May is now upon us — can you believe it? Lately I’ve been busy playing in a couple tennis tournaments, trading in an old car, and making plans to attend the memorial service of my friend back East and then continue on to the BookExpo America in Chicago. It could be a crazy trip. If you’re going, I hope to see you there. Meanwhile this past week I’ve been reading British author Jonathan Lee’s historical novel “High Dive,” which is about the real-life assassination attempt by the IRA of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet in 1984 at the seaside town of Brighton, England. It’s quite excellent so far. I also finished the audiobook of Maggie Shipstead’s alluring 2014 novel “Astonish Me,” which involves the world of professional dance and the defection of a Russian ballet star. Have you read either of these? I plan to review them this coming week.
In fiction releases for May, quite a few acclaimed authors have new novels coming out, notably: Richard Russo, Don DeLillo, Louise Erdrich, and Julian Barnes among others. You might want to jump on these ASAP. But of course, I can’t resist Chris Cleave’s latest novel “Everyone Brave Is Forgiven,” which is set during World War II and is apparently inspired by the real-life love letters between Cleave’s grandparents. I know, I know, it’s another WWII novel, and you likely have the same fatigue over that subject matter as I do, but I’ve read all of Cleave’s novels including “Incendiary,” “Little Bee,” and “Gold” so I can’t stop now. His books have held me in their clutches before.
But nothing this month is more highly anticipated than Justin Cronin’s post-apocalyptic novel “The City of Mirrors,” which is the finale of his Passage trilogy. I gave the first two books to my husband and watched as he lapped them up like nobody’s business. I will dish out the third and see his reaction. I have yet to get to these epic tomes and the survivors in the desert, but oh I will! I have heard so many good things about the books — it’s just a matter of which deserted island — or alas, back deck — I will take them to — and when the heavens will part for my total immersion. I’ll keep you posted.
A few other novels that are piquing my interest this month are Adam Haslett’s new one “Imagine Me Gone” about the ravages of mental illness on a family. Publisher’s Weekly says “Haslett’s latest is a sprawling, ambitious epic about a family bound not only by familial love, but by that sense of impending emergency that hovers around Michael, who has inherited his father John’s abiding depression and anxiety. … In Michael, Haslett has created a most memorable character.” Said to be both gut-wrenching and at times hilarious, the novel seems an excellent one worth exploring.
I also like the look of Karan Bajaj’s novel “The Yoga of Max’s Discontent” about a man who leaves his successful life behind as a Wall Street analyst and embarks on a spiritual journey that takes him to the farthest reaches of India. Part adventure story and part journey of transformation, this novel is receiving highly favorable reviews on Goodreads. I’m not sure if it strives to be a modern-day channeling of Hermann Hesse, but I’m open to yoga and stories of awakenings, so count me in for this.
Lastly in fiction this month, I’m curious about Jennifer Haigh’s new novel “Heat and Light” — about the residents of a rural Pennsylvania town caught up in the fracking boom. I was impressed by Haigh’s last novel “Faith” about the Catholic Church abuse scandal, which I read for book club, so I’m geared up for this one too. Haigh seems an author who presents various sides of an issue in powerful and thought-provoking ways. This one appears to be an environmental novel pertinent to today’s national debate surrounding energy resources and drilling.
As for movies in May, I am not a big fan of summer blockbusters — it’s true — but they are here! If you like all things Marvel then you will be happy about seeing “Captain America: Civil War” and “X-Men: Apocalypse” both in the same month. I’m guessing Captain America will win that box-office battle. There’s also Disney’s sequel to “Alice in Wonderland” — “Alice Through the Looking Glass” with returning stars Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice. I like Mia as Alice. But what about the Jodie Foster-directed thriller “Money Monster” with Julia Roberts and George Clooney? I watched the trailer and it looks sort of didactic — so I’m a bit hesitant if it’s worth stomaching. Though indeed George is in it.
I guess there’s no May movie I’m dying to see, but the trailer of “The Lobster” looks a bit quirky and funny. It’s a satire, set in a dystopian near future, in which single people, by law, are taken to a place where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into beasts and sent off into the woods. Who thinks these things up? “The Lobster” looks pretty peculiar and stars Colin Farrell playing the deadpan lead character. I’m hoping maybe it might be slightly reminiscent of the quirky but heartwarming movie “Her” with Joaquin Phoenix, which I really liked, but I don’t expect it’ll be nearly as good.
As for albums in May, such icons as Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan have new ones coming out, which sound quite interesting, — as do Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Ziggy Marley, and Cyndi Lauper, too. I’d like to check out Corinne Bailey Rae’s new album “The Heart Speaks in Whispers” as well as the new one called “The Things We Are Made Of” by an old favorite of mine Mary Chapin Carpenter. She’s always been a crowd favorite each summer on the lawn at Wolf Trap.
What about you — which books, movies, or albums are you looking forward to this month?
There is a lot of buzz surrounding Everyone Brave is Forgiven and Justin Cronin’s novel. High Dive, the one you are reading, sounds very good. I would love to read it if you end up recommending it; that’s right up my alley.
I’m excited about Captain America because, as you know, I’ve been watching/reviewing superhero movies lately. X-Men I have never seen; I guess I could try to see what the fuzz is about.
The movie directed by Jodie Foster may be good. I did like The Beaver a lot, which was the first one she directed, and Mel Gibson was brilliant in it.
I may buy Corinne Bailey Rae’s album if I like it. I have her song “Put the record on” in my iPod and love it.
Thanks Carmen for your feedback. I’ll be interested to hear if you like some of these and what you think of Captain America. Yeah that song by Corinne Bailey Rae is terrific!
I’m very eager to read the new Haslett book. I loved his short story collection but it has been many years since he’s come out with something new.
I will be at BEA for the first time. I hope I get to meet some of my favorite bloggers there.
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/05/in-which-i-finish-perfect-book-for.html
Hope to meet you Deb at BEA. It’s my first time too. We’ll be newbies. The Haslett book does look good!
I Googled some details of the Passage Trilogy. It sounds really good.
I tend to like post apocalyptic novels if they are original. If I can find the time I would like to read these.
Yes Brian I think you would like the Passage trilogy. Me too — if I can find a chunk of time as well 🙂 !
Lots of great books here! Image Me Gone sounds interesting. Somehow I always go for the WWII books and ones on mental illness. I wonder if that says anything about me?! I like Chris Cleave and have Everyone Brave is Forgiven in my eReader, which I started but got distracted elsewhere. I am looking forward to going back to it though.
Wish I was going to BEA this year! I hope you enjoy it!! And want to hear all about it! Are you staying with any other bloggers or going it on your own?
Hi Suzanne, I’m a newbie to BEA and I’m going on my own. I hope to meet others there. I will let you know all about it. I dont know what to think yet. Chaos? Enjoy your May!
You were smart to leave the Justin Cronin books until they were all out. I read The Passage so long ago now that I feel like I have to re-read it before moving on. But who has time for that?!
Chris Cleave’s new book sounds good. I loved Little Bee!
Hi Naomi, well I’m glad there’s something good about not having read The Passage yet. I’m excited to get to the trilogy but when?! I do like all things : Chris Cleave! We will see …
I am so excited about the new Mary Chapin Carpenter album myself! Also, Astonish Me sounds like a book I would like. I am just getting going with WWII stories, so keep ’em coming–there is so much material to cover. I recently read that WWII is considered to be the single greatest catastrophe in the history of mankind in terms of sheer displacement, loss, destruction, and physical and emotional upheaval. There are a lot of stories buried in that that still need to be heard.
Yeah I continue to read WWII too — despite the sheer volume of novels on it. It’s never enough. So glad Jane that you like Mary Chapin too. How excellent. She has a great voice and many wonderful albums over the years.
I hadn’t seen about Heat and Light before, but will have to seek that one out, especially for our library since we are (or were) in the middle of the fracking boom in rural Pennsylvania. I think some people in our area would be interested in that.
I’m not going to lie that I’m looking forward to Captain America the most out of the movies. Musically? I don’t really know but I liked Mary Chapin Carpenter years ago and would be willing to hear what she’s been putting out lately.
Hi Bryan, Yeah the novel Heat & Light is just coming out in May and it sounds like it’s very pertinent to the area you live in. I hope your Library gets it.
I’ll be interested to hear what you say about Captain America. I’m sure it’ll be big at the box office. As for Mary Chapin, I’m just getting back to listening to her after many years away from her stuff. I hope her latest album is good. Thanks!
My May books will include a Joyce Carol Oates, Missing Mom, for a reading group.
The Argonauts, The Past by Tessa Hadley, LaRose by Louise Erdrich for review at Litbreak, a Lydia Millet power reading of her last two novels, Ghost Lights and Magnificence, in prep for reviewing her newest Sweet Lamb of Heaven at Litbreak. Plus whatever else I can squeeze in. Happy Travels!
Interesting Judy. I like to hear of your upcoming reads! I’m happy that you will get to LaRose and let us know what you think. You have a lot on your palette but I know you will conquer! Enjoy your power reading.
I’m bummed I won’t be at BEA this year. I’m jealous you have Heat & Light. Enjoy!
Too bad Kathy about BEA. I dont have Heat & Light yet but I definitely hope to get it.
I just started Louise Erdrich’s new book and it’s really wonderful so far (like 50 pages in). The boyfriend and I are both really excited for the next Captain America movie — we’re hoping to see it over opening weekend.
That’s great Kim about the Erdrich book. I look forward to reading your review of it — as well as the Captain America movie. Looking forward to BEA.
Hello Susan! Lire you, I am not a fan of summer blockbusters!! At the moment I’m reading an very very good and fun book “Mémé dans les orties” the 1st book of the young French writer Aurelie Valognes!! And guess what, Here it’s bank holidays hourrah….hahaha
Enjoy RT: your holidays and reading! What language do you mostly read in?
Hello Susan, I like to read books in a foreign language. I try to keep this habit in order to improve my language skills.
Tell me dear, so how is it in Chicago Book Fair?
The Chicago Book Expo is just getting underway today, so I hope to give a report soon. I have 3 days of Book talks & Book signings & giveaways ahead! It should be epic!