Hi all. Welcome to August. I’m a bit late with my preview post but here it goes. What does this month represent? The last hurrah of summer perhaps, or the glory days of reading on the back deck. This week we’ve actually had a couple days of rain, which is unusual now, but I hope it’s helping with the wildfires. A big thunderstorm came in with a boom.
Sometimes in August there’s a slight hint of autumn in the air this far north, but I’m not really ready for that just yet. On cooler evenings I’ll play a bit of “golf” with our dog Willow. I’ll practice my chipping in the yard and she’ll retrieve the golf balls. She loves “golf.” I just grab my club and she’s off running.
And in about ten days I’ll be flying to Southern California to visit my dad. I was last there in April when I lost my mom. It’ll be good to see my dad again. We’ll go to the beach, relive good memories, and play some putting games on the green there. It’ll be crispy hot and worth a dip in the ocean.
And now let’s talk about what’s coming out this month. I see there’s new novels by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Abi Dare, and Elif Shafak among others. I’m looking at these ladies’ books and a couple others, including one newly translated into English from Japanese author Yoko Ogawa. It appears she wrote Mina’s Matchbox in 2006 and now it’s available in North America on Aug. 13. Publishers Weekly says it’s about: a Japanese woman who looks back 30 years to 1972, the year she stayed with her aunt’s family in the coastal town of Ashiya, and reflects on the secrets she uncovered there.
Ogawa’s books are usually a bit different, but I have liked both her novels The Housekeeper and the Professor (translated 2008) and The Memory Police (translated 2019). She reminds me slightly of British author Kazuo Ishiguro because her books that I’ve read involved plots surrounding memory, which some of his books do too. Her new novel seems to capture childhood memories, and apparently it’s a coming-of-age tale about a 12-year-old who is charmed by her asthmatic cousin, the books they share, and the pygmy hippopotamus her cousin has as a pet and rides to school. Thus the book’s cover, lol.
Next this month I’m also hoping to read Peter Heller’s new wilderness adventure novel Burn (out Aug. 13), which the publisher says is about two men — friends since childhood — who emerge from a camping/hunting trip in rural Maine to a “dystopian country racked by bewildering violence.” A bridge is blown apart, buildings burned, and cars are bombed out. Have they come upon the work of armed secessionists or what? They try to make their way to safety and then discover something startling that alters their path. Uh-oh.
This sounds like vintage Heller … and back to the days of his dystopian debut novel Dog Stars. I think I’ve read four of his books … and they often involve male-centric wilderness survival plots. They’re usually not too dense and are more adventurous kinds of tales, perfect for August. And narrator Mark Deakins has read Heller’s audios for years if you want to try that version. See what you think.
In screen releases, I don’t see a lot out this month but the Olympics are ending this Sunday Aug. 11, and then the Democratic National Convention will air Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, so perhaps new things are waiting to release in September. I have enjoyed watching the Olympics, particularly the swimming, cycling, and track and field have been amazing. And some of the gymnastics too, along with other events.
We did finish the crime series Presumed Innocent with Jake Gyllenhaal, which was spooky/creepy and had a little twist at the end which we were ready for. It was updated pretty well from the 1987 novel and 1990 movie, so I can’t complain too much. The only other shows that really caught my eye this month are Season 4 of Only Murders in the Building (starting Aug. 27 on Hulu) and Season 2 of Pachinko (AppleTV+ starting Aug. 23). I might try to finish Season 1 of Pachinko … which we didn’t get through when it came out, but I liked the novel by Min Jin Lee so much that I’m going to try the show again.
And I see that Vince Vaughn is in a new drama called Bad Monkey (starting Aug. 14 on AppleTV+), based on the 2013 novel by Carl Hiaasen, about a former police detective relegated to restaurant inspections who gets pulled into a murder case. Some of the trailer looked a bit funny with Vince being the usual clown funny guy, but it seems quite over-the-top too. So I’m not sure we’ll stick with it, but if you like Hiaasen’s crime novels then you might check it out.
In music releases this month, there’s new albums by Lainey Wilson, Amos Lee, Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, and Ray LaMontagne among others. These are some pretty strong artists to choose from, but I’ll pick Ray LaMontagne’s new album Long Way Home, which is his ninth studio album since his debut in 2004. And here is a song off that called Step Into Your Power.
That’s all for now. What about you — which releases are you looking forward to this month?
Oooohh, I didn’t know the TV adaptation of Pachinko was out already! I loved the book and I was so excited when I heard about it. It sounds like it wasn’t immediately engrossing for you, which makes me a little worried, but like you I love the book enough that I’m still going to give it a try. I like that it’s been getting a little cooler but the hailstorm was a different story. I hope you enjoy your visit with your dad!
Hi Haze, did you get hit by the hail? We didn’t get much here … but it sounded awful in the city and north. Man so much damage, ugh!
I think it’s good you’re going to try the Pachinko series. I am too. I need to give it more of a chance. I loved the novel too and I’m hoping Min Jin Lee has a new novel soon. And thanks I’m excited by my trip coming up and seeing my dad.
Hope you have a good weekend ahead. Happy reading.
No, we didn’t get hit by the hail luckily! But yes, people have been sharing pictures and videos and there was so much damage. I feel so badly for them.
I’m not sure when I’ll get the chance to get into Pachinko. Most of my tv time is spent with my husband and I’m not sure he’ll be into this one so I’ll have to find time to watch it by myself. I hope it gets better for you the second time around.
Yeah I know what you mean. I don’t think my husband wants to watch Pachinko either. So when will I find time? Somehow we will persist with it.
Glad you missed the hail damage. What a relief. Last summer it hit our car … and it was not good. It took a long while to get fixed and hope not to go thru that ever again. Stay well!
The first week of August here has been SO hot. Everyday has been above 100. But they say our temps will start to ‘drop’ down into the 90s. I think I’m ready for fall weather, even though I’m not quite ready for summer to end. That Yoko Ogawa book looks interesting. I really loved The Housekeeper and the Professor! And I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip to see your dad. 😀
Thanks Lark. It’s unreal you’ve had such hot weather in SLC. I hope it cools. We’ve had much cooler weather lately. It went from 90s to 70s just about a week ago. I think I want to read all of Ogawa’s english translations … there might be a couple more of her books available. Not sure how she got a hippo in her story, ha. Have a nice weekend.
Peter Heller’s Burn sounds interesting and it reminds me a liitle bit of a 1940’s science fiction classic: Earth Abides by George Stewart in which one young man hiking in the mountain in CA comes back to a wrld where over 90% of the population has died of a plague. It is an amazing novel and I am not usually into science fiction but this book I will remember.
Have a good trip to California visiting your Dad.
Thanks Kathy. SoCal should be good. I haven’t heard of the Stewart novel but you have me interested to get it. The premise sounds scary. I’m sure the idea of Burn was taken from those like it. I usually don’t go too overboard on dystopian novels but I seem to be sprinkling in some.
Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Earth Abides has been added to my TBR.
I agree … I’ve added Earth Abides to my TBR … what a title right?
I still need to read Pachinko–it’s been so patient, waiting on my tbr shelf. Knowing there is a season 1 is good incentive, and a season 2 is icing on the cake.
No to Burn. I like Heller’s adventure stories, but I just can’t take any more dystopian nonsense.
Yeah to Only Murders coming back for season 4. Something to watch when the Olympics end, which have been so much fun.
We’re getting rain finally in CO. Yeah!
Safe travels to SOCA–enjoy your time with your dad and happy reading.
Hi Jane, thanks. It should be a nice trip to SoCal.
Glad you are seeing rain in CO, yea — we did too. It was like a revelation — since it had been so dry. The Olympics have been good; we have watched quite a bit.
I was impressed by Pachinko and taken in by its story. I think you’d like it. I’ve been waiting for the author’s second book for years, lol.
I can see where dystopian reading is getting so pervasive and crazy and not for everyone, though some of it like Prophet Song and a few others seem fairly realistic and already happening in the world. But I won’t go overboard on the genre. Happy reading & gardening for you in August.
Since I am not working in the schools anymore, I don’t feel like August is the end of summer. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t get cold here until later in the Fall, but now it just makes me feel like we’re in the second half of the year and I am behind my goals in so many areas. August/September often have some of Santa Barbara’s best weather.
Hi Helen, yeah I can see what you’re saying. And August is so hot in SoCal that it doesn’t feel like the end either. Are you talking book goals or other goals? It seems you’re doing a good job to me. I always want summer to last a bit longer here. It’s going by swiftly. Wishing you a great month in SB. & happy reading.
Have fun with Willow, golfing, and in Southern California when you get there. July was scorching here but August is behaving oddly—we’ve had temps in the 70s this week. My reading drought continues, though I have an ARC of Elif Shafak’s latest. I also requested an ARC for Moreno-Garcia’s Salome but was either ignored or denied. In any case, it seems that my reading slump is going to extend to August as well. Have fun reading and traveling!
Hi thanks Carmen. I’ll miss these dogs in Calif. lol but luckily my husband will be here so I don’t have to worry they’re somewhere else.
July was scorching here too. But we’re in the 70s now as well. I gather your reading slump is b/c you’re busy and have things on your mind. That happens to me as well. It is hard to balance life with some of this stuff. It’ll come back. I like Shafak but not sure her latest book’s premise interested me as much. We’ll see.
I’m still trying to finish a couple summer reading list books. It’s been slow lately.
Enjoy with your August.
The plot of that Heller novel is fascinating. I’ll definitely have to learn more about that one and the Japanese author you’ve highlighted. Japanese fiction, especially the noir version, almost always impresses me and it’s been a while since I’ve read anything from there.
You may have mentioned it a while back…I lose track of where I read things…but I’m really enjoying the Hulu series Shogun right now. Just watched episode five tonight and have five more to go. I read the novel when it first came out years and years ago, and I remember being completely caught up in it for two or three weeks. I was a little slow to warm up to the TV version, but I got well and deeply hooked about halfway through episode three.
I’ve been buying more vinyl records lately and am pleased to see how many new ones are being produced these days in just about every musical genre. Most of what I buy are reissues of old stuff, but a few of my favorites are still doing limited vinyl releases of their new stuff along with the CDs and streaming versions.
Hi Sam, great note. I’m glad you told me how Shogun is going. Now I want to get to the series … and maybe even the book. We don’t have Hulu here … or Disney+ but I’m going to see if we can get it elsewhere. It sounds good.
You must have a great record collection. I wish I hadn’t gotten rid of my vinyl stuff when I moved … around 2006 I gave it up ugh. It was heavy to cart around. I had so many great rock classic albums. You must have a stereo to play them on. I see that vinyl has made a comeback — which is quite interesting.
We will have to see if Heller’s Burn is any good. It has a plot that seems taken a bit from relics of the 50s & 60s. Enjoy your reading. & Happy August.
I’ve been enjoying the Olympics so much that I’m only reading a little and watch nothing else.
Golf with the dog looks fun!
Hi Joy, that’s great to hear. It is all we’ve watched lately too.
Playing golf with the dog is fun …. ha. She is crazy about it and I get some practice.
Happy August!
Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Elif Shafak are definitely on my list to read as soon as I can after they are published. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of their earlier works. Lots to look forward to…
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, great to hear. I will see what you think of their latest novels. I have read one of each of their novels before … and would read another of their books in the future. Hope you are having a nice August. Happy reading.
I really liked The Housekeeper and Professor so I imagine I will like the Matchbox book. Thanks for the heads up.
I always need to visit your blog to get ideas for literary fiction. I’m not into cozy mysteries or romancatsy so I am glad to get recommendations for books more up my alley.
Hi Anne, thanks, that’s kind of you to say. I’ve not been into mysteries, romance, or fantasy much either … but I like lit fiction or contemporary fiction so I steer towards that. Glad you like these as well.
I hope Mina’s Matchbox will be worthy of the Japanese master …. !
Enjoy your August. Happy reading.
Mina’s Matchbox sounds fantastic! I am intrigued by that hippo!!
I am really looking forward to the new season of Only Murders in the Building. I love Eugene Levy and can’t wait to see what he does in this show.
Hi Erin, thanks for stopping by. The hippo makes me wonder: what the heck?! ha who knows. But I hope it’s a good story.
And I hope the new season of Murders in the Building is too … happy watching.
I liked Pachinko a lot, and I didn’t realize there was a series out. I will look for it. We’ve been scrambling around in our viewing, watching old series we missed, waiting for the return of Only Murders in the Building and some series on PBS we like. The Olympics have been fantastic—my favorite Olympics held, of course, in my favorite city.
The Dog Stars was excellent, and I’ve heard some good early thoughts about Heller’s new book.
BTW, I agree with Kathy’s thoughts about Earth Abides. Our book club all liked that one.
Deb, your Goodreads review of Earth Abides was all I needed after Kathy mentioned it. The “random comments from and about the story” you posted sold me on the book. Can’t wait to read it! I looooove me some good dystopian / post apocalypse books.
Hi Deb, thanks for a second on Earth Abides. Sounds good. I will look for it at the library. My husband would probably like it as well.
We have loved the Olympics too and watched quite a lot. It’s been awesome and I like in the marathon how they show much of Paris along the route And now that it’s coming to an end we might try Pachinko.
I liked Dog Stars too. Quite a bit of action in that one. And this is another dystopian book from him … will it be too dark? Or hopefully have some light too.
Enjoy your week.
WHAT???? We finally have a date for S2 of Pachinko???? Praise be!!!! I loved S1 soooooo much and I have been holding off on reading the book until after they finish up the series! That big, thick, beautiful book has been staring me down for so long now!!! I’m just sad that my mommy didn’t live to finish watching the series with me.
A new Heller book??? Yes please. I loved Dog Stars and whatever other books of his I’ve read. I think I even dragged the hardcover of Dog Stars from Arkansas to L.A. with me because I love the cover so much.
Ok running to make sure Pachinko S2 is added to my calendar. Thanks for the heads up!
Hi Jinjer, glad you liked Season 1 so much of Pachinko. I need to go back and watch that … and then continue onto Season 2. Loved the book. Still waiting for her next novel … pls sometime.
The Dog Stars was good. And now Heller’s come back with (I think) his first dystopian novel since then. So we must dive back to the dark days. Not to hard to believe unfortunately.
Hope all is well in L.A. Happy Sunday.
Sorry, I was so excited over Pachinko I forgot to admire the cute, cute doggie, Willow in the picture.
Thanks! Willow is funny. She’s a ball nut. Any kind of ball anywhere anytime any day. I hit the golf balls and she’ll bring them back …. but I haven’t been able to have her put them in the bucket yet …. that’s next.
Enjoy your week.
I don’t know what Pachinko is but now I hope our library will get it! I keep nagging them to get Only Murders in the Building. I see jinjer mentioned a book titled pachinko so maybe I should go look for that. I learn about new shows all the time from reading blogs 🙂
I am already on the list for Burn. Heller writes some great books. Loved Dog Stars, The River and The Guide.
That’s a cute photo of Willow waiting to golf with you.
Hi Tina, thanks Willow is really a sweetie and she loves chasing balls of any sort.
I’m glad you asked about Pachinko … I have added the author’s name into the post in case you want to find it. Pachinko is a wonderful 2017 historical novel by Min Jin Lee … I read it in 2020 … here’s my review https://www.thecuecard.com/books/lake-country/ … The novel spins out of WWII and is set mostly in Japan. It’s an epic tale — I think you might enjoy it.
I’m on the library list too for Burn. I think it sounds good.
Enjoy your buddy read of September.
I am very happy you linked your review for Pachinko, it does indeed sound like a book I would enjoy. The beauty of blogging is finding out new things which bring us joy.
I am still good for a buddy read of My Brillant Friend later in the year if you are available.
Yes I find out so much about reads from others thru blogging. It makes it fun and helpful too. I think that’s why I keep going with it.
I’m still game for a buddy read of MBF too. I’m thinking November I will be ready for it. Let’s try it!
Willow looks like a great golf companion. 🙂
I hope you have a great time in CA with your dad. I saw that there was a fire near Fontana, but it’s 100% contained now. Hope there aren’t any others that get too close to where he lives. We have so many here in Oregon this year, which is very unsettling.
I’m curious about Mina’s Matchbox since I loved The Housekeeper and the Professor. I also want to read Burn. I have a couple of Heller’s books that I have read yet, but I loved The Dog Stars. Might be fun to read that again with my book group…
Hi Lesley, yes Willow is a good golf buddy. Ha. Sweet too. I can imagine she’d wreck havoc if she got on the golf course. 🙂
Yeah I hope the fires don’t come too close in Redlands … it is unsettling and I hope you don’t go close to any fires on your way to the Tetons. Everything is dry now. Our smoke days are on & off … but not as bad so far as in 2023.
I wonder if Mina’s Matchbox will be as enjoyable as The Housekeeper one … or if Burn will compare with The Dog Stars. I hope so. I liked both as well.
Enjoy your reading and hikes. And happy August.
I’m glad there aren’t as many MUST read new releases for me this month, I need a chance to catch up on some of the older stuff. Love that Willow enjoys playing golf with you! 🙂
Hi JoAnn: I agree, I tried only going with 2 new books in August … because I have too much to read as it is. I’m still sort of working on my summer reading list. But things are busy.
It is fun with Willow & golf. I started playing with a ladies golf league in May and have been enjoying that once a week. Willow is my practice partner. 🙂
Hope you had a nice weekend. The days are flying now.
I would like to read something by Yoko Ogawa. We have The Memory Police on the Kindle so that will probably be it. But I want to read so many books once I have done all my 20 Books of Summer, it will be hard to choose. Burn by Peter Heller sounds good; I do like dystopian stories. But it will have to wait a while.
Right now I am reading my third Canadian book since July 1, A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny, #12 in the series.
We will be watching Season 4 of Only Murders in the Building; thanks for reminding me it is coming.
In Santa Barbara it just starts getting hotter this time of year. September and October can be the hottest months. Oh well.
Hi Tracy, I know SoCal is like scorching in September. And likely will be scorching in August when I’m there. I hope you don’t see anymore fires near SB.
I’m impressed if you get thru all your 20 of your Summer Reads. I’m finding it hard to get thru 10 on my list. And there is a lot to read after the summer list. I hope you enjoy your Canada book challenge … I have never read Penny … but I’m not too much of a mystery buff. Still I plan to someday – see what the fuss is about. Enjoy your August. It seems to be flying by.
I hope you have a nice visit with you dad. My mom is back in Sacramento for my aunt and uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary. She came back for about two weeks and left again. I always worry about her driving so far on her own. I just picked up a copy of Abi Dare’s new book from the local indie bookstore. I’m really looking forward to that one. I didn’t realize Only Murders in the Building would be on again soon. That’s good news! We have been watching the Olympics the last two weeks when we had the TV on and not much else. I hope you have a great week, Susan!
Thanks Wendy. I hope you’re not sweltering. I’m actually in the airport now headed to Palm Springs, lol. Talk about hot. I think it’ll be nice with my Dad. Your Mom seems quite independent to drive that far.
I still need to read Abi Dare’s first novel … but both novels seem sort of intense. I tried on audio once but the accent was quite strong and I wanted to be able to understand it clearly … so I might try the print version.
Enjoy your weekend. And happy reading.
I know what you mean about feeling like hints of fall in the air. It feels like that here, too. The nights have been in the 50s. Burn sounds really good! I look forward to your thoughts. I hope you enjoy your trip to Southern California!
Hi Rachel, yeah we have rain today, wow good! The ground is so dry. Pretty soon fall will be here. Not sure if I’m ready yet. I’m on the library wait list for Burn but my husband might snag it first.
Hope you have a great weekend. Enjoy.
I did like the book, Pachinko, but think it might be too depressing for television!
I spent a lot of time watching the Olympics, particularly the swimming and track, because that was shown in the evenings, although I enjoy the lesser-known sports, and always enjoy the US Open too (I used to go when I lived in New York but don’t think I will make the trip this year).
Hi Constance, wow the US Open is awesome … though pretty busy these days. I only went to it once …. long ago back when Patrick Rafter played Michael Chang in the semis … it was 1997 (had to look it up). Rafter was sort of a dream right?
We watched a lot of the Olympics too! Mostly the night coverage. The US did so well. I still haven’t picked the TV shows back up. lol.
Pachinko … I will give the TV series another try in Sept. But the novel was good. It is going to be dark times! Hope all is well there … Will you get a holiday break before Labor Day? Cheers.
It must be fun to have such a sporting companion. I can imagine you in matching little skirts. hee hee
Pachinko is still on my TBR and TBW list but the other night I was considering breaking my Book First rule because the series seemed to perfectly suit my mood. (I resisted, for now.) Good to hear that the adaptation of Presumed Innocent does the original (film) proud; I’m looking forward to that one as well!
Hi B.I.P., thanks for getting back in touch. Yes our younger dog is an enjoyable golf companion … if you don’t mind your ball taken … but she fields them and brings them back. She’s a goof ball.
The new Presumed Innocent is a bit different than the old one. It’s sort of intense too. But see what you think. I usually try to do the book first too … but it doesn’t always happen. Pachinko is a bit of an epic out of WWII but the reading isn’t too hard. I keep waiting for Min Jin Lee’s next novel! I’ve been waiting since Pachinko, lol.
Hope all is well with you. I will stop by your site soon.
The Housekeeper and the Professor was definitely one of my favorite books. First time I found out about memory issues, amnesia, etc. I think I have the author’ s Mina’s Matchbox and will check. Have a good week.
Hi Harvee, Thanks. Yeah I have liked Ogawa’s novels in the past so I think Mina’s Matchbox is going to be good. I’m glad you liked The Housekeeper & the Professor too. It’s a neat book. See what you think of her new one. Cheers. Enjoy your reading.