Happy New Year everyone. It’s hard to believe it’s 2016. I hope everyone had fun and safe holidays. We just arrived home from California and were met with about six inches of new snow here in Canada, which will be good for cross-country skiing this weekend.
Over break we saw the movie “Brooklyn” (adapted from the 2009 Colm Toibin novel), which turned out to be a perfect film to take my parents to — not violent, not racy, not action-packed, just nostalgic, and who can pass up that? Set in the 1950s, it’s about an Irish girl who comes to New York City and ultimately must choose between the two countries, boys, and the lives that exist within. Actress Saoirse Ronan does a great job as the innocent-eyed, conflicted immigrant. She seems to shine in these roles adapted from well-known novels; besides “Brooklyn,” Ronan’s also been in “The Lovely Bones” as the murdered girl in purgatory, and in “Atonement” as the tattle-tale, lying sister — who can forget that role? This time she’s quite a bit less nefarious and has grown up since those days. Have you seen “Brooklyn” and what did you think?
Meanwhile I’ve been looking at what’s coming out in January releases. This month, there’s new books by such popular authors as Melanie Benjamin, Sebastian Faulks, Joyce Carol Oates, Lawrence Hill, Chris Bohjalian, and Bill Bryson among others. Quite a good lineup, but I’ll probably need to narrow my sights, so I’ll likely grab Elizabeth Strout’s slim new novel “My Name Is Lucy Barton” as I’m a fan of her books and have read all of them so it’s not like I can pass this one up.
Besides Strout, there’s three books by debut novelists that have received considerable praise that I’m curious to check out. First, Sunil Yapa’s novel “Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist,” which is set amid Seattle’s 1999 World Trade Organization protests. Apparently it involves seven characters whose lives change forever over the course of one afternoon. From blurbs I’ve seen, the novel looks to be a pretty powerful and visceral read; some are calling it the first great read of 2016. Is it? Author Smith Henderson says it’s “a story that is as tragic as it is relevant, as unflinching as it is humane.” Hmm. I’ll have to read it to see.
“The Lightkeepers” by Abby Geni is another debut novel that I’m curious about. It’s about a nature photographer who takes a one-year residency on the exotic Farallon Islands off the coast of California. Need I say more? The Farallon Islands, people! I haven’t gotten over the Farallons since Susan Casey’s 2005 nonfiction book “The Devil’s Teeth.”) Anyways, the photographer’s only companions there are a group of scientists who are studying the birds and sharks. But after an assault and death occur on the island, each member falls under suspicion. “The Lightkeepers” sounds like a haunting adventure set against the backdrop of a wild and incredible habitat. I likely can’t pass it up.
Lastly in debut novels Garth Greenwell’s novel “What Belongs to You” is apparently about an American teacher who finds himself caught in a relationship with a hustler that causes him anguish and forces him to confront his fraught past and Southern childhood. Kirkus Reviews calls the novel “a luminous, searing exploration of desire, alienation, and the powerful tattoo of the past.” It might not be for everyone, but author Hanya Yanagihara hails it too — as well as all the reviews so far on Goodreads, which says it’s beautifully written. Hmm dark but worth a read?
As for movies in January, I’ll likely see Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Revenant” which is based partly on the 2002 novel by Michael Punke. I know it looks like a grisly (get the pun?) survival/revenge story set in the 1820s, but it was filmed near where we live — in our local mountains — so of course we’re going to see it; it’s full of nature scenes. I’ve heard the filming was quite hard on Leo; he was out there standing in freezing water and weather, gripes. And how did they film that scene with the grizzly? I’d like to know. Holy smokes I don’t want bad dreams of running into bears in the woods — as just this fall we had a grizzly on the trail up a ways in front of us. Luckily we went our own separate ways.
The other movie I might need to check out is the action-adventure with Chris Pine, Eric Bana, and Casey Affleck called “The Finest Hours,” which is about a death-defying 1952 Coast Guard rescue in stormy seas of workers on a couple of oil tankers. I’m not sure if the special effects of the high seas will ruin it and make it look too fake, but I usually have to revisit Eric Bana in anything he’s in, ever since his role in the film “Munich.” Add in Pine and Casey and you basically have a film. But we will see. And for now, I’m skipping the Benghazi film “13 Hours” because director Michael Bay has put out some terrible flicks over the years and I’m afraid that this might be more of the same.
Lastly for January, there’s not a lot of new album releases for the month: David Bowie is putting out “Blackstar,” Sia is putting out “This Is Acting,” and the Tedeschi Trucks Band is releasing “Let Me Get By.” All of which could be good, but I’ll pick little-known Tennessee bluegrass artist Sierra Hull with her fourth album “Weighted Mind” for my pick of the month.
What about you — which new books, movies, or albums are you most looking forward to this month?
Happy New Year Susan and welcome home! I saw Brooklyn last week and was completely charmed. I had hoped to see Carol and Room but a thankfully short virus kept me home. I didn’t know you were such a fan of adventure books and movies. I am curious about Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist. I will be reading and reviewing for my pro review gig The Happy Marriage, translated from French and written by Moroccan born Tahar Ben Jelloun. I read his book The Sand Child some years ago and was quite impressed. And I will be reading House of Day, House of Night by Polish author Olga Tokarczuk, also translated, for one of my reading groups whose other two members are of Polish descent. What a way to start a new year!
Happy New Year, Susan! I’m glad your trip was great and you are back.
I have The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian in the queue to read after I finish The Children’s Home, a debut novel. So far I’m liking TCH. I also have Swans of Fifth Avenue to read towards the end of the month. I have high hopes for that one.
Brooklyn looks good and Ronan was great in The Lovely Bones and Atonement, though I didn’t care much for Hannah. Good to know Brooklyn is a good choice.
Of all the films this season, The Revenant I want to see most. This may be DiCaprio’s year award-wise if the Oscar doesn’t go to Eddie Redmayne for Best Actor, at least that’s what I’ve heard.
I finally got Adele’s 25 and I’m in love with three songs. Played “A Million Years Ago” like a million times. If it weren’t a digital recording it would come out scratchy already. 🙂
Ha, good to hear about the Adele album, Carmen. & Happy New Year to you. It sounds like you have quite a few new books lined up. I’ll be eager to hear what you think of them and will be over at your site soon, now that I’m back. I think The Revenant looks pretty violent but I want to see it too. Enjoy your books.
Thanks Judy, good to be home. Yeah I have yet to see Room, Carol, or 45 Years for that matter. Still plenty out there in movieland. What is your pro review gig? Sounds pretty good and it seems like your off to an international lit kind of start to 2016. I have not heard of either author but it’s good you’re spreading the word. I’m not sure where exactly my reading will take me this month, but so far I’m reading Canadian/Brit Mary Lawson’s trilogy that starts with Crow Lake. hmm
My pro review gig is at a site called Litbreak. The same people had a site called Three Guys One Book, where I have reviewed for a while. The new site has short fiction, essays, and poetry, but also reviews and they have kept me on as well as offering some pay. I get to choose the books I want to review. Works for me!
Very cool. I”ll check out Litbreak. Sounds like a nice deal.
I loved Brooklyn, both the movie and the book — went with the whole family (3 generations) and we all adored it. I’m looking forward to The Revenant and The Finest Hours too. This past month has been great for movies!
I liked Elizabeth Strout’s latest, although it’s not my favorite of hers. I couldn’t put The Guest Room (Bohjalian) down — however, it’s very disturbing. The new Bryson is good and I absolutely loved The Swans of Fifth Avenue. The Lightkeepers is next on my stack — the author and I have a mutual friend, so I am especially curious. Happy New Year and happy reading!
Wow Ann — you have made good headway on January releases! Thanks for the report on these books. I look forward to what you think of The Lightkeepers. I need to get cracking!
The one book you mentioned that I’ll read for sure is Chris Bohjalian’s new one. For movies, I really want to see The Danish Girl – I know it’s not new this month. I hope it’s still in theaters when I’m able to see it. I try to see all of the Oscar nominated films before the awards ceremony and I have a feeling it will be nominated for a few. Happy New Year!
Hi Rachel, yeah I usually try to see the Oscar nominated films too. We’ll have to compare notes on which ones are Oscar worthy. I’ll have to check out more about Chris Bohajlian’s new one.
Happy New Year Susan!
I alway like to peruse upcoming boom releases myself.
Many of these books look interesting. In particular, Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist, looks like something that I might really like. I might try to read it this year.
Yes Brian, I’m hearing quite a rave over Your Heart Is a Muscle. I will try to stay in the loop about new releases this year. We’ll see. Happy New Year to you!
Thanks for sharing all the new coming in 2016. Must seek out the new Strout book.
Yeah Deb, the new Strout book is a must for me as well. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, Susan! Lots of great 2016 choices here for reading, seeing and listening! I’ve been waiting to read Brooklyn before seeing it. The movie looks to be wonderful! All of the debut novelist reads seem interesting and I’ll have to check them out now! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Suzanne! Happy New Year. I’ll be interested to see what you have to say about the Brooklyn book.
You seem to have a lot of books in the hopper. I want to see Brooklyn. It looks like my type of show. Happy New Year.
Thanks Anne. Yeah I think you’ll like Brooklyn. Check it out.
Happy new year!
I’m quietly excited about the new Strout as well. And I hope to see Brooklyn during my holidays. Curiously, the Aust movie cover is much darker/earthier with the actress in the background leaning against a wall. I’d love to understand the psychology behind book covers for different countries.
Hmm. Interesting Brona. I wonder if the book is a bit darker than the movie? Hmm.
I loved Brooklyn and drove straight to the bookstore to buy a copy of the book after seeing the movie. I’ve read the book now, too, and can’t decide which one I like better.
Yeah Kathy I should have given you a shout-out credit in my post above for telling me that you liked the Brooklyn movie. Based on your rave of it, I took my parents to see it and it was perfect, so thanks much for letting me know. Is the book much different than the movie? or more filled out? hmm. is it darker or the same?