Wow happy September everyone. Welcome to the best month of the year, ha. I might be a little biased since it’s my bday month and usually a pretty time of year, but I like it. My husband and I have been bicycling this summer over hill and dale and on Sunday I finished my longest ride this season going 47.5 miles (usually I’m in the 20 to 30 mile range). It was a long, good ride. I was tired later and I guess it was a good test for my knee replacement that I had last November. Except for a bit of swelling afterwards, I’m happy to say the knee passed the test. I’m trying to get in good shape for my next knee replacement coming likely again in November. Sigh, I guess I’ll grin and bear it. I hope everyone is enjoying their walks and workouts when it’s not scorching hot outside.
And now let’s see what’s releasing this month. This is usually one of the best months of the year for new books and things to watch, but unfortunately some say the election season cuts into that a bit. It’s said that publishers often avoid releasing new books during the fall of a presidential election since they can often be overlooked …while the public and news media are focusing on politics. A reporter at The Post talks about the trend here. But is it true or just an old wives’ tale? I think a bit of it might be true but still there seems to be plenty of books from great authors releasing this month, so what the heck. It shows that people will read during any season, news cycle, or climate.
In fact, I had trouble deciding which five authors and novels to pick among the deluge of good books releasing this month. Among others there’s novels by such well-known authors as Kate Atkinson, Robert Harris, Liane Moriarty, Attica Locke, Rumaan Alam, Matt Haig, Olga Tokarczuk, and Sally Rooney.
I guess I’m still wondering if I should try Rooney once again. I was lukewarm about her 2018 novel Normal People, but perhaps her new novel Intermezzo (due out Sept. 24) will be better? It’s about two brothers — one a lawyer and the other a chess prodigy — who work through the death of their father, their love lives, and their relations with each other. So perhaps I should give Rooney another chance?
So far I’ve picked several others that include Elizabeth Stout’s new novel Tell Me Everything (due out Sept. 10). This is the one in which Strout’s character Lucy Barton gets to know Olive Kitteridge, who lives in a retirement community in their small town in Maine, and Lucy becomes fond of town lawyer Bob Burgess, who’s working on a case.
Strout’s old beloved characters return once again … and meet up, so it’s not one I can miss. Have you ever wondered what Olive would think of Lucy, or how Lucy and Bob would match up? Well now’s your chance to see.
Next up is Danzy Senna’s novel Colored Television (due out Sept. 3) about a struggling L.A. novelist (Jane Gibson) who gets lured by a hot Hollywood producer into thinking a TV show might be her ticket. As they begin to develop a biracial comedy show — things appear to be going right for Jane until apparently things go amiss. This novel has been getting much attention and sounds a bit like a culture comedy and a satire of Hollywood.
It seems like a fun read to me and I’ve not read Danzy Senna before. She happens to be the wife of Percival Everett whose novel James I recently finished. Both of these authors are on a roll lately. Her new novel is supposed to be a bit funny …. we’ll have to see.
Then there’s Rachel Kushner’s new novel Creation Lake (due out Sept. 3) about an undercover female agent who infiltrates a commune of radical French environmentalists in southwestern France. Will she be lured into their way of thinking, or stay the course? The style of it is said to be a new take on the espionage novel and one I probably can’t ignore.
So far, Kushner’s novel is on the Booker Prize longlist and will probably make the shortlist too. She’s written various notable books over the years, but I’ve yet to read her until hopefully this time. Creation Lake apparently has some funny parts to it and the protagonist Sadie Smith seems like a cool agent to follow. We will see how it pans out.
There’s also Richard Powers’s novel Playground (due out Sept. 24) about several people who come to gather on an island in French Polynesia for a plan to send floating autonomous cities out into the open sea. Eventually the island residents must decide whether or not to greenlight the new project on their shores … which will change their home forever.
The novel sounds a bit complex with the four different characters and the plot, but I might investigate it as it’s on the Booker longlist as well and because Powers’s 2018 novel The Overstory was such a big success. The cover looks pretty cool too.
And for the final book pick this month, it’s either Sally Rooney’s novel Intermezzo or Garth Greenwell’s new novel Small Rain (due out Sept. 3). I should also say I’ve read Rumaan Alam’s novel Entitlement (out Sept. 17), which is sort of an unsettling novel about a young protege in New York who becomes consumed by what she thinks she deserves at work and in life. You might recall Alam’s previous novel Leave the World Behind, which was unsettling too. But back to Greenwell’s novel Small Rain — it’s about a medical crisis that turns a gay poet’s world upside down. This novel has gotten a lot of high praise from critics and is one Kirkus Reviews says in which Greenwell “transforms a savage illness into a meditation on a vital life.”
In things to watch this month, there’s Season 4 of the British spy series Slow Horses on AppleTV+ starting Sept. 4, which stars Gary Oldman as the curmudgeonly boss of a motley group of British reject MI5 agents who try to pursue threats as best they can. We’ve seen all of the seasons and plan to continue on with it … Oldman is a greasy grump in this — who I’m still hoping will wash his hair someday, lol.
Next up is the mystery drama series The Perfect Couple (on Netflix starting Sept. 5), starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Shreiber, which is set on Nantucket and is based on the 2018 novel by Elin Hilderbrand … about a wealthy family whose members are suspected in a murder when a body is found on the beach.
This looks like delicious fun and could be like the juicy mindless stuff we need as the election gets closer. It reminds me slightly of Big Little Lies full of wealthy people behaving badly, which is a genre that often delivers on watch-ability.
Also there’s Season 4 of My Brilliant Friend (on HBO starting Sept. 9) — based on Elena Ferrante’s novels — which I haven’t been watching, but they say is very good. I’m still waiting till I read the novel — which I’m planning a buddy read of with Tina at the blog Turn the Page in November. It’s been a long while in the waiting. Some dislike the book, while others think it’s the book of the century, lol. So which is it?
If that doesn’t do it, Kathy Bates’s law series Matlock on CBS starting Sept. 22 looks pretty cute … about an elderly woman who rejoins the workforce at a prestigious law firm and uses her wily ways to win cases. It’s almost like an Angela Lansbury kind of role that meets The Good Wife, lol.
Or perhaps the movie Lee (due out Sept. 27), starring Kate Winslet, might interest you … about the story of WWII photographer Lee Miller who went from being a fashion model to an acclaimed war correspondent. There’s been various books written about her over the decades and the lives she led, though I don’t know all the details.
As for new music this month, it’s a toss-up between Miranda Lambert’s new album Postcards From Texas (due out Sept. 13) or Keith Urban’s new album called High (out Sept. 20). I like Lambert’s single Dammit Randy, which you can hear here. I’m getting a little country, right?
That’s all for now. What about you — which releases are you looking forward to this month? Happy September.
Wow, congrats on that long bike ride! It is easier to get out with the temps cooling, although we had a mini heat wave here this week. I guess summer is throwing its last hurrah! Next week the temps are dipping. The days are shorter, so even with the heat it doesn’t feel as blistering. The Perfect Couple looks so good! I’ll probably watch that even though I don’t watch much TV. I love Kate Winslet so I’d like to watch that one, too. I hope your next knee replacement goes well!
Hi Rachel, thanks. I think I tired myself out with that ride — but it was fun too. Good to hear the heat will start to dip soon where you are. I think we’ll have another week of high heat here — then it should ease.
I agree The Perfect Couple looks like just the thing. Enjoy it and happy September to you.
I answered your comment on my blog but wanted to say i am absolutely in for our November buddy read of My Brilliant Friend. I did not know there was a tv show about it. Available anytime in November so we can figure the dates later.
Go for the gold with that bike ride! That’s very impressive and you have such beautiful scenery to bike near. Glad the knee didn’t give yu any trouble.
September is also my husband’s birthday month and he wll finally be as old as me, 68. We are only three months apart.
Oooo, Kate Winslet! I will definitely look for that. Loved her in Mare of Easton and it was filmed near where I grew up. In that one she mentions LaSpada and that’s where my family always picked up cheese steaks and hoagies. I could walk to it.
I liked Normal People fine but it doesn’t have me stampeding to get Rooney’s latest. One day I can get to it but my priority upcoming is Long Island by Colm Toibin and some Peter Heller.
Hi Tina, sounds good! We can chat about the buddy read later.
Happy bday to your husband. I’m turning 59 later this month, and will hold there, lol. We’ll try to keep the biking till it turns cold.
So Mare of Easton was filmed in Penn right? That was a good series.
Yeah I’m not running out for Rooney either. But I’m glad you’ll get to the Toibin and Heller. I’m all over the place … and I’m sort of thinking of DNFing God of the Woods – we’ll see. I’m just not really caring about the characters.
Enjoy your reading with Loki. Happy fall … though it feels like summer for a couple more weeks.
Sounds like a great bike ride. Glad your knee passed the test. And happy birthday this month. Both my sisters and mom have birthdays this month, too. 😀
Hi Lark, yea … a lot of birthdays this month. thanks, I’ll try to keep the biking going until it turns cold. Hope all is well in SLC. Happy fall … almost.
I am biased too. Sept is my birthday month as well.
I have the Strout book and the Powers book but I am currently in love with Sandwich by Catherine Newman and All the Colors of the Dark, although All the Colors is so, so similar to The Return of Ellie Black.
It’s supposed to be 108 here tomorrow, for my bday. I decided I will not be going to work. Too hot. 🙂 I’d rather wake early, get myself an iced coffee and read all day long with my poor pup who can hardly walk now.
Hi Ti, yikes 108 is brutal. Happy Birthday!! I’ll be stopping by your site to wish you a great day … although it’ll be better if you stay near the A/C. Sorry to hear about Otter pup’s walking. Is it old age?
Glad to know about which books you’re into. I’m going to try to get to the Newman book. Many people seem to be liking it. The Colors novel is quite long.
I hope you have a great month … despite all the heat. Happy reading.
September is shaping up as a banner month in the book publishing world. Several of my favorites have new books coming out.
Hi Dorothy, I know there’s as many as ever good books this month – so the election cycle doesn’t seem yet to be cutting into those releasing. Yea. More for us. Enjoy your reads. Happy fall (almost).
Wow, your endurance is remarkable, especially since you’ve already had that one knee replaced. Good luck on number 2.
You hit so many highlights that I’m anticipating this month, too. I think of all the books you mention, though, it’s the new one from Elizabeth Strout that most intrigues me. I love both those characters and can’t wait for them to actually spend some time together in this mashup of sorts rather than just occasionally crossing paths as they did every so often.
That Richard Powers book seems to be one of the favorites for the Booker Prize, almost a certainty for at least making the shortlist. I wonder if any book is going to be able to beat James, though, because of the universal acclaim that one has already gathered for itself. I loved James, but I’m really hoping for an upset…because reading something better than James is a guaranteed treat to look forward to.
And Slow Horses, Season 4…just doesn’t get much better than that.
Hi Sam, thanks. I wish they’d give me a surgery date for knee #2 — we’re all on a wait list here in Canada … it’s sort of like the library you never know, lol. Meanwhile I’ll try to keep biking.
Yeah the Strout book should be wild to see these two big characters meet up. Olive is so Olive but Lucy is Lucy … so it should be fun. I really liked the Lucy By the Sea novel.
And I wonder if there will be a Booker upset again. I should read the Powers and Kushner – you’ll likely get to them first. James might be tough to beat. Let us know which ones are good. Enjoy your September!
I would say your new knee passed the test with flying colors. That is a long bike ride! Congrats 🙂
I am super excited about the new Richard Powers novel–I loved Overstory, which was also complex but such a pleasure to read. I bought Overstory when I was in Port Townsend 5 years ago, and I will be there next week, so maybe I will pick up Playground at the same bookstore.
The Perfect Couple does look like good TV–I liked the book. And yes, I can see how this could remind you of Big Little Lies, which was so much fun to watch.
Hi Jane, thanks the bike ride was a nice yardstick for me. I’ll be keeping on.
Good to hear you’ll in be in Port Townsend again – it’s a neat place. Not sure you’ll be able to get the Powers book out the 24th but it’s cool you’re a fan of his. I hope you enjoy your trip there. Give us a report. And happy watching of The Perfect Couple … we don’t have Netflix but might have to … Happy September!
Glad to hear the first knee surgery went well and my best wishes on the second one and it’s a good decision.
I have to read Elizabeth Strout. I need to start with Olive Kitteridge.
I may not get around to seeing Kate Winslet in Lee but she is such a great actress. I loved her in Mare of Eastown. She is great in every role she takes.
Hi Kathy, thanks. I hope knee #2 goes as well as the first … they haven’t given me a surgery date yet but I’m hoping it’s November.
I almost think the Strout books get better as they go along and you get to know Olive and Lucy better. But see what you think of the first one. Olive is a bit of a beloved curmudgeon as she goes on.
I agree about Winslet … and I sort of wish she did Season 2 of Mare of Eastown.
Hope you have a great September!
Wow, that’s a great ride and your knee definitely passed the test – congratulations! I’m sure you have some beautiful scenery for your rides, too.
There are a couple of books I’m excited about this month. This afternoon, I visited our local indie to get a copy of Shannon Bowring’s follow-up to The Road to Dalton, but they didn’t have it in yet. I’ll be making another trip back this weekend. I’m also counting the days until Elizabeth Strout’s book is released. My daughter got us tickets to see her in conversation with Meg Wolitzer at Symphony Space in NYC next month…. cannot wait.
As for My Brilliant Friend, I think that the #1 spot on the NYT list is more for the entire series than that one novel. After reading the first book, I wasn’t sure about continuing. Read books 2 & 3 back-to-back months later (both 5 stars) and then it nearly killed me to wait 6 months for last one to be released! Overall, a very memorable reading experience. Happy September!
Hi JoAnn, thanks, the biking is key to us here. So enjoyable when we can find the backroads.
So glad you reminded me of the Shannon Bowring sequel. I don’t know how I forgot it. I’m sure it’s going to be another winner – I really liked the first.
And wow that’s so wonderful you’ll be there to hear Strout speak. That’ll be awesome … and you must give us a report of all she says, lol. So cool.
It’s good you let me know about the Ferrante books. I’m not sure why I let them pass by but I will start with book 1 this fall. Happy September to you as well. Will you head back south soon?
Susan – It looks like another year where we’ll wait until after the holidays to head south. With all of the weddings and summer travel, the “kids” would rather spare the expense of trips to FL for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Can’t say I blame them, plus we’d rather stay here and all be together.
That sounds good. And you had so much travel already. Perfect to be all together. Enjoy your time there.
It’s been ages since I got on a bicycle. I am glad your knee is holding up well with all that cycling. That’s interesting about the idea that publishers hold back at this time during an election year. There are quite a few books coming out this month I am looking forward to. I likely won’t read them this month, but eventually. We watched the first episode in of the new season of Only Murders in the Building. Music wise, I mostly listen to what my daughter is listening to–and her tastes are all over the place. She has such eclectic taste. I hope you have a good month, Susan!
Hi LF, thanks it should be a good month. I had to laugh about Mouse’s music tastes. She checks out a lot of different stuff. Keep us informed if it’s anything we need to hear.
Luckily bicycling seems easier on my knees than other activities so I will keep on. You should get your bike out, lol. It’s pretty fun.
The election season doesn’t seem to be hurting the books in September as there appear to be so many good ones. Maybe Oct. or Nov. might be different?
Enjoy your reads & happy September! Try to stay cool there … I hear it’s a heat wave.
September is not my favorite month but I am glad you are enjoying it. It is a hot month here and right now we have very hot weather (for here) and a Red Flag warning in effect for possible fire conditions.
I don’t usually read new books in the same year they come out but it is good to know what is coming out.
I am definitely interested in the new book by Kate Atkinson, but I haven’t read the previous book the Jackson Brodie series yet, so the new one can wait. I hope to read Big Sky this month. (Which I keep wanting to call Blue Sky.) Another definite is Tell Me Everything, but I still have a lot of Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge books to read first. I have one book for each character.
Sally Rooney’s new book sounds interesting. I like reading about family relationships. But I have no experience with her writing. Because Rachel Kushner’s book is an espionage novel and that is one of my favorite genre’s I have to read that, but not sure if I will pay to read it soon or not.
We will definitely watch Slow Horses, and I want to try Matlock also. We have a lot of shows we are watching so not sure when we will fit them in.
Hi Tracy, I know September is so hot in California … it’s like an oven. I hope there are no more fires.
I haven’t kept up with Atkinson’s Brodie series but I read a few at the beginning. I look forward to what you think of her Big Sky novel. I’ve read Strout’s books. And Rooney’s new one sounds promising. I’m going to be seeing Rachel Kushner speak at our book festival here in Oct., so perhaps I’ll get her book then.
I hope you enjoy the TV shows and your reads this month. Try to stay cool there!
Happy early birthday!
Slow Horses is so good and I am woefully behind having only watched season 1 so far.
The Perfect Couple sounds really good. Kidman is a must watch and even though I didn’t read the book, I’ll check out the movie.
Hi Helen, thanks! Early birthday … nice. I have two weeks before the big day, lol. You’ll be glad to know that The Perfect Couple is a six-part series, yea. We don’t have Netflix but perhaps this month we’ll get it … as it seems a fun mystery.
I think Slow Horses will be good this season … right now we’re in the midst of The Emperor of Ocean Park … which is another sort of mystery series. It’s pretty good. Have a great September. Enjoy.
I’m way behind on so many authors! Your list is exhausting just to think about. I am almost always disappointed when I read a Booker winner, though; I guess I just have different taste from the judges there.
Great about cycling!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Mae, thanks. We enjoy the cycling here, so I’m trying to keep it going. And I know what you mean: there’s too many books I’m behind on … for new ones to add. But I will keep them on my radar for later. Hope you have a lovely September!
A 47.5 mile bike ride is amazing. I took one long bike ride in the hill country of Texas when my son was a Scout, and I never attempted another. Lots of bike folks ride through our town and out into the country. I’ve never done it myself, but maybe one day…
Of the five authors you listed, three—Senna, Powers, and Kushner—are coming to Houston this year, and I’m looking forward to all of them. I think your note about postponement of book publication dates might also explain why the Texas Book Festival won’t be held until mid-November this year.
Hi Deb, thanks. My husband & I met on a biking touring trip in the 1990s and have continued cycling. It’s fun and good exercise for us. I hope you’re enjoying your new bike … and can go for rides in your area .. or with others.
It’s interesting to hear that the Texas Book Festival has been moved. I’m sure it will still be a success. I will be seeing Rachel Kushner too mid-Oct. here at our book festival. So I’m excited and author Alice Winn will also be coming. I will be interested to hear about the book talks you attend in Nov.
Have a great week. & Happy September.
Ahhh I’m envious that you’re physically fit enough to ride a bike such great distances, in the summer! I’m so out of shape that I only got one short ride in before the summer heat hit and now I have to wait for fall weather to continue. Hopefully I can build my cardio up over the fall, winter, and spring and not have to stash the bike away NEXT summer. LOL
I’m glad your knee passed the test!!
I loved Normal People (book and series) so I hope I like Intermezzo.
I can’t wait to read about Olive & Lucy in the retirement community!
Playground sounds interesting but I’m not sure…
I do remember Leave The World behind, which only got an average rating of 3.16??? That was a 5-star for me, so I will definitely add Entitlement to my TBR.
I’m terrified of doctors and hospitals so I should definitely upset myself more by reading Small Rain.
I usually enjoy Nicole Kidman series so I have high hopes for The Perfect Couple.
What??? A Season 4 of My Brilliant Friend??? That’s great news! I need to start over with S1 because for some reason my mom and I never finished it…I don’t think it was her cup of tea…so I’ve forgotten most of it.
Kate Winslet? Say less! Adding Lee to my TBW.
Have a great birthday month!
Thanks Jinjer, I enjoy your comments. And the bday month is off to a good start. I have two weeks till I turn older, lol. Till then I’m so young. ha.
There are various shows & books to get to this month … whether that happens we’ll see. Probably be a bit later.
And it seems you should wait till the heatwave is over and then start biking later in the fall … when it’s better. You’re lucky you can bike in late fall and winter. We can bike into mid-Oct then likely snow. It’s a fun way to try to keep in shape. Keep it going! It’s great you got the bike and can do the city rides once the heat goes down. Stay cool in September.
Happy Bday’s month! That bike ride was really something…I like both pics, especially the second. Kushner and Powers are on my radar. I re-started Orbital again last night. Let’s see how it goes this time around. Lee sounds good, as do The Perfect Couple and Slow Horses. Slow Horses is a favorite of mine but last season was a bit iffy.
Hi Carmen, thanks. Another bday …. I’ve two weeks left. How are you?
I haven’t heard too many good things about Orbital yet. Let me know if you can get through it. My reading has been slow lately. But I’ll try to post two reviews this week. hmm.
Season 3 of Slow Horses wasn’t our favorite either – it was perhaps the least likable season … the premise was just crazy. But I’m hoping Season 4 gets back on track.
We might get rain this week which we need … as there’s widespread wildfire smoke again … and everything is super dry. Still hoping that September will be a good bday month … if the West doesn’t burn up. Trying to gear up for the next knee op but they haven’t given me a date yet. I hope all is well there. Have a nice September.
I’m intrigued by Intermezzo because of the chess. I enjoy humor in a novel and learning about race through story, so Colored Television would be fun. Creation Lake sounds like it might be an interesting take on radicalism and governments.
Matlock sounds fun and cute!
Happy Birthday!
Hi Joy, thanks. Bday is coming at the end of next week. Holding onto my younger self for one more week. lol. I’m going to have to check out Matlock.
I hope to get to some of these books, though it probably won’t be right away.
I hope you like them if you get to them. Enjoy your September!
Golly GEE — How can you be 59 when I’m only 58?!
I will read anything by Richard Powers — that made my list instantly. I’ll wait on the new Kushner one as I read The Flamethrowers earlier this year. That book wasn’t what I expected, but it was well written. I listened to it and I think that was a mistake — the narration seemed off — it would have sounded differently in my head, if that makes sense.
I read a sad interview of Kathy Bates this morning. She doesn’t sound happy — but I hope her new show is a success. She says it will be her last role. Remember her in Fried Green Tomatoes?
Also, thanks for the tip on Danzy Senna.
Keep pedaling!!
xo
Hi. Too many bdays & candles. But we might go to Banff next week if the weather is nice. And take the bikes. But we’ll wait for the forecast first. Your bday at Stinson’s was a good idea.
I have yet to read Kushner so that’ll be too bad if I don’t like her books. Hmm. I’m supposed to hear her talk at the book festival here on Oct. 21. I’ll try Creation Lake … but not sure when. I’m on the library list for it.
I like Kathy Bates and didn’t realize she was unhappy. Her new show looks a bit fun. She was good in many roles. I liked Fried Green Tomatoes.
See what you think of the Danzy & Powers novel … Happy reading & September!
I have been waiting for Kathy Bates’ Matlock since last year!!!! I’m so excited it’s finally coming out! I never watched the original Matlock, but how can I pass on Kathy Bates? Also, Happy Birth Month!! I hope you have the most awesome birthday month!
Hi Haze, thanks! The bday month is flying by … and I’m trying to come up for air as it’s been busy (I have one more week before the big day, lol).
Interesting that you heard about Bates’s Matlock a year ago. I just found out about it — and agree it looks good! We will watch it when it comes on.
Enjoy! And happy September to you.
Congrats on your long bike ride! I have a similar photo of my bike with a friend’s after we did a 40+ mile ride. Glad your knee handled those miles!
I was not a fan of Normal People! I listened to the entire book and wound up giving it a 1/5 rating. I doubt I’ll try Intermezzo. But the new Strout book is high on my list! I’m actually thinking of reading all of her books back-to-back. Might be a fun little experience. I had not heard of Small Rain, but I’m intrigued.
As far as Slow Horses, we’ll binge on that season when we get back from our road trip in mid-October. Gary Oldman is brilliant! And Kate Winslet’s new movie sounds like a winner.
How’s the smoke in your area? It was pretty bad in Central Oregon, but now that we’re in Idaho (near Craters of the Moon National Monument and just east of Challis National Forest) we are back to clear, blue skies. Yay! It really was terrible near Unity Lake in Oregon. I had to wear a mask while driving the RV, it was so thick!
I hope you have a fabulous birthday. I read in the comments that you might head up to Banff. Should be a great time of year up there! Cheers!