Surely it’s amazing news this week to learn that Harper Lee, the author of the 1960 classic “To Kill a Mockingbird,” had a long-lost second novel stashed away, which was re-discovered and now will be published on July 14. Lee apparently wrote the novel “Go Set a Watchman” in the mid-1950s before she wrote “Mockingbird.” In it, the character Scout, now an adult, returns to Maycomb, Alabama from New York, 20 years after the events in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and reminisces with her father Atticus Finch.
Of course, some critics are worried that this new novel won’t live up to her classic or will somehow debase it, but I for one welcome it. If Harper Lee is indeed okay with releasing it, which some have questioned because of her health after a 2007 stroke, then I see no harm in it. I’m sure it will be valuable in learning more about Lee’s creative process and how “Mockingbird” came to be. And I’m excited that Scout and Atticus have more to say. I plan to reread “To Kill a Mockingbird” before July so when the new book comes out, I’ll be ready to dive in. As of right now, there’s no book cover for the new book just yet, drats.
Meanwhile I’ve been checking out which February releases I want to delve into. For books, there’s quite a few heavyweight authors with new novels out this month, notably: Anne Tyler, Nick Hornby, Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket, and John Boyne. Despite these talented veterans, my book picks for February releases are all from debut novelists. Hard to believe but true.
First off, Tom Cooper’s novel “The Marauders” looks to be a winner. It’s set on the Louisiana bayous after the BP oil spill and chronicles the misadventures of some wacky denizens of a dying fishing village. Stephen King says it’s “rollicking, angry, eye-popping, and fall-on-the-floor funny” and “so damned good you won’t believe it’s a first novel.” O Magazine calls it a “finger-lickin’-good Louisiana swamp noir.” So I might have to wade into its muck … so to speak.
Another new release gaining attention is “My Sunshine Away” by M.O. Walsh. It’s a coming-of-age story set in a quiet Louisiana neighborhood touched by violence. According to Amazon, the narrator was fourteen the year that a crime against the girl he loved changed him irrevocably. Southern authors Kathryn Stockett and Anne Rice are strongly touting this book, with Rice saying “it’s about love, obsession, and pain. Such a beautiful book. … I can’t praise it enough.”
I’m also curious about another coming-of-age novel “Disgruntled” by Asali Solomon. It’s about an African American girl growing up in Philadelphia in the eighties and nineties who’s a perpetual outsider and battles the “shame of being alive.” Stephen Cha of the L.A. Times calls it “entertaining and thought-provoking” and Publisher’s Weekly says the narrator’s “incisive commentary is both arresting and painful.” Perhaps “Disgruntled” is just the book I need to more diversify my reading experiences.
Switching gears, “Green on Blue” by Elliot Ackerman looks to be another unflinching war novel that likely shouldn’t be missed. It’s about two Afghan brothers, Pashtuns, who become orphans and get caught up in the deadly conflict. Author Khaled Hosseini says Ackerman has “spun a morally complex tale of revenge, loyalty, and brotherly love,” while others are touting the author’s enormous empathy. So just when I thought I was done with war novels, I’m being drawn back in.
For brighter fare, I’ve been eyeing Carrie Snyder’s novel “Girl Runner,” which came out in Canada in August but is just coming out now in the States. It’s about a former Olympic female athlete from the 1920’s who at age 104 reflects on her childhood and life from a nursing home. It “weaves together the past and present narratives of an uncompromising woman’s life,” says Dani Couture in the Globe and Mail. With a memorable heroine, the novel might just be the perfect escape especially if you’re a runner.
As for February movies, I’ll be skipping over “Fifty Shades of Grey” though I’m sure it’ll make a dent at the box office from fans of E.L. James’s 2011 erotic romance novel. The movie’s being released next weekend in time for Valentine’s Day, weird eh? I didn’t read it so I’m not curious to see how “Christian” and “Anastasia” translate to the big screen. Instead I might catch the *slightly* more (LOL) wholesome Disney production about a true story — “McFarland, USA,” which stars Kevin Costner as a cross-country coach in a small town in California who transforms a team of Hispanic athletes into championship contenders.
“McFarland” should be half-way decent, but my real pick this month is the action thriller “’71,” which is about a British soldier who is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the deadly streets of Belfast in 1971. Jack O’Connell, who also starred in “Unbroken,” plays the soldier who’s being pursued by killers of the IRA among others. He’s an actor to watch and this film seems highly suspenseful.
As for albums out this month, I plan to check out “Tomorrow Is My Turn,” the debut solo album by North Carolina singer Rhiannon Giddens. It’s an album full of covers, consisting of songs made famous by Patsy Cline, Odetta, Dolly Parton, and Nina Simone. Giddens has an enticing voice and delivery and is definitely up and coming.
What about you — which books, movies, or albums are you most looking forward to this month?
I’m looking forward to Harper Lee’s new book and now need to reread To Kill A Mockingbird…it’s been so long that the details are vague!
I’ve already read My Sunshine Away and absolutely loved it. My fave book of 2015 so far. The Marauders sounds really interesting too – Louisiana theme going on this month! I’ve also got Girl Runner on my radar. May come back to it later this year if people like it.
And – Shannon at River City Reading really liked Disgruntled. Keeping that on my radar as well.
Thanks for the update Sarah. I’m glad to hear My Sunshine Away is good. I will pick up a copy!
February looks like a great month for books. It’s going to be busy!
Your views on the Harper Lee affair are welcome as well. I’ve been focusing mostly on the ‘scandals’ that have plagued her recent years, but certainly her new book should be welcomed as an important addition to her oeuvre. I agree that it will provide amazing context and insight into her writing.
Yeah I hope there wont be more scandals surrounding the book & her to come. I hope the new book will be worth it too. Thanks Tanya
I don’t really care if Harper Lee’s new novel doesn’t compare to To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s just nice that there will be another book by her out there.
I’m not sure how a book could compare, because I can’t think of another book quite like it. That book was for me a perfect book to teach to high school students, which I did a couple of times. Thought-provoking and full of wonderful inspiring characters. It was also a wonderful movie. The Marauders looks interesting.
I will also be skipping Fifty Shades of Grey though I will confess to reading news stories about the movie — pure curiosity.
Yeah I agree Barbara. To Kill a Mockingbird is so good! Thanks for stopping by
I’m excited about the new Lee book too! I’m desperately hoping that it’s all legit and she’s on board, but I also don’t think there’s anyway for the general public to know yet. A couple years ago my husband and I visited Monroeville, her hometown in Alabama, to see the To Kill a Mockingbird Museum. It was just wonderful!
Oh wow. I’d love to go to the museum. I hope she’s on board with the new book too. Thanks Melissa.
Girl Running really has my attention.
Yeah me too. I saw it at the library and should get it asap. Thanks Sheila
I’m looking forward to the new Harper Lee too. TKAM is one of my favorite books and one of the few books I’ve read multiple times. I saw a trailer for MacFarland, USA and thought it looked entertaining.
I agree Amy. Scout has got to be one of the most beloved characters in American Lit. At least to me she is. The book is a classic. Thanks for coming by.
I’ve read all the controversy over Lee’s new book, too, but still want to read it.
Me too Kathy. Are you kidding me? I got to…
To Kill a Mockingbird has been one of my absolute favourite books since secondary school. I look forward to the new release. It’s not about comparisons for me but about reading something ‘new’ from one of my favourite authors and ‘revisting’ a couple of my favourite literary heroes.
Good point Joanne. That’s the way I see it too. Who cares if it’s less than the other, it’s still worth reading and revisiting!
I want to reread To Kill a Mockingbird this year. I read it in high school and didn’t like it, but I blame my English class and not the book. A friend, who is now a lawyer and a dad, just reread it and said the experience was really different for him as an adult.
Yes good point. I expect when I reread it my experience of the book will be quite a bit different than when I read it when I was young. Though I hope I will still enjoy it.
I absolutely loved My Sunshine Away — along with Christopher Scotton’s The Secret Wisdom of the Earth, my favorite book this year so far. I really enjoyed Girl Runner and gave it a very good review, but I caution you that it’s not really “brighter fare” — it’s really sad! (But lovely.)
Thanks Ann. Good to know My Sunshine Away is so good. I also plan to get to Girl Runner this year!