We’re onto April now. I hope everyone has a very Happy Easter this Sunday. It seems early this year, doesn’t it? But it’s all about when the first full moon occurs after the spring equinox. Got it? Right, blame it on the moon. I hope it’s warm and sunny where you are … and all the pretty flowers are coming out. We had a crazy “snow squall” last weekend, but it appears spring is now thinking about peeking through, though it’s windy out. Recently I finished this 1,000 piece puzzle of New York City — I started it during my quarantine days (a gift from my sister at Christmas) — though it took me until after my quarantine release to get it done. I don’t do puzzles often, but I enjoyed it and it kept my sanity for quite awhile. I liked listening to an audio while working on it.
This past week I would be remiss not to mention that two literary icons passed away: children’s author Beverly Cleary and western author Larry McMurtry both died on the same day, Thursday March 25. Ugh, it is upsetting to lose them, and hearing about a literary icon’s passing always makes me want to read their works anew. I haven’t read Cleary — known for her Ramona books — since I was a kid.
And I now must really rectify not reading McMurtry’s masterpiece “Lonesome Dove” — which I know is many people’s most beloved book. I have no excuse! In fact, I was working at a bookstore in Colorado in 1988-9 and that was the biggest blockbuster seller back then. It was flying off the shelf and we were constantly re-stocking it. But I had my head in the clouds and it was about 864 pages long, full of a cattle drive. Do you remember where you were when you first read it? And did you go on to read his others in the series?
And now let’s talk about what’s coming out this month. Of course I’m all over the place about what looks good to read. I picked about nine novels releasing, but I tried to whittle it down to five. First up is Katherine Heiny’s new novel “Early Morning Riser” (out April 13), which Esquire says is: “a wry and wise novel about the intertwined romantic lives of the residents of a small Michigan town.”
It’s said to be charming and witty and spans 17 years in the lives of Jane and her new husband Duncan, who unfortunately has slept with practically every woman in town before meeting her. Then something happens that changes their lives and love. This one seems like a heartwarming story that examines small-town baggage and families. And the author Heiny was much praised for her earlier debut “Standard Deviation,” which I still want to go back and read, and this one is getting favorable reviews too.
Then there’s Australian author Pip Williams’s debut novel “The Dictionary of Lost Words” (due out April 6) about the daughter of a lexicographer of the Oxford English Dictionary who devotes her life to making an alternative dictionary. Esme comes to realize words relating to women’s and common folk’s experiences are going unrecorded so she aims to keep them alive.
This historical novel inspired by real events is said to highlight the power of language and women’s lives and contributions in an imaginative way. As Booklist says: “Esme’s unusual word-saturated coming-of-age during the quest for women’s rights will entrance language-loving and socially conscious” readers … so count me in.
Next I like the looks of Flynn Berry’s novel “Northern Spy” (out April 6), which is about two sisters who become entangled with the Irish Republican Army. Tessa is a BBC producer and a mother to a new baby in Belfast when she hears on the news about a raid. When the police come to suspect it’s due to her sister Marian who they think has joined the IRA, Tessa can’t believe it’s true, but eventually she gets pulled in … to work as a double agent and soon it’ll test her ideals, bonds, and identity as a sister and a mother.
This taut thriller is by the young American author who won the Edgar Award for best first novel in 2017 for her thriller “Under the Harrow” so I’m hoping it’s good as well.
Also JoAnne Tompkins’s debut novel “What Comes After” (out April 13) looks like a doozy. It’s about how a small Quaker community in the Pacific Northwest is rocked after the shocking deaths of two teenage boys there and a mysterious pregnant teenage girl who emerges from the woods. Uh-oh.
It seems to be much about the community’s coming to grips and emotions with all of this and has been compared to Anne Tyler’s and Marilynne Robinson’s explorations of the heart. Hmm. Author Cara Wall says it’s a “beautifully satisfying portrait of people who are terribly wrong about themselves, who discover astonishing relief when they accept their heartbreaking truths.” Hmm. Kirkus Reviews calls it “a quiet portrayal of troubled lives” and “a graceful debut.” What do you think … a go or a pass?
Lastly in books is Willy Vlautin’s new novel “The Night Always Comes” (out April 6), which looks pretty bleak about the plight of a young woman in Portland, Oregon, pushed to the edge as she fights to secure a stable future for herself and her family. Set over two days and two nights, the story follows Lynette’s “frantic search … that leads her to make a dangerous choice that sets her on a precarious, frenzied spiral.” Uh-oh.
I have yet to read a book by Willy Vlautin, but apparently he writes about working-class protagonists like no other, and this gritty page-turner is said to raise such questions about how far one’s prepared to go to achieve the American Dream and what’s the price of gentrification. I’ll probably need something light and happy after this.
On the screen this month, PBS has a few things worth seeing, first is Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s three-part, six-hour documentary film “Hemingway” (starting April 5) about the iconic and complicated author said to be one of the most influential in U.S. history.
The series will explore the writer’s art and legacy and will try to uncover the man behind the myth so to speak. If you like his novels like I do, then you probably won’t want to miss it. Last year, we spent a weekend in Ketchum, Idaho, and while there visiting with relatives, we went to see Hemingway’s grave where he was buried after taking his own life in 1961. He stills holds much allure to the town.
Then there’s the eight-part WWII drama “Atlantic Crossing” (starting April 4) based on the true story of Norwegian Crown Princess Martha, who in 1940 made a narrow escape to the U.S. and became close to President Roosevelt, imploring him to get the U.S. to help her country fight off the Nazis.
If you like that, you might also like “World on Fire” also set during WWII about “the intertwining fates of ordinary people in five countries as they grapple with the effects of the war on their everyday lives.” PBS is replaying Season 1 from 2019 (starting April 4), which we missed so we’ll try to catch back up. Stay tuned for Season 2, sometime down the line.
While we’re keen on PBS at the moment, there’s also the seven-episode TV series “Mare of Easttown” on HBO (starting April 18) that stars Kate Winslet as a dour small town Pennsylvania detective who investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart. It sounds a bit similar to the 2018 TV series “Sharp Objects” with Amy Adams, right? Crazy, but check it out if you want to see how Winslet tries the accent.
If you want more psychological thriller drama then perhaps check out the Australian series “The Secrets She Keeps” (starting on Prime April 21), which is based on the 2017 novel by Michael Robotham about a chance encounter between two pregnant women in a supermarket just outside of Sydney … who hold explosive secrets about what they each hold dear. Uh-oh. We love such crazy drama right? Sort of reminds me of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant in the TV series “The Undoing.” Oh yeah, that one went down quickly.
As for new music out this month there’s a live album by Norah Jones called “Til’ We Meet Again” (out April 16) that looks good … and also a posthumous release of Tom Petty’s called “Finding Wildflowers” (out April 16), which features 16 studio recordings of alternate takes and jam versions of songs that went on to appear on Petty’s 1994 solo album “Wildflowers.” For Petty fans, “Wildflowers” is an album that wonderfully keeps on giving.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases are you most looking forward to?
Easter does feel early, but we don’t usually celebrate so I wasn’t paying much attention to the calendar. You had snow? Ugh. We have had a few days of sunny weather (in the low 50s), but the rain is returning next week. I think it’s high time we get the heck out of Dodge and find some warmer weather. We’re hoping to go out in the RV for a week at the end of the month. After that, we’ve got a longer trip planned. Heading south to San Diego (for my niece’s wedding). We’ll head back up along 395 toward Tahoe and figure the rest out after that. It’s been ages since we’ve traveled (Sept/Oct 2019) in the RV and we’re more than ready!
Your puzzle looks like it was a lot of fun to put together. What’s the brand? We’re hooked on Pomegranate, for the most part.
Very sad about Beverly Cleary and Larry McMurtry, but they lived long, productive lives, didn’t they? I have yet to read Lonesome Dove. I considered the audio until I read all the negative reviews about the reader who is a heavy breather. Ugh. I guess I’ll get an ebook since it’s such a chunkster.
I’m not familiar with any of the new books (or authors) you mention with the exception of Flynn Berry. I enjoyed Under the Harrow and will add Northern Spy to my TBR list.
I’m interested in all the shows you’ve mentioned and have added them to my viewing list. We just finished Season One of Sneaky Pete (loved it!) and have start Chance (starring Hugh Laurie). We sure have watched a lot of great shows during the pandemic!
Hooray for new albums! I love both Norah Jones and Tom Petty and will give those a listen.
Thanks as always for all your wonderful recommendations, Sue! Take good care!
Great Lesley, thanks for your message. Wow getting out in the RV will be a blast, especially that long trip to Calif. I will go virtually with you down the backroads, ha. I’ll have to check the puzzle brand and let you know. The design is like one of the best I’ve ever done. I should try to read Lonesome Dove before my life is over. I heard it’s a great read but never gotten to it. The shows you mention we’ll have to look into. All the best this month! It should start getting nice out.
Thanks for this post! I added several books to my TBR and the Hemingway and Kate Winslet series to my calendar.
Can’t believe Easter is this Sunday and I’ve already eaten all my Easter candy except the chocolate bunny and one Cadbury caramel egg. I couldn’t stop myself! The stores have been out of everything for weeks now so I have zero hope to restock before Sunday.
I loved Lonesome Dove (book and miniseries) so much!!! I haven’t read any of his other books.
I love Ramona and Henry Huggins and want to reread them all now.
Thanks Jinjer. I’ve got to get to Lonesome Dove sometime! I’ve always heard it’s a wonderful read. Will this be the year?! You’ll have to get yourself more Easter candy before the weekend. I’m in the doghouse about candy since I had Milk Duds last night after dinner. What a no no. I should stay clear of the chocolate bunnies. Happy Easter to you.
Nice work on that puzzle! I love a good puzzle from time-to-time with the family. I actually never much of Cleary as a kid, unfortunately. But I do want to read a few now. So sad to hear about their deaths. I watched Lonesome Dove back in the day but have never read it. I’m not a big Western genre fan. If you read it and love it, I may take a crack at reading it!
That Hemingway documentary looks good too. I was also thinking the same thing about the Winslet series…troubled detective, small town, murder! But yeah I’ll watch it. I’m such a sucker for those.
Northern Spy looks good. I’ll have to check it out.
I hope you have a great week!
Thanks Heather, the puzzle took a few weeks, they are fun once you get into them. And I need to give Lonesome Dove a try! I’m not sure I’m big into Westerns either, but I’m curious about all they say about the book.
Fingers crossed on the Winslet series. We need to keep the pandemic shows going. A lot out there. We just finished Your Honor with Bryan Cranston — oh my! good craziness. Have a great April. & Easter.
Congratulations on completing the puzzle. I don’t think I would ever have the patience for it.
My kids and I read Cleary’s Ramona books together when they were little. I loved the books as much as they did. What a wonderful kid Ramona was.
I haven’t read a lot of McMurtry’s books; my husband is the big McMurtry fan in the family. But I did read Lonesome Dove. It is emblazoned on my memory not just for the quality of the writing and its exciting story but because I read it while I was at the hospital with my mother who had just had heart bypass surgery. It kept me well entertained during those long hours. I’m sure that you will enjoy it, too.
I had not heard of a single one of the books you mention that are coming out in April, but they are certainly an eclectic lot, and several sound quite promising as does the music you mention. Happy April!
Thanks Dorothy. That’s a lovely story you have about reading Lonesome Dove. Some books are just ingrained in our brains for where we were when we read them. I can imagine what an anxious time it was for you at the hospital. I hope to get to the book sometime. My brother in Montana often mentions it.
The puzzle tested me a bit but when you’re in a 14 day lockdown you keep it going. I’m thrilled to have completed it, ha. Many books ahead this month.
I hope you have a great April!
I’m intrigued by The Night Always Comes, have an awesome April
Hey Shelleyrae: thanks for stopping by. The Willy Vlautin novel surely sounds like a strong cup of coffee from what I’ve read about it. It might not be too uplifting but I hope to get to it. I want to stop by your site soon. Enjoy your April there.
Happy Easter to you as well! Most of the releases you talk about are news to me, so thanks for filling me in. I’m still stuck with Imbolo Mbue’s latest, which has taken me about a month to reach 50%, and that’s a feat in itself ( :-o) ), but there are two April releases that I want to get to, namely Paula Maclain’s When the Stars Go Dark, and Chris Bohjalian’s Hour of the Witch. Let’s see how it goes. I’m still trying to finish my must-see list from movies and documentaries from last year as well as keeping up with this year’s releases as they come. My TV series streaming has picked up again after two rather dry months; I caught on with Chris Bohjalian’s HBO Max adaptation of The Flight Attendant–co-starring your crush Michiel Huisman. I also watched the HBO Europe’s adaptation of Beartown, both seasons of Cormoran Strike series, the adaptation of The Luminaries, and now I’m in the midst of Sarah Pinborough’s Netflix adaptation of Behind Her Eyes. Have you seen any good movies lately? I’ve seen lots, which can recommend. Just ask. ( :-; ).
Wow Carmen – thanks! Lots of good info here. & Thanks for reminding me about the Paula McLain book … not sure why I didn’t see that one or mention it. But now I want to read it first for April releases, ha. By the way, it took me forever to read the Imbolo Mbue book and I did not give it a favorable review (see post below). Ugh it took me forever to stick with it. Is the Flight Attendant series any good?? I need to see more of Huisman. We finished Cranston’s Your Honor series … which is pretty anxiety packed, ha. Is the Strike series good?? I might look for that. What’s been your favorite series lately …. and movie ? The TV series lately are beating the movies … in quality it seems. Hope you are well. Have a wonderful Easter & April!
Great Easter and April to you and yours as well! The Flight Attendant was good, (not great) but it was entertaining. Cormorant Strikes series is very good (2 seasons thus far, which cover the first four books); you can find it on HBO Max, alongside Beartown and The Undoing, which were outstanding. Movie-wise, I’m on a roll. Another Round (Denmark), The Assassins (documentary), The Dissident (docum.), The Mauritanian, Minari, and Promising Young Woman, which I finally saw, are all excellent. I read your review of Mbue’s novel after I commented on this post, and made up my mind to put it aside—I’ve had enough of it!
Good Friday to you Carmen! We did watch The Undoing which we liked much (nice & crazy) … I want to see the Strike series now so we will look for it. Eventually want to see Minari. Did you watch Your Honor series? Unfortunately I didn’t think the Mbue novel changes … so if you were having a hard time where you were in the book … it stays pretty much the same. Argh! I almost couldn’t finish it. There’s too much else to read. Enjoy.
Ha! The cue card is a puzzle blog now, thanks to me ;-). Glad to know it was a good one. Thanks for all of the good books recs — I need good fiction now and you’ve mentioned some promising options — will try the Heiny, Williams and even Berry reads. I just read News of the World recently so I could turn to Lonesome Dove for more gritty western fare. Of course, I watched the miniseries way back when (such a cast!), but never read the book. Definitely an oversight. And hooray — I’m ready for new Tom Petty!!
Yeah the puzzle was one of the very best! Did you tell me you got it in Ketchum? I’m going to eventually look for another. A lot of other bloggers do puzzles, ha perhaps b/c they’re retired folks. Someday I will get to reading Lonesome Dove which I often refer to as Lonesome Glove. John was a big fan of it. I think I will like it. But I don’t often read 864 page books. I forgot to mention there’s a new Paula McLain book this month … a mystery perhaps which is different for her. Enjoy your Easter & all your books.
I has been quite a while since I did a puzzle. I have a shelf of them. The one you did is beautiful.
I am looking forward to most of the books you listed. If you have not read Vlutin before, I can recommend him without qualms.
According to my handy self-created reading records, I read Lonesome Dove in 1994. I was so impressed. I keep reading him as I work through my Big Fat Reading Project. Horseman, Pass By was so good, it was adapted in the movie Hud.
Sad to lose two wonderful authors in one day.
Thanks Judy, the puzzle was fun and I liked the design a lot. I have not read any Vlautin books … but I’m a bit afraid as this new one is supposed to be quite bleak but I will go there if need be.
Good to know about your reading of Lonesome Dove, wow …. I know many have loved it. I will get to it. I think I will like it. I was shocked by his passing. & Cleary’s. Best we can do is : reread them & pay homage.
Enjoy your Easter. & books!
Looking at your list of books I was thrilled to see, The Night Always Comes – that’s on my April reading list – love the sound of it. The author is known for grittier stories. So sad about Beverly Cleary and Larry McMurtry, my daughter loved Ramona series when she was young. No big plans for Easter here.
Hey Diane: yeah we don’t have big Easter plans either. Sort of sneaked up on me. But it’s supposed to be nice on Saturday for a bike ride! Glad you are planning on the Vlautin novel – should be gritty! I might have to reread a Ramona book as it’s been forever … Ramona the Pest. ha. Take care.
The Dictionary of Lost Words sounds good as I read the original book about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. And Northern Spy sounds super good.
I haven’t been watching movies or TV lately, only whatever I watch on my treadmill, which needs to be a certain type of show to keep me amused. But, those WWII shows are enticing.
Hope you have a great week.
Thanks Helen. Yeah what are you watching on the treadmill these days? I hope Northern Spy will be good. I hadn’t heard of the author before but will likely go back & read her first thriller Under the Harrow. Have a great weekend.
Your note about Willy Vlautin is right on the mark – he does write well about working-class people. I read The Free and wow, he got the emotions all right.
There are some good books coming up next month, right? I’m looking forward to reading those. And great work on the puzzle! I am hoping to start a new one next week, but let’s see.
Hey Athira : thanks for letting me know about Willy Vlautin … I’ve got to try his books sometime. He seems a hero for the working-class. This new one seems bleak! I was pleasantly surprised with this puzzle, much fun … so I might look around for another. If you do one, take a picture for us! Enjoy your April.
So many good things here. Easter seems to sneak up on me every year. My sister and BIL (both vaccinated) will be staying at our condo and our twin daughters are with us, so there will be six of us. I’ll do a traditional Easter dinner, which we’ll eat outdoors, but it should be much more festive than last year. Monday we celebrate the twins birthday.
I don’t do many puzzles, but that one has me wanting to start one – love it!
Books: I liked Katherine Heiny’s Standard Deviation very much, so am excited about Early Morning Riser. What Comes After sounds great, too. Can’t wait to see what arrives from my Shelf Subscription!
I’m looking forward to the Hemingway series, but I’m glad you mentioned Atlantic Crossing and World On Fire. They sound like shows both my husband and I would enjoy. We’ll be watching a lot of PBS this month!
Wow JoAnn: you have a big weekend ahead, sounds festive for Easter & then the twins bday, that’s so nice …. what age are they now? I’ll check your site to see the plans & all the wonderful food you cook. Not many plans here as travel is still difficult etc. My husband gets his first vaccine shot on April 9! And yes there’s much to watch on PBS this month it appears. I might also try the CB Strike TV series too, which I think is on HBO Max. (I’ll have to see if we get it.) If you liked Heiny’s Standard Deviation, I should go back & get to it. The new one looks good too. Enjoy your reads & week!
That puzzle is so cute. Cute is a weird way to describe it but those taxis!
I’ve never read Lonesome Dove or seen the movie, it’s a movie too, right? I know it’s incredibly popular. If you ever hosted a read-along for it, I’d be game.
It has been very warm here. Warm like earthquake warm. Every time it’s like this I feel like an earthquake is coming. It has been between 85-90 all week long. Nice but also the bugs came out and I am not a fan of them.
My reading is still good but I can tell I am stumbling a little with my picks. I am carefully navigating my reading pile to avoid the dreaded slump.
Easter will be such an improvement over last year. I just bought all the stuff to make the meal. A vegetarian one for me, and the traditional one for them.
Hi Ti, that’s a good idea bout having a read-along for the Lonesome Dove book. I will see about doing that sometime and let you know. My reading has been too slow lately. Yours has been on a roll. I need to see what you thought of the new Paula McLain book. Is it any good? Have a happy Easter tomorrow and hopefully it’ll get a bit cooler there. My brother is taking my folks to the beach.
Last Easter felt bleak. I wasn’t sure where things were going with the pandemic, but it did not look good. We were starting to hunker down. This year I feel a little more hopeful.
I like the look of Dictionary of Lost Words. I put in a request for a copy of it. Thanks for highlighting it.
I urge you to read Lonesome Dove. My favorite story about Lonesome Dove concerns my niece who wasn’t a reader even into high school. Lonesome Dove changed that, and I’ve always been a little proud that I led her to the book.
Hi Deb, that’s a great story about your niece reading Lonesome Dove. Wow wonderful anecdote & inspiring. I will try to get to it this year! I know you think highly of it and I’m sure it’ll be a great read.
It does feel a bit more hopeful this spring though the case numbers here are rising again. Canada needs to vaccinate more! I hope you enjoy the Pip Williams debut. take care & have a lovely April.
The Dictionary of Lost Words. That is such a clever title and I hope a clever book. I read Lonesome Dove last year and loved it, though I did notice the bad treatment of Native Americans in it. Happy Easter. My Sunday Salon—Easter Edition
Hey Anne: I’m glad to hear you read Lonesome Dove last year and thanks for your reaction — I’ll be on the look out for its treatment of Native Americans. Maybe I’ll get to it this year? If I can make room. I’m hoping the Dictionary will be a good novel. Happy Easter to you too!
Great puzzle! I love listening to audio books when I work on puzzles.
Hi Stacy, thanks for stopping by. Yeah it’s quite relaxing to work a puzzle while listening to an audio. It’s addicting … the whole puzzle thing. Happy Easter to you & your family.
The Dictionary of Lost Words got many good reviews when it was released here. I bought it as soon as it came out but haven’t read it yet.
I was sorry to hear about Larry McMurtry too. Lonesome Dove is such a good book!
Hey Marg, great to hear from you. I’m glad to hear you are a Lonesome Dove fan. I must get to it, perhaps this year! And I’m curious to what you’ll think about the Dictionary novel. I hope it’s good. Happy Easter to you.
We had a little snow too on April 1, of all days. But it wasn’t much and is gone now as temperatures are rising in northcentral Pennsylvania where we live.
I just heard about Hemingway. I have been rereading some of his novels over the last couple of years…well, started last year and have yet to get back to them. So I’m looking forward to this series.
I’d be interested in seeing Mare of Easttown if it weren’t on HBO Max since we don’t have. As a Pennsylvanian, I do have to mention, though, when you mention a “Pennsylvanian accent,” that our state is a big state, there really isn’t just one accent. There’s Philly and Pittsburgh and then other parts of the state. I don’t know of one distinctive accent. Of course, after living here all my life, I don’t even think I have an accent :). However, my wife, who grew up in South Jersey, says I do.
Hi Bryan, I’ll defer to you on all things Pennsylvania … I’m sure there are different accents throughout the big state …. I guess the show is supposed to be set in a small town somewhere I gather in rural PA … so I was being general about it when I said Penn accent, but you make a good point! Perhaps I’ll just say accent instead. Everyone seems to have an accent even when they don’t think they do. Canadians tell me all the time … about my American accent (huh?) …
I’m looking forward to the Hemingway series! Should be good.
Have a Happy Easter & weekend there. thanks for stopping by.
The passing of two icons on the same day seems rather dramatic, and very sad, too. I haven’t read everything from McMurtry, but now I must dig into some of the unread titles. My granddaughter enjoyed the Ramona books from Cleary.
We used to go to Borders after the movies…back when we still had that bookstore. Sigh.
I do want to watch the Hemingway documentary.
Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
Hi Laurel, yeah it’s ominous those two authors both died on the same day. I will have to make room sometime for reading Lonesome Dove. The Hemingway documentary starts tonight …. so I’m looking forward to it. Enjoy your week & books.
I’ve got What Comes Next on my library hold list. It was the featured book for the NYT book review Group Text column yesterday and sounded really good.
Hey Rachel, sorry I missed seeing your comment for awhile. I hope the Tompkins novel is good. I’m on the wait list for it too. It seems popular now. I look forward to hearing what you think of it. Cheers.