Greetings. We’ve made it to September. Ahhh what a weird, troubling year it’s been. It seeps into one’s bones over time being aware of those who’ve lost loved ones … or jobs … or had changes with school or even wedding plans (like my niece) and gatherings and travel postponed. We forge on with all this on our minds … and more.
Usually September is my favorite month of the year. It’s often the prettiest outside with beautiful crisp, blue sky days that are invigorating. And I just got out of a 14-day quarantine, so I’m grateful just to be back walking our dog once more and seeing friends at a distance. The school across the street just opened and the kids seem excited to go back despite the uncertainties. There’s a touch of fall in the air, and it’s my birthday month too.
It’s perhaps the best month for new releases of book, screen, and music offerings. And if you’re a sports fan: you can watch the playoffs in basketball, hockey, and baseball (at month’s end) — all going on at once, which never happens. I will let those pastimes go to watch some of the Tour de France and tennis at the U.S. Open. Oh thank goodness they’re back.
But let’s talk new books. Ohh there’s so many this month … novels by such well-known authors as: Elena Ferrante, Marilynne Robinson, Ken Follet, Robert Galbraith, Nick Hornby, Ruth Ware, and Frederik Backman among others. Are any of these your go-to authors? I’ve been in a quandary over whether Ferrante’s or Robinson’s novel would make for a better read, anyone? And I see that the new Galbraith (aka JK Rowling)/Cormoran Strike book is more than 900 pages, which seems crazy! Leave that length to Ken Follet, okay? Needless to say I will go with a few others below for my picks this month.
First, I’m game to read Yaa Gyasi’s new novel “Transcendent Kingdom” (due out Sept. 1), which is getting rave reviews. It’s said to be much different than her acclaimed 2016 debut novel “Homegoing.” This one is set in contemporary times about a Ghanaian-American woman (Gifty) who, Roxanne Gay writes, is “trying to survive the grief of a brother lost to addiction and a mother trapped in depression while pursuing her ambitions” in neuroscience at Stanford. Her Ghanian family immigrated to Huntsville, Alabama, and she’s the first in her family to be born and raised there.
The narrative alternates between the present (juggling her science pursuits with her family) and her childhood with episodes such as a summer spent in Ghana with her aunt. Likely the novel will be a big hit this fall, so I hope to get to it.
Next, I’m curious to read Ayad Akhtar’s new book “Homeland Elegies” (due out Sept. 15), which the author says in an introductory note is “not a work of autobiography … but is a novel.” Still it appears to follow the author’s life and the protagonist has the same name. Some say it reads like essays and others say it’s more like “autofiction.”
Critic Ron Charles says it’s about, “a man named Ayad Akhtar, the son of Pakistani doctors, who writes a Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a Muslim American and then struggles to negotiate the rising xenophobia of the Trump era.” Uh-oh. Moreover it’s said to be a moving father-son story set against tumultuous current events. Granted I’m not a huge fan of autofiction (whose works include such authors as Ben Lerner, Jenny Offill, and Rachel Cusk), but Akhtar’s book is getting a lot of praise and notice so I am drawn back into it once again.
Then there’s British-Indian author Hari Kunzru’s new novel “Red Pill” (due out Sept. 1) about an unnamed Brooklyn writer who arrives on a fellowship in Berlin that’s meant to be a writing retreat to get over his writer’s block, but then he unwittingly gets drawn into the world of alt-right ideologues. Uh-oh.
Publishers Weekly says the author “does an excellent job of layering the atmosphere with fear and disquietude at every turning point. This nightmarish allegory leaves the reader with much to chew on about literature’s role in the battleground of ideas.” So what more do you want? I still need to read Hari Kunzru’s last novel “White Tears,” which Judy over at the blog Keep the Wisdom had such favorable things to say about. Kunzru’s a bit of an offbeat writer who’s known to take strange turns with his plots. I think I will try “Red Pill” and see where it leads me.
Next is a novel by Scottish-German author Alexander Starritt called “We Germans” (due out Sept. 1) about an elderly man who writes his grandson a letter recounting his time in the German Army on the Eastern Front during WWII and of his ordinary postwar life in search of atonement. Uh-oh.
It’s said to be an unsettling, realistic account with gritty depictions of the horrors of war that raises questions of individual and collective guilt. The grandfather apparently “explains his dark rationale, exults in the courage of others, and blurs the boundaries of right and wrong.” It’s one of the few novels perhaps about a German soldier while in retreat on the Eastern Front. Its themes make me curious, so if I get my courage up, I plan to brave it.
Lastly in books, it’s a tie between Sue Miller’s new novel “Monogamy” (due out Sept. 8) and Sigrid Nunez’s new novel “What Are You Going Through” (also out Sept. 8). Miller’s novel looks to be a page-turner about a 30-year marriage that ends when the man dies and his grieving widow finds out something about him that makes her wonder if she really ever knew him. Uh-oh. We deserve a novel like this right? It’s a readable page-turner with a family secret by a notable author. Check, check, and check. Enjoy.
Then there’s Nunez’s novel about a woman who’s enlisted by a dying friend to help her commit euthanasia. Uh-oh, I’m dragged back to the darkness. But wait, I read Nunez’s last novel “The Friend” from 2018, which had some similar themes about death and suicide, and it had some wise and witty parts to it. So I probably shouldn’t miss this one either. Nunez can somehow blend sorrow with wry humor like no other and she always has a pet in her novels. Her storylines though have a tendency to meander a bit and seem plotless … just a warning for those who don’t care for that.
On screen for September, there’s a new movie with a time-bending plot by Christopher Nolan called “Tenet” that seems action-packed. I liked Nolan’s past films: “Interstellar,” “Inception,” and “Memento” okay, but I am tiring a bit about storylines that unfold beyond real time. They sort of make my head explode, so perhaps I will skip this one and save myself from seeing the action take place in reverse.
Meanwhile a few TV miniseries look decent: “The Comey Rule” (due out on Showtime Sept. 27 & 28) stars Jeff Daniels as the former FBI director James Comey in a two-part, four hour series (with Brendan Gleeson as Donald Trump … lucky him).
It recounts the events preceding and following the 2016 election and is based on Comey’s memoir … (who you may recall was a registered Republican … responsible for reopening the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails less than two weeks before the election … despite no prior major findings). And for that he will always be blasted. I really like Jeff Daniels, but I just hope the show isn’t too lenient on Comey … or else I might go berserk.
There’s also a biographical film directed by Julie Taymor on Gloria Steinem (on Amazon Prime, starting Sept. 30) that looks worth seeing. It’s based on Steinem’s memoir “My Life on the Road” and features four different actresses (Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Lulu Wilson, Alicia Vikander, and Julianne Moore) to portray the legendary feminist at different times in her life.
It might be more inspiring than the backlash and implosion of the Equal Rights Amendment recounted in the miniseries “Mrs. America” (currently streaming on Hulu) … though I haven’t seen that yet, so tell me if I’m wrong and that is good too.
I’m also curious about the highly touted Danish political drama “Borgen,” which apparently has been around since 2010 but is just now coming to Netflix this month. Seasons 1-3 are becoming available whose episodes follow the (fictional) life of the country’s first female prime minister along with members of her staff, her family, and the press who cover her. Hmm has anyone seen it? Apparently it rises above the fact that it has subtitles so say various critics who say it’s that good. But is it?
If these political shows aren’t enough for you …. then you should tune in to the first real U.S. presidential debate on Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. Not to overstate the importance … but the country depends on what happens and the election … so best to pay attention.
Lastly for the month, there’s new music by Keith Urban, Sufjan Stevens, Grant-Lee Phillips, and Lana Del Rey among others. It’s hard to say exactly when Lana’s new album “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” will be out, but she says it’ll be this month (scheduled for Sept.5). There’s no advance tracks to hear so it seems quite a mystery. It’s hard to pick the album without hearing a song much less a note from it, but judging by her last album, I’ll give it the green light. We’ll have to see what “Chemtrails” it leaves, so to speak. Hmm.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases are you most looking forward to this month?
Happy September! Glad to know you are out and about again.
So many great new books. Yes for me on Yaa Gyazi. I admire Hari Kunzru so much. I discovered I have his first novel, The Impressionist, unread on my shelves, so I will read that one first. I used to read Sue Miller and I am ready for more.
I am also looking forward to Evie Wyld’s The Bass Rock and Piranesi by Susannah Clarke.
One of my friends loves Lana Del Rey. Might be time for me to get to know her.
Thanks for the shout out!
Hi Judy, Yeah I’m curious about Hari Kunzru’s novels … I didn’t realize he’s already written like 9 books. I will give his new one a try. I also looked at Evie Wyld’s new novel and will be on the wait list for it at the library. Glad you let me know about the Clarke book as well. I don’t think I saw that one. Many novels this month! It’s good to be out of the house again, woohoo. Enjoy your September.
I don’t know if I could name a favorite month, but my favorite season is summer, so maybe June? When we lived in Nebraska, I loved the months of fall, but that meant winter wasn’t too far off and while I love the first snowfalls, I came to really dislike the bone-chilling temps of winter. We enjoy watching the World Series, but this year it’s been very hard to get excited about baseball. I never would have guessed that a stadium full of fans would make such a difference to TV viewing!
I’m excited about all the new book releases, too. I plan to listen to Ken Follet’s The Evening and the Morning (such a great series on audio!!), as well as the new Galbraith mystery. I’m not a fan of Ruth Ware’s books (although I really did enjoy her first thriller), but Backman is another one I’ll listen to later this fall. I have an ARC of Sue Miller’s new novel (Monogamy), which I’m eager to read.
Tenet sounds interesting, but your comment about it makes me want to re-watch Memento, which was quite mend bending!
I plan to watch the debate on the 29th, but I better stock up on bourbon or my husband and I won’t last through the first 10 minutes.
Enjoy your autumnal weather and walks with your pup!
Thanks Lesley, yeah I definitely will stock up on the bourbon in time for the presidential debate. I know what you mean. Baseball too has sort of lost me. Just hard to get into it this year. Perhaps it’s because the Blue Jays never get anywhere … I also like the Angels but they’re in last place. Sigh. I hope Sue Miller’s new novel will be good … you can let me know about the new Galbraith mystery. Too long for me, she needs an editor! ha. Enjoy your reads & audios.
Red Pill, I have to admit, sounds pretty interesting even though I am at odds with far-right propaganda.
September is my birthday month too! We are expecting another heat wave this weekend but I will be visiting the Central Coast to see my son. He got stuck working some of it but we can still spend a little time visiting with him. It is still going to be hot there, 90 or so but less than here, 105.
I do love the arrival of fall even though it’s completely imagined in my head. Can’t call it fall when it’s 105 out.
So kids there are back to school? Here, they are prepping the buildings for the return of students but I can’t see it happening. My daughter can’t either and is actually looking for a job right now since she finishes online school by 12:40 every day. She really likes online classes even though the theatre stuff is all virtual. They are working on a competition right now. Yep. A virtual theatre competition. They won 1st last year. We shall see how it goes.
Hi Ti, I’m glad your daughter is doing well with all the virtual theater and classes. I was surprised they are opening schools here but the numbers are lower than in Calif. Still you wonder if or how long they can keep Covid out.
I hope things cool off there … but it likely will be awhile yet. It’s cooler here and won’t be long before leaves start turning.
I think Red Pill could be quite good … and will treat far right propaganda like a nightmare. We will see … Enjoy your books!
I am looking forward to Transcendent! I loved her first book and this one looks just as good. Tenet looks like a fun thriller. I’ll be waiting for that one to see on my TV instead of in the theaters but I’ve enjoyed, for the most part, all of his thrillers. (Interstellar wasn’t my favorite). The Gloria Steinem bio looks good too. I read her memoir when it came out a few years ago. I love a good Danish drama so I’ll probably take a look at that one when it drops on Netflix.
I love this time of year as well. It stays pretty hot here until end of September or October so I have to wait a bit but we have had two days of really cool fall-like temps but it’s jumping back up today and especially this weekend. But overall, it’s starting to cool a bit which I’m excited for. Glad you are out of quarantine and can enjoy friends from afar!
Thanks Heather. It’s great being able to walk & hike outside again. Gosh quarantine was not fun but I made it. I hope you’ll be enjoying some hikes during fall too. It’s a perfect time of year. I’ll likely get a hold of the Steinem memoir to read (perhaps before the show comes out). I’ll try to find the Borgen show to watch … Sometimes Canadian Netflix doesn’t get all the shows other countries do, ugh. But I hope it will have it. The Yaa Gyasi novel does look good. Enjoy!
I do like Ruth Ware’s books and am looking forward to her new one. I’ll be discussing her works, especially The Turn of the Key with our mystery book group this evening. Definitely looking forward to it. I attended a virtual event with Louise Penny earlier today about her new book. It was hosted by Murder By the Book, an independent bookstore in Houston. Louise herself was in London. Amazing how we could all do that. Ha! So, the new Galbraith book is 900 pages long – well, you know that J.K. cannot write a short book. I’ll be reading that one too. My favorite month is September too – also my birth month. Glad you are home, well, and able to get out again. Enjoy!
Thanks Kay, when is your birthday this month? Mine is the 20th. Always a fun time of year. So glad you got to hear the Louise Penny talk — wow that’s good! I agree JK Rowling is unable to write a short book … I think her Comoran Strike books would be better if they weren’t so long but how can I argue with her success?! I’ve read just Book 2 in the series. I have not read Ruth Ware but I did meet her at a book festival a couple years ago. I hope you have a great discussion. Enjoy your September!
This has really been a bad year for many. I have been very lucky. I am actually sorry to see the summer end.
As guess that the plot of We Germans is fairly common, but it still sounds good.
Hi Brian: I was expecting you to comment on the upcoming James Comey miniseries, based on his memoir, ha. His actions still tick me off. Also the prez debate this month should be a doozy. Stock up on the bourbon … says Lesley up above. The We Germans novel I heard is quite good … and I see that the British historian Antony Beevor thought it was very realistic … so I am game to get this different perspective. Hmm. Enjoy your September!
My wife and I watched Borgen years ago, the first two seasons, and loved it. Don’t be scared away by the subtitles. It’s amazing television. And we love Lana, especially her last album. We didn’t realize this was coming so soon. Hope it is out this weekend. It will be a great way to start a three-day weekend.
Hey Bryan — thanks for the feedback on Borgen! We will try to find it here in Canada. Glad you & your wife liked it. It sounds like something we would like too. I’ve just now read about it through the Metacritic site. And I’m hoping the Lana album comes out next week … I will check for it. Have a great weekend & thanks for stopping by.
I am really excited about the books that are coming out this month and have several of them in my reading queue already. September is still summer and still hurricane season here so it’s not really my favorite month, but I appreciate the idealized September of songs and poems.
I don’t think I can bear to watch “The Comey Rule.” I tried watching “Mrs. America” but gave up after a couple of episodes. It was just too infuriating. And anyway, been there, done that and I don’t need to relive it.
Yeah I hear ya, Dorothy. Maybe the Comey Rule will be too infuriating. Likely. It’s just too crazy now with politics everyday. Hopefully the novels this month will be great. Enjoy your reads!
A year ago I’d have immediately added Transcendent Kingdom and We Germans to my wish list. I have days now when stress overwhelms me, and I’m not sure I’m up to the themes in either of these, though they both sound very, very promising. I think I will wait to see what you think of both of them before I try them. No pressure.
Yeah I can understand that Deb. Some of these books are likely too dark right now. I’ll let you know if I get to them. Emma Donoghue’s book seems pretty bleak … you were brave to read that one! Enjoy your week.
I am glad you’re out of quarantine and back to having some outside time. I, too, want to read Transcendent Kingdom as I really liked Homegoing.
Thanks Helen. I hope your daughter is out of quarantine too now. I think the new Gyasi books sounds good. and many critics have loved it. Enjoy your September!