Literary Scene

The BookExpo Edition

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

BookExpo—the largest publishing industry trade show in North America—took place at the end of May in New York City. And I was there to scoop up as many advance reading copies as I could carry. (Actually, I cheated by shipping a couple of boxes home!)

Here are some of the most interesting and hottest forthcoming titles with their release dates and some teaser material. Watch for full-sized reviews of some of these down the road!

Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel

A graphic novel by Eoin Colfer

(25 June 2019)

About the book and the series, Colfer said, “Young people love Artemis for the power he wields over adults. Most kids are just as smart as their parents, but this intelligence does not translate into responsibility, and so they love the passages where Artemis bamboozles his teachers and enemies, because they would love to do that themselves. Wish fulfillment on the page!”

In graphic form, no less!

The Magicians: Alice’s Story

A graphic novel by Lev Grossman

(16 July 2019)

You likely know him from the HBO series, The Magicians, based on his bestselling The Magicians trilogy. This graphic story reimagines the entire first novel of the series, but through the eyes of the brilliant, determined Alice Quinn. I’ve read this with my kids twice already—it’s terrific.

Is There Still Sex in the City?

A nonfiction book by Candace Bushnell

(6 August 2019)

The writer of Sex and the City just turned 60 last year, and this book focuses on a period of life that she feels doesn’t get enough attention—the 50s. “For me,” she said, “the book is about not having the answers—we don’t know what the answers are, but we’re still looking and still trying.”

Just Beyond: The Scare School

Original Graphic Novel

A graphic novel by R.L. Stine

(3 September 2019)

We all love him from his ridiculously popular Goosebumps series, and he’s still delivering on the thrills and chills. In this story, a deadly monster is roaming the halls of the middle school (The Scare School), and Josh, Jess, and Marco head to the boiler room to uncover its secret. Suitable for kids 9-12.

There Was a Black Hole That

Swallowed the Universe

A picture book by Chris Ferrie

(3 September 2019)

Far more fun and giggles than one might expect from the #1 science author for kids, considering the apocalyptic title! Spoiler: there’s secret, invisible text and art that reverses the story, going from nothing back to the creation of everything! Suitable for kids 4-8.

The Trials of Apollo, Book Four:

The Tyrant’s Tomb

A middle grade book by Rick Riordan

(24 September 2019)

He’s called “the storyteller of the gods” by Publisher’s Weekly, thanks to five bestselling middle grade series on myths, gods, and legends. This new installment looks like quite a bit of fun. After all, in Rick’s version, the 4,000-year-old Apollo has been punished by being sent to live in New York City as a human teenager named Lester Papadopoulos who doesn’t have magic. Suitable for kids 10-14, but just like the Harry Potter series, plenty of older people—like me!—dig these books.

Medallion Status: True Stories and Complimentary Upgrades

A humor book by John Hodgman

(15 October 2019)

It’s kind of a sequel to Vacationland, but not really. In this new book, Hodgman explores the strangeness of his career, which began as a literary agent (in his 20s) who tried his own hand at writing. Then he appeared on The Daily Show to promote one of his books, and he got invited to return. It gets weirder—and at times, quite moving—from there. Lots of fun, if you like the type of often-deadpan fun that Hodgman brings.

The Family Upstairs

A thriller by Lisa Jewell

(29 October 2019)

A gifted musician. An inheritance. A cryptic message demanding a return to London. A dark family legacy. This book has the well-plotted suspense that Jewell’s readers fully expect.

Ali Cross

A young adult book by James Patterson

(25 November 2019)

You know the Alex Cross series—it’s sold 100+ million copies. Now meet his son, Ali, who’s eager to follow in the family detective business. Good thing, too, because this story’s about how Ali’s friend goes missing!