We had a fun time in the Bay Area for Thanksgiving at my sister’s. It was warm enough to go for some scenic walks, ride bikes, and take a boat ride — in addition to eating plenty of turkey and stuffing and visiting with my relatives. What a great place!
But it was a short, world-wind trip and now we’re back amid December with the whole Christmas season upon us. I’m hoping it won’t be too much of a mad rush, but it likely will. How was your Thanksgiving?
For books this month there’s only a couple coming out that I have my eye on. First off, I’m curious about Italian author Paolo Giordano’s new novel “Like Family” as a few years back I liked his offbeat debut novel “The Solitude of Prime Numbers,” which I heard the author read from at our city’s annual book festival. I would also like to read Giordano’s Afghanistan war novel “The Human Body,” which I missed somehow. But this new one, his third novel, is about an older woman who becomes a nanny and housekeeper for a couple about to have their first child. Over time she becomes essential to their small household but then later gets a cancer diagnosis that affects each family member in different ways. It sounds like a heartrending story and I’m game to find out more.
Secondly, I’m interested in checking out Matthew FitzSimmons’ debut thriller “The Short Drop” since a lot of readers have given it high marks for a suspense novel. I typically don’t read suspense thrillers but every once in awhile I’ll take the plunge if something is said to be a great ride — so to speak. This one is about the U.S. vice president’s missing daughter, which is a case that has remained unsolved for a decade. But now new evidence surfaces just as a legendary hacker and Marine is set to covertly investigate the case, while the VP is campaigning for the presidency. It sounds pretty juicy and might be a good fast read during this busy holiday season.
Meanwhile major movie season is upon us and this month brings a slew of new offerings to theaters. Much of the talk is about the return of “Star Wars” after a number of years absent with “The Force Awakens,” but I haven’t seen the franchise since “Return of the Jedi” in 1983 and I don’t plan to venture again to the galaxy far far away — even though the old crew of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher are reuniting for it. Who knows what shape they’ll appear, or what this latest script will bring forth.
After checking out the December film list, I don’t think there’s one movie that sticks out majorly to me but perhaps I’m most curious to see “In the Heart of the Sea” and “Macbeth” with Michael Fassbender. I hear some critics are ticked that Shakespeare’s lines have been cut in the new Macbeth film and that it focuses a lot on atmosphere and style but still I’m drawn to see it. I’m game to see most of the films Fassbender is in. He rocked in the “Steve Jobs” movie and so if he’s in this too, then all hail Macbeth that shall be king!
As for “In the Heart of the Sea,” most of Ron Howard’s films are usually quite good, and it’s based on Nathaniel Philbrick’s 2000 award-winning nonfiction book about the loss of the Whaleship Essex in the Pacific Ocean in 1820, so what more do you need? It’s an event that inspired Herman Melvin’s “Moby-Dick.” I still hope to read Philbrick’s book beforehand, which I should have done years ago. Chris Hemsworth as the lead character is not too shabby to look at either. I once sat through an entire rental of the crazy “Blackhat” movie because of Hemsworth, though I never got around to seeing him in “Thor” or “Rush.”
In other December movies, “Concussion” and “Joy” could be worth seeing, though it appears “Concussion” has received only a 65% critic approval rating so far on Rotten Tomatoes, so go figure. Bloggers seem to be liking the “Concussion” book though by Jeanne Marie Laskas. I’m not sure what to think of the movie “Joy,” which appears to be another David O. Russell film starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper (more Silver Linings plus American Hustle stuff). Surprisingly the financial movie “The Big Short,” based on the book by Michael Lewis, has received high praise and a 78% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I’m not sure about wanting to see a financial flick at Christmas but the all-star acting cast of Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling could be worth seeing. There’s also a Michael Caine-Harvey Keitel buddy retirement movie set in the Swiss Alps called “Youth” that looks to be poignant and have a few laughs.
Lastly I will save talking about the Leo DiCaprio movie “The Revenant” till January when it comes out nationwide. Suffice it to say, the trailer of it slightly reminds me of the film “Jeremiah Johnson,” which I’ve seen half a dozen times, but on steroids perhaps, and I will likely have to see it. It looks pretty intense. But if you’re looking for a small but pretty entertaining film in December and January, you might check out “The Lady in the Van” with Maggie Smith. I saw it at our city’s film festival a couple months back and it’s a nice sleeper hit. Written by British playwright and author Alan Bennett, it tells the true story of an elderly woman who lived in a dilapidated van on Bennett’s driveway for 15 years. The movie is one of those quiet gems that’s not to be missed either as a home rental or as a matinee at the theater.
Lastly for new albums in December, I’m sure there’s a lot of great Christmas music out to get in to the holiday spirit. I usually play the same Christmas albums every year by Sarah McLachlan, Chris Isaak, and the soundtrack to “Love Actually” along with classical pieces to get me in the right mind-set. But for new, non-Christmas albums, I’ll pick Coldplay’s seventh studio album “A Head Full of Dreams” as my pick for the month.
What about you — which books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to?
How fun to have Thanksgiving in San Francisco! I’m heading there with my daughter in January as she’s never been to the west coast. We celebrated our Thanksgiving in NYC at my cousin’s, which was fun.
Thanks for the preview of new books and films. I’m still racing to finish more books to consider for my best YA of 2015 list, coming soon. I’d like to see the last Hunger Games movie, and yes, I read the books first. They are excellent interpretations.
Nice Sarah, glad you had a good time in NYC. Your daughter will likely love San Fran. Yeah I though the Hunger Games books were well done. I will check out your YA 2015 list. I’m still waiting to get Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon from the library. Hope it’s good!
I’m glad you had a great holiday trip.
From now until February the great movies are supposed to come out. Thus far this year there hasn’t much to talk about in that department. The movies you mentioned sound good, particularly In the Heart of the Sea and The Big Short; the latter one piqued my curiosity because its talented cast.
I read Concussion and it is very good. Too bad the movie hasn’t rated highly.
I’m already in the Christmas spirit because I listen to a radio station with holiday music all month long from Thanksgiving to Christmas day.
Carmen: you’re way ahead of me in the Christmas department. I hope by next week I’ll get more into the spirit; I need to start listening to some carols. I’m still a bit interested in seeing the Concussion movie. I hope it does well since it’s an important issue.
Thanks for the tip on the Maggie Smith movie. I just saw this morning that a biography of her acting life has been released.
Hi Judy, yeah Maggie Smith is once again terrific in this film — The Lady in the Van. What a great vehicle for her talents. Did she also star in the play of this? She has it nailed. Definitely check it out if you get the chance.
December will be crazy for me so I’m not thinking ahead in my reading – I just hope to get some reading time! I have plans to see Brooklyn with a friend on Monday. We can’t decide if Joy looks good or not.
Oh good Kathy. I’ll see if you like Brooklyn before going. I saw the trailer of it but I was a bit on the fence. Hopefully you will review it. I can’t decide about Joy either.
Glad you enjoyed your trip to SanFrancisco. Like Family is the December release I’m most excited about and I’d love to see The Lady in the Van! The book was wonderful.
Oh you’d really like The Lady in the Van movie. It’s a must. I didn’t realize how short the book Like Family is until I saw it in the bookstore yesterday. It could pass for a novella or short story — it’s small! Sometime I hope to get to it.
I will see the new Star Wars flick but not until it’s out for awhile. My son has tickets for the Thursday premiere at 11:45 pm and we are going to Disneyland very early the next day. Not sure what he was thinking. A friend bought him the ticket but our town has a curfew which means WE have to drive him there and pick him up. Hello!!
I am sort of interested in seeing that Meet the Coopers movie. I think that’s what it’s called. I love Keaton.
Books. I don’t really read Christmas books and I am going to read Tender with you but the rest of my list is up in the air. I have plans to read but who knows what I will get to. My attention is waning.
Oh no. Your son’s Star Wars planning doesn’t sound good. Ouch. I need my sleep. Is he crazy? He must be a big fan! I had to look up the Diane Keaton movie b/c it sort of passed me by. Apparently it’s “Love the Coopers” — it looks fun!
Yesterday I got my copy of Tender and hope to start on it perhaps on Sunday. Fitz is such a great writer — I’m expecting big things.
It sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving.
I really want to see the new Macbeth.
I always like Star Wars but never really loved it. The three prequel films that came out since Return of the Jedi were mediocre. With that this new film looks very good for a lot of reasons and I am actually excited about it. Nostalgia is indeed driving some of my enthusiasm.
Hi Brian, if you see the new Star Wars film, let me know if you liked it. I’m curious with JJ Abrams directing if it’ll be decent. I did see his film “Super 8” a few years ago. But like you, I really want to see the new Macbeth film.
Mainly, the Star Wars movie here for me, but I’ll now seek out The Lady In The Van as my wife and I like smaller films like that.
Books? Don’t really know. Music? No idea there either.
Thanksgiving was good, especially on the reading front as I read four books over the weekend for an event called Thankfully Reading Weekend.
I know, of course, most of the things on your Thanksgiving plate, but can you tell me everything there? It all looks so scrumptious.
Ha Bryan, when I look at the Thanksgiving plate: I think it has cranberry sauce, turkey, gravy, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, and a biscuit. It really was delicious — all my relatives’ doing. Amazing you read 4 books over that weekend, wow that’s good! I got pretty behind on that front!
I have the debut novel of Giordano’s somewhere on my shelves and will plan to look for it. Sounds like a great Thanksgiving in the Bay!
Thanks Harvee. Yeah the Bay Area is great! I think that Giordano book is very short so I might get to it this month as well. Enjoy.
I love the Bay Area…your holiday there sounds awesome!
And with all the books and movies coming, December will be full…and, as usual, I won’t get to half of the movies.
I am curious about Joy…I enjoy seeing Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence together…Silver Linings was a favorite.
Yesterday, I watched an Amazon video with the two of them called Serena. I hadn’t heard of it, but my daughter was raving about it the other day.
Like Family and The Short Drop are now on my radar. Thanks!
Glad you had a good holiday, and that you could visit my blog. Enjoy the week!
Thanks Laurel. Yeah this month is busy, who knows what we’ll get to this month. 🙂 The Bay area is a blast but I don’t know it too well. Would love to hear about your days from the ’60s there. What was it like then??
Oohh… I am drawn to the new Macbeth movie as well. Although knowing me, I will wait to see it when it released on Netflix 🙁
Hi Molly — yeah the Macbeth movie looks pretty dark but intriguing. I’ll have to check it out too. Nothing wrong with waiting till it’s on Netflix!
Glad you had a fun time in the Bay Area! I’m excited both about Macbeth and In the Heart of the Sea. I’ll have to drag my bf to see them. 🙂
Thanks Rachel. Yeah we’ll have to compare notes once we see both movies 🙂
My kids will make sure we go to the Star Wars movie. There is no way I’m taking them on opening weekend though! They are already out but I really want to see The Danish Girl and Room. So many good movies are coming out!
Yeah Rachel: opening weekend of Star Wars will be way too crazy! I think The Danish Girl and Room look very good. Too many to see.