The Memory Thieves (The Conjureverse #2) By: Dhonielle Clayton Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy Number of Pages: 416 Published: September 26, 2023 Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Dates Read: January 4, 2024 - January 8, 2024 Format: Library Book / Hardcover
Ella is ready to go back to the Arcanum Training Institute with her friends Brigit and Jason. But her celebrity status for saving the Marvellian world from the Ace of Anarchy is making it hard for Ella to focus on her school world. And, on top of all that, a mysterious magical illness has begun to sweep through the halls of the Institute, causing nose bleeds, headaches, and messing with people’s marvels! Can Ella and her friends save themselves and the Marvellian world before the Ace of Anarchy’s next big plan is put into place?
If you’d like another series that’s focused on a magical school (with an unproblematic author) and with much diversity, this is for you. Right now its focus is a middle grade audience, but I feel like it could move onward to more maturity as the characters also grow – especially if we keep following the line of each book is a new school year.
The world building in this is fantastic and wonderful. There’s so many layers of the Marvellian World we haven’t discovered yet and I can’t wait to see it.
Lately I’ve been a bit of a stickler when it comes to reading series – I don’t want to read them until it’s mostly all published because I hate waiting. But, waiting sometimes is the fun part and I read the first of this series before I really realized it was going to be a series.
Now, I’m glad I’ve always got something to look forward to.
Overall, I think anyone who enjoys magical schools and kids using their skills to outsmart adults – I believe you’ll like this book!
The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum By: Lisa Yee, Dan Santat (Illustrator) Genre: Middle Grade Number of Pages: 288 Published: January 2, 2024 Publisher: Random House for Young Readers Dates Read: January 3, 2024 - January 4, 2024 Format: ARC / Library Book / Audiobook
Olive Cobin Zang has always slipped under the radar but problems have a knack for always finding her. But nothing would prepare her for the once prison, now turned to a reforming arts boarding school she’s dropped off at: RASCH. There, she’s lumped in with a team of four other kids whose goal is to fight crime.
Turns out, RASCH is in danger of closing. If Olive and The Misfits can stop the heist of the century, maybe she can stay at the school where she finally feels like she belongs.
One thing I want to make clear on this, is that I would not deem this as a graphic novel. It’s a novel with illustrations for sure, but not a graphic novel with pages full of panels; it’s mostly text. So hence my surprise when asked for the ARC, received it and opened it to find it mostly text. Now, it’s still a great story! And super fun and I can see a lot of kid enjoy the “being a spy” aspect
Other than that, I enjoyed the middle grade spy/crime fighting book. Was some of it completely out there – yes. But it totally reads like a fun movie – and the illustrations here and there help with the film in my head. For those kids that like page turning action, this will do it for you.
*Thank you Random House for Young Readers and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Sorry this is late (but it’s being published before the first Tuesday releases!). I got the news I didn’t get a job I’d basically been working for since March on Tuesday, right before I was planning on putting this together. Ultimately, this got put aside until I could manage to look ahead at books without crying. I’m not sure what my future holds – “It just wasn’t meant to be” still doesn’t help the heartache, but, books can take me to far off places, so that’s what I’m focusing on here. #Escapism
RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2023
Bookshops & Bonedust
by: Travis Baldree
Why am I stoked for this release?
Legends and Lattes is one of my all time favorite cozy fantasy novels. This one is the prequel that follows Viv shortly after she gets wounded during a hunt.
The last one felt like a warm blanket cuddle on a chilly fall night, so I’m expecting great things from this one too.
Sail Me Away Home
by: Ann Clare LeZotte
Why am I stoked for this release?
This novel pairs with Show Me a Sign and Set Me Free – stories follows Mary Lambert, a young Deaf girl from Martha’s Vineyard, a predominately Deaf Island, in the early 19th century.
I enjoyed the other two because talked about a big part of Deaf history and culture a lot of people don’t know about. This one seems like it will be able the education of Deaf children, which is a so layer and deeper than most people think.
A Grandmother Begins the Story
by: Michelle Porter
Why am I stoked for this release?
This story follows five generations of women and bison as they navigate their traumas try to rebuild their futures.
Written by an author who comes from a long line of Métis storytellers, this novel had received beautiful reviews and as I’ve said in previous months, I love a good generational story.
The Beautiful and the Wild
by: Peggy Townsend
Why am I stoked for this release?
So this one is actually set in Alaska. Last month I believe, I thought I had a YA where it was set in Alaska, and it was not. So, this is my Alaskan novel I plan on reading this winter.
It’s supposed to be about survival in the wilds of Alaska and I watch enough hunting and survival shows that I’m ready.
RELEASE DATE: November 14, 2023
Day
by: Michael Cunningham
Why am I stoked for this release?
I mentioned about loving family dynamic novels before. This is one of those that’s supposedly painful, but beautiful at the same time.
I’ve got a few authors I’m thinking of that I’ll be comparing this to, but I won’t know until I read it. And I have a feeling this will stand all on it’s own.
RELEASE DATE: November 28, 2023
We Must Not Think of Ourselves
by: Lauren Grodstein
Why am I stoked for this release?
I used to read a ton of WWII historical fiction. So much so that I kind of forced myself to take a step back from it for a bit. I still read this time, but I limit myself to only a few a year, and not all 120 of my books.
This is inspired by the testimony-gathering project with the code name Oneg Shabbat, where those trapped in the Warsaw Ghetto began collecting the stories of those living between the walls.
It’s going to probably be a difficult read, but it’s important.
The Infinity Particle
By: Wendy Xu
Genre: Graphic Novel
Number of Pages: 272
Published: August 29, 2029
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Dates Read: October 14, 2023
Format: Library Book / Hardcover
Trigger Warnings: Emotional abuse
Clementine Change moves from Earth to Mars for a fresh start and to work her dream job with Dr. Marcella Lin, an AI pioneer. On her first day of work, Clementine meets Kye, Mr. Lin’s personal humanoid AI assistant. Clem has built her own robot – a moth-shaped companion named SENA, so she’s no stranger to artificial intelligence, but there’s something human about Kye. When the two begin working together, sparks begin. But Dr. Lin is enraged by Kye’s growing independence and restricts his freedom. Both Clem and SENA can tell there’s something different with Kye, that he’s possibly more than just your standard AI – but what is Dr. Lin trying to hide?
Firstly, this is all just adorable.
Secondly, when do we get to have our own “Build-A-Friend: Kiddie Robotics Kit”? I would also like to have my own SENA as my best friend. Seeing her expressions always got me to giggle at how cute she was.
The artwork in this novel is beautiful and works really well with the complimentary limited pallet. Everything is clearly seen from panel to panel – even in the darker/evening time panels.
Overall – if you read Mooncakes and loved it, you’ll love this one. You’ll also love it if you like the age-old Sci-Fi question of : when is a being truly a conscious living thing? Also, again, cute and adorable companions.
The Eyes & the Impossible
By: Dave Eggers
Genre: Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 256
Published: May 9, 2023
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: May 4, 2023 - May 7, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook
Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea where it’s his job to be the Eyes for the park’s three elders, the Bison. His friends – a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican – are Assistant Eyes, observing the comings and goings of the park who report their findings to Johannes, who then gives their, along with his own observations, to the Bison.
But changes are happening at the park – a new building means more humans, and more humans means more Trouble Travelers. And then there were the new animals called goats that literally appeared as a boatload. Upon their arrival, new, shocking revelations change Johannes’ whole world.
After I read Pax by Sara Pennypacker, I’ve kind of been on the hunt for another middle grade, animal book. I know there’s all kinds of these out there, but this one… it’s the way that Johannes’ voice is written I believe, that just gives me a warm, good feeling in my chest.
It was fun to hear Johannes and his friends explain things from the humans – sometimes they’re way off and it would give me a good giggle (like their viewpoint on time is way off, everything is 1,000 years and it’s just adorable).
This is going to be a book I can see myself recommending to anyone who just wants a chill, feel good book with animals. I’ve already talked about it pretty much nonstop since I got to work this morning. I know animal books are hard, and can be weird, but this one is cute and adorable.
*Thank you Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This will hopefully be something I can bring together on the 1st of every month. Some of these books I may have already read and reviewed, others may be on my TBR within the next couple of weeks, and others I may not get to soon, but they are on my TBR for when I’ve got the time!
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 7, 2023
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez
by: Claire Jiménez
Why am I stoked for this release?
This is both a heartwarming and a heartbreaking novel about a Puerto Rican family in Staten Island who discovers their long-missing sister is possibly alive and on a reality TV show. It’s about family and the dynamic between the two remaining sisters and their mom. This was one I was able to read before the publication date and I can see it ripping the hearts out of many readers.
The Moth Keeper
by: K. O’Neill
Why am I stoked for this release?
I love K. O’Neill and their art work. The Tea Dragon Society is one of my favorite graphic novels I love for the art and a series that I’m constantly recommending. This novel is no different – the artwork is stellar and amazing. The story itself deals with burnout and loneliness; something all of us probably know a little about nowadays. I was able to read this before it’s release and I’m excited for it to get into more and more hands for people to enjoy.
Weyward
by: Emilia Hart
Why am I stoked for this release?
This is a debut novel about gender and control with a look into the long echoes of male violence through the centuries. It’s historical fiction mixed with magical realism, there’s witches, and nature. I haven’t read this one yet, but the cover alone is beautiful!
The Last Beekeeper
by: Julie Carrick Dalton
Why am I stoked for this release?
I always seem to gravitate towards dystopian fiction, even if I don’t mean to. This one though, seems like it would be a good read. It’s a celebration of found family, an exploration of truth versus power, and what it means to have hope in the face of despair.
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 14, 2023
Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller
by: Oliver Darkshire
Why am I stoked for this release?
I’m a librarian, who worked at a bookstore before this, why wouldn’t I be excited for a novel about a bookseller? I remember the days of customers asking for (and selling us) the rarest of items. I’m pretty sure my store even had a book my manager had to do weeks of research on to figure out what it even was. It’s crazy and I’m excited to read this guy’s adventures.
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 21, 2023
Lucha of the Night Forest
by: Tehlor Kay Mejia
Why am I stoked for this release?
Tehlor Kay Mejia wrote an amazing duology We Set the Dark on Fire with some badass women who don’t need men to do great things. This one is about a girl who will do anything to protect her sister. There a scorned god, a mysterious acolyte, a drug that makes you forget, and a dangerous forest? Sign me up!
Bea Wolf
by: Zach Weinersmith
Why am I stoked for this release?
A retelling of Beowulf for middle schoolers in the form of a graphic novel, and it has beautiful and fun art? Sign me up! I was able to read an advance copy of this and I can’t wait for people of all ages to read this. The writing is fun and engaging and the artwork will have you giggling on the floor.
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 28, 2023
The Quiet and the Loud
by: Helena Fox
Why am I stoked for this release?
Biz, the main character in Fox’s How It Feels to Float has had a piece of my heart since I read that book back in 2019. I’ve been waiting for Fox to release a new book, so as soon as I heard about this, I immediately knew I needed to read it. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this, so I should be reading this in the next week or so.
Saints of the Household
by: Ari Tison
Why am I stoked for this release?
A debut YA by a Indigenous Costa Rican-American writer told through alternating points of views using vignettes and poems. this is about two brothers who have always had one another for survival against their abusive father but when they beat up their high school’s star soccer player, they must deal with their actions and the shift in their relationship.
Chlorine
by: Jade Song
Why am I stoked for this release?
This is supposed to be a coming-of-age narrative mixed with horror and I don’t really know why, but that speaks to me and I want to read it. There’s mention of the pressure put on young women and their bodies and I’m interested to see how that’s written. I was also in love with mermaids and sirens as a kid so the cover of this caught my attention too.
I started my new year with the last two books of a manga series I started at the end of last year. A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Oima. I originally found the series at a Barnes & Noble as a full volume set back in December. I’m a conversationalist in American Sign Language (definitely not fluent by any means, but can still have a conversation). I have always been curious to see how authors portray Deaf characters – and how they show them when it’s graphic novels or manga, so when I found out what this was about, I immediately put the whole series on Hold at work.
Overall, this was a good series and I enjoyed it quite a bit! There were some slow parts and some redemption arcs that didn’t quite hit the mark, but I still can still see myself recommending it and possibly purchases the collective volume in the future too!
A Silent Voice, Volume 6
By: Toshitoki Oima, Steven LeCroy (Translator)
Genre: Manga
Number of Pages: 184
Published: April 19, 2016 (1st Published October 17, 2014)
Publisher: Kodansha Comica
Dates Read: January 4, 2023 - January 5, 2023
Format: Library Book / Paperback
With Shoya in a coma, Shoko tries desperately to fix what she made wrong with her friends, who are also desperately struggling with their own stuff.
This volume focused on nearly everyone and their emotions a little bit at a time as they waited for Shoya to wake up. Each chapter focused on someone differently. While some chapters allowed me to understand the character a bit more – others made me hate the character more. It just kind of goes to show that no one is perfect and people react to stuff in different ways. Example – I still don’t like Naoka and Miki’s chapter didn’t redeem her for me either.
Oima did a wonderful job at Shoko’s struggle with communicating with hearing individuals and showing how much she misses and struggles.
I have loved the journey so far and can’t wait to see how this all comes together in the last volume.
!!SPOILER!!
I was nearly having a heart attack at the end of the volume though when I thought Shoya had died
A Silent Voice, Volume 7
By: Toshitoki Oima, Steven LeCroy (Translator)
Genre: Manga
Number of Pages: 190
Published: May 24, 2016 (1st Published December 17, 2014)
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Dates Read: January 5, 2023
Format: Library Book / Paperback
Shoya reunites with Shoko and the group works on finishing the movie together even though there is a strain in their relationships.
This was a good ending to the series. I felt like Shoya actually grew as a person and we were able to see his redemption arc. Though, personally, I don’t understand his life journey he’s planning on going down, but it was left a bit open ended, so I can always play around with that.
I still do not understand Naoka and her storyline… she’s still a jerk and she physically assaulted half the group (and Shoko multiple times), and yet everyone is okay with her?? I know we get her background and story but none of that was redeemable to me. It just kind of made me dislike her even more.
I was really happy about where we left off with Yuzuru and I’m so proud and happy for her journey she will be going on. I honestly hope she gets everything she ever wants.
I know this is somewhat marked as a romance, though it was more teen puppy love I feel like… it didn’t necessarily end with people getting together, but that they understood how important the other person was to them. That’s a good thing to be able to show teens that things don’t always end in a relationship and that that’s okay.
Overall, this is a cute and emotional ride of a manga that I can see myself purchasing for my own collection down the line. I shall be watching the movie at some point in the near future as well.
For the last few years, I’ve made a post titled “The List Nobody Asked For But Got Anyway” aka My Past Year Books Read List.
I then spend way too much time getting the covers of every book I’ve read and put them in a little collage thing in the order I read them, pick my favorite book of the year, pick some of my random book statistics, (I really love random statistics), and then post it on December 31st.
This year, I continued that trend and spent 4 hours gathering all my stuff together on my iPad, making the collages, and then figuring out what I wanted to say.
I thought I’d kind of make it my 1st post of the year, so you can all see my reading habits and preferences – though, like always, I am trying to branch out this year too!
oldandnewbooksmell 