It’s been a sad, sobering week after the news coming out of France. I stand in solidarity with the people and cartoonists of Paris after the horrific attacks. Vive la liberté and freedom of speech and the press.
Meanwhile I’ve been looking over what new releases are coming out this month and have picked three novels that are in my crosshairs so to speak and that I hope will be good.
The first is Canadian Michael Crummey’s novel “Sweetland,” which came out in Canada in August and is coming out now in the States. I’ve heard it characterized as a quiet, mournful novel about a dying island community in Newfoundland and one man’s determination to try to save it. I want to read it especially since it’s apparently from one of Canada’s strongest novelists writing these days, and I live here now. So bring on more CanLit for me in 2015.
Also John Vaillant, a U.S.-born-but-living-in-Vancouver, B.C. author, has his highly anticipated debut novel coming out this month called “The Jaguar’s Children.” It’s a survival story about a young man trapped in a truck packed with other illegal immigrants and abandoned during a border crossing. I’m interested to read it after Valliant wrote the popular nonfiction book “The Tiger” in 2010. He’s also doing a book reading and signing of “The Jaguar’s Children” in my town on Jan. 19 so I plan to go. The book’s supposed to be gripping and the narrative tension-filled. So we will see.
Lastly in books for January, I’m curious about Stewart O’Nan’s latest novel “West of Sunset” about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s troubled last years in Hollywood. I’m usually very leery of novels about real literary or famous figures from history, but Fitzgerald is one author whose books I’ve admired and someone I’d like to hear more about. Though readers on Amazon seem to be all over the map on whether “West of Sunset” is any good. Some say the novel’s “lifeless” and others say it’s “heartbreaking and beautiful.” Hmm, so which is it? And does O’Nan really mistakenly refer to the San Gabriel mountains as the Sierras within the book? One Amazon reader noted this in her critique. I remain interested in it and will just have to find out for myself.
Meanwhile in film releases this month, plenty of notable ones are coming out. Of course, there’s “Selma,” “American Sniper,” and “Still Alice” — all of which I hope to see. I know considerable controversy is swirling around the movie “Selma” as various sources are saying its portrayal of President Lyndon Johnson’s actions and relations toward Martin Luther King are erroneous. Also MLK’s estate did not give permission to use King’s exact speeches (apparently Spielberg is using those for another project) so the speeches were re-written for the film. Despite these discrepancies, I’m still interested in seeing the film “Selma,” which is a place I visited once many years ago.
For albums out in January, I’m interested to check out those by Justin Townes Earle, Ryan Bingham, and the indie folk group The Decemberists. I’ll choose The Decemberists’ “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World” for my pick this month — as the Portland, Oregon group had much success with its 2011 album “The King Is Dead” so I’ll be curious about the follow-up.
What about you — which books, movies, or albums are you most looking forward to this month?
I am really looking forward to reading The Jaguar’s Children later this month. I read The Tiger a few years ago and still think about it. It is without a doubt one of the best nonfiction books I have ever read. I can’t wait to see what he does with fiction!
Yeah Michelle, I’m just about to start The Jaguar’s Children. I still need to read John Vaillant’s book The Tiger!
I’m enjoying Sweetland more and more as it progresses, so I definitely recommend it. There’s a shift in the middle that really sets the novel apart. It’s really earning all of the praise.
My husband and I are still on our mission to squeeze in the Oscar-buzzy movies and are planning to catch Selma before the Golden Globes tonight. I caught the director on NPR the other day and really loved what she had to say about the film, so I’m quite excited.
Yeah Shannon I’ll look for what you have to say about Sweetland and Selma. I plan to get to both soon! thanks.
Sweetland sounds interesting. So nice to see Canadian authors.
Yep I’m getting into more CanLit here. I plan to pick up Sweetland soon.
These books sound so good…and I am eager to see Still Alice and Selma.
Thanks for sharing!
Still Alice and Selma both look good! I plan to see them soon. Thanks Laurel
Read some wonderful books over the holidays. We were in Mexico and a friend had recommended “The Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver. I thought it was going to be a history of Mexico but turned out to be a fascinating book delving into the relationship between the artists Diego Rivera/Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky during his time of exile in Mexico. Kingsolver is a wonderful writer and brought this period of time and these extraordinary people to life for me.
Went on to read “The Romantic” by Barbara Gowdy, a heart wrenching but beautifully described story of childhood love that evolves under strange and difficult circumstances. The author develops her characters beautifully and I was pulled into the story from the very beginning.
Recently finished “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. Loved everything about this book and will be looking for another from this author.
I am currently reading “They Left Us Everything” by Plum Johnson. This book appealed to me because it is about siblings dealing with the death of their parents and the subsequent sorting and dispersing of a lifetime worth of “stuff” and the memories that become attached to physical items. Having recently lost my father I found some interesting descriptions that resonated profoundly but also feel that the author became overly sentimental which is prolonging parts of the book beyond need.
Love all the reading suggestions. So many good books and so little time.
Hi Susan: Thanks for the book tips. I have the Anthony Doerr book and hope to read it in 2015. Keep me posted on other books. thanks!
I’ve loved several of Stewart O’Nan’s other books, so I’m quite hopeful about this new one.
Yeah Deb. I’m hopeful too about O’Nan’s novel on F.Scott. Great topic!
I was disappointed with West of Sunset, but I’ve seen a couple people lately say glowing things about Sweetland. It wasn’t on my TBR, but I’m adding it now.
Yeah I picked up a copy of Sweetland so I’m hoping for good things! Thanks for stopping by Sarah