Happy Halloween everyone. I hope you enjoy the festivities. Tomorrow November will be upon us. We have two reading months left in 2019, so I hope you are nearing your year-end goals. I’m a bit behind but it is okay: we will see where I come out at the end of December. There’s still plenty of good reading left to do.
Though November is usually not one of my favorite months as the weather here often turns dismal quickly, but come mid-month we’re traveling to see my folks in Southern California so that should be nice — as long as we stay clear of the wildfires. My thoughts go out to those who have lost homes or been displaced there due to the terrible fires. My sister’s place in Northern Cal was without power for three days (as a prevention due to the high winds), but it’s back on now and the winds seem to be dissipating, knock on wood.
Meanwhile I’ve been checking to see what’s coming out in November and there seems to be some notable novels due out even this late in the season. For one, I’ve got my eye on Erin Morgenstern’s latest one “The Starless Sea,” which is a follow-up to her very successful 2011 novel “The Night Circus.” Her new one is said to be an epic fantasy novel about a graduate student who stumbles upon a peculiar book at the college library that contains a story of his childhood in it, which sets him on a journey to find answers … that in turn becomes something much bigger.
Granted, I’m not usually a fantasy reader but I need to check out what all the fuss is about with Erin Morgenstern’s books. I should go back and read “The Night Circus” first, though the two stories are not linked. “The Starless Sea” is said to be a sprawling, 512-page saga, so for those interested in it, you should get started pronto.
Next is a tie between Margaret Wilkerson Sexton’s second novel “The Revisioners” and Bernardine Evaristo’s novel “Girl, Woman, Other,” which recently co-won the Booker Prize and is now becoming available in North America. “The Revisioners” appears to be a story about a New Orleans family’s ascent from slavery to freedom, which alternates chapters between two women, one a mixed-race single mom struggling to raise her teenage son in 2017, and the other her great-great-grandmother, a former slave who runs the family farm in 1924.
While the other novel, “Girl Woman, Other,” is said to depict a range of experiences of 12 black British women over time amid interconnected chapters. I’m usually not good with novels that focus on a dozen characters, but I think I’d like to try both books as the authors’ voices seem fresh and talented.
I also like the looks of Allen Eskens’s new crime novel “Nothing More Dangerous” for a change of pace. Since I enjoyed Eskens’s debut 2014 novel “The Life We Bury,” I’m hoping this one will be good too. It centers on the friendship of a 15-year-old white boy named Boady and a black boy named Thomas who moves in with his family next door. Eventually they stumble across a body and start playing detectives.
The story is said to be a coming-of-age crime novel sort of in the same vein as William Kent Krueger’s “Ordinary Grace” and Larry Watson’s “Montana 1948,” so if you liked those, you might try this one as well.
Lastly in new book releases, I’ll pick Canadian author Michael Crummey’s new novel “The Innocents,” which has already been out in Canada but is just now becoming available in the U.S. I liked Crummey’s 2014 novel “Sweetland,” which was excellent, so I’m hoping for good things about this one as well.
The story is set in 1800s Newfoundland about a young brother and sister who find themselves orphaned and alone and struggling to survive amid their rugged coastal surroundings and their own “strange physical awakenings.” I think someone joked its plot sounded like the movie “The Blue Lagoon” set in old-time Newfoundland. Ha, not to worry, I’m sure Michael Crummey’s version is much better. Apparently the idea for the novel came from an article Crummey found in the archives about young siblings alone on the coast. I’ve heard the story is sort of grim so beware if that is not your cup of tea.
As for movies in November, there’s a nice crop of notable flicks on the horizon. ’Tis the season after all for possible Oscar movie releases. Speaking of which, my husband and I really enjoyed the October movie “Judy” and think Renee Zellweger did a marvelous job as Judy Garland — she deserves a Best Actress nomination for sure and likely the award itself. See it if you get a chance.
For this month, I notice two novels have been adapted to the big screen: Stephen King’s sequel to “The Shining” — “Doctor Sleep” with Ewan McGregor — and Jonathan Lethem’s award-winning novel “Motherless Brooklyn” with Edward Norton.
I read and liked “Motherless Brooklyn” back when the novel came out in 1999 — about a lonely detective with Tourette’s Syndrome who tries to solve the murder of his only friend — but it’s been a long time now in which I’ve forgotten some of it, and unfortunately the movie has only gotten so-so reviews. I will probably wait for it to come out on TV.
Instead Martin Scorsese’s new mob film “The Irishman” —about a hitman with possible ties to the slaying of union leader Jimmy Hoffa — is getting strong praise so I will probably see it, though I’m not usually a big mob movie watcher, despite being well familiar with “Goodfellas.”
I like historical kinds of flicks so the biopic movie of abolitionist Harriet Tubman called “Harriet” looks worth seeing, with Cynthia Erivo as Harriet. And my husband will likely have us go to “Ford v. Ferrari” — about when the automaker challenged the Italians at the 1966 race at Le Mans. Hmm … it stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale, so they should keep me well entertained. But I’m not sure I’ll go see Tom Hanks as Mister Rogers in the movie “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” just because I wasn’t big into the TV show as a kid. Were you? Something about Fred Rogers’s manner and his sweater threw me. I was more a “Captain Kangaroo” watcher — truth be told.
I’ll also likely skip the battle of “Midway” movie since it looks pretty filled with CGI effects and story-fluff nonsense. I’ll stick with historical documentaries of the battle, along with the 1976 original “Midway” movie starring Charlton Heston and Henry Fonda among others.
Instead the Noah Baumbach Netflix film “Marriage Story,” starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, is getting a lot of positive buzz so I hope to see that one. I’ve enjoyed several of Baumbach’s movies over the years, including “While We Were Young,” “Greenberg,” “Margot at the Wedding,” and “The Squid and the Whale.” What’s not to like? Baumbach does the family break-up story better than most and throws in some amusing humor to boot. We’ll see how his new one fares.
As for albums in November, there’s new ones by Michael Kiwanuka (delayed from last month), Hootie & the Blowfish, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, and my pick for the month Coldplay. Coldplay returns with its eighth studio album called “Everyday Life,” which is the band’s first since 2015. The new one will be a double album with the first half titled Sunrise and the other Sunset. Hmm, so far I’ve heard only two tracks released off it: “Orphans” and “Arabesque,” but it seems upbeat. I’ll need more time to assess once it come out on Nov. 22.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases this month are you most looking forward to?
I am looking forward to The Starless Sea. I just read M W Sexton’s first novel, A Kind of Freedom, also set in New Orleans, also a family saga and thought it was excellent, so I will read the new one. I have always wanted to read Motherless Brooklyn so I think I will do that and wait for the movie to come to DVD. I want to see Judy and I never miss a Scorcese movie. Lots to look forward to. Hope you get some sunny skies in November. Me, I am ready for clouds and rain but who knows when we will get those here.
Stay safe Judy amid all those fires. Scary winds. I hope they go away. I’ll try to send rain your way. And I’m glad you liked A Kind of Freedom — I’d like to read it too. For some reason, it’s my first hearing about this author. Meanwhile, I hope you see the film Judy. Very interesting. Then we saw the documentary about Garland on Showtime called Sid & Judy, which is also well worth seeing. Enjoy your November.
I didn’t think Judy was great but I thought Zellweger’s performance was. I didn’t know Eskens has a new book coming out – I must look into that.
Yes Kathy, I thought you’d be interested in the new Eskens book. I need to put my name in for it at the library. Zellweger really was good as Judy …. we liked it and also would recommend the documentary of her life on Showtime called Sid & Judy …. which is told through her husband’s pov. It follows much of the same though.
Happy belated Halloween.
These are some interesting books and films coming out. I did not know that another version of Midway was coming. The 1976 film was interesting and enjoyable but flawed.
Hi Brian — yes the new Midway movie looks pretty over the top, similar to what they did to Pearl Harbor in 2001. CGI effects aren’t usually for me. The 1976 version is something I should re-see.
How in the world did it get to be November already?! I say this every year, but this year really does seem to be flying. I’m sure our move has a lot to do with it though.
I’m not a fantasy reader so probably won’t get to The Starless Sea, but will give Girl, Woman, Other a try. The Booker is often a negative indicator for me, so we’ll see.
Enjoy your time in California!
Thanks JoAnn. I think Starless Sea looks long so maybe I’ll try Night Circus first. I’m listening to Dearly Beloved now which I know you finished and I’m having some of the same thoughts so far. I’m hoping Girl, Woman, Other will pleasantly surprise me — as usually numerous characters can be overwhelming. Enjoy your November.
I’m not much into fantasy either but I loved the Night Circus. You should give it a shot.
I don’t want to see A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood for the opposite reason as you. I was a huge Mr. Rogers fan as a child and I don’t buy Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers. The previews seem like a parody of Mr. Rogers – I just can’t take his portrayal seriously. But I’m sure Hanks will get an Oscar nomination for it and then I’ll see it even though I don’t want to because I try to watch all the nominated films.
Interesting Rachel. Maybe you’ll be surprised & like the Mr. Rogers movie? I think it’ll be a sympathetic portrayal of him. But it’s understanding if you think Tom Hanks will be a bit over the top in the role. I’m going to give The Night Circus a shot. It appears shorter than her new one.
Last night around 6pm yet another fire broke out. This one is a ways away from me but will affect our trip up to see my son if a good deal of it is not contained before Sunday. Santa Paula. In a very short amount of time it grew quite large.
I really enjoyed The Night Circus but it was not a remarkable story. To me it was the visuals she created in my head while I was reading it. I liked the idea of it and I could see it, clearly, in my head. I will read her new one at some point.
My reading goals are way off. I am not a stickler for goals but really, the slump I had and then all this distraction from the fires really did me in. I feel like reading but just can’t settle down. So anxious.
Yeah Ti. It’s understandable, don’t sweat the slump. The wildfires look scary. So far they say the Maria fire is 0% contained but hopefully over the weekend they can get more on top of it. I might try the Night Circus before Morgenstern’s new book since it’s long. Hang in there!
November is starting here with a bang; already tonight we have frost warning. I pre-ordered The Starless Sea since a month ago. My reading has picked up even more, so after I finish the book I’m reading–an ARC of a Feb release more suitable for Halloween, hence my choice to read it now–, I’ll likely start The Starless Sea or jump ahead on an ARC of a Dec release, then TSS. Movie-wise, I saw Judy; I wasn’t impressed with the movie, though Renee was brilliant. I also saw Joker and Ad Astra. I’m planning to go tomorrow to watch Harriet and Motherless Brooklyn. I’ll be watching The Irishman as well. 🙂
Whoa Carmen: you’re seeing movies! I liked the movie Judy but was a bit bored by Ad Astra. Just limited action. The violent apes were the only good part, ha. But you’re the second person I know who didn’t like Judy. (We went on to watch a documentary of Garland’s life on Showtime called Sid & Judy which was interesting & similar to what transpired in the film.) Did you like Joker?
It looks like Starless Sea could be a book that takes awhile but I’m curious about it though perhaps won’t start it this month. I might read Night Circus first. I saw that the East Coast looks pretty nippy this coming weekend, bundle up. Perfect time to see some movies, enjoy!
There’ll be three nights in the 20s F this coming week; ah! it’s too early for that! 😮 Joker, Ad Astra, and Judy were 3* for me. I liked Joker best among the three; it’s a very intriguing concept the playing with your mind. I also saw Maleficent 2, which bored me. I saw announced the documentary you mention, thus I may watch it. I read The Night Circus and loved it, and I’m not into reading fantasy at all. I reconsidered reading The Starless Sea at the end of the year because it’s 512 pages and it may interrupt my flow.
Good to know about Joker and especially that you liked The Night Circus. That bodes well for me. I’d like to start that perhaps in early December. Then next year maybe Starless Sea. Stay warm there Carmen! We have a couple snow days coming, ouch.
I hope your sister is okay! Those wildfires in California are horrific.
Gorgeous photo: is that your dog? He/she is well camouflaged in the golden landscape.
I love these monthly round ups of books, film and now music too. I didn’t know Coldplay had a new album out. How exciting! Thanks for all these great recommendations.
Hey Sarah: good to hear from you! I will be by to check your site. That is my dog in the photo — Stella the Yellow Lab dog. She does blend in nicely with the yellow. I’m glad you like my preview posts …. they take some work but help me get organized a bit on what’s coming out.
I finished The Starless Sea this morning and oh, my! I loved it but am finding it hard to put to words so have no idea how I’ll review it.
I’m starting The Innocents tonight so will keep you posted!
Great Catherine! So glad you tackled Starless Sea and will have a report for us about it. If you liked it, I’m game. It sounds a bit wild. We are on the same wavelength about reading The Innocents ….
Well, I’m sure you already know how much I loved The Innocents – read it if you can!
I love seeing your upcoming crop of movies – there are always ones I’ve never heard of. The Marriage Story looks good. And I’m so glad to hear you recommend Judy!
Yes Naomi: I think you’d like the Judy movie. As for the Innocents, I still plan to get to it soon. I’m so glad to hear you loved it. Should it have won the Giller Prize?