Because I’ve been away a bit, I’m late in putting out my release picks this month, so let’s get started. A plethora of interesting-looking new novels (see list at right) made it difficult for me to narrow my choices.
There’s a bit of everything this month, for a love story and beach read I’m considering snatching up Beatriz Williams’s new novel “The Secret Life of Violet Grant,” which is about a recent college grad who begins to investigate the past of an aunt she never knew she had. Booklist calls it a “substantive beach read steeped in history and familial intrigue.” Okay with me, I’ll get out the sunscreen.
Or maybe I should turn to Scandinavian crime fiction, since Jo Nesbo’s latest “The Son” is coming out, which looks to be another wild and chilling ride. It’s about a prison inmate who finds out a secret about his deceased father and sets out to hunt down those responsible for the crimes against him. I’m sure it’ll have a lot of twists and turns, not to mention suspense, but will I be able to stomach the brutality?
I could turn to another WWII novel, which is getting tremendous positive feedback called “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. It’s set during the war in France and Germany about a 14-year-old French blind girl and a German orphan boy whose paths cross late in the novel. Author J.L. Moehringer says it’s a novel “you savor, and ponder, and happily lose sleep over, then go around urging all your friends to read—now.” While author Abraham Verghese says “Doerr’s writing and imagery are stunning. … The story still lives on in my head.”
Hmm. I’ll likely need to read it, but my very first choice for this month’s releases is Peter Heller’s new novel “The Painter.” Granted, I did not read Heller’s successful 2012 debut “The Dog Stars” (I gave it to my husband who very much enjoyed it), but I vow to amend that by reading this one. According to O magazine “The Painter” is about an artist who “settles into a quiet new life in Colorado after serving time for shooting a man in a bar fight–and reconnects with his old rage.” Much has been praised about Heller’s writing, so sign me up for this one.
Lastly in books I’m a bit curious about Adam Pelzer’s debut novel “Troika” called a modern-day love story between a Cuban-American and a Russian orphan that journeys from Little Havana to Manhattan. Author Ayelet Waldman has been on the bandwagon for this book saying in numerous venues that she [friggin’] loved it.
As well as I’m interested in Amy Rowland’s debut “The Transcriptionist” that takes place at a big New York City newspaper and explores questions about journalism and ethics, technology, the decline of papers and the written word. I plan to scoop it up quickly as I worked at a newspaper for many years so I think it could be topical to me, as well as many others.
In movies this month (see list at left), I don’t see any that I’m particularly interested in seeing at the theater. I’m not a big super-hero watcher, sorry Spidey. Instead I’m currently trying Season One of the political drama “House of Cards” with Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. It’s about a Congressman, the House majority whip, who, after being passed over for Secretary of State, initiates a plan to get into a position of more power. He and his wife are pretty cold fish. And would he really risk leaking to such a rookie reporter? The show has quite a dark outlook on humanity and the inner workings of D.C., where I once lived. I guess I’ll watch a bit more and see if I hang with it.
Other good news in May is there’s quite a few enticing albums being released (see list at bottom right). I need to check out new ones from Coldplay, the Black Keys, Natalie Merchant (where has she been?), Tori Amos, Ben Harper, and Sarah McLachlan. Wow quite a list! Actually I’ve been listening to Ray LaMontagne’s new one “Supernova” which was supposed to be out May 6 but came out instead at the end of April. It’s pretty groovy, a bit different than his other folk tunes, more sixties-ish perhaps, with a psychedelic edge. Meanwhile look for Coldplay’s new one “Ghost Stories” to be quieter and more introspective than the last few by the band.
What about you — which books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to?
I have The Painter and hope to get to it really soon. I put the Nesbo book on hold at the library. I can get the galley but then I feel obligated to review it by a certain time and after Nesbo’s last book, with all the red herrings, I am not sure I like the new, what seems new to me, writing style.
Good to know Ti – about Nesbo. And I hope to get to The Painter soon too.
Nesbo’s book is on my reading list too. I haven’t finished all of his Harry Hole series, but I’ve read a few and am a huge fan of his now.
Thanks Tanya, good to know.
Im awful at keeping up with new releases. A book will pop up in my goodreads feed being read and I’ll be like wait, what? That’s OUT?? Looks like your blog will be good to regularly check for this!
Thanks Erin. I *try* to keep myself organized by doing the previews. 🙂
There really are some good ones that came out this month!
I saw a review of All the Light We Cannot See in Entertainment Weekly recently, and it sounded like something I might like.
House of Cards is one I really want to see. I saw the first season last year and really liked it.
Hi. Yeah wow is House of Cards a cynical little show but I’m sticking with it for now. Thanks for stopping by
I just read the Nesbo and liked it, even though I saw the ending coming a mile away…well, maybe half a mile, but still. The brutality actually wasn’t that bad in comparison to some of his others, and was no Stieg Larsson. I think you’ll be able to handle it, if you like Nesbo already.
Okay thanks Bryan for the Nesbo feedback. Good to know!
I love to read new book. I see people talk about old classic, that’s good but sometimes I cannot relate them to my time.