Sponsored by Best Nerds Forever, published by Jimmy Patterson Books.
Being “nerdy” in middle school isn’t a bad thing–I should know! Me and my friends are nerds. Some of us are geeky, but we’re also really funny and never boring. One of my friends is even a jock but not a jerk. We don’t quite fit. But we’re fun. We’re a riot. We’re total chaos. And we own it–until one of us is targeted by a truck driving maniac. It will take all of our nerdiest skills to Sherlock Holmes our way out of one dangerous mess. Never be afraid to unleash your inner nerd!
Happy Monday, you marvelous humans! I am hoping you all had enjoyable weekends. So many of you were excited I mentioned Person of Interest last week! I have to say that I did not yet start it, but it is still at the top of my list. My next few weeks are filled with work assignments and video chats, which is how I like it. If you’d like to join me for an author chat, my next event is with Rafe Posey. We’ll be discussing his new book The Stars We Share tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18th at 7pm! I also added a couple more fantastic video chats that I can’t tell you about quite yet, but I am EXCITED.
Moving on: I have some delightful book news for you today. I also have a look at another charming upcoming holiday romance, plus SO MANY cover reveals, a terrible pun, my adorable little head tilter, and trivia! Let’s get started, shall we?
Here’s Monday’s trivia question: In Plain Bad Heroines by Emily Danforth, in what state is the Brookhants School for Girls located? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)
Deals, Reals, and Squeals!
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Queen Latifah and The Jim Henson Company are developing a film adaptation of The Conductors by Nicole Glover.
Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill will return for an Enola Holmes sequel on Netflix.
We’ve got a giveaway for a chance to win an iPad Mini! Enter here.
Roxane Gay and Jesmyn Ward have launched book clubs.
Here’s the first look at Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon adaptation.
Jamie Bell to join Elisabeth Moss in the adaptation of The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes.
Here are the winners of the 2021 Publishing Triangle Awards.
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Here’s the first trailer for Panic, based on the series by Lauren Oliver.
Here’s the first look at Take Me With You When You Go by David Levithan and Jennifer Nivenan.
Here’s the trailer for Lisey’s Story, based on the novel by Stephen King.
Cherry Jones has joined the cast of the adaptation of Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink.
Deals, Reals, and Squeals!
Penguin Teen revealed a few fabulous covers.
Here’s the cover reveal for Un-su Kim’s forthcoming novel, The Cabinet. (I love the cat.)
Here’s the first look at Spear by Nicola Griffith.
Here’s the cover reveal of The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories: A Collection of Chinese Science Fiction and Fantasy in Translation by Yu Chen and Regina Kanyu Wang.
Here’s the cover reveal of The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson.
Check out the reveal of Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long.
Here’s the cover reveal of The Date from Hell by Gwenda Bond.
Spirits Abroad: and Other Stories by Zen Cho has a new edition with a new cover.
Book Riot Recommends
At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and learn about a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week so you can add them to your TBR! (It will now be books I loved on Mondays and books I’m excited to read on Thursdays. YAY, BOOKS!)
Loved, loved, loved:
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, October 5)
I didn’t expect to be recommending two marvelous holiday romances in a row, but here we are!
Charlie Goodwin is a talented chef and the cohost of a popular cooking show, but things aren’t going so well right now. The show is being cancelled after the holiday special, and Charlie only has one week left to show the producers they should pick her for the host of their new show. Her first big problem is her jerk of a cohost, Austin, who is willing to fight dirty to get the job for himself. The second problem is a bump on the head: Charlie gets a concussion just before she’s set to tape the holiday special. How can she compete now?!?
The answer: call her identical twin, Cass, an equally talented cook and owner of a small bakery in their hometown. Cass is also having problems. She’s just broken up with her long-time boyfriend and a new chain bakery is moving in next door to try and You’ve Got Mail her out of business. So when Charlie suggests they switch for the week, she’s all in.
At first, the switch is pretty easy. It’s a lot easier to make decisions and pass judgements when the results won’t affect you personally. But as Charlie and Cass work their way through mishaps and triumphs pretending to be each other, they both find themselves in the stickiest of situations: they’re in love. Charlie falls for Cass’s best friend, Jake, while Cass is swooning over Charlie’s doctor, Miguel. But coming clean about their trickery might backfire in their face. Can the twins save the day and find love?
This book is a freaking delight. I loved both the sisters and how they were like, “Oh, sure, this is a great idea, no problem” and immediately tacked everything head on. I thought the ensuing confusion that always results when people switch was fun and handled well. Cass takes no guff from Austin and it’s awesome. All told, it was the utterly charming story that I wanted it to be.
What I’m reading this week.
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The Tangleroot Palace: Stories by Marjorie Liu
We Are Watching Eliza Bright by A.E. Osworth
Fierce Little Thing by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn
Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill
Groan-worthy joke of the week:
Sundays are always a little sad, but the day before is a sadder day.
And this is funny:
I still need to watch this franchise, but I would 100% watch this one.
Happy things:
Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:
- Infinity Train: I am still slowly working my way through this series, because it is so weird, it requires my full concentration. I am a big fan of Atticus, King of the Corgis, and also LOL forever at the door that is impossible to open.
- 30 Rock: After an attempt to start a popular older HBO show I hadn’t seen before (so! much! animal! death!), I needed something to scrub my brain clean, so I went back to this sitcom. I find it strange that I have only watched it once all the way through, given how much of it I still quote.
- Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
And here’s a cat picture!
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Zevon is the king of head tilts, and has a cute snoot to boot.
Trivia answer: Rhode Island.
Remember that whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I am sending you love and hugs. Please be safe, and be mindful of others. It takes no effort to be kind. I’ll see you again on Thursday. xoxo, Liberty