Well we made it to June, hard to believe. May went by pretty quickly but the tough news seems to continue. It’s crazy to see each day unfold … compounded by a divisive president who makes matters worse. It’s sad for the country … and to see what’s happening now.
I’ve also been trying to figure out a way as to when I can visit my parents in California. The U.S./Canadian border has been closed for a couple of months and it might open around June 21, though it remains to be seen if it won’t be postponed again. Then there’s the 14-day self-isolation quarantine rule … which I know many are dealing with in trying to see parents and relatives. It’s tough. Once a travel visit ends, there’s another 14-day isolation quarantine upon one’s return (at least internationally). So to keep waiting to travel seems prudent but is not always possible when there’s other concerns involved. So my thoughts go out to everyone dealing with far-flung family members during these Covid times.
As for a glimpse of good news my husband and I went to the mountains over the weekend and had a great bicycle ride, where the weather was beautiful and we saw this grizzly bear along our route. He or she was a nice bear and gave us quite a thrill, seeing such a majestic animal in a beautiful setting. We went on our way after several minutes of observation and so did the bear moseying along to find another patch of grass to eat.
Meanwhile I see that some libraries around North America have begun curbside services, where you can go and pick up books on hold etc. It hasn’t started here yet, but maybe in a couple weeks some part of our library system will open. I hope so. I really miss checking out new books, though I have been supporting the indie bookstores here with a few purchases … on top of reading more novels on my e-reader. Have you? What’s your method been of obtaining books? And now let’s check out what’s coming out this month in June.
Actually I’m surprised there are a ton of new novels releasing this month, while some books were pushed to fall or next year, many others were given the green light, which is good for us. Of those, Britt Bennett’s new novel “The Vanishing Half” (due out June 2 / Riverhead) looks to be a strong contender … about two twin sisters who grow up in Louisiana but then move away … ultimately choosing to live in two very different worlds, one black and one white.
I liked Bennett’s 2016 debut novel “The Mothers” and this one is said to be another “immersive family drama that raises questions of identity and personal freedom,” according to the NYT. From what I’ve seen, it sounds like something relevant and insightful for our times.
I’m curious too about Marie-Helen Bertino’s new novel “Parakeet” (due June 2 / Farrar, Straus and Giroux), which the publisher says is a darkly funny and warm-hearted novel about a 36-year-old woman holed up in a Long Island inn a week before her wedding whose dead grandmother (in the form of a parakeet) warns her not to marry and sends her out to find an estranged loved one.
Hmm, this sounds like a strange, surreal little novel — not totally typical for me to pick up — but I’ve heard the writing in it is too good to miss and it’s received high praise on Goodreads and from various authors such as Lauren Groff. So I’m going to check it out along perhaps with the author’s 2014 debut “2 a.m. at the Cat’s Pajamas.” Have you read it?
Next, I’m interested in Richard Farrell’s debut novel “The Falling Woman” (due out June 23 / Algonquin), which I’m midway into an advance copy of. It’s about a woman named Erin Geraghty who’s thought to be the soul survivor of a horrific plane crash and Charlie Radford who is an NTSB investigator on the crash. Erin, a cancer patient, who’s unsure exactly of what happened, slips away to an undisclosed location not wanting the attention, and Radford must figure out if she’s for real, where she’s gone, and what to do while the pressures on him mount to get decisive answers about the crash.
So far I’m liking the author’s sensibility and the plot’s meanderings: on fate, unlikely lives converging, and hard-to-believe extraordinary circumstances. It makes you sort of dream about the impossible and wonder how random things unfold. Watch for my review of the novel later this month.
Also there’s J. Courtney Sullivan’s new novel “Friends and Strangers” (due out June 30 / Knopf), which explores the unlikely friendship of a new mother who’s an accomplished journalist and her babysitter in a small college town in upstate New York. Apparently the two become unexpectedly close friends … until a secret threatens to rupture their relationship, uh-oh.
This one sounds a bit similar to the plot of Kiley Reid’s debut “Such a Fun Age” but also perhaps with different focuses. I liked some of the writing in Sullivan’s prior 2017 novel “Saints for All Occasions” — so I’m game to continue on with her new one.
Honorable mentions this month that I’m also considering include: Hester Young’s new novel “The Distant Dead,” (June 9, Morrow) which is said to be a slow-burn of a murder mystery set in the high desert hills of a small Nevada town; Stephanie Scott’s debut “What’s Left of Me Is Yours” (June 23, Doubleday) set in Tokyo about a young woman’s search for the truth in the crime of passion that took her mother’s life; and Sanae Lemoine’s coming-of-age novel “The Margot Affair” (June 16, Hogarth) about a young Frenchwoman’s secret family life as a love child between a French politician and a famous actress. Whoosh! All these make for quite an array of novels coming out this month … who said the pandemic could stop us from new books?!
As for movie releases in June, Elizabeth Moss stars as horror/mystery author Shirley Jackson in a biographical drama about the writer … who apparently finds inspiration for her next book after she and her husband take in a young couple. Uh-oh the movie “Shirley” looks a little kooky but all right if you care to investigate. There’s also a new Disney movie called “Artemis Fowl” (based on the first novel of Eoin Colfer’s children/fantasy series) and a new Spike Lee film called “Da 5 Bloods” about several African American veterans who return to Vietnam in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader … and then things begins to happen.
All of these look halfway decent … though we’re sort of caught up in TV series these days. Currently we’re watching the first season of “The Morning Show” starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell, which includes a #MeToo kind of plot at a news channel that’s pretty intense in the cutthroat world of broadcast news programs; wow the cast makes it hard to turn away from.
And we’re also watching Season 2 of the Icelandic murder mystery drama “Trapped” set and filmed on location in Iceland, which is pretty cool. It’s nicely paced with Icelandic actors … that follows the story with subtitles in English, though it’s easy to follow and its detectives do a good job of tracking down the suspects.
I have many current TV series — inspired by novels — that are on my list to see including: “The Plot Against America,” “My Brilliant Friend,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “Defending Jacob” and “Mrs. America” though that last one was created for the screen and not a book. Have you seen any of these? Hopefully I will get to check them out sometime, maybe this summer. Let me know if any of them appeal to you.
Lastly this month in music releases, there’s new albums by Bob Dylan, Kaleo, Neil Young, Norah Jones, John Legend, Jason Mraz, CeeLo Green and Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk among others. Quite a bonanza of new music. I’m sort of looking at the sister trio group Haim out of L.A. whose third album “Women in Music Pt. III” was postponed from an April release due to the pandemic. Its single “Summer Girl” preceded it many months ago and is quite a catchy song. Check it out here.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases this month are you most looking forward to?
I’m particularly looking forward to Parakeet. I’ve heard such interesting things about it. Of the tv shows you mentioned, I’ve watched “The Plot Against America,” “My Brilliant Friend,” and “Little Fires Everywhere” and liked them all to a greater or lesser degree. I tried to watch “Mrs. America” but it depressed me so much I had to give it up.
Hi Dorothy, thanks for letting me know about those TV series. The three you liked should keep us occupied for awhile whenever we start them. I wonder if Mrs. America will likely have the same effect on me. Happy reading in June!
I got the email announcement this time! So, good work on that.
Such uncertain times. I feel for you on not being able to visit your parents.
Now we have demonstrations/riots/looting/police atrocities with curfews every night in Los Angeles and many other cities. It is like reading a terrifying novel.
Anyway, I loved Brit Bennett’s first novel and will for sure read the next.
I had not heard of the others you mentioned.
I do miss getting library books and since LA County is still in the thick of it, I will be missing it yet for a while, I predict. As you say, I don’t mind buying books from my local indies. What else is there to spend money on right now?
I agree Judy, it’s fine to spend money on books now, and garden supplies, ha. I’m hoping things calm in Los Angeles and other places. The looting in Santa Monica looks awful from the news, so sorry to see. I have to turn off the news at times. I’m hopeful for Brit Bennett’s new one, she’s a promising talent.
We really are living in troubled times. Hopefully things will calm down a bit soon. However, as long as Trump is around there will be instability. Those quarantine rules seem to make travel almost impossible. Hopefully the virus will dissipate over the summer.
Take care and stay safe.
Thanks Brian, you too, in Long Island. Not sure the country can take much more of Trump. It’s hard to know what could happen next. It’s getting crazy.
Meanwhile the number of virus cases here has really decreased so I’ll wait to see if it means travel will sometime be possible. hmm. fingers crossed.
We had been planning to visit our son and his wife in Chicago in March, so we are sad that we did not get to do that. Now we are talking about taking a driving trip there once things settle down (the fall? next year?)
I think Parakeet sounds like my sort of read. I like fiction that surprises me.
I am writing down your suggestions for books and tv. TV is always a longshot for us, as we have nothing except Amazon Prime and Netflix and PBS. Odd, I know.
Have a good week.
Hey Deb, Amazon & Netflix and PBS are good channels to have. I think that’ll get you a few of these series. Not sure if we can get all these shows, we just have those as well. Too many subscriptions! I can relate on your trip to see your son … ugh it’s hard to know when or how to visit. Houston to Chicago would be a pretty long drive, though maybe doable in two long days. But if you can wait … it’s probably better until things calm down. But what if fall brings back another wave of Covid? sigh.
We are still thinking about the drive to Chicago toward the end of the summer or in early fall. I hope things will settle down then. Some viruses seem to completely die out in the summer.
Yeah Deb, new cases of the virus have totally dropped here so I’m hopeful but remain vigilant. If the border opens soon, I think I might fly at the end of July & quarantine before seeing my folks. Hmm. that’s my tentative plan at least. Your plan sounds safe too, driving might be the right way.
Cool bear photo. We have black bears around here, but I rarely see them. I hope you enjoy all these books!
Hi AJ: It’ll probably take me a while to get around to all of these books. My husband took the bear photo while I stood a bit behind. It’s not every time we see them here … but usually early May is a good chance you’ll them in the mountains … when they get out & about looking for grass & stuff to eat by the roadside.
So if you visit California when you return you will be in quarantine for 14 days?
I am so angry over who we currently have in office. Every day I am horrified by his actions. I usually stew quietly but I don’t even care anymore. I don’t fault anyone for voting for him but if they did and they still support him now then they are just plain brainwashed and drinking the red Kool-Aid. He is an embarrassment.
I want to make a small summer reading list but it’s hard with rioting and looting in the background. I am just so on edge.
Hi Ti — Yes as it stands now – I would have to quarantine 14 days when I get to Calif. and then again when I return, which is hard to make feasible. hmm. Perhaps the rule might change in the future?
And I’m in total agreement with you on the president’s actions. He can’t leave the office soon enough for me. All the news does make it hard to concentrate … lots of anxiety now … I’m also considering whether to put out a summer reading list, but I often don’t seem to follow it — once I make them. hmm. take care!
The book covers are really interesting. I find it fun to see the trends. Three of those book covers are very similar.
I love Trapped! Fantastic series. Have you seen Bordertown on Netflix? It’s a Finish crime series that is also fantastic. The third season just came out. I’ve had Plot Against America on my list. But I have been avoiding darker series recently so not sure when I’ll get to all of them.
I hope you have a great time reading this month. I also hope you are able to see your parents soon. It’s so hard right now. I live close to mine but we’re keeping our distance so we have chats on the porch and talk on the phone.
May you stay safe and healthy this week!
Thanks Heather. So far we are staying safe. Glad you let me know about Bordertown … I haven’t heard about that one yet, so I’m very keen to explore it! We like Trapped too. The scenery is cool in itself. And I should be figuring out the parents’ visit soon — once the border opens. Good you can see your parents, quite a peace of mind, I imagine.
Oh yeah. My library started curbside last week. I was able to pick up my holds. But I found I wasn’t quite in the mood for those books anymore. I have piles of books from many years of second-hand bookstore runs to read from still and a huge e-book selection for my Kindle. I haven’t run out yet!
Yeah I just heard our library is starting curbside hold pick ups now too. Not sure what I’ve got there. So many piles here already to read. I plan to stop by your site and see what you’re picking up these days…. thanks for stopping by.
We have family interstate and overseas. The borders between some but not all states in Australia are still closed and goodness only knows when the international borders will be open. My inlaws are in South Africa and are getting on so it could be that we need to go there whenever we can. I am not sure about isolating when we get there but we would be okay once we got home because now we know it is possible to work from home.
Hi Marg, thanks for stopping by. I share in your travel quandaries and understand your concern about your in-laws. I tentatively hope to fly at the end of July and maybe self-isolate then. I wonder when borders will open enough for you to get to South Africa. Still much uncertainty as things begin to open up. I wish you well with reuniting with family.
That grizzly is amazing! How lucky you were to see him (and get photo evidence!). I just started Such a Fun Age today. Very timely.
Our library started curbside this week. It’s an adjustment since all returned materials are quarantined for 3 days as a precaution.
My family is here, but we just started making plans for our annual girls weekend next month. Really scaled back but we’re gonna try and make it work.
Hi Stacy, interesting about the returned library materials being quarantined. Our curbside pick up just started here for library holds … but still they are asking for no returns presently, so I have books from February! I wonder what you will think of Such a Fun Age … I thought there were a few hits and misses with that book. I hope you will be able to reunite for your annual girls wknd. good luck! I will stop by to see.
That bear sighting would have made me fall off my bike! LOL They started doing curb side pick up here last week but, it is only for books from our library as they haven’t resumed regional library delivers yet. All 15 of the books I’m waiting for are coming from mostly outside libraries. (It’s ok I have plenty to read LOL)
Enjoy your Sunday.
Hi Diane, good to know about your library holds. I think that’s the case with my library here which just started curb side pick up too but I haven’t gotten anything yet. So I’m assuming it’s not full up & running, or the books are elsewhere as you say. As for seeing bears here, it’s always good to be very cautious … but they are usually busy eating shrubs when we pass them bicycling on the road … and will not interact. They are cautious & we are too!
I have just added The Vanishing Half and Friends and Strangers to my list!
I want to watch The Morning Show, but I don’t have Apple TV. Something else to buy? LOL.
Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I can’t stand that we have to keep putting up with #45 and the fools that support him!
I agree Laurel. Every week with #45 is worse. It’s been (very) tough to take. I’m glad you added some more books to your list. Mine is never ending & always piling higher. All of the various networks of these TV series …. make it hard to catch them all, argh… but we want to.
What a thrill to see a grizzly so up close and personal. I would have been freaked out on just my bicycle. It’s been a hard week but there is a lot of cause for hope for the future. Stay well. Stay safe. Please visit my Sunday Salon post. Thank you.
Sure Anne, I’ll stop by your site & see what you have going on. Seeing a bear always makes our day. We have passed lots over the years on bikes along the road …. but we keep our distance and are cautious. We usually go around … with a good buffer distance. The bears usually are minding their own business, eating grass or berries. But they are fun to see.
There are a slew of new books out right now…and they all seem to have the same cover (a riff on Girl, Woman, Other look, I think). Friends and Strangers appeals to me—I am still waiting for my library to start offering curb-side service, and this is a good libraryish book for me.
Travel anywhere is dicey right now—my son in NYC is talking about wanting to fly out to CO for a summer visit and my daughter in CA is talking about driving out so we can all meet up, but no one wants to bring anything with them.
I didn’t know Little Fires Everywhere was coming to TV—I thought it was a really good book, and would work well as a series. Will have to look for it. Likewise with My Brilliant Friend.
Best wishes for a calm, lovely June with lots of time for reading, watching, and finding bears. Seeing a grizzly is really cool.
Hey Jane, good to hear from you. I hope Friends & Strangers will be a good read. And I think Little Fires Everywhere is on Amazon Prime and My Brilliant Friend is on HBO, but check those. I haven’t started either yet. I sympathize with trying to get your family together. It’s tough! Who knows if there will be spikes with all the re-openings etc. Still it’s good that June has arrived. We are liking early summer. I hope you have a good one too!
I’m very curious about Friends and Strangers. I didn’t request an ARC, but if I hear good things about it, I might try it on audio. I’m three quarters of the way through with The Margot Affair right now and I’ve really liked it. I love the voice of the 18-year old narrator. Enjoy your week!
Great to hear, Susie. Thanks for letting me know about The Margot Affair … it definitely caught my eye …. so I’m glad you have liked it. I will see if the library has it? I hope Friends & Strangers will be good … I liked her last book so-so but I’m thinking this might be better.
I always love coming here and checking out the books you are reading – so many good ones here – some already on my list, others I hadn’t heard of but want to read. I’m very curious about The Falling Woman – something about plane crashes and stories about survivors is very compelling. I haven’t heard of The Morning Show but want to get in on it. Let me check how I can catch the first season.
Thanks Athira, nice of you to say: June had more new releases than I was expecting to see. As for The Falling Woman, it was a suspenseful, enjoyable read. Not too heavy but thoughtful. And The Morning Show is available on Apple TV. It’s worth checking out if you get that. Enjoy your week.
I think most countries will keep the international isolation period rules in place for months, I hope you are able to connect with your family soon.
I’ve had enough review books to keep me busy.
Wishing you a great reading week
Hey thanks Shelleyrae. Yeah my tentative plan if they open the border here later this month … might be to fly to Calif. and then to self-isolate once I get there before seeing my folks. Hmm. But it’ll take awhile. We’ll see. You always have a lot of review books! Enjoy.
I live in the suburbs but we NEVER see bears. Guess what? A few days ago we had bear sightings in some of the neighborhoods! In addition, my friends saw 3 large snakes on her porch. Less pollution= more wildlife sightings! I’ve got Parakeet on my reading list for summer reading.
Hi Judee: that’s wild that you had bear sightings there! And snakes. Large snakes on my porch might make me squeamish. I’ll be interested to hear if you like Parakeet. Hmm. Enjoy your week.