Hi all. I made it across the border to Southern California and will be helping and staying with my parents for a month. I’ve registered them to get the vaccine and hope it will be soon now. I know some of you have already gotten it, which is great — you must feel relief. February is usually a short, busy month and upcoming we have the Super Bowl (now who’s playing?), the Australian Open (tennis finally, yahoo), and the Golden Globe Awards (Feb. 28). So something’s happening out there.
And there’s quite a selection of new novels releasing in February, which we must discuss, but do we really need to highlight Kristin Hannah’s new novel “The Four Winds” (out Feb. 2), which is the biggest ballyhooed release of the month. I’m sure many readers are already onto it and I too will likely get to its Dust Bowl story that is reminiscent of aspects of Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” For those fans of Hannah’s 2015 novel “The Nightingale,” you can expect to see the screen adaptation of that sisterly WWII tale (played by Dakota & Elle Fanning) around Christmas 2021. Woohoo.
Many know too of Australian crime writer Jane Harper’s new one “The Survivors” (out Feb. 2) about long-held secrets that emerge after a body is found on the beach, uh-oh. Yeah I have read her other books, so I will likely get to this one sometime too, but don’t expect her protagonist Federal Agent Aaron Falk to be there as he is not in this one. I’m still hoping to see Falk played by Eric Bana in the movie adaptation of Harper’s novel “The Dry,” which is supposed to be out now on some stream. I repeat Eric Bana plays Aaron Falk in “The Dry.” What more do you want?
There’s also a few novels out this month with women protagonists having a hard go of it that are receiving high praise. First Susan Conley’s novel “Landslide” (out Feb. 2) is said to be set in Maine about a fisherman’s wife who’s guiding her teenage sons through a family crisis, uh-oh.
I thought Conley’s 2019 novel “Elsey Come Home” was likable but this one sounds even better so I’m looking forward to it. Author Lily King says that Susan Conley has “knocked it out of the park … with this spectacular tale of hardship and healing” and Judy Blum calls it “smart, honest and funny: a story you won’t forget.” Just my kind.
Then there’s Cherie Jones’s highly touted debut novel “How the One Armed Sister Sweeps Her House” (out Feb. 2), which Susie over at the blog Novel Visits loved and said is the “story of a young mother in Barbados trying to find a way out of a brutal marriage,” uh-oh. Apparently the author puts the story together brilliantly, though it comes with some content warnings of abuse and violence so I might have to gear up my courage first, hmm we’ll see.
Lastly in this category is Meg Mason’s debut “Sorrow and Bliss” (out Feb. 9) about a British woman’s self-discovery amid her struggle with mental illness. It’s been called darkly comic and deeply heartfelt and Ann Patchett says she wants to give it to everyone she knows. Hmm. I keep picking up these life on the psychic edge kind of novels — so what does that say about me? — my last being Laura Zigman’s 2020 book “Separation Anxiety.”
Another debut novel “The Bad Muslim Discount” (out Feb. 2) by Syed M. Masood looks like a pretty fun and moving read too. It follows the story of two Muslim families from Iraq and Pakistan in the 1990s to 2016, who immigrate to San Francisco. It’s said to be an irreverent novel about Muslim immigrants finding their way in modern America and many readers are finding it just the book that “I didn’t know I deeply needed.” I think it’s taken many who’ve read it by surprise so count me in.
One more alluring San Francisco-set tale is said to be Vendela Vida’s coming-of-age novel “We Run the Tides” (Feb. 9) about girlhood, female friendship, and innocence lost set amid a changing landscape. Ahh 2021 is already shaping up to be the year of notable San Fran-set novels and the Bay Area is always ripe for the picking. So what’s not to like?
As for what’s on the screen this month, there’s quite a feast. And for those averse to football, don’t forget the Puppy Bowl this weekend. Yay, got to love the puppies! Meanwhile “Nomadland,” which we talked about in a previous Preview post with Frances McDormand, is coming to Hulu Feb. 19 as is “The U.S. vs. Billie Holiday” movie on Feb. 26. Andra Day will star as Billie and it’ll be director Lee Daniels’s first movie since doing “The Butler” in 2013, yay. We can’t get enough of Billie Holiday movies — I still watch “Lady Sings the Blues” from 1972 every time I see it when switching channels. Though I’m wondering now if we get Hulu.
There’s also two notable aging father-themed movies this month with “Falling” (out Feb. 5) in which Viggo Mortensen plays a gay son whose world collides when his retiring father played by Lance Henriksen comes to visit, and “The Father” (out Feb. 26) played by Anthony Hopkins who refuses help at first from his daughter played by Olivia Colman as his mind starts to go. These two similar father films just happen to be coming at once. Pick your pleasure.
HBO Max has a couple big premieres this month with the movie “Judas and the Black Messiah” (due out Feb. 12) about Black Panther activist Fred Hampton (played by Daniel Kaluuya) and his betrayal by an FBI informant. Apparently this biographical drama has been years in the making and looks good.
Also coming to HBO, there’s the Swedish five-episode drama TV series “Beartown” (due out Feb. 22) based on Frederik Backman’s 2017 bestselling novel that explores the role a junior ice-hockey team has in a small isolated community. Uh-oh, many of us know what happens in that teenage hockey story and it isn’t too pretty.
But perhaps the three films most praised this month are: “Minari” (out Feb. 12) about a South Korean family that tries to make a go of it, starting a farm in rural Arkansas in the 1980s, which stars Steven Yeun who I’m glad to see again after his character Glenn was gruesomely killed off “The Walking Dead” years ago.
I was upset by that and we stopped watching the show around then, but it’s good to see he’s back in the limelight with the touted drama “Minari.” It appears to be a semi-autobiographical take on director Lee Isaac Chung’s upbringing
Then there’s movie “The World to Come” (out in limited release on Feb. 12, then March 2 on Netflix) about two women of neighboring couples who become lovers amid the hardships on the American frontier. Vanessa Kirby (yay) stars opposite Katherine Waterston in this mid-19th century-set drama that looks a bit intense … as does another drama called “The Killing of Two Lovers” about a man who struggles to hold his family of six together during a separation from his wife.
Look for these films if you want to add more drama to your lives and don’t forget the Golden Globe Awards on Feb. 28, which will be hosted once again by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, whose gig this year I hope includes some much-needed laughs to it.
Lastly in music for February, there’s new albums by the Foo Fighters, the Weather Station, and a greatest hits release by the Weekend among others. I’m a fan of the music by the Canadian folk band the Weather Station, which is fronted by Tamara Lindeman, so I will pick her new album called “Ignorance” (due out Feb. 5) as my choice this month. She’ll have some live streamed shows starting in March so check her website for those here and her new song “Robber” here. There’s definitely some Joni Mitchell influences to her pretty singing and songwriting.
That’s all for now. I might not be posting much in February due to being away. But I’ll catch you later or on your blogs. Let me know which releases you are most looking forward to and have a great month.
Welcome to California! My husband and I will get our first shot of the vaccine this Friday. Many of my friends, all of us over 65, have gotten theirs too.
Kristin Hannah’s book is already on my TBR. I am also looking forward to Chang Rae Lee’s new one.
This month I am starting my one-long-book-a-month plan. That worked out well for me last year. Currently reading Poland by James Michener.
Hey Judy, great to hear from you! And thanks, it’s great to be in SoCal … traveling is quite an effort these days so I’m relieved I made it. And so glad to hear you will get the vaccine on Friday — that’s terrific!! My folks are on a couple lists so I hope it will be soon. I almost mentioned Chang Rae Lee’s new one, though I read his last one and liked it all right – but wasn’t overly blown by it — but perhaps his new one is even better. It’s good you’re back to the long book a month read. Michener can really do those well and I’m curious what his Poland entails. Enjoy your reads! & let us know about the vaccine.
Love posts like this so thank you! I feel all caught up for February. I want to read Bad Muslim Discount and How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps House.
I hope you have a wonderful month with your parents and enjoy the So Cal weather. My parents both got their first vaccine a couple weeks ago, but are now hearing their second one may be delayed by weeks. Ugh.
Hi Helen, thanks. It’s shaping up to be a good month here. I’m surprised by how warm it was yesterday (this is February?) . Quite a few books out this month. In a surprise we got a call yesterday & were able to get my parents the vaccine yay! Do you really think your parents 2nd one will be delayed? My folks are scheduled for their 2nd one March 3. Good luck in S.B.
I entered a giveaway for the Jones book. It does sound very good. So you made it to California! Today’s weather is spectacular. I hope you are making the most of it. I am not into the teams playing for the Super Bowl but I always watch for the half time show and the commercials and I think I settled on making enchiladas for us to enjoy during the game. This vegetarian thing has me rethinking my Bowl snacks. So glad your parents are signed up for the vaccine. It will be so long before my group comes up. Even with me being in education since we are remote right now there’s no plan to expedite us. However, I do get my 2nd shingles shot next week. I know some people who reacted to #2 so I hope I am not one of them. I had no issues at all with #1. As we age we really don’t know how we will react do we?
Hi Ti, I recall my 2nd shingles shot making my arm less sore than the first shot, so I hope you will have it the same. My folks got their #1 vaccine shot yesterday, yay! We are all excited about that. And it’s nice to plan some snacks a little special for the Super Bowl (your enchiladas sound good). I like watching the ads & half time show too. Making it here and flying into Palm Springs on Monday was quite a thrill … and it’s been so warm this week. I had a bike ride yesterday & it was gorgeous. You guys are spoiled in Calif. Enjoy your week.
Though it will take awhile hopefully the vaccine will eventually bring the Covid situation under control. I am low on the priority list so I will probably not get mine for awhile.
Lots of interesting sounding books coming out. I wish that there was more time to read them.
Hi Brian, there’s not enough hours in our days to read, ha – that’s for sure. My parents ended up getting their first vaccine shot yesterday! And I’m hopeful that things in Calif will start to go down regarding Covid. Fingers crossed for that being the case around the country. Enjoy your week.
So happy you are in CA and helping your parents through the vaccine process. Here for general public it’s 75 and over as of 2/1/21 and my husband was able to get Part 1 of the Moderna vaccine today by appt. He already has part 2 scheduled for 3/3 as well. I’ll be in the next bunch beginning 3/1 for ages 65+.
Can’t wait to get the new Hannah book – I still haven’t read Nightingale but, I did buy a copy so soon! I just finished We Run the Tides as I enjoyed the author’s first book and this new one was a quick coming of age story with a bit of mystery – no review yet.
Oh Diane, I wish that they had given you your vaccine shot yesterday with your husband. In Calif it seems to be everyone 65 & over now can get it. My parents (85) were able to get shot #1 yesterday, yay! We were so pleased. It won’t be long now for you. Fingers crossed it will be pushed up.
Glad you read the We Run the Tides novel – I will watch for your review. The Hannah novel should be a heart-jerker. Enjoy your week.
So good to see your post this afternoon! I’ve been wondering how your trip to CA has been going. I’ll bet it’s nice to be there when it’s not quite as hot as in the summer months.
Oooooh! I didn’t know that The Nightingale was going to be on the big screen. Hooray! I loved that book. I plan to read The Four Winds once all the hype has died down. I may even wait and nominated it for book club for next year. Yes, I can wait that long. I’m anxious to watched The Dry, but don’t know if it’s streamable (is that a word?) in the U.S. Eric Bana will be lovely to watch… And Viggo Mortensen in Falling sounds intriguing. I fell head over heels watching him in The Lord of the Rings. The Father sounds promising with those two amazing actors. Love Olivia Coleman! I better get crackin’ and read Beartown before the series hits HBO.
Thank you for all these previews! Stay safe and enjoy your visit with your folks and the nice SoCal weather.
Thanks Lesley, nice of you to say! Just got here Monday & it’s been warm this week in SoCal – feels like summer in Canada, ha. Quite a whirlwind to be here but I’ll try to make the most of the visit with my folks.
Yeah there’s a lot of movies & books out this month … and Viggo and Eric should light up our screens, ha. I’m not sure I’ll get to see any of these until I get back, but if you see anything good let us know! I didn’t realize that the Fanning sisters were chosen for The Nightingale … so we’ll have to see if they can make the movie version good. take care & have a great week!
Your parents must be so happy to have you ! That picture is beautiful and boy, I’d love to have orange and lemon trees one day at home. Those books look promising but I’m particularly interested by the movie on Billie Holliday and Minari. I hope you’re enjoying your week 🙂
Thanks Iza. It’s been a good week so far. You would love all the citrus & avocados here. My folks have trees all over the property and I’m liking fresh squeezed OJ every morning, woohoo. Hard to believe it’s my same childhood home from many decades ago. I hope you enjoy the movies — I might not see them until I get back but just wanted to organize on what’s out there. Have a great week.
Enjoy SoCal! It’s been years since I’ve been there and I really do miss it. One more thing we want to do once the pandemic slows down or it’s much safer to travel.
I’m loving Bad Muslim Discount so far. You are right – it is nothing like I expected to be and it is much better than I hoped as well. I do have a few minor issues but nothing that’s keeping me away from it.
I read a recent article by Susan Conley about her son’s head injury and gosh – so heartfelt and poignant. I’m not sure how much of the book is influenced by that experience, but I’d definitely like to check it out.
Hi Athira, I’m glad you told me that about Susan Conley — I had not heard that and it seems her new novel must be about that. How tragic about her son’s head injury, how awful. I’ll have to brace myself a bit for the book.
It’s good to hear you’re liking the Bad Muslim Discount novel — it seems offbeat so I hope to like it as well, but I might not get to it for awhile. Just too busy.
SoCal is fabulous and every time I come I enjoy it. It’s where I grew up – so it’s easy & beautiful. take care & enjoy your week!
It’s great that you get to spend so much time with your parents, and I’m sure they’re glad to have you there. Also happy to hear that you’ve got them scheduled for the vaccine. My parents are scheduled for their first doses in NY. We’re trying to get my husband an appointment here in FL, but I’m not eligible yet.
February books… so many I’d like to read this month! Kristin Hannah, of course, but also Landslide and Bad Muslim Discount. This is the first I’ve heard of How the One Armed Sister Sweeps Her House, but that sounds good, too. Maybe one of them will be the February book from my Shelf Subscription!
Hi JoAnn, great to hear from you. I’ll be interested to hear which February book your Shelf Subscription sends you. There’s definitely a lot of good ones out this month. And the good news is: we got a call yesterday and my parents were able to get their first vaccine shot! So we were thrilled. Hope your husband can get his soon. It’s good to be with my parents now. We have some doctor’s appointments to take care of etc. Hope you are all well there. Have a great week.
The title alone makes me want to read How a One Armed Sister Sweeps her house!
I forgot about The Golden Globes! Thanks for the reminder. I love awards season, although it won’t be quite the same this year.
Ha Rachel: you are right about that title! It’s a pretty good one — your comment about it made me laugh. And it seems the award shows will be really different this year. I don’t know what to expect but hope the The GGs will be in some way entertaining. I’m not sure which movies are in running! take care & enjoy!
I just finished reading Kristin Hannah’s Firefly Lane. I had not read anything by her before. This one was okay but didn’t exactly blow me away. I love Jane Harper’s writing and I’m looking forward to reading her new mystery.
My husband and I were lucky enough to get appointments for our first shot of the covid vaccine on Saturday. I read today that the pace of vaccinations has increased and it is hoped that by the end of spring it will begin to turn things around for us. Fingers crossed.
Enjoy your time with your parents. It is precious.
Thanks Dorothy. It’s been busy with my folks here. I was able to get them their first vaccine shot too, which we were very pleased about. I’m glad you both will be getting it this week, way to go! The lines of folks getting them here has been good in Calif. Fingers crossed it turns the tide against CV!
It seems Kristin Hannah went from romance writing earlier in her career to contemporary & historical fiction … it’s more popular fiction than lit etc. Though I have only read The Nightingale. Her fiction can be melodramatic stuff.
Enjoy your reading.
Hi, Susan! Enjoy your stay in SoCal with your parents. My father got the first dose of the vaccine; second dose coming next week. My mother hasn’t gotten a dose yet, but hopefully soon. I’ve seen the Kristin Hannah’s book out there, but I’m not tempted. I’m reading the second entry in Kate Mosse’s “Burning Chambers” series, which came out this month. It is based in 16th century, France, during the Religious Wars between Catholics and Huguenots. I just finished the first entry, which was 610 pages and took me a month to read. The current one has 544 pages. Your post has so much movie releases info that I didn’t know, such as Nomadland being released on Hulu, along with the Billie Holliday movie. I’ve seen a great deal of the movies in contention for awards, so I’m looking forward to many more. ‘Malcom and Marie’ also makes its debut today on Netflix.
Great to hear from you Carmen! I’m glad your father got the vaccine and your mother will soon. Both my parents got the first vaccine on Weds, which was a relief. We must move past CV, though it seems Canada is lagging behind in vaccinations. I have a long ways to go. I hope you are liking the Kate Mosse series / such long books. Would say they’re good historical fiction? I’m still checking out the list of Golden Globe nominations / I still probably have a lot to see, but it might have to wait till I get home in March. Thx for the tip on the Malcom & Marie movie — I just watched the trailer. Looks like some good romance/drama there. Enjoy your February. Do you have a lot of snow there?
February has come in full force. Snowfalls every few days. This week will snow thrice, arghhhh! 😮 I’ve seem most of the movies in contention for awards, but I’m fretting over the ones I have yet to see. Have a nice stay in California and come back renewed. 🙂
Wow Carmen: that seems like a lot of snow! I’m doing quite a few medical appointments & things with my parents so not sure if I’ll be renewed … but the weather here of 60 to 70 F is a lot warmer than Canada, so that is nice! Stay warm.
It is wonderful that you went through all the necessary steps to return to America to help your parents with the vaccine. So good of you.
Thank you for sharing all the wonderful soon-to-arrive books. I tend to be in my own little book world lately, reading (mostly) children’s picture books and classics, but I do want to keep my eyes open for the wonderful. I did not know about The Four Winds, but I’ve just added my name to my library request list (#56…oh dear). I also put in a request for Bad Muslim Discount. I did read two fabulous 2021 pub date books last week which I will highlight soon on Sunday Salon.
New movies/new tv shows are difficult for us, as we have nothing tv-wise except what we can scrounge up via Amazon Prime and Netflix on our Roku. But I will write down your ideas.
Hi Deb, thx, yeah my parents got their #1 vaccine shot so that is a relief. It’s pretty busy here with their care & helping them etc. so I likely won’t get to these books & movies right now but at least they are on my radar. Is the vaccine getting to your area? The Four Winds novel certainly looks dramatic. I hope you enjoy your February & books. Cheers.
Glad you are safe and sound with your parents and that you can help them out for a bit. I just got my dad in for his vaccine this week! So much relief there. My mom can’t leave the house yet so I hope we can get her jab soon, though.
I’m excited for How the One-Armed Woman Sweeps Her House. On hold at the library already. And I’m excited for The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs.
I can vouch for The World to Come. I saw it at the Sundance Film Festival and it was gorgeous and sad but well-worth the watch. I’m very excited for Judas and the Black Messiah, Nomadland, and the Billie Holiday movie. Also Life in a Day 2020 is out on YouTube for free is really good! And the Indian version of Girl on the Train comes out at the end of the month on Netflix and I’m really looking forward to that one.
Enjoy your month of reading, listening, and watching! Stay safe out there.
Thanks Heather. You have good tips on what to watch and read coming out. There’s a lot of new stuff this month and I’ll likely be behind as my visit with my parents is full on here. I’m glad your Dad got the vaccine! And hopefully your Mom soon too. My parents luckily got the first vaccine shot as well. It is a big relief. I’ll stop by your site soon to see what else you saw at Sundance! Hope you are all well there. Enjoy your February!
One of the reasons I love your blog is that I find out about new and fairly new books and TV shows and movies that I need to consider–it’s easy to get stuck in my groove, and so I like reading about fresh stuff.
I wonder if Jane Harper is embarking on a new mystery series, or if this is a one-off. I loved The Dry, and plan to read more in the series soon.
I’ll be reading Beartown in March and maybe watching the series afterwards.
Happy February reading!
Thanks Jane, that’s very nice of you to say. I try to make these Preview posts interesting and it helps me to know what’s coming out.
I have liked a few of Jane Harper’s books … so will eventually get to this new one. I’m curious about The Dry’s move adaptation. Hmm.
Enjoy your reading too!
So much to digest here! I am taking notes.
I loved The Four Winds, and I’m eager to see the movie. Also…Nomadland, based on another book I’ve read.
I am behind on Jane Harper’s books, having only read The Dry…but I do have her second book, Force of Nature, resting patiently on my Kindle.
Enjoy your week, and good luck settling your parents into their new place…whatever you decide upon. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Hey Laurel, I didn’t realize you had already read The Four Winds, awesome … glad you liked it and I hope to get to it. I’m still hoping too to see Nomadland sometime though I don’t think we get Hulu, do you? And thanks for the advice you gave me on your blog about my parents & senior care. It’s not an easy change now. I’m a bit curious of Jane Harper’s new one if it’s any good. Enjoy your week.
I’m pretty sure you wrote a bunch of stuff after “Eric Bana” but I can’t remember what it was. That counts as best news of 2021 so far!
I hope you’re safe and warm in CA. You’re not missing anything up here- grey, cold, snow. Repeat.
I hope you liked Bad Muslim. I thought it was fantastic- so much more than I expected.
Thanks Catherine I’m hoping Bad Muslim will be fun & more now. I like its setting too. And did you ever see Eric Bana in the movie Munich? OMG, he was amazing in that … and he’s been delicious ever since! He’s perfect as Falk, so I’ll have to find the movie someway, somehow. Lol.
The time here in Calif. has been good though just really busy with my folks & their care right now. We will see, there’s more to be done.
Good luck making it thru the cold patch that is February. Ugh. Canada has been frozen solid so I haven’t missed those temps. Cheers.