February is already here and trying to escape me. Tomorrow I leave for D.C. and Virginia for a week to visit friends and my old digs. It should be fun but what’s this talk about a chance of more snow there? Meanwhile I’ve been looking at what’s coming out in February releases, and it appears such well-known authors as Joyce Maynard, Ethan Canin, and Yann Martel have new fiction out. After how good “Life of Pi” was, I was really looking to grab Martel’s latest novel “The High Mountains of Portugal,” which I still might, but it seems it’s been getting some lukewarm reviews. Hmm. Could it be true?
So instead I’m looking at a few other fiction releases. Kristopher Jansma’s new novel “Why We Came to the City” might be just the ticket. It’s supposed to be both funny and heartfelt about a group of twentysomething friends in New York whose lives are upended by tragedy. Author Emily St. John says it’s an “elegant and deeply moving meditation on friendship and mortality” and Publishers Weekly calls it a “compelling paean to New York City” about “post-college friends who manage the vagaries of love and friendship against the backdrop of living in the big city.” Hmm I’m game, as long as it’s not Sex and the City Part 2.
Then there’s Dawn Tripp’s new novel “Georgia” about the life of artist Georgia O’Keefe. I know I’ve said in the past I’m not big on novels that fictionalize the lives of famous real people, but this one is getting a lot of strong reviews, and how can I resist reading about O’Keefe’s life, once again? Author B.A. Shapiro says “Georgia” is a “dazzling, brilliant work about the struggle between artist and woman, between self and the other, between love and the necessity to break free of it.” Hmm. Count me in.
Also February wouldn’t be complete without a good survival tale to add to the TBR pile so I’ll mention Diane Les Becquets’s debut novel “Breaking Wild.” It tells the story of a missing woman in Colorado and the female ranger who’s hellbent on finding her before it’s too late. Author Andre Dubus III says “what sets this novel apart is how deeply its author dares to venture into the psyches of her two unforgettable protagonists.” It’s also touted by authors Wiley Cash and Tana French among others. So it might be the perfect thing for a quick winter read.
Lastly in new fiction, I’m curious about Canadian author Peter Behrens’s historical epic “Carry Me” about a complex love affair of a non-Jewish man and Jewish woman hovering precariously between the two World Wars. They grow up on the Isle of Wight and later reunite in Frankfurt and Berlin, where, after Hitler’s rise to power, they look to escape. I don’t know too much more than that, but the novel has received quite a few five-star reviews from readers on Goodreads and Amazon, many of whom say Behrens is a master storyteller and one not to miss. I have not read his two earlier novels, so this may be my chance to try his writing out.
As for movies in February, I’m probably not going to be rushing to the theater for many. There’s a couple of comedies such as “Zoolander 2” and “How to Be Single” that might have a few laughs — and two sports movies “Race” about runner Jesse Owens and “Eddie the Eagle” about the U.K.’s first ski jumper, but it’s not like I’m looking to see these on the big screen. So for my movie pick this month, I’ll choose the Coen brothers’ spoof of old Hollywood “Hail, Caesar” because it looks absurd and fun at the same time — and it’s hard to resist the makers of “The Big Lebowski” and “Fargo” among others. I usually can’t.
Lastly for albums out this month, there’s some big names with new releases: Kanye West, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Vince Gill, Lucinda Williams, and Wynonna Judd among others. I’ve really liked both Bonnie’s and Lucinda’s music in the past. They’re Giants. Titans. Masters. Of course I’ll listen to their albums. But for something new, I’ll pick the talented young Canadian singer Basia Bulat’s album “Good Advice” as my choice this month.
What about you — which books, movies, or music are you looking forward to in February?
Funny, I am reading Breaking Wild right now. I’m 10% in and liking it.
I saw Georgia on NetGalley and either I requested it and was not approved, or it caught my eye but I didn’t request it; I’m not sure but it is right my alley.
That’s great Carmen. Hope you like Breaking Wild and will let me know if it’s worth picking up. thanks!
Good coverage of upcoming stuff.
I think Life of Pi was a slow burn, loved by some (including me!) but the movie made it big. I am looking forward to the new one.
Georgia O’Keefe: hm. I feel the same reluctance about fictionalized real people. If you read it and like it, I will. I am a big O’Keefe fan and feel protective.
Totally agree on Hail Caesar if I can find a matinee. Ha Ha
Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams are from my era of most loved female performers, so I will be looking out for them.
I will soon be reading The Vegetarian by Han Kang and Shylock is My Name by Howard Jacobson, the next in the Hogarth Shakespeare series; based on Merchant of Venice. Both are Feb releases.
Sounds good Judy. I looked at The Vegetarian and it looks different and intriguing, with some twists apparently. I’ll look forward to your review of it as well as the Jacobson book. Enjoy your February!
I really need to read The Life of Pi. It is sitting on my shelf. My wife read it and loved it.
I think that sometimes when an author writes a great book, subsequent that are not up to the same level bring disappointment.
Oh yes Brian. You’d like Life of Pi I think. I admit it’s hard for the author to live up to that one. You haven’t seen the Life of Pi movie have you? It’s best not to know — for the book.
Thanks for the preview of the upcoming novels. I’ve added a couple to my wish list!
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Thanks Deb. Yeah a few of these seem enticing. I’ll stop by and see what you’re up to.
I enjoyed Karen Karbo’s non-fiction book on Georgia O’Keefe, so that novel intrigues me.
I saw a preview of “Hail, Caesar” and it looked like a lot of fun for movie lovers.
Hi Joy, Yeah Georgia O’Keefe is a figure who continues to fascinate me too. I look forward to Hail Caesar for some laughs.
I read so many good reviews on the Georgia book, that I am tempted to give it a try too! It’s funny, I really don’t gravitate towards those “fictionalized” lives either, but every time I decide to give one a try, I enjoy it. The last one I read was Circling the Sun about Beryl Markham, and I thought that was wonderful
Thanks for sharing all the previews! And have a great time visiting the States! Yes, a little snow coming our way tuesday and wednesday… hopefully not much – for both our sakes!
Chick with Books
Thanks Suzanne. I made it to Va. and the weather seems pretty easy so far. If it turns bad we can always turn to books! I think the Georgia book may be one that I can’t resist. I too liked the Beryl Markham novel. Enjoy your week.
I hope your trip to DC and Virginia goes well and I hope you get some good books read. Have fun!
My Sunday Salon
Thanks Anne; it’s been so busy on my trip that I haven’t had time to read, uh-oh!
Georgia looks like a book I might enjoy…I do like nonfiction about artists, authors, etc. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog. Have a great week!
Yeah Laurel: I think I get into Georgia as well. Too many books, too little time!
Yeah, Georgia sounds really good to me. I saw that it’s “Pennie’s Pick” at Costco this month.
Yeah Kathy, if you get to it before I do, would love to know what you think. Didn’t realize it was the Pick at Costco.
Oh, that’s where I saw that book: Breaking Wild. We just got that in at the library. Was trying to remember where I saw it before and it was here on your post. 🙂 My wife and I also want to see Hail, Caesar as we love the Coen brothers. We actually watched a movie last night that we didn’t expect them to be involved with: Bridge of Spies. They were co-writers on it and the movie was great. I think Race also looks like it be a good one, but I think we’ll wait for Zoolander 2 to come to DVD.
Hi Bryan, oh yes Bridge of Spies was quite good; glad you liked it. I also look forward to Hail, Caesar — the Coen brothers are fun in their quirky ways.
That’s good that your library already has the book Breaking Wild. I’d like to get my hands on a copy — and will check my library too. thx.
Why We Came to the City and Georgia are on my to-read list too! I’m especially excited for Why We Came to the City because I read a short story by Jansma last year and I really enjoyed it 🙂
Thanks for the feedback on Jansma, Katie. I’m hoping to try this latest one out.
I will probably read Yann Martel’s new book–Life of Pi, though the ending bothered me, was still brilliant and will forever be hard to him to compete with.
I read a bio of O’Keefe about 30 years ago, and I loved it–fascinating life. I love to visit Santa Fe and the areas of NM where she spent the second part of her life. It’s so interesting to see the world to which she was drawn and resonated so strongly with. I have mixed feelings about fictionalized books about real people–when they’re good, they’re great but most are either wooden or unbelieveable or denigrating. Hope Georgia is great!
Now I have to go get on the library list for Breaking Wild–it’s set in CO, so I have no choice in the matter! 🙂
Happy February–we have an extra day to read this month!
Thanks Jane. Yeah I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on Breaking Wild if you can get it at your library. Since it’s set in Colorado, I’m interested too. We’ll see about Georgia and Yann Martel’s new one.
All of these are “new to me” titles. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Glad to share some of these Diane. Enjoy your February books!