Crochet Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes: Miniatures for the Mischievous Gnome in Your Home

 

Crochet Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes is an adorable collection of holiday themed tutorials for crochet projects by Annelie Kojic. Originally published in German in 2023, this reformatted English translation was released 16th Sept 2025 by Callisto. It's 112 pages and is available in softcover and ebook formats. 

The projects (see cover illustration) are very cute and made up of simple geometric shapes. The projects include the dolls themselves along with a selection of accessories and furnishings which every stylish Christmas Gnome might need (including a Christmas pudding and all the trimmings). The patterns are all written out longhand (no charts), and are generally easy enough that an intermediate beginner shouldn't run into many problems. 

There aren't any tutorial process photos, but all projects have a finished/posed photo. 

Four stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, maker's groups, studio library, or for the home crafter.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Zine Making and Bookbinding: A Beginner's Guide in 25 Projects

 

Zine Making and Bookbinding is a good, accessible, beginner friendly collection of tutorials for self-published 'zines and small bound projects curated by Lauren Simkin Berke. Due out 28th April 2026 from Chronicle, it's 184 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The author has an encouraging, very casual vibe, and presupposes no prior knowledge or experience. All the background and techniques are explained clearly and without too much formality. The introduction includes tools and supplies (and how to use them), followed by thematic chapters on bindings, zine/book types, accordion forms, pop-ups, tunnel/layered forms, and includes an abbreviated (but useful) list of resources and links. 

There is no photography, the illustrations (see cover art) are simple line drawn in calm/retro colors throughout. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, makers' studios, guild libraries, and home library.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

The Baby Dragon Bakery - The Baby Dragon #2

 

The Baby Dragon Bakery is a cute sweetly fluffy friends-to-lovers romantasy by A.T. Qureshi, and the second book in the series. Released 28th Aug 2025 by HarperCollins on their Avon imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Very cute, very fluffy, with a very YA vibe. Lots of heartfelt drama and a nice (fluffy) ending. There aren't quite as many adorable baby dragons in this follow-up volume as the first book in the series, but there are some. This book has some returning cast, but the plot centers around a different couple and different setting (as does book 3; due out in 1st quarter 2026). 

Three and a half stars. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, or a short binge/buddy/beach read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Building Patterns: Ultimate Guide to Designing Patterns for Clothing

 

Designing Patterns for Clothing is a well written and accessible tutorial guide and primer for sewists and designers, curated and written by Suzanne Furrer. Released 9th Sept 2025 by Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 280 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The guide and tutorials are very encouraging and accessible, the author has a good grasp of technique and presents info in a straightforward, logical manner. This is a solid general guide, and will give broad basic tuition in straightforward forms and basic shapes. The info presented is arranged logically and thematically in chapters. 

Although there are no -specific- tutorials for more elaborate/costume/cosplay type variations, moderately confident beginners could definitely use the info contained in this volume to branch out into more elaborate forms and variations without too much trouble.

It's an encyclopedic volume and would make an excellent resource for the home sewist's reference library as well as group studio shared spaces and library acquisition.

Five stars. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

 

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective - Marigold Cottages Murders #1

 

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is a cute, very light cozy mystery series opener by pseudonymous duo Jo Nichols. Released 19th Aug 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same author in July 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

Multiple tangled parallel points of view and a large (often confusing) cast of characters. They're a bit trope-y, so after a few chapters they're easier to keep straight whilst reading. There's more than a whiff of homage to Osman's Thursday Murder Club with a bit of Alan Bradley (Flavia de Luce) and Alexander McCall-Smith (Mma Ramotswe) thrown into the mix. Whilst not absolutely top shelf (as the others), it's entertaining, engaging, and well constructed. 

The second book in the series is due out in third quarter 2026 from the same publisher.

Four stars. Well worth a look for public library acquisition, fans of light cozies featuring an eccentric cast of "mature" amateur sleuths, and it would be great as a buddy read. 

 Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

 

 

Changing Woman's Hair

 

Changing Woman's Hair is a trippy magical realism mystery/thriller by Jan D. Payne and the second book to feature Marin Sinclair. Released 15th Sept 2025, it's 380 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Conspiracy, domestic terrorism, corruption, politics, and murder set against a backdrop of native culture and featuring larger elements (including magic and time travel). It's an odd, dichotomous mix, but works fairly well in context. The violent elements (including sexual assault, drugs, gun violence, physical assault, and more) are well written, and about average description-wise for the psychological political thriller genre. 

The climax, denouement, and resolution were a bit over the top and deux-ex-machina, but overall, given the rest of the magical realism written into the plot, weren't completely egregious. There's more than a little Leaphorn/Chee energy to the writing, but with the added magical elements, manages to skirt the edge of actual homage. 

Fans of Hillerman (either one),  Craig Johnson, and the others will probably find this one enjoyable, but be forewarned, the magical realism and parallel timelines is a big part of the whole. 

Four stars. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case

 

The Carpool Detectives is a fictionalized account of an amateur cold case murder investigation by Chuck Hogan. Released 29th July 2025 by Penguin Random House, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

2020, pandemic looming, 4 moms who are transitioning from working outside their homes to full-time stay-at-home momlife, meet up and are drawn together over their shared love of true crime podcasts and cold case murder. For (American) readers who lived through the pandemic and just want to forget all about it, be warned that covid is a major character in the narrative, and there are lots and lots of discussions about distancing, masking up, etc. There was also some weirdly backhanded complimenting of the women's thinking and researching ability which came across (especially from a male author) as "wow, these gals sure are smart and clever, who would've believed it?!" which fell a bit flat. That's not a huge complaint though, and probably won't register with a casual read-through. 

The pacing is methodical and sometimes a bit slow, not plodding, but definitely not high-octane. Happily, and unusually for true crime, the book's not sensationalized, there are no lurid crime scene photos splashed all over and it's written respectfully. The denouement and resolution are somewhat diffuse and vaguely unsatisfying. There's no "gotcha" moment for the bad guys with a slick courtroom climax. 

It's moderately well written (especially for fictionalized true-crime), and a diverting read, especially for the genre. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition as well as die-hard true-crime fans.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   

Bandy

 

Bandy is a poignant middle grade+ historical novel by Craig R. Hipkins. Released 15th Feb 2024, it's 337 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a well written but quite sad historical novel with some uncomfortable and unflinching representations of the racism and casual cruelty of the time period (late 19th century USA). The pacing is somewhat uneven, but the characterizations and deeply detailed scenery compensate to a large degree. It's quite a long book for the recommended age group. 

Three and a half stars. Often -very- sad and overall impressions are quite melancholy. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

500 Sewing Tips, Tricks, Techniques, and Hacks: Must-Have Manual for Easy and Accurate Sewing

 

500 Sewing Tips, Tricks, Techniques, and Hacks is a nice general guide full of tips for increasing productivity and enjoyment and getting the most out of sewing time, collected and curated by Ashley Hough. Due out 24th Feb 2026 in Oceania (Aus/NZ/PNG) from Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 280 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. Book released in other English speaking areas and available from Nov 2025. 

This is an easy to understand and use collection of tips and hacks for sewing and fiber arts. The pages are full of short entries (several per page); most are one or two paragraphs, enhanced with illustrations and photos. The tips are arranged thematically: tools, techniques, patterns, closures, finishing, hand sewing, needle knowledge, thread, fabric, and form and function. 

The author has an upbeat casual voice and a solid grasp on technique. 

Four stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or home library reference, and for sewing/makers groups.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes  

A Cyclist's Guide to Villains & Vines - A Cyclist's Guide Mystery #2

 

A Cyclist's Guide to Villains & Vines is the 2nd book in a fun cycling themed cozy series by Ann Claire. Released 27th May 2025 by Kensington, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first book in the series is also currently available on KU. 

This is a very cozy light destination mystery, with a tour guide and a group of mature cyclists in France's countryside to enjoy wonderful food and cycling and making memories. Murder soon throws a wrench in the spokes; even moreso when they discover that one of the group has ties to the victim. 

Despite being a cozy (with an expectedly high suspension of disbelief), these characters are *often* completely out of control. They're so over the top that some readers (at least *this* reader) will often be yanked out of the story. Nevertheless, the story is entertaining, the mystery is well engineered with a satisfying (if over-the-top) climax and denouement, and the descriptions of food and setting are well rendered and easy to picture.

Three and a half stars. With 2 books extant in the series (both on kindle unlimited), it would make a good mini-binge or buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes