12 Science Fiction, Dystopian, & Fantasy Books for July 2021

What's your favorite type of escape reading for hot summer days? I go for either speculative fiction or crime fiction. In today's roundup, I'm sharing some of the science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian books that caught my eye this month. I've already read some of them (reviews to come) and haven't been disappointed yet. All of the following books will be available in July.

The short descriptions are based on the publishers' summaries or from my own impressions, and I've included audiobook information. Thanks to the publishers for the review copies (either print, digital or audio).

Science Fiction Meets Mystery/Thriller

The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry (Putnam): Set in an alternate New York City. A space/time-traveling serial killer is perused by the journalist who was assigned to report on the murder of Madison May. The audiobook (Penguin Audio) is read by Helen Laser.

Midnight Water City by Chris McKinney (Soho Crime): First in a science fiction noir trilogy. A kind of police procedural set in the not-so-distant future involving the murder of a space scientist and the detective who will stop at nothing to solve the case. The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Richard Ferrone.

We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen (Daw). Set on a space ship. A behavioral psychologist attempts to save her fellow crew members from a mysterious mental breakdown that begins to manifest after the ship was hit by a radiation storm. The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Catherine Ho.

It's a Dystopian World

Appleseed by Matt Bell (Custom House). Set in an alternative North America with sci-fi, historical fiction, and fantasy elements. In the past, two brothers plant apple trees in the territories slated for colonists; in the near future, a group of people are devoted to the rewilding of the continent; in the far future an AI being makes a startling discovery. The themes include climate change, survival, and humankind's relationship to the environment. The audiobook (Harper Audio) is read by Mark Bramhall.

Council of Animals by Nick McDonell, illustrated by by Steven Tabbutt (Henry Holt): Set in the future when humans are almost extinct thanks to pandemics, climate change, and more. The fate of the remaining people are in the "hands" of the animals. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by the author.

East Asian Roots

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Tordotcom): This hopepunk novel is set on a moon. A tea monk travels the wilderness offering solace to those they talk to; when they cross paths with a sentient robot, the two begin a series of discussions about the nature of humankind and what people need. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by Emmett Grosland.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan (Tor Books): Set in an alternative ancient China. This is a reimagining of the founding of the Ming Dynasty with a young woman, who must pass as male, at the center. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by Natalie Naudus.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (Knopf BYR): Based on Asian folklore and Western fairy tales. This is the story of a banished and silenced princess who must find a way to save both her cursed brothers and her repressed kingdom. The audiobook (Listening Library) is read by Emily Woo Zeller.

A Return to Camelot

Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian (Ace): A retelling of the Arthurian legend from the point of view of Elaine, the Lady of Shalott. The audiobook (Penguin Audio) is read by Ell Potter.

Sword Stone Table edited by Swapna Krishan and Jenn Northington (Vintage): A collection of reimaginings of Arthurian tales from a variety of perspectives, times, and places, emphasizing diversity in its many forms. The audiobook (Random House Audio) is read by a stellar cast of narrators.

Strong Young Women

Red Wolf by Rachel Vincent (HarperTeen): A fairy tale retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" in which the wolves have a surprisingly different role to play and a young woman must decide her fate and that of her community. The audiobook (Harper Audio) is read by Taylor Meskimen.

What We Devour by Linsey Miller (Sourcebooks Fire): A young woman is caught between believing what she’s always been taught--that the rulers of her land are evil--and an alternative view presented by the crown prince himself. Down which path will she find the salvation of her land? The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Amy Scanlon.

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What I Read in April: Part 1

Time for another quick round-up of the books I've read and listened to lately. I finished 16 books in April, most of them audiobooks. Why so many books? I spent the month doing some major paper shredding and cleaning out a storage room. All that gave me hours of good listening time!

Here is part 1 of what I read last month, in the order I finished each book (part 2 will go live on Thursday). Note that the following thoughts are also available on Goodreads. Thanks to the publishers and to Libro.fm for the print, digital, and audiobook review copies. "AFM" means you can find my thoughts about the audiobook production over on the AudioFile Magazine website.

The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer by Liza Rodman (Atria, March): In the 1960s, author Liza Rodman spent the summers in Provincetown, MA, so her schoolteacher mother could take on seasonal work and party with her friends. Liza and her little sister were left in the care of whomever their mother could find. One of their favorites was Tony Costa, a charming local handyman who would buy the girls ice cream and take them on drives to the nearby woods. When Liza was 10, Tony disappeared from her life, and it wasn't until years later that she learned he had been sent to prison for the gruesome murder and dismemberment of several young women.

The story alternates between Liza's memories of the two or three summers she knew Tony, including her interactions with her neglectful, heavy-drinking mother, and sections based on investigations into Tony's life and crimes. I love true crime, but this book seemed to lack a gripping element. The murders were, of course, horrific, but Liza herself didn't seem to be in any danger. In addition, Tony is described as being well liked, despite the fact that he was into drugs and had a checkered work life. You may have better luck.

The audiobook was read by Andi Arndt and Aida Reluzco, who alternated between the chapters based on Liza's memories and the chapters based on Tony. Their performances were fine; nothing particularly outstanding or problematic.

Lightseekers by Femi Kayode (Mulholland, March): I like a good mystery and was drawn to this book because it takes place in contemporary Nigeria. The general set up is this: Philip Taiwo and his family return from a long residency in the United States to their native Nigeria. Philip is a criminal psychologist with an interest in hate crimes. He's picked to investigate a brutal murder that took place in a small university town.

The narrative is full of interesting details about life in modern Nigeria, from university life to the courts, the law, and the power of the wealthy. The characters were well wrought and multidimensional. Despite these strengths, the novel, as a mystery, didn't hold up for me. By the middle of the book, I felt lost--partly because the book itself lost focus and partly because I'm not familiar with Nigerian university culture and politics, which played large roles in the story.

Narrator Cary Hite did a fine job with the audiobook. His expressive delivery; varied tempo, cadence, and volume; and good accents strengthened the setting and enlivened the characters.

Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee (Flatiron, 2020): I'm not sure how I missed this contemporary retelling of Anna Karenina when it first came out. Set in Manhattan, this novel includes the familiar characters (like Count Vronsky) of the original but adds in pop and social media references and places most of the upper-class diverse cast in high school. The story follows Anna K and her brother and friends over the course of a party- and drama-filled school year and veers from Anna Karenina in a couple of significant ways.

Despite the multiple brand name references (it got a little tiring), it was easy to get drawn into the YA story, and you don't need to be familiar with Tolstoy to like Anna K. The author's note at the end explains Lee's choices for her version of the classic. I'm looking forward to reading the just-released follow-up novel, Anna K Away. (library book)

All Girls by Emily Layden (St. Martin's, Feb.): Set in 2015 over the course of a school year in a prestigious private all-girls high school in Connecticut, this story is told from a variety of perspectives. From the opening pages we learn about a 20-year-old rape accusation, which the school has buried and for which the male teacher has suffered no consequences. The over-arching thread of the novel is the mystery of the rape: Did it happen? Who did it? Was it a one-time event?

Each female voice has something to say about the case and its affect on the school. The students also reveal their inner life and the personal issues they face, from their own #MeToo moments to bullying, eating disorders, family pressures, and feminism. The chapters flow well with each other, and the story gives us lots to think about. A complaint is that it's easy to lose track of who is who among the students and staff (AFM).

Dust Off the Bones by Paul Howarth (Harper, June 8): One of the best books of the year. Note that this is a sequel to Only Killers and Thieves (2018), which you should read first. (Click the link for my thoughts on book 1.)

Brothers Billy and Tommy McBride were forced into estrangement after their unwitting and complicated involvement in crimes against an Aboriginal community in the 1880s, when the boys were young teenagers. Now adults, Billy has become a wealthy landowner and seemingly has moved on from the tragedies of his youth. Tommy has changed his name, has rarely settled in one place, and has struggled all his life to come to terms with the events of his childhood.

Now almost 20 years later, a two-bit lawyer is hired to prosecute Noone, the brutal Native Police Inspector who was responsible for the crimes and for involving the boys. Noone, now a powerful and still cruel-man who is able to control a wide network of evil men, sets out to murder all witnesses to his earlier offenses. The McBride brothers are principal targets.

As in the first book, Howarth pulls no punches: there are no fairy tales in real life, and cold, calculating men don't soften with old age. Billy, Tommy, Noone, and others are vividly drawn and evoke strong and true emotions. The pace and tension are so tightly constructed it's almost impossible to put the book (or in my case, audiobook) down. Australia itself--the land, the people--plays a central role. This duology should be on your must-read list. Please try to avoid spoilers.

The unabridged audiobook was brilliantly read by David Linski, who also performed book 1. Linski portrays the characters perfectly and matches his tempo and volume with Howarth's style.

One Two Three by Laurie Frankel (Henry Holt, Feb.): This is the story of triplets, born in a town that has been scarred after a chemical plant contaminated their drinking water. Nearly everyone in the community has been affected, especially the children, most of whom are disabled in some way. Everyone who had any kind of money long since left the area; the ones who remain suffer in some way.

The Mitchell girls refer to themselves as One, Two, and Three (based on birth order). Mab, seems to be a typical teen, and Monday, the middle triplet, is on the autism spectrum. Mirabel is severely physically disabled, unable to speak or control her body, except one arm and hand. She is, however, intellectually brilliant and communicates through an app, which vocalizes what she types. Their father died from the poisoning and their mother has spent 16 years trying to get a class-action suit off the ground.

The story takes place over the course of a few months when the son of the original factory owner returns to town with his family to try to reopen the factory. Reminiscent of Love Canal or the PG&E case in California, this story is about the battle between big business profits and real people with real lives. The girls and other characters are sensitively and realistically portrayed. Very worth your while.

The unabridged audiobook was read by Emma Galvin, Jesse Vilinsky, and Rebecca Soler, who alternated the chapters told from the perspectives of the sisters. They conveyed the personalities of the girls nicely.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price (Harper Teen, April): This was fun. Using the characters from and general time period of Austen's Pride & Prejudice, this first in a cozy mystery series works on a number of levels. While the characters are recognizable from their personalities, this book places them in a completely different context from the original. Longbourn and Pemberley are family law firms, and Bingley's family is in shipping. When Bingley is accused of murdering his brother-in-law, Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy are both determined to solve the case.

Readers familiar with P&P will smile at the reconfigurations of Mr. Collins, Charlotte, Wickham, and others. The mystery itself was less engaging for me than Price's take on Austen. I enjoyed the book, though, and am looking forward to the next in the series.

The audiobook was nicely read by Morag Sims. Some listeners may have trouble with her accent and tone, so I advise giving the audio sample a try before buying.

Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson (Gallery, April): I picked this one up because the summary indicated a Jane Austen tie-in. That link turned out to be a very minor piece of the story, though Thompson includes a number of literary and and art references. The story is set in two time periods. In modern times, Hannah, an American woman living in London is surprised by a visit from her unreliable, alcoholic mother (Marla) who has been settling her own mother's estate back in their native Florida. Marla's showing up unannounced is only part of the surprise: Hannah's grandmother has willed the two women a paid-for apartment in the heart of Paris. In the past, we hear from the grandmother's mother, who lived in Paris in the 1930s, where she met many of the great writers and artists of the time.

This was only okay for me. The story was completely predictable and at the same time fairly unbelievable. I didn't connect enough to the women to root for any of them. Others will likely enjoy the details of Paris, the light romance, and the various mother-daughter themes.

The audiobook was read by Emily Tremaine and Imogen Church, who alternately took on the sections that were set in the present and past. I like both these narrators, but I don't think these were their best performances.

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8 Books to Read This Month

When it comes to books, I’m so often the kid in the candy store: I want one of this and two of those and, oh, and don’t forget a handful of them. Naturally, I can’t read every book that captures my attention or imagination. All is not lost, though, because I can still share my book love with you.

That brings us to today’s roundup, which is a random collection of books I've placed on my reading list. The titles here—all published this month—were chosen because you may have missed them in big buzz about some of our favorite authors (like Margaret Atwood and Alice Hoffman).

Although I am unlikely to get to the entire list before September 30, each book is still very much on my radar. If you read any of these before I do, I’ll be sure to pay attention to your thoughts, reactions, or reviews.

Wildhood by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers (Scribner, Sept. 17). Humans aren’t the only animals who experience great change as they mature from puberty to adulthood. In this well-researched book, an evolutionary biologist and science journalist team up to talk about what it’s like to be a teenager for a variety of animals, from penguins to whales, from wolves to humans. No matter the species, young adults share universal struggles as they learn key lessons for becoming successful adults, such as finding a good mate, feeding oneself, and staying safe. Audiobook: Narrated by Robin Miles (Simon & Schuster Audio; 10 hr, 23 min). Digital copy provided by the publisher.

The Sisters of Summit Avenue by Lynn Cullen (Gallery, Sept. 10). Set during the Depression, this is the story of two estranged sisters and what happens when their mother attempts to orchestrate a long overdue reconciliation. Long-held jealousies and misunderstandings divide the sisters, while their mother struggles with her own issues. Accurate 1930s cultural details provide the backdrop for this story of a family fractured by betrayals and secrets. Audiobook: Narrated by Madeleine Maby (Simon & Schuster Audio; 9 hr). Digital and audio copies provided by the publisher.

Inheritance by Evelyn Toynton (Other Press, Sept. 17). After her husband’s sudden death, Annie, a lifelong Anglophile, escapes to London, where she meets a new love, who eventually takes her home to his family’s Devonshire estate. There, Annie’s romantic views of British country life are shattered after she witnesses the family’s drama, guilt plays, and mutual manipulation. Set in the 1980s, the novel explores relationships and families. Audiobook: no information. Print copy provided by the publisher.

The Other End of the Line by Andrea Camilleri (trans. Stephen Sartarelli; Penguin Books, Sept. 3). I love this fun mystery series set in Sicily; the books are part police procedural and part cozy. In this installment, Inspector Montalbano is trying to keep the peace both along the docks as the island prepares for an influx of refuges and at home by agreeing to buy a new suit for an upcoming wedding. The two worlds collide in a grizzly murder, which Montalbano solves in his signature unorthodox manner. Sadly, Camilleri died this past July, which means this is likely my last visit with Montalbano. Audiobook: Narrated by Grover Gardner (Blackstone Audio; 7 hr, 13 min). Print copy provided by the publisher.

Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker (Berkley, Sept. 10). In this take of the world after one too many terrorist attacks and deadly diseases, the government has forbidden any kind of public gathering, including concerts, sporting events, and even a night out at the pub. What happens when musicians flout the law to perform live and people who grew up in isolation risk everything to listen? Themes of humanity, the arts, virtual reality, and defiance. Audiobook: Narrated by Dylan Moore and Nicol Zanzarella (Penguin Audio; 12 hr, 31 min) Print copy provided by the publisher.

Verify by Joelle Charbonneau (HarperTeen, Sept. 24). This mashup of mystery and dystopian fiction takes place in a cleaned-up, safe Chicago where everyone and everything is environmentally responsible and the government keeps order. Meri trusts her world and the facts she grew up with until, while trying to understand her mother’s recent death, she uncovers an alternate truth and history that leaves her confused and far less naive. Familiar dystopian plot lines (a resistance, a controlling government, banned books) won’t stop me from giving this a try. Audiobook: Narrated by Caitlin Kelly (HarperAudio; 9 hr, 38 min) Audio copy provided by the publisher.

The Siege of Troy by Theodor Kallifatides (trans. Marlaine Delargy; Other Press, Sept. 10). This retelling of the Iliad is set in Greece during the bombings of World War II. A village schoolteacher tries to distract her students from their current circumstances—hiding in a cave to wait out the attack—by recounting the Greek classic, focusing on the human elements more than the interventions of the gods. The bloodiness of war, death, and soldiers' homesickness and fear were a part of ancient Greece just as much as the Greece of the last century and, of course for all people at war at all time periods. Audiobook: Narrated by Kate Mulligan and Armando Durán (Blackstone; 5 hr, 24 min) Print copy provided by the publisher.

A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth (HarperTeen, Sept. 10). This stand-alone dark, historical fantasy, mixed with mystery, is set in an alternative England. Returning home after a long exile (caused by her father’s misdeeds), Violet finds her family’s great house in disrepair and the magic that keeps their people and lands flourishing in decline. Mourning everything that was dear to her and fearing for the fate of her estate, Violet vows to restore her realm to its former glory, no matter the cost. Audiobook: Narrated by Fiona Hardingham (HarperAudio; 10 hr, 29 min) Audio copy provided by the publisher

What books are still on your reading list for September?

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3 Recommended Books + Travel Reading

I've had a crazy spring. Between travel, my lace workshop, and the holiday, I feel as if I haven't worked a full workweek since mid-April. It's all a lot of fun, but I'm really ready to just say no to squeezing five days' worth of work into only three or four.

On Monday, I shared my thoughts on some of the audiobooks I've listened to lately. Today are brief musings on some of the print and digital books I've read or am still reading.

How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper (Putnam, May 28): I'm a huge fan of quirky premises and characters, so I pretty much knew I'd really enjoy this novel. Andrew works for the government, trying to track down the next of kin when a person dies alone without any obvious clues to friends or family. He's a loner and is mostly okay with that. There's only one hitch: his work colleagues think he's a happily married man with two kids. Even that's okay . . . until he meets the new employee, that is. Peggy reawakens Andrew's ability to connect with others, but how will he be able to reveal all his secrets? Fun and different with characters that are easy to root for or boo at. (print copy provided by the publisher)

Time Museum Volume 2 by Matthew Loux (First Second, June 11): This is the second entry in the Time Museum series starring a group of kids who work at a natural history museum. This isn't your usual museum though, it's a portal to different worlds and different time periods. Each member of the youthful squad has a unique skill, and together they manage to get out of scrapes. In this installment they are sent to the French court of 1778, where they have to correct a glitch in time. The fun starts when the squad is given a new instructor--none other than Richard Nixon. The series is geared to a middle grade audience and is filled with action, humor, good art, a recurring bad guy, and (a little) young love. The time loop theme was sometimes hard to follow, but I still liked the story and artwork and seeing how the kids are maturing and learning to work as a team. (digital copy provided by the publisher)

The Weather Machine: A Journey Inside the Forecast by Andrew Blum (Ecco; June 25): I've always been interested in the weather and forecasting, and since moving to same county that houses AccuWeather's headquarters, my interest has only increased over the years. I've been reading this book slowly (a chapter every few days) and haven't finished yet. I've learned a lot about the history of forecasting, the science of meteorology, and the technology that drives them. The weather is one area in which countries throughout the world freely share knowledge and data. Blum visits weather stations, talks to weather experts, and tells us about the art and science behind the daily forecast. Try to imagine living in the days before the telegraph or telephone, when major storms could hit at any time, giving you absolutely no warning or time to prepare. Fascinating stuff. (digital copy provided by the publisher)

And here's what I've loaded onto my phone for listening and onto my tablet for reading as I get ready for yet another trip.

• The Shepherd's Hut by Tim Winton (Picador, June 11): a kind of coming-of-age story set in Australia. This is my first Winton novel, and I have high hopes for this book, which has won much praise. (print review copy)
• With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (HarperTeen, May 7): The author, the food aspects, and the message to trust one's talents all call to me. Also part of #WeNeedDiverseBooks (digital review copy)
• Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips (Knopf, May 14): This is a totally new setting (Kamchatka) for me and promises to be a combo thriller and community story. (audiobook freelance assignment)
• Ancestral Night by Elizabeth Bear (Gallery; March 5): Now that I know I like science fiction, I thought I give this much, much, much praised first in a new space opera series a try. (audiobook review copy)

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7 New Books for Speculative Fiction Fans

Speculative fiction fans have a lot to chose from this month, with stories that reach back into the past to offer alternate histories and others that look forward to a dazzling (or despairing) future. The 7 books I feature today are on my personal reading list; this roundup is not meant to present everything new in sci-fi and fantasy, just the books that caught my attention this week.

• The Diminished by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson (Harlequin Teen; April 10): In a land in which twins are the norm, a foundling whose twin died as a baby and the heir to the throne who was born a single are oddities. How they may be connected to each other and to the future of the kingdom drive the plot of this new fantasy that's been praised for its solid world building and diverse characters. YA, fantasy
• The Emissary by Yoko Tawada (trans. Margaret Mitsutani) (New Directions, April 24): Sometime in the near future, Japan suffers from environmental and economic collapse. A man who seems to have unlimited life tends to his great-great-grandson whose body has been weakened, both conditions the result of the disaster. The pair bond and look for hope in a hopeless world. Adult, dystopian
• Winter Glass by Lexa Hillyer (HarperTeen; April 10): Once upon a time a young woman is awoken from sleep and another finds her prince in this mashup of two popular fairy tales: Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. In this conclusion to a duology (Spindle Fire), the two couples continue their fight against evil and hope to bring peace to their kingdoms. YA, fairy tale retelling
• The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror by Mallory Ortberg (Holt Paperbacks; March 13): Children's books, folk tales, and more take a decidedly dark turn in Ortberg's new collection of short pieces. Some stories are given deeper layers, others noir humor or nerdy threads. A must read collection for anyone who loves children's literature, the Brothers Grimm, Shakespeare, and even scripture. Adult, dark riffs on the familiar

• The Long Sunset by Jack McDevitt (Saga Press, April 17): In the 23rd century, space exploration is winding down, but our heroes (this is the 8th in the Academy series) still have new worlds and alien cultures to discover and understand. Meanwhile, back on Earth, the more things change, the more things stay the same. A smart, engrossing series for space fans. YA, sci-fi
• The City of Lost Fortunes by Bryan Camp (HMH; April 17): The ability to find lost things becomes a curse in a post-Katrina New Orleans; so much is missing that our hero is overwhelmed and goes underground. A few later when there's upheaval in the magic realm, he must reassert himself to solve a crime, save a city, and embrace his heritage. Adult, urban fantasy
• Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller (Ecco, April 17): After climate change finally brings the world to its knees, a pocket of humanity survives on a floating city in the Arctic Circle. Crime, poverty, disease, and discontent are causing ripples in the new society; a stranger arrives; and revolution is in the air. Good world building and familiar issues (such as the great socioeconomic divide). Adult, dystopian

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6 Contemporary Novels for Young Readers

This week is the 98th annual Children's Book Week, and I'm celebrating the event by featuring books geared to young adult and middle grade readers that were (or will be) published in March, April, and May of 2017. Last week, I recommended 8 books that included a little magic or fantasy. Today, I recommend 6 books set in the real world and focusing on contemporary themes that concern young readers.

• When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (Simon Pulse; May): This rom-com for teens explores the dilemma of respecting cultural tradition in a tech-filled twenty-first century. Now that young women fashion their own futures, are arranged relationships doomed before they even start? This is novel offers both great escape and a look at family, cultural expectations, and modern love.
• Antisocial by Jillian Blake (Delacorte Press; May): The social structure of a prep school is turned upside down when the cool kids' phones are hacked and photos, texts, and emails are made public. While the students are humiliated and relationships are shattered, one girl tries to bury her secrets while protecting her friends. This book asks, What are consequences of our always-online lives?
• Bodyguard: Recruit by Chris Bradford (Philomel Books; May): A teenage kickboxing champ is recruited by the government and trained to be the bodyguard for the president's fun-loving and sometimes reckless daughter. This action-packed story is the first in a new series and provides an accurate picture of what it's like to be a professional bodyguard.

• Speed of Life by Carol Weston (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; April): When Sofia needed someone to talk to, she turned to teen advice columist "Dear Kate." Imagine her distress after she learns her widowed father started dating the very woman who knows all her secrets. This novel looks at families, grief, and trust.
• The End of Our Story by Meg Haston (HarperTeen; April): Set in Florida, this book explores what happens when two teens are reunited after a family crisis. Although they've changed over their year-long breakup, can Bridge and Wil once again find common ground? And if so, will they be friends or sweethearts?
• Lemons by Melissa Savage (Crown Books for Young Readers; May): Lemonade Liberty Witt has trouble seeing the positive when she moves in with her estranged grandfather after her mother's death. But then she meets 11-year-old Tobin, a Bigfoot nerd, who asks her to help with his investigations. Themes of friendship, grief, and family are lightened by a big dose of humor.

Note: Books featured for Children's Book Week represent only those titles that came to my attention through a variety of avenues. They are also books I've had a chance to look through or read (print, audio, or ebook). I'm grateful to the publishers and other agencies that provided copies of these books for my honest opinion in a review or feature.

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10 Books for Tweens and Teens

I know 2016 isn't over yet, but I'm already looking ahead and making reading plans for the coming year. All the books featured today will be published in January, and although you'll find them in the young adult or middle grade sections of your bookstore or library, each one has adult cross-over appeal. Whether you're making a wish list or a shopping list and whether you're thinking of yourself or the young readers in your life, here are some recommendations to give you a head start on fabulous bookish 2017.

Contemporary Cultural and Social Issues in Fiction

• The Radius of Us by Marie Marquardt (St. Martin's Griffin; January 17): Gretchen, a 17-year-old white girl, suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome after having been mugged. Pheonix, a brown-skinned 18-year-old, is a recent immigrant who fled his native El Salvador to escape gang violence. After a chance meeting, they bond over their common need for healing, understanding and safety.
• Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley (Harlequin Teen, January 31): Aki, a 15-year-old black girl, is unsure about everything--her faith, her sexual identity, her talents. On a Christian mission trip to Mexico, she meets white Christa and tentative flames begin to burn. A realistic look at LBGTQ teen relationships and a respectful view of religion.
• The Truth of Right Now by Kara Lee Corthron (Simon Pulse, January 3):  Lily, a white Jewish music student, and Dari, a black first-generation Trinidadian artist, start their junior year of high school already a step or two behind. When the two loners connect, they strengthen their relationship over discussions of race, family, and personal struggles, until social pressures and their past troubles threaten to tear them apart.

Fresh Takes on Old Tales

• The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (Del Rey, January 10): Set in medieval Russia, this unique fairy tale is the story of a village girl, who can talk with animals and spirits, and her conflict with her stepmother, who declares all such actions and beings to be evil. Period details and careful blending of magic and realism help shape this intriguing new tale.
• Beheld by Alex Flinn (HarperTeen, January 10): Kendra, a time-traveling witch and perennial teen, recounts her perspective on the stories behind four familiar fairy tales, with an emphasis on romance. These light twists on traditional plots (including Rumpelstiltskin) offer the perfect winter escape.
• Siren Sisters by Diana Langer (Aladdin, January 3): Set in coastal Maine, this middle grade novel reimagines the myth of the sirens whose song lures ships into rocky waters. Lolly, our young singer, deals with more than her duties to the Sea Witch, she must also learn to navigate the rough seas of contemporary adolescence and keep her family safe.

Stories for Thought and Discussion

• Flying Lessons edited by Ellen Oh (Crown Books for Young Readers, January 3): This collection of short stories was published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books. The pieces, written by both men and women, tackle a wide range of contemporary issues, such as racism, sports, grief, gender identity, and living with disabilities. Geared to a middle grade audience, this important and well-written collection should be on everyone's reading list.
• Here We Are edited by Kelly Jensen (Algonquin Young Readers, January 24): This anthology of essays, art, photos, and poems is geared to young adult readers and addresses what it means to be a feminist in the 21st century. The 44 contributors hail from a broad spectrum of fields--pop culture personalities, artists, bloggers, and authors--and focus on the complexities of women's issues, not simply the typical views on career opportunities and speaking up.

Coming of Age with a Few Twists

• The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti (Sourcebooks Fire, January 3): When Lizzie goes missing after a camping trip with her boyfriend, a 17-year-old girl becomes obsessed with finding out what happened. Set in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania, this novel is part mystery, part coming-of-age story.
• The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins (Margaret McElderry Books, January 24): This novel in verse and prose focus on 17-year-old Ariel who has lived an almost nomadic life with her alcoholic father since her mother deserted them years ago. As Ariel explores her awakening bisexuality, she discovers few people are really who they seem to be, and her world begins to tip.

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8 Books for October; or What's on My eReader

Just a couple more days and my current crazy work schedule will settle down to what passes for normal around here. In the meantime I can dream of reading these October books that currently live on my eReader.

• Be Good, Be Real Crazy by Chelsey Philpot: A road trip novel involving a young girl and two brothers. A story of friendship, first love, and self-discovery. (HarperTeen, 9780062293725)
• The Rift: Uprising by Amy S. Foster: Speculative fiction meets thriller in a story about a military-trained young woman who begins to ask whether the enemy is really all that bad. (Harper Voyager, 9780062443120)
• Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin: In a post-epidemic world in which humans are damaged goods, a lonely young girl sets out to build herself a companion using biotechnology. (Greewillow, 9780062408884)
• We Know It Was You by Maggie Thrash: The tagline sold me: "Twin Peaks meets Pretty Little Liars." A strange mystery surrounding an apparent suicide. (Simon Pulse, 978148146200)

• Blood, Bullets, Bones by Bridget Heos: The science of forensics throughout history, but focused on modern technology. Illustrated and using examples from real crimes. (Balzer + Bray. 9780062387622)
• Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand: The queen of the beach read concludes her popular winter holiday trilogy. Perfect escape reading to warm up your evenings. (Little, Brown, 9780316261173)
• A Most Extraordinary Pursuit by Juliana Gray: Set in 1906 Europe, a proper young woman accompanies her handsome employer in search of a missing duke. A new series by none other than Beatriz Williams. (Berkley, 9780425277072)
• The Starlit Wood edited by Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe: A collection of reimagined and new fairy tales by a host of familiar authors. Super black and white illustrations. (Saga Press, 9781481456128)

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12 Fantasies to Put on Your Reading List

For some people September is back-to-school month or pull-out-the-sweaters month, but for me--at least this year--September is look-at-all-the-fantasy month. The number of great speculative fiction books released in the last few weeks is almost mind-boggling. Take a look at this sampling.

Start a New Series

• A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess: This alternate history / fantasy series stars a powerful teen tapped to be the first female sorcerer. Set in a Victorian England the plot involves magic and monsters and a dangerous game of secrets, manipulation, allies, and traitors. (Random House)
• Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake: Triplet sisters contemplate their sixteenth birthday, when they will be expected to compete--to the death-- for the right to rule their country. Magic manifests itself differently in each girl; which one is strongest? (HarperTeen)
• The Changlings by Christina Soontornvat: When Izzy's little sister becomes lost in fairy land, she must find a way to rescue her from the evils that lurk there. Not only must she tell friend from foe but she needs to find a way to trick the Faerie before her sister is lost forever. (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky)
• Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova: This first in series has already garnered much praise and starred reviews. It features witches and magic and finds its foundation in Latino myths and traditions. A teenage witch must travel to the land of limbo to save her family. (Sourcebooks)

Read a Stand-Alone

• The Graces by Laurie Eve: A much-buzzed novel about witches, black, magic, and sisters. Three powerful siblings are the envy of all who meet them, but the new kid in town wants to do more than admire the Graces, she wants to become one of them--but with secrets upon secrets, she should be careful of what she wishes for. (Amulet Books)
• The Inquisitor's Tale by Hatem Aly: Set in medieval France, this is the story of three children who possess magical abilities and tell their tales--Chaucer style--while outwitting all those who hope to defeat them. Nestled within the humor and adventure are jabs at sociocultural norms and lessons about prejudice. (Dutton)
• The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart: Mix a magical timepiece with a lot of secrets and one young boy and you have yourself a heart-pounding, action-packed mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Friendly helpers and tricky villains keep our hero on his toes. (Little, Brown)
• Brightwood by Tania Unsworth: This story takes place in a spooky house that happens to be the happy home for our hero, who has befriended live-in ghosts and talking animals. Daisy's life is shattered, however, the day her mother fails to return home from a shopping trip and a stranger appears at her door. Can the young girl save herself, her friends, and her home? (Algonquin Young Readers)

Let the Series Continue

• Mark of the Plague by Kevin Sands: This series involves magic, medicine, and alchemy and is set in the early British Renaissance, rife with politics, the power of the church, and rival apothecaries. Our hero must find a way combat the black death while staying free of the authority of country and guild. Lots of puzzles to solve. (Aladdin)
• Throne & Bones: Skyborn by Lou Anders: This is the latest entry in fun adventure / quest fantasy series involving heroes, traitors, and powerful creatures. Good friends and questionable family are highlights of the story, which is told from multiple points of view. (Crown)
• Masked City by Genevieve Cogman: This alternate history series is set in Victorian England and is perfect for those of us who love books about books. It features librarian spies, dragons, and fae in a very cool world for us bookophils. (Roc)
• The Dark Army by Joseph Delaney: Witches, boggarts, and scary creatures abound in this dark fantasy trilogy set in a medieval-like universe. Our heroes find evil everywhere they turn as they fight to save their country from powerful enemies. Recommended for those who like to be creeped out! (Greenwillow Books)

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Review: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Sometimes I'm hesitant to read a book that everyone else loves because I'm worried my expectations will be too high. But I'm glad I didn't put off Noelle Stevenson's Nimona; it's a fun read with a tough, impulsive heroine,; good humor, and terrific art.

What's it about: Nimona shows up at the headquarters of the realm's infamous villain, Lord Ballister Blackheart, offering to become his sidekick. Blackheart is understandably unenthusiastic: not only has he been fine all these years by himself but he wonders how a teenage girl could possibly help him finally defeat his lifelong nemesis, the hero Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. As it turns out, Nimona is a game changer in the fight between good and evil.

What's it really about: This smart, funny comic starts out as a kind of mashup of common superhero, fantasy, and sci-fi stories. We have an academy that trains knights, complete with jousting. We have a hero-villain pair with a complicated history. And we have Nimona, who quickly reveals that she's actually a powerful shapeshifter. Oh and don't forget the futuristic technology (computers, weapons). After a relatively light beginning, the story evolves into something darker and more thoughtful. The big question is, Who or what is in need of being saved?

Themes: friendship, good vs. evil, breaking rules

What surprised me: The complexity of the characters. Nimona, Blackheart, and Goldenloin are introduced as stereotypical characters in a familiar story line, but Stevenson adds layers to their personalities and histories, allowing us to see them in new ways. I was expecting light and fun and got so much more.

The Art: I loved the contrast between the angularity of the character's faces and the rounder shapes of their bodies (click on the cover to get an idea of what I'm trying to say). The colors are vivid and the panels have just enough detail to give us a good feel for the action and emotions. The facial expressions are simple but telling.

Things to know: Nimona started out as an art project, which eventually became a web comic. Noelle Stevenson has won several awards for her work.

Who should read this: Um, everyone? Seriously, if you're at all inclined to read comics, you'll probably love this book. I'm not sure why Nimona was published under the Harper Teen imprint because there is nothing particularly young adult about the story. Noelle Stevenson's Nimona breaks new ground with a fresh look at a seemingly familiar story.

Published by HarperCollins / HarperTeen, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780062278234
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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2 June Books I Don't Want to Miss

You know the story: Too many books, not enough time. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how much I was enjoying the young adult novel Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway. Here are two more June HarperTeen books that I'm looking forward to reading. Maybe this week?

Although being immersed in a virtual reality game is not a new concept, Julia Durango's The Leveller (ISBN: 9780062314000) promises to be a twisty and exciting take on the genre. Nixy Bauer calls herself a bounty hunter, but instead of catching bad the guys, the teen is sent by parents to pull their kids out of MEEP, a virtual reality world in which players can make themselves over into whatever they want to be. When the game's developer calls Nixy to find his son, Wyn, she takes the job. But once inside the game, she discovers that Wyn is being held captive and is unable to return to the real world. To complicate matters, Nixy is beginning to have feelings for Wyn and is having trouble figuring out if they're real or just part of the VR game. This thriller has a mix of mystery, action, and a possible romance.

Rebecca Maizel's Between Us and the Moon (ISBN: 9780062327611) is a contemporary novel that deals with very real issues. Sarah is a fifteen-year-old math whiz who dreams of being an astronomer. She's not unhappy, but sometimes she wants to be seen as pretty and fun loving, instead of sensible and hardworking. When she meets Andrew, a college boy, during a family vacation on Cape Cod, she decides to be the girl she's always imagined she could be. Using her sister as a role model, Sarah undergoes a transformation, including pretending to be older than she really is. First love is sweet for this new Sarah, but has she really changed? What is her authentic self? This story of self-discovery and self-acceptance sounds like it will have a strong appeal to both teens and adults.

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Today's Read: Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway

Imagine being seven years old and finding out that your best friend had disappeared without a trace. How would your childhood be affected? Now imagine that friend returned ten years later. Would you still have anything in common? That's the story of Emmy and Oliver:

The last time Emmy sees Oliver is on their forty-third day of second grade.

Oliver is her next-door neighbor and her friend. They were born in the same hospital on the same day: July 7—7/7. She thinks she pretty lucky to have a friend who lives next door and shares a birthday with her. She can just visit him any old time she wants, but not all the time because sometimes Oliver goes to his dad's house on the weekends.

—Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway (HarperCollins / HarperTeen, 2015, p. 1)

Quick Facts

• Setting: coastal southern California; modern times
• Circumstances: Emmy and Oliver are best friends until Oliver fails to return home after a long weekend with his father; the police call the disappearance a kidnapping. Over the years, Emmy and her friends still remember Oliver, wishing he would come back. In the meantime, Emmy's parents have become overprotective, and Emmy struggles to find her independence and to follow her passions. Oliver's mother never gives up hope that her boy will be returned, but eventually she remarries and begins a new family. Ten years later, Oliver is found, living in New York City. His father flees, but Oliver is returned to his mother to finish out his senior year. Is it possible to build a bridge between past and present?
• Characters: Emmy and her parents; Emmy's friends Caro and Drew; Oliver and his parents and stepfamily; various other neighbors and classmates
• Genre: YA contemporary
• Themes so far: friendship, family, survival, trauma, finding ways to reach understanding
• What I like so far: The teens have authentic voices and concerns. The parents' reactions to the presumed kidnapping, the empty years, and the return, also seem realistic. Although I'm sure romance is on at least Emmy's mind, the story (so far) is less on that and more on trying to find a way to recapture what was lost.
• Two perspectives: There are two sides to this tale, though the story is told through Emmy's eyes. For Emmy and her friends, the crisis is over. They are ready and eager to welcome Oliver home; they remember every little thing of their early childhood and can't wait to pick up where they left off. But for Oliver, a new crisis is starting. He has been taken from his East Coast home and is now living with and among people he barely remembers. He doesn't know how to meet the expectations of friends, family, and the community, not to mention his new stepfamily. The story is played out against these two conflicting perspectives.
• Things to know: This could be a dark book with very tough themes, but Benway softens the plot with witty dialogue and appropriate humor. My prediction is that Emmy and Oliver help each other grow and prepare for the all the possibilities of their futures. I'm not yet sure if they will leave high school as boyfriend and girlfriend or as BFFs, but either way, I'm enjoying their journey.

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Today's Read: Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

What if you were the only witness to a kidnapping but found you were incapable of helping the investigation? Although Finn O'Sullivan saw the abduction of his brother's girlfriend, he finds he can't identify the tall man who took her away. All the mug shots look alike to him because Finn suffers from a condition known as face blindness (prosopagnosia).

The people of Bone Gap called Finn a lot of things, but none of them was his name. When he was little, they called him Spaceman. Sidetrack. Moonface. You. As he got older, they called him Pretty Boy. Loner. Brother. Dude.

But whatever they called him, they called him fondly. Despite his odd expressions, his strange distraction, and that annoying way he had of creeping up on a person, they knew him as well as they knew anyone. As well as they knew themselves.

—Big Gap by Laura Ruby (HarperTeen / Balzer + Bray, 2015, p. 1 [ARC])

Quick Facts

• Setting: Midwest, small rural community, contemporary times
• Circumstances: Roza, a beautiful young girl, is kidnapped and held captive by a tall man, whom Finn, the only witness, cannot ID. Besides being frustrated by his handicap, Finn finds himself slipping out of favor when the townsfolk begin to doubt his story.
• Characters: Finn and his brother Sean; Roza and Priscilla, their girlfriends; the tall man Finn cannot identify; quirky neighbors and friends
• Genre & audience: literary fiction, mixed with folklore, mystery, and a little magic; young adult
• Themes: love, friendship, forgiveness, self-acceptance, family, women's strength, handicaps, being different
• Miscellaneous: the story is told from multiple view points; we learn about the real condition of facial blindness
• Early thoughts: I meant to look at only the first paragraph but ended up reading about a third of the book before I realized it. I love the writing style, deep emotions, and vivid characters.

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Review: Kiss of Broken Glass by Madeleine Kuderick

What to say. Basically I'm speechless, blown away. And apparently I love poetry (see my review of Poisoned Apples).

First, a personal note: I'm not a parent, and although I'm close to our nieces and nephews, I had no idea of the social pressure some kids feel to engage in cutting. I'm well aware of the issue but didn't realize the pervasiveness of the problem.

Madeleine Kuderick writes about how fifteen-year-old Kenna Kegan was put under mandatory psychiatric care for seventy-two hours (via Florida's Baker Act) after a classmate, who is also a cutter, reports her to school authorities.

Kiss of Broken Glass is a series of emotionally ripe poems that reveal Kenna's journey to addiction, not of drugs or drink, but of self-inflicted wounds. Problems at home and social pressures at school may be the precipitating factors, but are things any worse for Kenna than they are for other girls who don't have a driving need to feel something . . . more?

And the pain doesn't feel like pain
but more like energy
moving through my body
in waves.

Rushing.
  Cleansing.
      Pulsing.

Purging all the broken bits out of me
like a tsunami washing debris to the shore. (p. 65)

For Kenna, needing to belong, even to the Sisters of the Broken Glass, is stronger than the fear of being a nobody. After she is taken to the hospital, she is forced to confront her addiction, but what does mandatory psychiatric lock-up really do for a teen? Besides, can anyone really turn her life around in three days and six therapy sessions? There are no easy answers or tidy endings.

I couldn't stop reading Kiss of Broken Glass. The power of Kuderick's words hit me hard, and I felt the truth of Kenna's story and the hope between the lines.

Although Kiss of Broken Glass is fiction, Madeleine Kuderick based the story on the experiences of her own daughter, who succumbed to peer pressure and was involuntarily institutionalized under the Baker Act when she was caught cutting. The book gives us a lot to think about, including many questions surrounding the nature of Florida's law as well as the more obvious issue of why our kids are compelled to hurt themselves. Sometimes the answers are evasive.

Published by HarperCollins / HarperTeen, 2014
ISBN-13: 9780062306562
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Imprint Thursday: A Teen Quartet

If you're a long-time reader of Beth Fish Reads, don't be thrown off. No, this isn't Friday, but it is imprint day. I love several of HarperCollins's teen imprints, and today I'm featuring Katherine Tegen Books and HarperTeen. Here are my reactions to two recent releases from each imprint.

First up from Katherine Tegen Books is Norah Olson's Twisted Fate. This psychological thriller/mystery is a little bit creepy and maybe even disturbing, so you might want to keep the lights on when you're reading it. Two sisters, Ally and Syd, couldn't be more different, but when a new boy, Graham, moves into the neighborhood, they both eventually fall under his spell. Ally loses her heart completely to Graham, but Syd is less trusting. The story--which involves a missing child, teen romance, and family relationships--is told from several viewpoints. The clues are dropped slowly, and you'll be wondering which sister has the better instincts. The author is a former crime-beat journalist, so you can bet she gets the details just right. (age 13+; 9780062272041)

Kathleen Peacock's Willowgrove is the third book in her Hemlock trilogy (published by Katherine Tegen Books). I have to confess that I haven't read any of the books (Hemlock and Thornhill are the first two) yet because I needed to take a paranormal break. But now I'm back in the mood for some handsome weres, and this action-packed trilogy looks good. The series promises teen love, conflicts between good and evil, questionable medical experiments, and teenage friendships. Apparently Peacock is not afraid to kill off her characters, so there are no guarantees; anything could happen. The overall story starts with a murder, the rise of lupine syndrome (or werewolf virus), and deep secrets. This paranormal/romance is not for the faint of heart. (age 14+; 9780062048714)

What's a young adult roundup without a little dystopian fiction? Tom Isbell's The Prey (from Harper Teen) imagines a world that has been devastated by a mega radiation event, which destroyed all electronics. A couple of decades later, in the Republic of the True America, children are captured and raised for use in medical experiments and for much more evil purposes. The divide between the haves and have-nots has never been wider. Twin sisters Hope and Faith, with the help of some boys, escape their captors, setting off a nonstop-action story as the group fights for survival and freedom. Told from alternating viewpoints, this novel offers a lot of excitement but is a little light on world building. It is the first in a planned trilogy, so perhaps more details will be revealed in the next book. (age 13+; 9780062216014)

Michelle Falkoff's Playlist for the Dead (from Harper Teen) touches on several difficult issues, including bullying and suicide. When Sam discovers Hayden's death by suicide, he uses the playlist suicide note to try to understand what happened. As he works his way through the songs, Sam begins to connect with new people and learns some surprising things about his best friend. Despite some beautifully written passages and a sensitive handling of gut-wrenching topics, Falkoff's contemporary fiction debut doesn't quite hold up. Among the problems, I found the playlist to be a bit gimmicky, often not adding much to the plot, and the pacing had a stop-and-start feel rather than a flow. Although not a five-star novel, readers interested in teen problems, might want to give it a try. (ages 13+; 9780062310507)

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Reading On Topic: Southern Dreaming

Snowy weather and cold temperatures mean that winter is truly here, and along with it comes the holiday rush and end-of-the year tasks. My solution to December's stress? Good escape reading that transports me to more temperate climates.

Today's Reading On Topic takes us to the American South. The adult books mix Southern charm with family drama, and the novels for younger readers are action packed.

Southern Drama

Reunion by Hannah Pittard (Grand Central Publishing, 9781455553617, 2014) Setting: Atlanta. When Kate learns her father has died, she meets her brother and sister in Atlanta to settle the estate. Complicating matters are her father's many failed marriages and her clan of half-siblings. Told from Kate's point of view, this novel explores family, self-discovery, and forgiveness. Lookaway, Lookaway by Wilton Barnhardt (St. Martin's Press, 9781250020833, 2013) Setting: Charlotte, NC. Spanning ten years in the lives of the prominent Jarvis-Johnston family, this novel focuses on the dark, hidden side of several generations of relatives. Although there seems to be no bottom to the well of family sins, this Southern Gothic story is both sympathetic and entertaining. Family dysfunction at its best.

Trouble in Florida

Skink--No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780375870514, 2014) Setting: Florida. When fourteen-year-old Richard's teenage cousin Malley runs off with an older guy she met online, he teams up with Skink, ex-governor of Florida, on a road-trip rescue chase across the state. This crazy adventure, with its underlying environmental message and quirky hero, is great fun for readers of all ages. On the Edge by Allison Van Diepen (HarperTeen, Hardcover, 9780062303448, 2014) Setting: Miami. On the way home from celebrating her acceptance into Florida State University, Maddie Diaz witnesses a gang-related murder of a homeless man. After being granted protection, Maddie agrees to testify, despite the very real danger. This thriller-romance features great characters and explores ethical issues, making choices, and working hard for a better future.

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