It’s hard to believe: March is over and done with. Now on to April and the transition to spring. As I will be away this weekend in Victoria, B.C., I am posting this early and wishing everybody a very Happy Easter! Perhaps some of you will be watching the Final Four college basketball finale, or maybe even the Miami Open if you follow tennis. Others will be at church and then maybe hiding or eating Easter eggs. Whatever it is, enjoy this lovely time of year!
March was a fairly good reading month for me so I hope to continue that into April. Next up is a novel I’m reading for my book club called “The Girl Who Was Saturday Night” by Heather O’Neill. So far, all I know about it is that the story is set in Montreal about a sister and brother who are twins who are trying to outrun the notoriety of their folk singer father. Booklist calls it “a marvelously intriguing novel of a family in dissolution.” Hmm. I better get going on it quickly as we are meeting to discuss it soon.
As for April, there’s a few big-name authors with books coming out this month, notably Toni Morrison will be releasing her 11th novel called “God Help the Child,” which apparently is “about the way childhood trauma shapes and misshapes the life of the adult.” Also there’s books coming out by Jon Krakauer, Larry Kramer, Matthew Pearl, Per Petterson, and Lisa Genova among others.
After weeding through the April list, I’ve narrowed my sights on three novels that I probably can’t resist. First off, I must check out Ann Packer’s new novel “The Children’s Crusade,” which examines the bonds of a Northern California family over many years. I’ve heard so many good things about Packer’s 2002 novel “The Dive From Clausen’s Pier” that I need to find out firsthand if Ann Packer is the real deal, which I’m sure she is.
Next off, I’m curious about the novel “The Sympathizer” by Viet Thanh Nguyen, which deals with the fall of Saigon and its aftermath in 1975. So many seem to have high regards for this debut. Author Maxine Hong Kingston calls it “a novel of literary, historical, and political importance” and T.C. Boyle says it’s “destined to become a classic and redefine the way we think about the Vietnam War and what it means to win and to lose.” Judging from the stream of other praise-worthy comments, I’m going need to find a copy.
Also I don’t think I can pass up the upcoming novel by Jane Smiley called “Early Warning,” which is the second novel in a trilogy that will span a century about the Langdon family from Iowa. I received the first book “Some Luck” for Christmas and I haven’t delved into it just yet, but plan to soon. The trilogy has been getting generally favorable reviews, but I won’t know for sure until I crack the spine, so to speak. Admittedly, I haven’t read Smiley since her award-winning 1991 novel “A Thousand Acres,” but goodness was that a killer.
As for movies in April, I’d like to see Noah Baumbach’s latest comedy-drama “While We’re Young,” which stars Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts as a middle-age married couple whose lives are disrupted when they start hanging out with a young couple who enters their lives. It looks quite funny though officially it came out last weekend in March so it’s not really an April film, but I still need to see it. I liked Baumbach’s quirky other indie films “The Squid and the Whale” from 2005 and “Greenberg” from 2010. Have you seen these offbeat ones?
Other than that, I know they’ve advertised the heck out of the movie “Woman in Gold” as the trailer has been everywhere for months. It does look like an interesting story about a Jewish refugee who comes to sue the Austrian government to recover Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece painting that she believes belongs to her family. It stars Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds, too. Though I’m surprised to see the movie’s rotten-tomato ratio isn’t too good, so I might wait to see it on pay-per-view.
In the meantime, I’m thinking the teeny-bopper romance movie “The Longest Ride” will probably win the box office in April. It’s another Nicholas Sparks’ novel adapted for the big screen, none of them I’ve seen or been really interested in — too much melodrama and drippiness. Instead, I’ll pick the film “Clouds of Sils Maria,” with Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart, about an older actress who apparently is going through a crisis. I don’t know too much about it, but it seems to be getting some positive buzz. And judging by the trailer and the actresses in it, it could be an entertaining drama.
As for albums, there’s a lot of good ones coming out in May, but for April not as many notable ones. Still I’m looking to check out the new album from the Canadian indie band the Great Lake Swimmers called “A Forest of Arms,” and I’ll select the Alabama Shakes album “Sound & Color” for my pick this month. It includes the single “Don’t Wanna Fight,” which the Shakes performed quite coolly on Saturday Night Live recently.
So that’s what I see for April releases. How about you — which books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to?
Happy Spring! I’ve just started the Ann Packer and it’s very good so far. I’m looking forward to the Jane Smiley as well — but like you, I haven’t read the first one yet. Need to get going . . . she is visiting our area in May and I’d like to have read at least the first book by the time I her her speak.
Thanks Ann. Good to know about the Ann Packer book. Yeah I also need to get cracking on the Jane Smiley trilogy. That’s great she’s going to be speaking in your area. I’m sure she’ll be interesting.
The Children’s Crusade looks so good!
Yes I’m definitely interested in it. Thanks Kathy
Happy spring, indeed! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and read some amazing books.
Yeah I was a bit preoccupied Easter weekend but now I’m back to the books! Thanks Michelle.
You have tempted me with those films…I haven’t noticed While We’re Young yet…we get things late in these parts (Cow Country…LOL).
Clouds of Sils Maria looks like my kind of film, too…I will pass on the Nicholas Sparks movie…not a fan.
I received The Children’s Hour this past week from NetGalley, a new adventure for me since getting my Paperwhite (Pippa). Sparky was the old version and didn’t seem to accept those downloads.
I have Some Luck and haven’t read it yet…but I should probably get Early Warning as soon as possible, just to have it.
I really love the look of The Girl Who Was Saturday Night…I am literally drooling here from all the lovely things you are sharing. Enjoy!
Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
We seem to be on the same wavelength with our upcoming book reading. Enjoy and I’ll check in to see what you think of them. Cheers.
I’m looking forward to Predator One by Jonathan Maberry and Blood on the Snow by Jo Nesbo in books. Musically, I don’t know yet and movies? I’m thinking definitely not The Longest Ride, that’s for sure. 🙂
Ha. Yeah Bryan – I’ll definitely pass on it too. Hope you enjoy the Nesbo book!
Oh so much new stuff to read and view. I feel way behind — haven’t read the earlier books you mention as well. Interested in the new Nesbo.
Yeah I’m getting behind too Barbara. Hope you enjoy the Nesbo novel.
I have wanted to read A DIVE FROM CLAUSEN”S PIER for a while. If you beat me to it, let me know what you think.
Happy Easter.
My Sunday Salon
Yes Anne, I must get to Packer’s first novel, though I might read her latest one first. I will check in with you. Thanks!
I read a Jane Smiley novel a couple years ago and have been meaning to read more of her work. Thanks for the reminder. The Woman is Gold movie looks fascinating too. I fell in love with Klimt’s work after seeing it at a museum in Vienna and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Yeah I will likely see the movie. It’s definitely a fascinating story. The painting is utterly beautiful too — I agree. thanks for stopping by Melissa.
Good morning, Susan. Finally, got on your blog! I like it. Didn’t know you were also interested in Indie music! I have a suggestion for you, The Wilderness of Manitoba, Between Colours. You might even know the first two songs on the CD, Big Sky & Leave Someone.
If you have time on your hands, Bonnie & Clyde by Charles Aznavour et Brigitte Bardot. I still don’t know where the CD went! Am I loosing my marbles? 😉
Thanks so much Chantal! Yes I like indie music so I will get The Wilderness of Manitoba. Sounds good! Like it! I’m always looking for new tunes. Thanks for stopping by my site.
A Thousand Acres was the last time I read Smiley, too, but her new trilogy sounds like something I’d enjoy. Even borrowed Some Luck from the library, but didn’t get to read it in time… maybe I should try again.
Hi JoAnn — I tried out Some Luck this week but the style put me off a bit. I’ve put it down for the moment. But see what you think.
A fine list indeed! I love A Thousand Acres and Moo so I’m curious about her new series. I’m looking forward to your reviews.