October is here now and there’s a crispness in the mornings. It’s pretty outside though with all the leaves bright yellow and orange. It’s a fabulous time for a few last bike rides in the country. See my photo from earlier this week. It’s also a good month for a plethora of new releases.
In fiction, such popular authors as Geraldine Brooks, Jane Smiley, Adriana Trigiani, Kate Morton, and Robert Galbraith (a.k.a. J.K. Rowling) have new books coming out. Any of these I’m sure will be quite good. I like the character of Galbraith’s detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott. What happens to them in this third book in the series will be worth finding out.
But for my book picks this month, I’m going to pick Anthony Marra’s collection of nine interconnected stories, all set in Russia, called “The Tsar of Love and Techno.” I’m curious to check it out because Marra’s debut novel “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena” received so many accolades when it came out in 2013 that I figure he’s a writer to flock to whenever he puts out something new. And judging by this book, he seems to continue to draw inspiration from the time he lived and studied in Eastern Europe.
I’m also interested to get a copy of Stacy Schiff’s new nonfiction book “The Witches: Salem, 1692.” Schiff last wrote about Cleopatra, and I still have that book on my shelf awaiting me. But now “The Witches” looks equally enticing. In her books, Schiff brings history vividly to life in accessible prose. And this time her research has delved into the infamous Salem witch trials — a chilling chapter in American history. Schiff’s book “The Witches” has been highly praised by historians David McCullough, Joseph J. Ellis, and Robert K. Massie among others.
Lastly in books, I’ll pick David Mitchell’s spooky new novel “Slade House” because it seems a perfect read for right around Halloween time. Apparently “Slade House” is an offshoot of Mitchell’s novel “The Bone Clocks,” but I think it might also be comprehensible as a stand-alone novel, or at least I hope so. I haven’t read Mitchell’s acclaimed novels “Cloud Atlas” or “The Bone Clocks,” but this upcoming one is his “shortest and lightest to date” says Publishers Weekly, so I’ll use it to check out the author’s much-talked about style and literary magic.
As for movies in October, there looks to be some great offerings. Of course as a reader of Andy Weir’s bestselling 2014 debut novel “The Martian,” I can’t wait to see the film adaptation with Matt Damon as Mark Watney. In fact, the previews look so good, I plan to see it this opening weekend. How could a team of astronauts leave Matt Damon (er, I mean Mark Watney) behind on Mars?! Oh my, No! With Ridley Scott directing, I figure “The Martian” is going to be a sure winner and it’s my pick for the month.
But there are at least two other strong film contenders. Holy smokes, the fact that Michael Fassbender is starring as Steve Jobs in the movie, with Danny Boyle directing, and Aaron Sorkin adapting the screenplay, has me now more interested in Steve Jobs than I ever was before. Fassbender is such a great actor to watch. I’ve seen him in “Prometheus” and “12 Years a Slave” both of which he was scary in but terrific. So it looks like the film “Steve Jobs” will undoubtedly be entertaining, and hopefully a bit more.
Lastly in October movies, I can’t pass up Steven Spielberg’s Cold War thriller “Bridge of Spies” from the adapted screenplay by the Coen brothers and Matt Charman, and starring Tom Hanks. My husband is a Cold War history buff and now has turned me into an enthusiast for such stories. We’ve seen and liked most of the films based on John le Carre’s novels. But alas, “Bridge of Spies” is based on the 1960 U-2 incident and has Tom Hanks playing a lawyer who is recruited by the CIA to help rescue an American pilot detained in the Soviet Union. Whether it’s a strong and balanced film, we will have to see.
Honorable mentions for other films this month go to: “The Walk” (too scary for my acrophobia); “Truth” (a must-see with Cate Blanchett in it); and “Room” (based on Emma Donoghue’s bestselling book but likely too rough for my claustrophobia).
If it’s new music you’re looking for in October, there’s new ones by female powerhouses Janet Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and Vanessa Carlton among others. But wait, Janet Jackson?! I don’t think she’s had a new album out since like 2008. I was going to pick Blue Rodeo’s “Live at Massey Hall,” but for old time sakes, I’ll go with Janet’s new “Unbreakable” album as my pick of the month. For all those ’80s fans, who out there remembers her lyrics: “Nasty boys don’t mean a thing. Oh you nasty boys”?
That’s it for new releases. So how about you — which books, movies, or albums out this month are you most looking forward to?
Your book picks look great.
Among others I also want to read the The Witches.
I have read both Cleopatra as well as A Great Improvisation by Stacy Schiff. I highly recommend them both, though I cannot praise her writing and research enough. She is one of my favorite writers of non fiction.
Great to hear Brian. I’m psyched about Stacy Schiff’s books. As soon as I get a window of opportunity, I plan to read both The Witches and Cleopatra. Thanks for the feedback on her writing.
My son is eagerly looking forward to The Martian. I didn’t get far into the book before I saw it wasn’t for me.
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2015/10/tiny-treasures-books-you-have-to-dig.html
I hope he likes it Deb. We saw it yesterday at the movies and it was entertaining.
I love anything with Cate Blanchett, so I must see Truth. I also enjoy Tom Hanks, but I’m still waffling on this one.
I have Kate Morton’s The Lake House and hope to read it soon.
Enjoy your October…and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I know what you mean about Cate Blanchett, Laurel. I see most of her movies too. I look forward to your thoughts on The Lake House. Thanks.
I have just found your blog and have to say I already have added so many books to my TBR list on Goodreads from your suggestions and reviews – I love your style and hope I can one day make my book blog as engaging as this.
Thanks Tamara. That’s very kind of you to say. I’ll drop by your blog to see what you’re up to.
We hope to go see THE MARTIAN also this week.
Sounds like you have been very busy reading. I’d like to read THE WITCHES, too.
Have a good week.
My Sunday Salon
Hope you like The Martian movie, Anne. We saw it and thought it was entertaining but not as good as the book. Sound familiar? Enjoy.
My husband saw The Martian today and enjoyed it… not really my thing though.
As for books, the October releases look good, but I’m still working my way thorough new September books. Starting Fates and Furies tonight.
Hi JoAnn: I look forward to your thoughts on Fates & Furies. It seems a bit different but heard it’s good writing. I will stay tuned. Cheers.
I am reading Slade House since yesterday and I’m having a blast at 30% into it. I own Cloud Atlas but I haven’t read it yet; I guess I have been intimidated by his larger than life fame. Slade House is proving so far easy to read and highly entertaining.
I would love to see The Martian because it was one of my favorite books last year. Though I don’t know how the humor is going to translate into the movie; most times the humor that makes a book so special is lost in the film.
Thanks for the report Carmen about Slade House. I’m glad to hear. I will look for it. fyi- I saw The Martian movie and thought it was entertaining but not as good as the book. But still worth seeing.
You really need to read Schiff’s Cleopatra. It is amazing. She does such a good job with it; I am really excited to see what she does with Salem.
Yay! Great to hear Michelle. I still plan to get to Cleopatra. Sounds so interesting!
Such a great fall line up! David Mitchell is one of my favorite authors so I’ll check out his latest even though Bone Clocks wasn’t his best book. I loved Black Swan Green and Cloud Atlas the most. I haven’t decided if I’ll read the Martian, see the movie or both.
Okay Sarah, it seems I must give Slade House a try b/c of David Mitchell. I have not tried him before. The Martian was pretty entertaining, either or both book & movie.
I wanted to see The Martian, but probably by the time both my wife and I have a chance to see it, it will be gone from our local theater. Unfortunately, it’s like that with most movies, but that’s what happens when she works midnight shift and I work day shift. We do catch up on them later, though, on DVD or Netflix.
I enjoyed the book and am interested to see how they adapted it.
Oh too bad — hopefully you & your wife will get to see The Martian. It was definitely an entertaining movie. Neither my husband or I liked it as well as the book but still it was worth seeing. Thanks Bryan.