Well, we are about to turn a corner on April and I don’t think I’ll miss it. Sayounara April. The month of May looks like it will be a bit better, though I’m worried about setbacks of opening areas too quickly in light of the pandemic. Still we forge on, and perhaps while staying vigilant with distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing we can gradually open up more over time.
Meanwhile, my dog and book assistant, at left, is getting plenty of fresh air off the beaten paths and soon it will be swim season, which is her favorite. While April is a pretty brown month here plant-wise, May is when things turn green and full of bloom and promise, so I will keep hope alive. At least the snow is now gone. What about you — how are you holding up, and how is your area doing?
I’ve been looking at what’s coming out in May … and it’s been a bit hard to figure as releases of spring books, movies, and music have seen some flux in their schedules due to the pandemic, with many being postponed until the fall or later. Still there are others that plan to stick to this month, so let’s take a look at those. It’s probably safe to say that Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest novel “Rodham” (due out May 19) is one of the biggest new releases. Oh yeah, Curtis is a not-to-miss author for many readers and I am usually one of them. I’ve read two of her novels: “Prep” and “Eligible” and both were terrific, so I’m in the Curtis camp.
The new one “Rodham” is an alternative history political novel about the life of Hillary Rodham Clinton, imagining what might have been if she hadn’t married Bill and had entered political life as a single woman. Ahh-ha, sounds like an interesting premise and I’m told it’s mostly a sympathetic one towards Hillary. I’m game for the novel … though I admit to being a bit world-weary (or fatigued) of Clinton books by now, but I surely wanted her to be prez over the current resident hands down (such a terrible debacle in political history … that we are still paying dearly for).
Meanwhile I haven’t seen any reaction to it yet by the former Secretary of State. Has she read it and what does she have to say about it?
Next up, I’m curious about Stephanie Danler’s memoir “Stray” (due out May 19) since I recently read her debut novel “Sweetbitter” and liked it a great deal. These days it’s not really unique or new to write about one’s familial dysfunction and/or addictions in a raw painful way: whether it be Tara Westover’s memoir “Educated,” or J.D. Vance’s book “Hillbilly Elegy,” or Mary Karr’s “The Liar’s Club,” or Jeanette Wall’s “The Glass Castle” … there’s been quite a flood over past years that will tear your guts out. And this one is said to be in the same genre.
Typically I’m not that into reading about family dysfunction and addiction, but Danler is a writer to watch. She has some cred to her, so I got to go there.
Also there’s Ivy Pochoda’s new novel “These Women” (due out May 19), which Kirkus Reviews says is a murder-mystery-kind-of thriller about six women in L.A. who struggle in the shadow of a serial killer who was never apprehended.
It’s said to be gritty and seamy “loaded with feminist intentions” … like I’m told other Ivy Pochoda’s novels have been. Apparently Pochoda’s novels are often set in her hometown of Los Angeles and she likes to write about “women’s lives too often unseen in the shadows.” I have not read her yet, but this novel has received praise and a high rating on Goodreads of 4.28, so what are we waiting for.
Last up in books for May is the new novel by Lydia Millet called “A Children’s Bible” (due out May 12), which I’m told is not exactly about religion but is a short allegorical tale about climate change …. in which a group of kids go on vacation with their families to a sprawling lakeside mansion and endure a destructive storm … eventually making a foray into the apocalyptic chaos outside. I gather that’s the gist of it.
Millet, whose last novel “The Sweet Lamb of Heaven” I read, is a unique kind of writer. Her stories usually seem a bit out there or strange but are effective too. Susie over at the blog Novel Visits has already read and liked “A Children’s Bible” so that’s good to hear. I think it’s a short, quick read too.
As for movies in May, it looks to be a bit hit and miss as usual, but if you liked Caitlin Moran’s 2014 British novel “How to Build a Girl” you’re in luck because the movie version of it is due out May 8 with Beanie Feldstein (the younger sister of Jonah Hill) as Johanna Morrigan.
You might recall it’s a funny, bawdy coming-of-age story (rated R) about a teen girl who reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde, moves to London and gets a job as a music critic in the hopes of saving her poverty stricken family in Wolverhampton. I hope the movie has some laughs to it, though one critic wasn’t too happy the lead role (without the right accent) went to an American actress and not a Brit. Remember the same thing happened with Bridget Jones ….
Meanwhile if you’re a fan of “The Trip” movies (with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon playing semi-fictionalized versions of themselves, then you’ll be happy to know there’s a new one called “The Trip to Greece” due out May 22.
This is the fourth installment of the two comic actors & writers who seemingly ad lib as they travel around parts of Europe as food/travel writers. Some parts of the movies are funny spoofs though not entirely. Still you get some nice shots of England, Italy, Spain … and soon Greece out of them. And if we can’t go to Europe for a long while …. at least we can see it on the screen.
Last up in movies for May is Jon Stewart’s new comedy-drama called “Irresistible” (due out May 29) starring Steve Carell as a Democratic strategist who helps a retired veteran (played by Chris Cooper) run for mayor of a small, conservative Wisconsin town.
I’m not sure if this one is going to fly (can we take any more political stuff?), but I usually like Steve Carell and he typically pulls off some laughs. Perhaps my favorite comic roles of his are Bobby Riggs in “Battle of the Sexes” and Andy in “The 40-year-old Virgin.” Those two are tough to beat. What do you say?
As for albums in May, there’s new ones by Bon Jovi, the Indigo Girls, Steve Earle and the Dukes, the Killers, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, among others. I haven’t heard the Indigo Girls in years …. apparently “Look Long” is their 16th album and their first in five years, here are some highlights off it. I also like Jason Isbell and his band. His new album with them “Reunions” is his sixth backed by the single “Be Afraid.” Enjoy it here.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases this month are you most looking forward to? And more importantly, how are you doing?
Happy to see the snow gone and I bet you’ll be thrilled to see everything budding out this next month.
Like you, I’m eager to get to Rodham and Stray, but somehow I’ve way over committed when it comes to both April and May books, so it’s tough finding the time. I’m eager to hear what someone else thinks of A Children’s Bible. I can’t stop thinking about it and how cleverly done it was. I’d never read Millet before, but am now curious about her other books.
Hi Susie: yeah you’ve made me want to read the new Millet book which sounds a bit thought-provoking. I hope eventually we both get to Rodham and Stray … but I’m a bit behind too …. so it could be a little while yet. Happy reading & enjoy your spring weather there.
April went so fast. But indeed, hopefully May will be better.
I must admire that Rodham seems strange. I have never heard of an alternate reality book centering on a living person. If it is mostly sympathetic, it will drive the Hillary haters crazy.
Yeah you’re right Brian … I’m trying to think of other alternative history novels … and I don’t think I know of one centering on a living person. Though Sittenfeld did base her novel American Wife on Laura Bush apparently though I don’t think it was alternative history. I want to read that one too. Let’s hope May is better!
All of these sound pretty good to me. I’m curious about the Rodham book but, I doubt I’d read it right now. Looking forward to May as I doubt it could be much worse than April. At least we’ll be outdoors more even if things still aren’t what they once were.
I agree Diane, May should be better than April. The weather & the outdoors should be a big plus. I probably won’t get to the Rodham novel right away either but it could be good for summer. Enjoy your reads!
We’ve been wearing masks but a lot of people around us are not and I still see a lot of people who aren’t practicing social distancing.
I’m intrigued by Rodham but want to see what other people think of it before I make the plunge.
Yeah Kathy: Ugh it’s hard when others are not following Covid rules. It’s just wrong. I hope you will be able steer clear of them, but it’s not easy for your area. It will be interesting to see what people think of the Rodham book.
Hello to Stella! Nice that dogs are almost always happy.
We burst into early summer last week and the endless weeks of rain paid off in lush green and tons of blossoms. Too bad you can’t come down for the flowers.
I will read the Sittenfeld novel. I have not missed one of them and liked them all.
It may be that I will finally read Pochoda and for sure I will not miss Lydia Millet.
Today I will start the latest Emily St John Mandel, The Glass Hotel.
We finally saw Parasite this past week on Netflix DVD. It was excellent!
Ha Judy, Isn’t Parasite a quirky little film? It starts out like a spoof but it hits the hammer down hard later. It was different but interesting. A Korean: upstairs/downstairs kind of story?
I’m glad we’re on the same page about these authors, and Mandel too! So much to read already despite the push-backs on spring pub dates. I’m glad your yard is blossoming …. take a picture for us. Spring is the one bright spot amid all of this. Enjoy your reading.
When you mentioned May releases it reminded me that I have yet to read The Guest List, of which, I have a review copy. I am excited for that one.
I just sit here on my work computer pondering life, most days. My work has been really busy but I’ve been so wired that it’s easy for me to blow through it all and get it done early in the day but then I am left with a very long day. I am going to dabble in watercolors some time this week. I have been wanting to paint something in my Bible. Not even sure what. I just need a little artistic something to occupy my brain.
I hope you are doing well. Your book assistant looks well. Mine is tuckered out from us being home too much. She retreats to her sunny spot and then shows up in bed at bed time.
Hi Ti, yeah I see that The Guest List pub date has jumped around a bit — now it says June 2nd from Morrow, but I think it first might have appeared in March? Go figure, but it looks pretty good. I can see wanting to do watercolors …. right now I’ve been doing a puzzle which is unusual. It’s soothing in a way. How old is Otter Pup? Stella will turn 8 this summer …. and she sleeps a bit more. Still her walks in the mornings are essential. Hope you have a calm but good week. Looks like the Calif. beaches might close (again).
That’s another interesting collection you’ve given us. May looks like a good month for you and not just because the snow is gone!
We are holding up well here, staying busy in the garden, and reading. So many good books to read and to look forward to and even now there never seems to be enough time. As for our area, Houston has been hit by the double whammy of the pandemic and the oil crash. The production of oil is the top industry here but the second most important is the medical profession which employs thousands, including in some of the country’s top hospitals. So far they seem to have handled coronavirus issues pretty well.
Hi Dorothy, yeah I’ve seen the Anderson Center there … a few blocks of it, quite impressive. My hub is a geological engineer so we’ve been to Houston in the past for his work … but not lately. Hope the crash will stabilize & turn around. Glad you’re staying busy there … your garden is amazing. We’ll be seeing our spring bloom soon, which always lifts spirits. Mid-May the lilacs come out. Stay well.
Stella seems to be enjoying the outdoors. The weather is improving this coming weekend; two consecutive days of high 60s -70F. Trees have been in bloom for at least two weeks, plus we have had rain. Rodham sounds good. I own, by Sittenfeld, ‘Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake’. I’ve been reading summer ARCs for the past month; one of them is Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell, which is addictive fun, sort of like Daisy Jones… Movie-wise, I’m still in 2019. I have been watching more TV shows than movies lately.
Hi Carmen: yeah at night we’ve been finishing some TV series as well, namely The Crown (season 3), Homeland (season 8), and the Capture (season 1), now onto Bosch (season 6). What do you like these days? Glad you’re enjoying the new David Mitchell book, a music novel, right? It sounds like a great weekend there …. here it is also nice mid ’60s for Saturday! The trees haven’t bloomed yet but soon. Spring feels more hopeful here. ‘Lots of Candles’ … might be Quindlen and not Sittenfeld but I should read it too as it seems to speak to middle age. Enjoy your week.
You’re right about Lots of Candles…! I fumbled that one. 😛 I was thinking of You’ll Think it, I’ll Say it, which I also own. I’ve been watching series about the American Revolution and lighter fare as well. Sons of Liberty, Washington (docuseries), Olive Kitteridge, Hatfields & McCoys, and The Young Pope. Movie-wise, I’ve watched Light of My Life (3*), 1917 (4*), Jumanji: The Next Level (4*), 21 Bridges (4*), and Richard Jewell (4.5*). In May, I plan to continue the American Revolution theme by watching Outlander (S5), Turn: Washington’s Spies (S1) and a re-watch of the fantastic John Adams. I’ll let you know how it goes. Did you watch The Goldfinch? I liked it enough, but was not fond of the narrative style. I was crazy about Knives Out and also of Guillermo del Toro’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Hey Carmen: thanks for these shows, good to know! I did see Goldfinch and liked it. I should watch John Adams! I liked Richard Jewell and 1917 … and Knives Out. And I hope to check out some of the other shows you mention. Perhaps the history ones.
Thank you for sharing all of these books and movies and music coming out soon. All of them sound novel and fresh and intriguing. I’d love to know what HRC thinks of Rodham. I feel certain she will share her thoughts soon. I am very curious about A Children’s Bible, too.
I haven’t seen any of The Trip movies, and now seems like a good time to look for them. Irresistible—could watching it be helpful for my political spirits or will it simply remind me of the bleakness of that world?
Sorry to be such a (literally) Debbie Downer. I’m planning to work hard today on my mood. Coughing + lockdown + economic nosedive + hate-filled political leadership has seeped into my spirits. Nope, I’m stopping all of this right now. I think I need a dose of Mister Rogers to inspire me.
Hi Deb, yeah try not to internalize all those issues at once … too overwhelming to take in … but I can see how it zaps everyone at times. Weird to have an election campaign ramp up during a pandemic. What is real, and what is totally for poll numbers?! ugh! I think perhaps focus on the 3 good things a day … like the opening of libraries there … which is great. So far we waiting for them to open here. You might like The Trip movies …. a bit amusing & scenic at least. But first I hope you can get rid of your cough.
These Women sounds like an interesting read.
It’s autumn here, so the colours are fading and the weather is cooling.
Wishing you a Marvelous May and good health
Thanks Shelleyrae. How cool does it get there? Probably not too bad right? We have rain now … but it should help to green things up … after a long-ish winter. Hope you have a great May too.
Stella looks like she’s enjoying the sunshine! I’m glad May is here, too… April seems like it was a year long. Rapid re-openings have me worried, too. Restaurants in FL open today at 25% capacity indoors and outdoor with appropriate distancing. No dining out for us yet. I’m going to wait a few weeks and see what happens.
Rodham looks so interesting! I’m looking forward to early reviews and am curious to hear about Hilary’s reaction. Stay safe!
Thanks JoAnn: great to hear from you! It seems wise to wait to dine out for awhile. Who knows how much the cases will spike etc. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get to the novel Rodham but perhaps by summer. I’m a bit behind on other reads at the moment. Still I’m looking forward to it. Hope your May is better than April!
I haven’t read any of Curtis Sittenfeld’s books yet but glad to hear that you strongly recommend. I have been eyeing Prep for some time. Didn’t realize How to Build a Girl is coming to the movies – I have enjoyed Caitlin Moran a long time ago but struggled with her books when I was in a different stage of life. Strange how that can be.
Enjoy your May! I hope it’s much better than April for sure.
Thanks Athira: The month of May has got to be a bit better than April. Gosh things seem bleak out there but we’ll hope for the best. Stay safe. You know, I never read Caitlin Moran’s series of books … but I heard a lot about them. Perhaps they were a bit harsh for me at the time? What did you think? cheers.