Hi All. Happy Leap Day. This extra day of February happens every four years so it’s a bit special, but I think most of us are ready now to move into March and spring. Already things are melting away up here and it’s very windy today. It’s been a strange and warmer winter than usual. Still the coming of March is often a cause for celebration, don’t you think? Will things start to turn green and flowers bloom where you are? They won’t be turning color here just yet, but it’s still nice to think about.
There’s no time to waste in talking about new releases this month, but first check out this picture of the novels that arrived in for me at the library this week. Oh my. When they all come in at once, I have to juggle which I can read before they’re due back. Doesn’t that drive you crazy? I like the looks of all of these. Do any stand out to you, or have you read any of them? I’ll keep you posted which I finish and like. So far I’ve started Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips.
Now for new March books, I’m looking at four that have particularly caught my attention. First off, Percival Everett’s novel James (due out March 19), which I’ve mentioned before, is one that has received a lot of critical praise. It’s a reimagining of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from enslaved Jim’s point of view.
As Ann Patchett says: “James is funny and horrifying, brilliant and riveting. In telling the story of Jim instead of Huckleberry Finn, Percival Everett delivers a powerful, necessary corrective to both literature and history.” It sounds good and I hope to read more of Percival Everett’s books afterwards, including his 2001 novel Erasure, which is the basis for the film American Fiction.
Also I’m curious about Xochitl Gonzalez’s second novel called Anita de Monte Laughs Last (due out March 5). Her debut novel Olga Dies Dreaming was quite a hit when it came out in 2022, which I still need to read. Now her second novel — about an art history student at Brown University who unearths the buried history of a Cuban American artist who tragically died in 1985 — is getting favorable reviews too.
The story moves back and forth in time and follows both women’s perspectives, while examining themes of art, power, and love. Author Ana Castillo says it’s “a remarkable story about reclaiming what has been erased.” So I’m on the wait list for it.
Next is the debut novel from Rita Bullwinkel called Headshot (due out March 12), which is about eight teenage girls as they compete at a boxing tournament in Reno, Nevada. The girls’ pasts and futures are examined as they summon the emotion and force of will required to win in the ring.
It sounds pretty raw and I’m a bit hesitant to read a girls’ boxing novel, but this debut has received so many glowing remarks about it that I want to check it out even if it’ll make me squeamish a few times or so. We’ll see. The author, who I’ve not heard of before, lives and teaches in San Francisco.
The last book pick is a novel called A Great Country (due out March 26) by Shilpi Somaya Gowda, which according to the publisher “explores the ties and fractures of a close-knit Indian-American family in the aftermath of a violent encounter with the police” … when the 12-year-old son is arrested.
This one is set in the affluent area of Pacific Hills, California, and examines the fallout of the arrest and how it shakes each family member’s perceptions. It’s been compared to Celeste Ng’s novel Little Fires Everywhere with themes about immigration, social class, and privilege. So count me in. I have not read the author before, but she’s already had a few bestsellers.
On the screen this month, there’s a plethora of new shows coming out. First off, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the movie Dune Part 2 out March 1. The sequel follows Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) as he unites with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen. Hmm. There’s sure to be some sandworms involved, but do note the movie is 2 hr 46 mins long, so plan accordingly if you plan to see it. I’m a bit more on the fence this time around, but it’s still probably a go.
Also note the Academy Awards airs on March 10, so if you plan to catch anymore Best Picture nominees beforehand, you need to get cracking.
Other than that there’s five new TV series coming out that look pretty good. All of them are based on novels, except the first show called The Regime (on HBO Max starting March 3), which is a six-episode political satire that depicts a year in the life of a crumbling authoritarian regime. It stars Kate Winslet as a chancellor gone power hungry. Is the political climate right for this, or what?
The series was filmed in Austria and features the impressive Liechtenstein Garden Palace in Vienna. Check out the set.
Next is the seven-part mystery drama series Apples Never Fall (on Peacock starting March 14) based on the novel by Liane Moriarity about the Delaney family whose mother Joy (played by Annette Bening) vanishes, forcing her four adult children to confront their parents’ marriage and their past. Whoa it sounds like a doozy.
Coincidentally my book club will be reading and discussing the novel Apples Never Fall in early May. Should I wait till then to see the show, or go ahead and see it now? I guess I can wait. Reading it first is usually much better.
Then there’s the seven-part historical series Manhunt (starting March 15 on AppleTV+) that’s based on the nonfiction book by James L. Swanson. It follows Secretary of War Edwin Stanton’s search for John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.
Anthony Boyle, who’s currently in the show Masters of the Air, will be the bad guy assassin John Wilkes Booth with British actor Tobias Menzies as Stanton. The series features a large cast and I hope it will be as gripping as the book.
Next is the gritty crime drama American Rust: Broken Justice (starting March 28 on Prime), which is the second season featuring Jeff Daniels as a compromised chief of police of a small Rust Belt town in southwest Pennsylvania … whose morals become tested when the son of his girlfriend (played by Maura Tierney) becomes accused of murder. It’s based on the 2009 novel by Philipp Meyer. It seems like it’s been awhile since Season One in 2021, which got canceled by Showtime but then was picked up by Prime. Yay, Jeff Daniels is always a treat to watch.
The last series is the eight-episode period drama A Gentleman in Moscow (premiering March 29 on Paramount+ and Showtime) based on the 2016 bestselling novel by Amor Towles. Scottish actor Ewan McGregor stars as Count Alexander Rostov, who’s banished for decades in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution to an attic room at the Hotel Metropol. Will Ewan be able to pull off the Count? I’m betting he will. And the series was filmed in England, not Moscow, so the Count should be all right. Lol.
For music in March, there’s new music coming out from such well-known artists as Norah Jones, Justin Timberlake, Kacey Musgraves, Lenny Kravitz, the Black Crowes, Beyonce, and Sheryl Crow among others. I’ll pick Kacey Musgraves new album Deeper Well due out March 15 as my choice this month since I’m liking country these days, though I’m also curious about Beyonce’s upcoming country album called Act II due out March 29. So we will see.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases are you looking forward to?
I’m so excited to see you’ve got The Fox Wife in your library book haul! I just got it in mine too and I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks Haze. That’s great you have a copy too. If you get to it first, I’ll be interested to see what you think of it. I have not read her before but everyone seemed to love her previous novel The Night Tiger. Happy reading!
I did love The Night Tiger too, but it was her first book, The Ghost Bride that did it for me. It’s set in Malaysia in the 1900’s, and it really reminded me so much of the dynamics of my own extended family and our culture. I’m from Malaysia and so is Yangsze Choo, and The Ghost Bride and The Night Tiger are both set in Malaysia. It doesn’t look like The Fox Wife is, but I love her stories regardless. I hope you’ll enjoy them too!
How interesting and good to know. I’ll check out those titles too. The Ghost Bride sounds good. I’m interested to read Choo — though I have a few books before hers in my pile … but I will get to her writing! Thanks for your input and advice. Looking forward to her books.
I see three titles on your list that are of particular interest to me: Anita de Monte Laughs Last, Dune Part 2, and A Gentleman in Moscow. I loved Gonzalez’s first book and I look forward to reading the new one. Dune was so important to me – bordering on obsession – when I was growing up so I’m always up for anything Dune related. And finally, I loved Amor Towles’ book and I’m interested to see how the movie adaptation turned out.
Hi Dorothy, great. I’m glad you are looking forward to these. I need to go back and read Gonzalez’s first novel. I tried to get my book club to pick it — but they didn’t. I’m game to read it and her second one. I remember you saying you were a big Dune fan. The books were big in the 1970s! I read the first one and my brothers read all of them. Happy March to you!
I am very ready for spring but we keep getting waves of cold temps and snow/rain. This weekend is supposed to be another stormy one, but there’s also blue skies and sunshine and the robins are back, which is always a good sign spring is on the way. 😀
Hi Lark, that seems good news. I haven’t seen a robin since last year. So if robins are there, spring must be on the way. We are having a stormy weekend too. 5 to 10 cm of snow! The weather has been like a rollercoaster lately. Happy March!
I’ve said recently that I am so ready for spring. And we now have 2 bluebonnets blooms in our front. Hoping for many more. The wind could go away and that would be helpful, especially with the big wildfires that are in the Texas panhandle. My grandparents all lived in that area and I’m just so sad to hear about the wide swaths of burned places. Sigh. I noticed THE FOX WIFE recently and thought it looked good. May pick it up soon. Have a good week!
Hi Kay, sorry to hear about the wildfires in the Panhandle. It is upsetting. I hope the wind will stop so they have a chance to put them out. It’s scary. & sad to see.
The Fox Wife seems to be popular. I’m not sure I’ll get to it this time but I plan to read the author in the future. You have a good week too.
I’m glad you got The Fox Wife from the library; I recommend it but with caveats. I will be reading James and Tea Obreht’s latest in March. Had I been able to accommodate more reading last year I would have read Absolution and The Night Watch. I’ll be watching Dune when it comes out in VOD. I bought the first installment this week on Apple Store at deep discount. I want to watch most of the series you mentioned. Have a nice reading week ahead! 🙂
Thanks Carmen, I’m not sure I’ll get to The Fox Wife this time from the library, but I plan to read the author in the future. I’m so slow right now. I looked at Tea Obreht’s book — I’ve read her two other novels but her second one was slow for me at times, so I passed on the new one. But let me know if you like it. I am liking Night Watch at the moment and a PW book. I hope you like the first Dune. I wonder if we’ll get out to see Dune 2. We’re having a snowstorm today but might be stir crazy to get out tomorrow. Who knows. Enjoy your reading too!
I would say read the book Apples Never Fall before seeing the film because if you don’t care for the book you can pass on the movie. But if you watch the movie and really enjoy it you may want to read the book but often we never get around to it. One book I must read is A Gentleman In Moscow. People have been talking about that book for years and it has gotten great reviews.
Yeah Kathy, like you I have never read A Gentlemen in Moscow … which is crazy since I’ve had opportunities to — and a copy of the book. I think I should read both Apples Never Fall and A Gentlemen in Moscow before seeing either TV series. Both books are long. So I won’t be seeing the series for awhile! It seems to take me forever to read the long ones. I hope you have a great March. Let me know if you start the Towles book. lol.
I think I am ready for spring, but not March. Haha. I am procrastinating starting on today’s chores that really must be done because we have plans tomorrow. I hope you enjoy all of your library books! My pre-order of The Fox Wife came in this month and I look forward to reading it. The Frozen River is one I hope to read at some point.
I still haven’t read Olga Dies Dreaming either, but Anita de Monte Laughs Last sounds like another good one. I will have to keep an eye out for it. I’m looking forward to A Great Country too.
I hope you enjoy your reading and movie/series watching this March, Susan. Have a great weekend and week ahead!
Hi LF, it seems like we have a lot of books we want to read in common these days. Some of our reads are dovetailing nicely. If you get to The Fox Wife before me, I look forward to hearing what you think. I’d like to get to Gonzalez’s books too. So much out there! Buried in books, lol. We are having a snowy weekend, so much for spring, ha. Enjoy your March!
How did I miss a coming new novel by Xochitl Gonzalez! I liked her first one and I have enjoyed her essays in the Atlantic as well. Definitely a must-read. I’m also a fan of Amor Towles, though I do not always love seriesifications of good novels. Also, skeptical about rewriting classics like the amazing work of Mark Twain. He doesn’t need any help.
Summary: I love your post because it’s so informative to me.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, thanks, that’s nice of you to say about it being informative. I try to get some direction with these monthly preview posts. Everyone seems to love Xochitl Gonzalez — so I need to get on the bandwagon. I haven’t read her debut yet!
And I’m not sure Everett’s trying to rewrite Twain – just doing a spinoff of it perhaps … but I know what you’re saying. Don’t mess the classics!
I’m sure the Towles novel will be better than any TV series can do …. but I sort of like following such things despite that. Happy March reading.
Our weather has been so crazy for the past week or so. Lots of rain, hail, sleet, and snow. Oh, and gusty winds, which make me very nervous. The sun just came out, but I know not to go for a walk today since it could turn to hail in the blink of an eye. Thankful for my indoor bike!
I just got back from the library with only one book–Day by Michael Cunningham. I’m in the middle of two other books, so it will have to wait. Thankfully, we get 6 weeks before we need to return our books, although there isn’t an overdue fine if we’re late.
I’ll be interested in your thoughts on A Great Country. I’ve read a few reviews and it sounds good. I’m not sure why, but it brings to mind The House of Sand and Fog (Andre Dubus III).
We plan to watch The Regime but will wait until all episodes have dropped. I’m eager to see the setting since I loved Vienna when I was there many years ago. I’m also interested in Apples Never Fall. I think I tried to listen to the book, but couldn’t get interested. Actually, none of her books have done anything for me except for What Alice Forgot. Manhunt might be fun to watch, too. We’re watching Masters of the Air and I like Anthony Boyle. Also adding American Rust to my list. And, of course, A Gentleman in Moscow is high on my watch list. LOVED the book! I read the print edition and listened to the audio. So good!
Hi Lesley, great comments. I still need to read A Gentleman in Moscow (if you can believe it)! I have the trade paperback of it. Sometime I will, I promise. There’s plenty of series coming this month which is cool. I’m still hoping for Apples Never Fall to be good since we’re reading it for book club. The others I’m hopeful for too. Cross fingers. Vienna is an amazing city. I was there once — it blew me away.
Wow your library checkouts are 6 weeks?! That’s wonderful. Ours are three weeks, which seems to fly by in a jiffy. I will wait to see what you think of Day before getting it. And I think A Great Country does have an immigrant feel to it like House of Sand & Fog, but it’ll probably be awhile till I get to it.
Our weather has been all over the place too. But your weather seems crazier. We just got like 8 new inches of snow today — where there had been hardly anything left before. It’ll probably melt this week. But the whole area is completely white now!
Have a great week at the Cove …. hope the sun stays out.
To clarify, my library check outs are for 3 weeks, but they automatically renew them for another 3 if there aren’t any requests for the book. Pretty nice, eh?
I’m glad you got more snow. I just read something today (maybe in the New York Times or NPR news) about fire season already beginning in Alberta. Ugh.
I’m glad you clarified that about your checkouts there. I misunderstood. We also have automatic renewal after 3 weeks too (if there’s no one waiting) which is great! I love having that.
I really hope there’s no fires starting — we had a good storm on Saturday and got about 6 inches of snow. For some reason, I’m hopeful the fires wont be as bad as last summer. Something about El Nino leaving and El Nina coming, though it might not be till fall. So perhaps we could be doomed again. ugh. Hope not.
The library did the same thing to me this week! A bunch of my holds came on the same day. There’s no way I can read all the books before they have to go back. Good luck with getting yours finished!
Hi AJ: I sympathize, like you there’s no way I can finish all the library books I received this week, which bums me out because it’ll take me a long while to get them back. I just got to pick and choose now. Hope you don’t miss too many of yours. Happy reading.
It’s been surprisingly cool and wet here this winter, but no complaints from me. I’m looking forward to a little more warmth, but not the humidity! Your library haul looks great, think I’d reach for Absolution first. So many March releases this year. I put The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on my kindle and plan to pick it up before James… probably read it in junior high or early high school, but don’t remember very much. A Great Country looks good, too, and this is the first I’ve seen of it.
I was thinking of you this week as my sister had a knee replacement Tuesday. Hope your rehab has been an easy one!
Hi JoAnn: that’s good about your sister. The first two weeks are a bit tough but after that it gets better … and eventually it’ll be well worth it. The surgery recovery & rehab have been better than I expected so I’m glad. Tell her to take it slowly and steadily each day and she will improve.
I’m glad if you’ll be reading a few novels that I hope to get to. I will see which ones I can get to in time before they’re due. I think I hope to get to Twain’s Huck Finn first before James as well. Have a great week.
The azaleas bloomed today, so spring is here.
I hope that you will pick up The Fox Wife soon. It’s a book I’m quite curious about.
Thank you for sharing a little about books and movies that are coming. I hope to see Dune, Part 2, and maybe I can find a way to see A Gentleman in Moscow (series). I will think about the books and see if any of them are available.
Hi Deb, Wow the azaleas are out already, nice! So pretty. In Arlington, Va. I had the prettiest bushes of azaleas. I miss seeing those.
Not sure if I will get to The Fox Wife this time but I will keep it on my library list.
See what you think of Dune 2. & good luck with saving the turtles. Happy spring!
Why is it that all library lends seem to come at once? It happens to me, too! Things are turning green here and I hope it’s not a problem with the snow we got. Thankfully, the snow is mostly melted now so maybe no damage to any new growth. Manhunt sounds really good and I always enjoy Jeff Daniels, too. Didn’t know about that series. I’ll look in to it. Hope you enjoy all your library lends!
Thanks Rachel. So much to read & watch this month. Who knows how far I’ll get. See what you think about American Rust; it’s a bit gritty — good thing it’s on Prime. And I don’t know why the library floods us all at once! I’m probably going to need to get back on the list for a few of these. Good to hear you are seeing green sprouts there. Happy spring!
I saw Dune twice this week. It’s good movie, but since Dune is my all-time favorite book, it had a lot to live up to and I’m disappointed. Lol. I guess that’s the way it goes when you see a movie of your favorite book. I’m sure I’ll like it the more I watch it … maybe.
I hope you enjoy the books that came in from the library. I always hate when holds come in at the same time. Hopefully, you pick the goods one out of the bunch to read.
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Hi Jenni, wow it’s good you’ve seen the movie twice so far and I’m sure it’s hard to live up to the book for you. I did not get to the movie this weekend but I hope to see it soon. It’s a big box office winner so far.
I think I’ll get to two of the five library books this time … and will probably have to get the other three back another time. It’s crazy when they come in at once, right? Enjoy your week.
Most of the books here I don’t recognize except for James and The Fox Wife, and those two I don’t know much about. So if you read any of these and review them I will be interested in your thoughts.
I was surprised and pleased to see that there will be an adaptation of A Gentleman in Moscow. I liked the book and hope the adaptation is good too.
Hi Tracy, I will let you know when I get to these. They sort of pile up for a while and then I get to them eventually. And I still need to read A Gentlemen in Moscow. I have read two of Towles’s other books, but I still haven’t read his most acclaimed. I’m glad you liked it and do you plan to watch the series? Have a great weekend.
I did plan to watch the series, until I found out we have to have Showtime. We do have Paramount+ but not Showtime. Oh well. Maybe someday. If it gets lots of good reviews.
Darn Showtime? I wonder if we get that. It seems like Paramount+ should give it to you. Isn’t it crazy. What a gyp. I need to focus on the book — so I’ll pass on the show for now.
A Gentleman in Moscow is such a great story. I don’t know, if I would like to watch the tv adaptation, there is always the risk of being disappointed, if the characters are nothing like you imagined them. Let’s see…
Hi Stargazer, Yeah I can understand that. It is a risk and it usually can’t compare with the book — see it at your own curiosity. I need to read the book first! I’m the last on the planet not to have gotten to the Count. I’m glad you liked it.
Enjoy your week.