The Dust Jacket

My Husband, by Maud Ventura

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bailey joins us to discuss My Husband, by Maud Ventura, including why she hated it while she was reading it, but loved it afterwards. This book was th...

Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We revisit this modern classic on the day that the movie version comes out.  Spoilers for the book pretty much from the jump--if you haven't read thi...

Duffy and Son, by Damien Owens

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week, on the verge of St. Paddy's Day, we're reading an Irish book--Duffy and Son follows a 69-year-old Monaghan man who  decides to help his 39...

Half His Age, by Jennette McCurdy

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our friend Alayne joins us this week to talk about Half His Age, the debut novel by Jennette McCurdy, the Nickolodeon child star and author of the pop...

Vigil, by George Saunders

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the latest book by one of the most famous literary authors in America, George Saunders. This latest, Vigil, discusses political and philoso...

All About Love, by bell hooks

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week, in honor of Black History Month and Valentine's Day, we're talking about cultural critic and influential academic bell hooks, and one of he...

The Book of Hope, by Jane Goodall

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about the last book Jane Goodall wrote before her death, The Book of Hope. We discuss her inspiring presence as a human, where...

Lost Lambs, by Madeline Cash

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talk about Lost Lambs, a multi-POV funny family book that's actually funny! We both loved the vibes and the characters, and we both had s...

Heated Rivalry, by Rachel Reid

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about the North American continent's latest pop culture obsession, Heated Rivalry!  If you know you know, and if you don't kn...

The Future Saints, by Ashley Winstead

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss The Future Saints, by thriller/romance writer Ashley Winstead, a Daisy Jones-esque novel that is primarily about grief. We talk about the p...

The Unworthy, by Agustina Bazterrica

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss The Unworthy, the latest novel from the author of Tender Is the Flesh, Agustina Bazterrica. We talk about religion and cults, ap...

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, by Kylie Lee Baker

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss the supernatural mystery Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, by Kylie Lee Baker. We both liked a lot of this book, but not q...

The Grace Year, by Kim Liggett

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Sonya joins to discuss Kim Liggett's The Grace Year, a dystopian, possibly magical realism, horror novel about the strictures of the pat...

A Ferry Merry Christmas, by Debbie Macomber

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In our final episode of Grinch Month, special guest Alayne joins us to talk shit about A Ferry Merry Christmas, by Debbie Macomber, who writes 5 books...

Beautiful Ugly, by Alice Feeney

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we grinch all over the worst book we read this year, Beautiful Ugly. This is a domestic thriller so bad it feels like a parody of Gone Girl...

Heart the Lover, by Lily King

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This was a tough one--early reviews of this book are glowing, but neither of us liked it. Find out which parts gave us the ick, why we think this book...

The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talk about what makes a man a curmudgeon, the differences between quirky books and silly books, and when a wedding isn't a wedding.  Spo...

Deadly Animals, by Marie Tierney

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Deadly Animals, by Marie Tierney, in which a young precocious girl helps solve the mystery of who's killing all her classmates. We both lov...

Sky Daddy, by Kate Folk

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Jules returns to talk about Sky Daddy with us. This is a truly weird novel about a woman with a sexual fixation on planes, who wants to ...

Slewfoot, by Brom

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Halloween! For the end of Spooktober, we're talking about the cult hit Slewfoot, by Brom. We discuss why Puritans make great horror villains, wh...

Play Nice, by Rachel Harrison

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about a haunted house book that just got published, Play Nice, by Rachel Harrison. It features an interesting premise, but we didn't care much...

The Last House on Needless Street, by Catriona Ward

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the very popular horror novel The Last House on Needless Street, by Catriona Ward. Controversially, we didn't like it much... Spoilers from...

The Frequency of Living Things, by Nick Fuller Googins

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're talking about The Frequency of Living Things, and for the first time ever, we have the author on to discuss his book with us! Nick Ful...

Tender Is the Flesh, by Agustina Bazterrica

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off Halloween month, we're reading the disgusting horror novel Tender Is the Flesh, by Argentinian author Agustina Bazterrica.  Warning: this...

Sunrise on the Reaping, by Suzanne Collins

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping, which depicts Haymitch's Hunger Games. How does it hold up next to other Hunger Games book...

The Compound, by Aisling Rawle

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We bring in our Irish friends, Róisín and Claire, to help us discuss Aisling Rawle's The Compound. Billed as "Love Island meets Lord of the Flies," ...

The Widows of Malabar Hill, by Sujata Massey

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the first in a series of historical mysteries set in 1920s India. Somehow no spoilers? 

The Tainted Cup, by Robert Jackson Bennett

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our friend Caleb joins us to talk about the fantasy/mystery crossover, The Tainted Cup, which is basically Sherlock Holmes with kaiju.  We talk about...

Lady Tan's Circle of Women, by Lisa See

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're arguing about Lady Tan's Circle of Women, by Lisa See. We disagree about everything from the controversies surrounding the author to t...

The Death of Vivek Oji, by Akaeke Emezi

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we have a special guest, Bailey, on the show to talk about one of her favorite books, The Death of Vivek Oji.  We talk about the incestuous...

Broken Country, by Clare Leslie Hall

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the 2025 runaway hit, Broken Country, by Clare Leslie Hall. It features both cheating and a wedding, so we have plenty to discuss.  Light ...

The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss the seminal sci-fi novel-in-stories The Martian Chronicles, with special guest Sam, who brought his father's original edition to ...

Banyan Moon, by Thao Thai

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Thao Thai's Banyan Moon and other multi-generational sagas    Spoilers from 11 minutes in

Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss whether this 2012 still holds up or if the controversies are too much for it. We also talk about the wide range of philosophical questions ...

Silver Elite, by Dani Francis

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the Fourth Wing-esque, possibly AI-written, new romantasy Silver Elite, with a special guest from our book group, Kate the librarian!  We ...

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams. For some of us, it was an iconic formative book. For others, a dumb thing boys like...

Carrie Soto Is Back, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have a special guest star--our niece and TJR superfan Kayla--on the pod to talk about TJR's previous book, Carrie Soto Is Back, and also Taylor Jen...

The God of Endings, by Jacqueline Holland

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the high-profile 2023 vampire novel The God of Endings, by Jacqueline Holland. Should you read other vampire novels before you write your o...

Victorian Psycho, by Virginia Feito

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Lauren helps us discuss the future cult classic, Victorian Psycho, by Virginia Feito. A bizarre, grotesque, and hilarious novel.  No pl...

The Book Censor's Library, by Bothanya Al-Essa

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss The Book Censor's Library, by Bothayna Al-Essa, which was a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award for work in translation.  Spoilers s...

Blue Sisters, by Coco Mellors

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the standout 2024 lit-fic novel, Blue Sisters, by Coco Mellors

The Unicorn Woman, by Gayl Jones

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist The Unicorn Woman, by Gayl Jones. This book is notable for its obscurity and also its low review scores. L...

Dinner for Vampires, by Bethany Joy Lenz

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the shocking memoir of One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz, who was in a cult for over a decade.  We also have a special guest, the person...

Good Dirt, by Charmaine Wilkerson

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about the new novel by the acclaimed author of Black Cake. The love streak is over: neither of us liked this one. It's probably our fault.  S...

The Alternatives, by Caoilinn Hughes

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dawn, by Octavia Butler

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the first installment of Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis trilogy, Dawn. This might be the first book we both really liked!  Light spoilers st...

The Favorites, by Layne Fargo

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss The Favorites, by Layne Fargo. Is it too soapy or just soapy enough? Does knowing it's "Wuthering Heights on ice" make it better or worse? ...

Piglet, by Lottie Hazell

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about Lottie Hazell's 2024 debut novel, Piglet. One of us rated this book 5 stars, and the other one.... didn't... 

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the classic Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, which is an astounding 212 years old! We talk about what still works two centuries later, ...

The Wedding People, by Alison Espach

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the breakout 2024 hit The Wedding People, by Alison Espach. Yet another book about a wedding...  (Trigger warning: this episode (and the b...

Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss the 2024 Oprah's book club pick and inspiration for Cillian Murphy's latest movie, Small Things Like These. We talk about how we f...

All Fours, by Miranda July

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest alert! Our friend Jules joins us to discuss the New York Times 2024 novel of the year, the truly bizarre All Fours, by Miranda July

Weyward, by Emilia Hart

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the wildly popular 2023 historical fantasy novel, Weyward 

BONUS: Shark Heart, by Emily Habeck

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A short bonus ep from a few months ago when we were still working out the podcast kinks. As it turns out, we didn't have much to say about Shark Heart...

James, by Percival Everett

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the 2024 National Book Award winner James, by Percival Everett   Some spoilers at 6 minutes in, full spoilers from 12 minutes in   Reach ...

I've Got Your Number, by Sophie Kinsella

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss the 2012 chick lit/romance classic, I've Got Your Number.  Light spoilers early on, then a spoiler warning before we really chop ...

Funny Story, by Emily Henry

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For Valentine's Day, we discuss the 2024 Emily Henry romcom Funny Story.   Reach us on instagram @dustjacketpod

Hang the Moon, by Jeannette Walls

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Hang the Moon, by Jeannette Walls. It has a lot of good moments... and a loooot of bad moments, too.  Warning: we get deep into spoiler te...

Red Clocks, by Leni Zumas

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dacey and Nico discuss their differing takes on this sci-fi novel about abortion rights and the power of making choices... or not making them   Reach...

The Mysterious Affair at Styles, by Agatha Christie

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In which we discuss, believe it or not, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, by Agatha Christie   Theme music: What’s Going On by Elijah_K on Pixabay L...

Introduction to the Dust Jacket Podcast!

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's our first episode! Get to know us, what we like to read, and HOW we like to read. Plus what's in store for the next few eps!    Theme music: Wh...