Mike Greenberg and his wife Stacy. All proceeds go to help fight pediatric cancer! A great book for a great cause.
Splat and the New Baby – Splat the Cat is so excited to be a big brother, but when his mom brings home a baby crocodile, Splat gets a different experience than he was expecting. I have loved Splat the Cat from his very first book. The illustrations are fantastic! Looking forward to reading this one.
Square – Second in the Shape Trilogy by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen. Looking forward to seeing this as well!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Al Capone Throws Me a Curve – Book 4 in the Tales from Alcatraz series about a boy who lives on the island in the 1930s
Amal Unbound – A girl who longs to be a teacher someday winds up in indentured servitude to a corrupt man in her village.
Captain Superlative – A girl notices one of her classmates is dressing up as a superhero and trying to help others at their middle school. I have read over 120 books so far this year, and right now, this is my favorite. It will be a couple weeks until I can get to the review (May 22), but I hope you will check this book out. It’s amazing!
The Inventors at No. 8 – Three kids and an orangutan head off for adventure in a flying machine one of them built.
The Key to Every Thing – When a girl returns home from summer camp, she discovers her favorite neighbor is gone.
Scout: National Hero – A search and rescue dog joins the national guard.
Super Dorks – Book 3 in the Pack of Dorks series about a girl trying to find her moment to be a hero.
Whatshisface – A boy whose family seems to move all the time gets a phone to keep in touch with his old friends – but his new phone might be haunted. I am a huge Gordon Korman fan! Love his work.
Blink and You Die – Book 6 in the Ruby Redfort mystery series by Lauren Child, the author of Clarice Bean and the Charlie and Lola series. Looks like this will be the last book in the series. I read the first one and enjoyed it. I’d love to catch up on this one.
Crimson Ash (May 10) – A girl is kidnapped, her memories are erased, and she is turned into a soldier. When her sister eventually finds her and her memory is restored, can she live with the things she has done?
My Name is Victoria – When a young woman becomes the companion to Princess Victoria, will she follow her father’s rules for the princess, or choose her friendship with the princess instead.
Boying Up – Mayim Bialik writes to teen boys to talk about the changes happening to them physically, mentally and emotionally as they grow up.

Books for Adults

Better Off Read – First in a new series (hardcover) about an aging librarian trying to save her library who stumbles across a murder. I’ll be looking for this one at my local library!
Flowers and Foul Play –  First in a new series (hardcover) about a young woman who inherits a cottage in Scotland with a magical garden. I’ll be reviewing this one on Wednesday!
Pick and Chews – Book 4 in the Barkery and Biscuits series about the owner of a dog bakery. Sounds like a fun series.
I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing: Star Wars and the Triumph of Geek Culture – I adore books like this that look at popular culture and the fandoms people love. This is definitely on my list for this week.

BOOK NEWS: May 1, 2018

BOOK NEWS: May 1, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

I think we have finally shaken off the last snowflakes and spring is finally here. Let’s celebrate with some new books! Here are some of the books releasing this week that I have on my watch list:

Books for Kids

Albie Newton – A young inventor struggles to make friends at preschool. This looks adorable!
Donuts: The Hole Story – An ode to donuts with puns galore
Pete the Kitty and the Groovy Playdate – Before he was Pete the Cat, he was Pete the Kitty. First book in this new line focuses on sharing.
Snail Mail – Celebrates the days of handwritten letters and cross-country treks to deliver them.
This Is a Taco – A funny little story starring a squirrel named Taco who loves to eat, what else? Tacos!
The Wolf Who Didn’t Like to Read – A wolf who would rather eat books than read them has to help a librarian find 10 missing books.
Pete the Cat’s Groovy Bake Sale – An early reader starring Pete the Cat
Ada Lace, Take Me To Your Leader – Book 3 in a series about a STEM-loving girl and a possible alien invasion
Gordon: Bark to the Future (A P.U.R.S.T. Adventure) – Gordon, the dog from the fantastic Binky the Space Cat graphic novel series, gets to save the day. I’ll be reviewing this one tomorrow.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

The Alcatraz Escape – Book 3 in the Book Scavenger series about an escape room challenge on Alcatraz Island. I have book 1 on my TBR list.
Bad Mermaids Make Waves – First in a new series about a trio of mermaids who have to battle some bad mermaids to save their queen.
Bob – Five years ago, Livy promised a little creature that she would help him find out where he came from. Now that she is back, it’s time to follow through. The latest from Wendy Mass (The Candymakers) and Rebecca Stead (When You Reach Me), this one will be huge!
Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual – A companion to the Red Pyramid series by Rick Riordan (Egyptian mythology)
The Burning Maze – The third book in the Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan starring the god Apollo who has been turned into a human teenager by Zeus and sent to Camp Half-Blood.
Curse of the Ancients – Book 2 in the Supergirl series based on the TV show on the CW network. The books contain original adventures for the cast of the TV show.
Endling: The Last – The latest from Katherine Applegate about the last of a mythical doglike species who goes in search of others of her kind who may be hidden. This quest story is sure to be a hit.
The Fantastic Library Rescue and Other Major Plot Twists – Book 2 in the Ruby Starr series about a girl who loves to read, is nervous about a poetry assignment, has a book club called the Unicorns, and who is determined to save her school library. You know I will be reading this one!
Freya and the Magic Jewel – The Goddess Girls now have a Norse series called Thunder Girls about prophecy and Ragnarok. Terrific timing for this series with Riordan’s Norse series wrapping up and all the Thor appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Lost in the Jungle – Book 3 in the Jack and the Geniuses series. This time the kids are headed to the Amazon to find a missing scientist. If you are looking for a solid science-based series for kids, check this one out!
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl – When a lightning strike gives a girl genius level math skills, her grandmother challenges her to complete one year of middle school and a series of tasks before she can leave for college. This is one of the books at the top of my list for this week.
Out of Left Field – Even though she is the best pitcher in the neighborhood, a girl in 1957 is denied the opportunity to play Little League because she is a girl. This sounds fantastic! Looking forward to reading this one.
Positively Izzy – A companion book to Invisible Emmie. This graphic novel focuses on two girls, one a dreamer and the other a “brain,” whose worlds collide at the school talent show. I’m looking forward to this one!
The Rose Legacy – In a world where horses have been killed off for carrying a deadly plague, a girl finds a secret farm of them and discovers she has an affinity for understanding their thoughts and feelings. When I was teaching, I could have started a book club with the number of kids who would have clamored for this title. Sure to be a hit.
Shining Night – Lena in the Spotlight book 3, from FaithGirlz. The latest story in the faith-based series focuses on Lena’s attempt to help a friend by putting on a huge fundraising event and the things she learns about herself and about God along the way.
The Stolen Summers – First in the new Time Tracers series about a boy who has to stop rogue time travelers who have stolen his summer vacation.
Allied – Book 3 in the Ruined series about sisters pitted against one another in a battle to save their kingdom. I have book one on my TBR for April, but I don’t think I am going to get to it before tomorrow.
Bookish Boyfriends: A Date with Darcy – A girl who believes boys are just better in books gets that theory tested in ways she never imagined. I’ll be reviewing this later this week – it’s fantastic!
Everywhere You Want to Be – Loosely based on the tale of Red Riding Hood, a girl heads off to a summer dance program, promising her mother she will give up dance when college starts in the fall. But her summer in New York opens up new opportunities – and new threats – to her dreams of dancing.
If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say – A careless online comment blows up in a teen’s face and takes her future with it. Sounds like a timely story!
The Lies They Tell – The daughter of a man suspected of starting a fire that killed 4 out of 5 members of a family gets drawn into a group of teen boys which includes the last surviving member of that family. Getting close to them might just get her close to the truth of what really happened. Yes, please!
Phoenix Resurrection: The Return of Jean Grey – Graphic Novel collecting the first 5 comics in this line. My only contact with the Jean Grey character is through the XMen movies, but I have always been curious about the Phoenix aspect of her character. I’d love to check this book out.
Royals – When her perfect older sister falls in love with the Crown Prince of Scotland, Daisy must give up her quiet life and go learn how to fit in with the royals. But the Crown Prince’s younger brother is ALWAYS looking for trouble, and he might just take Daisy along for the fun. This sounds like the fabulous Prince in Disguise without the reality TV angle. I’m looking forward to reading this one!
Star Wars Lost Stars Vol 1 (Manga) – The story of two friends who find themselves on opposite sides of the Empire/Rebellion battle in Star Wars now appears in a manga format. I enjoyed the novel, and I’m curious to see what they do with the story in this format.

Books for Adults

Cisco Ramon’s Journal – The Flash’s Cisco Ramon comes to the book store/library with this journal based on the fictional character in the CW’s series about DC’s main speedster.
Down the Aisle with Murder – Book 5 in the Otter Lake mystery series. In this book, the protagonist is trying to solve the murder of a maid-of-honor. I have not read anything in this series before, but I have book one on my library list.
Dressed for Death in Burgundy – Book 2 in the French Village Mystery series about an American transplant trying to be accepted in her French home who stumbles across a murder. I have book one on my TBR shelves.
Falling for You – Book 2 in the Bradford sisters series. In this book, a young woman is forced back into relationship with the NFL quarterback who once broke her heart. I’ll be reviewing this one this week, too.
Hey Ladies: The Story of 8 Best Friends, 1 year, and Way, Way Too Many Emails – A fictional tale of friendship told through emails and direct messages and texts and such. Sounds like a perfect summer read!
Lethal Literature – Book 4 in the Book Barn mystery series. This time Charli’s dad is keeping secrets and one of those secrets turns up dead.
The Otter of Death – Book 5 in the Gunn Zoo series. This time, an otter is seen holding a cell phone which is tied to a murder. This is a series that has been on my reading wishlist since it first started. I might just have to jump into the middle with this book though. Sounds great.
The Theory of Happily Ever After – After being dumped by her fiancé and sliding into a funk, Maggie’s friends book her to speak about happiness on a cruise. When a fellow passenger asserts that smart women can never be happy, Maggie decides to set aside her recent disappointments and prove him wrong. This is a must-read for me – sounds terrific!
Amateur Hour: Motherhood in Essays and Swear Words – This sounds funny and apropos.
Fabulous Figures – An art and drawing book focusing on drawing people. When I get in creative moods, books like this call to me.

BOOK NEWS: May 30, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Hard to believe that May is almost over already! The last Tuesday of the month is full of great new books. Here are some of the May new releases that are on my radar:

Books for Kids

Dog on a Frog? – Sequel to Frog on a Log? which is a hoot of a rhyming story. Looking forward to this one.
Firefighter Duckies – A trio of firefighter ducks rescue all manner of creatures because they are brave and strong. I have seen a few pages of this one and it looks FUN. Definitely on my list!
Welcome – Picture book for babies and new parents by the amazing Mo Willems.
Fairy Floss – Picture book story of cotton candy
She Persisted – Picture book by former First Daughter, Chelsea Clinton, about thirteen American women who changed the world.
Baxter Is Missing – Book 6 in the delightful Owl Diaries series from Scholastic/Branches. I love this line of books for kids ready to branch out into chapter books (as well as older kids – and adults like me – who just love the darling owls and the cute, fast read).

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Bow Wow – Book 3 in the Bowser and Birdie mystery series. I read the first book, Woof, and really enjoyed it.
Bring Me the Head of Ivy Pocket – Book 3 in the Ivy Pocket series about a young maid who has a string of ridiculously bad luck as she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy. I have book one in my TBR pile.
Code Name Flood – Edge of Extinction book 2, an adventure series about dinosaurs. I have book one in my TBR pile.
Crown of Three: A Kingdom Rises – Book 3 in the Crown of Three series about triplets at the center of a prophecy. I need to read the first book in this series!
Dragon’s Green – First book in the new Worldquake series about magic and books.
Keys to the City – A girl tries to find her true passion in New York City.
Orphan Island – Orphan Island, where once a year a boat arrives with a new young child and the eldest sails away, never to be heard from again. I have been hearing rave reviews about this book for months! Anyone who had an early copy has loved it. I can’t wait to give it a try.
Pixie Piper and the Matter of the Batter – Book 2 in the Pixie Piper series about a descendant of Mother Goose. I have book one in my TBR pile.
Restart – A boy loses his memory and tries to piece together the person he was before and decide who he might want to be going forward. I love Gordon Korman’s work, and I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Wonder Woman Junior Novel – Junior novel for the new movie releasing this coming weekend.
Worst Fairy Godmother Ever – Book 1 in the Wish List series about a fairy godmother in training.
Eliza and her Monsters – The anonymous creator of a popular webcomic  loses her anonymity, and everything she has built starts to fall apart.
One of Us Is Lying – Five students walk into detention. Only four walk back out. This sounds like a  great mystery and a perfect summer read!
Romancing the Throne – Average girl falls in love with a prince. I love stories like this – and Hallmark movies! The setting (prep school) and the sister rivals make this sound like a fun variation on a familiar theme.
Royal Bastards – The illegitimate children of the aristocracy stumble upon something they were never supposed to see. I am SO excited about reading this one! I have an early copy and hope to review it here soon.
When It’s Real – A bad-boy pop star needs to change his image, so he hires a fake girlfriend.

Books for Adults

About a Dog – First book in a new romance series by Jenn McKinlay, one of my favorite mystery authors. I am eager to check out this new series!
Bearly Departed – First book in a new teddy bear mystery series about a factory and shop  that makes and sells teddy bears.
Death by Vanilla Latte – Book 4 in the Bookstore Cafe Mystery series set in a bookstore cafe called Death by Coffee.
A Hiss Before Dying – Book 26 in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series about a post-mistress and her pets.
Marriage Is Pure Murder – Book 6 in the Blossom Valley mystery series set at an organic farm and spa.
One Fete in the Grave – Book 3 in the Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery series about a party planner.
Yews with Caution – Book 19 in the Flower Shop Mystery series.
Star Trek The Next Generation: Hearts and Minds – Activities 350 years apart may bring new details to light about the Federation’s past.
Al Franken, Giant of the Senate – After watching some of the Senate confirmation hearings, I am curious about this memoir from Franken about why he ran for office.
Israel Matters: Why Christians Must Think Differently About the People and the Land – I’m curious to read the author’s take on Christianity and Israel.
Knights in Training: Ten Principles for Raising Honorable, Courageous and Compassionate Boys – I’m always interested in parenting books!

BOOK NEWS: May 23, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Once a month there is a week where fewer new books make my list. This is that week for May (next week is HUGE). Enjoy looking at these books releasing this week:

May I Have a Word? – A battle of the magnet letters!
Wallace and Grace: Take the Cake/The Cupcake Caper – New early chapter book mystery series. Looks adorable!
Beach Party Surf Monkey – Book 2 in the Welcome to Wonderland series
Rise of the Isle of the Lost – The third Descendants novel based on the Disney movie.
William Wenton and the Impossible Puzzle – A kid with a gift for code-breaking and puzzles is pulled into a mysterious new school
Science Comics: Flying Machines – Graphic Novel about airplanes and other flying machines
Crazy House – New dystopian book for teens by James Patterson.
Watching the Detectives – Book 5 in the Country Club Mystery series

BOOK NEWS: May 16, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Hope you all were able to celebrate someone yesterday – your mother or aunt or grandmother, being a mother, or maybe another woman who has been instrumental in your life and growth.  These parent-related holidays can be fraught with emotions; I hope you were able to plan some self-care if that is the case for you.

My favorite method of self-care is reading. Here are some of the new books coming out this week!

Books for Kids

7 Ate 9 – Looking forward to this picture book based on the “Why was 6 afraid of 7?” joke heard in elementary schools everywhere.
Grace Hopper Queen of Computer Code – Picture book biography of one of the pioneers of computer science
Margaret and the Moon – Picture book biography of the woman whose code helped put Americans on the moon.
Amelia Bedelia Makes a Splash – Book 11 in the young Amelia Bedelia chapter book series

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora – A boy and his new friend try to save the family restaurant and their whole community against a sneaky land developer.
The Great Treehouse War – It’s kids vs. parents when Winnie and her friends take a stand in her treehouse.
P.S. Send More Cookies – Book 3 in the Secret Cookie Club series about a group of friends from summer camp.
World’s Greatest Detective – Two kids try to win a contest for finding the World’s Greatest Detective.
Guts and Glory: The American Revolution – The Guts and Glory series looks at the American Revolution
Where Are the Galapagos Islands?
Where Is the Eiffel Tower?
Antisocial – Senior year at a prep school is upended when an epic hack lays everyone’s secrets out in the open. I love stories like this that look at the downsides of our technology.
Flame in the Mist – A Mulan-like story about a girl on her way to an arranged marriage who falls in with a gang of bandits. Sounds great!
The Names They Gave Us – A girl’s summer plans change when her mom’s cancer reappears, her boyfriend pauses their relationship, and her usual Bible camp job switches to a camp for troubled kids.
Know Who You Are. Live Like It Matters. – A study of identity in Christ for homeschoolers and other young people. Enough lessons for a 36-week school year.

Books for Adults

Hospitality and Homicide – Book 8 in the Tourist Trap Mystery series
Reference to Murder – Book 2 in the Book Barn Mystery series.

 

I think my top picks for this week are The Great Treehouse War and The Names They Gave Us. What are you hoping to read soon?

BOOK NEWS: May 9, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Monday! Hope  you had some reading time this weekend. Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

   

Bad Guy – New picture book about sibling rivalry
Pete the Cat – Cool Cat Boogie – New picture book starring Pete the Cat
There Might Be Lobsters – Picture book about a worried pup’s trip to the beach. This looks darling!
Curious George Builds a Treehouse – Early Reader about Curious George
Amy on Park Patrol – Book 17 in the early chapter book Critter Club series
Howl at the Moon – Book 3 in the Scholastic Branches  Hagis and Tank Unleashed series
Lola – Latest book in the long-running Puppy Place series
Pumpkin the Hamster – Book 6 in the Doctor KittyCat early chapter book series.
Super Rabbit Boy Powers Up – Book 2 in this Scholastic Branches series with a video game feel.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Bodyguard: Recruit/Hostage/Hijack/Ransom – The first four books in a new action/adventure series release all at once, just in time for summer. A teen kickboxing champ is trained as a bodyguard, and his first protectee is the First Daughter. Two more books in the series will release in the fall. I love the whole idea for this, especially releasing several books at once so kids can really dig in!
Call Me Sunflower – A girl trying to help her parents reconcile stumbles onto a secret.
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground – A boy runs away after the loss of his grandfather, in search of his grandfather’s old blues band.
Edgeland – Edgeland is an island on the edge of The Drain – a giant whirlpool where people from all over the world travel to send off their dead. Two kids try to loot one of the boats before it goes into the Drain, but instead they go over the edge.
Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever – Collection of essays from today’s funniest women writers.
Gabby Garcia’s Ultimate Playbook – Gabby, the star pitcher, is sent to a new school which puts her winning streak – in everything – in jeopardy. This has been compared to Dork Diaries and Middle School.
Giant Trouble – Book 4 in the awesome Hamster Princess series. You can read my review of book 3 here. I loved it!
The Lines We Cross – The son of anti-immigration demonstrators has his ideas challenged when an immigrant from Afghanistan comes to his prep school.
Girling Up: How to be Strong, Smart and Spectacular – Nonfiction book for girls and young women by TV star and neuroscientist, Mayim Bialik about growing up to the best you can be.

Books for Adults

Bad to the Bone (5/8) – Book 3 in the “Barkery” and Biscuits Mystery series. These look really fun!
Edited Out – Book 2 in the Mysterious Detective series
The Final Vow (5/8) – Book 3 in the Living History Museum mystery series
The Run-Out Groove – Book 2 in the Vinyl Detective mystery series about a record collector who gets pulled into actual detective cases.
Start with Amen: How I Learned to Surrender by Keeping the End in Mind – I think the subtitle makes the topic perfectly clear. Starting with Amen means starting with “so be it” and surrender. I totally need this book in my life right now.

BOOK NEWS: May 2, 2017

Posted on by Jaymie

The first Tuesday of a new month is always chock full of new books! And this month is no exception. There’s something for everyone this week. Plenty of new additions to favorite series as well as all sorts of new stories to enjoy. Time travel. Star Wars. Mysteries. Superheroes. So many great options this week. Let’s take a look:

Books for Kids

The Case of the Stinky Stench – Picture book mystery with Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast.
Dragons Love Tacos 2 – What’s not to love about dragons and tacos?! The first book was great, and I am eager to see how the story continues.
Elephant and Piggie Biggie – This is NOT a new Elephant and Piggie book (so sad), but instead this combines 5 of their books into one volume. This would make an excellent gift for a mom of preschoolers (Mother’s Day is next week!) or for any Piggie and Gerald fan who doesn’t already have these books in their collection. Two of my favorites – Can I Play Too? and Let’s Go for a Drive – are included in this collection.
Go Sleep in Your Own Bed – This looks like a classic bedtime book in the making. A series of farm animals find other animals sleeping in their places. I love Candace Fleming’s books, and I imagine this one will be no exception.
The Good for Nothing Button – Book 3 in the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series. While these are not new Piggie and Gerald books (still sad…), they are in that sort of style.
Naptastrophe – Jarrett J. Krosoczka is one of my favorite people in the children’s lit world. If he writes it, I will read it. He’s the author of the Lunch Lady graphic novels and the awesome Platypus Police Squad middle grade series. Naptastrophe is definitely on my list!.
Pete with No Pants – This book is getting rave reviews! I have to check this one out – it looks hilarious.
Peterrific – Pinkalicious’ little brother, Peter, gets his own story.
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do – Terrific story about perseverance from one of my favorite illustrators, Ashley Spires. I’ll be reviewing this book here tomorrow.
Pete the Cat and the Tip Top Tree House – New Early Reader starring Pete the Cat
Wonder Woman: Meet the Heroes – Early Reader tie in for the Wonder Woman movie
The Genie’s Curse – Little Legends, book 3. Fun, fractured fairy tale early chapter book series
Goldie Blox and the Three Dares/Rules the School – Early chapter books based on the Goldie Blox building toys
Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt – Book 2 in the Narwhal and Jelly graphic novel series
100 Galactic Devotions – Devotional for kids (releases today)
Lego DC The Awesome Guide – Colorful guide to the Lego DC universe with exclusive Wonder Woman mini-figure.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

   

Camp Half-Blood Confidential – Percy Jackson and friends add their commentary to Apollo’s guidebook for Camp Half-Blood. Fun for fans of the original Percy Jackson series!
Dark Prophecy – Book 2 in the Rick Riordan Trials of Apollo series about the god, Apollo, who has been turned into a normal teenager and sent to earth to figure out what has happened to the Oracles and set things right. Includes the characters Leo and Calypso from the Heroes of Olympus series.
Fairy Tale Detectives (10th Anniversary Edition) – I don’t usually post about re-releases in Book News, but this series is worth a special mention. I loved the series when it first came out. The author has been able to retool a few things for the re-release. Plus those new covers! I like to let folks know if something is truly new or just a re-packaging. This is a great re-package with some updates. If you have never tried this series, give it a go! I plan to enjoy each and every book in the series as they re-release.
How to Be a Supervillain – Victor is not living up to the family legacy of villainy. As a last-ditch effort to live up to his family expectations, Victor gets a supervillain mentor. I love a good superhero/villain story! This looks terrific.
Invisible Emmie – A middle school story in graphic novel form. Looks perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier (see post about Real Friends) or Jennifer Holm (Babymouse, Sunny Side Up).
Lemons – This is a lovely story. Lem has lost her mother and her home. She moves in with a grandfather she doesn’t know in a community where people think Bigfoot is real. I’ll be reviewing this one next week – you should check it out!
Marty Pants: Do Not Open – On the surface this looks like a book in the style of Wimpy Kid or Timmy Failure or Big Nate. The story, though, of a secret take-over-the-world plot sounds like my favorite mystery stories. I will definitely be checking this one out!
Posted – This is one of the books I am most looking forward to reading this summer. It should be showing up at my house tomorrow and I can hardly wait. The author’s last book, Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, was amazing. I think this one will be as well!
Real Friends – Graphic novel/memoir from fantastic author, Shannon Hale (Princess in Black, Princess Academy, Ever After High, Squirrel Girl, etc.). I’m really looking forward to this. It looks perfect for fans of similar books by Raina Telgemeier.
The Secret Diary of Apple White (Ever After High) – Second book in the latest series centered on the characters from Ever After High.
Supernormal Sleuthing Service: Lost Legacy – Book 1 in a new series about a stolen artifact and a hotel full of monsters.
Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills (Star Wars Rogue One) – A story for middle grade readers centered on popular Rogue One characters Baze and Chirrut. Since Rogue One just released on DVD, this is perfect timing. Consider this for your Star Wars fan for summer reading!
Time Stoppers: Quest for the Golden Arrow – Book 2 in the Time Stoppers series about time travel and fantasy creatures. This sounds like a series I would love.
Always and Forever, Lara Jean – The third and final book in the Lara Jean trilogy. I read the first book, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, but I didn’t get to book 2. I’m curious to see how things wrap up for Lara Jean.
And We’re Off – A young artist is offered a trip to Europe to paint. Her mother isn’t very excited about the trip, but at the last minute she decides to go along. This sounds like a perfect summer read!
Avenged – Book 2 in the Ruined series. I have book 1 in my TBR pile but haven’t gotten to it yet. Maybe this summer!
Cold Summer – A time traveler with PTSD wonders if it is his destiny to die in World War II.
Court of Wings and Ruin – Book 3 in the Court of Thorns and Roses series. I haven’t tried this yet, but the covers are absolutely gorgeous and make me want to run out and buy them.
Four Weeks, Five People – Five teens struggling with various mental and personality disorders share four weeks in wilderness therapy. I have been enjoying the surge of teen (and middle grade) books that look at mental illness. I’m eager to check this one out.
Lois Lane Triple Threat – Book 3 in this fun Lois Lane series. I just read book one and thought it was fantastic. I’ll be reviewing it here on the blog later this week. Book 2 and 3 are definitely on my TBR list!
Star Wars: Rebel Rising – An original story that fills in the gaps from Star Wars Rogue One about Jyn Erso’s childhood.
Textrovert – A girl accidentally swaps phones with an arrogant football player on his way to football camp. They will have to field each other’s messages until he gets back. This sounds awesome.
Windfall – This book from a favorite author tells the story of a girl who buys a winning lottery ticket for her best friend/secret crush. Looking forward to reading this one!

Books for Adults

Alien Education – Book 15 in the Katherine “Kitty” Katt/Aliens series. These are among my most favorite books ever. I am especially eager to read this one because several plot threads were wrapped up at the end of the last book, so I think we might be heading into some fun, new territory in this book. And the kids in the series are getting older and far more involved in things, which I love. I think they could play a major role in this story. I will be staking out our mailbox all day Tuesday waiting for my pre-order to arrive.
Dead and Berried – Book 3 in the Cranberry Cove mystery series about all things cranberry.
Death in Dark Blue – Book 2 in the Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series. I LOVED book one, A Dark and Stormy Murder! This one is a top pick for me.
Ghostal Living – Book 3 in the Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery series about an interior designer
Killer Characters – Book 8 in the Books by the Bay Mystery series
Love and Death in Burgundy – First in a new series that takes place in France. Sounds lovely!
Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hill – Book 4 in the Honeychurch Hill Mystery series about an antique dealer and her widowed mother. The story for this particular book – a missing manuscript – sounds really interesting to me.
Nightshade for Warning – Book 2 of the Enchanted Garden Mystery series about a perfume shop and garden.
A Purely Private Matter – Book 2 in the Rosalind Thorne Mystery series. I adored book one – A Useful Woman. Can’t wait to read this sequel!
Threads of Suspicion – Book 2 in the Evie Blackwell Cold Case series about a police investigator.
Your Killin’ Heart – First in the Nashville Mystery series about a travel agent in the world of country music stars.
Release My Grip – Interactive book for parents getting ready to launch their high school students to wherever life takes them next. A great gift idea for the parents of graduates or soon-to-be-graduates! Includes reflection questions, scripture, and journaling space.
Rewrite Your Life – The redemptive process of writing fiction. I have read the author’s fiction books before, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one! I enjoyed her TED talk about how writing fiction helped her heal after the death of her husband.
Topography of Tears – Microscopic look at tears shed in different circumstances by men, women, adults and children. This sounds fascinating! I hope my local bookstore or library orders this one because I am fascinated by this whole idea.
Truth – Devotional from Christian author, Randy Alcorn. I love his work – both fiction and nonfiction. This one is on my list for sure. (releases today)