Hello, we’ve made it to August. Gulp, does that mean it’s the last full month of summer? I sure hope it will last longer. It’s nice by the beach and not too hot because of the breeze and fog in the mornings. I even took a swim yesterday in the ocean, which was indeed very brisk! This past week I had a Covid test on Wednesday (since I had car trouble on Monday so I had to reschedule it). I continue to have no symptoms but just want to take precautions before seeing my parents next week. I also will hit the 14 day mark of self-isolation on Monday so I will go then. The results of the Covid test will get to me in 3 to 5 days, they said. What a world. Meanwhile I hope you’re staying safe and that your area is not being overrun by outbreaks.
A few people were asking me what books I brought in my suitcase on this trip. In addition to “Olive, Again,” which I talked about last post, I brought 6 print books — all backlist titles that many of you have already read. For whatever reason, I missed getting to them during the “heyday” of their popularity. There is no good reason for missing these. (I will not have food & water till they are finished, Ha.) So here they are:
- * The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (2012) — I just finished and enjoyed it.
* Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (2009)— I loved his book The Tennis Partner and know this one will be great as well.
* The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018) — I’m listening to it on audio (I also have it in print & e-book) because I want to see what all the raves were about.
* Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) — I’ve actually been saving this novel to read so I could savor it on the right vacation and now the time is nearing.
* The Map of Salt & Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar — This novel was a gift received a couple Christmases ago … and now his new book is coming out this fall. So I need to get on it.
* The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough (2011) — this nonfiction history was a gift received from my father twice! I must read it or be banished.
So there you have it: the books weighing down my carry-on bag. As you know e-books are hard to see while reading outside, so print books rule this week. I love being old-school. Soon I’ll be needing to get back to 2020 titles, so this is just a foray into the past with backlist. Do you like reading backlist books? Or staying current? And now let’s talk about new releases coming in August.
There’s a ton of new books this month … some of which were postponed in the spring and lumped into August such as Peter Geye’s novel “Northernmost.” Since I highlighted that one in April, I won’t pick it again here, but I still hope to get to it. There’s also novels by such well-known authors as Margot Livesey, Ali Smith, John Boyne, Isabel Wilkerson, Laura Lippman, and Stephenie Meyer among others.
But perhaps the most talked about this month is Raven Leilani … who’s profiled in the New York Times today and whose debut novel “Luster” (out Aug. 4) is an “unfiltered depiction of sex, failure and a Black woman adrift in work and life.” Many authors such as Zadie Smith, Brit Bennett, and Angela Flournoy have highly praised it, though due to its unusual narration style and (self-destructive?) subject matter it might not be for everyone and I’m unsure of it myself. Though I feel terrible that this new young author lost her father to Covid in April, right at the moment her breakthrough seems imminent. How awful.
Meanwhile I’m looking at two novels that have sort of a cautionary climate change kind of premise. The first being Australian author Charlotte McConaghy’s novel “Migrations” (out Aug. 4) about a troubled woman who traverses the world in search of herself and a flock of endangered Arctic terns as they make what is believed to be their last migration.
The story — with a setting where 80 percent of wildlife has become extinct — is said to be heart-wrenching and perhaps depressing (but also good), so if the pandemic world has got you down, you might postpone this one for another time.
Then there’s Diane Cook’s debut novel “The New Wilderness” (out Aug. 11) set in a dystopian future, where a mother and daughter leave behind the unlivable polluted life in the City, where the population is trapped, to join a survival study in the Wilderness State.
Uh-oh. It sounds like it’s a story about the struggle for survival and freedom and also about maternal love and the relationship between a mother and daughter. This place where they go to sounds a bit like the Hunger Games arena to me, but alas I’m curious to see how they fare.
Next I like the looks of British author Lawrence Osborne’s new thriller “The Glass Kingdom” (out Aug. 18) about a young American woman who comes to Bangkok thinking she can hide out with the money she fleeced from an author in the States, but soon finds herself involved with tenants in her complex who are not totally what they seem, and she doesn’t know whom to trust.
Hmm. I haven’t read Osborne before but he’s been described as a present day Graham Greene and Robert Stone. Is he that good? And if so, then why haven’t I tried out his fiction yet?
Then there’s two historical fiction novels I’m considering. First is Kathleen Rooney’s new novel “Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey” (out Aug. 11), which is based on a true story about a carrier pigeon that flew a mission in France during World War I and the soldiers whose lives she changed. Its chapters alternate narration between the bird and a commander whose troops become trapped behind enemy lines.
Usually an animal narration would be a no-go for me, but a lot of my go-to readers on Goodreads gave it 5 stars, and it’s from the author of “Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk,” so I’m reconsidering my prejudices against such narration. Apparently this novel has much to say, so then bring it on.
Then second is Christine Baker Kline’s novel “The Exiles” (out Aug. 25) about three women (two are English convicts and one is an orphaned Aboriginal girl) trying to carve out lives in mid-19th-century colonial Australia.
I don’t know exactly if Kline’s fiction is considered women’s fiction so I hesitate a bit about spotlighting this one, but I heard she’s a pretty good storyteller. I also like colonial Australia (settler) kinds of reads and have enjoyed Australian author Kate Grenville’s “The Secret River” in the past. Not sure Kline can live up to Grenville’s novels for documenting this historical period, but we will see.
Lastly, I’m interested to try out British writer Helen MacDonald’s new essay book on nature called “Vesper Flights” (out Aug. 25). You remember her memoir “H Is for Hawk,” which was very popular in 2015, well now comes this book in which she writes essays on the intersection of the animal and human worlds. Apparently within this book of 288 pages is 42 different short essays on a wide range of topics.
If you like reading natural history books, perhaps check this one out. I think she seems to be an acute observer who waxes poetic on such things as lunar eclipses, nocturnal bird-watching in Manhattan, mushroom hunting, and even migraines.
As for movies in August, there’s a comedy that might be light fun called “I Used to Go Here” (Aug. 7) about a 35-year-old writer named Kate who, after being invited to speak at her alma matter, becomes enmeshed in the lives of a group of college students. The movie stars Gillian Jacobs and could be something with a few laughs to grasp onto during the pandemic.
Also the movie adaptations of Per Petterson’s 2003 Norwegian novel “Out Stealing Horses” is coming out (Aug. 7) about a widower who moves to the country and has an encounter that rekindles memories of his past. Actor Stellan Skarsgård, who’s in it, is always a big plus.
Also a new movie version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 children’s classic “The Secret Garden” will start streaming on Aug. 7. I count that this is at least the fifth movie version of “The Secret Garden,” which is a novel I loved as a kid. This time Colin Firth, Julie Waters, and the young British actress Dixie Egerickx will star as orphan Mary Lennox. Dixie seems terrific but in terms of imagination it’s probably going to be tough to beat the book.
Lastly in movies, there’s a new movie called “Tesla” (out Aug. 21) about the visionary inventor Nikola Tesla, and his breakthroughs on electrical power and light, as well as his interactions with Thomas Edison and J.P. Morgan’s daughter Anne. This one stars Ethan Hawke and could be entertaining enough, though perhaps the biggest movie of the month is “The Personal History of David Copperfield” (due out Aug. 28), starring Dev Patel in the title role. There’s a large cast in this Charles Dickens saga about a boy who has many adventures and changes as he passes from youth to the various stages of his life.
Judging by the trailer, it looks like they tried to make Copperfield’s life journey pretty comical. I’m not sure if Dickens’s book aficionados will like it a ton, but perhaps it will appeal to others. Patel is a likable kind of actor is he not? From “Slumdog Millionaire” to “Lion,” I’m sure he can pull off the beloved David Copperfield or at least give it his all.
As for music in August, there’s new albums by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Katy Perry, the Killers, and Canadian singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards among others. I’ve always liked Carpenter (what a voice!) … and I’m really glad Kathleen Edwards is back making music after a 8-year hiatus. She’s a big talent in Canada. I’ll pick her new album “Total Freedom” (due out Aug. 14) for my choice this month, which is backed by her single “Hard on Everyone.” Check out a listen to it here.
That’s all for now. What about you — which releases this month are you most looking forward to?
Well you are accomplishing your mission!
Of the books in your bag I have read The Snow Child (loved it), Pachinko and The Map of Salt and Stars. Actually I loved those too. I have only read one by Makkai: The Hundred Year House, but it was excellent.
I am still working my way through new releases from earlier in the year but am looking forward in August to Black Bottom Saints by Alice Randall and The Great Offshore Ground by Venessa Veselka.
For music I saw the video for the Chicks’s, formerly the Dixie Chicks, title song on their new album, Gaslighter. Was blown away so I am going to download the album today.
Have a lovely visit with your parents.
Thanks Judy, my mission is almost there and I’m starting to enjoy the OC. At first I had trouble with the isolation & change here but now I’m doing better. I think my late afternoon ocean swims have helped.
And I plan to get Gaslighter too. I like the Chicks and their music. I looked at the Randall and Veselka novels and almost picked them … so I’ll be curious what you think. A lot of new books out there. I knew you had read most of my backlist books … it’s nice reading print copies once again.
I can’t believe that it is August already. Things are going by so fast.
Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey sounds interesting. I also am a bit skeptical of animal narratives but that book does sound original. I think that almost any type of book can be well done if handled by a skilled writer.
Hi Brian: you make a good point about the animal narration. Apparently the one in this novel is so well done … that you don’t even think anything weird about it. I think it must be good from what I’m hearing … so I’ll check it out.
Enjoy your August and don’t work too much!
You are fortunate to be near the beach! We will be going to the NJ beach on Friday for the first time since we left Florida in beginning of June. We need to register that morning in advance online since the limit the amount of people who can be on the beach. I stopped carrying books with me on trips a few years ago. I know it’s not as good, but I read on my Kindle and it’s much lighter. Have a good week and travels and stay well.
Hi Judee: I didn’t realize you have to register online there before going to the beach. Interesting. Luckily I’ve had enough space here while at the beach. It’s nice since it’s much cooler than inland areas. I would read on my e-reader but I can’t see it while in sunlight; maybe you have an umbrella? Enjoy your trip!
It’s taken me a long time to get through your post, as I’ve read a little and then looked up books and movies and audios you’ve mentioned online. I’ve now listened to a little of the new Kathleen Edwards and Mary Chapin Carpenter, and I want to especially thank you for that.
I prefer backlist titles, typically, over new titles, and I especially like those that haven’t been at the front of the pack (I’m not sure why this often puts me off books, but it does. It might just be that my expectations are too high.) I’ve read and enjoyed Pachinko and Greater Journey and Migrations (though I’m not sure “enjoyed” is really the right word for how I felt about this book; nevertheless, it is a very good read). I’m on the waiting list for the new books by the author of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and H is for Hawk. I hope I’m not disappointed.
I will look for the movies you mentioned. We only have a little tv these days, so it’s often hard to see movies right away.
I hope your visit with your parents goes well. You are taking such careful steps to make the visit possible. I wish everyone would approach things as carefully as you have.
Thanks Deb. I’ve been keeping my distance & my Covid test came back negative so that’s great. Will see my folks on Monday. Glad for your insights on these books. Hope you enjoy the new tunes. I think they’ll help me too. Enjoy.
Listened to the unabridged audiobook of The Greater Journey, read by the author, years ago. Such a superb work—I’ve never been so upset to find myself at the end of a book! And I suspect your father gave that book to you because I gave it to him.
Hi. Yeah I’m looking forward to The Greater Journey. I believe Dad gave me the hardback of it in 2018 at Christmas and the big paperback of it at 2019 Christmas. So I have no excuses … I liked McCullough’s book on the Wright Brothers so I suspect I will like this one too. I’m glad you liked this one. The audio must have taken awhile.
Wow. So many good books. I loved THE GREAT BELIEVERS, PACHINKO, CUTTING FOR STONE, and though I don;t remember it well, I remember thinking highly of THE SNOW CHILD. Can’t believe we are still quarantining. I hope your test is negative! Stay safe. Please join me for some good news of the week
Thanks Anne. It seems many liked the backlist books I brought with me … sort of modern day classics perhaps … so I probably can’t go wrong. And I got back my Covid test results last night which were negative! I’m free to go now. Thx for the support. Cheers.
I’m glad that your quarantine is almost over so you can finally start vacationing properly. I hope your parents are and remain well, and the same goes to your hubby and you.
Since 2015 when I enrolled in Netgalley, I’ve tended to read mostly new releases, though this year, due to a huge backlog, I’ve started to read older ARCs from Netgalley, of which I have bought my own copies too. So I’ve done a bit of both. I’ve been kind of disappointed because I requested titles I thought were going to make it big and hasn’t turned out that way. I have been watching lots of movies from this year and last one. I recommend you Mr. Jones and The Truth (Verité). I may be wrong but I think The New Wilderness made the Booker longlist this year, so did Hilary Mantel’s latest, and others I wasn’t consider reading, like the one with the tiger on the cover Some of These Hills are Gold (or something like that), but I might add it to my reading list. Apeirogon made it too, too bad I couldn’t finish it.
Hi Carmen: great to hear from you! My Covid test was negative and I’ll be heading to stay with my parents tomorrow (Monday). So far it’s worked out though it’s been a long route; the hubby is back home so I’m solo out here. How are you & your Mom doing there? Has her job started again?
I do hope to see Mr. Jones and I’ll look for The Truth. Thx for the tips on the books & movies. I still have a lot of 2020 titles to read … but it’s nice just trying to read a few old ones too. I hope you are finding some good books among the duds. take care.
Everything is fine so far but my mother is still on layoff. My reading choices haven’t been duds, just that the world at large is not talking about them, so I feel like I chose the wrong books if the thought was to be trendy. 🙂 Thank goodness your test was negative, and I hope you enjoy your visit with your parents. Take care and come back soon!
Thanks Carmen, let you know how the visit goes. And I know what you mean about books not turning out to be trendy when you think they will. hmm.
Great list of books you’ve got there. I really enjoyed Pachinko and remember Cutting for Stone fondly.
Thanks Helen. Yeah both of those books I’m looking forward to! Glad you liked them.
August looks to be a good month for new releases. There are several on the list that I may be adding to my TBR. Of the ones that you’ve taken with you to read, I can definitely recommend Cutting for Stone and Pachinko. Both were excellent and I’m sure you will enjoy them. But most importantly, enjoy your time with your parents. It is precious.
Thanks Dorothy, I just got to my parents yesterday so I will get a good two weeks here with them. It’s Very hot, over 100. Looking forward to Pachinko and Cutting for Stone. But this week I hope to finish the others … to make room for those. Have a good week.
My Kindle Paperwhite is easier to read outside than a book! No glare. Easy page turns while sipping a cold drink. Haha.
My club liked Cutting for Stone a lot. I did, as well. Plenty to discuss for sure. We also enjoyed Pachinko. One member who chose it cooked us Korean food and offered Korean drinks too and it was delightful. I thought the story was a little long but very good.
So you should be with family now, right? I hope you are enjoying yourself. My daughter’s acting intensive ended so we are thinking of driving to Santa Barbara this Saturday. Was hoping my son could meet us there as it’s the halfway point between us and San Luis Obispo but it looks like he is working. Not sure what we will do there as much of it is closed but I need a change of scenery.
This Friday my daughter and I will hit the botanical garden. That should be very enjoyable albeit hot! She wanted to go late afternoon.
Hi Ti, Wow I’m not used to this kind of heat! I’m at my parents now and things are going fine. But the heat out here, is pretty stunning. Hope you have a nice drive to SB, and maybe can cool off at the beach if it’s not too crowded? I didn’t realize that about the Paperwhite … that you can see it while outside. I guess mine is a Fire … and it’s just dark in sunlight. But good to know about your Paperwhite! Have fun at the botanical garden …
I loved The Great Believers so much. Yale is one of my favorite fictional characters ever. Pachinko is really good too. Definitely one that you can get immersed in.
Hi Rachel: good to hear from you. Glad to hear you liked these books … I’ve gotten into Yale’s narration as the tale has gone on. I’m still midway thru The Great Believers … and I hope the end won’t be too sad, we’ll see. Enjoy your summer.
Great list of August books, Susan. As usual we have a few in common. I started Luster, but stopped at about 25%. I just wasn’t that interested, but if I hear great things I’d be willing to go back to it.
I hope your visit with your parents has gone well. It’s nice you got to enjoy the beach for a couple weeks first.
Hi Susie, yeah I’m glad in retrospect I got to be at the beach for a while … especially since I’m not used to the intense heat more inland. The beach was nice! Though now it’s been good being with my folks.
I’m glad you tried Luster. I’m a bit curious about the author’s writing style. Can she write? I don’t have that one high on my list but I know it’s received quite a bit of hype amid the industry. Hope you enjoy your remaining vacation time.
I’ve had two of your posts in my blog reader and am just now getting around to commenting. It’s odd to think that summer is only here for another month. I know a lot of people are looking forward to fall and cooler temps, but it hasn’t felt much like summer here, with our cool/chilly days. However, this week we’ll be up in the 60s (F) with lots of sunshine, so I may get to wear some of my shorts!
I hope you are having a good visit with your folks and that the nearby fire hasn’t caused any problems!
Ah, wasn’t The Snow Child a wonderful novel? My husband enjoyed it, too, and we had some good conversations about the writing. Cutting for Stone is one of my all-time favorite audiobooks, but I have never read anything else by Verghese. I’ll have to look for The Tennis Partner (which I believe is a memoir?). I read Pachinko with my book group and was in the minority with my average rating. I’ll be curious to read your thoughts once you’ve read it.
I read a mix of new and older titles. I have shelves of unread books (some I’ve had for over 20 years) and am trying to pay more attention to those, but a lot of my book group selections are for new releases. I would say most of the audiobooks I listen to are more current, simply because I don’t buy very many print books anymore. I have Migrations in my audio queue and am really looking forward to that one! I read the Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, so I may look into The Exiles. I hadn’t heard of that new release.
The best thing about your post is the mention of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s new album!!! I had no idea. When I worked at Barnes & Noble, I knew about all the big new releases (music and books) and MCC has always been a favorite. I own all her albums and will definitely order this new one! I’m old school and prefer the cds over downloading. And yes, she has an great voice and is a marvelous song writer. Yay!!
Sorry for the long comment. I hope you continue to do well and have a great time with your family. Take good care!
Hey Leslie, thanks. and no problem – I love long comments! Great to hear how you’re doing there in idyllic Oregon … and your insight on these novels. Helps me navigate which ones to pick up first. I too love Mary Chapin Carpenter’s music so I will be getting her new album. Her voice! I’m glad you are a fan. I haven’t gotten her music in a long while (a decade?) so it’ll be nice to revisit her singing again. I’ll be visiting your site soon to see what’s up. Enjoy your week & books.
Hi Susan,
We are looking forward to the Tesla movie very much, as we are big fans of him going way back – related to Neb’s Serbian roots. So far, our favourite Tesla from the movies was the role played by David Bowie in The Prestige. I have big hopes for Ethan Hawke. Tesla was brilliant and his story has not been properly told yet in cinema. The rivalry with Edison has long tentacles. Perhaps 20 years ago, Ken Russell wanted to tell the Tesla story, and apparently Edison’s descendants put the kabash on it. So at long last, we hope to be in N.C. with our son and DIL for a family watch together.
Thank you for all your reviews. It makes me a more discerning movie watcher and reader.
That’s great Marcia: about your interest in the upcoming movie Tesla. I didn’t know much at all about the quirky inventor … until Graham Moore’s 2016 novel The Last Days of Night … when I really became quite enthralled by Tesla and his whole story, which I continued to read more about beyond this novel. He is indeed fascinating. And I think they were planning to make a movie of this book as well with Eddie Redmayne but it might be still in the makings. I hope the Ethan Hawke movie of Tesla is good and we will plan to see it too.
Thanks for your insights & helping me with things you find out & hear!