March Preview

We’ve made it to March already. The days are flying by and the weather seems to be turning. It’s been good spending time with my parents in Southern California, and on Wednesday I’ll take them to get their second vaccine shot. Later in the week I’ll be headed back to Canada, which I hope will let me back in … if I follow all the rules and hoops they have set up for returning residents. I have my dog and husband on the other side of the border who I haven’t seen in like five weeks. 

As for what’s coming in March, I hope it’s a greater supply and distribution of vaccines. The new Johnson & Johnson shot seems promising and should cover a lot of people. While such annual events as the Indian Wells pro tennis tournament have been postponed, other events like the NCAA’s March Madness basketball and the Miami Tennis Open will be going ahead this month … as will the Grammys on March 14. The Academy Awards have been pushed to April. So enjoy these events if you can. 

As for what novels are coming out in March, there’s a lot. I have been weeding through my choices this month. And I know authors Viet Thanh Nguyen (“The Sympathizer”) and Imbolo Mbue (“Behold the Dreamers”) have their follow-up novels coming out, though it seems their new ones — Nguyen’s “The Committed” and Mbue’s “How Beautiful We Were” — aren’t getting as much love or praise as their debuts did. Darn, that happens sometimes as their first books, which I loved, were truly terrific, making their second books hard acts to follow. I will likely still get to them, but I’m looking at a few others first.

Of course, I will make way for Kazuo Ishiguro’s new novel “Klara and the Sun” (due out March 2) since I’m a fan of his past books, notably “The Remains of the Day” and “Never Let Me Go.” He is a master and he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2017. His new one sounds like quintessential Ishiguro, and with it he returns to similar dystopian grounds that made “Never Let Met Go” so intriguing and sad.

The new novel is about a robot girl with artificial intelligence named Klara designed as a playmate for real children who becomes a companion to 11-year-old Josie. Kirkus Reviews says the novel is a “provocative look at a disturbing near future” and “a haunting fable of a lonely, moribund world that is entirely too plausible.” Uh-oh, is that what lies ahead for us?  

Next I’ll throw in Chris Whitaker’s new thriller “We Begin at the End” (due out March 2), which looks too good to pass up. Am I even a thriller kind of reader? It seems every once in awhile I’ll toss one into the mix, and this one has been hailed by such authors as Louise Penny, Jane Harper, Charlotte McConaghy, and Kristin Hannah among others.

Apparently it’s set in a coastal California town and features a 13-year-old female protagonist and a police chief who years later come together to solve a murder of someone they love. Hmm. I’m game for it, are you?

I’m also curious about Patricia Engel’s new novel “Infinite Country” (due out March 2), which follows a divided Colombian family, some immigrants to the U.S., others still back in the home country. Kirkus Reviews says it’s about a “15-year-old girl in Colombia, doing time in a remote detention center, who orchestrates a jail break and tries to get home.”

Gosh it has me thinking about the novel “American Dirt” all over again … but this one hasn’t stirred up the same kind of controversy. I seem to be a sucker for these immigrant kinds of tales and this one is from a daughter of immigrant Colombian parents. 

Then there’s Hala Alyan’s novel “The Arsonists’ City” (due out March 9) about three scattered siblings of a Syrian Lebanese American family who are called back to their ancestral home in Beirut for the first time in years when their father becomes set on selling it. From under the same roof, each of their stories unfolds about how they came to be where they are and what lies ahead for them.

Somehow I missed the author’s much praised first novel “Salt Houses” from 2017, which I should still go back and get to, and this new one looks promising as well. It’s said to be a family story with lots of secrets that’s set against the legacy of war in the Middle East. 

If not that book, there’s always Kate Quinn’s new historical WWII novel “The Rose Code” (due out March 9) about the story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park, which looks to be a long immersive saga, or else Russell Banks’s new novel “Foregone” (out March 2) about a documentary filmmaker who nearing his death gives a last interview trying to set the record straight and tell his wife certain things about himself and life. Hmm it sounds worth checking out. 

As for what’s on the screen this month, the movies “Nomadland” (on Hulu), “Minari” (on Prime), and “The Father,” (streaming on March 26), seem to be picking up steam as we head toward award season. Have you seen them yet?  I still need to.

Speaking of which, it was great to see the actors of the TV series “The Crown” and “The Queen’s Gambit” take home Golden Globe awards last night … as well as Andra Day for the movie “The U.S. vs. Billie Holiday” and Daniel Kaluuya for “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Two movies I still want to see in addition to all the other Oscar contenders. 

What also looks good this month is the three-part miniseries “Isabel” (debuting March 12 on HBO Max) about the life and times of author Isabel Allende — Wow — which also coincides with the author’s memoir “The Soul of a Woman” (due out March 2).

There’s also the enticing eight-part National Geographic series “Genius: Aretha” (premiering March 21, then airing on Hulu), starring Cynthia Erivo as the legendary singer Aretha Franklin. If that doesn’t have enough music for you, then check out the rock documentary about iconic singer Tina Turner (starting March 27 on HBO Max) called “Tina,” which looks fabulous with never seen before biographical and concert footage. So enjoy these three biographical films if you get a chance this month.  

As for new music in March, there’s albums by Kings of Leon, Serena Ryder, and Sting among others. And remember Lana Del Ray’s album “Chemtrails Over the Country Club,” which I first mentioned was due out back in September 2020? Well apparently it’s finally expected March 19 now. I know, we shouldn’t hold our breath, if it doesn’t appear.

I’ll pick the new album “When You See Yourself” (due out March 5) from the three brothers’-plus a cousin band Kings of Leon as my choice this month. This is their first album in five years.

That’s all for now. What about you — which releases are you most looking forward to this month? And more importantly, how are you doing?

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42 Responses to March Preview

  1. Judy Krueger says:

    Wow, five weeks! Who misses you more?
    My husband and I had our second Pfizer vaccine last Friday! We are immunized!!
    I want to read almost all the books you mentioned. Eventually I will. 2021 is shaping up to be another stellar year for fiction.
    All those documentaries about some of my favorite musicians are so tempting.
    I will for sure read Allende’s memoir.
    Safe travels home and good luck getting back into Canada. Somehow I am not too worried for you but I can see how you would be anxious.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Judy, we will see how the trip getting back into Canada goes. It’s been quite a long while here in Calif. but I have been so busy with my parents’ care etc. that I haven’t really come up for air – it’s been busy – so it’s gone by pretty quickly. Can’t wait to see the Hub & dog! And I’m so glad you & your husband are fully vaccinated!! Congrats, that’s so terrific! & Such a relief. Does that mean you will leave your house?! Much to read this month, Enjoy.

  2. Diane says:

    Five weeks is a long time away from home but, I’m sure your parents are so grateful. My husband gets his 2nd shot Wednesday as well and I get my first that day – diff time and diff location. Hope Canada has more vaccine soon, I’ve been hearing several complaints.

    I’m almost done with We Begin at the End, it’s very good. I also want to read: Inifinite Country and Klara and the Sun.

    Hope March is a good month for you.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Diane, glad you are liking the novel We Begin at the End. Thx for the feedback on that one! And so glad you & your husband are getting the vaccine! That’s fantastic. You are right that Canada is lagging behind on vaccinating people. Sigh I wish I could’ve gotten it while in the States but I wasn’t allowed to get it yet. It’s been a pretty busy February — let’s see what March brings. Enjoy your books!

  3. Brian Joseph says:

    I always look forward to March as it is usually the beginning of warmer weather.

    Let’s hope the vaccines finally bring Covid under control.

    • Susan says:

      I agree Brian. I’m really hoping the amount of vaccines will totally knock back Covid. So glad to see the number of cases dropping! And it’s good March is here now so the outside is less cold & bleak. Enjoy your month there.

  4. I am so glad you’re able to take your parents for their next shot and be there in case they don’t feel well the next day (especially if they got Moderna). That’s a great list of books you have to look forward to in March!

    I hope Canada lets you back in!

    • Susan says:

      Hey thanks Helen, we will see how the travels go. My Dad had a bad reaction to the first Moderna shot … so I am a bit nervous about the second shot on Weds. It might take 48 hours to get over. Did your parents have a similar reaction? The vaccine seems to be quite potent. I hope you have a great March.

  5. Carmen says:

    Have a safe return! I’ll be good to have you back. Lots of releases. I’m reading Mbue’s novel and, though it reads fast, is not that sparkling (yet). Andra Day was fantastic in The Unites States vs. Billie Holiday. Hers is my favorite female performance of the year, though I still have to see a few others in that category. Nomadland, and Judas and the Black Messiah were very good too. My favorite male performances were been Ben-Adir and Leslie Odom Jr. for One Night in Miami…, though John Boyega for Small Axe: Red, White and Blue came pretty close. I’m glad he won a Globe for it. Minari is also on digital streaming services to rent. I’m having a hard time juggling movie rentals, relevant movie streaming, and TV streaming as well, plus reading; the latter has slowed down a bit compared to last year, though I started this year with two doorstoppers.

    • Susan says:

      Hey Carmen, thanks for all the tips on the movies! Always great to get your take on what’s out. I have yet to see anything over the past month as I’ve just been swamped with life here. But when I get back to Canada I’ll have more time. I want to see all the films you mention. I’ll add One Night in Miami to my queue. Hope you & your parents are doing well there. Is your winter over yet?

      • Carmen says:

        I understand why life has been hectic for you, visiting your parents, their moving and all. When you have a chance, reconnect with the new movie releases out there; there’s plenty of great stuff for the ongoing awards season. I hope you really like One Night in Miami… I rated it 5*. If you can, watch Small Axe too, all five “episodes”; all were very good, but ‘Mangrove’ and ‘Red, White and Blue’ were outstanding. In my opinion, Mangrove is what ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ should have been and came short of being. Winter is doing a retreat next week, hopefully for good. Have a safe return! Your hubby and Stella will be happy to see you. 🙂

        • Susan says:

          Thanks Carmen, I have a couple hurdles before my flight but will report back once I get there. I will look for Small Axe and the Miami film. I did see the Chicago 7 movie but wasn’t blown away. It didn’t stay with me either. But there’s a lot else to see. Hope you see some spring-like weather soon. We had a rare day of some rain in Calif. and everyone rejoiced …. as the drought could be bad this year.

  6. I didn’t realize you’ve been with your parents for 5 weeks – that’s a long time to be away from home, but I’m sure they appreciate it very much. What will you need to do to get back into Canada? One of our neighbors are Canadian and they decided not to come to FL at all this year.

    The books I’m most excited about this month are Imbolo Mbue’s follow up (loved Behold the Dreamers) and We Begin at the End.

    We saw Nomadland last weekend (thanks to our daughter’s hulu) and it was very good. The movie seemed to focus more on Frances McDormand’s character, while the book looked more at the big picture issue. As usual, I prefer the book.

    • Susan says:

      Hey JoAnn: I’m glad you corrected me on the title of Behold the Dreamers — for some reason I forgot to add the Behold part … so I corrected it in my post, thx. I really liked that novel as well. I should get to the Nomadland book as many seem to prefer it to the movie, hmm. Thx for the feedback on what you thought of it.
      There’s much to do to get back into Canada: a CV test (3 days before) flight, then another CV test when you land (like that makes sense) and then 3 days at a quarantine hotel at your expense, then 11 days at home without leaving your house. Basically Canada is way behind on getting the vaccines.

  7. We saw “Nomadland” a couple of weeks ago and thought it was wonderful. But anything with Frances McDormand usually is.

    I’m looking forward to nearly all the books you mentioned. It’s shaping up as another great reading month.

    Congratulations to your parents for getting their second shot and I’m glad you are there for them. My husband and I got ours (Pfizer) last Saturday. Safe journey back to Canada and I hope they let you in!

    • Susan says:

      Hey thanks Dorothy, glad to hear you & your husband are done with both shots, terrific! My Dad had a bit of a bad reaction to the first Moderna shot so I’m bracing myself a bit for his 2nd shot today. But hopefully it’ll just last 48 hours. Really glad to hear you liked Nomadland …. I want to see that when I get back. Much to read this month! I hope your weather has improved there and your garden isn’t totally beyond repair. Enjoy.

  8. Les in OR says:

    Wow. I knew you’d been in CA for a long time, but five weeks? I’ll bet you’ll be happy to go back home and be with your husband and dog!

    I know nothing about We Begin at the End, but with endorsements from Louise Penny and Jane Harper, I’ll gladly give it a read.

    We watched Nomadland and found it somewhat disappointing, although Frances McDormand is excellent. The book was better, but both are pretty depressing. I’ve marked my calendar to watch The Father on the 23rd. We’ve been watching the new Perry Mason, which took me a while to warm up to, but now I’m hooked.

    Safe travels home. I hope you don’t have any problems crossing back into Canada!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Lesley, yeah I hope I can get back in. The five weeks here have flowed by quickly. It’s been a bit of a blur as we prepare to move my folks into an independent living kind of place within a senior village community. Cross your fingers, they are hesitant after 50 years in their home. Much to do … but I will try to leave Friday and my sister is taking over. I’m behind on books & movies these days … but will try to get back into the grove when I get back. I hope you two are well. Are you enjoying any spring weather yet?

      • Les in OR says:

        Oh, I’m glad your sister is there to take over. That must be a big relief for you. Did your dad have any reaction to today’s 2nd shot? Hope he does ok with this one.

        We had gorgeous weather for a few days. I even did some yard work yesterday. Not my favorite thing to do, but I listened to a few podcasts as I worked and the time flew. Today it’s back to typical Oregon overcast and cool temps. The rain returns tomorrow for the next 10 days. At least it’s not snowing!

        • Susan says:

          Hi Lesley, we are envious here in SoCal of your rain in Oregon. We’re still trying to get past drought conditions. We rejoiced with a bit of rain yesterday.
          My Dad is reacting poorly to the 2nd Moderna shot — similarly to the first shot (aches & feeling cold). But if he rests for two days, I think it will pass … like it did the first time. Always something. Cheers.

  9. Ti says:

    I’m due to receive a copy of We Begin at the End. I haven’t gotten it yet but it looks very good and is getting a lot of buzz.

    I am not eligible for the vaccine because I work in education but that shingles shot I got a few weeks ago is holding me up. I have to wait a few more weeks because there hasn’t been enough data collected on how it interacts with the COVID shot. I had to pass up some appt opportunities and it killed me to do so. Soon. I will try to schedule after 3/17.

    So you are headed back at the end of the week. Those five weeks flew by.

    • Susan says:

      Hey Ti — yeah the weeks of February sure flew by. It’s a bit of a blur to me now. The weather out here has been beautiful, though we are expecting a much-needed raindrop today … but not sure it will happen. Looks sunny. It sounds like you will get the vaccine in March, which is great! I hope you get it soon.
      I think the Whitaker thriller seems like the perfect quick read right now …. if I can get a copy. Enjoy your week.

  10. How am I doing? I’m completely frustrated with our Texas politicians. And the comments I read about it on FB? “Well, I’m glad because my daughter is tired of wearing a mask.” Golly. I’m tired of stopping at stop signs, too, but…

    Sorry. Had to rant. Good thing your parents don’t live in Texas. Canada probably wouldn’t allow you to reenter.

    Kazuo Ishiguro will be speaking Sunday at 5 pm on Inprint. Tickets are available, I think, but they include the price of a book. Still, it will be wonderful to hear him speak. I’m eager to read his new book.

    I read Infinite Country and I greatly admired the structure of the plot.

    • Susan says:

      Deb, I can tell you are fighting an uphill battle in Texas with the GOP nuts. Why on earth would the governor lift wearing masks now?! It’s absurd. I can see why it would be so frustrating there! It’s so easy to wear mask to save lives. Grrrr.
      I might be able to check out the Ishiguro talk. I will see if I’m stuck in quarantine. Thx for the report on Infinite Country. Keep up the good fight: wear a mask people!

  11. Heather says:

    I’m so glad you’ve been able to spend time with your parents and help them out. I hope you get to see your hubby and doggo soon, though!

    Lots of great books coming out! Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers looks fantastic and Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley are both on my list. I’ve heard good things about Infinite Country and Ishiguro’s new novel. I saw the movie based on his book Never Let Me Go and it destroyed me…I don’t know how I could actually read any of his books and not just wanna jump off the cliff somewhere…

    Nomadland was excellent! See it now! I loved Adra’s performance as Billie Holiday but the movie was only so-so for me but it’s still worth seeing. I can’t wait til some of these on demand movies come down in rental price and then I will see them all. Minari is the one to see soon for me.

    I hope you have a lovely week!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Heather. Ha I know what you mean by the Ishiguro movie. Both Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day … sent me for the cliff. So it’s likely that this one will too. I will have to see these other films soon – especially Nomadland. And I will check out the books you mention, thanks! Hope you have a great week.

  12. Hi Susan, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is being rolled out here in SA as well and we are holding thumps that it will be effective. Don’t know when we will be in line though. First all the medical people need to get it.

    You’ve shared such lovely books! I’ve seen Infinite Country on Debbie’s page as well and it does sound like a good read.

    Take care of yourself and have a good week!

    Elza Reads

    • Susan says:

      Hi Mareli, thanks for stopping by. Good to hear the vaccine is getting there. Now that I’ve arrived back in Canada, I’m not sure when we’ll get it either. Much to do these days but I’ll quarantine for awhile. Hope you are well … I hope to stop your site soon.

  13. Athira says:

    I somehow missed The Arsonists’ City – it seems to promise much of the things I typically enjoy. And Isabel Allende – just picked one of her books from the library yesterday. I have never read her books before and I’m intrigued there is a mini-series coming out as well. There does seem to be quite a lot of good stuff this month but I did a pass on most of those – nothing was quite calling my name. I’d really like to read the Patricia Engel book but I heard about some of its trigger points and I’m not quite sure.

    • Susan says:

      Hmm Athira, thanks for letting me know what you’ve heard. I’m a little all over the place with my reading and there’s so much I want to read. I’ll stop by your site to see what you’re up to. I hope your winter is almost behind you there. take care.

  14. JaneGS says:

    We Begin at the End does sound intriguing. Putting it on the list.

    Not sure about Klara and the Sun – I loved Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go, but reading about a robot girl just leaves me cold. Although I always say that great writing trumps everything, so maybe…

    • Susan says:

      Hmm Jane, but if you loved Never Let Me Go … perhaps this Ishiguro will pull you in as well? I haven’t started it yet — so I don’t know. We will see. His books always have a bit of sadness to them … and perhaps anti-modern world? hmm. I’m hopeful of We Begin at the End. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

  15. I enjoyed Nomadland, the book and the movie. Now I am curious about The Father.

    Enjoy your week and your month…and thanks for visiting my blog.

    I do hope you get back into Canada!!

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    • Susan says:

      No problem Laurel. I like visiting your blog. I have it made back into Canada and I’m at home now in quarantine for 14 days. All is well … perhaps I will catch back up on my reading & movie watching. Enjoy your week.

  16. Jinjer says:

    I DID NOT KNOW MINARI IS ON PRIME!!!! Ohmygod thanks for letting me know! When I was trying to find it last week he only option was paying $19.99 which I refuse to do since I already pay a fortune for several streaming services. I will watch that the first chance I get!!!

    Also didn’t know The Father was going to be streaming soon. It was another $19.99 one I couldn’t afford. $19.99 is like…5 months of Apple TV Plus!!!

    I did see and love Nomadland.

    I have never heard of author Isabel Allende but put me down for that one on HBO Max.

    As for the books you mentioned, I had better not even LOOK at them because they will all end up on my TBR. LOL (But you know I’m going to go back and look, right?)

    • Susan says:

      Ha Jinjer, you crack me up. So I need to stop by your site — for some humor. I better re-check to make sure Minari is on Prime! A lot of pressure to get that right. Ha. But I think it is. I’m so behind on movies you wouldn’t believe. How did you see Nomadland, do you have Hulu? I got to see that. I’m behind on books too. Like you there, I was caregiving for over a month. That’s a lot of energy. Now I’m back so we’ll see. Enjoy your March.

  17. I have Klara and the Sun on my hold list at the library. It’s going to be a while before it’s my turn!

    I hope the second shot went well for your parents. I got my first one a couple of weeks ago with no trouble but I’ve heard the second dose is what usually causes the side effects. It’ll be worth it though!

    • Susan says:

      Oh good Rachel, so glad you were able to get the vaccine – you are on your way! I think my Dad’s reaction to the shot was worse for the first shot than the second but others say it’s vice versa. It seems you’ll be fine. I think I’m #135 for the Klara novel at the library … so I will have to wait too. Good luck. & Enjoy your March.

  18. I hope your journey home to Canada went smoothly! That long separation must have been difficult. I’m also curious about Ishiguro’s new novel, but if it’s as bleak as Never Let Me Go, I might wait until after the pandemic. My state is vaccinating by age so my household, including a high risk person, is still living under strict quarantine.

    I read an excerpt of Isabel Allende’s memoir in Spanish, which was easier to read without translation than her novels but still challenging for me after a year and a half of learning the language. Thanks for telling me about the HBO documentary. I’ll check that out. She’s one of my favorite authors.

    • Susan says:

      Hey Sarah, thanks for stopping by. I hope you can get the vaccine soon. I’m back in Canada now and under quarantine for 14 days. I think it’ll be awhile before I get the Ishiguro book as I am on a long wait list at the library. I’m wondering if it’s as sad as Never Let Me Go … but I don’t think so. The Allende special on HBO looks good. I hope I get to see it. Enjoy your March.

  19. Iza says:

    I read Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The refugees and loved it, The sympathizer is on my TBR too. – and Ishiguro ! I also want to watch Minari, heard good things about it. I didn’t know about the miniseries on Isabel Allende, thanks for sharing, I’m very much interested ! I only read one of her novels but in an ideal world where I would spend all my time reading, I would have read much more 😉

    • Susan says:

      Hi Iza: yeah I want to see if I can find the Allende series on HBO. I need to read Viet’s The Refugees. I did like The Sympathizer though it took me awhile to get through. I’m still behind on all these movies. But hopefully I’ll catch up. Enjoy your week.

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