Hi all. Ho ho ho — we’re almost into December. Crazy right? The year is almost done. Just a few days ago, Flag the deer and his pal showed up to eat at our bird feeder. Usually we take the feeders down at night so they’re not emptied, but these deer came early to get a snack. The birds and deer are hungry these days with the snow on the ground, and it’s only 10F /-12C outside. Brrr.
This coming week, we’ll start our long road trip south to Southern California with our two dogs in the back. We have a couple audios lined up … since my husband prefers nonfiction we have Al Pacino’s new memoir Sonny Boy and a history titled The Stalin Affair: The Impossible Alliance That Won the War by Giles Milton. So we’ll see how these turn out as we travel over hill and dale.
Meanwhile I’m sure some are starting to make their favorite books of the year lists. Usually I put my list out in early January because there’s still some last minute reading to do! But I like seeing everyone’s lists. And now let’s chat about what’s releasing in December.
In books, British author William Boyd has a new novel titled Gabriel’s Moon (due out Dec. 3), which sounds good, about an acclaimed travel writer in 1960 who gets caught up doing spy errands for MI-6. He’s a reluctant spy and has a full life going at the same time. I haven’t read Boyd since his 2006 novel Restless, so I’d like to test out his writing again.
Else-wise, I’m a bit on the fence about a few other novels due out. There’s Amanda Lee Koe’s folk-tale-y novel Sister Snake (due out Dec. 3) about two estranged sisters, one in New York the other in Singapore, who happen to have been born as snakes in 815 China. They share their secret and attempt a reconciliation after one is attacked in Central Park. Hmm sisters as snakes?
Or there’s Weike Wang’s novel Rental House (out Dec. 3) about an interracial couple who face pressure from their parents and in-laws on vacations to Cape Cod and the Catskills. As they share rental houses with their families, racial, cultural, and class tensions come to the surface. Uh-oh sounds like trouble. I wasn’t a big fan of Weike’s 2022 novel Joan Is Okay so I hesitate a bit with this, but authors probably should have at least two chances, right?
Or there’s Lily Tuck’s short novel The Rest Is Memory (due out Dec. 10) about the real-life story of a resilient Polish Catholic girl who’s sent to Auschwitz that looks quite powerful, though I don’t think I could stomach it right now … but I put it out there for others.
On the screen in December, so many releases will descend on us in addition to all the fun holiday cheer to watch. Currently I’m taking a break from watching any dystopian and society collapse kinds of things, but I will just mention the 6-episode miniseries based on the 1949 pandemic novel Earth Abides by George R. Stewart, which starts Dec. 1 on MGM+.
Both Lark at Lark Writes and Kathy at Reading Matters had good things to say about the gripping novel, which they presciently reviewed before the recent pandemic. I think I need to read the classic tale instead of watching the series … but sometime when things are rosier.
Next up, Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, and Sarah Lancashire star in the British 6-episode spy-thriller series Black Doves (starting Dec. 5 on Netflix). It looks like an action-packed kind of thing set at Christmas in London. It might be sort of crazy judging from the trailer but due to the cast and setting I will at least check it out.
Also a quick mention about the series Dexter: Original Sin (starting Dec. 15 on Paramount+ & Showtime) for Jinjer at The Intrepid Angeleno who was a fan of the crime/drama show when it aired from 2006-2013. It is back now as a prequel, which they were recently filming on Jinjer’s street (see link above)! I didn’t see the original — perhaps the plot about a vigilante serial killer was too dark for me.
But I’m also curious to see the big upcoming movies, which include The Return (due out Dec. 6, rated R) starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in a retelling of Homer’s Odyssey. Fiennes was recently the pope in the movie Conclave, as well as Macbeth in a film, now he’s Odysseus, so he’s filling some big shoes these days. I was surprised to learn he hadn’t won an Oscar over the years.
The Return is an epic tale that was filmed on location in Greece, so there’s plenty of sights to see while witnessing those harsh days surrounding the time of the Trojan War.
Meanwhile Amy Adams is back in the black comedy Nightbitch (out Dec. 6, rated R), which should be good fun about a woman who decides to be a stay-at-home mom only to find that domesticity drives her a bit wild, lol. It’s based on the 2021 novel by Rachel Yoder, which was really well done and a five-star read for me.
The movie looks a bit darkly humorous and gets the point across, though I’m not sure it will compare to the book, which seemed to have some depth to it along with the humor. Still the movie is its own thing and I will see it sometime. I’ve been patiently waiting for Yoder’s next book.
Also the Maria Callas movie starring Angelina Jolie, which I mentioned last month, will be available on Netflix starting Dec. 11. It follows the opera singer’s life during her last years while she was living in Paris, which in real life sounded quite sad. I’m not sure how much it gets into that.
And there’s a new Count of Monte Cristo movie (out Dec. 20) with French actor Pierre Niney as Edmund. I kid you not. That classic tale has been done five times before as a film and once as a TV series. What more can they squeeze out of it? I sort of prefer the old Richard Chamberlain movie version, circa 1975, lol.
But let’s move on. Timothee Chalamet, who’s been Willy Wonka and Paul in Dune, will now be transported to being a young Bob Dylan in the biopic A Complete Unknown (due out Dec. 25, rated R) back when Bob was with Joan Baez and switching to an electric guitar was a big deal for the folk singer and his fans.
That’ll be all right, but I probably won’t see the Nicole Kidman movie Babygirl (out Dec. 25, rated R) about a female CEO who starts a torrid affair with her young intern. It seems too 50 Shades of Gray-ish to me, though it might get her an Oscar nomination apparently.
But I’m curious to see the epic historical drama The Brutalist (out Dec. 20), starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, about a Hungarian-Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and emigrates to the United States, where he struggles to achieve the American Dream … until meeting a wealthy client.
It sounds really good, but it’s 3 hours, 35 minutes long, and I thought Oppenheimer was long at 3 hours. So I think watching it at home maybe over two nights will probably be best in order to take breaks. The movie was filmed in Budapest and Tuscany, and Brody once won an Oscar you might recall for his portrayal in the 2002 war drama The Pianist.
Finally I’ll mention the movie The Room Next Door (out Dec. 20) starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore as friends who get back in touch just as one is deciding whether to pursue assisted suicide since she is terminally ill. It seems a sad film to open around the holidays, but it has its wider release in January. With these two actresses surrounding such an important topic, the movie will likely be well worth exploring. It’s set in New York City and is based on the Sigrid Nunez novel What Are You Going Through.
And lastly for music in December, I like to listen to holiday tunes primarily during the month, but there’s also singer-songwriter Angel Olsen’s new album titled Cosmic Waves Vol. 1 as well as Lucinda Williams’ new album covering the Beatles Abbey Road (both are out Dec. 6). Lucinda is a hero of mine.
That’s all for now. What about you — which releases are you looking forward to this month? Enjoy this busy holiday season.
Pretty picture of the deer and sunrise! Sadly, we had to stop feeding our birds since the seed was attracting rats. Maybe we can set them up again in the spring… It’s chilly here, too. 36F this morning, which isn’t as cold as you, but still crisp!
My husband will be interested in the Earth Abides series! We both have read the book, and I know he enjoyed it much more than I did. I’ll have to check and see if we get MGM+. (There are so many streaming channels!)
We watched a few seasons of Dexter, but it got too dark for us at one point and had to stop.
Lots of good recommendations here, Susan. Thank you! Have a safe and fun trip down to CA!
Hi Lesley, thanks. The road trip should go well – the weather looks good for the driving days ahead. And I was lucky to get this shot at the bird feeder.
It sounds nippy at your coast there. And thx for telling me about Dexter – the plotline seems too dark for me as well. There’s a lot of dystopian coming out these days but I don’t think I’ll go there. Though sometime I’ll read Earth Abides. We watched Walking Dead when it started years ago but abandoned it after like three or four seasons. We had our fill. lol. But we liked Ripley recently. That was clever and the scenes in Italy were excellent. Hope you have a very pleasant December at the Cove! ps.The publisher is sending Rod’s book to our place in Calif so it should be there when we get there. Robert is excited about reading it, thank you!
My husband has read three books by Giles Milton that he enjoyed a lot, so he is also interested in The Stalin Affair, but he doesn’t have a copy yet. Gabriel’s Moon sounds good but I will probably wait a while on reading that. I have had a copy of Restless for years but have not read it yet. I read your review of that, I should locate my copy and read it soonish.
As far as books go, I try to ignore new releases as I already have too many books around to add more, but I am always interested in considering the ones you come up with.
Thanks for mentioning Lark’s and Kathy’s reviews of Earth Abides. I had been thinking about reading that but haven’t decided yet.
Hi Tracy, good to know about your husband liking Giles Milton’s books. That bodes well for our audio of The Stalin Affair. And it seems so long since I read Boyd’s Restless that I can’t remember it now. No wonder I write reviews, so I can be reminded, lol. I hope his new one is all right.
I think it’s good you mostly ignore new releases. I’m not sure why I’m beholden to them but next year I’d like to mix reading more old with new books. But I will probably continue with the Previews just to keep an eye out. Glad they are worth your while.
I’m curious too about the book Earth Abides … 1949 is an early pub date and it would be interesting to hear the author’s take on a deadly pandemic. But I don’t plan to read it anytime soon. Happy reading & December to you!
Assisted death is being voted on in Britain soon (this week?), it will be interesting to see how that goes. That does seem a little dark for a holiday movie, but also could be tender and thoughtful.
Save travels as you head to So Cal to see your dad!
Thanks Helen, our impending road trip looks clear of storms at the moment. And it should be a pleasant stay in SoCal.
That’s interesting to hear about the vote in Britain. I really hope it passes. It seems a humane option for those suffering with terminal situations. The movie looks really moving. I will keep an eye out for what happens in Britain. thx.
& Happy December !
I’ve not read any William Boyd, his newest book sounds interesting. As you mentioned he’s a reluctant spy doing travel errands put put me in mind of the movie The Courier starring Benedict Cumberbatch. True story that one as far as I remember.
Nothing new in the way of movies for us. The library provided us with Van Der Valk season 4 which we just finished.
Have a safe trip south and enjoy the Pacino and Milton books on your way. Looking forward to my stack of nonfiction for Shelleyrae’s challenge next year and am so close to finihsing the Leif Enger book. I was flapping asleep last night and had to put it down. If it had been earlier I could have fininished it. It is inded sad as you mentioned.
Hi Tina, thanks. The road trip looks clear of storms at the moment and we are looking forward to some warmer weather. I’ll be curious to see your review of the Leif Enger book. What did you think of the “medicine ship”?
I have not heard of Van Der Valk. Perhaps it’s a mystery show. I think we have seen The Courier but it was quite a while back and I don’t remember it too well now. But I always like Cumberbatch!
I hope you have a Happy Holiday season — with fun reading with Loki. talk again soon.
I love that photo of the deer at your bird feeders. It’s been in the 20s here in Salt Lake these past few days, but no snow. I need to get some seed cylinders to put up for our goldfinch and chickadees. Always something else to do! I don’t have MGM+ or I’d try that mini series of Earth Abides. Wishing you a safe and fun road trip this week!
Thanks Lark. Yeah I’m not sure anyone has MGM+ lol but perhaps Earth Abides might air on another channel after awhile. Keep your eyes peeled. I’m surprised SLC doesn’t have snow yet but it’s good for our driving. The sunset deer photo makes me feel serene. But I did have to go out there after awhile so that one deer wouldn’t eat the whole thing. Have a great week! & Happy December.
We have snow in the mountains up at the ski resorts, but none on the ground in the valleys. Which I’m kind of okay with right now. They say we might get another storm roll in next Sunday, but who knows. Wishing you a safe road trip!
Good to know. So far skies look clear. We rolled through part of Montana today and only very little snow mostly on the mountains. Might see SLC tomorrow. Cheers!
I am just old enough to remember when Maria Callas was a very big deal and was constantly in the news. It will be interesting to see what Netflix does with her story.
Hi Dorothy, interesting to hear you say that. For whatever reason, I didn’t hear too much about Maria Callas growing up … but she surely must have been a big deal. I’ve read a little about her life and she seemed at the forefront of the opera and fame world. But her last years seem quite sad if I’m not mistaken.
Happy reading & December to you.
Deer might not make very useful animals for pulling a sled (even if they learned to fly). Reindeer in Finland really are domesticated and are trained to do the job that Santa needs (not counting levitation and trans-global distances). But I like your idea that the ones eating at your bird feeder could be harnessed and trained to take directions.
Have fun on your road trip.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks Mae, you’re right, deer make poor substitutes for actual reindeer — the real ones that do the job for Santa. Reindeer are much more majestic. Interestingly there are caribou in Jasper National Park here in Alberta — which are similar to reindeer. I’m glad you set me straight about Santa’s helpers.
Happy December to you.
Black Doves sounds like something we’d like. For some reason, British spy thrillers are hitting the spot, right now.
Wishing you safe travels. Today is not the day to cross Missouri, so hopefully that’s not on the plan. But we’ll be better in a day or two.
Hi Joy, yes the setting of Black Doves looks good. It seems a bit violent but we’ll see if it’s worth pursuing.
Sounds like you’re getting some bad weather there. I have only been to St. Louis in Missouri … how far is that from you? But on our road trip we’ll be traveling through Montana, Utah, Nevada and into Calif so we are far west of you. Enjoy your week.
I’m in a suburb of St. Louis. We got 2-3 inches, which is enough to cause trouble but not completely shut us down. We don’t have the infrastructure to handle very much snow.
Awesome that you’re in the St. Louis area. I didn’t realize that. I’m glad the snow is manageable. Enjoy the white stuff. 🙂
Love road trips–travel safely and enjoy the open road. We have deer in the open space across from our house, and we saw a young buck with just a small antler rack earlier this week navigating in the snow. Very picturesque…but my iphone camera proved insufficient to do him justice.
The Return looks fantastic–I hadn’t heard about this but will be waiting for it now!
I enjoy opera but I don’t think I have the heart to watch Maria.
Count of Monte Cristo could be fun. I still picture Richard Chamberlain in so many of those 1970-something movies/series! He was the guy!
I don’t go to the movies all that often but I have tickets to Gladiator II for tomorrow. I’ve heard there are sharks in the Coliseum, which should be interesting to say the least.
Hi Jane, Ha I hadn’t heard there are sharks in Gladiator II … I’m impressed you’re going to the theater for it. I hope you’ll report back. I had heard the movie was filmed in Malta and they rebuilt a set to look like the Colosseum. I guess the original was filmed there too.
Our road trip should be epic but roads should be clear this week. You see some of the best deer where you are. And I think you’re right Richard Chamberlain was the guy in the ’70s and I recall him being pretty good as imprisoned Edmund. lol. But what about The Return?! Hopefully it’ll be great. Have a wonderful week.
The Return sounds like a film I’d like, though I’m really more of a book person. Enjoy your road trip!
Hi Claudia, thanks – should be a long road trip, but maybe 3 or 4 days. It’s good you’re more of a book person. Films can be good but books even better! Have a great week!
I love that picture of the deer… such big bellies! The seeds must be doing wonders for them. 😉 I’ll finish the year reading previous months’ releases. I’m already 2 books behind my reading target for this year; I don’t think I’ll reach my goal. I saw the first four seasons of Dexter and I was hooked. But then I went to live alone and there’s no way that I could watch it and be able to sleep. 🙂 I stopped watching the series after that. Regarding William Boyd’s Restless, which someone mentioned, there’s a British miniseries based on the book. Careless choices of actors but okay otherwise. Fiennes and Binoche starred together in The English Patient, for which she won an Academy Award as Supporting Actress, so it‘ll be a reunion of sorts. The other movie releases sound enticing as well. Angelina and Nicole Kidman are getting Oscar buzz for their respective roles.
Have a safe and wonderful trip!
Thanks Carmen. We’ll take it easy over hill and dale. No imminent storms on the roads we plan to take. Knock on wood.
Hi Carmen, great to hear your thoughts. That Dexter show looks too dark for me! The deer seem pretty plump up close so I won’t worry that they’re starving now.
I will also not reach my original GR goal, I marked it down by 5 (argh). I’m just going too slowly these days. It seems you liked Martyr right? We can say: quality over quantity, lol. Next year might be better.
I didn’t realize there’s a series based on Restless. Hmm. And it’s good you mentioned The English Patient — I had forgotten the actors of The Return both starred together long ago, wow! That was a doozy of a film. I hope we see some films over our break in Calif. Do you see anything coming with a Best Pic vibe?
Have a great week.
Hi Susan,
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Flag and his friend are so cute and food is such a big deal for animals and with winter it’s hard for them to find food.
Thanks so much for reading my review of Earth Abides. I don’t have a way to see the miniseries but I thought the novel was excellent and has stayed with me since and it’s a reminder that I must try out another of George Stewart’s novels.
The Odyssey. Never read it and I regret that because the ancient Greeks are sort of the beginning of literature. And I feel to not have read them except a play or two in school which I have forgotten. I should at least make an attempt to read the Odyssey in a good modern English translation.
Have a great time in Californua.
Hi Kathy, thanks. Should be a good time in Calif. We didn’t celebrate US Thanksgiving this year here – but enjoyed seeing some NFL. Hope you had a good one there. The deer are looking pretty plump so far — so I won’t worry as much but sometimes I don’t mind if they snack a bit at the bird feeder. They are pretty animals.
I still want to read Earth Abides because of your review so maybe in 2025. I don’t think we’ll get the series either but perhaps they’ll spin it off to another channel sometime. I could also use a revisit to The Odyssey – I’m not sure I’ve read the whole thing either. I wonder if there’s a readable translation that could help?
Happy December & reading to you!
I can see that I need to get busy in December. There’s so much to watch!
Our book group read Earth Abides way, way back, before the pandemic. I’ve always loved reading stories about the (almost) complete destruction of the earth and the attempts of the remaining people to try to survive; perhaps it was personal prep work for our tottering future?
It’s very strange, but I can’t remember when I’ve been so excited about an upcoming movie that I wanted to go in person. Barbie, I think, and the Dune movies, but that’s it. I wonder if others feel like me.
Hi Deb, yeah I think the whole big movie experience has moved away from us quite a bit. Maybe due to the pandemic and other things like TV. It’s still nice sometimes to watch a good film at home. But perhaps the big excitement of movies of yesteryear is not the same.
It’s interesting you read Earth Abides too before the pandemic. I didn’t realize you liked those stories — but survivalist perspectives are often compelling. Now dystopian tales are coming out in droves — for good reason. But I need a break since it’s a bit too close seemingly to life. I’m still not over the election and perhaps never will be? Hope you’re doing all right. Enjoy your December.
What a lovely deer photo.
Safe travels!
Thanks Carla, I’m glad I was able to photograph the sunset & the deer. They were posing perhaps, lol. The road trip looks clear of storms …. so far. Cheers. Thx for stopping by.
That is so cold! I love the photo of the deer. How cool to see them in your yard! And I am intrigued by Nightbitch. I love Amy Adams!
Hi Erin – thanks. I was surprised to get a photo of the deer that close. They’re hungry. It’s been freezing here for a few days. 5F now yikes! The movie Nightbitch looks fun with Amy Adams. A must see! Happy December to you.
I hope your drive is uneventful, the idea of being on the road with all that snow and ice terrifies me.
You have quite a viewing list, at the moment I’m busy binging ER with my daughter, and keeping up with old favourites like NCIS, FBI etc
Wishing you a happy and safe week!
Thanks Shelleyrae, we’ve been keeping an eye on the road conditions. We have to go over a couple mountain passes … but so far no storms on the horizon. There will be snow & ice but on the side of the road hopefully.
And there’s so many shows & movies for December! A busy season. I’m sure it’ll take us a while to see many of these. Hope you have a great week too!
Thanks for the shout out and linky! I’m sooooooooooooo excited for Dexter: Original Sin. I hope “my” scenes didn’t get cut. Ha ha.
I want to see Earth Abides because the book is on my SciFiMonth TBR, but I subscribe to 20 billion streamers and MGM+ is not one of them. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh. I suppose I could do a free trial and then cancel. Ok, yes. I’ll do that.
I also want to see the Bob Dylan movie because I think Elle Fanning is in it? If not, somebody that I like is in it.
Safe travels! Weather is currently beautiful down here. I’ve got my windows wide open.
Hi Jinjer, thanks, we’re glad to be on our way tomorrow for SoCal. Sounds beautiful now, yay! We’ll see my dad and brother.
I thought it was so cool that Dexter was being filmed on your street, lol. Keep your eyes peeled for those scenes! And for Earth Abides – I’m hoping it might go to other channels after awhile b/c I don’t think anyone gets MGM+. Hmm.
You’re right that Elle Fanning is in the Bob Dylan movie. She scored getting that role. I’m sure a lot will see it. And it’ll have a good soundtrack. Enjoy these.
Happy December to you!
Good luck with your trip! I recommend Michael Connelly if you run out of audiobooks. Best to stay in order, if possible.
We had a family trip to see Wicked on Friday which I enjoyed. The forthcoming movies do not sound very appealing, alas! I need to get Netflix.
I didn’t realize until today that deer are primarily herbivores. Even in Boston, I get coyotes, raccoons, and possums in my yard but only one deer that I know of (my neighbor took a picture as it jumped from my yard to hers or I might not believe it).
Hi Constance, great to hear from you. And thanks, the road trip should go well especially if we can fit everything into the car, lol. I will keep Connelly on our audio backlist. Good tip, thx. & Good to hear about Wicked. My sister also told me to see it. She enjoyed it as well.
That’s interesting to hear all the animals you get in your yard. Even deer. I remember when I lived in DC – there was deer there too, which always sort of surprised me. The deer here mostly graze grass … but apparently they like bird seed too! Have a great week.
I can’t believe the year is almost finished! I was just thinking I need to start compiling my “Best of 2024” lists. I haven’t given it much thought up until now. I do think there’s some benefit to waiting until after January 1st because I’m still reading!
The deer love our bird feeder, too. We raised it so they can’t quite reach, but I do feel bad for them when there’s a bunch of snow. Your highs are pretty cold! We’re off to Montana right after Christmas through New Year’s and the temps predicted are a little scary! Highs in the low 20s and there are a few days where it dips below zero. Yikes! There are fun activities planned at the lodge: ice skating, sledding, ice fishing, ugly sweater karaoke. We’ll see if I do any of the outdoor activities. Hope you have a nice drive down to Southern California and you enjoy your visit!
Hi Rachel, the last part of the year has gone quickly but keep reading before making your list 🙂
Thanks our visit in SoCal should be good and a nice winter break for us. And you’ll have a good time in Montana with those activities, like the karaoke event!
Our bird feeders need raising too. We need longer metal stakes to hang them from. Another thing for the list. Have a great week. It’s already December!
If I don’t take my feeders down at night raccoons make sure they do it for me! Once we get into the cold weather of winter they tend to hole up in quasi hibernation; then I can leave them out.
Hi David, thanks for stopping by and the word about your bird feeders there. You sound like you have a lot of raccoons in your area, which I can see would be tough on the feeders. Our trouble is with deer which actually can stand on their hind legs to eat even the higher feeders, Hmm. So we take them down at night. And the colder it gets, the more deer want the feeders, Lol. Cheers!
The Boyd book sounds like something I might enjoy.
The deer photo is lovely. I’d leave the food up for them if I was there. Ha! They are too cute.
I have coyotes in my yard these days. Sometimes they startle me when I leave so early for work but they are so used to people that they don’t even blink an eye when they see me.
Hi Ti, I didn’t realize the coyotes are so bold and aren’t afraid of people and they’re in your yard, yikes. The deer get their share of bird seed I think despite us taking in the feeders at night.
We’re on our road trip and get into Calif today … it’ll be nice to see my dad. It seems so warm outside — we were in Vegas yesterday. Enjoy your week.