Category Archives: Top Picks

Here it’s almost September already and I haven’t even discussed August releases yet. But there’s too many good novels (see list at right) to skip from spotlighting them.

Of course a lot of people this month are talking about Haruki Murakami’s latest novel “Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage,” which is about a man in his mid-30s who journeys to visit four of his former high school friends to find out why they cut off all relations with him during college. Who better than Ti over at Book Chatter to be the fan ambassador for this new book. She’s read about everything he’s written and I’m sure will have the lowdown soon on where this particular novel stands amid all his other famous works.

Weighing in at 640 pages, “We Are Not Ourselves” by Matthew Thomas is another novel making a splash this month. It’s about an Irish-American family in New York and their lives that chart the story of America’s 20th century. It’s been heralded as a literary breakout for Thomas whose debut has been ten years in the making. Author Chad Harbach calls it a “powerfully moving book” and Joshua Ferris says it’s a “masterwork.”

Other novels this month are also weighty in substance, taking on the seriousness of fall books instead of flighty, fun summer reads. Take for instance, “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” by Richard Flanagan which tells the story set in 1943 of an Australian who tries to save the men under his command while slaving in a Japanese POW camp along the Thai-Burma Railway. Flanagan’s novel apparently springs from his own father’s experiences working on the “death railway” during WWII. It has been much praised and is long-listed for the 2014 Man Booker Prize. (Stay tuned for the Booker short list to be announced on Sept. 9).

Also this month there’s “The Lotus and the Storm” a novel by Lan Cao, which illuminates the shattering effects of war as experienced by a South Vietnamese family, who forty years later living in Virginia discover truths about what really happened during their years in Saigon. Author Ruth Ozeki calls the novel “profoundly moving” and Khaled Hosseini says it’s a “searing indictment of the American campaign in Vietnam.”

Another touted novel out this month “Before, During, and After” by Richard Bausch explores the effects that 9/11 has on a soon-to-be-married couple. While another “Your Face in Mine” by Jess Row explores issues of race and identity after a man undergoes racial reassignment surgery that allows him to pass as African American. One last one “The Dog” by Jack Livings, which captures lives set within contemporary China, has been called “a pitch-perfect account of modernization’s grueling aftermath” by Publishers Weekly.

Whoa when did summer end? These books all seem so weighty and significant. But I’m still in my summer reading mode and have picked three other novels a bit lighter in scope. First off, I’d like to check out Malcolm Brooks’s debut “Painted Horses” about a female archaeologist in the 1950s who is hired to explore a Montana canyon slated for damming and destruction. I’ve heard it’s good and I’m just in an American West frame of mind right now, thanks to Peter Heller’s novel “The Painter,” which I’m enjoying.

I might also pick up Ellen Cooney’s novel “The Mountaintop School for Dogs and Other Second Chances,” which is about two women who start a sanctuary for dogs high on a mountain where humans and canines help each other find new hope and new lives. Need I say more? If you’re a dog person like me, this story might be a wee bit hard to resist.

Lastly for novels out this month, I hope to check out Julie Schumacher’s “Dear Committee Members” because it looks funny and irreverent and hopefully is just the perfect book to end the summer on. I know a lot of bloggers have already blitzed through its short 192 pages and liked it. For those who don’t know it, Slate explains it’s a “funny and lacerating novel of academia written in the form of letters of recommendation.” Its protagonist professor Jason Fitger sounds like a hilarious piece of work so I don’t want to miss this one.

In movies out this month (see list at left), I know folks who’ve loved “Guardians of the Galaxy” but action blockbusters aren’t exactly my thing. I liked the book “The Giver” by Lois Lowry but I’m not sure about seeing the movie. And I haven’t read “The Hundred-Year Journey” by Richard Morais so I think I will likely wait to see that movie on pay-per-view as well as “The Trip to Italy,” though both might have potential.

In albums out this month (see list at bottom right), I’d likely pick Spoon’s “They Want My Soul,” or else the alt-country selection “Bahamas Is Afie” by the singer/guitarist who makes up Bahamas.

What about you — which books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to? Continue reading →

On average July brings the warmest temperatures of the year here in western Canada and with all the sunshine come active, busy days. I’ve been a bit here, there, and everywhere, except blogging lately. I had company staying for awhile, but now I’m back and ready to check out what’s releasing for this summer month.

If you hadn’t noticed, there’s quite a few heavyweights due out with books right about now (see list at right). Such reliable, strong-selling authors as Jojo Moyes, Liane Moriarty, and Rainbow Rowell have new novels out this month, which could be perfect for the beach. It might be just the right time to sink my teeth into “Big Little Lies” or perhaps “Landline.” Have you read these already?

I’m also curious about four highly praised books coming out from debut novelists. Elizabeth Little’s book “Dear Daughter” introduces a protagonist recently released from prison for the murder of her mother who goes undercover to find out what really happened to her. Author Tana French says the book is “an all-nighter and the best debut mystery I’ve read in a long time.” Kate Atkinson calls it a “really gutsy, clever, energetic read” and a “breath of fresh air.”

Then there’s Mira Jacob’s popular debut “The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing” about an Indian American family dealing with tragedy and loss. It goes from India to New Mexico and Seattle and expands on the family’s difficulties living in America and with each other. Both multigenerational and alternating from past and present, the novel’s been called “epic” and “dazzling” and everyone seems to be rating it highly.

But my attention is also captured by Rufi Thorpe’s debut “The Girls From Corona del Mar,” a story about a complicated friendship between two complex women over decades and continents, which author Maggie Shipstead says is “generous, soulful, and tough.” Ann Packer says “what’s most impressive is its incredible vitality, its searing intensity.” I’m taken, too, by its title since I used to go to the beach there as a kid. Could that also be its allure?

Lastly in enticing debuts is Will Chancellor’s “A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall” about a professor of classics and his son, captain of Stanford’s water polo team who is blinded during a match and flees to Berlin. His father follows trying to find him in Greece, Germany and Iceland. While in Europe, both son and father undergo a summer of personal and professional transformation, which author Molly Antopol says is “at once a psychological journey and a terrific page-turner.” Hmm. Count me in.

Meanwhile in movies this month (see list at left), it’s the usual summer fare, which I can’t say that I go to watch much anymore. For some reason, I’m not even psyched for the latest Planet of the Apes movie, despite its favorable reviews and seemingly excellent special effects. The apes look eerily real, do they not? But gosh I once was riveted to the ’70’s TV series and Cornelius back in the day. Planet of the Apes did rule for me back then.

But for now I’m picking the espionage thriller “A Most Wanted Man” based on the John le Carre novel. It looks intriguing and includes one of the last roles played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, which seems rather disconcerting seeing him, knowing that he’s longer around, but he’s so good in these parts. And I did like the film for le Carre’s novel “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” so I’m hoping I’ll like this spy flick, too.

In albums out this month (see list at bottom right), there’s not one that calls out to me strongly, but I’m glad to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are back with a new one. And I’m also curious by Jason Mraz’s new album “Yes!” which I think will have some good songs on it. So I’ll pick this one.

Enjoy your summer days of new books, movies and albums! Which ones are you most looking forward to? Continue reading →

We are half way into the year now — so how is your reading going? Mine has slowed a bit but I’m looking to rectify that with the plethora of new novels coming out this month (see list at right).

But first, I’m taking in Australian Kate Morton’s 2009 novel “The Forgotten Garden,” which I’m reading for my book club this month. It’s about an abandoned child on a ship going to Australia in 1913 whose identity is pieced together as the book goes on. I’m not sure this is my typical genre to read, but Morton seems an engaging and natural storyteller, making it worth while for summer reading on the back deck. (Apply sunscreen as needed.)

In new novels out this month, I’d have to say I’m most interested in Tim Winton’s novel “Eyrie” because I’m a big fan of Winton’s and will read whatever he writes. Coincidently, like Morton, he’s an Australian, too. So far, I’ve read Winton’s novels “Dirt Music” (2001) and “Breath” (2008) and his excellent short story collection “The Turning” (2005). The great thing too is the author is coming to our city’s annual book festival in October and will speak there. So I definitely plan to have “Eyrie” read by then and have him sign it, which will be quite a thrill. Apparently, “Eyrie” is about a man who’s struggling to accomplish good in a world run amok who becomes broke and encounters a woman from his past and her preternatural son who are in desperate need of help. Hmm. Can he help them? I will have to find out.

Next up, I’m interested in Lily King’s new novel “Euphoria” about three young anthropologists in the 1930s caught in a passionate love triangle that affects their lives. It’s based loosely on the real life of Margaret Mead who studied native tribes in the territory of New Guinea, where the novel takes place. “Euphoria” has received high marks, and for those like me who are interested in Mead’s life and work and anthropology in general, it might be just the right historical novel to dive into.

Another book I plan to check out is “We Are Called to Rise,” which is a debut novel by Laura McBride. It’s set in Las Vegas and is about three lives that collide and are bound together by a split-second mistake in which a child’s fate hangs in the balance. What happens next is said to restore one’s faith in humanity. Hmm, I’m quite curious about this emotionally powerful tale, which has received such positive feedback from readers and authors alike. Will it affect me the same way?

Other honorable mentions this month include Lisa See’s latest novel “China Dolls” about three young women who meet at a San Francisco nightclub in 1938 and become fast friends, relying on each other through changing wartimes. “China Dolls” reminds me I need to read this author again after enjoying her 2005 novel “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.”

Then there’s “The Book of Unknown Americans” by Cristina Henriquez, which is said to be a passionate and powerful story about a handful of hispanic immigrant families living in the U.S. Author Billy Lynn calls it a “triumph of storytelling,” and from what I hear, it might just be a novel about the immigrant experience that’s too important to miss.

Lastly if you want suspense this summer, “Those Who Wish Me Dead” by Michael Koryta could be just the thriller for you. I’ve read it’s quite breathtaking, about a 14-year-old boy who witnesses a murder and is hidden in a wilderness skills program where the killers are trying to reach him. Yikes, run!

In movies this month (see list at left), “Fault in Our Stars” raked in an impressive $48 million on its opening weekend. I liked the John Green novel it’s taken from so I hope to see it. You would think a tale about two young cancer patients in a relationship would turn out too maudlin or weepy, but apparently like the book, the movie does well to make it more life-affirming and witty. What did you think, have you seen it?

The other dramatic movie that might be worth seeing is “Third Person” by the same director (Paul Haggis) who did the movie “Crash” years ago. It’s about three love stories that end up being interconnected in some way. It has a notable cast with Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, Adrien Brody and James Franco among others and looks quite intense so I will likely see if it’s any good.

Lastly in albums for June (see list at bottom right), it’s always good to see Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders back singing again. This time solo, too. I like her new song “Dark Sunglasses” but I’m not sure of the entire album “Stockholm” just yet. I need to hear some more. I’m also curious about listening to David Gray’s new one “Mutineers.”

What about you — which books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to? Continue reading →

Because I’ve been away a bit, I’m late in putting out my release picks this month, so let’s get started. A plethora of interesting-looking new novels (see list at right) made it difficult for me to narrow my choices.

There’s a bit of everything this month, for a love story and beach read I’m considering snatching up Beatriz Williams’s new novel “The Secret Life of Violet Grant,” which is about a recent college grad who begins to investigate the past of an aunt she never knew she had. Booklist calls it a “substantive beach read steeped in history and familial intrigue.” Okay with me, I’ll get out the sunscreen.

Or maybe I should turn to Scandinavian crime fiction, since Jo Nesbo’s latest “The Son” is coming out, which looks to be another wild and chilling ride. It’s about a prison inmate who finds out a secret about his deceased father and sets out to hunt down those responsible for the crimes against him. I’m sure it’ll have a lot of twists and turns, not to mention suspense, but will I be able to stomach the brutality?

I could turn to another WWII novel, which is getting tremendous positive feedback called “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. It’s set during the war in France and Germany about a 14-year-old French blind girl and a German orphan boy whose paths cross late in the novel. Author J.L. Moehringer says it’s a novel “you savor, and ponder, and happily lose sleep over, then go around urging all your friends to read—now.” While author Abraham Verghese says “Doerr’s writing and imagery are stunning. … The story still lives on in my head.”

Hmm. I’ll likely need to read it, but my very first choice for this month’s releases is Peter Heller’s new novel “The Painter.” Granted, I did not read Heller’s successful 2012 debut “The Dog Stars” (I gave it to my husband who very much enjoyed it), but I vow to amend that by reading this one. According to O magazine “The Painter” is about an artist who “settles into a quiet new life in Colorado after serving time for shooting a man in a bar fight–and reconnects with his old rage.” Much has been praised about Heller’s writing, so sign me up for this one.

Lastly in books I’m a bit curious about Adam Pelzer’s debut novel “Troika” called a modern-day love story between a Cuban-American and a Russian orphan that journeys from Little Havana to Manhattan. Author Ayelet Waldman has been on the bandwagon for this book saying in numerous venues that she [friggin’] loved it.

As well as I’m interested in Amy Rowland’s debut “The Transcriptionist” that takes place at a big New York City newspaper and explores questions about journalism and ethics, technology, the decline of papers and the written word. I plan to scoop it up quickly as I worked at a newspaper for many years so I think it could be topical to me, as well as many others.

In movies this month (see list at left), I don’t see any that I’m particularly interested in seeing at the theater. I’m not a big super-hero watcher, sorry Spidey. Instead I’m currently trying Season One of the political drama “House of Cards” with Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. It’s about a Congressman, the House majority whip, who, after being passed over for Secretary of State, initiates a plan to get into a position of more power. He and his wife are pretty cold fish. And would he really risk leaking to such a rookie reporter? The show has quite a dark outlook on humanity and the inner workings of D.C., where I once lived. I guess I’ll watch a bit more and see if I hang with it.

Other good news in May is there’s quite a few enticing albums being released (see list at bottom right). I need to check out new ones from Coldplay, the Black Keys, Natalie Merchant (where has she been?), Tori Amos, Ben Harper, and Sarah McLachlan. Wow quite a list! Actually I’ve been listening to Ray LaMontagne’s new one “Supernova” which was supposed to be out May 6 but came out instead at the end of April. It’s pretty groovy, a bit different than his other folk tunes, more sixties-ish perhaps, with a psychedelic edge. Meanwhile look for Coldplay’s new one “Ghost Stories” to be quieter and more introspective than the last few by the band.

What about you — which books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to? Continue reading →

April is already racing by so I’m putting out my picks pronto for this month. But before I do that, I wanted to say how sorry I was to hear that author Peter Matthiessen had recently died, and right before his latest novel “In Paradise” was due out. Ugh what a great writer, especially on topics about the natural world. I recall reading his nonfiction book “The Snow Leopard” in my twenties and being quite moved by it. If you get a chance, check it out along with his others. Have you read any of his books? And what did you think?

For April, there seems to be a number of good novels coming out (see list at right). I’m drawn to read “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin about a bookstore owner on Alice Island (a fictional Martha’s Vineyard), who goes through a transformation of sorts, and redemption. Booklist says the novel’s also an homage to bookstores that “perfectly captures the joy of connecting people and books.” As a former indie bookstore employee, I can’t resist this new well-regarded novel that touches on the ins and outs of bookselling.

Meanwhile, “Be Safe I Love You” by Cara Hoffman is my edgier pick for April about the troubled homecoming of a female U.S. soldier who returns from a tour of duty in Iraq in time to spend the holidays with her family. All appears fine, as she offers to take her brother on a trip to visit their mother in upstate New York, but they wind up traveling to Canada instead. Library Journal calls the novel a searing tale of the “corrosive effects of war on the psyche,” and Ms. magazine says it’s “a riveting suspense story.” So I hope not to miss it.

Lastly I’m curious about Ayelet Waldman’s novel “Love and Treasure,” which weaves a story around the true history of the Hungarian Gold Train in WWII. Apparently the train carried a trove of stolen goods taken from Jews in Hungary and was bound for Germany when Allied soldiers intercepted it. Some of the trove was then re-stolen. The Boston Globe says the “book’s best moments explore subtle ambiguities … the human stories behind the looted objects flicker into life.” I haven’t read Waldman before but have heard good things about her books so I think I should give this one a try.

For movies in April (see list at left), I’m interested in seeing “The Railway Man,” which is based on the book by Eric Lomax, a British Army officer who was sent to a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in 1942. Years after the war, Lomax set out to confront the man responsible for his torture there, which the movie explores. It stars Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, which isn’t too shabby. I’ll likely see it if comes out around here.

Another film I’ll likely see is “Hateship, Loveship,” which is based on the Alice Munro short story. Holy smokes I didn’t know this was in the works. It looks like a quaint love story among outsiders, starring Kristen Wiig and Guy Pierce. You can’t go wrong there.

Even Nicolas Cage’s new movie “Joe,” which is based on the novel by Larry Brown, looks to be pretty good. It’s about an ex-con who helps a 15-year-old boy in a rough situation. The trailer reminded me slightly of the movie “Mud,” which I liked quite a bit, so I think I’ll see this one, too.

Lastly for albums in April (see list at bottom right), I plan to check out Joan Osborne’s “Love and Hate.” She’s always had a great sultry voice so I think there will be some songs worth checking out.

How about you — which new books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to? Continue reading →

March has arrived but you wouldn’t really know it because the temperatures have been so cold across Canada. Blah. But I can still dream of spring. And now that the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and the Academy Awards are over, we can get back to regular programming so to speak.

Speaking of which, I’m still surprised that “Gravity” won seven Oscars on Sunday, and “American Hustle” was completely shut out. Of course I agree “Gravity” had stunning visual and special effects but I didn’t think there was much of a story, other than hurdling through space and trying to get from point A to point B by your untethered self, which seemed pretty unlikely or unrealistic. Oh well, give space movies a break. It’s cold and pretty out there.

Moving on to March releases, there’s not a huge amount to snatch up this month, which surprises me a bit after the onslaught of good releases the past two months, but a few did catch my eye. In literary fiction (see list at right), I’m picking “Roosevelt’s Beast” by Louis Bayard, which looks to be a fun adventurous read if you’re up for a jungle excursion. It’s a reimagining of Theodore Roosevelt and his son’s ill-fated 1914 expedition to the Amazon. It sounds like a journey part “King Kong” and part “Heart of Darkness” with its psychological twist, but I’ll have to read it to see. I have not read Bayard, who’s know for his thought-provoking thrillers, before so that’s enticing, too.

I’m also picking Rene Denfeld’s debut novel “The Enchanted,” which is receiving a lot of high praise. I’m usually not into novels set in prison such as this one is, but it sounds quite different and a bit magical — about a prisoner and a death row investigator who uncovers some wrenching truths. Fellow author Erin Morgenstern says it’s “a wondrous book that finds transcendence in the most unlikely of places . . . So dark yet so exquisite.” And author Katherine Dunn calls “The Enchanted” “contagious” and “seductive” … “unlike anything I’ve ever read.” Along with other praise, I’m quite curious about this one, so sign me up!

As for March movies (see list at left), I’ve got to pick “Divergent,” based on the hugely popular young-adult novel by Veronica Roth. Oh yeah I’ll be there in the box office line, but first I still have to read the dystopian, sci-fi book that spawned the movie and trilogy. Yep I’m behind the times. But how much more dystopia can I take? Oh well, at least another. I hope to devour the book, and by then I’ll need to know if Shailene Woodley will deliver as Tris, and if the movie will be any good. What do you think?

Lastly in album releases for March (see list at bottom right), I’m most looking forward to indie band Foster the People’s album “Supermodel,” which is the follow-up to their successful debut “Torches” from 2011. One of the singles off “Supermodel,” “Coming of Age” has a cool sound and vibe to it, so I think the album should be a great release. I’m planning to check it out in full when it comes out mid-March.

How about you — which new books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to? Continue reading →

Happy February everyone and happy Super Bowl Sunday. I hope you enjoy the Big Game and the parties, and of course the amusing commercials.

February will be a busy month as the Olympic Winter Games take place Feb. 7-23 in Sochi, Russia. Go Team USA and Team Canada! So I will be watching quite a bit of those. Who knows how many books I will be able to get through, but this month is loaded with some great literary fiction coming out (see list at the right). I’ve picked six that I’d like to snatch up sometime; three of these are authors putting out their debuts.

“The Wives of Los Alamos” by TaraShea Nesbit is one that comes highly praised; it describes the lives of the women who accompanied their scientist husbands to the desert to work on a secret project that turned out to be the making of the atomic bomb. Author Paula McLain calls the novel a “fascinating and artful debut” and one of “consequence,” while Gail Godwin says she’s in “awe” of it.

Another debut that likely shouldn’t be missed is Molly Antopol’s short story collection “The UnAmericans.” Antopol is an honoree of the National Book Foundation’s “5 under 35” picks, and a “writer of seismic talents,” says Pulitzer Prize winner Adam Johnson. She’s quite the talk of the town so to speak so I need to check this out.

Andy Weir’s “The Martian” is another praised debut that I hope to read. It looks like a fast-paced thriller about an astronaut who’s left by his crew for dead on Mars. Will he be able to overcome the odds against him? Even astronaut Chris Hadfield says he couldn’t put the book down.

The next two February novels on my list are from Canadians. “Caught” by Lisa Moore, which came out in Canada in May 2013, is now releasing this month to acclaim in the U.S. It’s about a Billy-the-Kid-type character who busts out of prison to embark on one last great heist and win back the woman he loves.

The other novel “The Bear” by Claire Cameron is described as a harrowing suspense story that’s narrated by a five-year-old girl who must fend for herself and her little brother after a brutal bear attack. It sounds quite scary but also moving about the bonds between mothers and children.

Lastly in February novels, I can’t help but want to read “Wonderkid” by Wesley Stace, which looks quite fun. It’s being hailed as a rock-and-roll novel written with an insider’s knowledge of the music biz about a British band that takes America by storm until things start to go wrong. Colin Meloy of the Decemberists says it’s “at turns illuminating and heartbreaking — but always funny.” “Wonderkid” looks to be a sure winner.

For movies this month (see list at left), I’ll pick George Clooney’s “The Monuments Men” about an Allied WWII platoon trying to rescue stolen art from the Nazis. It’s based on a true story, and although the trailer makes it look a bit like a humorous affair of loopy characters, I still want to see it. The movie’s release was delayed from December as fixes were made to it, so hopefully the result will be good.

Lastly in albums this month (see list at bottom right), I’ll pick Beck’s latest “Morning Phase” because he has a good voice and usually has some interesting songs. And if you liked his 2002 album “Sea Change,” you might also enjoy this one, as I hear it has a similar style.

How about you — which new books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to? Continue reading →

Greetings football fans. It’s a big weekend in the NFL and I’m hoping my team the Broncos can get by the Chargers. But we will see what fate lies ahead. I’m hoping Peyton has a good day.

This week I had arthroscopic knee surgery as a result of a tennis injury over the past year so I have not been very mobile, but each day gets a little bit better. My Hub has been a good Nurse Nancy and helper and my dog is trying to be patient till I can be more out and about.

Meanwhile we must talk about what’s coming out in January. You know it’s a good month when such well-known literary fiction authors as Joyce Carol Oates, E.L. Doctorow, Anna Quindlen, Sue Monk Kidd, and Isabel Allende have new novels coming out.

Perhaps even more interesting are the authors this month who are coming out with their second books after having had debuts that were so successful, which adds a bit of extra pressure, does it not? I’m thinking of Nancy Horan (“Loving Frank”), Rachel Joyce (“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry”), Ishmael Beah (“A Long Way Gone”), and Wiley Cash (“A Land More Kind Than Home”). I’ll be looking to check out their new books and see how they compare to their debuts.

If it’s a snappy literary thriller you’re looking to sink your teeth into, Elisabeth Elo’s debut “North of Boston,” about a plot involving the glacial whaling grounds off Baffin Island, looks compelling. So, too, does Louise Doughty’s “Apple Tree Yard” about a woman who has an affair and soon finds herself and her lover on trial for murder. And then there’s Chang-rae Lee’s haunting, multi-layered story “On Such a Full Sea” set in a dystopian future America, which appears quite chilling.

And if you’re looking for historical fiction, there’s Robert Harris’s “An Officer and a Spy” about the infamous Dreyfus affair, which likely shouldn’t be missed, nor Brian Payton’s “The Wind Is Not a River,” which involves a love story set amid the invasion of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands during WWII.

So many new books in January, so little time! For movies (see list at left), I’m curious to see “Labor Day” at the end of the month because it’s based on the Joyce Maynard novel of the same name. I actually want to read it first and then see it. It’s about a single mom and her 13-year-old son who give a convict a place to stay and in time learn his story. Hopefully it’ll rise above a made-for-TV kind of drama.

Lastly in albums (see list at bottom right), I can’t wait for Springsteen’s latest “High Hopes” which is coming out on Tuesday. I’ve been a huge fan of his since ’75 and each album’s been a treasure to me. Apparently the new music is from unreleased material from the past decade. The songs were previously recorded and some were written for other albums but never made it on. A few songs are covers of other bands’ songs, which should be interesting. I’m psyched up about ”High Hopes.” It’s Springsteen after all.

What about you – what new book, movie ,or album releases are you most looking forward to this month? Continue reading →

Well it’s the last month of the year and I don’t think I’m going to meet my goal of the amount of books I wanted to finish in 2013. But heck, I read some interesting ones and a lot of authors I hadn’t read before. Some were veteran authors and others debut novelists. Sometimes I guess it’s quality over quantity in book reading, you can’t get too down about it. But I will set new reading goals for next year and keep my sights high, challenging myself to do more. That’s the good thing about a new year!

Meanwhile in December releases there’s not a lot new coming out in literary fiction (see list at right). For possible reads, I’ll pick Jim Harrison’s collection “Brown Dog,” which features six of his novellas written over the years that include the character Brown Dog, a down-on-his-luck Michigan Indian. I’ve always liked Harrison’s writings, especially his collection “Legends of the Fall,” which you might remember from the 1994 movie with Brad Pitt.

For fun, you might also like Nick Hornby’s nonfictional book “Ten Years in the Tub: A Decade Soaking in Great Books.” Hornby’s a humorous author with great wit and insight so I think this one will be quite wonderful. It’s based on his “Stuff I’ve Been Reading” columns that he wrote for the literary magazine The Believer. I’ve not read his columns before but I really got a kick out of his novel “High Fidelity” along with the movie of it that followed. He discusses all sort of things about reading in “Ten Years in the Tub” so it might be a fun gift for book worms.

For movies, December is usually the best month of the year, yay! And this one looks like it won’t disappoint with various films for everyone (see list at left). I know my brother is counting the minutes till “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” comes out. I hope to see a lot this month, too. I still haven’t seen the harsh but incredible “12 Years a Slave” from last month, which Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post picks as the No. 1 film of 2013. Check out her “Best Movies of 2013” list, which is rather interesting. (I’ll write my own list later.)

Meanwhile I’m looking forward this month to “American Hustle,” “Saving Mr. Banks,” “August: Osage County” and maybe “Lone Survivor” if I can handle a scary war film. But the film I’m most interested to see — being a fan of folk music — is the Coen brothers’ film “Inside Llewyn Davis” about a singer in Greenwich Village in 1961. I got to see this (!) even though it looks a bit dark and quirky, like most of the Coen brothers’ movies.

Lastly, in albums for December there aren’t many new ones coming out (see list at bottom right). We should all just be listening to our favorite Christmas albums right about now. For Christmas-y stuff, I still like the 2003 soundtrack to the movie “Love Actually” and Chris Isaak’s “Christmas” album from 2004; I also like Sarah McLachlan’s album “Wintersong” from 2006. It’s excellent. I play these three CDs into the ground every year at this time. Do you have a Christmas album that you like best?

And what movie or book releases are you most looking forward to this month?

Enjoy your eggnog and happy holidays! — from The Cue Card Continue reading →

Who can believe we’re already into November. Pretty soon Christmas will be here and that’ll be crazy. I think fiction offerings this month (see list at right) are a bit down from the huge number of releases in September and October. But still there’s a few big-name literary authors with novels out, notably Amy Tan, Robert Stone, and Russell Banks among others. There’s also some popular storytellers with books due out like those from Fannie Flagg, Adriana Trigiani, Sebastian Faulks, Anita Shreve and Mitch Albom.

But after checking out their books a bit, none of them really grabbed me. So I’m selecting a few dark horses this month that hopefully will be diamonds in the rough. First off is the second short-story collection from Laura van den Berg called “The Isle of Youth,” which the back cover says explores the lives of women mired in secrecy and deception. Hmm. It also carries ringing endorsements from authors Ann Pachett, Dave Eggers, and Karen Russell, which isn’t too shabby. I’m game for short stories these days so this one looks enticing.

Next up, if you like historical fiction, you might want to check out “Hild” by author Nicola Griffith. Set in seventh-century Britain, it’s about the rise of the most powerful woman apparently in the Middle Ages and is based on what little historical record there is of her. The novel sounds captivating, and it intrigues me that it’s about the Middle Ages. Who doesn’t want to read more about this mysterious time period!

Also there’s a few strong debut novels out this month, notably “Red Sky in Morning,” a tale of vengeance set in the nineteenth century that traces the path of the main characters from Ireland to rural Pennsylvania; “Where the Moon Isn’t,” an affecting and insightful account into mental illness and modern health care; and “Buying In” a novel about a small-town girl’s floundering in the high-stakes world of Wall Street. All of the topics are so different, yet each seems quite alluring. You might also like “Fractures” by veteran author Lamar Herrin, which is a sprawling family drama about a patriarch who must decide whether to lease his family’s land to gas companies for hydro-fracking.

As for movies in November (see list at left), three books, which I’ve read, are making their way to the big screen!, notably “Ender’s Game,” “The Book Thief,” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Of course, I want to see all of them and compare them to the novels. But I’m especially geared up for “Catching Fire,” which should be huge! I can’t wait for the second in the trilogy. So if you’re feeling the same, get thee to a theater!

Lastly in albums for November (see list at bottom right), the biggest release is undoubtedly Lady Gaga’s “Artpop,” which likely will be loud and pop-ish and perfect for her fans. I admit to liking her old “Poker Face” days, but wouldn’t include myself as one of her minions. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I’ll pick Blue Rodeo’s new album “In Our Nature” because country rock is cool and I like this old Canadian band, which I plan to see in concert in January.

How about you, which book, movie, or album releases out this month are you excited about? Continue reading →