Hi all. I hope everyone is well and enjoying their holiday break. We are getting close to 2024 now, so I hope you have chosen your first book to read in the new year. I plan to share my first book next week. Meanwhile we just got back from a little road trip a couple hours away where we took the dogs to go cross-country skiing.
Well, really my husband went to ski and I read because I’m not supposed to do sports yet due to my new knee. I need to wait till about three months post-surgery to commence activities. Right now I just passed my one-month mark, yay. But the snow in Western Canadian has not been good so far. It’s so minimal that people are rock skiing, I think. My husband took the dogs mostly hiking instead.
Over break we’ve seen two pretty good movies. We streamed the murder, courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall, which is a French movie (mostly told in English) that’s a bit unsettling. The court case reveals the turbulence between a wife, who’s a writer, and her husband, and the thoughts of their blind son on what might have happened between them.
The movie goes on a bit long in the middle section but then has a pretty absorbing ending. German actress Sandra Hüller stars and is pretty convincing in the role. Critics seemed to like this crime drama and it wound up on various Best Of lists. We thought it was pretty compelling and gave it a thumbs up.
Next we watched the biographical movie Maestro about composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein on Netflix. Whoa Bradley Cooper stars, directed, and co-wrote the script for this film, which focuses on the relationship between Bernstein and his wife Felicia, played by British actress Carey Mulligan.
Much of the acting in this is terrific from both actors, and the music is alluring. Their marriage certainly had its tough challenges hidden from the world but also its very close connection. I know Cooper received a lot of flak for using a fake nose for the role, but it didn’t seem to distract me from the story. In many scenes, Cooper looked quite a bit like the Maestro himself … who it turns out was a complex man personally as well as a big chainsmoker. The movie, which explores this as well as his musical genius, was done to interesting effect.
And now I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of the last books I completed in 2023.
City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita / Berkley / 304 pages / 2023
3.7 stars. It’s not often I read a thriller type mystery/crime novel, but I enjoyed this debut and the pages flew by quickly. It has great atmosphere — set in a small wintry hamlet in Alaska where most of the residents live in a big apartment-like building.
Then the town gets cut off when a storm and avalanche closes the road out and Detective Cara Kennedy (from Anchorage) gets stuck there investigating a case of body parts found on a beach of a nearby cove. Cara has had her own family tragedies and has come to the town to see if there’s a link with the case. She partners with local cop JB and they make a good duo.
The story is told in alternating chapters by three women: Cara (the detective); Amy, a teenager who finds the bodies and lives in the big apartment building; and Lonnie, a woman with some mental disability who might know about some evidence. They are all pretty well-rendered, but the detective’s chapters seem the most compelling. I will likely follow Det. Kennedy who’s also in the author’s next novel coming in February 2024 called Village in the Dark, set once again in a chilly Alaska locale.
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith / Atria /320 pgs /2023
This was my last book and last audio of the year, which is narrated by the author. Granted I didn’t know anything about this memoir when I picked it up. In a dumb way, I thought it was about the other Maggie Smith, the British actress, but no it’s about the American poet from Ohio, whom I didn’t know about before this. Now I do, and quite a bit! She lays her life out pretty open and bare for all to see.
Her whole book is a series of short snapshots about her life with her two young kids, and the divorce she went through with her husband of some 18 years. It’s a divorce memoir through and through! The author, who tried to save the marriage after finding out about her husband’s infidelity, is just crushed by the long torturous split and ordeal with her once soulmate. They were said to be the last couple who’d ever get a divorce. But after counseling the marriage couldn’t be saved and he moved away to another state much to the sorrows of their family.
Maggie powerfully and lyrically as a poet tells about their split as she agonizes and feels the intense pain of it, the dissolution happening during the pandemic. After I started, I wondered if I should even be listening to the book during Christmas break? It was sad and I felt for the author. But maybe the book had lessons: like don’t take your partner for granted? Watch for the signs? I think for those who are going through a divorce or have, this book might be very helpful and consoling and something appealing to grab onto like a life raft for survival.
I thought the parts about Maggie’s work life and how her life as a writer or freelancer were not treated equally or as respectfully with that of her husband’s work life – pretty revealing and I think it spoke to a lot of couples’ work lives. One person’s is often at the expense of the other’s. I hope Maggie is in a better place now, various years later after her divorce. She certainly was in a dark place going through this, yet she also yields some humor and essential truths in writing about the experience.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these books or seen these movies — and if so, what did you think? Happy New Year.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday and that your New Year is also good. How fun to have some snow; I’ll bet the dogs love it. I can’t believe it’s been a month already since your knee replacement!
I am tempted to watch Maestro so am glad to hear it’s good.
Hi Helen, thanks. Yeah time has passed quickly since my knee surgery. It’s hard to believe. Pretty soon I start the strength training at the PT place. Woo.
The dogs love the snow but it’s melting away here. We need a snowstorm!
Maestro is worth seeing. Happy Holidays.
One third of the way through on the knee recovery! I am glad things are going well. Love the dog photo and they look like they enjoy the snow.
I don’t know if it will be my first book of the year but I am going to read Rosamunde Pilcher’s book Coming Home the same time as Joann of Gulfside Musing. That should be fun – 900 pages!
I thought the book by Maggie Smith was the British actress as well.
Hi Tina, ha I was surprised there was another Maggie Smith. I hadn’t heard of this poet but she’s quite popular now. What do I know?!
The knee recovery is going well — knock on wood it continues. The dogs love the snow but it’s melting away here. We need a snowstorm.
Wow you’re going to read a 900 page tome by Pilcher! That’s major. I hope it is fun. And the story is good. Good luck! Happy New Year.
So glad your recovery is going so well and hope that continues. The pictures of your dogs in the snow is so cute. Thank you for the movie recommendations, especially interested in Anatomy of a Fall as I do like crime/court dramas. I do want to read the Maggie Smith book as I read one of her poetry collections earlier this year and really enjoyed it. Sounds like a sad book but I’m sure the writing is worth it. Still trying to determine which will be my first book of the year!
Hi Iliana, yeah if you’ve read Maggie Smith before — I’m sure you’ll like her memoir. The writing is quite good and it’s touching but sad. She has a lot to say!
I think you’ll like Anatomy of a Fall … it goes down the wire.
The knee recovery is on schedule so far … but the hard PT work starts Jan. 8 week. So we’ll see. Happy New Year!
I’ve chosen my first book for 2024 and am eager to start reading, but will hold off until the 1st. Sorry the snow wasn’t better, but the dogs look like they had a good outing anyway. 🙂
I’ll add Anatomy of a Fall to our watch list; Maestro is already on it, but we’re waiting until it’s available for free streaming.
Thanks for the review of City Under One Roof. I’ve been reading a lot of mysteries and thrillers this year, and it’s always fun to get in on a new series. This one sounds like a winner.
I’ve had Maggie Smith’s memoir on my tbr list for quite some time. It sounds like it’s an emotional read, especially for those who have experienced divorce (and infidelity). I’ll bump it up on my list to read, but probably in print rather than audio.
Only two more months of recovery/PT on your knee. You’ve got this!!
Thanks Lesley, I appreciate the recovery encouragement. I need to bear down & do the PT work coming up.
We got Maestro off of Netflix. So perhaps you have that. We just picked it up for a month or two.
The audio of Smith’s book is quite effective how she reads it and her poetry. I think she won me over in a way. But perhaps the print copy would also be good.
We had fun in Crowsnest Pass area / you might have gone past there … but they didn’t have much snow either. We had fun though. I’ve started my first book for the new year is that allowed? Have a great New Year’s Eve. 2024!
We do have Netflix, so I’ll add that to our queue.
We didn’t get to Crowsnest Pass, but we were nearby in Fernie. Gosh, I loved that little town. Hope we can get back there sometime soon!
Yeah Fernie is cute. I also like Nelson, BC quite a bit. I hope to get back there sometime. Wishing you new adventures in 2024!
It’s kind of wild that you starting reading the memoir believing you were reading something written by the “other” Maggie Smith. I would have made the exact same mistake because I struggle so much with poetry that Maggie Smith, the poet, is not someone that would have crossed my mind. Sounds like it turned into an interesting read, though, and that’s good.
I’ve been wondering about the Maestro movie for a while. I don’t think the fake nose would bother me…I hope people are not saying it’s a racial/religious slur, though, because it definitely makes me think “Bernstein” when I see the actor and watch his mannerisms. I’m hoping to see the movie soon.
Ha Sam. I have Never started a book like the one I did by the other Maggie Smith. So weird. I was expecting a book about the acting life of Ms. Smith from the UK and instead I got a divorce memoir set in Ohio! Holy smokes. I almost DNF’d it early but then I thought I had paid for it – so I better try it out. And indeed it turned out all right. I came around to it. Lol. but too funny really.
Yeah I think Cooper was criticized for the fake nose … like he was making a stereotype of Jews etc. but I think the movie rises above that. See what you think of it.
Cute pic! The girls are interested in something beyond the camera, I wonder what that was. 🙂 I rented Anatomy of a Fall and have yet to see it. I saw Maestro and got mixed feelings, but Cooper is unrecognizable with the makeup; it’s a brilliant job, as good as Tammy Faye’s. I also saw Elemental (3.5*), A Haunting in Venice (3*), and Are You There, God? It’s me, Margaret. (4*). Your book choices sound good. I like mystery/thrillers and murder mysteries, if they are not too gruesome. I, too, thought this Maggie Smith was the actress Maggie Smith. That goes to prove how recognizable a name or brand can be. 😮 I’m finishing the year reading A Shout in the Ruins by Kevin Powers, which I started back in 2018 and put aside for a later date; it seems now it’s the time for it, I guess. It took me a few days to decide what to read since I wasn’t sure I was going to finish on time. I’ll do my best.
Happy New Year! In case we don’t chat before year’s end. I hope you get to ski again in no time. 🙂
Ha Carmen. The girls enjoyed the snow walks but we could use some more of it since it’s rapidly melting away. We will wait to go skiing again. My husband has requested to see Napoleon on his bday tomorrow — so that might be a plan.
Thx for the rundown on movies you’ve seen. We did rent the Blume movie in the summer — it’s a bit fun. And that Maggie Smith book really threw me off at first. I’m like why is Maggie Smith living in Ohio? Ha. I was confused but I figured it out after awhile. Too funny. I saw you were reading the Kevin Powers book — so I’ll be curious what you think. Also see what you think of Anatomy of a Fall … hmm. a bit different. Maestro has a bit of a strange tough subject matter too. Like the man was pretty complex and mixed up. Happy New Years!
Yeah, Bernstein was complex, to say it succinctly. I wasn’t fond of the narrative style of the movie. I thought that Cooper wasn’t too clear on how he wanted to convey the story and settled for a mixture of styles. At the start it seemed like a Joe Wright movie (kind of like a theatrical production), but then it switched to linear storytelling. I liked the performances more than the movie. I laughed with the Maggie Smith living in Ohio thing. Napoleon is coming to Apple TV+, but given the scale of the movie it may be ideal to watch it on the big screen. Winter has been delayed here; at least you got a little bit of snow. Those mountains look beautifully snowed on… And the girls are game for about anything, be it a picture with Santa, or a hike in the snow. 😉
Good observations re: Bernstein. I probably liked the performances more too.
I didnt see when exactly AppleTV+ would get Napoleon but it just says soon. Hmm. We might see it before.
Winter has been delayed here too. We had to go into mountains to get much snow. The girls were game for it ha. They’re ready for anything. And at least we know there’s two public figures called Maggie Smith now. The confusion is cleared. Good luck with your last read of 2023.
Hi Susan, I am hearing that Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan are wonderful in Maestro and as I understand Leonard Bernstein’s children are very impressed with both performances as well and that’s always the real test.
Maggie Smith’s memoir would be a tricky one to write I would think because it deals with her divorce which means that her ex husband factors big in the book and how much does one have a right to reveal about the other person becomes the question. But if a memoir is to be any good the writer has to write about the event that they most want to write about and for Maggie it was her marriage.
Happy New Year and Happy Reading!
Thanks Kathy, you make good points. I was sort of cringing for Smith’s husband as I think she’s written two books about their divorce, though his behavior can’t be excused. But more generally it explores the feelings surrounding divorce comprehensively.
The Bernstein performances are good. The story is a bit tricky with his affairs so it’s interesting to hear their kids were okay with it.
Happy New Year!
I put Maestro on my list — thanks!
I’m currently listening to You Could Make This Place Beautiful, a recommendation from a friend so I knew that it wasn’t THAT Maggie Smith. I just requested a print copy from my library. As I was reading your thoughts, I realized that while I’m enjoying the audio, I’m curious about how it looks on the page — especially some of the things that feel like asides or sidebars. She’s a poet, after all.
Hi Joy, yeah good idea to get the print copy as well for the Smith book. I enjoyed hearing her emotions & her poetry from the audio, but I’m a bit curious too what it be like on the page. I look forward to your review of it. It’s a very tough divorce!
And Maestro is a bit of a rocky story but has good performances! Enjoy. & Happy New Year.
I have Yamashita’s latest book on my TBR shelf and liked the one you just read. Have a great new year of reading.
Harvee at https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/
Hi Harvee: I hope the new Yamashita novel is good. I’ll look for your review. Thanks starting a new year & slate of reading is always fun. Cheers. Happy 2024.
Such a cute photo of your dogs! We haven’t had as much snow this winter either, though all the ski resorts have managed to open. I’m hoping we get more snow in 2024. And City Under One Roof looks good to me…mostly for the whole town cut off because of an avalanche. Very fun premise for a mystery/thriller. Happy New Year! 😀
Yeah Lark. I like those snowed-in cut-off kind of crime plots. I think you might like City Under One Roof. It’s pretty snappy.
I’m not sure if winter is really going to come this year? Might be El Nina. We are hoping for snow too. Happy 2024.
You Could Make This Place Beautiful sounds like a touching memoir. I can think of several people who have gone through a difficult divorce that might like to read this story.
It’s hard for me to imagine that there isn’t a lot of snow on the ground in Canada. At this time of the year, I think of it as covered perpetually with snow. But the snows have been light for my son in Chicago, too.
Hi Deb, I think recently divorced individuals might find the Maggie Smith book helpful. I didn’t really know what it would be — but I also found it pretty touching too. And it makes you think about marriage quite a bit.
Unfortunately the winter has been too warm so far this year … and I can hear what little snow we have melting away. It’s been quite stunning. I’m still hoping it’ll change for the sake of our water reserves here. Fingers crossed.
Happy New Year.
Oh your dogs are adorable. That picture with the head tilts–too cute!
Thanks Sarah. Glad you stopped by. Our dogs are funny … and are game to go with us wherever. They’re a little spoiled, lol. Happy New Year.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday and have a great NYE. I hope 2024 treats you well!
https://jennielyse.com/sunday-news-49/
Hi Jenni, thanks, that nice of you. Glad you stopped by. I’m hopeful for 2024! Happy New Year to you as well.
My grandfather was a music critic and once offended Leonard Bernstein by saying he could be even better if he focused on one of his talents. Apparently, this began a vendetta, according to my mother, when I suggested we go see the movie.
I hope the snow situation improves, as I think I mentioned my nephew is working in Banff and needs tips from ski students to afford food. He says it is incredibly expensive.
Glad your knee is recovering but I am sure they don’t want you doing anything but physical therapy. I have always thought I would enjoy cross country skiing, although have always opted for reading indoors instead of any outdoor activity!
Happy New Year!
Ha Constance, reading indoors is always a good choice. I am holding off on activities till after I finish my upcoming PT class of six plus weeks.
Your nephew is right — it’s incredibly expensive living in the ski town and in Canada in general. I hope it will snow a lot soon and he will find it a good time in Banff & worthwhile. That’s just about 2.5 hours from us here.
The Bernstein movie is a personal look at his infidelities & marriage … so just to warn those who don’t care for that. He seemed a complex person. There are a couple interesting music scenes. See what you think. & Happy New Year!
Hope you had a good break, even if you couldn’t ski! Sometimes it’s just nice to get away and have some time to read.
My weekly roundup.
Hi Nicky, thanks for stopping by. You’re right it was great to get away for a change even if I couldn’t ski. I’ve been cooped up at home after the knee surgery so the first road trip was fun. I will check out your site. thanks.
You consistently read and watch the most interesting things! I need to come back to this post and add stuff to my lists later, as it is too cumbersome to do with a cat sound asleep on my lap.
I love the pictures of the dogs in the snow and with Santa. I got to meet labs in person once…a former co-worker always had two at a time, and always with movie-related names…and they are just the sweetest, goofiest dogs.
Happy New Year!
Thanks Jinjer. The dogs are our laugh-and-life lines. The young dog is sweet and the other, our old girl is bossy and runs the house & her meals. Lol. Labs?!
Did you see my Movie Season post down below? I’ve been trying to see some of those on that list. Though I just saw the movie Napoleon and it was good too.
Wishing you a Happy New Year. I’ll stop by your site soon to see what’s up. Cheers.
I am sure the dogs enjoyed hiking with your husband. 🙂 I hope your knee is healing well. I was happy to read your review of City Under One Roof. I have heard such mixed opinions about the book. I do want to read it, but it was nice to get your impressions of it. I hope you have a Happy New Year, Susan!
Thanks LF: All is well here. And I hope with you as well. City Under One Roof is a quick page-turner and has quite the visual setting. I thought it had enough propelling it. I’ll likely get her new one in February. Happy 2024 to you too.
I like the snow photo with dogs even though the snow is not much. I never see any. (And only now and then when I was in Alabama.)
I am glad to see you liked City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita. It was different than I expected but a very good debut by this author. How do you come up with your rating? I don’t really like rating books and struggle with it when adding a book to Goodreads.
Your thoughts on the other book you read were interesting. Reading about a divorce after a long marriage could be interesting. I have experienced divorce with some similarities except it was decades ago after a much shorter marriage. It was still painful.
Hi Tracy, good points on these. I guess I struggle too rating books. Most books I read I think are between 3.5 to 4 stars on GR — I like them even quite a bit liking them — but then ones that rise above that I’m sort of blown away by or I’m really taken by them and love them. I realize: it’s probably unfair to rate books on a numeric scale. I’ve never given below a 3 on GR b/c I feel for the author’s toil.
I’m glad you reminded me of Yamashita’s book. I got it after I saw your review. And the setting is great & the character detective. It’s an enjoyable page-turner.
The divorce memoir — whoa that’s a painful split for the author. She explores it thoroughly. And I felt for her.
I think our real winter is starting in the next week or two: cold temps & snow are on the way! I will take some pics. Happy 2024 to you.
The dogs look happy! Maestro sounds interesting. Not sure why people would complain about Cooper sporting a fake nose to get into character. I also enjoyed City Under One Roof and I’m looking forward to the next one, too!
Hi Rachel, yeah you’ll likely get to Yamashita’s new novel sooner than I will, so I’ll look to see what you think about it first. I’m sort of glad it follows the female cop from the first one. The setting was excellent!
Maestro was pretty decent – a complex character story – I think Cooper got flak for the fake nose b/c people didn’t want him stereotyping Jewish noses or something. But it seems he did well looking like the real-life composer.
Cheers! & Happy 2024.