Hi. Happy November. Wow we’ve come a long ways and are almost done with the year. I hope your reading is going well. There’s several reading genre challenges this month, including Norway in November, which I plan to participate in and perhaps German Lit month too.
In doing so, I hope to read at least one translated book from a Norwegian author and one from a German author this month. As well as I’m also going to be reading Elena Ferrante’s novel My Brilliant Friend in a read-along with Tina at Turn the Page, which is translated from the Italian, so there you have it — three different countries I hope to travel to in my mind, lol. Should I get out my suitcase? Our dogs, Stella, at left, and Willow, at right, will be my witnesses.
Meanwhile I’m midway through Somerset Maugham’s 1915 classic Of Human Bondage, which was an October read-along with Ti at Book Chatter. I will hopefully finish the tale of Philip Carey’s coming-of-age soon. Philip has recently met the cold waitress Mildred and I fear that will not go well. The novel feels a bit like a David Copperfield-kind of tale in which the protagonist goes through various phases and travels as he grows up, learns, and endures a number of challenges and changes of heart. I will see what becomes of Philip.
This week my husband and I actually went to a matinee movie at the theater! Is that crazy or what? We shirked responsibilities, lol, and saw Conclave, the movie based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris, about various maneuverings that come to light in the selection of a new pope. It stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini among others. I thought the movie started off slowly, but it gets a bit more intriguing as it goes along. It’s a slow-burn kind of plot in which various cardinals are vying for the papacy and secrets become revealed in time. It has a good twist near the end and we enjoyed it, though I’m not sure it’s an Oscar contender.
And now let’s check out what’s releasing this month. Luckily there’s not as many new books to add to my TBR, which is great because for the next two months I’ll be reading mostly backlist books. Still I’ll mention Irish writer Niall Williams’s new novel Time of the Child (due out Nov. 19) which follows the story of a local doctor and his daughter Ronnie in a small town in Ireland, who take in an abandoned baby in December 1962.
I think it’s a bit of a Christmas story and it takes place in the same town as his popular 2019 novel This Is Happiness, but it’s not exactly a sequel. I have yet to read this author, but many love his books, including Ann Patchett who is a big fan. So I need to get on his books.
Next up is the Christmas-themed novella Brightly Shining (due out Nov. 19) by Norwegian author Ingvild Rishoi about two sisters ages 16 and 10 and the financial hardships they endure living with their single alcoholic father in contemporary Oslo. This translated tale is told by the younger sister who believes a miracle could help them.
It sounds like what they go through is heart-wrenching but they do their best to care for one another. It’s another Christmastime book and would satisfy my read for Norway in November as well as anyone participating in the Novellas in November challenge.
On the screen this month, there’s a smorgasbord of new releases. First in movies, Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy stars in the film adaptation of the historical drama Small Things Like These (due out Nov. 8) based on the novel by Irish writer Claire Keegan. Oh yeah, many of us liked this grim story set in 1985 about a father who discovers disturbing secrets about what’s going on at a local convent that makes him confront the secrets in the Irish town.
Irish actor Cillian Murphy is coming off starring in the epic Oppenheimer and this small but intense film might be just the ticket to keep his success going.
Then there’s Jesse Eisenberg’s comedy drama A Real Pain (due out Nov. 1) about two mismatched cousins who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin star as the two opposites who embark on the tour with a busload of other tourists.
Culkin’s character seems a bit zany, but their tour also includes a visit to the Majdanek Nazi concentration camp, where another side of him comes out. Culkin was a big plus to the series Succession, and the film’s received high praise and is said to be “powerfully funny and emotionally resonant.” So we’ll see.
The other four notable movies are: Blitz (due out Nov. 1) with Saoirse Ronan that follows the story of a group of Londoners during the British capital’s bombing in WWII; Juror #2 (out Nov. 1), a Clint Eastwood film, about a man who struggles with a dilemma while serving on a jury that could sway the outcome; September 5 with Peter Sarsgaard (due out Nov. 27) about an American broadcasting crew that finds itself suddenly covering the hostage crisis of Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympics; and lastly Maria (due out Nov. 27), starring Angelina Jolie as the opera singer Maria Callas during her last days of her life in 1970s Paris as she confronts her identity and life.
Whoa, this should be an explosive month of good movies and I didn’t even mention the musical fantasy film Wicked (out Nov. 22), the generational film Here with Tom Hanks and Robin Wright (out Nov. 1), or the action movie Gladiator II with Denzel Washington (Nov. 22), those aren’t high on my list, but then there’s the various TV series to look for.
I’m curious to see Season 2 of Bad Sisters (on AppleTV+ Nov. 13), which is the black comedy spoof about five sisters in Dublin who plot to murder their brother-in-law. There’s also Season 5 of Yellowstone (starting Nov. 10), without Kevin Costner this time. We don’t watch the show, but many do. Also a similar new show is releasing called Landman (Paramount+, Nov. 7) about the wild world of West Texas oil rigs starring Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, and Jon Hamm.
You might also like the sci-fi series Dune Prophecy, a prequel to the recent Dune films on HBO Max starting Nov. 17, or the historical drama Say Nothing on Hulu Nov. 14, based on the 2018 bestselling book set during The Troubles of Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe. The show Interior Chinatown (on Hulu Nov. 19), which is based on the 2020 novel by Charles Yu, looks like a bit of fun about a struggling actor who gets mixed up in the underground after witnessing a crime. Also actor Michael Fassbender stars in the espionage series The Agency (starting Nov. 29 on Paramount+ with Showtime), which looks action-packed and is based on the French series The Bureau. But if you need something calmer and stimulating try Ken Burns’s latest documentary focusing on the master artist Leonardo da Vinci on PBS (Nov. 18 & 19).
Finally in music there’s new albums by The Cure, Willie Nelson, Mary J. Blige, Gwen Stefani, Dwight Yoakam, Regina Spektor, and Shawn Mendes among others. I’m looking at British singer Michael Kiwanuka’s upcoming album Small Changes (due out Nov. 22). He has a very atmospheric sound, which they once used for the intro of the show Big Little Lies, and you can hear his new song The Rest of Me here.
That’s all for now. What about you — which releases are you looking forward to this month? Happy November!
Your dogs are so cute!! And good luck with those reading challenges this month. 😀
Thanks Lark. It should be a busy reading month, lol. And the dogs are happy and liking the cooler temps. Enjoy your week.
I just reviewed Small Things Like These. Very powerful. Was not aware of the movie coming out.
Keep on reading OHB. Mildred. Good GAWD.
Hi Ti, I liked the Keegan book too …. I’ll check out your review. I was surprised to find out about the movie too. I hadn’t heard it was coming out till now.
I’m still meandering along in OHB … but knee deep in the Mildred chapters. Oh no! Have a great weekend.
I am glad to see a photo of the dogs, and that rug that they are sitting on is lovely. Are they waiting to go for a walk? Or maybe food?
Thanks for reminding me of Norway in November. I have intentions of joining in but I am more distracted lately and haven’t made any plans (or signed up).
I had not heard that there would be a show on Hulu based on Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. Which means I need to read that book soon in case we want to watch it.
Thanks Tracy, I remembered hearing that you liked the dog photos, so I put this one in, lol. My husband took the photo and I’m not sure what he was saying to them, but likely he’s readying them for a walk.
I’m glad if you’re joining in for a Norway read. My cousins are Norwegians so it’s nice to read from the country … though I too am distracted these days.
And I haven’t read Yu’s novel Interior Chinatown but now I want to read it more since the series is coming out. Hope all is well in SB.
I keep meaning to tell you (or maybe I did but at my blog) that I got a copy of The Women by Kristin Hannah. I saw it at Costco and was in the mood to buy it so I did. I will probably be reading it soon, maybe even before the end of the year.
This is great news that you got a copy. I’m really curious to what you’ll think of the book. I thought the first half pretty strong and the second half a bit dipping into melodrama but still worth it. It’s a pretty fast read. Your perspective will be interesting to hear.
Stella and Willow cute as ever! I love that rug, btw. So many releases this month, movie-wise; I haven’t watched a movie or TV show since February. I finished Creation Lake, which turned out to be my second favorite book of the Booker’s shortlist after James. I’m excited about the movies coming out but guardedly so because I don’t know how many I will watch or even if I want to (I’m sort of in a movies-burnout at the moment, I guess). Good luck with all the reading challenges you have going on. Happy month!
Thanks Carmen, the dogs will be happy to hear, and glad you like the rug – it’s a recent addition. Stella’s legs are getting wobbly so she likes rugs better than hard floors. It’s a large rug and it seems her favorite.
So good to hear you liked Creation Lake. I will see what you rated it on GR and if you left your thoughts. I have not started it yet. I’m a bit swimming in OHB and a novel for PW. I must finish it soon but I’m slow as molasses.
Movies have been terrible for a long while (we’ve avoided) but finally several good ones will be coming out. What is your next read? More of the Booker list? This month we’ll hear the winner. Happy reading & November.
I started Playground by Richard Powers and stalled; I become kind of busy from moment to moment so I keep zoning out at the end of the day or wasting time online, neither case conducive to reading. I want to accommodate Martyr! and My Friends too before the end of the month. Here’s to hoping!
Yeah I can relate. It’s hard to focus and read right now … many distractions. I procrastinate often online … argh.
Both the books you mention I want to get to too. I had started My Friends in August but didn’t get far. I will try it again. I hope you get to them. This month is full of reads, who knows what I will finish.
That’s a LOT of new offerings for November. It promises to be a very interesting month.
Hi Dorothy, yes for sure. Many movies and TV shows this month. It’s a bit crazy. Luckily we can put them on the radar for whenever … down the road. Happy November.
I have my book downloaded to Kindle and am ready to read with you! I heard some people preferred the second book to this first one so I bought it on sale, just in case.
You went to the movies! That’s great, we haven’t been in years. The movie sounds interesting and there are some stars there I like so I will look for it when it comes out on DVD.
You always have some interesting books for me to add to Goodreads, looking forward to both. Hoping to get the new Ina Garten nonfiction soon.
Hi Tina, great to hear. We’ll be on the Ferrante reading train. I have the paperback and an audio too, so I’m ready for Monday. I’ll email you soon.
Finally there are a few good movies — we had fun at the theater and will continue to go on the cheap day on Tuesdays, lol. Date day. ha.
These books look like pretty good Christmastime stories — though it’s a bit early for that. I look forward to your thoughts on the Ina Garten book.
Happy reading.
So many new movies. When I read a list like this I always find a couple that I want to watch but somehow it never happens. I don’t know why.
Enjoy all your reading challenges and plans!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, thanks. Yeah there are a lot of movies — it’s a bit much. I just put them on my radar for whenever. Enjoy whatever you get to. Happy November.
Conclave sounds like a movie we would find interesting — but we’ll probably wait until we can watch it at home. I could be tempted by Blitz, though.
Hi Joy, yeah waiting for Conclave to watch at home is a good idea. Luckily Blitz will come out as a movie at the theater but then be available on AppleTv+ around Nov. 22, so look for it there if you get that. Happy November.
I just don’t get to movies anymore. Books, yes. Your dogs look so intelligent and attentive! Like they’re listening to everything you say and thinking about it.
Hi Claudia, thanks for stopping by. The dogs pick up on so much language and body language — that they seem to know what we’re saying. My husband took this photo and was telling them something. Happy November.
I love seeing Stella and Willow and glad they are doing well. They seem to get along great. Very sweet dogs.
I haven’t been to the movies in I don’t know how long. I used to go every now and then when I was a kid. I need to read a Christmas themed book or two and one I can really recommend is Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. I may reread it because I loved it the first time and I think I still would.
Hi Kathy, thanks the dogs are sweet girls and they do get along but we have to pat them both at the same time otherwise they push each other out of the way for more attention. 🙂 They come with us most everywhere.
I’m glad you mentioned the Fannie Flagg story … I have not heard of that one — but perhaps I’ll check it out in December. It sounds good. Thx for letting me know! Happy November.
A Norwegian novel I remember was Reptile Memories by Ulstein. It was quite good and horrific too.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20421973.Silje_O_Ulstein
Hi Harvee, thanks for the book tip. I have not heard of this but I’m interested to check it out! Sounds scary. Glad to know about another Norwegian author.
Happy November to you.
I knew a Mildred-sort of person; I think everyone probably does. Your comparison of OHB to a Dickens novel is sound. I am very glad I read Of Human Bondage, though the ending felt a bit tidied-up.
I just finished the new Stanley Tucci memoir and it’s fun to hear you mention actors and movies and series that Tucci mentions in his book. He promises us there that Searching for Italy is coming back, but I’ve heard nothing else about that.
Oddly, I read Here, the graphic novel the Tom Hanks movie is based on, a few months ago, and when I finished it, I heard about the movie, and I thought, How in the world are they going to make a movie based on THAT? lol Apparently it was difficult to do so.
Hi Deb, thanks, I’m glad for your thoughts on OHB. And I’m curious about the ending but I still have a long ways to go. Now Mildred is about to get married to another, uh-oh. It is a classic I’ll be glad to have read — as I heard of it for years.
Tucci’s memoir must be quite interesting. I think I only saw snippets of his show Searching for Italy — but it would be good if it came back. I’m still thinking about our trip to Puglia last October. And I know you were in Italy too.
I’m glad you told me that Here was a graphic novel. I didn’t realize that. I think the story was jumpy as a film and maybe that was too much. Too bad as I enjoy the actors. Wishing you a happy November!
I love your preview posts and I always make lists while I am reading it, so thank you. I am looking forward to seeing Small Things Like These (loved the book), Conclave (Ralph Feines is amazing), Juror #2 (a friend of my daughter has a small part), and I hadn’t heard about September 5 or Say Nothing (liked the book).
Have a great week! Let’s all hunker down for the US election (fingers crossed)
Hi Helen, thanks for saying that about these Previews as I was a bit wondering whether to continue them in 2025 … but if they are helpful, I will keep doing. 🙂
The movies this month do look good …. and Juror #2 especially. Pretty cool your daughter has a friend in it!
I think I was too nervous about the election to say anything — but I really hope all goes well on Tuesday. Let’s win this! Have a great week too.
Lots of movies / TV on that list that I cannot WAIT to see!!!!!
That’s cool that you’re reading books from three different countries this month!
Your dogs are so sweeeeeeeet.
Hi Jinjer, thanks. The dogs love compliments, and they are pretty sweet girls. Between the election and all the releases this month – my head will probably explode soon, lol. I will try to stick to the reading and avoid too much news. See if the movies/shows are good. Happy November there.
We haven’t been to the movie theater in ages, but I really want to go see Conclave. Hopefully before Thanksgiving. Ann Patchett got me to add Niall Williams to my list, too. I’ve got one of his books waiting on my kindle. The pups are the sweetest!
Hi JoAnn, thanks about the dogs, they are pretty good girls … who run our lives, lol. And it would great if you saw Conclave. I would be curious to hear your thoughts about it. I’m not sure when I’ll get to the Niall Williams but I’ll put his books on sched for 2025. Of course, I’ll look for your thoughts if you get to his books first. Fingers crossed today on election day. Stay well.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to the movies. The last one was kids movie with my grandkids, haha! I can’t believe the year is almost over. There’s a lot of interesting movies and TV shows out. We just started The Diplomat with Keri Russell and it’s fun. We haven’t watched anything or what we have tried has been awful so we just give up. It’s nice to finally find something worth watching. Good luck on your Norwegian and German book challenge!
Hi Rachel, thanks. The challenges this month should be fun. Keri Russell was so good in The Americans. I will try The Diplomat again. We didn’t make it too far the first time but it seems worth trying again. I hope you have a great month!
So many good stuff!! I was intrigued when I saw the trailer for Conclave and I’m glad to see you enjoyed it. I’m also excited for Here, it’s such an interesting concept and I’m sure it’s the kind of movie that’s going to make me cry. Hope you have a great November!
Hi Haze, thanks. Conclave was interesting a bit slow going at first but worthwhile. I agree that the concept of Here sounds interesting. I hope you are enjoying these warm days in November! Keep enjoying your runs.
How fun to go to the movies! It’s been a long time since I’ve been. Conclave has a great cast, but I’m not sure it’s for me. Maybe once we can stream it.
I plan to read Small Things Like These next month, and am eager to watch the film as well. I enjoyed her previous novella quite well. Blitz sounds like a winner, too. And I love Tom Hanks, so Here is definitely one I’ll watch. We’re watching an older show (Collision), but I’d like to start Bad Sisters once we’re finished. I’m currently enjoying season two of Shrinking, but watching on my own. Love it! Hmmm. I hadn’t heard about Landman. Might be good with that cast! I recently finished Say Nothing (on audio, which was a big disappointment), and plan to watch the show.
Thanks for the great round-up. You always help add books and movies/series to my never-ending lists. 😉
Good to hear Lesley, thanks. I’m glad to find some books & watchable things for those looking for something. It helps me each month too to organize a bit.
You might find Conclave too slow going but it is fairly revealing.
I hope you enjoy the shows & movies this month … There’s a lot out now! The Keegan books are all very short … but pretty powerful. Small Things is probably my favorite of hers. We are watching the Netflix show Ripley at the moment. The Italy setting is nice as well as the show in black and white.
Keep busy … it helps to distract from the dreaded outlook ahead.
Ooh, we really enjoyed Ripley! Great cinematography!
Yeah we are liking the Italian shots in Ripley. The acting is pretty fun too. I remember the movie of it long ago with Jude Law. I think Dickie better watch out. lol.
I have already set up to record Leonardo da Vinci (Ken Burns on PBS as PBS doesn’t keep stuff around for as long as I often need them to. I think it should be great.
Hi Jane, I agree. The Da Vinci doc by Burns looks good. Thanks for the reminder to get ready for those days. I’ll have it queued up. Happy watching.