What is a Book Street Team? Should a reader join one?

 

 Years ago, it seems that readers and authors were fairly separate. Books came out, readers read them, and if they liked them they recommended them to their friends. Any kind of review that appeared in print was usually from a book critic employed by a newspaper or journal. The biggest way to know if a book was popular was probably to look at the sales numbers.  

With the rise of the internet, readers now have all sorts of platforms to share our own thoughts on books. 

We have review sites like Good Reads, Storygraph or Fable.

We have "Bookstagram" where influencers and authors share aesthetic images and short reviews. 

Reddit features all sorts of forums "recommend me a book"  and "tell me what you read this week"  which get thousands of contributions and reactions. 

We have blogs, like this one, and Youtube (booktube) and TikTok (Booktok). 

 Because of these avenues - readers reviews are now much more influential!

Authors have recognized this and in addition to giving readers some advanced copies for reading and review, many have started "Street Teams" to help promote their books! 

Street Teams are selected reader groups who are generally already a fan of the author.  They are super useful as they can create a lot of buzz for new books coming out, by posting similar content over a variety of platforms to their own followers, rather than just the people that may follow that author. 

In general a street team is going to be a hype squad for the author and their new book. It is a bit different than being just an ARC reader, where one reads the book and will post an honest review of it on various sites. 

Street team members can join on line groups with other fans, are often provided with approved graphics and even sometimes some signed bookplates that they go place into the books at their local shops. (Hopefully while filming this for more buzz). 

In exchange, readers on street teams usually get access to early reads, sneak peaks at new writing, and occasional swag from authors (finished copies, arc copies, apparel, book marks, stickers). Readers can use their membership on the Street Team as a "badge of honor" on socials, and many do! 

It sounds great!  BUT...

What if you end up not liking the book?  What if you find out the author overall isn't for you? Some authors want specific posts to go out at a specific time, if you are on Book tok or Book tube these posts may not go with the personal brand you're wanting to create on these platforms. Some authors are very specific about what and when to post, and if you are very creative, this may not feel genuine. Many authors very specifically do not want any sort of negative reviews, and are very specific about when a reader can post a 3 or lower review.  You can of course, stop participating, but the author was counting on you as part of the team.   Stopping mid-street team campaign is of course a bad look, and authors do talk to other authors. If the author uses a personal assistant service, they may rep for other authors and you may not get a second opportunity. 

And of course, you may be hugely disappointed in the swag category. Authors really do appreciate their street teams, but they aren't usually big publishing houses, so the very cool branded hoodie, hat or book tote may only go to one of the group, and it may not be you - even if you do post the most, or have the highest number of views etc. 

 I decided recently to join a Street Team for Ruby Dixon's upcoming Book - Villain Origin Story.  Let's chat about why I decided this would be right for me. 

Why did I decide this would be the one for me? 

 I've read well over 10 of Ruby Dixon's novels and while I have some favorites (and some non-favorites) I really love her stories and find them to be ridiculously relaxing between more serious reads.  I knew I was excited about her book, and would have no problem promoting it.  I would have promoted it without being on the team!  Having read so many of her prior works, I feel that this book is unlikely to go in a direction that would clash with my reader values. 

I know Ruby's stance on AI, and I am in agreement with her stance. (NO AI generated images) so I knew I'd be comfortable with making all my promotion clips and images human generated. 

Ruby Dixon is an author I already post about on socials so, suddenly promoting a new book is a natural progression, and doesn't take my social accounts in an unexpected direction- in other words, my viewers are expecting posts like this. 

I have had good interaction with her PA group and know that they are easy to work with.  They usually request creation of posts within a reasonable time frame, providing templates and key points about the books, but also allowing the creator to create their own creations as well. 

 Am I hoping for some amazing Ruby Dixon Swag?  WELL HECK YES!!!!!!!! Will it happen? It may not.  Ruby is wildly popular and I am sure a lot of folks joined up. But I know I've got a chance! 

 So, if you're going to join up on a street team - here are my thoughts. 

- Pick an author you know. Make sure you've really liked several of their books, so it's easy to promote them. 

- Make sure you agree with their creative stance and vision. Some Book tokkers were a little embarrassed recently when it was noted they were enthusiastically reviewing AI generated books, while stating that they were against AI.  You don't want your street team activity to damage your own brand on socials. 

-Read the expectations carefully.  If you are a busy parent with a career who likes to post occasionally, this may not be an opportunity that ends up being fun for you. 

If all of these things line up for you- Take the Plunge!  You'll get access to fan groups and get to meet lots of folks who like the same books you like!  Custom designed graphics can make post creation easy for those days when you don't feel the *Spark* and you'll get early access to a book you were likely going to read anyway. 

Have you joined a streeet team?  How was your experience? 

Book Review: Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky

 I am not a super-fan of Adrian Tchaikovsky.  I've read Alien Clay, and I thought it was OK, but then I read Service Model and it was so horribly repetitive that I decided no more.  

But, the book world had other plans for me!

Shroud is one of the nominees for the Hugo Award in 2026 and since I usually try to read all of the nominees, I had it on my list. 

A friend of mine (who loves Tchaikovsky) started it with me, and was immediately put off by the part where one of the space travelers runs about nude strung out on Space Travel medications.  He has not read more, even though honestly, in the 13 hours of narration, I think that bit was added for color and is maybe 5 min long. 

So.  Shroud. 

Lets give a nod to this amazing cover: Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto; Cover Illustration by Yuko Shimizu

Real people, making real art. 

This book is unique in that is is a dual POV with on POV being a Researcher's assistant, and the other being an alien being.  

We start on a "generation" type ship that is trolling the universe stripping assets off other planets and moons. Our main human characters are part of a special projects team and suddenly- an engineer and the research assistant find themselves catapulted on to the moon. They come close up to the moon and find that there is indeed life, and it seems to be a touch dangerous. Capable of consuming them, and indeed, not all will survive this alien encounter. Readers follow this intrepid crew as they work to reunite with the ship. Our main character imagines that once reunited with the ship they will be celebrated as returning survivors and heroes with lots of valuable intel.  Of course, dedicated readers of Sci-Fi can see where this is going. Interspersed within we are given the POV of an alien being who is trying to figure out exactly what the human researchers are.   And if you are curious, you'll want to read more! 

For me, this was an interesting premise, and a surprising ending. It hinted at the need for a second book, but this is billed as a stand- alone.  Tchaikovsky describes an epic journey across an unknown moon in lugubrious detail. The opportunity was there to possibly flesh out the back story of both the main narrator and the engineer who were thrust together to escape this danger, but while he approaches this with some very fun conversations, in the end, I never could quite find myself to care that much about either person, as relatable as they seemed. I just never quite knew them. I found myself cheering more for the alien creature, but also didn't feel I knew the creature that well either. All that said, I can see that Tchaikovsky's story will appeal to so many that it may be just a me thing. I can see him becoming the Heinlein of a new generation (and I will say, significantly less problematic and creepy than Heinlein!!) 

Will this win the Hugo?  I don't think so. This year's nominees seem kind of weak to me, but I am not done with the list, I still have the Raven Scholar to dip into! 

STATS

First Published  2/27/25

Pages: 436

Available as an Audio Book : ~ 11 hrs 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, blood, body injury, death, Genocide,  Xenophobia

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Please Look After This Bear- how Paddington Became British by Melanie Ramdarshan Bold and Aishwarya Subramanian

 If you grew up on Paddington, the bear from Peru, you'll want to check out this volume. I picked it up thinking I'd learn more about the story of the small bear bought for Mr. Bond's wife. I thought it might talk about the various marketing campaigns and how he first had a yellow hat and then suddenly had a red hat.

I am so old that the Paddington Bear that I received when I was six years old had a yellow hat. I have deep childhood ties to the awkward and lovable bear. I admit, I never really examined those ties much beyond affection until I picked up this Audio book from Highbridge on NetGalley (Thank you so Much!)

Within these pages is the first examination of Paddington as a social and Cultural phenomena. The book is specifically focused on how Paddington, a Bear from Peru- embodies most of the values that British people hold as true and as ideal values for British citizens.

As a child, I was unaware of any particular political imagery attached to one of my very favorite characters. As an adult, I was gratified to learn that Paddington's tag came with the memory of the Kinder-transports of WWII, and that while becoming quintessentially British, he also stands as an example of immigrant and refugee children - especially as he arrived with the Windrush generation which often faced difficulty in the times when the original Paddingtons were published.

Will this book be for everyone, possibly not. Given it's brevity (6 hours on audio) I felt it was a delightful glimpse into literary analysis that is not often presented to the general public and a very thought provoking volume.

First Published :  5/18/2026

Pages: 224 

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes  ~ 6  hr  Coming from Highbridge July 17, 2026 

Trigger Warnings: history, racism, classism, issues of immigration, personhood,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Said the Dead by Doireann Ni Ghriofa

 

This book is a treasure.  It is an excellent combination of an interesting topic, brilliant writing, and clever imagination. 

In this mixed genre book readers experience something magical- part memoir, part history and part imaginative fiction, this mash up works to transport a reader across decades. 

In Cork, Ireland, a derelict Victorian mental hospital is being converted into modern apartments. Our writer, calling themselves "the reader" throughout, is inexplicably drawn to this building and it's history. 

The building itself seems to have called to her. 

Our modern reader takes on a task to discover what she can about the buildings inhabitants, the residents, workers and physicians all come under her careful scrutiny.  No stone is left unturned to discover the voices of these people- previously unheard. In this way, the inhabitants of this building are laid to rest as a new generation and building take over. 

The reader continues to live in the modern world, but is increasingly also "in" this Victorian timeframe, experiencing the daily lives of the mental hospital. 

The lines between past and present seem blurred, and as a reader myself, I did start to question the sanity

of "the reader" 

The reader does indeed follow the threads of existence to the very end, to give closure to all of us readers, and perhaps herself. 

      I had an advanced copy of this on Audio- as well as an Electronic version, and I read the entire thing immersively.  Highly recommend.  The audio is narrated by the author, so every phrase, and every inflection seem so pointed and perfect allowing a certain atmosphere to be created.  The print novel has actual photos from this asylum, which further immerse readers, and helped me to understand exactly how "the reader" could be so drawn to these persons, long dead, who spoke to her through history, photos and the barest of physical artifacts found at the demolition site! 

 

I did not expect to love this book, but by the end I was entranced.  This one is a must read. 

It asks focus and attention from the reader, but the reward is immense! 

Vibes alone- 5 stars! 

First Published :  9/2/26

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes  ~ 9 hr 

Trigger Warnings: Death, misogyny, Irish politics, mistreatment, mental health,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan

 

I was delighted by Eliza Chan's Harbour of Hungry Ghosts. I feel like I've been reading more and more ghostly stories, despite my outer Space Theme, alas. I do not regret for one moment this one.  

Spoiler Free Summary: Because spoilers are just the worst! 

Kiamling is a young demon hunter. She's being trained under the very strict eye of her remaining family. (Demon hunting, of course, has risks!) Kiamling is certain that she's on top of things and finds the constant training and criticism to be exhausting. She's become prickly, angry, and suspicious of anyone offering good will. She knows the British are coming in droves to Hong Kong and she's not a fan, but she does take all opportunities to earn a buck off these dunderheads. 

During a Hungry Ghost Festival things go awry when the British officers fail to respect the local customs. A beast, unlike anything she's seen before is on the loose. It takes something precious to her, and leaves her vulnerable.  Can Kiamling conquer this beast? She'll need to figure it out first. As she's battling, it seems these creatures don't play by the old rules. To win, she'll have to rely on more than just herself. As a reader, I did finally sit down for a mega 3 hour reading session to finish this one, because I needed to know what happened ASAP. 

This is a unique and inventive "East Meets West" novel where frightening British fables mix with terrifying Chinese folklore. 

I loved the action scenes- on par with any RPG lit type novel,  a funky love triangle which IS safe for work and for young adults, and learning a little bit more about the intersection of British and Chinese culture. 

This is one to pop on your TBR.  It comes out July 28 and if the cover is as gorgeous as the cover on the E-galley, I am also going to love it for it's artistic cover! 

First Published :  7/28/26

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes

Trigger Warnings: Death, monsters, brothels, kidnapping, paranormal happenings, law enforcement, drug use/abuse,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: For Services Rendered by Will Thomas

 This may honestly be the most 'mainstream' book I've read and reviewed all year.  

Will Thomas' Barker and Llewelyn series set in Victorian England is a long running series with Barker- an eccentric Enquiry Agent sort of rescuing Llewelyn in his misguided youth and eventually making him a partner in the Enquiry business.  (private detectives).

I started this series several years ago and while I always had a few misgivings about the possible accuracy of Barker's ties to China, and the Chinese in London during this time, I also have to admit, I didn't really have an knowledge to ascertain if it was accurate or not. It turns out, based on some conversations and the mildest of google research that Thomas appears to have done his research. 

SO- I'm not going to spoil the story but I might reveal a bit more than normal. 

     In this novel we meet historical figure Sun Yat Sen.  (Yes the SUn Yat Sen we recall from history classes).  He's on a trip to London when he finds himself rather indisposed and missing.  In fact, he has been kidnapped. Who better to look into this than Barker and Llewelyn Enquiry Agents? Barker speaks Cantonese and has deep ties within the London Chinese population. Llewelyn is, as always, along for the ride. 

    And what a wild ride it is!!! An arch-rival nemesis arrives after being declared dead, adding even more stakes to the mystery.  Llewelyn's by now raising a young family that must be protected, and Barker's mysterious lady friend becomes more prominent in this novel. 

  There is a fair amount of swashbuckling, gun slinging, and adventures on the river with the historic River Police. Interspersed, long time readers of the series will be delighted with the back story that Llewelyn is FINALLY able to squeeze out of the reticent Barker! This was the bit that I adored the most.  In addition, Llewelyn has a bit of an addition to his family that was most unexpected, and also delightful in it's own way. 

  Antony Ferguson does the narration for this novel and I appreciated that he was able do all of the accents without exaggerating them, making it a fun an interesting listen that flowed easily through my ears. Many Thanks to Macmillan audio for this copy. 

    If this piques your interest but you have not read the entire series, rest assured, Thomas does a nice job of summing up the situation, so that the reader can read this as a stand-alone. 

STATS

First Published  August 18, 2026

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book : Yes ~ 9 hours 

Trigger Warnings:  death, violence, poisioning, gun violence, kidnapping, unlawful arrest,   

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: The Summer of '71 Five Months That Changed America by John A. Jenkins

    I am very grateful to Highbridge Audio for the advanced listener copy of this history novel.  I feel like we are starting to see more books focusing on this "Disco Era" and it's importance in history. 

   When I was a Civics study in Junior High this era was most certainly not discussed. Many of my male teachers were veterans and had some very strong opinions on Vietnam. It was a topic that rarely came up as opposed to WWII which seemed to be all over our school library, and one book which showed some very gruesome photos from WWII probably shaped my interest in history, and horror all in one. I do wonder if the school library was even aware of that particular book (WWII in pictures). 

Fast forward many decades and it seems that readers are now interested in learning more about Vietnam, and not only Vietnam, but also many of the other fractious skudugger-ous  laws and activities that our politicians were getting up to in 1971. And Whoooooo-eeeeeee This was not the age of snap chat, internet access and instagram.  No one was really secretly video-ing a person in the parking lot- for any reason. (It would have been pretty hard to miss with the equipment required. ) BUT if it had been, there would have been so  so much tea to be consumed. 

Margolies, John, photographer. Coffee Pot Restaurant, Lexington, Virginia. Lexington Virginia United States, 1982. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017709465/.

I still like to think of this as very recent past, but looking around at all the folks in the workforce who were born in the 2000's this is objectively not the case and there will be many many readers who have no memory of the Disco age. 

This book packs in so much history for these 5 months-  if memes were a thing back in the Summer of ' 71 they would have been on par with the current ones about living in "unprecedented times" .  This is one to put on your shelf (and in your ears) if you have wondered how we got to where we are at in the US currently. 

Relying on many primary sources, it seems that Jenkins gives us a mostly neutral telling of the events and he does an excellent job connecting points that I might have missed- especially as a casual reader and learner. 

The Narration is excellent and it felt as if I was listening to a NPR radio program, rather than an audio book!  Jim Seybert is the narrator, and he's an Audie award winner for a reason! 

Definitely one to pick up for those summer moments when we feel like we should be doing more than pool lounging, we could be learning! 

First Published : 06/30/26

Pages: 448

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes - ~ 12 hours 

Trigger Warnings: war, discussion of sexual behavior, discussion of violent events, politics (this is not a full list, read responsibly)