How is your new year going? All is good here, albeit a little chilly in Canada. At left, is a shot taken at Christmas time of Catalina Island from afar with the sun setting behind it. Ahh the gems of California. Lovely. I opened my year by reading James Baldwin’s short classic “If Beale Street Could Talk,” which turned out to be a great way to start 2019. You could say he’s an author who doesn’t mince words … he’s a powerful writer who lays it on the line and writes it like it is.
I’ll be reviewing it later, but I wanted to read it to lead up to seeing the movie of it, which many critics liked. And I was glad to see Regina King win the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for “If Beale Street Could Talk” as well as Glenn Close win the Best Actress award for her role in “The Wife.” Wow, two book adaptation wins. By the way: Glenn Close gave a great speech at the Golden Globes. Wasn’t it about time for her to win a big award? The movie “Green Book” seemed to be a big winner at the Globes as well as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which surprised most people by beating out “A Star Is Born” in a couple of categories. I want to see the Freddie Mercury /Queen film soon. I did see the Lady Gaga-Bradley Cooper movie and liked the singing performances in it more so than a bit of the story. But there’s more I’d like to see before the Oscars on Feb. 24.
Meanwhile I’ve been looking at what’s releasing this month and there looks to be some strong contemporary fiction. Currently I’m in the middle of Karen Thompson Walker’s sophomore novel “The Dreamers” and I’m enjoying it quite a bit. It’s about an isolated college town that is transformed after a mysterious illness triggers perpetual sleep in those afflicted. Uh-oh. Wow the author seems to have just the right touch in this modern “Midsummer Night’s Dream” kind of apocalyptic story. It makes me want to read her first novel “The Age of Miracles,” which I heard is also excellent. And it doesn’t hurt to have author Emily St. John Mandel of “Station Eleven” fame call “The Dreamers” “stunning” on the front cover of the book. That’s good enough for me.
Next up, I’m keen to get my hands on Tim Johnston’s second thriller novel “The Current,” which Susie over at the blog Novel Visits says won’t disappoint fans of his breakout 2015 debut book “Descent.”
This one is about two women who are pulled out of a car plunged into an icy Minnesota river — one dead and one barely alive … who learns what happened to her might be connected to an unsolved similar criminal case 10 years prior. Seeking answers, the survivor starts her own investigation looking into truths that simmer beneath the surface of her cold northern hometown. Uh-oh. “The Current” sounds like just the right fast-paced thriller to jumpstart the year. So what are you waiting for?
Then there’s Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s satirical debut novel “We Cast a Shadow,” which is getting quite a bit of praise and has been likened to Paul Betty’s award-winning book “The Sellout” and the film “Get Out.” Set in a near-future Southern city, “We Cast a Shadow,” says author Roxane Gay, “tells the story of a man—one of the few black men at his law firm—desperate to pay for his biracial son to undergo demelanization, desperate to ‘fix’ what he sees as his son’s fatal flaw.” Uh-oh. But how far will he go to protect his son? It’s said to be a keen satire of surviving racism in America and a profoundly moving family story — one which we “should all read and heed” writes Roxane Gay. Hmm. It seems thought-provoking and good so count me in.
I’m also considering picking up Kristen Roupenian’s short story collection “You Know You Want This,” as well as Madhuri Vijay’s novel “The Far Field,” and Mesha Maren’s “Sugar Run.” All debuts, don’t you love it? Finding new talented authors is like falling into a bowl of ice cream. You often come out with good surprises — you know what I mean.
Roupenian’s book comes after her story “Cat Power” in the New Yorker went viral last year, so I’m curious about more of her writing. And Vijay’s novel “The Far Field” follows a complicated wandering woman “across the Indian subcontinent as she reckons with her past, her desires, and the tumultuous present.” It’s said to deal with Indian politics in Kashmir, class prejudice, and sexuality through the lens of an outsider. Hmm, could be just the ticket. Or else the novel “Sugar Run” about a woman who’s released from prison and tries to rebuild her life only to find her aim thrown off course time and again. Uh-oh. I’m game. This one sounds like gritty Southern noir that’s been hailed by the likes of Lauren Groff and Charles Frazier among others. What more do you want?
As for movies releasing this month, I’m not sure I see many worth seeing at the theater per se, but that’s okay since there’s many that came out at the end of last year that I still need to see. The two most commercial films this month are likely: “The Upside,” which is based on the 2011 French movie “The Intouchables” about a wealthy quadriplegic man (played by Bryan Cranston) and the unemployed guy (Kevin Hart) hired to help him, which looks charming and funny but maybe overdone? …. and then there’s the neo-noir thriller “Serenity” starring Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey in a hire-to-kill fishing boat kind of thriller, which could be either hokey or adequate for a suspense flick. So take your pick. I guess I’m a bit lukewarm on both, but they could make for decent TV rentals on a winter’s day. What do you say? Meanwhile there’s plenty of Oscar nominated movies to see over the next couple of months so get thee to the Big Screen for those.
Lastly for album releases this month, I’m curious to listen to German-Canadian singer-songwriter Alice Merton’s debut album “Mint” and American Maggie Roger’s new album “Heard It in a Past Life.” She hails from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, my my. Both women (the first just 25 the latter 24 years old) sound quite talented so I’m keen to start off the new year with these new listens. Let’s hear it for young singing talent.
What about you — which releases this month are you most interested in?
I read Beale Street with my Bookie Babes a while back. Saw the movie last week and it is a stunner. Last night I finished Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield. Loved it. If you are liking The Dreamers I will go for it. I liked her first novel. I have the new Joyce Carol Oates from the library: The Hazards of Time Travel, but first a few books from 1964 and a couple for Tournament of Books.
Great Judy. So glad you liked the Beale Street movie. I hope to see it soon. And you liked the Setterfield novel, which sounds good. I should finish The Dreamers in the next couple days and so far it is a Go. I’m sure you have a lot on your slate for January. I’ll be curious to hear about them.
I love the sound of The Dreamers and hope to read that as well.
Yeah Diane: I think you’ll like it. Happy New Year to you.
I also forgot to say I loved A Star is Born and was surprised it got knocked out of the Globes except for the song The Shallows – which I adored. I guess I need to see Bohemian Rhapsody now.
Hi Diane: yeah it was surprising that A Star Is Born didn’t get more awards. I still need to see Bohemian Rhapsody.
I won a copy of We Cast a Shadow from LibraryThing and I can’t wait to get it. Happy New Year!
You too Kathy, Happy 2019! Glad that you’ll be checking out We Cast a Shadow too. We can compare notes.
Our January TBR list has quite a few in common. I keep looking at We Cast a Shadow, but am never quite sure it’s for me. I think I’ll let you and others I trust vet that one first.
The preview of The Upside looked great (of course!).
Yeah Susie: I definitely picked a few of the January books you mentioned. You have a good eye for fiction! We’ll have to see which ones we like best. I think many January novels look strong this year, wahoo! Especially thx for the word on the Tim Johnston books. I’m looking forward to checking them out!
A seemingly interesting bunch of books and movies. The Dreamers sounds really good. I generally like Plague stories and this one sounds particularly interesting. Something in the plot reminds me of the original film The Crazies. I am going to try to read some Plague books this year. Maybe I will get this one in.
Yeah Brian: Plague books are often compelling. The Dreamers novel hooked me from the first page so I’m digging it. I’ll have to see how it turns out. I look forward to seeing your reads this year.
The Dreamers is on my list. It sounds pretty darn good. I don’t have any plans really for January reading. I have a lot of books that I’ve been adding to my virtual list. I think this month much of it will be chosen based on the mood I am in at the time. I’m always itching to read a classic at the beginning of the year but I never know what to choose.
Hi Ti: If you want a short 20th century classic: try out James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk. It’s pretty quick and interesting. And I think you’ll like The Dreamers. It’s pretty enticing from the Get-go. I hope to get over to your blog today to see what you’re up to. Cheers.
The Dreamers sounds good, as does The Current. Movie-wise, there are a few at the theater right now that I would like to catch up with. Bohemian Rhapsody’s win was a surprise considering that most critics thought it underwhelming despite Rami Malek’s spot-on performance as the leading man. I haven’t seen The Wife but now I want to since you raved about it. I have seen quite a few recently, most past months releases.
Hi Carmen: Yeah the Wife was all right, but don’t set your expectations too high — it’s sort of a quiet kind of film and a subtle inward thing Glenn Close has to portray. I’m looking forward to Bohemian Rhapsody which looks quite entertaining.
I thought Glenn Close’s speech was wonderful as well. Plenty of people had something to say but she was one of the most eloquent. Kind of like Frances McDormand at the Oscars last year.
I’m reading The Current right now and having mixed feelings. It is NOT fast paced. It’s a mystery and it’s good, but there is so little movement I’m not feeling any tension. I don’t know…I loved Descent.
I was also looking forward to Sugar Run but Sarah DNFed it so I’m hesitant. I have so many new releases to read that I’m not sure I attempt one that someone I trust didn’t enjoy. Decisions!
You have to see Bohemian Rhapsody in the theater if possible. It was outstanding.
Thanks Catherine. You’re right I should see Bohemian Rhapsody at the theater! And good to know about The Current, perhaps I’ll read Descent first. I’m keeping an open mind about Sugar Run. So many reading decisions at the beginning of the year! Good luck.
I loved The Wife, and pre-ordered the DVD. I tried to find it on Amazon Prime first, but it wasn’t there.
I am eager to see Serenity.
I am also eager to see The Upside.
Yesterday I saw On the Basis of Sex, and loved it.
Thanks Laurel for the report on the movies. It seems people are liking the RBG movie! I must see it. The Wife was a strong movie especially with the two leading actors Pryce and Close.