Categories
New Books

Dragon-Plagued Cities, A Contemporary Frankenstein Tale, And More New Books

It’s Tuesday (again!) which means there are a bunch of faboo new releases! (Why, yes, I did watch a lot of Animaniacs as a child.) I have a few more awesome books for you below and you can hear about several more great titles on this week’s episode of the All the Books! Jenn and I talked about a few amazing books we loved, including Brass, Eternal Life, The Milk Lady of Bangalore, and more.

OH! Did you know Book Riot is giving away a library cart? WELL WE ARE. Because that’s how we roll. Enter to win here.

let's talk about loveLet’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Alice’s romantic dreams were dashed when her girlfriend dumped her after Alice confessed to being asexual. Now she’s planning to spend her summer alone, binge-watching television and working at the library. Then she meets Takumi and her heart sings. Is she ready to risk their friendship to confess feelings that Takumi may not reciprocate or even understand? This is a heartfelt debut that is perfect for young (or not-so-young) readers, especially those still working out their place in the world. More asexual representation like this in books, please.

Backlist bump: Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee

our lady of the prairieOur Lady of the Prairie by Thisbe Nissen

There’s a hurricane headed to town, but that’s the least of Phillipa’s problems. The theater professor has just had a passionate affair while teaching away from home, now is returning for her daughter’s wedding, where she will have to endure her menacing mother-in-law, her husband, and all the baggage she left behind while she was gone. But what would happen if she walked away? Nissen’s sharp, funny novel explores what it means when a woman stands up for herself and starts putting herself first in her own life.

Backlist bump: The Good People of New York by Thisbe Nissen

frankenstein in baghdadFrankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi

A scavenger in US-occupied Baghdad stitches together the body parts of corpses in an effort to get citizens a proper burial, and a grieving mother claims it as her son. But when the corpse goes missing, a series of murders begin plaguing the city, leading to an undead killer who must be stopped. This is an inventive way to talk about the horrors of war, loss, and what it’s like to live in a war-torn city.

Backlist bump: Escape from Baghdad! by Saad Hossain

the sky is yoursThe Sky is Yours by Chandler Klang Smith

A dystopian epic about a future city called Empire Island, plagued by dragons, violence, and chaos, and three young people who must battle fire, the future, and themselves to survive in the world. I love the idea of a future world with dragons. This is a genre-bending delight!

Backlist bump: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (For more dragons. I am so into dragons right now.)

That’s it for me today – time to get back to reading! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

Beautiful Minds, A Lover’s Revenge, and More New Books

Happy Tuesday! Show of hands: Who’s reading something good this week? (I know, I know, I can’t really see your hands. But I can hear them.) Today is full of great new releases, and also a great re-release: Where the Line Bleeds, the first novel by Jesmyn Ward! I have a few more awesome books for you below and you can hear about several more great titles on this week’s episode of the All the Books! Rebecca and I talked about a few amazing books we loved, including Red Clocks, Fire Sermon, Truly Devious, and more.


Sponsored by ZENITH, new from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Sasha Alsberg & Lindsay Cummings.

An action-packed thrill ride of adventure, intrigue and steamy star-crossed romance! Book one in The Androma Saga, from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings.

Known as the Bloody Baroness, Captain Androma Racella and her motley crew roam the Mirabel galaxy on the starship Marauder taking whatever mercenary work they can find.

But when a routine job goes awry, the Marauder’s all-girl crew find themselves at the mercy of a dangerous bounty hunter from Andi’s past. Coerced into a life-threatening mission, and straight into the path of a shadowy ruler bent on revenge, Andi and her crew will either restore order to the ship—or start a war that will devour worlds.


everything here is beautifulEverything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee

A beautiful debut about sisterly love and mental illness. Miranda has cared for her younger sister, Lucia, since their mother died, taking measures to help her when she heard voices, and to protect her from her own impulses. But Miranda cannot contain Lucia forever, who wants to make the decisions about her own life, and soon the heartbreaking reality of the limits of Miranda’s guidance and Lucia’s illness will follow the sisters across oceans and time.

Backlist bump: Forgotten Country by Catherine Chung

heartlandHeartland by Ana Simo

A writer decides the best revenge against a rival, who stole her lover and then turned her out, is murder. Set against the backdrop of a crumbling nation, as America’s corporate greed leads to the starvation of the masses, Heartland is an electrifying, alarming, genre-defying debut about love, sex, and revenge.

Backlist bump: The Passion by Jeanette Winterson

body full of starsBody Full of Stars: Female Rage and My Passage into Motherhood by Molly Caro May

May discusses the physical and mental changes a new mother’s body experiences after a woman has given birth. Specifically, through the lens of her own health issues after the birth of her first child. An important examination of motherhood and women’s health, and how the often misdiagnosed or dismissed problems a new mother faces is a conversation the world should be having now.

Backlist bump: After Birth by Elisa Albert

oliver lovingOliver Loving by Stefan Merill Block

Oliver Loving was left trapped in his own mind after a terrible tragedy at a Texas school dance. Now, ten years later, he lives in a state facility, attended to by medical professionals and his family. But a new procedure may help him communicate again, and give his family and the small town the answers to what really happened on that fateful night. A moving novel about tragedy, communication, and redemption.

Backlist bump: The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merill Block

That’s it for me today – time to get back to reading! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

January New Release Megalist: The Sequel

There was no way I couldn’t do another big list today – there are too many books coming out today that I love! And I like including a lot of titles, even if I haven’t had a chance to read them, because maybe they are something YOU are excited to read or to learn about. I’m all about discussing books, as many and as often as I can.


Sponsored by HMH Teen

MEET CUTE is an anthology of original short stories featuring tales of “how they first met” from some of today’s most popular YA authors. Readers will experience Nina LaCour’s beautiful piece about two Bay Area girls meeting via a cranky customer service Tweet, Sara Shepard’s glossy tale about a magazine intern and a young rock star, and Nicola Yoon’s imaginative take on break-ups and make-ups. This incredibly talented group of authors brings us a collection of stories that are at turns romantic and witty, epic and everyday, heartbreaking and real.


(And like last time, I’m putting a ❤️ next to the books that I have read and loved. There are soooo many more on this list that I can’t wait to read!)

Speaking of new books, on All the Books! this week, Amanda and I discussed several great books, including The Immortalists, Achtung Baby, and Batman: Nightwalker.

And if you’d like to win several of our favorite books of 2017 (20, to be exact), you can click here to enter our Best of 2017 book giveaway for a chance to receive a big beautiful book bounty.

nice try jane sinnerNice Try, Jane Sinner by Lianne Oelke ❤️

Sinless: Eye of the Beholder by Sarah Tarkoff

A Girl in Exile: Requiem for Linda B. by Ismail Kadare (Author),‎ John Hodgson (Translator)

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman ❤️

Operator Down: A Pike Logan Thriller by Brad Taylor

No Justice: One White Police Officer, One Black Family, and How One Bullet Ripped Us Apart by Robbie Tolan (Author),‎ Lawrence Ross

The Spread Mind: Why Consciousness and the World Are One by Riccardo Manzotti

this could hurtThis Could Hurt by Jillian Medoff ❤️

Blood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy by J.R. Ward

Heavens on Earth: The Scientific Search for the Afterlife, Immortality, and Utopia by Michael Shermer

American Stranger by David Plante

Say My Name: A Novel by Allegra Huston

Samuel Beckett Is Closed by Michael Coffey

Abigail Adams, Pirate of the Caribbean (Time Twisters) by Steve Sheinkin

Fools and Mortals by Bernard Cornwell

the immortalistsThe Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin ❤️

Sunday Silence by Nicci French

The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam by Max Boot

Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children) by Seanan McGuire ❤️

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and‎ Sarah Pekkanen

Robots vs. Fairies by Dominik Parisien (Editor), Navah Wolfe (Editor) ❤️

Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say by Kelly Corrigan

Woman at 1,000 Degrees by Hallgrímur Helgason, Brian FitzGibbon (Translator)

widows of malabar hillThe Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey ❤️

The Transition: A Novel by Luke Kennard

Tears of Salt: A Doctor’s Story by Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta

Heart Spring Mountain: A Novel by Robin MacArthur ❤️

The Whispering Room: A Jane Hawk Novel by Dean Koontz

The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman

When to Jump: If the Job You Have Isn’t the Life You Want by Mike Lewis

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink

the chalk manThe Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

Neon in Daylight by Hermione Hoby ❤️

The Memoirs of Two Young Wives (NYRB Classics) by Honore de Balzac,‎ Jordan Stump (Translator)

Shroud of Eternity: Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles, Volume II by Terry Goodkind

Phone by Will Self

Grist Mill Road by Christopher J. Yates ❤️

Strangers: A Novel by Ursula Archer and Arno Strobel

The Boat People by Sharon Bala

Emotional Success: The Power of Gratitude, Compassion, and Pride by David DeSteno

Gnomon CoverGnomon by Nick Harkaway ❤️

The Maze at Windermere: A Novel by Gregory Blake Smith ❤️

Fire Sermon by Jamie Quatro

King Zeno by Nathaniel Rich

The Black Painting by Neil Olson

Why Did I Ever: A Novel by Mary Robison

The Job of the Wasp by Colin Winette ❤️

Points of Impact by Marko Kloos

Peculiar Ground: A Novel by Lucy Hughes-Hallett

winter ali smithWinter: A Novel (Seasonal Quartet) by Ali Smith ❤️

The English Wife by Lauren Willig

Just Between Us by Rebecca Drake

The Cataracts by Raymond McDaniel

The Afterlives by Thomas Pierce ❤️

Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

The Days When Birds Come Back by Deborah Reed

The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani ❤️

Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler (Time Twisters) by Steve Sheinkin

Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna

That’s it for me today! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

First Tuesday of 2018 Megalist!

Happy New Year! Hold on to your hats, it’s going to be the most amazing year for books ever – and that’s a high bar! I’m excited to share the first big list of books for 2018 with you today. (I’m always excited when it involves books.) I hope you had wonderful holidays and that you find so many delightful things to read in the new year. It is an honor to help you learn about new books.


Sponsored by Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse and Revell Books, a Division of Baker Publishing Group

When Pete McLean loses his father in the summer of 1962, his friend Isaac is one of the few people he can lean on. Though their worlds are as different as black and white, friendship knows no color. So when Isaac suddenly goes missing, Pete is determined to find out what happened–no matter what it costs him. With vivid descriptions, palpable atmosphere, and unforgettable characters, debut novelist Valerie Fraser Luesse breathes life into the rural South of the 1960s –a place where ordinary people struggle to find their footing in a social landscape that is shifting beneath their feet.


(And like last time, I’m putting a ❤️ next to the books that I have read and loved. There are soooo many more on this list that I can’t wait to read!)

Speaking of new books, on All the Books! this week, Rebecca and I discussed several 2018 titles we are excited about, including The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore, The Third Hotel, and That Kind of Mother.

And if you’d like to win several of our favorite books of 2017 (20, to be exact), you can click here to enter our Best of 2017 book giveaway for a chance to receive a big beautiful book bounty.

the cruel princeThe Cruel Prince by Holly Black  ❤️

The Spring Girls by Anna Todd

Darkness, Sing Me a Song: A Holland Taylor Mystery by David Housewright

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

Between the Blade and the Heart (Valkyrie) by Amanda Hocking

The Wolves of Winter by Tyrell Johnson

Green: A Novel by Sam Graham-Felsen

Robicheaux: A Novel by James Lee Burke

a state of freedomA State of Freedom: A Novel by Neel Mukherjee  ❤️

Chainbreaker by Tara Sim

Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai

Achtung Baby: An American Mom on the German Art of Raising Self-Reliant Children by Sara Zaske

Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano  ❤️

The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money by Chelsea Fagan

Ink by Alice Broadway

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Chasing King’s Killer: The Hunt for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Assassin by James L. Swanson

The Devil’s Song by Lauren Stahl

the woman in the windowThe Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn  ❤️

How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t: 14 Habits that Are Holding You Back from Happiness by Andrea Owen

The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce

The Lost Rainforest: Mez’s Magic by Eliot Schrefer,‎ Emilia Dziubak (Illustrator)

Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson  ❤️

The Queen of All Crows by Rod Duncan

Mouths Don’t Speak by Katja D. Ulysse

The Outcasts of Time by Ian Mortimer

Everless by Sara Holland

A Map of the Dark cover image: dark image of forest trees with title text in centerA Map of the Dark by Karen Ellis

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

Furnishing Eternity: A Father, a Son, a Coffin, and a Measure of Life by David Giffels

Unbound (A Stone Barrington Novel) by Stuart Woods

Don’t Cosplay with My Heart by Cecil Castellucci  ❤️

In the Shadow of Agatha Christie: Classic Crime Fiction by Forgotten Female Writers: 1850-1917 by Leslie S. Klinger

The Nothing by Hanif Kureishi

Late Essays: 2006-2017 by J. M. Coetzee

Black Star Renegades by Michael Moreci

Beneath the Mountain cover image: black and white image of mountainsBeneath the Mountain: A Novel by Luca D’Andrea

The Pyramid of Mud (An Inspector Montalbano Mystery) by Andrea Camilleri,‎ Stephen Sartarelli (Translator)

The Art of Mystery: The Search for Questions by Maud Casey ❤️

Fallen Gods by James A. Moore

Cræft: An Inquiry Into the Origins and True Meaning of Traditional Crafts by Alexander Langlands

A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia A. Cole

Meet Cute by Various Contributors

Someone to Love by Melissa de la Cruz

The Refugees: Stories by Viet Thanh Nguyen (paperback)  ❤️

That’s it for me today! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

20 Upcoming Books to Mark Down on Your TBR

Last newsletter of 2017! 2018 hits the ground running, new books-wise, but for this last Tuesday of the year, there isn’t a whole lot going on, so instead I’m going to list several upcoming titles I’m looking forward to in the new year. And I’d like to say a great big thank you to all of you who join me every week in getting excited about books. MWAH!


Sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

THE LOVE LETTERS OF ABELARD AND LILY is a beautiful teen debut from exciting new talent Laura Creedle, about two unbelievably lovable, neurodivergent teens. Lily has severe ADHD, and Abelard has Asperger’s–find romantic inspiration in medieval literature. But can their love work in modern day Texas? This moving story of romance and human connection creates the sort of characters who will stay with you long after you finish reading.


Also, All the Books! is on vacation this week, but tune in next week to hear Rebecca and I discuss several 2018 titles we are excited about, including The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore, The Third Hotel, and That Kind of Mother.

And if you’d like to win several of our favorite books of 2017 (20, to be exact), you can click here to enter our Best of 2017 book giveaway for a chance to receive a big beautiful book bounty.

the immortalistsThe Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin:  The story of the four Gold children, who are told the dates of their deaths by a fortune teller, and how that knowledge informs the decisions they make in their lives. (Jan. 9)

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele: The story of one of the cofounders of the Black Lives Matter and how her life experiences led to starting the organization. (Jan. 16)

Our Lady of the Prairie by Thisbe Nissen: A funny novel about a college professor whose normally calm life is upended all at once, and how the tornado set to touch down at her daughter’s wedding turns out to be the least of her problems. (Jan. 23)

The Hazel Wood by Melissa AlbertThe Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert: A debut young adult novel about Alice, a cult-classic book of fairy tales authored by her grandmother, and Alice’s missing mother—who has supposedly been stolen away to the land from her grandmother’s book. (Jan. 30)

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory: A sexy, charming novel about a fake wedding date that turns into real sparks and a shot at happiness. (Jan. 30)

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones: Young newlyweds are ripped apart when the husband is arrested and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit; his five years away take a toll on their marriage. (Feb. 6)

I am I am I amI Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O’Farrell:  A recounting of the author’s true near-brushes with death, written in support of her daughter, who lives with an autoimmune disease. (Feb. 6)

White Houses by Amy Bloom: The new novel from the author of Away and Lucky Usabout a young woman who falls in love with Eleanor Roosevelt while reporting on FDR’s presidential campaign. (Feb. 13)

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton: Camellia is a Belle in Orleans, where beauty is a commodity. But Camellia wants more: She wants to be the Queen’s favorite Belle. But, as she will learn, dreams have a price. (Feb. 20)

Sunburn by Laura Lippman: Lippman’s latest is racking up starred reviews left and right. It’s about two strangers who meet at a bar and become dangerously ensnared in each others lives. But who is the cat and who is the mouse?  (Feb. 20)

children of blood and boneChildren of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: A wildly fantastical (and fantastic) tale of magic, royalty, and vengeance that tackles real issues, like racism and prejudice. Be prepared to see it everywhere. (Seriously, you can’t miss it—it’s 600 pages long.) (March 6)

The Red Word by Sarah Henstra: A contemporary college novel with a sharp take on rape culture, college life, and campus politics. (March 13)

The Gunners by Rebecca Kauffman: Mikey Callahan struggles to make human connections as he loses his sight to macular degeneration, starting with his reunited group of childhood friends, “The Gunners.” (March 20)

tangerineTangerine by Christine Mangan: A woman is dismayed when an old friend turns up after an accident that caused a rift between them a year earlier. Then her husband goes missing… (March 20)

How to Be Safe by Tom McAllister: About a devastating small town tragedy. I cannot resist a blurb that promises “We Need to Talk About Kevin meets Dept. of Speculation.” (April 3)

Heads of the Colored People: Stories by Nafissa Thompson-Spires: Timely and darkly funny stories examining black identity in a supposedly post-racial era. (April 10)

And Now We Have Everything: On Motherhood Before I Was Ready by Meaghan O’Connell: O’Connell’s funny and fiercely honest account of what it means to become a parent before she even really felt like a grown up. (April 10)

tin manTin Man by Sarah Winman: A moving novel about the friendship and love between two boys and the woman who comes between them when they are men. (May 15)

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman: Fifteen authors—including Melissa de la Cruz, Renée Ahdieh, and Julie Kagawa—reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in this anthology. (June 26)

That’s it for me today (and this year!) If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

Last-Minute Gift Ideas (For You or Someone Else)

Two more weeks until 2018! But first, we’re smack dab on the middle of the holidays. If you’re a last-minute shopper, or you want to get more gifts, here are a few great book ideas. I think there’s a little something here for everyone, and I’ve included a little bit of the publisher’s synopsis with each.


Sponsored by Penguin Random House Audio

Listening to an audiobook can bring family and friends together this holiday season. Listen to Turtles All the Way Down by John Green on your next family road trip and discuss the important themes of the story. Or, listen to Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak with your friends at book club to prepare for the holiday season. Connect, listen, and discuss with audiobooks from Penguin Random House Audio.


If you want to know about more 2017 releases, you can hear about several more of our favorite books of the year on this week’s episode of the All the Books! Rebecca and I talked about a few of the amazing books we loved, including White Tears, The Wanderers, and Priestdaddy.

And if you’d like to win several of our favorite books of 2017 (20, to be exact), you can click here to enter our Best of 2017 book giveaway for a chance to receive a big beautiful book bounty.

the art of star warsThe Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi by Phil Szostak 

“Featuring concept art, costume sketches, and storyboards, this book takes fans on a deep dive into the development of the fantastic worlds, characters, and creatures—both old and new—of The Last Jedi.”

african american women writersThe Portable Nineteenth-Century African American Women Writers (Penguin Classics) by Hollis Robbins and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.(Editors)

The Portable Nineteenth-Century African American Women Writers is the most comprehensive anthology of its kind: an extraordinary range of voices offering the expressions of African American women in print before, during, and after the Civil War.”

blood sweat and pixelsBlood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made by Jason Schreier  

“Exploring the artistic challenges, technical impossibilities, marketplace demands, and Donkey Kong-sized monkey wrenches thrown into the works by corporate, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels reveals how bringing any game to completion is more than Sisyphean—it’s nothing short of miraculous.”

silence in the age of noiseSilence: In the Age of Noise by Erling Kagge,‎ Becky L. Crook (Translator)

“In this book. an astonishing and transformative meditation, Kagge explores the silence around us, the silence within us, and the silence we must create. By recounting his own experiences and discussing the observations of poets, artists, and explorers, Kagge shows us why silence is essential to sanity and happiness—and how it can open doors to wonder and gratitude.”

eat what you watchEat What You Watch: A Cookbook for Movie Lovers by Andrew Rea

“In this cookbook, author Andrew Rea (of the hit YouTube channel “Binging with Babish”) recreates these iconic food scenes and many more. With recipes from more than 40 classic and cult films, Eat What You Watch is the perfect gift for both movie buffs and home cooks who want to add some cinematic flair to their cooking repertoire.”

here we areHere We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers

“Insightfully sweet, with a gentle humor and poignancy, here is Oliver Jeffers’ user’s guide to life on Earth. He created it specially for his son, yet with a universality that embraces all children and their parents.”

the princess bride deluxeThe Princess Bride Deluxe Edition HC: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman,‎ Michael Manomivibul (Illustrator)

“This tale of true love, high adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, fencing, and a frightening assortment of wild beasts, as depicted in the 1987 film directed by Rob Reiner and starring Fred Savage, Robin Wright, and others, is now available in a beautiful new package, with foil and embossing on the cover and an interior printed on elegant uncoated cream stock with rough-cut edges.”

women in sportsWomen in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win by Rachel Ignotofsky 

“A richly illustrated and inspiring book, Women in Sports highlights the achievements and stories of fifty notable women athletes from the 1800s to today, including trailblazers, Olympians, and record-breakers in more than forty sports.”

the river of consciousnessThe River of Consciousness by Oliver Sacks

“From the best-selling author of Gratitude, On the Move, and Musicophilia, a collection of essays that displays Oliver Sacks’s passionate engagement with the most compelling and seminal ideas of human endeavor: evolution, creativity, memory, time, consciousness, and experience.”

big mushy happy lumpBig Mushy Happy Lump: A Sarah’s Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen

Sarah Andersen’s hugely popular, world-famous Sarah’s Scribbles comics are for those of us who boast bookstore-ready bodies and Netflix-ready hair, who are always down for all-night reading-in-bed parties and extremely exclusive after-hour one-person music festivals.

code girlsCode Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy

“A strict vow of secrecy nearly erased their efforts from history; now, through dazzling research and interviews with surviving code girls, bestselling author Liza Mundy brings to life this riveting and vital story of American courage, service, and scientific accomplishment.”

guiness book of world records 2018Guinness World Records 2018: Meet our Real-Life Superheroes by Guinness World Records 

“The record-breaking records annual is back and packed with more incredible accomplishments, stunts, cutting-edge science and amazing sporting achievements than ever before. With more than 3,000 new and updated records and 1,000 eye-popping photos, it has thousands of new stats and facts and dazzling new features.”

how to be a bawseHow to Be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life by Lilly Singh

“How to Be a Bawse is the definitive guide to conquering life. Make no mistake, there are no shortcuts to success, personal or professional. World domination requires real effort, dedication, and determination.”

 

queer there and everywhereQueer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager,‎ Zoe O’Ferrall (Illustrator)

“From high-profile figures like Abraham Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt to the trailblazing gender-ambiguous Queen of Sweden and a bisexual blues singer who didn’t make it into your history books, these astonishing true stories uncover a rich queer heritage that encompasses every culture, in every era.”

everyone's a aliebnEveryone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too: A Book by Jomny Sun 

Through this story of a lost, lonely and confused alien finding friendship, acceptance, and love among the creatures of Earth, we will all learn how to be a little more human. And for all of us earth-bound creatures here on this planet, we can all be reminded that sometimes, it takes an outsider to help us see ourselves for who we truly are.”

salt fat acid heatSalt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat,‎ Wendy MacNaughton (Illustrator)

“A visionary new master class in cooking that distills decades of professional experience into just four simple elements, from the woman declared “America’s next great cooking teacher” by Alice Waters.”

nasty womenNasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump’s America by Samhita Mukhopadhyay (Author, Editor),‎ Kate Harding (Author, Editor)

Nasty Women includes inspiring essays from a diverse group of talented women writers who seek to provide a broad look at how we got here and what we need to do to move forward.”

grantGrant by Ron Chernow

“The definitive biography, Grant is a grand synthesis of painstaking research and literary brilliance that makes sense of all sides of Grant’s life, explaining how this simple Midwesterner could at once be so ordinary and so extraordinary.”

 

paperbacks from hellPaperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of ’70s and ’80s Horror Fiction by Grady Hendrix 

“Horror author and vintage paperback book collector Grady Hendrix offers killer commentary and witty insight on these trashy thrillers that tried so hard to be the next Exorcist or Rosemary’s Baby.”

 

That’s it for me today – time to get back to reading! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

December New Release Highlights!

Because of the holidays, there’s always a severe decline in the number of books published the last six weeks of the year. Which is understandable, since everyone is busy with wrap-up posts and ‘best of the year’ lists. But there are still several great books coming before the end of the year, so I thought I’d share a few with you today.


Sponsored by The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times-bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love. Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, the lavishly illustrated tales in The Language of Thorns will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.


And speaking of wrap-ups, you can hear about several of our favorite books of the year on this week’s episode of the All the Books! Rebecca and I talked about a few of the amazing books we loved, including Chemistry, My Favorite Thing is Monsters, and Idaho.

the only girl in the worldThe Only Girl in the World: A Memoir by Maude Julien, Adriana Hunter (Translator)

Julien’s account of growing up with parents who believed they could make her a ‘superhuman’ by subjecting her to daily torturous challenges, and how she held on to the hope that one day things would change. Okay, not exactly the feel-good book of the holiday season, but still a fascinating look at the triumph of spirit.

Backlist bump: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

they know not what they doThey Know Not What They Do by Jussi Valtonen, Kristian London (Translator)

An American neuroscientist becomes the target of attacks, apparently by animal rights activists, but then he receives a phone call from his ex-wife: the son he abandoned in Finland twenty years ago is now in the United States and is looking for revenge. Can he protect his new family from his first family?

Backlist bump: Unknown Caller by Debra Spark

the love of a bad manThe Love of a Bad Man by Laura Elizabeth Woollett

Short stories imagining the lives of real women who had relationships with famously monstrous men such as Adolf Hitler, Charles Manson, and Jim Jones. (Okay, so maybe none of my picks this week are really festive, but they’re good.)

Backlist bump: Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman

a distant heartA Distant Heart by Sonali Dev

The fourth book in the Bollywood series! Kimya has lived a life of privilege as the only child of wealthy parents. But when she develops a rare illness that keeps her from leaving her home, her ivory tower becomes her prison. But a window washer with a big heart just may be the friendship and salvation she needs.

Backlist bump: A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev

the mannequin makersThe Mannequin Makers by Craig Cliff

A widower in early 20th-century New Zealand seeks to best his carpenter rival by creating the world’s most lifelike window display, using his twin daughters. A dark fairytale of loss and redemption.

Backlist bump: Cloudstreet by Tim Winton

don't live for your obituaryDon’t Live For Your Obituary by John Scalzi

Award-winning author Scalzi shares wit, wisdom, and anecdotes about the life of a working writer, such as navigating today’s world as a writer, the practical business of writing and selling books, and more.

Backlist bump: Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded: A Decade of Whatever, 1998-2008 by John Scalzi

That’s it for me today – time to get back to reading! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

Chinese Novellas, Russian Fairy Tales, and More New Books

Welcome to the first Tuesday of December! I might do some wrap-ups in the coming weeks, but there were still enough awesome books out today that I had some recommendations, and you can hear about several more great books on this week’s episode of the All the Books! Rebecca and I talked about a few amazing books we loved, including Elmet, Roomies, The Last Black Unicorn, and more.


Sponsored by The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Weaving a tale of mystery and romance, this promising author’s critically acclaimed debut is a dual-time narrative about an abandoned house and two women, a century apart, changed by the deadly secrets it holds. Can they unravel its mystery and find a renewed hope before any other lives—including their own—are lost? “With sharp dialogue and plenty of scares, this is a gripping tale that never loses sight of the light.” –Foreword Reviews


the girl in the towerThe Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

I don’t often recommend sequels, mostly because I am an ardent fan of reading things in order, but this one is just as good as the first, of not better. I’m not going to spoil things by telling you the plot, just that this is a wonderful continuation of Arden’s magical Russian fairy tale story, with gorgeous descriptions and a kickass heroine.

Backlist bump: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

the vanishing princessThe Vanishing Princess: Stories (The Art of the Story) by Jenny Diski

Love dark, enchanting, honest short stories? Than look no further! This is a vividly imaginative collection about love, sex, loneliness, femininity, and more, perfect for fans of Mary Miller, Heidi Julavits, and Alexandra Kleeman. Sadly, Diski passed away in 2016, but this posthumous offering is perfect.

Backlist bump: Always Happy Hour: Stories by Mary Miller

the years, months, daysThe Years, Months, Days: Two Novellas by Yan Lianke, Carlos Rojas (Translator)

Lianke has the distinction of being China’s most banned author, but his works of satire are beloved all over the world. The two novellas here are prize-winning masterpieces about humanity and the universe, a dark but gentle look at love and man’s sense of survival in the face of loss and ruin. Quietly bizarre and powerful.

Backlist bump: Dream of Ding Village by Yan Lianke

That’s it for me today – time to get back to reading! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

30 Books from the Beginning of 2017 That Deserve Another Look

Hello again, book lovers! The pickings are getting mighty slim as far as new releases go, so I thought I’d do something fun and share 30 books that came out in early 2017 I thought deserve a second look. I tweeted these over the weekend, and thought they were worth collecting here. There might be a hidden gem that you missed! As far as new books out today, you can hear about several great books on this week’s episode of the All the Books! Amanda and I talked about a few amazing books we loved, including Djinn City, Weave a Circle Round, Oddity, and more.


Sponsored by Yellow Pear Press

the murderer's maidIn 1889, Bridget joins the Borden household as their maid, but something evil is brewing beneath the house’s genteel surface. In 2016, Brooke hides from her dangerous past and avoids making friends. But what if it’s time to stop running?

Bram Stoker Award finalist Erika Mailman brings the true story of the brutal murder of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother into new focus by adding a riveting contemporary narrative. Intelligent and detailed, The Murderer’s Maid is a gripping read from beginning to bloody conclusion.


idahoIdaho by Emily Ruskovich: Heartbreaking debut about marriage and loss in which a wife struggles to discover what happened during her husband’s first marriage – his first wife now in prison – before his memory fades completely.

The Girl in Green by Derek B. Miller: Two men are given a second chance to save a girl they couldn’t help 20 years earlier during the Gulf War. (But obviously it will be more complicated than that.) I already consider it a modern classic about war and redemption.

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin: A slim, bananapants book of what-the-effery that will take you out at the knees, and probably give you nightmares to boot. Purrrrrrrrr.

Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran: Timely, compassionate novel about a woman whose son is removed from her care when she is placed in a detention center, and the woman who takes him in and fights to keep him.

Lightwood by Steph Post: Gritty Florida noir about a former inmate who returns to his violent rural hometown and tries to make good as chaos and crime swirl all around him.

cover of Six Wakes by Mur LaffertySix Wakes by Mur Lafferty: Space! Clones! A murder mystery! It’s up to newly-awakened clones to discover who is killing people aboard the ship before it becomes their *final* final frontier.

The Man Who Shot Out My Eye is Dead: Stories by Chanelle Benz: Arresting debut collection of stories, with characters throwing themselves headfirst into morally questionable situations with devastating effects.

The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers: A new bride is left alone to care for her infant son and the farm when her husband is called to fight in the Civil War. He returns two years later to find her in prison. What transpired while he was away? A fantastic debut.

Days Without End by Sebastian Barry: Okay, this one won the Costa, but I love it so much, I had to mention it. It’s about the horrors of war – a young Irish man and his bff enlist in the Civil War – but it’s also the sweetest love story I read this year.

The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams: Go outside. Right now.

Everything Belongs to Us by Yoojin Grace Wuertz: Four lives from different backgrounds are swept up together in politics, betrayal, and broken dreams in Seoul, 1978.

the-dry-by-jane-harperThe Dry by Jane Harper: Two murder mysteries in one! A blisteringly wonderful (and slightly horrifying) story about a sheriff who returns to his hometown for the funeral of a friend accused of murder 20 years earlier. The sequel is just as good and out 2/6/18!

Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History by Bill Schutt: Do you love Mary Roach, science, and the taste of human flesh? Or even 2 out of 3 of those things? Then you should read this book. It’s fascinating, and it’s a more realistic look at the future than The Road.

Abandon Me: Memoirs by Melissa Febos: A raw, unflinching exploration of identity and art. I am a sucker for a book that flays me open.

Things We Lost in the Fire: Stories by Mariana Enríquez: Wildly imaginative tales of the dark and strange. (FYI: The fastest way to get me to read something is to get a blurb from Kelly Link.)

Animals Strike Curious Poses by Elena Passarello: 16 wonderful essays about animals named and immortalized by humans. (+5 Prince lyric usage.)

Desperation Road by Michael Farris Smith: After eleven years in prison, Russell wants to return home to start a quiet life. But it won’t be possible, with trouble finding him at every turn. A quietly powerful novel of regret and redemption.

harmless like youHarmless Like You by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan: A beautiful debut set in Japan and NYC, about a young artist and the son she abandoned.

What You Don’t Know by JoAnn Chaney: A gripping psychological thriller about the people left behind in the aftermath of a serial killer. The first few pages stressed me out SO MUCH – it made me so happy. Perfect for true crime and Mindhunter fans.

Traveling with Ghosts: A Memoir by Shannon Leone Fowler: Heartbreaking story about the sudden death of Fowler’s fiancé, and how she worked out her grief through travel.

The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui: A beautifully illustrated memoir about Bui’s family’s escape from Vietnam, the difficulties they faced in a new country, and Bui’s experience as a parent herself.

Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett: Precocious 10-y-o Elvis Babbitt attempts to navigate her place in the world as grief over the loss of her mother affects her and her father and sister in very different ways. Charming and sad.

Himself by Jess Kidd: I was completely enraptured by this whimsical – but dark – Irish mystery. Mrs. Cauley is one of the most kick-ass elderly women in literature.

My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil FerrisMy Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris: I am OBSESSED with this graphic novel about a young monster-loving girl in 1960s Chicago, who decides to be a detective and investigate her neighbor’s death. The artwork is like nothing else. Seriously.

All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg: This novel is so refreshingly honest. Life is messy and hard and sad, and the flaws in being human are translated beautifully through Andrea, the main character. Made me laugh and laugh and cry and cry.

The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti: A motherless young girl, who is moved from town to town by a father with a dark past, yearns to discover more about her mother and the stories behind the twelve scars on her father’s body.

Swimmer Among the Stars: Stories by Kanishk Tharoor: Utterly original tales, set all around the world in both the past and the present.

The Hearts of Men by Nickolas Butler: Brutal, insightful novel about fathers, bullying, toxic masculinity, war, and redemption. I found myself holding my breath at the end.

sorry to disrupt the peaceSorry to Disrupt the Peace by Patty Yumi Cottrell: A heart-wrenching, darkly comic story about a young woman who returns to her childhood home to figure out why her brother took his own life. GAH.

Wait Till You See Me Dance: Stories by Deb Olin Unferth: These 39 tales are profound, acerbic, and surprising, and most are nothing short of amazing. If you enjoy droll, smart fiction, this is the book for you.

That’s it for me today – time to get back to reading! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty

Categories
New Books

Legendary Singers, Magical Wasps, and More New Books!

Happy Tuesday, you glorious word-eaters! Who’s reading something good this week? The year is on its last legs, but there are still fabulous books being published. Not a whole lot this week because of the holiday, but I still have a few awesome books for you below and you can hear about several more great books on this week’s episode of the All the Books! Rebecca and I talked about a few amazing books we loved, including A Kind of Freedom, Altered Traits, Spoils, and more.


Sponsored by Creatures of Will and Temper by Molly Tanzer

Creatures of Will and Temper s a Victorian-era fantasy inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, in which epee-fencing enthusiast Evadne Gray and her younger sister are drawn into a secret and dangerous London underworld of pleasure-seeking demons and bloodthirsty diabolists, with only Evadne’s skill with a blade standing between them and certain death.


AND OHHHHH! Did you know we’re giving away $500 to the bookstore of your choice? Click here to enter!

you do youYou Do You: How to Be Who You Are and Use What You’ve Got to Get What You Want (A No F*cks Given Guide) by Sarah Knight

The third in Knight’s profane and profound series of self-help books aimed at encouraging people to wake up to the reality that we only get one life, and how to make the most of your time and keep self-doubt and the haters from ruining it for you. As Knight says, “If you’re not doing you, you’re screwing you.” It’s not elegant, but it’s damn catchy.

Backlist bump: The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don’t Have with People You Don’t Like Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do (A No F*cks Given Guide) by Sarah Knight

clara at the edgeClara at the Edge by Maryl Jo Fox

Clara, an elderly widow, wants to make one more try at reconciling with her estranged son. But she doesn’t want to leave her home, the source comfort and security for so many troubled years. So, with the help of some magical purple wasps and the kindness of strangers, Clara is taking her house to her son. It’s a magical novel about family and loss that is sure to charm most everyone.

Backlist bump: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

gold dust womanGold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks by Stephen Davis

Her name is Stevie and she is our queen! Whether you love Stevie from Fleetwood Mac, American Horror Story, or The Voice, or maybe you don’t know who she is (*GASP*), this is a great look at the life of one of music’s legendary voices. From her early years, to fame and addiction, to life at almost seventy, Stevie Nicks is one of our most fascinating celebrities and talented singers.

Backlist bump: Fleetwood Mac: The Complete Illustrated History by Richie Unterberger

That’s it for me today – time to get back to reading! If you want to learn more about books new and old (and see lots of pictures of my cats, Millay and Steinbeck), or tell me about books you’re reading, or books you think I should read (I HEART RECOMMENDATIONS!), you can find me on Twitter at MissLiberty, on Instagram at FranzenComesAlive, or Litsy under ‘Liberty’!

Stay rad,

Liberty