March is over now. It went by in a blur. It was consuming but not exactly conducive for reading or blogging. I had a good time on our biking and camping trip in Arizona mid-month, but sadly the close friend I had visited in early March at the hospital in D.C. passed away last Saturday before Easter. She was 47 years old, and had been ill for awhile. It was rough this past month with her in the hospital. And my mind and thoughts were long gone and faraway. She was a former journalist and co-worker with me — a single mother of a 17-year-old daughter, who I have long known and often cared for. It’s a terrible blow, and something I need to work through.
But I will try to turn April around. One step in front of the other. The garden is already coming up here, which is very early for Canada. I look forward to doing my spring yard cleanup. Last week I finished the audiobook of Ben Fountain’s 2012 award-winning debut novel “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” which I thought was a funny satire with some biting truths to it. Actor Oliver Wyman narrates the story and the different characters so well that I’m glad I opted for the audio.
The story’s about a squadron of eight Bravo soldiers, heroes on a break from the Iraq war who are sent on a U.S. “Victory Tour” by the Bush administration to drum up support for the war. Most of the novel takes places at a Dallas Cowboys football game where the Bravo guys are guests who are fawned over by promoters, Hollywood producers, fans, and cheerleaders. They’re even part of the halftime show, sharing the stage with Destiny’s Child.
Much of the story involves Americans meeting the Bravo soldiers and pontificating like doofuses in regards to the war and their service. Author Ben Fountain is brilliant with the dialogue and the craziness at the football game. His side plot about a Hollywood producer trying to make a movie deal with the Bravo squad is pretty hilarious. Hilary Swank is interested to star in the movie apparently, which is a hoot (I hope in real life Swank has read this book as she’s mentioned and lampooned in it quite a bit).
Though what grabbed me most wasn’t the antics at the football game, which seemed to get repetitive after awhile, but rather the personal journey of the young lead character, Bravo Billy Lynn, who is working his way through a lot of issues while on break from the war. He’s dealing with the death of his Bravo friend, and is going through changes while reflecting on things during his stint in the U.S. and with his family. It’s these quieter moments with Billy that grabbed me and underscore the book’s points of how it feels to go to war. His talks with his sisters and his endearment to a cheerleader seem to speak volumes. And my, does Billy learn a lot in a couple day’s time before his return to Iraq. Kudos to author Ben Fountain for the book’s humor and truths, and for how well the story is done. The novel might not have grabbed me at first, but by the end, it sunk in like a football game well played.
As for new releases in April, I see such popular storytellers as Anna Quindlen, Jane Hamilton, Curtis Sittenfeld and Stewart O’Nan have new novels coming out. I have liked their books in the past and would especially like to get my hands on a copy of Jane Hamilton’s “The Excellent Lombards,” which is a coming-of-age tale about a young girl’s life growing up on her family’s struggling apple orchard. I haven’t read Hamilton’s books since “The Book of Ruth” in 1988 and her powerful novel “The Map of the World” in 1994, but those books are proof enough for me to look for this one. She’s a great storyteller, whose novels, like her new one, are often set on farms in the Midwest.
I’m also thinking Hope Jahren’s debut memoir “Lab Girl,” which is getting rave reviews, looks good. A scientist and professor of geobiology, Jahren writes in the book about her study of plant life and her insights on nature. She also talks about the man who becomes her lab partner and the scientific adventures they take to various spots around the globe. I hadn’t heard of this award-winning scientist before, but now with all the praise of her book, I’m quite interested to learn more about her life and work. Cheryl Strayed calls Hope Jahren a “deeply inspiring woman — a scientist so passionate about her work I felt myself vividly with her on every page.” Hmm, count me in.
Other noteworthy reads out this month that I’m interested in are all very long epics. Martha Hall Kelly’s popular debut “Lilac Girls,” a WWII-Holocaust story that weaves together the lives of three women, is just under 500 pages;
Suzanne Rindell’s new novel “Three-Martini Lunch” about the publishing industry in New York in the 1950s is just over 500 pages; Stephen O’Connor’s innovative debut “Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings,” which fuses fact and fiction to interesting effect, is 624 pages; and Karl Ove Knausgaard’s Book 5 of his acclaimed series “My Struggle,” weighs in at 626 pages. Which reminds me I simply must get to Karl Ove’s series sometime in the near millennium. The latest book involves his move at age 19 to Bergen, Norway to be a writer — a place I have had the good fortune to visit — so I think Book 5 sounds enticing. With all these large novels out this month, how on earth is there time to get anything else done?! Nevertheless, I bid good luck with the tomes of spring.
As for new movies in April, critics are liking the Richard Linklater comedy “Everybody Wants Some!!” about a group of college baseball players partying it up for three days before school starts. But do I really need to go there? And then there’s actor Don Cheadle’s biopic of Miles Davis called “Miles Ahead,” which looks a bit troubled in its execution. There’s also John Carney’s latest film about music “Sing Street,” and I have liked his movies “Once” and “Begin Again” in the past, but I’m not sure this one holds the same allure for me. That leaves me with either: the Tom Hanks film “A Hologram for the King,” adapted from the Dave Eggers’ book (which I’d love to read first), or the Susan Sarandon comedy “The Meddler,” which actually looks kind of funny. I guess both are feel-good kinds of flicks. Nothing wrong with that for April. I think I’ll go with the Dave Eggers story “A Hologram for the King” for my pick this month.
Lastly, in albums for April, I’ll make it short and sweet: my pick is “Cleopatra” by the folk-rock trio out of Denver the Lumineers. Hands down they’re good. Enjoy!
What about you — have you read “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” and if so, what did you think? Or which books, movies, or albums are you looking forward to this month?
So sorry to hear of the passing of your friend. And 47 is too young. My thoughts are with you and her young daughter…
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk sound interesting. You make it sound interesting because I would never have picked it up otherwise because I really don’t do “war” stories. AND I’ve heard good things about Lab Girl too. Thanks for sharing and have a good week.
P.S.I really like The Lumineers!
Thanks Suzanne. Yeah luckily the Billy Lynn novel is a war story off the battlefield. Glad you like the Lumineers too. Have a good week!
I am so sorry for your loss… 47 is way too young.
The Excellent Lombards sounds like a fascinating book to me. I hope you can get your hands on the book soon 🙂
Thanks Molly. Yeah I’d like to get a copy of the Excellent Lombards asap! Though I’m supposed to read a book club read first — The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. Enjoy your week!
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. It must be a hard time right now for you and her family.
I’ve had Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk on my list for ages. It sounds very clever. As for the new books, I have Lab Girl waiting for me in my tbr and I’m hoping it will be as good as everyone says. I’ll also be interested to hear more about The Lilac Girls and The Excellent Lombards!
I appreciate the heads up on the movies, since I don’t pay attention to what’s coming out myself, but I do love movies. I will stash them away for a time when I can watch them.
Thanks Naomi. Yeah I never thought I’d get to the Billy Lynn book — but I finally did; it was on my shelf for a long while. It was clever & funny in parts. But it’s a bit of a guy book in some ways. Only a couple good women in it. Looking forward to the Excellent Lombards. Enjoy your week!
Sorry about your friend. I hope someone takes good care of her young daughter.
The book about the Bravo soldiers sound good. I like war stories and its aftermath.
I received an early advance copy of Lilac Girls but I’ve decided to take a break from WWII for a while.
I haven’t kept up with latest releases. I’m still finishing last year’s ones, particularly the ones that made the awards circuit. Tom Hanks’ one looks good. I’ll keep it in my mind to watch when it comes out for rent.
Thanks Carmen. Yeah Tom Hanks rarely puts out a bad film so I’m hoping this new one will be good. I know what you mean about taking a break from WWII books, which seem to be never-ending. If I read a war book — any war — I usually take a break from war for awhile afterwards. Enjoy your week.
I’m very sorry to hear about your friend… so young.
Anna Quindlen’s new book is excellent. Finished it a few days ago and am sure it will be a favorite of 2016. The Excellent Lombards sounds good, too.
Thanks JoAnn. I’m glad you let me know about the Anna Quindlen book. Great news that it’s good! I will check it out, thanks!
So sorry to hear about your friend. 47 is so young! I will be praying for her family.
I listened to Billy Lynn too and liked it much more than I thought I would. I am not a fan of books about war or the military. I don’t even know why I initially picked it up but I remember be surprised by it in a totally good way.
Thanks Ti. Yeah I agree, the Billy Lynn novel surprised me too. I thought: who is this author?! He’s good!
I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.
Thanks Deb. I really appreciate your kind words, and everyone’s thoughts that they’ve passed along to me. It means a lot.
I was pleasantly surprised by how good Billy Lynn was. I agree that the best parts were about his personal issues.
I have an advance copy of the Jane Hamilton novel. It has been a long time since she published a new one. I have read all of her earlier ones and liked all of them.
I for sure want to see the Miles Davis movie.
I just finished Innocents and Others by Dana Spiotta. Definitely recommend it!
Great Judy. Thanks for passing along your feedback for March. Glad you swiped a copy of the Hamilton book! We will likely see the Miles Davis movie too. I will have to check out the Spiotta book. Hmm. You have me curious now!
So sorry about the loss of your friend. It is never easy, even after a long illness.
I am looking forward to the new Jane Hamilton book…have really enjoyed several of her novels, especially A Map of the World and The Book of Ruth.
I hope you enjoy April….thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog. I have been enjoying The Ranch, mostly because two of the actors are old favorites: Sam Elliott and Debra Winger.
Thanks Laurel. Yes! I have liked Jane Hamilton’s books too. What a storyteller! Holy smokes I had no idea that Sam Elliott and Debra Winger are in the Ranch. I will find it immediately! Thanks for letting me know! These two are always good.
I also am a little dazed at how fast March went. I am looking forward to spring but it is still cold here on Long Island.
Though I am often uncomfortable with books that mix fact and fiction, Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings looks interesting. I am various curious as to how the author handled the relationship between the two. This is a really sensitive subject as it lily involved unconscionable behavior on Jefferson’s part.
Yeah Brian, the Jefferson-Hemings book has me very curious. The praise & hype about that book is quite high so one of us must get to it immediately! There’s so many issues surrounding it.
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your friend. Too young, too early. It is so sad.
Thanks Michelle. It is difficult to reconcile. Each day at a time.
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. I hope you start to feel more upbeat in April. I highly recommend Lab Girl. It was a wonderful read 🙂
Thanks Katie. Great to hear about Lab Girl, looking forward to it!