It’s another long list of great new releases today! As always, I’ll provide the Kindle links below, but I encourage you to stop by your local bookstore to pick up print copies when you can.
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni – This was my January Book of the Month selection and I’m having trouble waiting a few more weeks before I read this – it looks so good! I have this scheduled as my read for Ramadan in March since this story focuses on three sisters during the Indian partition in 1947. The sisters’ lives follow the religious and political differences that created the need to split Bangladesh and Pakistan off from India. This book release is timely with the 75th anniversary of the partition coming up in August.
The Reunion by Kayla Olson – this tale of two child stars coming together for a staged reunion of their show promises to deliver a lighthearted romance story. With many trying to force a reboot of their original show, the two stars have to develop their relationship while dealing with the egos and diverging goals of the other actors. This is the third book from Kayla Olson with her first two directed towards the young adult audience.
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict – This is the latest historical fiction from Benedict and is based on the life of Nancy Mitford and her sisters. Mitford, a British novelist in the inter-war period, was forced to choose between family and country when she became suspicious her younger sister may be spying for the enemy. I have previously read several of Benedict’s books and included Her Hidden Genius in my December reviews. I am looking forward to reading The Mitford Affair as well!
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey – this debut novel comes highly recommended by the team at Goodreads and I can’t wait to grab a copy! Maggie is newly divorced after a very short marriage and looking for things that might help her move on and find happiness. Touted as a laugh-out-loud funny story of a young woman reinventing herself, I have a feeling I will be able to relate to the struggles of the main character.
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis – I am obsessed with the Gilded Age in New York and this novel is bound to feed that obsession! Davis is well loved for her books set in this time period, and this should add to that adoration. Touted as a mystery split between two time periods, this novel follows the life of a young woman in the 1920’s after losing her mother to the Spanish flu outbreak in 1919. It jumps between that storyline and one of a model in 1970 who uncovers secret messages in the home where the 1920’s timeline takes place.
The Devil You Know by PJ Tracy – This is the third installment of the Detective Margaret Nolan series set in LA. Following the death investigation of a well-known Hollywood actor, this book promises mystery, thrill, and an inside look at the lives of celebrities. I have not yet read books from this series, but these look so great!
Love & Justice by Maya Moore Irons and Jonathan Irons – this memoir follows the challenges this couple faced as Maya worked to free Jonathan from a wrongful conviction. Maya, a WNBA star, met Jonathan, convicted at just 18 with no physical evidence, through a prison ministry with her family. She chose to step away from a promising sports career to help support Jonathan through his final appeal. This story walks through the darkest moments of their relationship and their eventual marriage.
A Mighty Long Way by Carlotta Walls LaNier and Lisa Frazier Page (paperback edition) – After reading Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals last month, I have been driven to read more memoirs by the Little Rock Nine. Carlotta was mentioned several times in Beals’ book and I can’t wait to read this account of their time integrating Little Rock Central High School. Carlotta was the first black female student to graduate from the school and the terror these students faced just trying to get an education is astounding.
Kids Books releasing today
Countdown to Easter by Greg Paprocki – this colorful board book is great for the littlest audiences under 3 years old. The book counts down from 10 to 1 and offers fun hidden image searches on each of its’ colorful pages. It is sure to get your young readers ready for the holiday!
The Enchanted Bridge by Zetta Elliot – this is the fourth installment of the Dragons in a Bag series. In this book, the characters are focused on convincing the leader of the magical realm that magical creatures should be allowed to return to the human world. The characters are faced with determining who are friends and who are foes as they trek across the magical world on their mission. This series is sure to please any middle grade kids obsessed with dragons and magic like my son!
The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh – this tale of the Ukrainian famine in 1930’s is incredibly timely given the current political environment in Europe. In this tale, a young boy and his family move in with his great-grandmother during the pandemic. While exploring the house, the boy finds photos from the matriarch’s childhood and a dangerous secret. With alternating timelines, this book is geared towards the older kids in the family 10 to 14 years of age.
Have I missed your new release favorite coming out today? Tell me about it in the comments!
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