Hi all. We’re into November! It’s hard to believe as October seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, and now we have to contend with the time change. Argh. I’m a supporter of daylight savings time in which we get more light near evening hours. We really miss that up North when that is changed. It gets dark so early bahh. We’re also in a haze after the Blue Jays loss to the Dodgers in Game 7 on Saturday night. We were rooting hard for the Jays and somehow they had the game and then just a smidge later they didn’t. It was one of the most intense (close) series and endings I’ve ever seen. But it slipped away and now we’re left to cry in our soup, lol.
Meanwhile we’re into Nonfiction November now and I know many of you will be participating in reading nonfiction this month. My nonfiction numbers have been dismal this year, so I’m game as well. I have a slew of books that I’ve been meaning to read for a long while, and so here’s my chance. I’ve picked 12 (pictured above). You can see by the top row I have three (nature) bird books as well as three farm books. In the bottom row, I have three history with a bit of art history and the last three are writers’ memoirs. I hope to slip in these reads over the next three months as I still have fiction to get to too. I’m going beyond November! Maybe right into January. Have you read any of these?
And now let’s see what’s releasing in November. In books there’s new fiction by such well-known authors as Salman Rushdie, John Irving, Sarah Hall, William Boyd, and Stewart O’Nan among others. I’m also looking at several more including a shortish novel by British author Benjamin Wood titled Seascraper (due out here Nov. 4).
This novel was longlisted for the Booker Prize and apparently readers were a bit stunned when it didn’t make the shortlist. It’s about a 20-year-old shrimp fisherman who aspires to become a folk singer. His world expands when he meets a film director who pays him to serve as a location scout. But is he all he claims to be? We will have to see.
Next up, is The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller (due out Nov. 11), which is also up for the Booker Prize and is on the shortlist. Could this novel win the prize on Nov. 10? It could, though I’m still tentatively picking The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny to win.
Miller’s novel follows neighboring couples in the British countryside who endure a famously frigid winter in 1962. Publishers Weekly says it captures a “stunning portrait of domestic turmoil and post-WWII unease,” while author Tim Pears calls it “a wondrous novel about the interior lives of the occupants of two marriages, set in the intensely realized physical world they inhabit.” So we will see.
Then I’m curious to pick up a copy of Margaret Atwood’s memoir Book of Lives due out Nov. 4. Atwood is a literary giant in Canada and has lived quite the literary life, which is packed into this memoir. Her December author event in the city here sold out in hours. Over the years I’ve read about seven of her novels (so far), including The Handmaid’s Tale and the follow-up The Testaments, which won the Booker Prize in 2019.
Apparently the memoir is filled with dishy tales about her life and others she’s met, and Kirkus Reviews calls it: “engaging, wise, and marvelously witty—illuminating both the craft of writing and the art of living.” So what are we waiting for?
And now in screen releases, there’s some big stuff coming out, woohoo. In TV series, Ken Burns six-part 12-hour documentary on The American Revolution will begin Nov. 16 and air for six consecutive nights on PBS.
I’m geared up for it especially since I recently visited George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon and will be interested to review how the thirteen colonies broke from England and made a new nation. It will feature a slew of archival materials, including personal accounts read by many well-known actors including Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep among others.
Another historical show that looks good is Death by Lightning (a four-part series on Netflix, Nov. 6) about the U.S. presidency of James Garfield, leading up to his shooting by Charles Guiteau, who had been an admirer of his. It’s based on the book Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard, which I’ve heard is excellent. I have read and liked Millard’s last nonfiction book River of the Gods from 2022 and would like to get to more of her historical works. This adaptation sounds like quite a story with Michael Shannon playing the president and Matthew Macfadyen (from Succession) playing the assassin.
Then there’s several big films on the horizon, including another Wicked movie (Wicked for Good out Nov. 21) and the WWII historical drama Nuremberg (out Nov. 7) that follows a psychiatrist (played by Rami Malek) who interviews Nazi members after the war to determine whether they’re fit to stand trial and enters a “battle of wits” when he encounters Hitler’s right-hand man Hermann Göring (played by a fat-looking Russell Crowe).
I’m sure it’ll be a bit unsettling. And apparently critic Pete Hammond says: that it’s a film “incredibly relevant for now” and that all world leaders should screen the movie. Hear, hear.
Three other notable upcoming movies include: Die My Love, Train Dreams, and Hamnet. Die My Love (out Nov. 7), based on the 2012 novel by Argentine writer Ariana Harwicz, looks like the return of actress Jennifer Lawrence (where has she been? … having two kids apparently).
It’s about a writer and young mother, who develops postpartum depression and is slowly slipping into madness, which worries her partner (Robert Pattinson) who feels helpless. It looks unsettling. We want to see it too because it was filmed around Calgary and Alberta, which is supposed to be Montana in the story.
The movie Train Dreams (out Nov. 7 and on Netflix Nov. 21) is based on the 2011 novella by Denis Johnson and is about logger Robert Grainier (played by Joel Edgerton) who works to develop the railroad across the U.S., causing him to spend vast times away from his wife (played by Felicity Jones) and daughter, and is struggling with his place in a changing world.
I have not read this novella but now I want to. The film was shot around Washington State where the big trees are. It premiered at Sundance in January and was bought by Netflix, so you can check it out there if you have it.
And then there’s Hamnet (in limited release Nov. 27) based on the 2020 novel by Maggie O’Farrell. It was quite a novel and looks to be a winner of a movie too. It’s about the love and loss that inspired Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Irish actor Paul Mescal (who I remember from Gladiator II) stars as William Shakespeare and Irish actress Jessie Buckley stars as his wife Agnes. You might recall Buckley from the movie Women Talking and as the narrator of the audiobook Long Island by the author Colm Toibin, which was excellent.
I didn’t even know they were making a movie of Hamnet. The Guardian critic says it’s a “poignant adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel with a stirring tearjerker ending.” So get out the Kleenex box.
Lastly in music this month, there’s new albums by Portugal the Man, the Avett Brothers & Mike Patton, Cheap Trick, and Mavis Staples among others. I like the Avett Brothers, but I’ll choose Mavis’s new album Sad and Beautiful World, which is her fourteenth solo studio album and includes reinventions of timeless songs as well as original music too. You can’t beat Mavis, who’s 86-years young. Here’s her cover of the song Beautiful Strangers.
That’s all for now. What new releases are looking forward to this month? Will you be reading nonfiction?
I was rooting hard for the Blue Jays as well–I couldn’t watch the 10th inning. I couldn’t bear to watch them lose at home. What a fantastic series though. They did not let the Dodgers walk away with it!
I’ve read H is for Hawk and the Amy Tan bird book and liked them both.
Planning on recording the PBS Ken Burns series on the Am Rev–should be great! Thanks for the heads up on Death by Lightning–I would love to know more about Garfield. And yes to the Nuremburg movie–I have read The Knight, Death, and the Devil (Ella Leefland) twice about Goring. Fascinating subject–should be a gripping movie.
Not sure I will watch a movie version of Hamnet–the book was so powerful on its own, I often hate to mar the memories with movies.
Happy November and thanks for all the great info on how to spend the winter months before gardening season starts up!
Hi Jane, yeah the Jays loss was so tough! Oh my it felt like vinegar in the veins, especially at home. I’m glad you were rooting for them as well.
There’s much to see this month! And I’m sure you’ll like the historical shows. Goring seemed scary. And I too hope to tape the Ken Burns doc.
I can understand holding off on the Hamnet movie since it might differ from our imaginations of the book. It was pretty strong.
Wishing you a great November too. It’s now getting brisk here, lol. Cheers.
I’m so sorry the Jays did not make it all the way. They did a great job anyway.
Stewart O’Nan is an author I always enjoy reading. His books leave me thinking about important things. I will look for his new book.
The American Revolution is a series I plan to watch. I wish everyone would. I feel like we Americans don’t really know that much about our government, and maybe we need to know more if we are going to have a democracy.
Hi Deb, thanks the Jays took it as far as they could go. So it was close.
I need to try a Stewart O’Nan novel … you know I have never read him yet. So I will look for one of his books this winter. Do you have a favorite?
And yes you’re right about the need for Americans to know more about our history and democracy. I plan to watch the series as well. It should be fascinating. Happy November! Enjoy your week.
Great picture you got there! It looks like a painting. Your monthly update is chock-full of goodies. The Blue Jays lost, but they can brag about losing to the best in a for-the-books World Series; they should feel proud regardless.
The Art Thief is on my TBR since its release, I just have to make some time for it. I read Seascraper; rated it 3*. It’s good but not earth shattering. Great sense of place and atmosphere though. I will be reading more by Benjamin Wood. I pre-ordered The Land in Winter, which will release here tomorrow. I’m reading Flashlight, which made the shortlist of the Booker too. I have a feeling that the Jeju massacre will come up in the story, which will be the second time this year that I read a novel detailing it.
TV or movie-wise, I haven’t watched anything since February, but a few of the upcoming releases are tempting me. I read about Nuremberg that is Oscar bait, but it’s a return to top-form for Russell Crowe. So that got me hooked. Die my Love, and especially Hamnet, I want to watch. Jennifer Lawrence has been working in some below the radar productions, not just having kids. Apparently she’s back to greatness with this movie… And Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao, has made waves all over the movie festivals circuit. I believe it won the audience prize at Toronto Film Festival. It’s been widely praised and reviewed. Curiously, Ken Burns’ Revolution series will be exploring how political divisions are intricately connected to the American experiment from the beginning, which is something to keep in perspective given the times we’re living through.
Hi Carmen, great to get your update and thanks for the photo compliment. Yeah I guess the Blue Jays can be proud of their season, so thanks for the pep talk. It’s hurts a bit less each day, lol.
I like hearing about your book reading. Seascraper seems short so maybe 3* is all right. I’ll be interested if you get to Land in Winter. And more Jeju massacre in Flashlight? Yes that was also in Han Kang’s recent novel and Lisa See’s Island of the Sea Women. I’ll be busy a bit with nonfiction for a while but might get a couple novels in before the end of the year.
And good to know about the movies. I’m glad to finally get some good ones. I will likely see all of these and hope you do too. I’m glad you said that about the American Revolution series … It should be good to watch. I especially like the historical shows usually. Wishing you a great November! Is it getting colder in Conn? We are a bit brisk here.
We have had some nights in the 30sF and 40sF. During the days is usually in the 50sF, which isn’t too bad yet. Soon the temps will drop for sure. Have a nice reading week!
Thanks Carmen. Good to hear. That’s not too bad. We too are either in the 40s or 50s during the day. But the mornings are in the 30s!
I seldom read nonfiction, but I see that I have actually read four on your list – the first three on the top line plus the Hubbell book.
Thanks for the heads up about all the new releases. I was just today reading the story in The New York Times about Margaret Atwood, one of my favorite authors and truly one of our greatest living writers. I might be tempted to pick up that memoir.
I, too, was pulling for the Jays since my Astros were not in it this year. (Anyone but the hated Dodgers!) The Jays are a great team and I would not be surprised to see them back in the post-season mix again next year. As the song says “Wait’ll next year and hope…”
Hi Dorothy, ahh ha you do read nonfiction. I’m glad to hear you’ve read the Hubbell book. It’s a reread for me since I remember loving it the first time. I was a big fan of Sue Hubbell and wish she was still with us. And you’re even thinking of getting Atwood’s memoir, wow! Yes I think it will be a terrific read.
Thanks for your pep talk about the Jays and glad you were rooting for them too! It was such a painful ending but I am became impressed by their season and players. I hope they will be back. Cheers. Happy November.
I was upset about the Blue Jays too. I feel so bad for the pitcher who says he let everyone down. The players who left the bases loaded were just as responsible!
The TV recommendations sound good. I don’t always have the patience to sit still for Ken Burns but I am excited about this series.
I saw the trailer for Hamnet when I saw Downton Abbey and it looked good but I don’t know if I want to be that sad!
I am reading the book Reese Witherspoon wrote with Harlan Coben. So far it is full of surprises.
Hi Constance, thanks I’m glad you were rooting for the Blue Jays too. It was a very tough loss … and various reasons were responsible. I’m still thinking about the “lodged” ball in the outfield. And why did the batter hit into a double play with a runner on 3rd base. All we needed was a fly ball sigh.
I will try to tape Ken Burns …. maybe that will help with patience.
Hamnet and Downton are going to be sad! Gripes. Not sure it’s good timing for that. Pace yourself with these.
Good to know about your reading and I’ll look for your review of Witherspoon’s book. I think she’s going to write another with Coben right? Cheers. Happy November.
Hi Susan, I read H is For Hawk and at first I was having a little trouble staying with it.. But then I switched to the audio version narrated by the author and that made all the difference. Helen McDonald is as talented a reader as she is a writer and she is a very gifted writer.
Hi Kathy, I just finished H Is for Hawk on audio (over the past 10 days) — and your review gave me the impetus to finally do it. I enjoyed it as it went on and I thought Macdonald’s reading of it was very good. I loved the parts with flying Mabel outside. I was glad for the audio version. I’m going to write a review for next time. But thanks for encouraging the reading/listening of it — since I’m so glad I did. She is a really good writer & thinker. Cheers. Happy November.
Good morning from chilly Florida, haha. It was 40 degrees when I got up this morning and had a laugh at the 46 degree temps in both Aston, PA. and Lincoln, NE…we were colder. I keep track of where our son lives and where my dad was/
So, I have read the Amy Tan book, plan to start The Art Thief today after I get offline and have Memorial Days in my lineup. Nothing else planned today except reading. Bliss.
Thanks for the suggestions for other books and movies, I am always open for new shows and books. Going to try and get to more of what is on hand here as well as these new ones coming in.
In other news I treated myself to a new pen, a Waterman which I dithered over for ages and will write a few letters this week. It arrives tomorrow. I am a pen/stationary nerd for sure.
I do have holds on Seascraper and Land in Winter and ought to get those this month if the library gets them catalouged,
Hi Tina, Wow cold Florida! 40 degrees eh? Who would’ve guess it. We were 27 degrees this morning but it’s warming up to 45 later.
I’ll start The Art Thief too today, so we’ll be near the same page. It seems a curious case & topic. So we’ll see.
Are these Waterman pens expensive? I like when pens glide across the page. You’ll have to let us know how good it is.
I need to go by the library today to see what I have there. Will email you later.
Cheers. Happy November.
I agree.. I like longer daylight hours.
Those are some serious reads.
Hi Hena, yeah without daylight savings time here, we are headed into a dark winter hole, argh.
I hope these reads aren’t too serious, lol. Luckily most of the nonfiction books pictured aren’t too dense and I hope interesting. Cheers! Happy November.
Ooh, your header photo is lovely, as is the one of the mountain range. Yes, it’s hard to believe we’re already in November! The time change is always exhausting, and I’m hoping my fatigue will be gone in another day or so. I’m sorry your Blue Jays lost, but my goodness, they played great ball! There were so many amazing moments in all seven games. We actually missed the final game since we had family arriving that night. Couldn’t avoid all the news the next morning, so when we did watch the recorded game on Sunday, we weren’t quite as stressed out since we knew the outcome. It actually made it a little more enjoyable, which is weird! My Dodger-loving mama was thrilled with the back-to-back wins. I would have been happy with either team winning.
Good selection of nonfiction! I’ve read H Is for Hawk and The Backyard Bird Chronicles. I have Memorial Days in my stacks, too. I think I might have read A Backward Glance many years ago, but I don’t remember a thing about it. I read a lot of Wharton back in the 90s.
The Land in Winter sounds intriguing. Not sure about Atwood’s memoir since I’m not really a huge fan of her writing. I’ll wait to read your thoughts on that one. I read the new Stewart O’Nan novel and was somewhat disappointed. I had hoped for more, especially since I loved Emily, Alone and Henry, Himself.
I’m looking forward to watching Nuremberg. Looks like a good cast! I’m also excited about Hamnet. Die My Love sounds unsettling, though! Maybe the scenery will make it worthwhile. We started Down Cemetery Road tonight and think it’s going to be good!
Stay warm!
Hi Lesley, thanks, the photos this time of year are quite good with the views and changing seasons. Maybe not as good as the coast there but not shabby either, lol.
The World Series was one of the best I’ve seen in many, many years, and I think the Jays surprised quite a few people with how well they did. But it kills me to be that close to a win and then muff it up a couple times …. first with the HR with 4 outs left then the double play ball with a man on third. That stuff just guts you. Watching in real time was intense that night, lol.
I have a lot of books on deck right now so it seems a bit crazy. I’m reading The Art Thief but might start Memorial Days too. I look forward to hearing about the memoirs you’ve got. I will try an O’Nan novel next year – perhaps Emily, Alone.
Hamnet looks to be a sad one … and I’m interested in Nuremberg too. I might check out Cemetery Road. Cheers! Happy November.
Hard to believe November is here already. I have both Seascraper and The Land in Winter on my list, but don’t think I’ll get to either this month. I’m still working on a NF November post, but have started reading The Gods of New York – a real page-turner! I was hoping the Jays would win, too, but it really was an exciting series this year. How did I miss that Hamnet had a film adaptation in the works? I still have the book on my shelf…
Hi JoAnn, I look forward to hearing about The Gods of New York. I don’t know that book – I think. I’m sort of flooded by books to read at the moment — both fiction and nonfiction. I’ll see what other nonfiction books you have on your list. And I’m glad you were for the Jays. It was a good & very close series.
Hopefully the movies will be good this late fall season. Enjoy your reads. Happy November!
Master Slave… and H is for Hawk are both good (and so different!). I hope you enjoy your nonfication reading this month.
I saw a trailer for the Nuremberg movie and think it looks good.
Hi Helen, I agree, Nuremberg looks good. And I just finished the audio of H Is for Hawk. I enjoyed it. I will get to Master Slave sometime. Plenty of nonfiction to get to. Enjoy your reads. Happy November.
I did participate in Nonfiction November one year, but I don’t read that much nonfiction regularly… I do have H is for Hawk and The Backyard Birds Chronicles. I am glad you reminded me of that one because I would like to start it in January and read it throughout the year.
I did just finish a nonfiction book, though. It was one of Glen’s books about World War II. The title is Eight Days in May: The Final Collapse of the Third Reich by a German author, Volker Ullrich. It covers the events that took place in Germany in the eight days following Hitler’s death by suicide on April 30, 1945. Very interesting, and I learned a lot.
Hi Tracy, I concur I don’t usually read much nonfiction books either but I do have a lot lying around. We will see if I can get through some. The bird books look good.
I’m glad you mentioned that title by Volker Ullrich … I read something similar last year titled The Last Days of Hitler by Hugh Trevor-Roper in which I learned about things at the very end and thereafter. Both books seem interesting. There were many developments at Germany’s end in the war that I didn’t know about. I think for a while the Nazis thought they could negotiate their way and terms which was crazy. Have a great week. And Happy November.