Greetings. We are about to launch into the new year — 2021 woohoo! — so everyone hold on to their seats. I hope this year will be so much better! It could be a very strange New Year’s for sure, but people need to stay vigilant against CV and hopefully the vaccine will roll out more quickly once Biden gets in. I know #45 will try to throw another wrench into things on Jan. 6 to try to overturn the democratic election, but we are so past that and over him. Let’s rise above it.
Meanwhile Sheila over at the blog Book Journey is doing her annual post: First Book of the Year, which is always fun to participate in and look at, so I leave you with my pick here (and a photo of my Covid-era hair). It’s always a bit difficult to pick the exact book you want to start out the brand new year with, but for me it sort came about as a result of timing.
Afia Atakora’s historical debut novel “Conjure Women,” which spans two generations of women living in the South before and after the Civil War, has been on my list ever since it drew attention when it came out in April 2020, and now somehow all the versions I was on the library wait list for — the print, ebook, and audio — all came in for me at once. Is that fate or what? I’ve never had all three versions of the same book before so perhaps that’s a sign: read it now or perish. I will let you know how it turns out.
And now let’s talk about what’s coming out in January. There’s new books by such well-known authors as Joan Didion (essays), George Saunders (nonfiction), William Boyd, Kevin Barry (stories), Melanie Benjamin, Michael Farris Smith, and Angie Thomas among others, which all look enticing.
So I’m a bit all over the place on what I want to pick up, but perhaps the biggest hyped novel this month is Robert Jones Jr.’s debut “The Prophets” (due out Jan. 5) about the “love story between two men enslaved on a Mississippi plantation.” It’s getting a lot of raves for its powerful storytelling and out-of-bounds (for its times) subject matter, so I’m curious to read it though its depiction of abuse and slavery will not be easy. For those who were moved by Charles Johnson’s “Middle Passage” or Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad,” you’ll likely feel the pull of this one as well.
I also plan to read Katherine Seligman’s debut novel “At the Edge of the Haight” (due out Jan. 19), which is set in San Francisco about a homeless woman who unwittingly witnesses a murder … and ultimately must decide whether she wants to stay lost or come forward and be found.
The novel is said to be a bit of a murder mystery and to have a strong sense of the city and of the challenges faced by the homeless. And as author Barbara Kingsolver says of it: “At a time when more Americans than ever find themselves at the edge of homelessness, this book couldn’t be more timely.” So count me in. I’m always eager to check out a new California author and this story is said to elicit a lot of empathy of a problem that is a major crisis of our times.
There’s also two prequels that look worth mentioning: Michael Farris Smith’s novel “Nick” (due out Jan. 5) about the narrator of “The Great Gatsby” years before that book began, and Angie Thomas’s new story “Concrete Rose” (out Jan. 12) that takes place seventeen years before the events of “The Hate U Give”and explores the coming of age of Maverick Carter into manhood. Oh prequels … what do you think of them? Yay or nay? I guess I’m open to them.
Or are you more drawn to picking up Melanie Benjamin’s historical novel “The Children’s Blizzard” (due out Jan. 12) about a devastating storm and tragedy that took place on the Great Plains in 1888, or Ashley Audrain’s intense psychological debut thriller “The Push” (out Jan. 5) that apparently has a bad seed and motherhood kind of plot that brings to mind Lionel Shriver’s dark 2003 novel “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” Uh-oh, disturbing!
As for what looks good to watch this month, there’s the movie adaptation of Aravind Adiga’s debut novel “The White Tiger,” (due out Jan. 22 on Netflix), which as a book won the Man Booker Prize in 2008 and is about the “epic journey of a poor Indian driver who must use his wit and cunning to break free from servitude to his rich masters.”
It looks good and is said to be a darkly comic drama that delivers a broadside on class divisions and corruption in India. I’d like to go back and read the novel of it first, but we will see if I get to it in time. Not sure why I haven’t read Aravind Adiga yet, but his fifth novel “Amnesty”came out this past year.
Next I like the looks of the British movie drama “Supernova” (due out Jan. 29), which stars Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci as partners of 20 years, who, after Tucci’s character is diagnosed with dementia, take a trip across England visiting friends, family, and places from their past.
Apparently the moving performances by Firth and Tucci are getting high praise, and the movie according to one critic on Rotten Tomatoes: is a “heartfelt and engaging story about love, sacrifice, and what it means to envisage life without a loved one.” Uh-oh, get out the Kleenex box.
Another raw movie about loss coming out is “Pieces of a Woman” (due out on Netflix on Jan. 7) starring Shia LaBeouf and Vanessa Kirby as a young mother whose home birth ends in tragedy and includes her year-long odyssey trying to live with it.
Yikes, it might be too much right now, but I thought I’d mention it due to its much talked about notable performances … as well as the fact that Vanessa Kirby was awesome as Princess Margaret in the early seasons of “The Crown” — though interestingly Lady Anne Glenconner who worked for the Princess says Helena Bonham Carter plays Margaret better (due to her shortness and voice etc.). Still Kirby is moving on and up, which is good to see.
Perhaps the movie “The Dig” (due out Jan. 29 on Netflix) will be cheerier. It is said to be a ravishing World War II period piece based on a true story about a widow who hires an archaeologist to excavate the burial mounds on her English estate at Sutton Hoo, which turns out to have a surprising historic discovery.
Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes star in the movie, which is based on a 2007 novel by John Preston. If you like archaeology kinds of books and movies (yes, please), then this one is for you. Carey Mulligan has had a lot of good (literary) roles over the years, but perhaps my favorite of hers was as Kathy in “Never Let Me Go.” That’s a heartbreaker of a book and movie.
Lastly in music coming out in January, there’s new albums by Steve Earle & the Dukes, the singer Passenger, and singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco among others. I like them all, but I’ll choose Steve Earle’s new album “J.T.” (due out Jan. 4) that pays tribute and features 10 songs from his late son Justin Townes Earle, a talented singer-songwriter who sadly passed away at age 38 of an overdose in August this past year. Ugh. Another terrible, shocking loss, especially since Justin had so many more years and great songs left to him. Here’s to you, J.T.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases this month are you most looking forward to? And how is your new year looking?
Happy New Year, Susan, to you and yours! I finally hit a bump in my reading this December with Pretty Things by Janelle Brown, so I’m moving The Girl with the Louding Voice as my second book of January after George Saunders’ latest release. I’m looking forward to all those movies you mention and many more I still have to see. Priyanka Chopra is making waves with White Tiger, as are Vanessa Kirby, who is a favorite–along with Frances McDormand–for Best Actress nominations. I, too, liked Carey Mulligan in Never Let Me Go; there was a haunting quality about that film.
Hey Carmen, good to hear from you. Yeah I saw the new George Saunders book on Amazon … and I might check it out … looks like it has wisdom in it from his teaching days. You’ll have to let me know. I’m sure your reading will come around again. I still hope to get to The Girl With the Louding Voice too. I’m glad there will be some new good movies on Netflix this coming month … I think Kirby & McDormand are great … and Mulligan too — I was thinking of her in Inside Llewyn Davis, which I liked too. Wishing you & your mother a Very Happy New Year!!
There are lots of interesting looking books and films coming.
Nick seems intriguing. I do have some mixed feelings about a follow up or prequel to such a classic novel.
Have a happy New Year!
Thanks Brian — you too — Hope you have a very happy New Year. I agree with you that prequels & sequels can be tricky when there’s a classic book involved … sometimes I try to think of it as an entirely separate thing that … won’t touch my appreciation for the original etc. or might maybe even enhance my appreciation. Still I don’t read many prequels … Enjoy your week.
Oh I am curious about Conjure Woman; great pic. I too have COVID hair Susan LOL
Happy New Year!
Thanks Diane. Ha, I’m a bit uncomfortable putting my pic up … with the Covid hair and all … Gosh don’t we all have it?! Who knew … that hairdressers would be so valuable in today’s world. LOL. Have a great New Year!
A picture of you! I always wanted one. My hair looks the same, though a different color, used to be blonde but more silver now.
Conjure Women for sure, I hope I can get to it.
Thanks for all the January books and for the Netflix movies. What would we have done without Netflix this year?
Happy New Year! May we have the patience to hold on and the fortitude to remake our lives, again!
Ha, Judy — you have good (Covid) hair — mine is a bit nuts and I’m beginning to feel like Tom Hanks’s appearance in Cast Away, LOL. I don’t know how I ever agreed to put my photo up here, yikes. What was I thinking?! I’m not sure what we would’ve done without Netflix & other movie platforms this year … we would’ve committed harry carry by now for sure. And I agree: 2021 will be a rebuilding year for all of our lives. Hang in there! Keep me going with your book reviews! Happy New Year, friend.
There’s not a thing wrong with your covid-era hair; it looks good and I approve of your choice of a first book of the year. 2020 is the year that turned my own hair gray and I’m sticking with it. It just became one more concern I didn’t need to keep it colored.
2020 was a fantastic year of reading for me and there’s a lot to look forward to in 2021, and, as one who is interested in archeological stuff, I will be on the lookout for The Dig.
Ha Dorothy, I can relate about the hair. It’s best just to let it go … during these days. And I’m glad to hear you had a great reading year …. (at least something was good in 2020!) … You really did well turning out the reviews on your site, which I enjoyed this year. You kept me informed on what books were good for sure. And I hope The Dig will be an enjoyable movie … I too like archeology. I thought about majoring in it — but ended up with a history degree. Happy New Year’s to you!
Happy New Year! Both The Dig and Supernova look good. I am also doing First Book this year and think I’ve found a good one: The Book Collectors (seemed an apt title).
That’s great Helen. Indeed, The Book Collectors sounds like just the right title. What a great first Book. Happy New Year’s to you & your family! I’ll stop by your site soon to see what’s up there in beautiful SB. Cheers to 2021!
Looks like you have a great month ahead!
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!
Hey thanks Shelleyrae — and for stopping by — and Happy New Year to you & your family too!! Hope it’s a much better year ahead! all the Best. & happy reading.
Happy New Year, Susan! So funny that all the versions of Conjure Women came at once. Is a sign for sure.
I didn’t know White Tiger was being released as a movie. I’m torn though – I wasn’t a fan of the book. It was good as a social commentary but then there were parts that frustrated me. But it’s been a while and I feel that the movie may smooth out the annoying parts of the book.
Definitely feels like a lot of good books and movies coming out this year – I’ll be interested in checking some of those out.
Hey Athira, Happy New Year! thx for your thoughts on the White Tiger book. I’m a bit curious to see the movie. Hmm. I’m already liking the Conjure Women book … so it bodes well for the beginning of 2021. Enjoy your new books!
Happy New Year!
The Prophets sounds intriguing. I did enjoy The Underground Railroad so I’d probably like it. My first book of 2021 is also my last book of 2020 – A Promised Land. It’s so long it might be my first book of 2022 too!
Ha Rachel, I can relate — I know whenever I start Obama’s book it’s going to take me forever. But I look forward to your thoughts on the Big book! Happy New Year to you as well.
Happy new year Susan ! Supernova already caught my attention, but I’m not sure if I’ll watch it now because I’m waiting for more… happy times ! to get to it. I’m not waiting for any new releases because this year, I’ll be trying very hard to read all of my physical TBR shelves. Happy new year, let’s hope goes back to the “new normal” soon and that we’ll be able to hug and kiss people one day again 🙂
Hey Iza – thanks for finding my blog & stopping by & the greeting! I look forward to checking out your site & posts too. Your goal of reading from your TBR shelves is a worthy one. I have a lot laying around. And yeah some of these *sad* movies might not be for right now — gosh there’s enough sadness all around us. I hope the vaccine can be rolled out quicker soon. Take Care. & happy 2021 to you.
Your Covid-hair looks fabulous. I’ve been cutting my own hair…so imagine that.
Conjure Women sounds like a book the universe wants you to read. I am eager to see what you think. I am waiting for Children’s Blizzard and the new George Saunders book.
I don’t even bother looking at movies coming out; I’m not sure how I would view them. Are they being streamed? I feel like I’ve missed a lot over the last year.
Happy New Year!
Thanks Deb, Happy 2021 to you. Won’t it be nice someday in the future to go to a hair salon?! Gosh I’m going to scare my hairdresser. Looks like you have some good first books. I’d like to check out the Saunders book. Enjoy your week.
You are well prepared for January! Whoo hoo. I think that’s a triumph these days. My first book for the year is The book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult. So far I think it was an excellent choice!
I was looking at the cover for Nick and thinking, gosh that looks familiar! Until I read your snippet. That sounds good. I’ll keep an eye out for The dig, but Pieces of a Woman I’ll stay clear of.
Have a good week!
Elza Reads
Thanks Elza, yeah they really made the Nick book look like The Great Gatsby cover ha. But a critic I know gave it 3 stars so not sure it will be overly awesome. And yeah The Pieces of a Woman story definitely should have a *Warning* label on it. It’s wise to steer clear of *sadness* dealing with this issue. I hope you enjoy the Picoult book. & Happy 2021 to you! Stay well.
Your first book of the year sounds like a great read!
Thanks Laura. Yeah it’s turning out to be a pretty good book. I appreciate you stopping by. I will check out your site too. Happy New Year.
I entered a giveaway for a copy of Nick. I am very excited about that book.
I love that you included a photo of yourself! Now I can place the name with a face! I think you chose a good book for first book too. I will be reading The Overstory, as you know. Also reading The Memory Police for club. It’s an interesting book for now. The memory of things we’ve lost is giving me all the feels. Today, on my walk, someone was cooking tortillas and beans and instantly, I thought of my favorite Mexican joint and how much I missed the food and the people. Chips and salsa, AT a table and music all around. A salty margarita, too. Like I said, that book is making me feel all sorts of things.
Happy New Year!!
Thanks Ti. I wish you luck on The Overstory …. and look forward to hearing your thoughts on that one and also the novel Nick. I’m not comfortable with my photo up there but I’ll leave it, argh. And yeah The Memory Police is quite a different kind of story as you will see … and it’s like what’s going on today in some ways. Be safe out there. California seems to be falling apart … with Covid. Yikes.
Nick and Concrete Rose both sound interesting to me, but I’m so far behind with 2020 books it might be a while before I get to anything from 2021. Hope you enjoy your First Book!
Thanks JoAnn. Yeah so far the first book is going well. I’m also still trying to catch up with 2020 reads! Too much to read. Hope you are well. Enjoy your week!
Happy New Year! I’m meh on this month’s new releases but that’s okay – I still have plenty to read!
Yeah Rachel: I’m still reading 2020 books. There’s lot to keep up with. Good luck with the Obama book! Happy 2021.
Conjure Women sounds like my kind of book–time period, narrative style, subject.
Nick actually doesn’t appeal at all. I love The Great Gatsby and Nick’s role as everyman narrator means his backstory doesn’t matter. But maybe that’s just me…
The Children’s Blizzard is appealing, but why couldn’t they pick a title even a teensy bit different from the non-fiction of the same name, which I’ve already read and thought very good, gripping, etc.
I must set up to watchlist The Dig – love, love, love the premise. And yes, Carey Mulligan was heartbreaking in Never Let Me Go.
Hey Jane, thanks for your thoughts. Yeah it seems the author of The Children’s Blizzard is receiving flak for having the same title as the nonfiction book. Hmm.
I like the looks too of The Dig and Conjure Women is turning out to be a good tale – I’m impressed by the author’s storytelling of this.
You make a good point about Nick and I’m not sure if I’ll get to it — the critic at The Post only gave it 3 stars and it is hard to mess with a classic.
Happy 2021 to you !
I never keep up on book new releases since I’ve got too many to read anyway! lol. But Those movies look excellent. I’ve added a few to my list for this month. That one with Firth and Tucci looks so good. I love both of those actors so I can only imagine that this one is top-notch, even if sad.
I had a hard time with The Great Gatsby in general, I don’t think a prequel will be on my list but I hope it’s good for those who are interested.
Conjure Women has been on my list since it came out. I’m hoping to get to it before May. Fingers crossed. I hope you enjoy it!
I hope you have a fabulous week!
Thanks Heather, we are having a warm week here. We need good movies & TV now as we’re kept home so much! I’m looking forward to the Tucci/Firth one. We just finished The Queen’s Gambit TV series which was quite enjoyable — the actress is very good. I’m making my way slowly through the audiobook of Conjure Women …. and there’s some good storytelling. Hope you are all good there — I plan to visit your site soon. Cheers.
It feels odd to comment on a post that you shared ten days ago, given how things have evolved in the U.S. since the 31st of December. We were so excited about a new year, but so far it feels exactly like 2020. Maybe things will look brighter after the 20th, but I’m feeling quite concerned about that, too. It’s odd that it almost feels like COVID took a backseat to the horrifying events in DC this past week. Sigh.
I’m glad you shared your First Book of the Year photo, so I can now put a name to a face. I, too, have COVID-era hair, but finally made an appointment to get it cut next weekend. I haven’t been in a hair salon since last February! Thankfully, my hair is long and straight, so it’s not awful, but I do miss my highlights. That will have to wait, though. I don’t want to sit in a salon for 2 hours just to get that done.
My first book of the year is All the Devils Are Here (Louise Penny), which is just as good as I had heard. Great escape reading! I hope you are enjoying your book. It sounds interesting.
The Children’s Blizzard sounds promising. I wonder how David Laskin feels about a book about the same subject as his sharing the same title. Maybe readers will feel inspired to read his nonfiction work after reading Melanie Benjamin’s novel.
Oooh, I love Stanley Tucci and can’t wait to watch Supernova. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! The Dig sounds good, too. Thanks for all your recommendations. Take good care.
Thanks Lesley, enjoy your comments & thoughts. I was a bit wary of sharing my photo ha but I guess I’ll live. It’s not the greatest picture but it illustrates these days during the pandemic. Our hair salons here are closed at the moment. Hmm. I hope you are enjoying the Louise Penny book! The Conjure Women is going fine so far (a bit long). I have not read Melanie Benjamin before – so I might start with The Aviator’s Wife. Perhaps her novel on the blizzard will bring more readers to Laskin’s book (I think so). Enjoy your week & some movies!