We’ve made it to July, woohoo. June flew by in a blur. We had some nice days but in general it was a pretty rainy month. It’s made things very green and lush here, which is nice and hopefully will keep us away from wildfires … though it seems now we are still looking for the real summer summer, which hopefully will come in July, since it’s usually the warmest month of the year. Meanwhile I hope everyone is staying safe … the pandemic news from the States is not looking good and some areas seem to be close to getting out of control … good gracious, be careful everyone.
Over the weekend, my husband had a nice sail with a group on a lake in southern Alberta. It was fun to go and see the Laser boats race along and we all met up at the other end of the lake for lunch — albeit socially distanced. Since much of where we live rests between the prairies and the foothills, there is often a good wind here. And we had wind part of the day though it later died in the afternoon, which was a bit surprising for that area. So the boats were eventually towed part of the way back after a couple hours. Go figure … we usually have too much wind, so this outcome was rather an anomaly.
Upon driving back we faced a pretty heavy thunderstorm. Good grief we thought we’d be hailed on, which can cause a lot of damage, but luckily we slipped past the worst of it and had more trouble with the high levels of water on the road. All turned out okay in the end, knock on wood. Meanwhile, I hope everyone has a sunnier and safe Independence Day ahead … whether on Canada Day or on July 4th. And now let’s discuss what new releases are coming out this month.
There seem to be a lot of new novels to choose from, so Covid appears not to have caused too many delays. Of these I’m curious to read Maggie O’Farrell’s upcoming historical novel “Hamnet” (due out July 21) that delves into the little-known backstory behind Shakespeare’s most famous play about his son who was lost to the plague.
The novel apparently imagines the life of Shakespeare’s family surrounding these events without ever mentioning the bard’s name, in which his wife Agnes is the central character and he is the Latin tutor who is destined for better things. It’s said to be a compelling tale of grief and family bonds set in 1580 England, where the plague is spreading across the land. I haven’t read this notable Irish-British author yet, so this seems a good opportunity.
Next is British author David Mitchell’s new novel “Utopia Avenue” (due out July 14) about the turbulent life and times of a British band that emerges from London’s music scene in 1967 … as a ragtag group of four unforgettable characters assembled as a psychedelic-folk-rock supergroup.
Hmm, I admit I hesitate at the novel’s length of nearly 600 pages, but if you’re a fan of rock ’n roll kind of novels like me, you’ll probably want to dive in regardless. It’s definitely a commitment but is said to have plenty of rewards and is from the award-winning author of such novels as “Cloud Atlas” and “The Bone Clocks.”
For an action crime thriller, I’m looking at S.A. Cosby’s novel “Blacktop Wasteland” about a down-on-his luck father and husband who’s pushed to the limit by poverty, race, and his own former life of crime into taking a job as a getaway driver in a jewelry heist with people he doesn’t trust. Uh-oh.
It’s a novel that comes highly praised on Goodreads and is said to include some high-octane action scenes and car chases, which could very well make it the heist thriller of the summer. (The plot reminds me very slightly of the 2018 movie “Widows” for some reason, remember that?) So if you need a page-turner and an escape read for the back deck, perhaps this is it.
I’m also curious about Emma Donoghue’s new novel “The Pull of the Stars” set in Dublin in 1918 at the height of the Spanish flu — about a nurse in an understaffed hospital who is joined in the maternity ward by two other women whose lives change while they work tirelessly to save and usher in lives.
Like she did with her bestselling novel “Room,” Donoghue is said to find the light amid the darkness in this tale, which apparently is well researched and does justice to the harsh realities of the pandemic and poverty that helped fuel it. Some think it might be her best book since “Room,” so I guess we’ll just have to find out.
Last but not least, is Jill McCorkle’s novel “Hieroglyphics” (due out July 28) — narrated by four alternating characters — about an octogenarian couple, Lil and Frank, who retire in North Carolina where Frank grew up, and a single mother (Shelley) and her boy who live in Frank’s old house. Keen on touring the house, Frank’s visits there trigger Shelley’s memories of her family that she had hoped to keep buried … but now emerge.
It’s a novel that apparently delves into family ties and the burden of secrets across generations. I have not read McCorkle before, but her storytelling with her past books seems revered and worth exploring.
As for movies in July, the live Broadway musical production of “Hamilton” filmed in 2016 with most of the original cast will be released digitally on Disney+ on July 3. I still haven’t seen it so maybe this is my chance to watch Lin-Manuel Miranda as the Founding Father. The film version is said to live up to all the hype, so the critics say. Did you see it on Broadway?
I also like the looks of Tom Hanks’s new WWII film “Greyhound,” releasing on Apple TV on July 10, that follows Hanks as a U.S. Commander on his first war-time assignment to lead an Allied convoy through waters patrolled by Nazi U-boats in early 1942.
It’s based on the 1955 C.S. Forester novel called “The Good Shepherd” and was filmed aboard the USS Kidd in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and on the HMCS Montréal of the Royal Canadian Navy. Busy Tom Hanks has surely been in his share of WWII films, and look for him this Christmas in the movie version of Paulette Jiles’s western novel “News of the World.” Oh my. Here is my post of that book.
Another enticing looking WWII movie — “Summerland” — is due out digitally on July 31 — about a reclusive British writer on the seaside cliffs of Southern England who’s left to take in a young London evacuee due to the Blitz, which she’s initially resistant to do.
It was written by the British playwright Jessica Swale and stars Gemma Arterton as the writer who, I gather, eventually comes around in a heartwarming way. We’ll see. Perhaps it’s a bit similar in that regard to “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” movie … if you saw and liked that one.
As for music coming out in July, there’s new albums by such notable artists as: Rufus Wainwright, the Jayhawks, the Pretenders, Lori McKenna, Alanis Morissette, and the Chicks (formerly known as the Dixie Chicks), whose album “Gaslighter” is my pick this month. Apparently it’s been 14 years since the group’s last album. Hard to believe. It seems good of the band to change its name recently in light of the renewed spotlight on racial inequalities, abandoning “Dixie” due to it often being a nostalgic nickname of the Civil War-era South … especially since the group appears to be a pretty active politically/socially conscious band. As for the word “chicks” … ha, you might not like that too much either.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases this month are you looking forward to?
I am happy that it is summer. I am looking forward to the holiday.
Here in New York, where we had the worst of Covid it is disappearing. Most things are reopening. Many politicians got overconfident elsewhere. While I would say that would be a danger here, our governor, Andrew Cuomo is very aggressive with this. If there is any sign of it retuning it seems clear that he will lock things down and he will do it quickly.
Have a great July.
Thanks Brian. Yeah I’ve been watching Cuomo on the news … he seems to be trying hard to keep the cases from gaining there. Not sure what will happen with the country, hoping for the best. Have a great holiday wknd and stay well!
Loved your story about the sailing day!
I want to read most of the books you have previewed here.
Looks like my local indie will be making more money off of me, since we still have no libraries open except for a couple with curbside pickup. Spending money on books has been the best therapy for me in these months.
Enjoy your summer!
Thanks Judy. Yeah it seems I’m mostly getting ebooks thru the library these days … b/c not sure what’s happening with the print books. I think it’s nice you are keeping the local indie bookstores happy. I hope real summer will come soon here. It’s such a short season to begin with.
The books and movies all look good! And I love the photo you took of the thunder storm; we don’t get those in southern California so I am always jealous when I see the images.
Hi Helen thanks. That thunderstorm was major and we were worried for a bit but made it through. The dark cloud turned awesome & black. Lately we’ve had a storm everyday at late afternoon. Kaboom! Enjoy your week.
I, too, am looking forward to Hamnet and I might give that Cosby book a look. I’m a fan of the “Chicks'” music. They can call themselves whatever they want.
Hi Dorothy, yeah I want to see if the Cosby book is the real deal, also Hamnet. I think it’s good of the Chicks to change their name in light of what’s going on. They are a politically conscious group with their songs so it makes sense. I like their music too. I haven’t played them in awhile … so I should put on their tunes.
Those releases look fantastic. PBS just released a 2-part documentary on the history of women’s right to vote in the US. I’m very much looking forward to that this weekend. Enjoy your Canada Day!
Hey thanks Heather. We had a nice Canada Day … and plan to keep the flag out all weekend. My husband has a few days off but we decided to stay put. Glad to hear about the PBS doc, which I will look to see if I can get here. I hope you have an enjoyable 4th!
The Pull of Stars looks really good.
Everything here is closing down again. It was inevitable. People were not using their heads and they keep insisting the virus is a hoax. Don’t even get me going.
Tom Hanks can do no wrong… except Joe vs. The Volcano which was the most horrible movie ever.
We are just trucking along. My son is busy at his new job. Hope it remains open. He and his roommates have been enjoying an old past time, the drive-in movie theatre. He’s seen many movies and will be going there on July 4th as well. The girl is busy preparing for college auditions. SO busy with dance and monologues and singing.
Me? Just trying to pick books that will take me out of my head. So far, succeeding.
Books that take one out of one’s head are good. Ha I had to laugh about the Tom Hanks movie you mention … luckily I missed that one, sounds dreadful. But lately he seems on a roll.
The virus hoax people do drive me nuts. Do they think the obituaries are fake? Now, as you mention, things are getting worse … due to such people who don’t care or aren’t being safe etc.
Your kids sound busy — but in ways perhaps that is good. I wish your daughter all the best with her auditions etc. Stay well this 4th!
Wow! That storm front reminds me of what we used to get in Nebraska. I know all about hail damage. My Subaru had quite a bit after a storm and our house had terrible roof damage another year.
I haven’t heard of most of the books you shared, but I did get the audiobook of Emma Donoghue’s latest. I can’t wait to give it a listen! I would love to watch Tom Hanks in Greyhound, but we don’t have Apple TV. I wish the film industry would distribute films across more platforms. Grrr. Summerland sounds good, too!
Have a great July and stay safe!
Thanks Lesley: it sounds like you know about hail damage. Awful. Luckily we’ve avoided it so far. But a few storms this month have been wicked, like pitch black. I’m glad you already have the Donoghue audiobook, nice! The movies I’ll have to see if we can get — not sure yet. Hmm. Enjoy your July!
I like the sound of Summerland. Will have to take a look and see whether we can watch it anywhere!
Enjoy your July!
Thanks Marg, yeah I think Summerland will be enjoyable. I really liked the movie version of Potato Peel Society and I think this might be similar. Happy July to you.
I have taken notes on the movies I want to see, Summerland and Greyhound. Thanks!
The Pull of the Stars looks good, too.
I love the sailing photos. Enjoy your week!
Thanks Laurel, yeah hopefully some of these movies & books will keep us busy. The sailing trip was a good adventure. Hope you have a good week too.
I have not been keeping up with new releases so I’m glad to see that Emma Donoghue has a new book out. I loved Room but I also read it before I had kids, so I know I won’t be able to read it now. Pull of the Stars sounds very good though.
I’d really love to read any of David Mitchell’s book. I feel that I will actually enjoy it but it’s the size that turns me away. So we’ll see which one I choose to read.
All that sailing sounds like fun! We haven’t had any kind of vacation since the virus started. Would be very nice to spend some time at a beach or lake, if not for the possibility of those places getting crowded.
Yeah Athira — the sailing was really nice to see — we only had to drive a couple hours to get there. I’m still trying to figure out how to get to my parents in California but not looking good flight wise. I think I plan to get to the Donoghue novel this summer. The length of the Mitchell book does throw me off too! Hope you are having a great weekend.
Sailing!! There were several smaller regattas each summer on our lake in NY. It’s strange not seeing those boats out the window here. Not sure whether they’re still having the races, but we’re hoping to see one if they do. We’re planning to visit my family later this month before going to CT for 6 weeks.
Didn’t know Emma Donoghue had a new book, but The Pull of the Stars looks really good!
Hey JoAnn: good to hear from you. The Pull of the Stars could be a winner — I’ll have to see if I can get a hold of a copy. And I miss your annual migration back to the NY lake a bit — but I can tell your Sanibel decision was right. Gosh it’d be good to see more boats. It’s nice if you can take a road trip this summer. We are also thinking of doing the same. Hmm. maybe August.
Thanks for the good book ideas. Hamnet should be great, but not sure I need a book about that kind of grief now. We watched Hamilton last night (Clare has Disney Plus) and it was terrific. I had seen it live on Broadway and also in SF and the taped production somehow matches up very well — the live versions are really explosive and energy-packed and you do get a sense of that. It helps to have read Chernow’s Hamilton and/or know the history, but fortunately now one can re-watch it to pick up on details lost in the fast-paced action the first time around. C & J were both eager to watch it again another time. I think after a hiatus of 14 years, the “Chicks” could have picked any other name and sold just as much music, etc. It seems like they did miss a chance to be even more thoughtful.
Oh great report on Hamilton! We are very interested to see it but don’t think we get Disney Plus … so we’ll have to check into ways here to get it. So glad you all got to see it again. Speaking of Chernow, Robert is really liking his book on Rockefeller called Titan, which he reads like a Bible. ha. Saying it’s his favorite book etc. I agree about the Chicks. The name doesn’t do much for me … but we’ll see about the music.
I’m glad that you’re doing fine and going out more due to the summer. That sailing trip sounded awesome, less the storm, of course. I read Utopia Avenue and liked it a great deal. It did not feel that long, tbh. I haven’t read any Donoghue novel, but I’d like to start at some point. The movies you mention sound good. I’m still watching a healthy dose of the 2019 crop plus some from 2020. Have you seen Da 5 Bloods? It was very good, as was The Gentlemen. I still have to finish Emma but did not like it as much as the previous one with Gwyneth Paltrow. I recommend a debut novel titled Crossings by Alex Landragin–TBR on July 28. I liked it a great deal and it is different in more ways that I can say.
Hey Carmen: thanks for your insights. Great to hear from you. Yeah summer is a bit more active now and the cases here are low. I remember you had read Utopia Avenue – which I’m glad you liked and that it didn’t feel overly long. I’ll look into Crossings as I think I saw that one and it looked good. We did watch half of Da 5 Bloods … and will likely see the rest soon. Not sure about it yet — but perhaps it picks up. How have you been doing? & your mother? Hope all is well there.
Thanks for asking. We’ve done OK, but my mother is now on temporary layoff. Our state has kept the cases to tolerable levels, praise God and the health/government authorities who have done their best to restrict travel and big congregations of people, of course our state does not attract those big vacationing crowds, so that’s a plus too.
Da 5 Bloods may be an acquired taste. I liked it a lot, but my father didn’t make it to half. Bad Education is very good too; one of the gems of this year. It is streaming on HBO Max and Google Play if you are interested.
Ooh, I forgot to say that I saw Shirley too. It was quite good–3.5* from me; it’s quirky, different, and a little on the dark side.
Thanks Carmen for your takes on these. I have not seen them yet. And I’m so glad you & your mother are doing all right though I’m sorry to hear about her layoff. I hope it won’t be for too too long, though I am glad she’s safe. I’m still trying to see my folks in Calif. More on that to come.
I seem to have acquired no knowledge of what is going on in the book and movie world. Thank you for updating me. Tom Hanks is always a safe bet for me, and I’m always interested in World War II.
David Mitchell is a wonderful writer but I’m no fan of big books. I’ll see what you think before deciding. Emma Donoghue is always good, too.
Have a good week.
Thanks Deb, I’m trying to keep up with what’s coming out though I’m not always successful either. My mind is definitely distracted during Covid and I’m planning a trip to try and see my folks in Calif. More on that later. Hope you stay well.
I was thinking of getting Apple TV just to see that Tom Hanks movie! I think there’s a crime show on Apple as well that I’ve heard good things. So maybe I’ll binge watch all of those soon with a free trial…
I’m looking forward to the new tell-all book coming out tomorrow on Trump. Overall, I don’t pay attention to what’s coming, just what’s newly out. So I appreciate the updates on what you’re looking forward to!
Yeah we watched the Tom Hanks WWII movie last night and it was quite action-packed as their convoy is under siege! It seemed worth seeing. I hope all these tell-all books on Trump … will push the tide against him to be voted out of office! I try to keep up on new releases … just to sort of know what’s out there … glad I can help in some regard. Enjoy your reads!