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57bookdragon's Notes

2026

Aug 17, 2026
Cover of Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde
Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde
Something Rotten
A Thursday Next Novel
By Jasper Fforde
One more step in revisiting Thursday Next. 
Aug 11, 2026
Cover of Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson
Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson
Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief
By Benjamin Stevenson
His usual twists are fun. 
Aug 07, 2026
Cover of The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
The Shampoo Effect
A Read with Jenna Pick
By Jenny Jackson
Fun book about complicated relationships. 
Jul 31, 2026
Cover of Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Let's Pretend This Never Happened
By Jenny Lawson
I hadn't revisited this book since it was published 13 years ago. Jenny Lawson makes me laugh out loud in public.
Jul 31, 2026
Cover of Deadly Does It by Abbi Waxman
Deadly Does It by Abbi Waxman
Deadly Does It
By Abbi Waxman
The second in this series doesn't disappoint with a very unlikely intergenerational pair of lawyer/sleuth. Fun.
Jul 31, 2026
Cover of Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir
Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir
Dead Weight
By Hildur Knútsdóttir
I am loving this author's dark, dark stories. And the translator is one of my favorite sci-fi authors.
Jul 26, 2026
Cover of The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego
The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego
The Library After Dark
By Ande Pliego
Favorite review quote: “The Library After Dark takes the traditional closed-room novel, twists it inside out, then offers readers something quite different to enjoy.”—firstCLUE

Jul 22, 2026
Cover of Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet
Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet
Beth Is Dead
By Katie Bernet
A wild reimagining of Little Women with Beth's death at the center of a mystery.
Jul 20, 2026
Cover of I, Spy by L M Kemp
I, Spy by L M Kemp
I, Spy
By L M Kemp
Best review quote: “I, Spy is a twister that lulls you deep into the story, then starts hitting you with surprises.”―BookTrib

Jul 18, 2026
Cover of The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde
The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde
The Well of Lost Plots
By Jasper Fforde
Another book re-read in anticipation of the October publication of the last Thursday Next adventure.
Jul 14, 2026
Cover of Life by Elizabeth Berg
Life by Elizabeth Berg
Life
By Elizabeth Berg
Similar to The Correspondent, but different enough to be enjoyable.
Jul 13, 2026
Cover of Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi
Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi
Zoe's Tale
By John Scalzi
How fun to see the previous story through another character’s perspective. 
Jul 12, 2026
Cover of The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
The Ending Writes Itself
By Evelyn Clarke
Well, that was quite a ride. 
Jul 08, 2026
Cover of Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde
Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde
Lost in a Good Book
By Jasper Fforde
Continuing the journey to revisit Jurisfiction, leading up to the next and final book in the series.
Jul 07, 2026
Cover of The Original by Priya Parmar
The Original by Priya Parmar
The Original
By Priya Parmar
Interesting fictional account of Katharine Hepburn’s life in Hollywood. The notes at the end are helpful. 
Jun 30, 2026
Cover of The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
The Eyre Affair
By Jasper Fforde
Re-reading the entire Thursday Next series over the next few months in preparation for the final Thursday Next book in October.
May 31, 2026
Cover of The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton by Jane Smiley
The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton by Jane Smiley
The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton
By Jane Smiley
Re-read in prep for the sequel.
May 31, 2026
Cover of Go Gentle by Maria Semple
Go Gentle by Maria Semple
Go Gentle
By Maria Semple
So...I'm very lazy, decided to go the "quote that reflects my reaction best" route 

"Funny, tender, mysterious, clever…Semple entertains in every moment of this smart story of Greek philosophy and Greek statues; desire, happiness, and their opposites; and priceless midlife peace... Readers will have hearts in their eyes to see her first new novel in a decade."–Booklist (Starred Review)

May 31, 2026
Cover of How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay
By Jenny Lawson
"Self-help with a twist of humor…. Lawson’s quirky sense of humor will make you laugh out loud, which might be the best possible form of self-help, as when she advises her readers to consider that 'we’re doing way better than moles. They’re just rearranging dirt underground their whole lives. What a bunch of weirdos.'"—Kirkus



“…wise and funny and a reminder that you don't have to be perfect in imperfect times (which is always). I hope Jenny Lawson never gets tired of being an actual national treasure." —John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author of Starter Villain

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Death and Other Occupational Hazards by Veronika Dapunt
Death and Other Occupational Hazards by Veronika Dapunt
Death and Other Occupational Hazards
By Veronika Dapunt
Death comes to Earth on sabbatical but then people who are not on her list start dying. Who could be better suited to solve this mystery than Death?

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of The Starseekers by Nicole Glover
The Starseekers by Nicole Glover
The Starseekers
A Murder and Magic Novel
By Nicole Glover
More magic and murder, this time applied to the space race in the mid-20th century.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of The Quicksand Theatre Company by Molly Ringle
The Quicksand Theatre Company by Molly Ringle
The Quicksand Theatre Company
By Molly Ringle
More magic, this time with a roving theatre company. Delightful.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn
A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn
A Ghastly Catastrophe
By Deanna Raybourn
So happy for the return of Veronica Speedwell, Victorian lepidopterist, adventurer, and investigator. Could a vampire be the latest murderer?

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Silent City by Alex Segura
Silent City by Alex Segura
Silent City
By Alex Segura
Another series by the author of Secret Identity and Alter Ego, which I loved. Not quite as engaging at those, but a solid whodunnit with a struggling journalist. Have the second to read now.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Every Step She Takes by Kelley Armstrong
Every Step She Takes by Kelley Armstrong
Every Step She Takes
By Kelley Armstrong
Genevieve’s past life has popped up in her new one. Now what? Another favorite author.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano
Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano
Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line
By Elle Cosimano
This series continues to be fabulously entertaining.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of The Last Colony by John Scalzi
The Last Colony by John Scalzi
The Last Colony
An Old Man's War Novel
By John Scalzi
The third and final installment in the Old Man Wars trilogy. Interstellar politics with a healthy dose of snark.
Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Stolen in Death by J D Robb
Stolen in Death by J D Robb
Stolen in Death
By J D Robb
And yet another favorite author and series. While the mysteries are a tad predictable, the characters are fun.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter
By Heather Fawcett
1920s Montreal, cats, and magic. Who could want more?

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of The Man in Black by Elly Griffiths
The Man in Black by Elly Griffiths
The Man in Black
And Other Stories
By Elly Griffiths
Short stories, some including the characters from her novels. Fun to get new glimpses of those characters and to read standalone, rather gothic, stories.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Correspondent
By Virginia Evans
A thoroughly enchanting story, told through letters and emails from and to a woman slowly losing her sight. Jane Fonda will star in the movie adaptation, which I think is perfect.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Death and Dinuguan by Mia P Manansala
Death and Dinuguan by Mia P Manansala
Death and Dinuguan
By Mia P Manansala
The latest in a cozy series, this mystery had me craving coffee and chocolate.

Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Five Survive by Holly Jackson
Five Survive by Holly Jackson
Five Survive
By Holly Jackson
I continue to enjoy her thrillers, although I figured out some of the twists before they happened.
Mar 31, 2026
Cover of Woodworking by Emily St James
Woodworking by Emily St James
Woodworking
By Emily St James
Three trans women’s stories intertwine. Both heartwarming and funny and, at times, heartbreaking.