On Your Radar: Nest of Tongues

Title: Nest of Tongues

Author: Randy Ribay

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: August 11, 2026

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

Sibling story (Lily and Caleb)

Manananggal (Filipino vampires)

Family

Action and Danger

Creepy

Caleb is marked for death

Uncovering clues while fighting for your life

That ending!

* This ARC was sent for review for a PLA panel that will talk about TOMORROW.

Come back and see what it was all about. 

On Your Radar: Change of Plans

 

It's been EONS since I've done one of these.

Title: Change of Plans

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Date Published: May 5, 20206

Why It Should be On Your Radar:

Summer romance

getting to know your family

mother/daughter relationship

restaurant chaos

off the grid

blended family

Friendship

Trust

Secrets

It's been 7 years since the last Sarah Dessen novel and it was everything I wanted it to be!

Verdict: 5 stars. Don't sleep on this one. And if you haven't read her before, go back and read her. Start with The Truth about Forever (it's my favorite)

* Source: ARC from PLA

On Your Radar: 53 (Built to Last)

 

Title: Built to Last

Author: Erin Hahn

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: October 22, 2022

I love this cover! It's stinking cute.

Why It Should be On Your Radar:

* Second Chance Romance

*Friendships

* Hollywood Secrets

* DIY

* Home Renovation Show

* Banter

* Family

* Proving Yourself

I didn't want this book to end and I'm so happy there are companion novels on the way.!!!!

Mood Board:

* Read through Netgalley

On Your Radar: 52 (The Diva Says Cheesecake)

Title: The Diva Says Cheesecake

Book 15 in the Domestic Diva series

Author: Krista Davis

Publisher: Kensington

Publication Date: May 31, 2022

Why it should be on your radar:

*Favorite Characters

*Mouth Watering Food

* Cozy Mystery

* Cheesecake

* Dogs

*Neighbors and Community

* Small Town Charm

* Natasha drama

* Restaurant drama

I really enjoyed this chapter in the series. I always love catching up with these characters and seeing what's happening around town. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Excited to see what's next for Sophie and the gang. 

** ARC from Netgalley

Library Recommendation: Another great addition to this charming series - perfect for readers of the series, foodie cozies, and Hallmark Mystery Movies.

On Your Radar: (51) Chef's Kiss

Title: Chef's Kiss

Author: Jarrett Melendez

Illustrations: Danica Brine

Publisher: Oni Press

Publication Date: March 1, 2022

Why it should be on your radar:

* New Adult Graphic Novel

*Fantastic Illustrations

* Finding Your Path

* Cooking

* Friendship

* Romance

*Watson

* Co-workers

* Discovering Your Passion

I really enjoyed this Graphic Novel. I loved the ages of the character, the humor, and the relationships. Although Watson did steal the book. I didn't want this book to end!

** ARC from Netgalley

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your public library's graphic novel collection

On Your Radar: Pack Up the Moon (49)

 

Title: Pack Up the Moon

Author: Kristan Higgins

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: June 8, 2021

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Family

* Sisters

* Found Family

* Josh and Lauren's love story

* Dual timelines and perspectives 

* Hopeful

* Moving on and dealing with grief

** read for Fresh Fiction (I'll share the review when it goes up)

*** Read this with a box of tissues

**** This is a tearjerker, but it's so so good. I didn't want to stop reading.

On Your Radar: Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai (48)

Title: Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai

Author: Debbi Michiko Florence

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: August 3, 2021

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Friendship

* Talking about Feelings

*Broadway Diner

* Milkshakes

* Writing for Newspaper

* Investigating

* Taking a Risk

* Opening Your Heart

* Keiko Carter

I loved Keep It Together, Keiko Carter and was over the moon to hear about Jenna's story. And the companion story was everything I wanted it to be!

* ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library collection. 

While you're waiting, take a look at these books.

On Your Radar: Golden Gate (47)

 

Title: Golden Gate

Author: James Ponti

Publisher: Aladdin (Simon and Schuster)

Release Date: March 9, 2021

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Found Family

* Spies 

* Mole

* Feelings

* Saving Lives

* Bird Watching

* Finding the truth

* Oxford

* ARC sent for review

** Cover is amazing

This is the second book in the City Spies series and I'm hoping there will be many many more books to come.  This is a great thriller with lots of action, danger, and great characters. 

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries.

I made this for the first book in the series.

On Your Radar: Don't Judge Me (46)

Title: Don't Judge Me

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: November 10, 2020

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Feminist Read

* School Dress Codes

* Toxic Masculinity

* Friendship

* Secrets

* Popular People

* Female Power Party

* Finding Your Voice

** ACR sent for review 

Library Recommendation: 

A must have book for your school and public libraries.

A great book to start off discussions about feminism, toxic masculinity, and finding the courage to speak up.

If You Like Pin:

On Your Radar: Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (44)

Title: Midnight at the Barclay Hotel

Author: Fleur Bradley

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Ghost Hunting

* Unique Invitation

* Haunted Hotel

* Friendship

* Secrets

 * Fun Librarian

* Family

* Murder

* The hotel's Library

* Murder Mystery Weekend

* Detectives

** ACR sent for review 

Library Recommendation: An excellent choice for your middle grade mystery section - both for school and public libraries.

On Your Radar: Girl in the White Van (43)

Title: Girl in the White Van

Author: April Henry

Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

Release Date: July 28, 2020

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Creepy

*Thriller

* Family Drama

* Investigation

* Kung Fu Class

* Determination

* Survival 

* Kidnapped

*Teammwork

* Friendship

I couldn't put this book down, but I also didn't want to read it after dark.

** The publisher pushed the dates back on this one. July 28th is the date from Goodreads.

*** ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Grab this YA book for your thriller collection. And if you don't have the authors previous books, get them too!

On Your Radar: The Switch (42)

Title: The Switch

Author: Beth O'Leary

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Release Date: August 28, 2020

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Sophomore novel

* Switch Apartments/Houses

* Grandmother

*Grief

* Bad Husbands/Boyfriends

* Small town life / London

* Fish out of water

* Humor

* Banter

* A Cute Dog

* Feisty Strong Women

* Friendships

* An ARC was sent for review

And I have to say that I'm much more of a fan of this cover:

On Your Radar: The Diva Spices it Up (41)

Title: The Diva Spices it Up

Author: Krista Davis

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: April 28, 2020

Why It Should Be On Your Radar

* Fall Book

* Pumpkin and Apple Foods

* Mouth watering food shared

* Recipes

* Book Characters are like Old Friends

*Ghostwriting a Cookbook

* Mars is in trouble

* Fantastic Series

* Importance of Friendship

* Importance of Families

* Spies 

* Dead drops

* Good Neighbors

Another great addition to this charming series.

I love the cover!

** ARC sent for review

On Your Radar: Saltwater Secrets (40)

Title: Saltwater Secrets

Author: Cindy Callaghan

Publisher: Aladdin

Publication Date: April 28, 2020

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Fun Tagline (A story of two sisters, one summer vacation, and one big mystery for them to solve.)

* Half-Sisters

* Beach Town

* Smoothies

* Boardwalk

* Romance

*Growing Up - and things changing

* Summer Fun

* Environmental Issues

*Dual Persepctives

* Dual Timelines

*  That Cover!

* Police 

A totally fun middle grade for your school or public library collection

* ARC sent for review