March 27, 2026

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Visions of Spring Break Dancing in My Head

This is the time of year when I wish my sons were still in school, so I could check out for a week during Spring Break. Somehow that concept does not work as well when it would be just my husband and me ducking out. With the boys on vacation from school, it seemed like there was more of a reason to take off as their normal routine was being disrupted. Now I feel like we would just be vacationing during one of the busiest weeks of the year! Also, we love to ski in Colorado, and this was not the winter for that to happen. I am shocked to see how brown the mountains are.

I loved Spring Break for the time it gave me to read. But even without sand and ocean waves, I had a great reading week. I have six pages left in Lisa See’s DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN AND MOON, which will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. Through the eyes of three women --- Moon, Petal and Dove --- Lisa takes us to Los Angeles in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Moon is the wife of a doctor who practices Chinese medicine and has a loyal following. Petal and Dove each were sold by their respective families in China. Dove becomes the second wife to a much older man; Petal is brought to the local brothel where she will have to earn her freedom. Three women, each with her own story, but all living in a time when there is deep prejudice against Chinese people.

The anger over the migration of these people from China erupts in a “Night of Terror,” the Chinese Massacre of October 24, 1871, when whites and Latinos attacked, robbed and murdered 19 residents in Old Chinatown (Calle de los Negros). I found myself flipping ahead to Lisa’s “A Note on the History in the Novel,” which alerts us to more reading on this subject.

On a totally different note, I am loving IT GIRL by Allison Pataki, which I have been listening to on audio and also will be a Bets On pick. It’s a historical novel inspired by the life of Evelyn Nesbit, America’s first “It Girl” and celebrity model in the early 1900s. Layering the time periods of the two books, which are set just decades apart, gives me more of a perspective on what was going on in the country at that time. What I love about each book is that they have brought me to a time and place and completely enveloped me in it.

I will be interviewing Allison in a couple of weeks and will talk to Lisa when DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN AND MOON releases on June 9th.

I am perusing my shelves for what to read next. There are some great selections --- and I also am trying to plot out future author interviews.

Patrick Ryan joined us for March’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event on Wednesday evening. We had a brilliant conversation about his debut novel, BUCKEYE, a New York Times bestseller and a Bets On selection. Readers from across the country shared their questions about the plot, the characters, the cover, the audiobook --- and so much more.

Patrick noted that the book took six years to write and two years to edit. He discussed his inspiration for it, which included trips to see family in Ohio on summer vacations from his home in Florida. He also talked about the map he constructed of the town of Bonhomie to ensure that he had scenes set in the right places.

Click here to watch the event or here to listen to the podcast. Patrick was an amazing guest! He was so generous with his time and gave us a great deal of insight into various aspects of the book, along with his writing and research process.

We are hosting TWO book group events in April, and we hope you can attend one or both of them.

Join us on Thursday, April 23rd at 1pm ET for a special “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event with Lisa Ridzén. We will talk about her novel, WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH, an international bestseller and a Bets On pick. This profoundly moving debut follows an elderly man’s attempts to mend his relationship with his son before it’s too late.

I will interview Lisa, and then we will turn to readers who would like to share a question for her on screen (we have special sign-in directions for these attendees, and they will get to chat with Lisa in our “backstage green room” before the program starts), followed by audience questions. Sign up for the event by clicking here.

If you would like to ask Lisa a question, please fill out this form by noon ET on Wednesday, April 22nd. Be sure to include your name, city, state, email address and phone number, as well as your question. And indicate if you would like to be on camera or off.

Please note the afternoon timing for this program as Lisa lives in Sweden.

Then, on Wednesday, April 29th at 8pm ET, Laura Dave will join us to discuss her latest novel, THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM, an instant New York Times bestseller and a Bets On selection that continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey from THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME. The timing for this event is perfect as the second season of Apple TV’s “The Last Thing He Told Me” wraps up on April 10th. So you know that Laura will be answering some questions about it!

After I talk to Laura, we will give readers the chance to share a question for her on screen. We have special sign-in directions for these attendees, and they will get to chat with Laura in our “backstage green room” before the program starts. Then we will turn to questions that have been dropped into Zoom’s Q&A feature. Click here to register for the event.

If you would like to ask Laura a question, please fill out this form by Wednesday, April 29th at noon ET. Be sure to include your name, city, state, email address and phone number, as well as your question. And indicate if you would like to be on camera or off.

Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Marie Benedict’s newly released DAUGHTER OF EGYPT is a sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten pharaoh --- rewriting both of their legacies forever.

Rebecca Munro has our review and says, “Through Eve, we see how smart, capable women have long been relegated to the sidelines and what we stand to lose when their contributions are prevented or disregarded.... With the publication of DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, Marie Benedict has indeed reinvigorated the splendor of Egypt’s most famous and forgotten pharaoh. Once again, she cements her role as the best of the best in the canon of literature about ignored female icons.”

Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
DAUGHTER OF EGYPT is one of our current Word of Mouth prize books, along with THE KEEPER by Tana French, which we will review next week. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win both these titles. Be sure to enter by Friday, April 3rd at noon ET.

Written over the past two decades, Louise Erdrich’s new story collection, PYTHON’S KISS, features a range of characters and specially commissioned artwork by her daughter, Aza Erdrich Abe. A girl decides to spend her life with a stone. A man is confronted with a folk-singing thief. A woman enters a corporately owned afterlife to seek revenge on her father.

According to Jana Siciliano in her review, “Erdrich is a magical writer, and the inclusion of Aza’s artwork...brings even more magic to the proceedings.” She goes on to say, “The 13 stories in PYTHON’S KISS are so perfectly put together that readers will feel as if they have just completed 13 novels' worth of character, beauty, evil and competition. It is a completely immersive experience that should be savored and revisited many times over.”

Other books we’re reviewing this week include:

THE MOONLIGHT RUNNER: In the wake of the Great War, a young woman joins the Irish rebellion and risks everything for her country in Karen Robards’ sweeping story of love, bravery and the relentless pursuit of freedom.
THE END OF MY LIFE IS KILLING ME: After Annabelle Gurwitch received an out-of-the-blue diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer, an existential dread set in. Precision medicine offered a temporary reprieve --- but instead of turning into a cancer warrior, Annabelle declared herself a cancer slacker.
THE FORTUNE TELLERS OF RUE DARU: A fearless fortune teller in 1920s Paris must use her powers to divine who she can trust when an exiled Romanov princess and her brother come to her seeking answers about a decades-old mystery in Olesya Salnikova Gilmore’s latest novel.
NONESUCH: Following the acclaim of his previous novels, GOLDEN HILL and CAHOKIA JAZZ, Francis Spufford has penned the spellbinding tale of an ambitious young woman who must thwart an occult plot by time-traveling fascists during the chaos of the London Blitz.

Spring Reading Contest Update
THE FORTUNE TELLERS OF RUE DARU was this week’s Spring Reading prize book. Next week, we are giving away THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA, a Bets On pick that recently released in paperback. In Lisa Scottoline’s twisty thriller, a young widow inherits a mysterious Tuscan estate and finds herself thrust into a dangerous conspiracy. The contest will be up on Tuesday, March 31st at noon ET.

Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask if you give your books at home a “spring cleaning.” Click here to let us know what you do.

The winners of the National Book Critics Circle Awards were presented last night during a ceremony at the New School in New York City. They include MOTHER MARY COMES TO ME by Arundhati Roy (Autobiography), A PERFECT TURMOIL: Walter E. Fernald and the Struggle to Care for America's Disabled, by Alex Green (Biography), WE DO NOT PART by Han Kang, translated from the Korean by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris (Fiction), and BALDWIN: A Love Story, by Nicholas Boggs (John Leonard Prize). Click here for all the winners.

News & Pop Culture

Reader Mail:

Debby B. wrote, “Thanks so much for the opportunity to be part of the discussion last night! Patrick Ryan is such an amazing person. I just ordered WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH. I’d love to be involved in that discussion.” We love having readers as part of our book group discussions. I am so glad you bought the book and are looking forward to this conversation!

Anne wrote, “A wonderful discussion, and I enjoyed Patrick Ryan so much. Looking forward to the April 23rd WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH discussion with Lisa Ridzén. Thank you!”

Stephen wrote, “Thank you for a wonderful two hours with Patrick Ryan. BUCKEYE is my favorite novel of 2026 and likely will remain so. I was curious if you know (from off-camera discussions, etc.) what is on Patrick's nightstand and who some of his favorite fiction authors are.” Sadly, we did not glean that knowledge before we started the program. I did love when he talked about BUYING books for friends after he reads advance copies.

Beth wrote, “Thank you for sharing Patrick Ryan with me tonight. I enjoyed BUCKEYE and truly enjoyed Patrick’s personality.”

Cindy wrote, “I am the Readers' Advisory Librarian at the Wallingford Public Library in Wallingford, CT. For years now, I have been attending your monthly 'Bookaccino Live' events, your seasonal evening events, some live author events, and the Speed Dating programs, all of which I love. You have made me better at my job, which is knowing what upcoming releases to buy and what to share with library patrons in our semi-annual Book Buzz programs. In addition, the Zoom community you have created and continue to foster is incredibly vibrant and fun.

“After every 'Bookaccino Live' program, I fill out the survey, really just as a thought exercise for myself. Imagine my surprise when I came into work this morning to find a copy of THE GOLDEN BOY by Patricia Finn waiting in my mailbox. I've heard wonderful things about this debut novel and had been eagerly waiting for it to come in off my library hold list. Instead, thanks to you, I have a lovely hardcover copy to enjoy and can remove my name from the hold list so that others can get their library copy sooner. Thank you very much for all that you do and for the book!” We love knowing that we are helping you find books to read and discuss!

Sandi wrote, “Thank you so much. I got a book today from 'Bookaccino Live.' I love it, I love it, I love it! I have read all of this author's books and was looking forward to reading this one: THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN by Matt Haig. I try never to miss a 'Bookaccino Live' presentation and always come away with new authors and books to try. Thank you, and your staff, so much for being book conscious and willing to pass that on to us. Again, thanks for the book, and I can't wait to settle down and open the cover for a new adventure.”

Janice wrote about winning a recent Spring Reading contest: “I am excited to again win a book from Bookreporter --- this time DAUGHTERS by Corinne Demas! I love this site and everything you all do.”

Fun News about STRANGERS: Belle Burden’s fabulous --- and #1 bestselling --- memoir is being adapted for the screen by Netflix and will star Gwyneth Paltrow as Belle. Since Gwyneth is known for labeling her divorce from Chris Martin as “an uncoupling,” it will be interesting to see her play Belle. Photos of the two of them next to each other made me realize that they are just about the same shade of blonde! Belle talks about her new film deal here.

“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” Trailer: The first footage of HBO's entirely new adaptation of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books has arrived, with an earlier than expected premiere date: Christmas 2026.

“Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” on FX and FX on Hulu: I loved this series, even though I knew how it was going to end. And I enjoyed all the Instagram stories about life in the '90s in New York. I did get to say hi to JFK Jr. one time. He hopped off his bike to buy a newspaper, and I said, “Hi John,” like we knew each other. He smiled, waved and said hi back. And yes, there definitely was a magnetism to him.

Here's a favorite story about JFK Jr. that I read somewhere. Jackie went up to Brown to visit him, and she had not gotten there before he had to go to class. He told his roommate to look for his mom, and then noted how tall she was and that she had brown hair. His roommate said, “John, I know who your mother is.” She gets to his apartment; it is a typical college dorm mess, and she wants to make a phone call. This was in the days of landlines. The phone is buried under sports equipment, bags from food, etc. She finds the cords plugged in the wall and then crawls to look for the phone. The roommate was just dying over this, thinking what his mother would say!

“The Madison” on Paramount+: Yes, we love the shows that Taylor Sheridan does. This one has a brilliant scenario where a family from New York is drawn to a beautiful spot in Montana after their father dies in a plane crash. This is the place he loved most. And his wife, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, decides this is where she wants to spend her life. My husband and I are suckers for beautiful wide spaces in the west, so this is right up our alley.

I heard from Patrice, a childhood friend, this week. She was at her home in Venice, Florida, and was talking to a friend about book groups, a love of reading as children, etc. She mentioned me as a classmate who loved book reports so much that’s she’s made a living out of them and now runs a website about books, and her neighbor knew about Bookreporter.

Debbie Moore, who has been a reader guest sharing questions for authors during most of our “Bookaccino Live” events, was recognized by one of our readers when she was at an event for Marie Benedict.

I love to see word about us spreading like this. Keep it going, folks. And if you want bookmarks to share, shoot me a note with the subject line “Bookmarks.” Let me know how many you need and where we should send them.

Husband Tom and I are celebrating our 41st anniversary on Monday. We still have not planned a great adventure for our 40th. My dad is 96 ½, and these days I just do not feel comfortable going out of town, which is okay. Seasons of life come and go. My mom’s father was the only one in his family to come to the U.S. Everyone else still lives in the same village in Italy, and they have apartments in Rome. I picture a trip where we all trek to Italy to meet them. I think we could sell the film rights for it to Netflix as I can see how this will unfold, and there is a lot of comedy involved in my thoughts of all of us traveling together.

Read on, and have a great week.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

P.S. For those of you who shop online, if you use the store links that appear on our site for shopping, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!

Featured Review:
DAUGHTER OF EGYPT by Marie Benedict

DAUGHTER OF EGYPT by Marie Benedict (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Bessie Carter and Suehyla El-Attar
In the 1920s, archaeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert --- daughter of Lord Carnarvon --- whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible. Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary --- and nearly erased from history. When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father’s legacy --- or forge her own. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.

- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.