Greetings book worms. How is your April going? Did you conquer tax season? It’s a bit hard to believe April is almost over. But so far winter here still doesn’t want to go away. We had two freak snowstorms this past week — one on Tuesday and one on Friday. I took this photo from upstairs looking out the window. Oh my. It was a lot of snow at the time, but it should all melt away over the next couple of days. We’ll be back in the 50s and 60s soon.
Despite the weather, I got out to see a movie at a theater and a concert at a church this past week, which felt so weird after being cooped up the past two years from the pandemic. Not sure people know what to make of it yet, or whether to trust it fully — as if we might be hit with another wave and more isolation, but here we are for now.
Meanwhile, you might remember that I missed putting out a preview of new releases this month as life was busy, but I want to just list some book titles now that look good in hindsight. April has had some big-named authors with new novels out, notably Emily St. John Mandel with Sea of Tranquility, Jennifer Egan with The Candy House, and Douglas Stuart with Young Mungo. Have you conquered any of these? I have not touched them yet. But I’m also looking to try out such novels as Sara Novic’s True Biz, Bonnie Garmus’s Lessons in Chemistry, and Annie Hartnett’s Unlikely Animals. I’ve seen some reviews of these popping up around the blogosphere that make me want to pick them up. What would you recommend for April books?
Last week as I mentioned I went to the movies on a snowy night and saw the British movie drama Mothering Sunday. Our book club had just discussed the novel by Graham Swift, which was good because it seemed helpful in following the movie since the storyline jumps back and forth a bit between the present and future of the character’s life.
There’s a kind of Downton Abbey feel to the movie since its set in 1924 and is about a maid (Jane Fairchild) who is in service at a wealthy estate. She’s secretly been involved for years with Paul Sheringham, the heir of a neighboring estate whose two brothers have died in WWI. But now he’s supposed to marry a daughter of a wealthy family friend, so this is apparently Paul and Jane’s last secret rendezvous together.
Oh it’s tough saying goodbye. And there’s a lot of nudity and cigarettes in the film. That’s the first thing you’ll notice. But actors Odessa Young and Josh O’Connor, who played in The Crown and Emma, seem to pull it off well. The movie follows the novel fairly closely, though the book is still a bit better, with the character’s inner thoughts and all. Still the movie is worth seeing and let me escape for a while to the British countryside and a mansion far far away.
Then on Thursday we saw singer Frazey Ford and her band play at the Knox Church, which is a real church in town and a cool venue. She used to be with the Be Good Tanyas but now is usually found solo when she tours. She’s Canadian and lives in the Vancouver area so not sure how well-known she is in the States, but when I lived in Virginia the Be Good Tanyas played there.
She was really good this time and it was neat to see a concert after two years of not having any. But Frazey didn’t play much from her 2014 solo album Indian Ocean, which is my favorite, though she did sing one great song off that aptly called Done. She calls it her bitch anthem, and she surely kicks ass singing it. You can hear the video version of the song here. If you get a chance, see her live sometime. Her folky rock music is often groovy and bluesy.
Lastly here’s a review of the novel I finished lately.
Assembly by Natasha Brown / Little, Brown / 112 pages / 2021
This is a short British novel, which I listened to twice as an audiobook. It’s about a black woman who’s worked hard her whole life to attain the success she has in the finance industry … to get a slice of the middle class. Her white boyfriend, a politician, comes from an old moneyed family and she gets an invite to attend his parents’ upcoming lavish anniversary party, which she’s pondering. She also has a choice to make after she gets a breast cancer diagnosis from her doctor and has to decide what her follow-up will be.
I liked the tone and astute narrator of the story — who seems to be going over her life assessing what she’s gone through to get where she is and what’s around her — though I found parts of it a bit hard to follow as it jumps around a little. The story seems to be the narrator’s examination and critique of British society on such things as: race, class, wealth, gender inequality, and the effects of colonialism. Whoa she cuts to the quick about it all. And it’s obvious she’s sick and tired of what she’s seen and experienced and the system as it is. I wanted to know a bit more about her life story and how she moved up the ranks etc., though the short novel seems mostly filled with her thoughts and whether she wants to keep going in such a society. I think this is my second or third novel this year that plays out like a modern-day Mrs. Dalloway with the party at the end hanging over the character. Virginia Woolf would be pleased with her ongoing popularity in today’s world.
Pippa Bennett-Warner, who reads the audiobook, does an excellent job as the character, and I will be curious to see what author Natasha Brown puts out next.
That’s all for now. What about you — do you know any of these artists, and if so what did you think?
I find I am getting out more as well, but still haven’t gone to the movies, a concert, or a play. Not sure if I am ready for that especially now that the mask mandate is gone in the US.
I have True Biz on my TBR shelf and hope to get to it in the next month or so.
Yeah Helen, I think the number of cases and/or hospitalizations from covid are going back up again so it makes me cautious as well. We are not eligible here yet for a 2nd booster (waiting for that).
And I am curious about True Biz! thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend.
We have resumed some of our activities lately – going out to breakfast occasionally, shopping in person instead of online, etc. – and are hoping to add more soon. It all seems so strange somehow after essentially two years of staying home.
Several of the books you mention are on my radar and I hope to get to them soon.
Good Dorothy, if you get to some of these first then I’ll know if they’re any good. I agree – going out all of sudden to public places & events feels strange. We are still a bit cautious. I hope to visit your site soon to see what’s up. Have a great week.
It is feeling more normal around here as well. We only seem to wear masks for doctor’s visits now or, if we are somewhere where it might be quite crowded.
RE: Books – I loved Lessons in Chemistry and Unlikely Animals. I also just finished The Dolphin House; Audrey Schulman (based in part on a true story) and thought it was well done. I have Sea of Tranquility and Candy House on my TBR.
Right now I’m having some blogger frustrations with uploading images and, it just makes me want to quit blogging after 14 years all the more. I’ll see if it resolves itself soon.
Oh no Diane. I can relate to your frustrations. The techno aspects of websites & maintaining them seems a challenge to me. But I really hope you Do Not leave blogging and that the issue resolves soon. Can you call or ask someone about the problems?
I’m glad you liked Unlikely Animals and Lessons in Chemistry. Awesome that you have read them both! I will pursue reading them too. Enjoy your spring days.
That’s quite a storm you had! We had a freak hail storm on Friday with thunder and lightning too. Welcome to Spring!
Glad you got out a bit and saw some things. I haven’t heard of Mothering Sunday. It sounds really interesting.
I’ve been wanting to read Mandel’s Station Eleven first and then get into her other books. Same with Young Mungo…his first book Shuggie Bain! Too many books too little time.
I hope you have a lovely week!
Hey Heather. Yeah the storm was crazy. Now it’s changed to warm weather in less than a week. Quite a turnaround.
I also need to give Douglas Stuart’s books a try but still haven’t found time either. They sound quite bleak but good. The Station Eleven novel was a neat one. I hope to stop by your site soon. Have a great week.
You are having a very long winter, aren’t you?! Is the snow light and fluffy or heavy and wet? When we lived in Nebraska, those heavy, wet snowstorms caused a lot of damage in late spring. Hope all is fine in your neck of the woods.
I know how you feel about going out and about after two years of being cooped up. We flew to Nashville for a week and it felt strange to be in hotels, airports, restaurants, etc. Thankfully, we were flying when the mask mandate was still on.
I started Lessons in Chemistry yesterday afternoon. Not too far in yet and I may start over (listening on audio) since I was a little distracted when I began. I also want to read/listen to Unlikely Animals. Lots of positive reviews for both of this books!
Excellent Lesley, I’m glad we are both looking to read those 2 books! I hope they’re good.
And gosh I can imagine – it feels so much better wearing a mask on an airplane. Ugh that judge who struck that rule down was crazy! Planes are germ-fests.
The snow, which thankfully is mostly gone now … despite being like 8 inches, was heavy & wet, so I’m glad it didn’t break any main branches. We’ve had that happen once in September (of all months) – a snowstorm caused terrible damage all over town & in our yard. But now we are excited about spring! Have a great week & I hope to visit your site soon.
Wow, so many impressive sounding books. Assembly grabs me…especially when you mentioned a similarity to Mrs. Dalloway.
I had my eye on The Candy House, as I have enjoyed some Egan books. I read the blurb to see if it resembled A Visit from the Goon Squad, as I did not really enjoy that one. It sounded different enough that I might give it a try.
I am also curious about Mothering Sunday.
Thanks for sharing, and have a great week.
Hey Laurel, the Candy House sounds a lot like the Goon Squad so you might not care for it – if you didn’t like the first one – but who knows? I haven’t tried either but not sure they’re for me either. The Assembly novel needed a bit more story and perhaps less commentary? See what you think. Happy reading. Have a great week.
Too bad about both storms but they sure look pretty. 🙂 I know, bad joke. It’s good that you are going back to doing normal “pre-pandemic” activities. Our local cinema went under during those trying times; luckily, I enjoy renting and streaming movies, so no huge loss for me.
I read The Candy House and it was a mixed bag. As groundbreaking as Goon Squad but she’s already done it once successfully, so… It is imaginative, but any of your readers try it, I recommend reading Goon Squad first as some characters were introduced there. Now I’m reading David Sedaris’ latest, TBR this May. I’m in advance reading mode now, as in May and beyond releases. If you want to read whatever Ms. Brown writes next, then the book fulfilled its promise.
Thanks for the tips Carmen! How are you? The storm was pretty and now has changed here again – dry in 2 days! A big turnaround. And I sort of wonder if I’m invested in reading the Egan books right now with their format & all. My head seems elsewhere at the moment. And good point about the Natasha Brown book. She seems talented – I just wish there was a bit more story or backstory to it. But I think it’s a bit vague about the character’s life on purpose (has an autofiction feel). I’ll have to look what’s coming in May soon. I’m amazed these cinemas are still alive out here. We’ve been watching the spy series Slow Horses and started Julia (Child one) too. Enjoy your shows & books … and keep me informed. Happy spring.
The Egan books are a breeze to read, thank God, but I see how they can put people off.
Yeah maybe I should try out the Goon squad to see if I like the style etc. Glad the books aren’t difficult!
I can’t believe it’s the last week of April! I’m not sure where it’s gone. And I’m envious of your snow. We could use a little more of that where I live. But we did get lots of rain over the weekend, and the lilacs are starting to come out, so I can’t complain. Spring is such a great time of year. 🙂
Hey Lark, the month flew by! Maybe May will be less crazy. The weather is very up & down here. Now it’s 60 degrees. So the snow is gone. Glad you got some rain there – sounds like the West really needs it. Have a great week.
Well, going to Paris sounds like I got out, but we wore masks whenever we were indoors. We had to test negative before we could board the plane, and I didn’t want to be stuck in France for an extra ten days.
Bonnie Garmus’s Lessons in Chemistry, and Annie Hartnett’s Unlikely Animals both sound like interesting books. I have nothing to recommend, sadly, because I’ve only been reading older titles.
Hi Deb, glad you kept safe while you were in France and now you’re back. I hope all is well and it sounds like you had a fantastic trip.
The novels you mention are ones I hope to get to in the next month or so.
Have a great week. & Welcome back!
You probably enjoyed Assembly more than I did. I found a lot to admire, incl her writing, but overall it didn’t feel like a rounded narrative. Maybe because it was so short? I much preferred Mrs Dalloway 😉 Station Eleven was excellent, but I never got around to read more books by this author. Sea of Tranquility will have to wait…
Hi Stargazer. You make a good point. I wanted a bit more from Assembly as well though the author seems talented. The novel was too short & it leaves the reader sort of dangling at the end. Hmm. I am a bit curious what she’ll write next. And I have completed two of Emily St. John Mandel’s books and think they seem all sort of similar in that her narratives jump around in time and her characters are troubled. I’ve lost some momentum on her books I admit. I started The Glass Hotel recently but then put it down for another time. I just didn’t have the energy to like the characters! Hope you have a great week.
Hi there Susan!
First of all, so sorry for the late reply!! My week just flew by.
I’ve been to the movies only once so far. Death on the Nile and I’m glad we went! Me and my Book Club friends are eagerly awaiting the release of Where the Crawdads Sing and plan on all going together.
Also looking forward to somewhere read Lessons in Chemistry an Unlikely Animals are apparently good on audio.
I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to a good weekend!
Elza Reads
Hi Mareli, thanks for your comment. Always great hearing from you in S.A. The Crawdads movie should be interesting and the main character is a British actress! We’ll see how it goes.
I bought a copy of Lessons in Chemistry … but likely won’t start it soon.
Cheers. Have a great week.
You’ve certainly had a busy month; these days, that’s definitely a very good thing.
Of the new books you mentioned, the only one I’ve read is Sea of Tranquility, and I was disappointed by it. For whatever reason, not a single character in the novel ever felt at all real to me, so I found myself not much caring what happened to any of them. It’s one of those time travel novels that go back and forth with lots of “major” characters, so them all remaining sort of cardboard to me made it difficult to follow the plot at times.
Around Houston, I’m surprised now when I see a mask or two in public…maybe because I’m not getting out all that much at the moment. No one talks much at all about the pandemic anymore, so I hope we haven’t become too complacent about the problem.
Stay well…and busy.
Thanks Sam for your report on Sea of Tranquility. I think it’s made me drop my interest in reading it quite a bit. There’s just too much else good out there…. to want to pick it up right now.
I think we are becoming complacent about Covid again. Sigh. It’s still out there. But masks are disappearing from most places.
I hope you are well. I miss your reviews. take care.
I just listened to Assembly a couple of days ago and really liked it, too. The narrator added a lot to my overall experience, so I’m definitely recommending going the audio route.
My pandemic observations over the past month have been interesting, to say the least. In CT, there are still about 50% of people in stores wearing masks. We ate indoors at a couple of restaurants, and I was shocked to see so many people crowded, maskless, in the bar area. In central NY (the apparent epicenter of the new variant) I went into a Target and there was not a mask in sight. In NYC, everyone has masks on public transit and nearly everyone was masked at the airport/on the plane. There were even people in the streets wearing masks. Landing in FL, I saw only a couple of masks at the airport and maybe a few at the grocery store last week. So confusing…
Yeah JoAnn. I think masks seem pretty rare these days out West. I wish we could get a 2nd booster here — but I haven’t had a vaccine since Oct. 4 and feel like I could be vulnerable if it wears off etc. It’s good that in NYC and New England masks are still being worn in places. I feel we could see another big wave.
I am glad you listened to Assembly … not many bloggers have read that one — so I’m glad to have your thoughts about it. I think the audio reader did well too. I’m curious what Natasha Brown will write next. Have a great week.