Greetings, we are headed into March, which I hope should improve the weather here. It was a very cold February — below 0 degrees Fahrenheit on many days, so I am happy to leave February in the rearview. With a bit more light and warmth, March should bring a hint of spring, or at least that’s my hope. Still February saw my second 5 star book of the year (rounded up from 4.5), which was Edward Carey’s novel “Little,” so it wasn’t all bad — (James Baldwin’s “If Beale Street Could Talk” being my first in January). And this week we are headed to NYC so we are quite excited. I haven’t been to the Big Apple since the 1990s so there’s much to see and do. If you don’t hear from me for a while, it’s just because I am away for several glorious days.
For those who watched the Oscars, I hope you had a fun evening. I liked the surprises, especially actress Olivia Coleman’s win in “The Favourite” as well as Rami Malek for Best Actor in “Bohemian Rhapsody” (no offense to either Glenn Close or Christian Bale who missed getting Oscars but are always quite excellent.) The supporting role wins were great too with Regina King winning for “If Beale Street Could Talk” and Mahershala Ali for “Green Book.” Ali is terrific and I’m digging him in the HBO TV series “True Detective” these days.
I wouldn’t have minded if Spike Lee had won Best Director for “BlackKklansman” instead of Alfonso Cuaron for “Roma,” or if “RBG” had won Best Documentary instead of “Free Solo,” but I guess you can’t win them all. Of the movies featured, I was glad “Green Book” won for Best Picture and thought some of the criticism surrounding the film for being a feel-good story about race relations has been a bit harsh. I heard some relatives of the real Dr. Don Shirley played by Mahershala Ali in “Green Book” are not pleased with the film saying it distorts history and focused on the white guy. I don’t fault or dispute them, but still think the “Green Book” story of the real life friendship between the pianist and his driver against the backdrop of the Jim Crow laws was effective and revealing from what I saw in the film. What did you think?
As for what’s coming out in March, there’s a plethora of new novels due out, including ones from such well-known authors as: Lisa See, Dave Eggers, and even a posthumous story from Sylvia Plath, written when she was a student at Smith College in 1952. Not sure Plath would like them digging out her old stuff but you know how these things go. Meanwhile I will choose Lisa See’s new one about an ancient guild of women divers on an island off the South Korean coast, who risk their lives harvesting oysters, sea slugs, and octopi from the sea and see their way of life change over the decades. The story involves a female friendship, family secrets and a betrayal, while depicting challenges faced by Koreans over the course of the 20th century. Who better than author Lisa See to depict their way of life? Her impeccable research and stories of friendship always seem to leave a mark on you.
Next up I’ll go with the consensus and pick Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel “Daisy Jones and the Six” about an iconic 1970s (fictional) rock group that topped the charts and sold out stadiums … only to break up suddenly. What was behind their rise and fall? Oh yes, I’ll need to find out. Are you kiddin’ …. a story about sex, drugs, rock and roll set in clubs along the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles with a storyteller like this … I’m not going to miss it. But I have heard a few bloggers say the structure of the novel, which is told solely through transcribed interviews, takes some time getting used to. Kirkus Reviews says the way it’s told distracts from the storytelling and often feels gimmicky. Darn. Still for those nostalgic for the 1970s music scene, it’s said to be quite appealing and is already a popular read.
I’m also curious about Candice Carty-Williams’s novel “Queenie” since it sounds like a bit of fun while being timely too — about a modern black woman searching for meaning in today’s world. The story follows Queenie Jenkins, a Jamaican-British woman, who after a messy breakup with her long-time white boyfriend, goes into a tailspin of making one bad decision after another. She eventually confronts her crisis with psychotherapy. Apparently the novel is said to have a boldness and honesty about it and doesn’t shy away from the messiness of sexual relationships and racial justice issues, so says Publishers Weekly. Kirkus Reviews calls it a black Bridget Jones. Well, is it or not? I will definitely have to find out.
Next I’ll choose Peter Heller’s fourth novel “The River,” about two college friends whose friendship is tested when their late summer canoe trip in northern Canada turns perilous by an advancing wildfire, white water, and violence. Ahh this could be just the outdoors story I need midwinter … with a bit of action thrown in. I have read Peter Heller’s 2012 novel “The Dog Stars” as well as his 2014 novel “The Painter,” which were both decent. He likes to write western, male outdoorsy, wilderness kind of tales, and usually he can deliver the goods. This one reminds me only slightly of two river stories made into films: “The River Wild” with Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon and “Deliverance” with Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty, which still gives me the chills.
Lastly in books for March is a tie between Siri Hustvedt’s new novel “Memories of the Future,” which seems semi-autobiographical, and a debut novel by Andrea Rothman called “The DNA of You and Me” about a “bittersweet love story set within the cut-throat world of academic research,” so says Publishers Weekly. I’m a bit torn as I have read Siri Hustvedt before and her novels are always quite thought-provoking, often about memory — this one being about a midwestern girl’s first year in New York in 1978 as she tries to write a novel … and then forty years later as a veteran author finding her notebook from then and trying to connect with her prior self. Hmm. Or Rothman’s book about a driven female scientist who is forced to take a hard look at her future after a relationship with her lab partner. Both novels are garnering praise on Goodreads, so take your pick.
As for movies in March there looks to be a fun one called “Gloria Bell” starring Julianne Moore playing a free-spirited divorcee who, after her daytime office job, likes to let loose at dance clubs around L.A … until she stumbles into a romance with Arnold played by John Turturro that complicates matters.
Oh hooray, what we could use about now is something light and fun — and perhaps this is it. Turturro is often endearing in his roles, such as Jesus Quintana in “The Big Lebowski” and Julianne Moore looks to be having a ball in this role, so what’s not to like?
There’s also another sailboat movie, and my spouse, being a sailing enthusiast, often makes us see all these. This new one is called “Styx” about an ER doctor who embarks on a one-woman solo sailing trip — oh why do they do this to me — to an island in the Atlantic who must make a momentous decision when she comes across a sinking ship of refugees on the high seas. Uh-oh. One reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes likened it to Robert Redford’s survival /sailing film “All Is Lost” with a spinning moral compass. I don’t know the actress Susanne Wolff, who plays the sailor in “Styx,” but she’s German and seems fit for the role. We will see how she fares solo in the vast Atlantic.
Meanwhile I might not be able to pass up Matthias Schoenaerts in “The Mustang” — a film produced by Robert Redford — about a violent convict who is given the chance to participate in a rehabilitation program involving the training of wild mustangs. The trailer for it looks pretty powerful and the hunky actor has been quite enticing ever since his role in the movie “Rust and Bone” in 2012.
In “The Mustang,” both character and horse seem to become tamed by each other through much hard work … and the cinematography looks to be quite stunning. So what more do you want? Just beware: it’s a bit of a tough prison drama.
Lastly in albums for March, I have my eye on new ones by American singer-songwriters Jenny Lewis and Patty Griffin as well as British musician David Gray. Wow it looks to be a great month for tunes. I’ll pick Lewis’s fourth solo album “On the Line” as my choice this month. She’s a bit of a bold girl with her album covers, wouldn’t you say?
That’s all for now. What about you — which releases are you most looking forward to this month?
I am glad that March is almost here. We have had a mild winter here in New York but I am still looking forward to spring. Daisy Jones and the Six sounds good. I am a rock fan and love a good rock story. I have also heard that Salmon Rushdie’s The Ground Beneath Her Feet was a very good book about a fictional rock band.
Thanks Brian. Now you have me interested in the Rushdie novel too. I like rock and roll stories! I will check for it.
We were the odd ones out in the fact that we didn’t love Bohemian Rhapsody. I’m excited about the new Lisa See book.
Yeah Kathy: Lisa See’s new book looks good. Hope it is! I think mainly we just thought the actor was good trying to portray Freddie Mercury.
February and ALL of winter can’t be over fast enough for me. I know my winters are nothing compared to yours, but still I’m done!
I’m going to jump on the Daisy Jones bandwagon. I absolutely loved the book, couldn’t wait to review it, so have already posted the review. Queenie looks very interesting, but I feel like I want a couple of readers I trust to read it first.
Have a fabulous time in NYC! Such a wonderful city.
Thanks Susie. So far we are having a ball in NYC! I’m so glad you liked the Daisy Jones novel, woohoo! I definitely like rock band stories so I look forward to it.
That book set in the 70s. I grew up in the 70s right on the Sunset Strip. It’s a huge part of my life story. I had no idea that book was set during that time frame.
I am SO looking forward to the Heller book. It was offered to me. I said yes but we’ll see if it comes.
We had snow last week for a day. Snow. And this week it’s warmer, mid-40s in the early morning. I can feel it shifting into spring.
Hi Ti: unreal that you got snow in SoCal, wow that’s crazy. I’m glad you will check out the Heller novel. I hope it will be good. It seems you should also check out the Daisy Jones novel. You’ll enjoy the L.A. setting!
February sure did live up to its moniker as the hardest month. There is a great early Dar Williams song about that.
Lisa See is always a winner for me and a fav of several of my reading groups. She never fails to teach me lots while being so very readable. I too am eyeing the Daisy Jones book. The 70s were my own (first) performing decade! As far as DNA and academic research goes, that looks interesting, especially since I just finished Generosity by Richard Powers, on a similar topic, but I never miss my beloved Siri Hustvedt.
Have fun with your sailing book and movie. I know you love those. Have big fun in NYC!
Thanks for the heads up on Patty Griffin. I love her!
Thanks Judy, having much fun in NYC. I feel like a fish out of water here … but that’s good sometimes. I think you will have to get to the Hustvedt novel, See’s new one, as well as Daisy Jones. Maybe the DNA novel too. Ha. March releases are looking pretty good. Patty Griffin is great so I’m looking forward to her new songs, woohoo!
Enjoy NYC! That’s a city I love. 🙂 One of the worst weeks of the winter may be coming next week; some places are expected to report a 40 degrees dive in temps. I read a glowing review of Daisy Jones and the Six, by a blogger I follow, earlier this year. Lisa See’s novel sounds good too. I’ll be reading either Washington Black or Warlight, still not sure which.
I have not seen Green Book yet, nor BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star is Born or The Wife. I was not happy with Olivia Colman’s win. The Favorite is one of the most boring and mediocre movies of the year in my opinion. If it would have been up to me, I would have given the Best Actress award to Melissa McCarthy. From what I have read, Rami Malek’s performance is worth the admission ticket, however tame the treatment of Freddie Mercury may have been. RBG certainly has a wider appeal than Free Solo; it helps that she has become a pop culture icon of sorts, so I wouldn’t have minded to see the documentary based on her legal career win the award. My favorite documentaries of the year were not even nominated, and there were several great ones last year to choose from, several of which I reviewed.
I saw the trailer of Gloria Bell when I visited the cinema in December; it looks like a fun movie with great music and great performances. Matthias Schoenaerts is a favorite of mine. I loved him in Rust and Bone and Far From the Madding Crowd. The Mustang sounds a bit like Viggo Mortensen’s Hidalgo. I’m game for Styx too. I love German Cinema.
Wow thanks Carmen, for your astute comments! Loving NYC so far. I felt sorry for Glenn Close — it definitely seemed her year to win. But she handled it well. She is a classy lady. I still hope to see the McCarthy movie. I think I could use a fun movie about now like perhaps Gloria Bell. I wonder if Styx will get out to where we are? Not sure if it will have wide distribution but I hope so. We are on the same wavelength about Schoenaerts 🙂 His new one looks like another drama of pain & hardship!
He is very good in those. 🙂
I saw The Wife. Glenn Close gave a tour de force performance, but the movie itself is forgettable. I gave it a four stars rating though, because of her. Still, I liked Melissa McCarthy better, probably because her movie is more nostalgic and quirky.
Good to know Carmen. Glad you saw it. I found it interesting, just the forces of why that would happen for a female writer in past decades. I just saw in NYC the foreign film Cold War which was a bit different than we thought it would be. Still my hub liked it better than Roma. Hmm.
I’m really looking forward to the new Lisa See book. Hope NYC is fun.
Thanks Diane. NYC has been fun. Hope you will like the See book.
I want to read the Lisa See book about the Korean divers. I saw a documentary on them during the Olympics and I was fascinated.
I’d like to invite you to join my new reading challenge. Check it out: ‘My Own Books’ Reading Challenge
Hi Anne: I will stop by and check out your reading challenge. There’s good buzz about Lisa See’s new one about the Korean divers. I look forward to it too.
Enjoy your trip to NYC—I’m going the last week of March and cannot wait.
I’ve only read one book by Peter Heller, Celine, which I didn’t care for, but I’ve heard good things about The Dog Stars. I like the premise of The River—hope it turns out good for you.
You’re the second blogger to mention Little this week, which is a sure sign I should check it out.
Hi Jane: funny you are going to be in NYC too. You will get warmer temps then. It’s been a great trip. Lots to do & see here. I remember your Celine review so I stayed away from that Heller book …. but I’m really hoping his new one is going to be good. I’m on a wait list for it. The novel Little was quite an epic and I think since you like Dickens you would like the storytelling in it. The character reminded me a “little” of Oliver Twist. Ha.
You are going to love Daisy Jones- I just know it! I finished this morning and thought it was fabulous. I am on such a streak of awesome reading that I am waiting for the bottom to fall out for the rest of my March TBR. The books I’m most looking forward to are: The Other Americans and A People’s History of Heaven.
I think The Mustang looks like it could be difficult, but worth it.
Have a fantastic time in NYC. Take lots of pictures!
Thanks Catherine. We just got back from NYC and had a really great time, wow! I might have to try BookExpo there in 2020. Hmm. Your picks for March look good: The Other Americans I’ve seen. So glad too — to hear that you loved Daisy Jones, woohoo! Sounds like a great rock and roll tale, waiting to be devoured. I’m there!
I hope to see Green Book at some point, and I’m looking forward to Julianne Moore’s new movie.
I loved the RBG documentary. I also really enjoyed the movie On the Basis of Sex, and I’ve been buying Notorious RBG mugs and T-shirts…LOL.
I liked Daisy Jones and the Six, but didn’t love the writing format. It wasn’t a smooth read for me. But I loved the story.
Enjoy your March reading and watching, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Thanks Laurel. I’m glad you let me know your thoughts on Daisy Jones. I plan to get to it. I hope you see Green Book sometime. I too loved the RBG doc. We got to see the new Julianne Moore film! It looks fun.