On Sale Now : New Releases

Displaying new releases at the beginnning of the month, with characters of color or that sfeature a diverse cast, is my only ongoing feature.  Though recently I've considered stopping it, because each month I am missing a lot of titles.  Not working in a bookstore anymore, I am out of the new release loop, and the lists are more incomplete then I would like.  Though I will continue it for now
July New Releases (or at least this year)
Love Amalia by Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel M. Zubizarreta

Postcards from Pismo by Michael Scotto (May)
Flying Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi

Before You Go by James Preller
Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance edited by Rhoda Belleza
The Letter Q:Queer Writers to their Younger Selves editied by Sarah Moon and James Lecesne (May)
Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Team Human by Sarah Rees Brennan and Justine Larbalestier

Down to the Bone by Mayra Lazara Dole

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel (June)
Losers in Space by John Barnes* (April), This one came to my attention thanks to the Booksmugglers rave review. (I quickly added this to my library queue)

*I loved Barnes last novel, Tales of the Madman Underground, which is  more proof that I am losing my find the new release edge. Last year I would not have missed a title by an author who's last novel I couldn't stop talking about.

Texas Gothic - Rosemary Clement-Moore

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Amy Goodnight will be ranch sitting for her aunt Hyancith with her old sister Phin.  All the Goodnight women are practicing witches with the exception of Amy.  After a near death run in with a ghost when she was younger Amy does her best to stay clear of all things magical even though its in her blood.   Amy has her hands full with her aunt's ranch; the goats keep escaping and climbing the trees and there are rumors that a ghost is terrorizing a nearby farm.  Amy is tasked with solving the mystery, the first step is to figure out if the ghost that has attached itself to her is the same one that is causing all the damage on the other farm.

 This novel was so much fun. It has all the right elements.  Beginning with strong writing, continuing to great character chemistry and dialogue, with a dash of mystery and ghosts on top.  I love longer novels that seem smaller then they are.  Texas Gothic is 406 but it felt like 300, I was very much engaged from beginning to end.   This is the first time I've read Clement-Moore, (all thanks do to the interview the author did at Finding Wonderland) and I will definitely be reading more.  Texas Gothic was released in 2011 so there's a good chance it is at your local library, that's where I got my copy. The paperback comes out in August, though it is very much hardcover worthy, if you rather not wait and buy it now. 

An excerpt 

Alien On A Rampage - Clete Barrett Smith

Alien On A Rampage by Clete Barrett Smith
This is the follow up to the author's excellent debut Aliens on Vacation.   Once again David is going to be spending the summer working at his grandmothers bed and breakfast, which caters to aliens who want to visit earth while on vacation.  However, this time David is excited from the start to be going to the Intergalactic Bed &Breakfast.

David's grandmother has more help, making it difficult for him to find ways to be useful.  The bed and breakfast has it's first alien employee, Scratchull.  David does not trust the condescending, and human hating (when no one else is around) alien.  But everyone loves Scratchull and since David keeps on messing up he can't convince anyone that Scratchull is up to no good.  

David is a very likable, down to earth (pun intended) character, and seeing the Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast through his eyes is a lot of fun.  This sequel has all the great elements of the first book. Smith takes it a step father, skillfully building on what he already started; once again the dialogue is sharp and funny.

Chapter One  

Male Protagonists - Are An Essential Part Of My Reading Diet

Most of the novels I've read recently feature female protagonist.  I love stories with female leads but I can not exist on that diet alone, and I am experiencing a bit of a burn out. In the beginning of the year I read a some excellent YA novels featuring male protagonist

In Darkness by Nick Lake

The Knife and the Butterfly by Ashley Hope Perez
Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz 
Boy21 by Matthew Quick

I loved all of the above, unfortunately the last one was published in March,  and I would very much like find more young adult or middle grade novels  with male protagonists to enjoy.  However there's just not a large selection especially when I disregard the ones I have no interest and the others that end up in my DNF pile because they couldn't keep my attention.

However I think my slump is finally ending. I recently read two good YA debuts, A Beautiful Lie by Irfan Master and Before You Go by James Preller.

A few more I am very much looking forward to reading
Nothing Special by Geoff Herbach - I loved the author's debut Stupid Fast, it was one of my favorite debuts of 2011
Thou Shall Not Road Trip by Antony John - The author's last novel Five Flavors of Dumb was made me break out my old Nirvana MTV unplugged CD  awesome. 
 Lucky Fools by Coert Voorhees - I loved the author's 2009 debut, The Brothers Torres and I have been impatiently waiting for a new novel by the author ever since. - (July)
The Quick Fix by Jack D. Ferraiolo  - This is the long awaited follow up (for me anyway)  to The Big Splash, the first and still the best, humorous middle grade mystery (Oct)
Street Dreams by Tama Wise - This one I found thanks to author Malinda Lo. I've never read a Maori author , and I like the cover so there's no way I could pass this one up
The Drowned Cities by Paolo Baciqalupi  - This is the companion to Ship Breaker, which I enjoyed but not as much as most people, but I liked it enough not to pass this one up

Alien on a Rampage by Clete Barrett Smith was also on this list but I finished it the other day. It really enjoyed it, it was as good as the first one.   And with that my slump is officially over.

Lone Bean - Chudney Ross

Lone Bean by Chudney Ross
I couldn't resist reading this middle grade debut thanks to its very adorable cover.  Bean is excited about the start of third grade, but has a very bad first day.  Carla, the best friend, no longer wants to be friends. Bean feels left out when Carla starts hanging out with Sam, another girl in their class.   Bean is the youngest of three girls. Her older sister's Rose and Gardenia never have time to play with her.  Bean also has a flower name but doesn't like to use it.

 At school Bean  trying very hard to find a new best friend.  Bean's dad  is a music professor and he wants all his daughters to play an instrument of their choosing and it is now time for Bean to pick hers. The Lone Bean was an enjoyable read. Bean is a fun new character a lot of little girls will love.  This is a good debut.  I am looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series.  Ross has started with a very strong  foundation, there is already a lot to like and I can see them getting better with time.   

 Over the last few years there have been more early chapter series featuring Black girls, like Keena Ford  by Thomson, Dyamonde Daniel  by Ford, Sugar Plum Ballerinas by Goldberg. However just passed this reading level there are not a lot of books featuring Black girls.  So Lone Bean helps fill a very large gap and would be a nice addition to any library.