Hi all, are we ready for February? Yes, let’s move on from January. We are now beyond the hyped start of the new year. Meanwhile we’ve had some crazy warm temperatures up here that have been melting away the snow. It’s a bit of a mess between mud and ice. These conditions are usually seen in late March and April, argh. Oh well, let’s plow on.
What do you have going on in February? As usual this month there’s the upcoming Grammys this Sunday Feb. 4 and then the Super Bowl the following Sunday Feb. 11, so get your treats and fiesta dip in order, lol. And I hear that folk legend Joni Mitchell will be performing at her first Grammys at age 80. Wow that’ll be amazing and moving, since she had to relearn how to play and sing her music after suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015. Also U2 will perform as well as others, so tune in if you’re interested.
Lately we’ve been watching some of the Oscar nominated films. We just watched Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese. I don’t know what I was thinking — listening to much criticism of it — but the film was good, though the real-life story is sad and disturbing. We watched it over two nights since it’s three and a half hours long.
It’s sensitive I think to the Osage Nation and how it depicts the true case in which members of the tribe were murdered in Oklahoma in the 1920s over their wealth and oil money. Indigenous actress Lily Gladstone gives a subtle and knockout performance as Mollie Burkhart whose Osage family members were being targeted and exploited from a plot conceived by a terrible white rancher named William Hale. The actress is of Blackfoot heritage and grew up on a reservation near Seattle. She won the Golden Globe for her part in the movie and I wonder if she will win the Oscar too. Though everyone in the Best Actress category is very strong this year.
Now let’s dive into what’s coming out this month. In novels, there’s new books from such well-known authors as Anna Quindlen, Paul Theroux, Tommy Orange, A.J. Finn, and Roxana Robinson among others. I’m considering these and several more, including likely the most highly anticipated novel, Kristin Hannah’s The Women (due out Feb. 6), which Kirkus Reviews says is about: a young woman whose “experience as a nurse in Vietnam casts a deep shadow over her life.” The nurses in the Vietnam War have long been overlooked, but now Hannah is back to give them their due. If you liked her historical fiction, like The Nightingale, then you’ll be interested as I am to check this one out.
I’m also keen on Michael Crummey’s novel The Adversary, which came out in Canada back in September and is now due out Feb. 6 in the States. Kirkus explains: it’s set in a remote town on the northern coast of Newfoundland in the early 19th century and is about “a mutually despising brother and sister who fight dirty for control of the area’s fishing and mercantile concerns.” Hmm.
I have loved Crummey’s earlier novels Sweetland (2014) and The Innocents (2019) and sort of consider him my current favorite Canadian author, so I need to check out the novel no matter what it entails. I saw Crummey speak back in October at the book festival here, and I was a fool not to get an autographed copy.
Next I’m curious about Amitava Kumar’s novel called My Beloved Life (due out Feb. 27), that’s said to be an ambitious Indian family saga that follows the narratives of a father from 1935 to 2020 —his life’s journey— and his daughter, who is television journalist in the U.S. Along the way it provides an indelible portrait of India over 85 years and its citizens abroad. The story of the father and daughter covers right up to the Covid pandemic.
I’m not familiar with this author, but he grew up in India and lives in New York, teaching at Vassar College, where he’s written several other books. This novel sounds good to me and has received some starred reviews by PW and Kirkus among other publications.
Also I’m keeping an eye out for two crime suspense novels, first: Iris Yamashita’s novel Village in the Dark (due out Feb. 13), which is her second novel set in rural Alaska featuring police Det. Cara Kennedy. I liked her first book City Under One Roof so I’ll venture out for this one too. There’s also indigenous author Waubgeshig Rice’s latest called Moon of the Turning Leaves (due out Feb. 27), which is a sequel to his bestselling 2018 post-apocalyptic novel Moon of the Crusted Snow. I need to read book one first. I just heard about these novels set in northern Ontario, which are said to be powerful stories of survival and might be illuminating to me.
Moving on to screen releases in February, there’s not a lot of new things I’m dying to see, but that’s good since I’m still trying to catch up on several Oscar-nominated films before the Academy Awards on March 10. But I would like to see the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which begins airing this Sunday Feb. 4 on HBO Max.
Oh yeah. My husband and I love the show, now in its twelfth season! And similar to Larry David’s show Seinfeld, we still enjoy watching reruns of Curb. Larry’s a cranky obnoxious guy in Curb, but many episodes crack us up.
If you’re still in need of humor, you might want to check out Season 2 of the comedy-drama Life & Beth (starting on Feb. 16 on Hulu), starring Amy Schumer and Michael Cera as a hapless couple edging towards marriage. Schumer is quirky, and her humor in this seems more PG than her standup monologues, which are pretty rough. I have yet to see the show since in Canada it’s on Disney+, which we don’t get, but the trailers look funny. Someday maybe we’ll break down and rent the show. It could even be a night in February when we’re looking for a laugh, or if the whole world goes to seed.
In music for February, there’s new albums by Madi Diaz, the Strumbellas, and Brittany Howard formerly of the band Alabama Shakes. I’ll pick Madi Diaz’s new album Weird Faith due out Feb. 9 as my pick this month. I don’t really know her music, but she seems a singer-songwriter based in Nashville who toured a bit with Harry Styles last year and will open a few dates for My Morning Jacket this year. Here’s a song she sings with Kacey Musgraves called “Don’t Do Me Good.”
That’s all for now. What about you — which releases are you looking forward to this month? Happy February.
I’m ready for spring here in my area and hoping that February will be mild and sunny. We’ve had rain, which we needed, but the endless gray days get a little depressing. I’m looking forward to trying THE WOMEN and also VILLAGE IN THE DARK as well. Good luck with your reading and viewing plans!
Thanks Kay. Both the books you mention look good! I’m on the library wait list when they come in. Much to do in February. May your weather cooperate this coming month! Cheers.
A lot of good books. The story of the Osage people is so sad. I hope to see the movie some time. Have a good rest of week.
Hi Harvee, thanks. Yeah it is a sad case and it’s unsettling watching the film knowing that these terrible events actually happened to the Osage people. I’m glad the whole plot was uncovered and written about. Enjoy your week.
Hi Susan, I have yet to read anything by Kristin Hannah but I have The Great Alone stored in my kindle and I am determined to read it in February. Books set in Alaska interest me and so Village in The Dark has me curious.
Hi Kathy, it’ll be interesting to hear what you think of The Great Alone. I’ve heard other readers say they loved the novel but not the ending. I have read only 1 novel of Kristin Hannah’s … and that was The Nightingale, which takes place in Occupied France during WWII. I need to read more of hers … but it’ll likely be the new one The Women next. But I do like Alaskan settings too. Have a great week.
I have a couple of those books on my list too. I really liked Tommy Orange’s first book, so I am sure I’ll eventually read the new one. And I have a couple of Oscar nominees that I would like to see. Enjoy your reading!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, thanks. I read Tommy Orange’s debut too … though the ending sort of devastated me … as I wasn’t ready for that. I’m sure his new one fills in on the aftermath perhaps. I liked the various characters. Several films still to see. Enjoy your week.
I haven’t watched Killers of the Flower Moon, but it sounds like a compelling movie. I’m also looking forward to Village in the Dark. I enjoyed the first in the series, too. We’ve had some unseasonably warm days here, too, but it’s back to more normal for winter temps now. We’re supposed to get a lot of rain starting today through the weekend. Moon of the Turning Leaves sounds interesting. The first one came out in 2018? That’s a long time between books. The photo is beautiful, even with the mud and ice.
Thanks Rachel. Yeah I’m just trying not to break my neck on the ice as I walk the dogs, LoL. Button-down the hatches with all that rain coming. argh.
I’m wondering about the Moon novel as well. The first novel Moon of the Crested Snow was really popular and there’s still a wait list at the library. Since it’s post-apocalyptic I think I better check it out. I’ll wait to hear what you think of Village in the Dark. Cheers.
Loads to read and watch. I’m reading The Fox Wife by Yangzse Choo, whose second novel I liked a great deal. I’ll be reading one more fantasy novel and a historical fiction one in February. The Women sounds interesting. Movie-wise, I saw Killers of the Flower Moon (3*), Past Lives (3*), Priscilla (3*), Oppenheimer (4.5*), Society of the Snow (4.5*), Talk to Me (4*), and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part I (4*). And I re-watched Seasons 1 & 2 of Slow Horses, in preparation towards watching Season 3, and that was all for January. Happy February to you as well, Susan!
Hi Carmen, great update! You’ve been busy, lol. I looked at The Fox Wife – let me know what you think of it. I don’t read fantasy much but if there’s a blue moon it might happen 🙂 Wow you gave some of these films pretty low 3s … I thought the Flower Moon was higher. I haven’t watched Past Lives yet or Priscilla. I’m glad for your rundown. I’ve read a couple books on the Andes crash, the last being survivor Roberto Canessa’s 2016 memoir. Not sure if I will see the film but it looks well done. We have watched the Slow Horses seasons and for whatever reason we didn’t like Season 3 much, argh. The inside case seemed crazy & a stretch, though the characters are still enjoyable. We are trying Jodie Foster’s True Detective show now after finishing The Crown which was good. Enjoy your week and happy February & reading.
Yangzse Choo’s novels are more genre-bending than pure fantasy; she blends Chinese folklore/mythology and historical fiction. It’s nicely done. I thought Killers of the Flower Moon was beautifully shot but didn’t find it that emotional, hence my 3* rating, which reflects my feelings more than any other aspect of the film. Scorsese is hit or miss with me. I highly recommend you watching Society of the Snow. The cannibalism is very toned down, so you know it’s happening but won’t be a in-your-face kind of thing. Apart from that, it’s more the cold and the instinct of survival. The ending is riveting as well. Give it a try and see what you think.
Okay Carmen will do. We might need to watch the Andes movie pronto as I think we might be dropping Netflix for awhile. I recall from the memoir they also ate toothpaste which is good I think b/c it has magnesium in it. Good to know if you become a castaway survivor. Canessa became a renown pediatric cardiologist afterwards, interesting.
The Choo novels sound good now. I will add one of hers to my list … I will try for The Fox Wife at the library. Thanks.
We have discussed watching Killers of the Flower Moon; I think my husband is more interested than I am. We would split into two viewings also, I cannot handle a movie that long. Glad to see your thoughts about it and that you liked it.
I had not heard of Michael Crummey or his books before. I will look into his earlier books. I have found one article he wrote for the New York Times: Read Your Way Through Newfoundland. And a list of books set on islands that includes three of his books (with links to reviews). All of his books sound like challenging reads.
Hi Tracy, the two Michael Crummey novels I’ve read have been sort of sad tales but seemed to incorporate the outdoors of Newfoundland very well into them. They’re atmospheric. The new novel’s premise doesn’t entice me as much and sounds not as friendly as the ones I read. I live in Western Canada and have not visited Newfoundland yet, the furthest I’ve been is Montreal. But I hope to go someday. Thx for the NYT article he wrote.
And I was hesitant too about seeing Killers of the Flower Moon. But I’m glad I finally did. It’s a sad & disturbing case but highlights a bit of what the Osage faced back then and their people. I haven’t read the David Grann book it’s based on but that gives more background on it. Maybe see what you think of the film.
& Happy reading this February.
Our book group read Killers of the Flower Moon. I want to see the movie, but we’ll wait until we can watch it at home so that we can do as you did and watch over two or three nights.
Hi Joy, since you read the book & can compare it to the film — it would be great to know what you think of Killers of the Flower Moon. I hope you review it after you see it. I found it pretty compelling. Hope you have a great weekend ahead.
Interesting stuff, Susan, especially The Adversary. That sounds like one of those family fight novels, and nothing gets more down and dirty than a good fight between siblings. And isn’t that cover great? If I see that one in a bookstore, it will jump right out of the pack for sure.
I only recently resubscribed to Max/HBO after several years, but I remember that Larry David series fondly. Just last night, I was trying to figure out where I left off it, but I’m thinking that I’ll watch this new season first because I don’t think I’ll ever remember for sure where I stopped.
Happy February!
Thanks Sam. Yeah I think we need some laughs for February — so I hope Larry David’s show will fulfill that. I think the back earlier seasons might be even better.
The Adversary does sound like a huge sibling fight, like an epic battle. I’m a little scared to read it, lol. But it received a lot of praise from critics, so I’ll get to it. Right now I’m #105 in line on the library wait list for it. I tell you Crummey’s a big author in Canada!
Happy reading in February.
Thank you so much, Susan, for keeping me on track. I feel like I am doing well if I can keep up with books—and I miss a lot of those—and I rarely know what movies are coming along. I miss most of what’s on tv, too.
I’ve never seen Curb, but I love Seinfeld, so maybe that’s something I should look for! The Women is on its way to me; we will see, I guess, if it works for me.
Hi Deb, glad these posts might help. I try to keep up but not sure I really do, Lol. The Curb your Enthusiasm show has much the same kind of humor as Seinfeld so I think you’d like it. Larry David sort of plays himself as a persnickety obsessive old guy – a bit of a doofus who has similar friends. The early seasons are particularly funny.
I’m sure The Women novel will include many hardships & ups & downs as Hannah’s books usually do. See what you think. I’m curious to read it too, but I’m on the wait list for it. Have a great weekend.
I’m so out of the loop of the entertainment and sports world. Is it already time for the Grammy’s? We’ll be doing anything but watching football next weekend. Haha. Since we don’t really subscribe to any live television services, so much passes us by without much notice. I don’t really miss it. I am excited about The Women and hope it will be good. My dad was a Vietnam Vet and I’ve always been pulled to that time period, trying to better understand what he went through. He rarely would talk about it as is often the case for soldiers who saw combat. I’d like to read Village in the Dark as well. I hadn’t heard of Moon of the Turning Leaves before, but I will have to check it and the first book out. I hope you have a great week, Susan!
Thanks LF, yeah it seems you’d probably like The Women with that time period. How rough for the Vets like your father. My dad was a medic for those wounded who could be flown to the Army base in Hawaii. I was just 3 or 4 then. You must have moved around as a kid? I hope these books will be good. It’s good you gave up a lot of your TV services. You’re busy. I hope the rainstorms in Calif aren’t flooding your area. It’s worrisome to get so much at once. Stay safe! & happy reading.
I’m not a big fan of Amy Schumer, but Life & Beth does sound good. We’re rewatching all of Psych, so I’m putting this on the list for when we finish it up. The Women is a possibility–I loved The Nightingale, but haven’t cared for much from Hannah in between. I like the premise of The Women, though.
Hi Jane, yeah I think much of Schumer’s standup comedy is too foul for me, but the trailer of her show seems a bit funny and easier to handle. I hope it’s cute. And I’m not too sure either on the Hannah novel. Will it be too goopy or will it be okay? Will it stray or will it appeal? I’m #424 at the library so it might take a while before I get to it. We’ll see. Happy February to you.
I read Killers of the Flower Moon when it came out and that book depressed me for awhile so I have been avoiding the movie…I’ll see it but man it’s hard to want to. That story…it’s just so awful and depraved.
The Women looks really good. I have yet to read any of Hannah’s books. I keep hearing how good they are and I have yet to pick one up. I need to remedy that this year! Thanks for the heads up.
Life and Beth was one of my faves when it came out. I’m excited for the second season. She has great chemistry with Michael Cena.
Hi Heather, thx for letting me know about Life & Beth and that it was pretty good. It looks funny from the trailers. See what you think of Season 2.
I agree the Killers of the Flower Moon has a dark storyline — I’m just glad it was uncovered that this awful thing was happening. I think getting the story out — helps the Osage people in a way. I’m not sure you’d like the movie — it makes one angry and you feel helpless to stop it. Though some were caught at the end.
And I’m not sure what to expect with The Women … I hope it will be good. I’m on a long waiting list so who knows when I’ll get it. Cheers.