Greetings once again. Sorry I have been away. My folks arrived in town for a visit and we took them on a tour of the Canadian Rockies. I can’t believe how lucky we were to enjoy such gorgeous weather on top of the spectacular scenery. If you ever get a chance to drive the Icefields Parkway in Alberta from Lake Louise to Jasper, it’s truly one of the most awesome mountain roads in the world. For this trip, we only had time for half of it, but we still saw plenty of mountain peaks, lakes, and glaciers as well as several bears along the way.
It was quite a whirlwind adventure. Now I’m back in the traffic-congested, grid-lock city, thinking this harried way of life is pretty nuts. I could barely get my folks to the airport in the bumper-to-bumper commute. But I digress. It’s June now and I’m late with my preview of this month’s new releases. I noticed in the genre of literary fiction that Annie Proulx and Lionel Shriver have new novels coming out. Usually I’d be interested in what they have to say, but with temperatures in the 80s my mind is sort of summer mush currently, so I’m looking for a quick read with a lot of buzz about it.
And that’s where Emma Cline’s debut novel “The Girls” might be just the perfect fit right now. It’s set in 1960s and features a Manson-like cult in Northern California. Gulp, do I really want to go there? It sounds Creepy. I’m usually not into novels involving cults — I was too chicken as a kid to read the “Helter Skelter” book and it took me awhile to get over the 2011 Elizabeth Olsen movie “Martha Marcy May Marlene” — did you see that one? It had a high creep factor and not really a memorable title, but it was potent. “The Girls,” behind Cline’s writing, has been much touted by authors Richard Ford and Jennifer Egan as well as various bloggers. So I want to see what all the fuss is about from this young author, who apparently is 27 years old and took in a seven-figure book deal for writing it.
Similarly, Yaa Gyasi is another young author — 26 years old — with a highly praised novel out this month, which I must get my hands on. Gyasi, too, received a seven-figure book deal for writing her novel “Homegoing,” which spans seven generations and involves the slave trade and the legacy of slavery in the U.S. and Africa. Set partly in Ghana, the story begins with two half sisters in the 18th century whose lives take different turns and one gets shipped to America as a slave. From there, it alternates between the two sisters’ lineages through history till the present day. It’s a book that’s said to be one heck of a read (just ask Shannon over at River City Reading), so I’m really looking forward to “Homegoing.” It’s invigorating to find such talented young authors with novels coming out. For a profile of both Emma Cline and Yaa Gyasi, check out Vogue’s article “How Two Young Women Reimagined the American Novel,” and you might also like Time magazine’s article on Yaa Gyasi entitled “A 26-Year-Old Looks to the Past for Her Literary Debut.”
For other June novels, I probably can’t resist Steven Rowley’s debut novel “Lily and the Octopus” either. It’s said to be a big-hearted, moving story about a guy and a little dachshund and is a book hailed by authors Chris Cleave, Garth Stein, and Graeme Simsion among others. Judging by the highly praised reviews on Goodreads, this is not a novel that I should pass up — being a dog lover. Admittedly I have a weakness for great dog stories, so I will add “Lily and the Octopus” to my list to see if it meets the criteria. I also would still like to get to Sara Baume’s dog novel “Spill Simmer Falter Wither,” which I highlighted back in my March Preview.
Lastly in books this month, Peter Geye’s third novel “Wintering” seems to be an enticing wilderness, survival tale — a genre I usually like — mixed with family history. It’s set in the wilds of Northern Minnesota and begins with an elderly man who’s suffering from dementia vanishing into the backcountry. After he’s pronounced dead, his son recounts to his father’s lady friend an arduous journey they took together decades earlier, which ultimately it seems helps jumpstart the son’s and lady’s healing process. I have not read Geye’s writing before, but author Amy Greene among others says “Wintering” is a novel of “great power and primal beauty.” So count me in.
As for movies coming out in June, I’m not sure there’s any I would really jump at to see at the theater, but I am a bit curious about the adaptation of Jojo Moyes’s novel “Me Before You,” which she also wrote the screenplay for. I had been a fan of her 2012 novel about a quadriplegic man and the hired female caretaker who falls for him, but when I recently saw the movie trailer for “Me Before You” — I thought: “Oh no, that’s not right” — the characters seemed off from my imagination of the book. But what the heck, I should see it to find out if I’ll be proved wrong. From a couple reviews I’ve read, the movie is a bit lacking in the emotion or punch that the book had. It’s also received criticism from disability advocates who are unhappy they say about its all-too-familiar storyline of its depiction of disabled people as having nothing to live for and wanting to end their lives. It seems a valid point; there’s other movies I can think of like this. Though I can’t recall whether the book received the same flak, do you? The movie apparently did better than expected and took in $18.3 million for its opening weekend, last weekend. I’m still debating whether to see it or skip it. How about you?
Lastly this month, there’s new albums due out by such veterans as Paul Simon and Neil Young, whose music I have deeply loved in the past, but perhaps this time around I’m a bit more interested in the new ones by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Avett Brothers so go figure. I especially like the folksy Avett Brothers who hail from North Carolina. Their ninth full length studio album “True Sadness” is due out June 24. Whether it will live up to a few of their albums I have liked in the past remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, I have a couple book reviews to write, namely on T.C. Boyle’s 1995 classic “The Tortilla Curtain,” which I read for my book club recently, and the audiobook of Rebecca Makkai’s 2014 novel “The Hundred-Year House.” But I think I will leave those to discuss another time. I told you I was behind. My folks said I could blame them for it, and our wonderful road trip, so I will — or maybe not.
What about you — which books, movies, or albums are you looking forward to this month?
Those are great pictures. What an awesome place to visit I hope to get to the Canadian Rockies someday.
Those also look to be good books. I have heard about The Girls from several sources and I want to read it. Cults always seem to be fascinating. With that, certain depictions of graphic violence can be very disturbing so there are books that I stay away from.
Thanks Brian. Yeah I’m curious about The Girls too. Not something I’d regularly read about but it’s received quite a bit of buzz. I’m leery about violence too.
Your getaway sounds awesome! And the pictures…
I saw Martha Marcy May Marlene a few years back. While I didn’t find the movie that powerful, I thought Elizabeth Olsen was outstanding in it.
I would like to watch Me Before You. I haven’t read the book but I know pretty much everyone has read it, so I hope it’s for good reason. I would like to watch it for Emilia Clark; she is a tough cookie in Games of Thrones, so I’m curious to see her in another role and find out if she can pull it off.
It’s true that movies tend to depict disabled people as borderline hopeless and suicidal (e.g. Million Dollar Baby, The Sea Inside, Rust and Bone, etc). There should be more positive uptakes on the lives of disabled people.
Thanks Carmen it was a good road trip. Good point and list of the movies that include suicidal disabled people. I’m trying now to think of recent movies with positive takes on disabled people: maybe The Theory of Everything, but what else? hmm.
Believe it or not, I have never been out to see the Rockies. I have never been past Southern Ontario. Someday we plan to make a big long trip across the country, but I don’t really want to do it until I have the time to do it properly.
I have Homegoing and hope to read it soon! It’s not often that I have one of the hot new books. 🙂
I agree – Lily and the Octopus looks hard to resist, for several reasons – the premise, the cover, and the title. Is there really an octopus in it? That would be even better!
This is the first I’ve heard of Wintering, but I also love wilderness survival stories. I’ll have to keep my eye on that one.
Our book club might be going to see Me Before You, and I’m actually glad to hear that maybe it won’t be as emotionally intense as the book was. I don’t know if I could handle that in public. 🙂
Hi Naomi, I’m sure you’ll get out West one of these days when you all have time. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Homegoing! And if you get to these other books too, or the movie Me Before You. I also hope not to be a public weeper if I see that movie. 🙂
Keeping in mind that I don’t see many movies, I thought Me Before You was good! The characters seemed to fit well. Some side stories are left out, but that’s usually the case with movies, isn’t it? And, most importantly. I didn’t cry as hard as I did when I read the book. I did cry a little, though, silently. Mercifully, they don’t drag the ending out as much as they did in the book.
Oh excellent. Thanks Naomi for getting back to me on the movie. I think I want to see it. Not sure if I can con my Hub into going, but perhaps I’ll try a matinee, & shed tears behind a popcorn bag if need be. The last movie that made me a wreck was Room — did you see that?
No, I didn’t see that one, but I read the book. If it ever ends up on Netflix, I might get a chance to see it. That’s how most of my movie-watching happens these days. I just watched Testament of Youth this weekend. Very good! A tear-jerker. Have you seen that one?
No I haven’t heard of Testament of Youth but I will look it up, thanks!
I was reading Wintering when I dropped my Kindle and broke the darn thing. However, I picked up and finished two other books while waiting on my new Kindle to come in so I don’t know what that means. I always thought I read faster on my Kindle. I finished My Last Continent, which was pretty darn good and I am currently reading Firefly Summer which just gives me all the feels.
You mentioned the nutty life you lead. I was just thinking this morning how nice it would be to get a little place on the Cape and live out my life in solitude. The book I am reading is about that, by the way. I am so tired of running around. Although now things have slowed down with school out.
Hmm. Hi Ti, Which new Kindle did you buy? I’m sort of interested in updating my very old one. I’d be interested to hear if you think Wintering is any good. I agree with you — about finding a quiet little place when I get into my senior years. A small scenic town would be perfect. I want to get away from the huge cities. Enjoy your dreams of the Cape. 🙂
I want to see the Canadian Rockies! I’ll have to research how a couple who doesn’t like flying and lives in So Cal could get there.
I am eagerly awaiting Homegoing.
I too was afraid to read Helter Skelter back in the day. Maybe I will read that before reading The Girls.
Looking forward to your reviews!
Welcome back to blogdom and traffic. Ha Ha.
Yeah Judy, I don’t think I’d ever read Helter Skelter so I hope I can handle The Girls. I hope to get to Homegoing sometime this year or summer. And I think perhaps you can get to the Canadian Rockies by train! Go up the coast to Vancouver, B.C. then over east to the Rockies. I think it’s best to go during the shoulder seasons — mid to late September or early Oct. — when there’s not a flood of tourists. Late May too. Do not go in July or Aug. It’s a dream trip for someday. Now I’m curious a bit about Alaska. hmm. For now, it’s back to the traffic grind.
First things first: Paul Simon and Neil Young have new albums coming out? What rock have I been under? 🙂
Homegoing sounds perfect for me right now–having just read Roots and in the middle of the non-fictional The Empire of Cotton, I would like to read another multi-generational slavery rooted story.
Still have never experienced the Canadian Rockies, but will someday. Your photos are awesome.
Thanks Jane. Ha. Yeah what year are we in — with Paul Simon & Neil Young still going strong?! I’m inspired that you read Roots recently and now want to get to Homegoing. Gosh I always need a (long) break between slavery stories. They’re rough! I really appreciated your Roots read & review. That was awesome. I still remember LeVar Burton in the Kunta Kinte role, which blew me away. I hear Homegoing is also excellent & I hope to get to it this summer.
You’ve been busy!! The photos are just gorgeous and I’m adding that road trip to my list… you never know. I made a summer reading list a week or two ago, but have since added The Girls and Homegoing. It gets longer every day!
Haven’t decided whether I want to see Me Before You or not, and I’m already looking forward to your review of The Tortilla Curtain. I listened to it several years ago (read by the author) and thought it was excellent.
Great JoAnn. So glad to hear you liked The Tortilla Curtain too. Wow I wonder if it’s TC Boyle’s best book? I really thought it was terrific writing. He’s now one of my favorites. I want to make a summer reading list too — but I know I’ll be endlessly adding new ones. The Girls & Homegoing are somewhere on it.
Your photos of the Canadian Rockies are so lovely. My hubby and I traveled to Banff a few years ago and spent one night at Lake Louise as a splurge. We got up early and had the lake to ourselves before the tour buses arrived. On our way home we stopped at a lake nearby, Lake Moraine. Lovely, lovely!
My Sunday Salon
Thanks Anne for your experiences in the Rockies. It’s so sublime when there’s no tourists around and you’re the only one there in such natural beauty. I know what you mean. It’s stunning really. Glad you got to see the lakes.
Those mountain photos are glorious!
Thanks Joy. It really was breathtaking — some of the mountain views we took in. It’s a magical place, being in the mountains near here. Feel very lucky to see them.
Welcome back! Your Canadian Rockies photos are stunning. You are seriously adding to my teetering TBR stack. I love your minis reviews.
Yes, Me Before You (Check out #MeBeforeEuthanasia on twitter) has gotten a lot of criticism from advocates for paraplegics who are appalled by its life-not-worth-living message. Weeks before this, I had started reading the book and lost interest before reaching the controversial part. I’d recommend instead a YA Contemporary novel, The Season of You and Me by Robin Constantine, that also features a paraplegic love interest but a positive message. It’s a sweet summer romance with well developed characters set on an island.
Thanks Sarah for your book suggestion & points. Yes the controversy over Me Before You seems very valid. I think an alternative to the usual storyline would likely be refreshing. I’ll check out The Season of You. My photography doesn’t match yours but the places are pretty stunning indeed. Thanks!