Hello there!

It’s been a while since I sent a newsletter. Mostly due to existential despair but also because I needed to switch to a different newsletter platform, and that took a minute to figure out. But I promise, I’ve been reading in our time apart and have some great books to share.

Latest News

First, I have book news! About my own books!

No, my books aren’t out yet. Yes, they’re still coming. This summer, in fact!

On that note, Saturday, April 26 is Independent Bookstore Day!

People have very kindly asked how to buy my books in a way that will help me the most.

First of all, thank you. I’ve been blown away by how kind and excited people are for me.

Second, truly truly the answer is: to preorder from your local bookstore. (tip: if you preorder from Amazon and change your mind, you can cancel the order.)

Preordering from an indie is the best way to spread the word about my books. Once the bookseller knows about my books, they’re more likely to stock them on the shelf outside of special orders.

They’re also more likely to do what’s called “handselling,” which means when someone wanders in and says, “I’m looking for a picture book to give to my grandkid,” the knowledgeable bookseller at the indie can say, “well, here’s a great one about XYZ.” You won’t get that kid of service from the high schooler working at B&N or BAM (and certainly not Amazon).

Indies can almost always order a book if they don’t already carry it, and if you pick it up from the store, they probably won’t even charge for shipping. Plus, then you have an excuse to stop by a bookstore!

Win win win win!

On to the Recommendations!

So what have I been reading lately?

Well, to cope with things I’ve been binging on cozy books. I re-read Legends and Lattes and House in the Cerulean Sea, obv.

After that, I was sort of in a quandary until my sister said three words that changed my life:

More on that below.

Picture Books

The Book That Almost Rhymed. Written by Omar Abed, illustrated by Hatem Aly
What a fun read aloud. The hook is that the poor misused older sibling keeps trying to write a poem, darn it, and the younger sibling interrupts with words that don't rhyme. Those non-rhyming words send the pair off into wild adventures that the old sibling had no intention of being on. The twist at the end is reason enough to check this book out. Funny, great illustrations, clever idea. What more could you want?

Chooch Helped. Written by Andrea L. Rogers and Rebecca Lee Kunz
For the record, I loved this book even before it won the Caldecott. Chooch Helped is one of the most perfect picture books I've ever read. It's about an annoying two-year-old brother "helping" his family as they go about their day making pucker-toe moccasins and grape dumplings until his older sister finally loses her patience with the "helping." Rogers's text is sparce with a refrain of "Chooch helped" that changes meaning as the story goes on. Kunz's illustrations are stunning and highlight some gorgeous aspects of Cherokee culture. Older siblings everywhere will relate to Sissy's frustration with Chooch, as well as the love they rekindle at the end. Just beautiful. (PS, a fifth-grade teacher friend of mine read it to her class and they loved it! So it's not just great for young readers.)

Middle Grade

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake
So funny, I literally laughed out loud, then read the funny bits to my patient family. Skunk and Badger is about a skunk named Skunk who invites himself to move into a brownstone with a badger named Badger who does Important Rock Work and must not be disturbed. A delightful (and short!) book for 7-10 year olds. The vocabulary might be a little tough for younger, but that's a great excuse to read it out loud to them. A great choice for that awkward stage when a kid is ready to move on from Frog and Toad, but not yet ready for longer middle grade books.

Emmy in the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido
This novel-in-verse is unlike any book I’ve ever read. It combines Javascript with poetry. Many of the poems are completely Javascript, becoming increasingly complicated and emotional as the book goes on. There's a glossary of Javascript terms at the back if the reader wants to dig in and learn more. I DIDN'T, but I was also ok not necessarily understanding everything.

Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeon Club graphic novel series by Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma
The hill I will absolutely die on is that middle grade fantasy graphic novels are the best sick-day, rainy-day, snow-day, lazy-day reads and this series is pretty darn high on that list. I was dubious because of the blatantly obvious product tie-in, but I'm so glad my kiddo convinced me to read them. These books are about a wonderfully diverse cast of eighth graders who play D&D in the school library and become allies in the campaign. IRL, they protect each other from the school bully, navigate gender and sexual identities, and figure out who they want to be as they think about high school. Perfect books for kids who love D&D or even just make believe. I have only a passing knowledge of D&D; there's absolutely no need to be an expert to enjoy. Also great for kids who love Cardboard Kingdom and are looking for something just a teeny bit older. Content appropriate for any kid who can read.

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
One of the most wholesome things I've done as a parent is force my almost-13-year-old to have a book club with me (due to reasons, just go with it). I gave him a list of possibilities, and he chose Samir. We read five chapters at a time and met once a week, each of us coming to the meeting with prepared questions. We both loved this book. The first two chapters were a tad confusing, but if you push through them, you'll be fine. A 12-year-old boy ends up with a merchant/swindler as they traverse the Silk Road in 11th century China. It's a buddy comedy about true family and running from assassins. I'd say that kids any younger than 12 might struggle with the language, as it was beautifully playful but somewhat elaborate.

Teen

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
This novel is a retelling of the Cinderella story but the main character is a 16-year old cyborg. Also there's a plague and a looming war with the moon. There's a light love story, some family drama, an evil stepmother...everything a sci-fi fan of fairy tales could want. Great for 4th or 5th grade and up.

Ms. Marvel: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona
One of the best superhero graphic novels I've ever read. This series tells the story of Kamala Khan and how she became Ms. Marvel. The art is amazing and the character development is perfect. The plot is somewhat secondary, but that's ok. My library listed it as YA, but my 10 year old read it over my shoulder and liked it--there is drinking and negative self talk around body image, so just be aware of that.

Adult

Here’s where we get cozy in England.

Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
I get the hype. Coxy mystery set in a retirement village in Kent. The mystery itself is engaging, but what's truly great is the voice. Osman is one of the few male writers I've read who is able to write authentic-feeling female friendships. I enjoyed all four books already out. Listen to the first two audiobooks, then switch to the book-book for #3 (the narrator changed, and their voices sounded all wrong!)

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
A Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery done right. The Holmes character is an unlikeable ex-cop with deep emotional issues and Watson is Anthony Horowitz himself. Horowitz blurs the line between what's real and what’s not so convincingly that in book 3, I really felt bad for him (the real Anthony Horowitz) when he was framed for shoplifting until I remembered that it was all fiction! The audiobook was perfectly narrated by someone who was not Horowitz but convinced me that he was, and it's the start of a fun series. Lots of twists and turns.

In and Out of the Kitchen by Miles Jupp
This is a series of radio plays from the BBC that is, as far as I know, only available through Audible (thanks for the gift hookup, Marjory!) It's hilarious and I found myself snort-laughing through my walks with the dog. It's about the hijinks of a "cookery writer," his partner, their ever-present general contractor, and the various other people in their lives. Almost every character is ridiculous in their own loveable way. If you like Curb Your Enthusiasm but want something in which you are actually fond of the characters, this is for you.

Random Other Recommendation