Hi. I hope everyone is well and had a great holiday. We managed to get through a week of below zero frigid temperatures here, so I mostly tried to stay nice and cozy inside. Things have been quiet and white here. Who knows … maybe people flew to Mexico.
Now we are moving into 2022, woohoo! One of the best things will be having a clean reading slate. New beginnings, new goals, new books. I plan to post a Year in Review sometime soon … to see how my reading went and what I missed. For now, here’s me pictured with my choice of First Book of the Year … Linda Rui Feng’s Swimming Back to Trout River, which came out last May and is by a Chinese-Canadian author. I’m reading it for my book club to discuss in February. I hope it will be good.
Let’s see what else looks good coming out in January. I’m a bit all over the map on what to choose. I see there’s new novels by such notable authors as Hanya Yanagihara, Isabel Allende, and David Guterson among others. These all look tempting, but perhaps first I’ll pick up Thrity Umrigar’s new novel Honor about an Indian American journalist who returns to Mumbai, where she hasn’t lived since a teenager, to report on the tragic story of a Hindu woman whose marriage to a Muslim incited a murder.
It sounds like a bit of a dark tale, but I’ve enjoyed a couple of Umrigar’s novels in the past. She often writes such moving stories about relations and tensions between cultures. Have you read her?
Next up is Nita Prose’s debut novel The Maid about an eccentric 25-year-old hotel maid (Molly Gray) who finds a guest murdered in his bed. It’s said to be a clever and charming mystery with an endearing oddball at its center … who I gather finds herself a suspect in the crime. The author is apparently a long-time editor and is now at Simon & Schuster Canada in Toronto, which is good since I’m always trying to read more Canadian authors.
I don’t read many mysteries, but this one sounds like fun, and author Ashley Audrain calls it just “the smart, quirky, uplifting read we need” right now, so count me in.
I’m curious too about Weike Wang’s novel Joan Is Okay about a thirty-something ICU doctor at a New York hospital, who’s the daughter of Chinese parents who came to the U.S. to give their kids the American dream. But when Joan’s father suddenly dies back in China … a series of events sends Joan spiraling out of her comfort zone just as the pandemic hits. Is Joan okay?
From what I’m hearing it sounds like Joan is quite the character, unfiltered and with a biting wit, also grieving for her father. As author Heidi Pitlor says “Joan is the perfect guide for our troubled times” and another says “readers will find Joan a kindred soul.” So we will see.
As for what’s releasing on screen this month, there’s the new George Clooney-directed movie The Tender Bar (streaming on Jan. 7 on Amazon Prime) adapted from the 2005 memoir by J.R. Moehringer … about a boy growing up on Long Island in the early 1970s that seeks out father figures at his uncle’s bar. Ben Affleck plays the uncle bartender, which might not be a stretch to fathom.
Many liked the memoir, but the movie has gotten pretty low favorable ratings so far. Too bad. I thought its storyline seemed promising. I will likely see it anyways since we get Prime. Maybe it has a good soundtrack?
Then there’s the movie The Tragedy of Macbeth (streaming on Apple+ Jan. 14), which stars Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand in the lead roles in the Shakespeare-based classic. Apparently it’s a stripped-down version shot in black and white and directed by Joel Coen. It’s garnering high praise and will likely get some Oscar nominations.
I’m curious to see it, though I wonder if seeing it at the theater on the big screen might be better than the TV. The sets apparently create a lot of mood and have a foggy atmosphere. If we go, we’ll need to avoid Omicron, which apparently is getting harder these days.
It looks like Netflix has a couple good adaptations out with the movie The Lost Daughter based on the 2008 novel by Elena Ferrante. It stars Olivia Coleman whose beach vacation takes a dark turn when her interest in a young mother and daughter conjure memories from her past. I think it came out in December.
And there’s also the movie Munich: The Edge of War (due out Jan. 21 on Netflix) based on Robert Harris’s 2018 novel about two former friends on a collision course (working on different sides) as they travel to the Munich conference of 1938. It looks pretty decent too, so I guess we gave up a bit prematurely on our Netflix membership. But check it out if you get it.
Perhaps the biggest TV series to premiere this month is the creator of Downton Abbey – Julian Fellowes’s latest historical drama The Gilded Age (starting Jan. 24 on HBO) set during the boom years of 1880s New York City. It looks to be about a wealthy family and stars Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon as aunts to a girl who moves there from Pennsylvania after her father dies. It’s sure to involve much else … about various robber barons I’d gather. And from what I can tell the sets look very gilded indeed. But will it be anywhere as good as Downton Abbey? We will have to wait and see.
Lastly in music this month, there’s new albums by Band of Horses due out Jan. 21 and The Lumineers on Jan. 14 among others. I’ll pick the Lumineers new one Brightside for my choice this month, which is the band’s fourth studio album. And don’t forget Trevor Noah will be hosting the Grammys on Jan. 31 on CBS … if you like to watch the performances.
That’s all for now. Happy 2022 to everyone and thank you for stopping by here this past year! I’ve loved your comments.
Let me know what new releases you are looking forward to … or are reading now. Cheers.
Happy New Year! I hope 2022 treats you well regarding reading/books and personally.
My First Book is The Sweetness of Water, which is good so far.
Thanks Helen. Happy New Year to you too! I’ve had The Sweetness of Water on my list as well … so I’ll be interested to see what you think of it. Enjoy!
What a fabulous list! I see several that I’ll watch for as they become available. I’m especially intrigued by MacBeth.
Have a great New Year… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks Mae … I enjoyed weeding through what was coming out this month. I think the Macbeth looks good! See what you think. Happy 2022 to you!
Susan, our reading tastes are quite similar. I really liked Swimming Back to Trout River; I hope your group likes it as well. I’ll have a post up tomorrow but, my first book is Honor, Umrigar – I’ve only read 50 pages and so far it’s good but, I gather it takes a darker turn soon. I also have Joan is Okay, The Maid and To Paradise on my January list along with a few others. Happy New Year!
Thanks Diane, Happy 2022! I agree I find our reading tastes are always quite similar. So it’s fun to see what you think of the books. I noticed the novel To Paradise is quite long … and seems to cover three time periods … I hope it won’t be too challenging to get through. I’m looking forward to Trout River. Much to read already, cheers!
I have some of those books you mention on my want-to-read list also. I think 2022 is going to be another good year for reading. I plan to continue my laissez-faire philosophy of reading. I’ll be reading whatever appeals to me at the moment.
Happy New Year!
Thanks Dorothy. Happy 2022 to you! Much of the time I actually also follow your laissez-faire approach … I have books on my radar but then I pick up whatever floats my boat at the moment. It’s a system that works well. I try not to get too rigid in what to read. Wishing you a happy start to the New Year.
I have The Maid too.
Wishing you a happy, healthy & safe new year
Thanks Shelleyrae. I hope The Maid is good! Enjoy the New Year! happy reading ….
Looks like you have lots to look forward to this year. I hope 2022 is a happy one for you and your family! 😀
Thanks Lark. I feel more hopeful about 2022. And there’s much to read. Happy New Year to you.
I hope you enjoy Swimming Back to Trout River. I really liked that one. I am looking forward to reading The Maid and really want to read Honor. I love Umrigar Thrity’s novels. I hope you have a great 2022 in books. Happy New Year!
Thanks Literary Feline … and thanks for stopping by! It’s nice to get back in touch. I will check out your site and see what you’re reading. We seem to like the same kinds of books! Happy New Year.
You always come up with books that I’ve never come across before and that totally sound like my cup of tea. Honor and Joan is Okay are examples.
Tender is the Bar or whatever it’s called wasn’t on my radar until I happened to not get around to turning the TV off one night before whichever Jimmy came on after the 10pm ABC news. He was going on about some foul-mouthed kid in New York that he spent a year trying to track down and finally got him on his show and then I guess Ben Affleck saw him on Jimmy’s show and decided right then and there he wanted him for this movie. So now I want to see the movie just because of the kid. But I hope he’s not foul-mouthed in the movie because I don’t find that to be cute at all. LOL
Lost Daughter is high on my list.
Well Jinjer …. I try to weed through the slush pile of new books and surprise you as much as I can, Ha. I hope these novels will be good. Interesting to hear about the Kid in the movie … I plan to see The Tender Bar. I’m curious to see Lost Daughter though we need to renew Netflix to see it … bahh. Happy 2022 to you & Marilyn!
Oh and I’d never heard of the Trout River book either. Adding that one to my TBR as well.
Happy New Year!
ps. We will see about Trout River …. it’s by a Canadian author so that’s why you might not have seen it … But a couple bloggers told me they liked it — so I’m thinking it will be good …. it takes place partly in China. Cheers!
Swimming Back to Trout River sounds interesting, I hope you enjoy it.
I will be starting the year with a cozy mystery titled Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert.
Happy New Year!
Thanks Gretchen …. Happy 2022 to you as well. I will fill you in on the Trout River novel … and stop by your site to see what’s up there. Enjoy your mystery & happy reading. Cheers.
I just finished Crying in H Mart, which was very good, but quite sad. Winter by Ali Smith will be next. I am also tempted to pick up The Maid. I’ve heard it should be cosy crime, but without being overly sweet or cheesy. I will wait for more reviews. Hope you will enjoy Swimming Back to Trout River and whatever else you decide to pick up in January!
Thanks Stargazer. Hopefully we’ll get a good start to reading for the new year. I’m on the library wait list for Crying in the H Mart … it sounds good. Glad you liked it. Much else on my list. Happy reading to you.
I love your planning and thoughtfulness evident in this post. I seemed to slide in 2022 with no plans at all except to read the 6 books assigned to me as a round 2 judge for Cybils Award. Then I will assess what comes next. Happy New Year. My yearly wrap on through my Sunday Salon posts
Hi Anne thanks. I just like to see what’s coming out so I can organize my reading a bit. You sound like you have a lot to read as an Awards judge. I will check out your yearly wrap up — so I’m glad you stopped by. Happy 2022.
Happy new year!!
There’s so many good books and movies out there. I am hoping to go and see a French movie called Delicious about the first restaurannt in France but that might not happen. we’ll see!
Hey Marg – thanks for stopping by. Happy New Year to you too! I haven’t heard of the French movie you mention … but now I’m off to check it out. We were going to the theater for awhile but now have stopped again due to Omicron. Stay well there.
Susan, you always find the best books and movies. Your First Book of the Year sounds promising. I am eager to hear what you think of it. I’ve never read Thrity Umrigar, but I have seen lots of positive talk about her books. I’ve just put in a request for Joan is Okay. I just started Cloud Cuckoo Land but (and why I did this I do not know) I spontaneously gave my copy to my brother to read last night since he liked the author’s other book, All the Light, so much.
I’m quite certain we will look for the Denzel Washington movie. I’m equally sure we will try The Gilded Age.
Thanks for always sharing the best of what you see is coming down the tracks.
Wow thanks Deb, I’m so glad you think these Preview posts worthwhile. I try to make them fun and informational. Too bad you gave away Cuckoo Land, you’ll restart another time. I have put that one off for the time — as it is long. I did like All the Light. And I’m hoping Joan Is Okay is good … though I saw where a blogger thought it was dry. Hmm. We will see. Happy 2022 to you!
I so want to read The Maid – I love hotel settings, there’s a mystery squeezed into it and the character is neurodivergent – so much to love here.
Happy New Year! My first book of the year is There There by Tommy Orange which I’m enjoying.
Thanks Athira, great to hear from you. You’ve had a busy fall & winter! I agree The Maid is looking like a winner … so I need to get my hands on a copy. I recall the audiobook of There There … and there was a lot I liked about the story & the telling … but then the very end just was so Not where I wanted it to go. See what you think. Cheers & Happy 2022.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for the movie/tv tips. I am looking for something new and both The Lost Daughter and Munich sound great.
The Maid also appeals but I am burnt out on mysteries for the time being, so I will put that on my Oct list.
We’re currently dealing with frigid weather in CO, but the snow is so welcome that I am fine with the cold that accompanies it!
Best wishes for a great reading year.
Thanks much Jane. Great to hear from you. I hope you were not close to those fires in Colorado. That looked scary. I was stunned to see a fire like that at this time of year. We are freezing up here and are getting pretty decent snow now. I need to stop by your site soon and see what you’re reading. Happy 2022!
Happy New Year, Susan! I hope your holiday celebrations went well, ours did. Lots of movie releases… I love that! Hopefully I’ll be watching most. I started Beautiful Little Fools a week and a half ago. It’s a January release, but I started watching movies en masse and put the book aside for a few days, something I haven’t done in two years of reading. I’ll get back to it as soon as I finish this comment. Joan is Okay is one of the most awaited releases of the new year, just so you know. 🙂
Thanks Carmen — so glad you stopped by. Christmas went well, quiet but nice. I so appreciate you keeping me on track with books & movies. Did you get a copy of Joan Is Okay? I’m on the library list for it. I didn’t know about the Cantor novel … but I will wait to hear what you think of it. I meant to read the Gatsby inspired novel The Chosen and the Beautiful last year but I still haven’t gotten to it. A lot of Gatsby tales lately right? … from the female perspective. Wishing you a happy start to the New Year!
Happy New Year, Susan! Nice to see your smiling face. I’ve heard good things about Swimming Back to Trout River and I bet you have a good discussion with your book group next month. We chose a fairly light book for January (Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand) and I’ve already read it, so I’m not sure if I’ll read it again, especially since I may have to miss the meeting. Jury duty beckons… My “First Book of 2022” is Stanley Tucci’s “Taste.” I’ve only read a couple of chapters, but it’s very good!
Sorry it’s been so cold up there. We’ve had warm-ish weather, but the wind has kicked up again (73 mph gusts just now) and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we don’t hear any trees falling tonight.
I’ve only read a couple of books by Thrity Umrigar (loved The Space Between Us) and didn’t know about her new novel. It does sound dark, so I’ll wait and hear your thoughts. I wasn’t aware that David Guterson had a new one out, either. I still have a copy of The Other on my TBR shelf… I loved Snow Falling on Cedars, but that’s all I’ve read of his. No, I take that back. I read East of the Mountains, but didn’t think it was as good as SFoC. The Maid sounds like a fun mystery. I may get a copy for my mom and read it when she’s finished. Joan Is Okay sounds like it might be a fun audiobook. The description makes me think of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, which as a great audiobook. I never did get around to reading The Tender Bar and now that the movie is about to come out, I probably will just watch that. My mom and I just quit watching The Lost Daughter a few minutes ago. We watched maybe an hour and decided it was too sad and dark to continue. I may finish watching on my own in a few days…
I love your informative preview posts. Thanks so much!
Oh thanks much Lesley, I’m so glad you like these preview posts. They sort of organize me in a way. I hope your huge trees are still standing there. We are onto our second week of below 0F weather, sigh. It’s like being in Quarantine, ha.
Sounds like you are enjoying Tucci’s Taste. I enjoyed a few of his TV food shows in Italy. And Major Pettigrew was a good one! Thx for letting me know about The Lost Daughter movie … it’s probably too dark & sad for me! I might skip it … especially since we don’t get Netflix at the moment. How’s your Peloton bike going? I wish we had more space in our house for a small gym with a bike! Happy 2022!
I’m not riding the Peloton as much as I did when I first got, as I prefer to walk outside unless it’s raining or too windy. I will use it today since the wind is still blowing (got up to 89 mph last night) and it’s not safe to walk on the paths. 🙁
All that wind would make me a wreck. I think the Peloton bike would be good for my terrible knees … pedaling might help. Enjoy it. & Stay safe off the paths till the wind disappears. 🙂
Happy New Year & thanks for the book recs. The Maid and Joan is Okay sound good. I remember really liking The Tender Bar when I read it. It seems as if it came out before the huge uptick in memoir writing in past years (same time as Mary Karr’s The Liars’ Club). I also recently read Andre Agassi’s autobiography which was supposedly ghost-written by the Tender Bar’s author, JR Moehringer, which was quite good. I’m sorry the film version isn’t turning out too well — it was a poignant story with a real cast of characters. I have to get to The Lincoln Highway this month for my book group and am looking forward to it. I have loved other Amor Towles’ novels — the only one I have missed is his 2019 You Have Arrived at Your Destination. Haven’t heard anything about that one but his others were hard to put down.
I will continue my goal of reading more nature writing and ended 2021 with the excellent Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard about her pivotal and significant research about how trees communicate and care for each other and the forest as a whole and how these findings could/should! revolutionize the logging industry. She is based in British Columbia and there are many locations in the book that made me think of you and the beautiful forests in your “backyard.”
Lots more to read in 2022!
Thanks for this good info. Agassi’s memoir was the talk of the town when it came out … I read it. Quite a bit of dirt in there that he hated tennis and wore a wig and always had to hit against the Green Montster ball machine … among many other things. I did not read The Tender Bar but did read The Liar’s Club. I plan to watch the T.B. movie. I hadn’t heard of that Towles book Arrived at Your Destination. I will get to the Lincoln Highway sometime. I remember you talking about Suzanne Simard … I will look her up. B.C. has been taking a hit lately: first severe fires, then the severe floods. We like the Nelson, BC area but haven’t been back since 2020. Many places to visit after covid. Enjoy your reading this month!
Awesome, new Lumineers music! I haven’t listened to them since my laptop died a few months ago. I had a bunch of their songs saved on it. I hope you enjoy all these books/music/tv things! Happy 2022.
Thanks AJ. Glad you like the Lumineers. Good tunes. Happy 2022 to you as well. Cheers.