Oh February. It’s here before we know it. It’s a short busy month — known for having such events as the Super Bowl, the Academy Awards, and usually the Grammys … though this time that came earlier. I’m a bit behind on movies so far as I’ve only seen four of the nine Best Picture Oscar nominees, but I hope to see a few more before the Academy Awards airs on Feb. 9. Have you decided your favorite film of the year yet?
Meanwhile the weather continues to be mild here lately — see the pink sunrise pictured — but typically February turns into our coldest month of the year. So I will brace for it, though it’s nice that it’s staying light a bit later now. We have one road trip coming up towards the end of the month to meet up with my sister’s family for a weekend in Sun Valley, Idaho, which should be a lot of fun, but I’ll talk about that more later. For now I’ll leave you with some picks of new releases coming out this month.
As always it’s difficult to choose which books I’m most looking forward to, though three of the five books come from authors I’ve read and liked before, which helps. First off, I’d like to try Irish author Colum McCann’s new epic novel “Apeirogon” about the real-life friendship between two men, an Israeli and a Palestinian who become united by the grief they share over the loss of their loved ones. The narrative form of it apparently breaks the novel into short, numbered segments that count up to 500 before crawling back down to 1, which could be tricky for me, but I’ll wait to see if it is. Regardless McCann is probably too significant an author to pass up since his 2009 novel “Let the Great World Spin” was quite a read.
Next up, I’ll go with Erik Larson’s new nonfiction book “The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz.” Although it seems I’ve already read quite a few books about or set in England during the Blitz of WWII, apparently this new book relies on journals and letters unfamiliar to most and presents Churchill and his family as the central figures. Like many readers, I have liked Larson’s popular history sagas over the years, especially his 2011 book “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin,” which blew me away. That book is slated to become a movie in a year or two, reportedly starring Tom Hanks.
I’m also game to read Graham Moore’s new novel “The Holdout,” which is said to be an L.A. murder mystery wrapped in a legal thriller that explores issues about the U.S. justice system, media scrutiny, and racism. The female protagonist in the story apparently finds herself in multiple roles over time as a juror, attorney, investigator, and suspect … and the tension builds as the narrative shifts between various jurors. It’s perhaps a novel that’s hard to figure from the synopsis, but I will give it a try since Moore’s 2016 debut novel “The Last Days of Night” was quite enjoyable. He was also the award-winning screenwriter for the 2014 movie “The Imitation Game,” which you probably remember.
Last up, I’m torn about whether to pick up Jenny Offill’s new novel “Weather” about a university librarian’s growing list of worries. I’m not sure if I was a fan of Offill’s 2014 debut novel “Dept. of Speculation” — were you? To be fair, I honestly can’t recall if I tried it and put it down or didn’t pick it up at all. If I don’t get to that, I might opt for Emily Nemens debut novel “The Cactus League,” which involves characters surrounding a baseball team reporting for spring training in Arizona. It looks engaging and is said to be a novel made up of collected stories of the various characters, and is more than just about the game.
Then there’s Douglas Stuart’s harrowing debut “Shuggie Bain” that follows a working-class family ravaged by addiction in Glasgow, Scotland, during the Thatcher era. It’s said to be quite dark — filled with devastating dysfunction — but has received a lot of praise and 5 stars on Goodreads … with Kirkus Review calling it a “masterpiece.” Is it? I’m still wondering if I could handle its bleakness.
As for February movie releases, there’s a bit of buzz about the new upcoming “Emma.” film (with a period after the title) based on the 1815 Jane Austen novel. You remember the 1996 movie with Gwyneth Paltrow as matchmaker Emma Woodhouse? Oh it’s been awhile. The new Emma is played by actress Anya Taylor-Joy, who I haven’t seen before, but I suspect is quite a talent.
Classics on the big screen seem to be making a significant splash these days, if ever they weren’t, following in the footsteps of “Little Women” and the upcoming movie “The Personal History of David Copperfield” due out in May starring Dev Patel in the lead role. Get ready for it.
There’s also a notable-looking romantic drama releasing called “Ordinary Love” about a middle-age couple who come to deal with the wife’s breast cancer diagnosis, starring Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville. It looks worth seeing and focuses on their relationship as they face the challenges ahead.
Along with that there’s an indie comedy-drama called “Saint Frances” about a deadbeat nanny who finds an unlikely friendship with the six-year-old she’s hired to care for. It looks quite sweet and funny and stars Kelly O’Sullivan, who I haven’t seen before, as the nanny. Perhaps this is just the quirky humor to get one through the winter blues.
If not that, then surely the Final Season of the TV series “Homeland” will do it, starting on Feb. 9 on Showtime. Over the years, we’ve watched seven seasons of Claire Danes as the troubled CIA agent Carrie Mathison so we will see this series through. Though I’ll go into it without reading anything or knowing anything about it beforehand. It’s best that way … not knowing what the unpredictable Carrie Mathison will do next.
Last by not least, albums releasing this month include new ones from the bands Green Day and Stone Temple Pilots as well as Canadian singer-songwriter Matthew Good. But I guess I’m most curious to check out the new solo album by Nathaniel Rateliff called “And It’s Still Alright,” which is said to be a more somber, quieter listen than his recent songs with his band the Night Sweats. You can check out the title track here.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases this month are you most looking forward to?
The McCann book caught my attention. Its topic certainly seems timely. Unfortunately, the topic of tragedy in the Middle East always seems timely.
Yeah Dorothy, I’m hoping the McCann novel will be a good read. Its format or narrative sounds a bit different, but I think it’s based on real people.
I have Weather and I am looking forward to it. I did enjoy her previous work. It was simple in the telling but I thought beautifully structured.
I am starting What Rose Forgot, this weekend. I keep going with these page turners and I am fine with it. Whatever it takes to keep this pace up. I’ve been having such fun reading again.
That’s good Ti. You’re reading quickly these days. I might go back & read Offill’s debut or try her new one. Enjoy.
I’m so happy to have more sunlight but can do without the cold. We had a few flakes of snow this morning but Monday is supposed to hit 70.
Hi Kathy: you have it made in S.C. The winters never seem to get too much there. I’m enjoying the longer days too.
I cannot believe that it is February already.
The Eric Larson book sounds good. I actually want to read a bit about Churchill this year. He was such a key figure in human history.
Yeah Brian: I haven’t read many books on Churchill so I’m game for the new Larson book. It sounds good to me too.
Happy February, that most fickle of months! It is going to be 82 degrees here today but will plummet to temps in the 30s two days from now.
Yes to the Colum McCann, especially because I recently finished The Source by James Michener, set in Israel through the centuries with predictions about the future from 1965! After this month, I am not sure I am up for a book about legal/court issues but I agree that Graham Moore’s last book was a winner.
The Oscars are only a week away? OMG, I better get with it!
Thanks Judy, Happy Feb to you too. I’m so behind on Oscar movies, but we’re seeing some this week! Yeah this month has been dreadful for court cases — don’t get me started on what the Senate is sleezing out of. Good grief awful. Holding no one accountable. I’ll check out the McCann book but I’ll probably get the Moore novel first. Enjoy your reading.
The new Erik Larson non-fiction is also on my TBR soon list–I really like his books and the subjects he explores. Always a good read.
Honestly, I just cannot get excited about another Emma, or another Little Women (though I’ve heard it’s great), or another David Copperfield. Honestly, I would rather see a really good movie about Louisa May Alcott, and adaptations of other great classic novels, instead of milking the same content over and over. Rant over!
Ha Jane. Rant away. Hollywood does recycle the same stories over & over — I’m a bit sick of A Star Is Born (3 times over). Though I must admit I really liked the new Little Women movie. I hope we both enjoy the new Larson book … he’s usually always very good.
Happy February! Our month will be filled with a series of houseguests – friends and family fleeing winter, though it hasn’t been much of a winter yet. Colum McCann is on my list. I also loved Let The Great World Spin and even still think about it once in a while. Erik Larson’s book sounds good, too. I’ve just started hearing about The Holdout and am definitely intrigued. But my goal for the month is to focus on all the books I picked up as kindle deals over the holidays. We’ll see how it goes…
Hey JoAnn. Good luck with the winter houseguests! I’ve just started The Holdout and so far it’s easy reading and conversational. I will have to put the others on the Library wait list. Hope you enjoy your February reads!
The sunrise above is gorgeous. Good luck on your trip and I hope there’s relatively benign weather in Feb. I gave up Apeirogon at 41% because I couldn’t take anymore constructing and deconstructing of the same events. It started out very interesting, but it wore me out eventually. It did wonders for my sleep cycle, I tell you! 🙂 I’ll be starting The Splendid and the Vile today, and plan to continue reading it for the remainder of the month since it’s about 608 pages in Kindle format–I’m not sure if that’s including references because in print it’s significantly less. My favorite movie of the year–I still have a few to see– is still Marriage Story. Little Women made me confused by the too-smooth time changes, plus I was tired. I did like The Two Popes a great deal; the performances were astounding. A Beautiful Day… was good too. Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys were superb as well. I was not dazzled by Judy or Joker as most critics were, so I don’t know if I would necessarily go for their performers as Best Actor/Actress. Anya Taylor-Joy was in The Miniaturist (miniseries) and Thoroughbreds (2018); she was outstanding in both as the leading lady. Emma promises to be fun.
Hey thanks Carmen. Love all the info you have. I might have to drop Apeirogon down my reading list per your news about it. I’ll be keen about your thoughts on the Larson book and I’m sure it’ll take me awhile to get through it once I get a copy. I guess I’d really like to see Marriage Story but dont have Netflix. Hmm. We liked 1917 & Judy but didn’t care for Joker ugh! We saw Parasite and weren’t crazy about it like the critics. I’ll have to see more Anya movies and look forward to Emma. I enjoyed Little Women but want mostly now to see Marriage Story! It doesn’t seem to be playing around here. Sigh.
Parasite was quite a surprise for me. I laughed relentlessly during the first half, and then…bam! The punch in the gut! 😮 I haven’t seen 1917 yet, or any of the long ones.
Yeah Parasite was quite different. It was amusing at first then like you said it turns. I wasn’t quite sure what to think of it or my reaction. Could’ve waited to see it at home & not pay on the big screen.
With that picture in Shuggie Bain and that description, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read that book. I’ll look forward to your thoughts if you choose to read. I’m also looking forward to reading The Holdout – I haven’t read this author before but love the sound of this book.
Hope you have a good February! It HAS been a mild winter. Although I don’t mind that it isn’t as cold, it does not bode well for our environment. 🙁
Hi Athira — thanks for stopping by! Yeah Shuggie Bain looks pretty intense. I’ve started The Holdout and I’m liking it. It’s very easy to get pulled into. I think February’s mildness is about to change. Uh-oh!
The Holdout sounds interesting!
I can save you some time- if you don’t remember loving Dept of Speculation, don’t bother with Weather. The writing style is exactly the same. I loved Dept so loved this one as well, but can see it bothering a lot of people.
My February reading so far has been tepid. I really need a GREAT book! I’m hoping Sun Down Motel and The Splendid and the Vile will do the trick.
Hey Catherine, I too am hoping good things from Erik Larson’s new book but I don’t have a copy yet. I’m midway through The Holdout and have been enjoying it. It’s a quick read so check it out. I’m also trying The Topeka School on audio but so far it’s slow going …. we will see. Good luck with your February reads!