Well it’s been a very grim week of news from Ukraine and hard to think of much else as we move tentatively into March and spring. We were in Vancouver, B.C., last weekend visiting with my husband’s brother, sisters, and spouses, who we hadn’t seen since before the pandemic. It was great to see them and spend time visiting. While there we stopped in at a Ukrainian restaurant for lunch to support and to chat. Of course the owners were horrified about what’s happening in their country and thankful for all the support around the world. Let’s pray for a miracle that the war will stop and that civilians will be able to flee the utter senseless destruction.
While in Vancouver we saw an interesting exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery about Shakespeare’s First Folio, which is the first collected works of 36 of his known plays that came out in 1623. Who knew that when Shakespeare died in 1616 only half of his plays were in print, so the First Folio, which was compiled by two actors in Shakespeare’s theater company seven years after his death, really ensured that the plays would be preserved and passed along.
The exhibit also included the Second, Third, and Fourth Folios as well, which were subsequent editions that had additional material. The books were something to behold and are like the holy grail of English language literary history. I felt lucky to see them. Apparently 235 copies remain around the world of the original First Folio.
And now let’s check out what’s releasing this month. Gosh I’m all over the place on what to pick up. I have my radar on about nine novels, including new ones by Anne Tyler (French Braid), Stewart O’Nan (Ocean State), Sarah Moss (The Fell), and Kate Quinn (The Diamond Eye).
But there’s also a few debuts starting with Lee Cole’s novel Groundskeeping (out March 1) about an aspiring writer who moves back home to Kentucky in the run-up to the 2016 election to live with his Trump-supporting uncle and grandfather. Uh-oh. There he meets Alma at the local college and the two start a relationship though she wonders about his relations with his family. I hear it’s part coming-of-age story and part love story between two aspiring writers from very different backgrounds … that shines a light on class and a divided America. Hmm. I like the sound of this one.
Two more debuts are Melissa Fu’s novel Peach Blossom Spring (out March 15) and Lee Kravetz’s novel The Last Confessions of Sylvia P (out March 8), which is said to be a literary mystery that explores the creation of poet Sylvia Plath’s only novel The Bell Jar. Hmm who wouldn’t want to know more about that? Apparently it weaves together three narratives to bring about Plath’s life (her psychiatrist, a rival poet, and later a curator) while painting a picture of the constraints on women’s lives back then.
As for Melissa Fu’s novel, it spans continents and generations, looking at the history of modern China — from Japan’s invasion to Mao’s rise — through the story of one family. Hmm, you might have noticed lately I’ve been on a bender for historical fiction having to do with Chinese history and immigrants. There seems to be several novels like this out that are pretty compelling, such as Peach Blossom Spring.
Two other new novels that look good are: Karen Joy Fowler’s historical novel Booth (out March 8) about the family of John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin. He was one of 10 kids from a family that lived in a cabin 30 miles northeast of Baltimore. It’s set in a divided pre-Civil War America that is tearing families apart and is apparently eerily similar to today’s fanaticism. Hmm yikes.
Then there’s Susan Straight’s new novel Mecca (out March 15) that “follows the intertwined lives of Californians who navigate wild fires, racism, ICE raids, death, love, and la corona.” Straight is an author who is said to write lovingly about the area of California where I grew up — the Inland Empire — and yet so far I haven’t read any of her books. So what am I waiting for? She apparently conjures up similar vibes to the California writings of Joan Didion, so we will see. There’s something about those Santa Ana winds, canyons, and highways that lure me back.
As for what’s new to watch this month, there’s five upcoming TV series that look pretty good. First is The Dropout (starting March 3 on Hulu) starring Amanda Seyfried as Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, whose health tech company didn’t exactly go as planned. The series looks like it doesn’t sugar-coat anything, so I’m sure it’ll be maddening to follow what these people were up to. We don’t get Hulu here in Canada but maybe I can find it elsewhere. Seyfried looks pretty convincing as Holmes, who was convicted of criminal fraud and is awaiting sentencing in September. Till then she’s living on a multimillion dollar estate in Silicon Valley.
Then there’s Toni Collette in the thriller drama series Pieces of Her (on Netflix March 4) that’s based on the novel by Karin Slaughter. It was filmed in Australia about a daughter who learns that her mother (played by Collette) has a past she never knew about, which she begins to piece together over time. It looks to have much angst and action about it. And Toni Collette is busy these days with another series called The Staircase with Colin Firth coming to HBO Max later this spring. Keep you posted on that.
But if you want a few laughs perhaps check out the series with Amy Schumer called Life & Beth on Hulu starting March 18. It co-stars Michael Cera as her love interest and features 10 episodes of half-hour shows that follows Beth (played by Schumer), who after an accident starts having flashbacks to her teenage self while trying to manage who she wants to become.
So if you like Amy’s comedy, or are in need of a few laughs, then perhaps check it out. I don’t think I’ve watched her in anything since the 2015 movie Trainwreck, but she can be pretty funny at times though often a bit crude too.
Next is the TV series based on the novel Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (on Apple+ starting March 25). Wow I just read this heartbreaking epic in 2020 and thought it was fabulous, so I’m looking forward to this series of 8 episodes. It’s about a Korean immigrant family over four generations that leaves their homeland during WWII to survive and undergoes some terrible hardships in Japan.
Some of it was filmed in Busan, South Korea … but other parts if you look carefully were filmed at the Britannia Shipyards near Vancouver, B.C., which are stand-ins for Asia. Many Korean actors will star including Minha Kim, Lee Min-ho, and Youn Yuh-jung who won an Oscar last year for her role in the movie Minari, and I’m thinking it will be very good.
But after that if you need some lightness and you will, you might try out the TV series Julia (on HBO Max, starting March 31) about the life of television chef Julia Child. It looks like good fun and actress Sarah Lancashire seems amazing in the effervescent role as Julia Child. You might remember Meryl Streep played Child in the 2009 movie Julie & Julia, which was good, and this upcoming series seems to be just as excellent.
That’s all for things to watch but don’t forget the Academy Awards is on Sunday March 27. I still haven’t seen too many of the nominated films yet, but I liked Belfast and CODA and hope to see Macbeth and Licorice Pizza soon, though I’ve been saying that for months. Hmm.
As for music in March, there’s new albums by Band of Horses, the Weather Station, Dolly Parton, Michael Buble, and an album of cover songs by the Cowboy Junkies among others. I’ll pick Canadian artist the Weather Station’s quiet new one How It Is That I Should Look at the Stars (out March 4) as it seems to have some somber, pretty songs on it for these times.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases are you most looking forward to? Happy March to you. Stay well.
Both Peach Blossom Spring and The Last Confessions of Sylvia P sound like books I’d like. I will look for them.
I read and enjoyed Pachinko, and I think I’d like that series. Unfortunately we do not have Apple+. If they keep coming out with great series, we will probably be forced to get all of these channels.
I already have my eye on Julia.
Hi Deb, yeah one can only have so many channels or subscriptions to these shows. We get a few but not all of them, and not Hulu or Netflix. It seems we pick and choose and I think we’ll be able to see Julia and Pachinko.
The Peach Blossom Spring does interest me as well. It seems a sweeping saga but oftentimes those rope me in. Happy reading to you.
The news from Ukraine is very distressing. I’m trying to limit my news intake to just a couple of news sources each morning. No tv.
I’m glad you were able to visit family in Vancouver. We’re looking forward to seeing our daughter and son-in-law next month. It will have been over 2 1/2 years (since their wedding in Sept 2019!).
I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on Groundskeeping. Might be difficult to read about a Trump supporter, but I do enjoy coming-of-age stories.
I didn’t love Pachinko (read it for book club a year or two ago), but I am curious about the tv series. Julia also looks good! I’m still hoping to see Belfast and CODA. We watched Power of the Dog and thought it was very good, but unsettling.
Hope you have a good month. When do you head to SoCal?
Hey Lesley, I’m heading to SoCal March 13 for ten days. Gearing up for it. My husband will stay here to work & take care of the dogs. Much to do till then.
So glad you’ll be able to see your daughter & SIL soon … I know what you mean: 2.5 years is a long absence! It’ll be so good.
Thanks for the mention of Power of the Dog … we haven’t seen it yet and don’t know what to think. It’s a bit hard to get too ramped up for spring as the war news seems very heavy. What an ugly turn. I’m trying not to over absorb myself in it. Enjoy the cove & your books.
The Ukraine situation is so sad; I feel for those innocent people.
Glad you were able to visit with family; it’s been such a long period of keeping to ourselves – hasn’t it?
Lots of new releases this month. I enjoyed French Braid a lot but, it’s not my favorite. Groundskeeping sounds like it could be fun and, I’m needing a few easier books this month. I have the Last Confessions of Sylvia P. in my TBR pile. I love Pachinko and bet the series would be pretty good as well. Hope March is off to a good start for you.
Hey thanks Diane. I’m glad you’re already reading some of these. I’ll look to see what you think and then adjust my reads accordingly, ha. And I’m hoping the Pachinko series will be good! The book definitely took me away into the characters’ saga & world. Have a great week …
Between the Ukrainian invasion, the ongoing pandemic and record breaking floods here at home it’s been a tough week!
Thanks for sharing all these new releases
Hi Shelleyrae …. I totally understand. I can barely think these days as the news is so terrible. Even reading is a bit hard now right? Much anxiety. I can only hope that next week will have a bit more bright spots. Hang in there. March must improve from this.
I’m glad you got to see your family! The Shakespeare folio thing sounds interesting. A few years ago, there was an art exhibit in Denver for scrolls and old books. I wanted to go but didn’t get a chance.
Thanks AJ. You’re right: the First Folio exhibit was really interesting & informative …. I guess I had no idea how Shakespeare’s plays had been passed down over the centuries. It was only b/c these two actors gathered his plays after his death, otherwise it seems Shakespeare wouldn’t have had the legacy he has today etc. No one would know his canon of works! Hope you have a great week.
Seeing the Shakespeare-era folios is very exciting, and I can see how you must have enjoyed seeing this exhibit. I’ve been to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, and to the Huntington Library in California, and they have copies of the First Folio and others. Very worthwhile.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, yes it was very cool! I didn’t know about the First Folio before but I was amazed by the whole exhibit. Glad you have seen the books too. So significant to literary history! Have a great week.
Looks like a lot of interesting books. The Shakespeare First Folio sounds interesting as well. Have a great week!
Thanks Cindy for stopping by. I’ll stop and visit your Book Corner too. Yes the First Folio was really interesting. So glad to see the exhibit. Enjoy your week.
Thank goodness for all the good books to somewhat distract us from all the bad happening in the world. Personally, I’m looking forward to French Braid and I’m intrigued by Last Confessions of Sylvia P. I’m definitely adding that one to my TBR list and maybe some of the others you mention as well. Happy reading!
Great Dorothy. Yes I hope books can offer us some solace or distraction during these days. Ugh it’s been rough to see & hear about. I’ll be interested to see what you think of French Braid. I’m curious about Sylvia P too. It had some pretty big names blurbing about it. Have a great week!
I’ve got Peach Blossom Spring on my TBR shelf. I love the cover and have high hopes for the novel itself.
Yes I agree Helen — the cover of Peach Blossom Spring is so alluring – and I think the novel will be too. Often I love these big sagas set overseas that include immigrants. It sounds like a winner. Enjoy!
I like the sound of Peach Blossom Spring and can’t wait for Diamond Eye!
Ihaven’t read Pachinko yet, but I want to so may need to read it before I watch the TV series. I do like the look of Julia too.
Hey Marg, glad you stopped by. Yeah Diamond Eye & Peach Blossom should be winners. I’m looking forward to Julia and Pachinko too. Two good ones for the TV! I’m very sorry to hear about the floods in Australia, ugh terrible disaster. I will stop by and see what you think & are up to. Have a great week.
That Shakespeare exhibit sounds fascinating. I like your show highlights, definitely ones I plan to watch. I am currently listening to The Dropout podcast for that story.
Thanks VVB for stopping by. I’m glad you mention the Dropout podcast … I’d like to check that out … especially since we don’t get Hulu here. What that company got away with … is pretty stunning. I’ll definitely check out your site. Cheers. Have a great week.
Susan!! How are you?? Seems as if you are productively busy and doing well. I can just imagine how interesting the Shakespeare First Folio exhibition must have been.
I haven’t read Pachinko yet, but I am going to bump it up on my TBR. That is one that I will definitely read the book first. I just need to get through my review books so that I can read the TBR though…
I hope you will have a good week and yes, let’s all continue to pray for peace in the Ukraine.
Lots of love,
Elza Reads
Hey Mareli — thanks for your kind message! Great to hear from you. Things have been busy. Trying to keep my head above water. The First Folio exhibit really was great. I had no idea! And the Pachinko novel took me like 2 or 3 weeks when I read it in 2020 as it’s a bit of a lengthy sweeping saga … but very worth it. I hope good things for the TV series. I’ll be by your site to see what you’re up to and how things are in SA. Have a great week.
Ugh, I really need more hours in my day. How am I supposed to keep up with all the books and movies and series? Of the shows you mentioned, I have The Dropout, Pachinko, and Pieces of Her on my TBW list, but I didn’t even KNOW about Julia so now I have to add that one, too.
Yeah I know Jinjer. All these shows are flying by me … and I haven’t even started any yet. At the moment we’re in Season 3 of the old (2010) TV series The Big C with Laura Linney … which is like catnip to me (so good). Not sure why I didn’t watch this back then. The good news is we get AppleTV+ and HBO so we should be able to see Pachinko and Julia when they start … woohoo. We can compare notes if we like them. Happy reading & watching in March!
It’s so sad about Ukraine. Praying for everyone there.
I see some books and movies I want to watch, and definitely want to watch Julia. I saw CODA a while back and loved it.
Forgot to say that I’m glad you got to spend time with family!
Thanks Vicki, so good to see family! Great to hear from you. How are things in Florida? I’ll stop by your site soon to see what’s up. CODA was really good – a heartwarming story. Glad you liked it too. All the news has been so grim lately we could use something uplifting. Meanwhile we’ll send support to the Ukrainian people. Have a great week.
The situation in Ukraine is just tragic. I’ve had to limit my tv news time… something I’ve never done in the past.
Glad you got to enjoy time with family. We’re also enjoying the company of family and friends we haven’t seen in a couple of years. Guess we’re all navigating a new normal.
I’m looking forward to both Anne Tyler and Stewart O’Nan’s novels. The Julia documentary is high on my list and I’ll need to figure out a way to watch the Pachinko series, too.
Hey JoAnn: I think the Julia Child show on HBO will be a drama show and not a documentary … but don’t quote me on that. It looks very good! We must get to it. I hope you are having fun with your company. I’m headed to Calif. next weekend to see my parents so gearing up for that. Meanwhile we are looking to send support to Ukraine … as it’s too hard just to sit & watch. Hope you are well. Happy reading in March.
It seems to be getting more and more difficult to escape the 24-7 bombardment of bad news that we live with these days. Like you, books and good video choices distract me long enough from reality to keep myself centered in my own small world, though.
I’ve been binge-reading the Shetland novels of Ann Cleeves and watching some great stuff on apps like BritBox, Acorn, and Hulu to help me escape as needed. There’s a really well done “crime” series (although it’s funny as can be, too) from France that I’m into the second season of right now called Candice Renoir. Now that I’ve gotten into all of the various characters, it’s becoming a real favorite.
Hi Sam, I’m glad you told me about that crime series Candice Renoir … I’ll look for it. We’re always looking for something new and a bit different but good. I like mystery series too. And I need to try Ann Cleeves this year! Your enthusiasm for her books has worn off on me … so I will navigate our library stock for them, but I’ll likely be waiting for awhile to get them. I hope all is well in your world. Happy reading.
Yes, the situation in Ukraine has everyone upset and we are all trying to send support in any way possible. I live in an area with a large Ukrainian and Russian population in Florida. The TV series Julia Child looks very interesting. Thanks
Hi Judee: I think the Julia Child series will be right up your alley. She seems to have done so much for the culinary arts & cooking & pushing for women’s equality in the workplace. I’m keen to see the show too.
I can imagine the area & people you talk about there — must be so desperate to help their country … everyone wants to. It’s so sad to see & hear about. Very upsetting. Praying for peace somehow. take care!
So many tempting books, from Groundskeeping to Julia. I like Karen Joy Fowler, so I might have to pick up Booth.
Have a great month and upcoming week.
Thanks for visiting my blog…and I hope you enjoy Pieces of You.
Hey Laurel, great to get your ideas. Yeah there’s much coming out this month. Unfortunately we don’t have Hulu or Netflix so we will likely miss that show … but we get Prime, AppleTv+ and HBO … so we’ll hopefully catch some of the other stuff. I have not read Karen Joy Fowler yet … but would like to try her writing. Enjoy your week.
Thanks for the heads up about Julia–I will be watching that for sure. I hadn’t realized Anne Tyler had a new book out–I like everything she writes.
The First Folio exhibit sounds absolutely amazing. Definitely the Holy Grail of the Western canon.
Hi Jane: good to hear from you. Yeah the First Folio is quite an exhibit. We were lucky to see it. The Julia TV series looks to be very entertaining so I’m looking forward to it as well. I hope you have a nice March in Colorado. Happy reading!
Hi Susan. I haven’t been connected in days, so I missed this post. Cool about the BC trip. I would like to visit Vancouver someday. Lots to read and see. Peach Blossom Spring sounds interesting, plus it has a beautiful cover. I’d like to read Booth. I’m falling behind on all the series releases lately. Amanda Seyfried looks like Elizabeth Holmes; it’s uncanny!
Ha Carmen … I agree: Seyfried looks quite a bit like Elizabeth Holmes. I hear there is also a movie in the works about Holmes called Bad Blood with Jennifer Lawrence. I think it’ll be on Apple+ but don’t know when it comes out.
Vancouver is a fun big city and it’s always great to go. I like the cover too for Peach Blossom Spring … and it sounds good. What are you reading now? More Toibin? I’m reading Mothering Sunday right now for book club and also b/c the movie is coming out … we’ll see if it’s any good. Enjoy your March!
I read one more novel by Galgut, and The Testament of Mary and House of Cards, both by Toibin, in quick succession. I loved them both. Now I’m making my way through Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad before I tackle its sister book The Candy House (TBR in early April) the second half of the month. You’ve been busy lately with lots of travel, so how is your reading going? Given the choice, I would rather travel than sit at home reading. 🙂
Wow Carmen : your reading is going gangbusters! Way to go. You are certainly my go-to expert on Galgut & Toibin! Unfort my reading has been slow. Too much life & PW that has made me busy. But I’m still on target for 65 books this year if I don’t hit a further slump. We’ll see. I’ve planned to go visit my parents in SoCal starting on Sunday, so that might have me on-the-go. Let me know if you like the Egan book. I have Not read the Goon Squad, but did like Manhattan Beach … Is Goon Squad worth all the hype?
Have a great trip! If you are on target with your usual reading plan then don’t worry how you come to it. If I keep this pace I may read more than the last two or three years. Of course, that takes into account that most books are 350 pages or less. No chunksters this time.
Toibin and Galgut are two new favorite authors for me, especially because they are incredibly easy to read and they are very considerate with the page count. Goon Squad is Ok. At 46% I give it 3.5*. It’s different; essays with some threads in common arranged like a vinyl music record. I have good tolerance for different structures if the narrative flows easily, and this one does, but the structure may and did rub some people off the wrong way. I’ll tell you more when I finish.
Lucky you, to be able to see Shakespeare’s First Folio. It must have been interesting. I’ve actually been to Vancouver some years back, but didn’t go to the art museum. I guess, I was more focused on outdoor activities. The Last Confessions of Sylvia P sounds intriguing, but I guess I should read The Bell Jar, before even considering that. The Fell wasn’t that great in my opinion. It was a bit of a disappointment after Summerwater, which was one of my favourites last year. But opinions seem to be divided, so maybe you will enjoy it more than I did.
Hi Stargazer. Too bad about Sarah Moss’s book … but thx for the report. I saw that there were mixed reviews on it. I liked Summerwater as well … especially the boat/rowing scene. I’m cautious about whether to pick up The Fell. I probably could use a reread of The Bell Jar as I read it decades ago. The Sylvia P novel looks to be entertaining. As for Vancouver, it’s a fun city to visit and we like walking or biking around the Sea Wall though part of it is closed currently due to weather damage. Still they have a detour. Now we are back home. I hope all is well where you are. Cheers.
The Shakespeare folios sound amazing. How wonderful to see them in person.
Lots of new releases that sound interesting. I especially like the sound of Groundskeeping. Have a good week!
Thanks Gretchen. Yeah the First Folio book was amazing to behold. & the exhibit was quite eye-opening. I had no idea how all the Bard’s plays were passed down. There seems to be many notable releases of new novels this month. Happy reading!
I apologize for not stopping by sooner. That surgery really did me in. I had no idea I’d be so out of it.
I read in one of your comments that you are coming to Ca this weekend. The weather has been really nice. Cold in the morning but really lovely the rest of the day. I hope you have a good visit. My daughter arrives this Sunday. She really needs a break.
No problem Ti – I’m sure your surgery took awhile to recover from. I hope you are feeling better now? I will stop by your site to see how you’re doing.
And yep I’m flying into P.S. this Sunday so I’m excited but busy here getting ready. I’m glad to be visiting my folks again. I’ll also be also going to the Indian Wells tennis tournament one day, which should be fun. Looking forward to the warm beautiful days there. Have fun with your daughter … that’ll be so great!
Peach Blossom Spring is on my ebook list to be read. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Harvee, these are just books on my radar so far but I havent read them yet. But Peach Blossom Spring looks good! If you get to it first, I’ll be curious by what you think. Happy reading.