Tomorrow happens to be my birthday and this year, it happens to fall on a Tuesday, that one day of the week reserved for new books to be released.
As a lifelong reader, I find that connection to be the luscious literary icing on my celebration cake, so I thought it would be fitting to highlight a few of the new titles set to arrive on shelves in time for my special day.
First up is Bear Town by Fredrik Backman, set in a small Swedish town where high school hockey is the major sport that rallies the residents. When one of the star players on the team is charged with a serious crime, the town becomes strongly divided and more than one future is on the line.
I recently finished Backman's best seller,which was also adapted into an Oscar nominated film, A Man Called Ove, and it's the intricate development of his characters that makes his writing shine. No doubt that Bear Town will be a winner along the same lines, doing for hockey what Friday Night Lights has done for football:
Next, we have Jamie Brenner's The Forever Summer, where Marin Bishop decides to get over the break-up with her fiance,followed by the loss of her job, at her grandmother's B&B in Cape Cod.
Turns out, Marin isn't the only member of the family who packed trouble in her suitcase as her parents announce that they're getting a divorce while a young woman named Rachel contacts her and claims to be her half-sister.
As she tries to figure things out, Marin takes a chance and bonds with Rachel as they,along with Marin's mother Blythe, shares this summer opportunity to figure out the next stage in their lives. Sounds like a good beach book to take along with you as the warm weather days fast approach us.
Another big author with a new novel out is Elizabeth Strout,whose latest work is written in the interconnected story style of her award winning book Olive Kitteridge.
Anything is Possible also has ties to Strout's prior novel, My Name is Lucy Barton, as several of the characters are from the same small town that her leading lady came from. The scope ranges from Lucy's embittered siblings to an adult daughter finding her estranged mother to be happy in another country and a school janitor finding an unexpected consequence to a new friendship.
Elizabeth Strout has a lovely knack for taking a poetic approach to her prose, making her books practically sing out their humble yet heartfelt stories. It's too soon to tell if this latest one will be an award winner but I'm sure many of her readers will consider it a true prize all the same:
To wrap things up, Wendy Wax gives us a new entry in her Ten Beach Road series with One Good Thing. As the four feisty friends who created the reality house flipping show Do Over fight to regain control of their program, other personal problems threaten to distract them from their main goal.
Maddie is torn between her rock star boyfriend,whose career is on the fast track to revival, and her troublesome ex-husband while Avery has issues on her home front and workplace, due to a renovation of a cottage owned by the woman who helped them out with their last project.
On top of that, Nikki is put on bed rest for the latter half of her pregnancy while Kyra is seeking redemption for the risk she took on their dream by considering a bail out from her son's father that comes with a very personal price to pay. Definitely some prime real estate for your leisure time reading fun.
There will be plenty of other great books to look forward to tomorrow(and I'll be getting a few as presents, that's for sure) but I'm glad to share my birthday with these wonderful new releases.
So, I'll be checking in later this week and hope that anyone else having another year of living to celebrate with me gets the perfect gift, particularly if it's chosen by a good friend or two who always remember that it's the thought that counts:
I know that we're still in the early stages of spring but summer is not that far off,folks, and it never hurts to plan things a little early,especially when it comes to entertainment.
While we appear to have a seemingly endless amount of blockbuster films and riveting TV ready for our pop culture consumption, there are also a wave of fresh new books ready to join our leisure time TBR piles that could get easily lost in the shuffle for shelf space.
So, here are a few of the upcoming titles for May and June that should make for fun summer reading(and maybe a Mother's Day gift or two):
A DAZZLING DEBUT: In Diksha Basu's first novel, The Windfall, we meet the Jha family of East Delphi, who are used to their modest lifestyle among their housing complex neighbors and friends. When Mr. Jha sells his website for more money than they ever dreamed of, everything feels as if it has to change overnight.
As the elder Jhas plan to move to the wealthy side of town, their son Rupak in America is holding off on letting his parents know about his failing grades at college as well as his very American girlfriend. His father Anil, on the other hand, is overly eager to fit in with his new rich neighbors by buying all sorts of luxury items such as a crystal studded couch, while his wife Bindu is hesitant to adapt to such an elaborate house that requires a guard at the gate and a swimming pool.
Meanwhile, A family friend, a young widow named Mrs. Ray, is finding a new chance at love due to the Jha's move but can all of these changes really be for the better? I was lucky enough to win a reader's copy of this book from Library Thing and must say that it was a true joy to read.
The characters are heartfelt and engaging, with plenty of good humor mixed in with a dash of pathos to round things off just right. The book is due out by June 27 and for anyone who enjoys a good rags-to-riches tale with a touch of Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House should be all set for the season(June):
ADVENTURES WITH AUSTEN & BRONTE: We've got some time traveling to do in The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn, as a pair of modern day scholars journey to London of 1815, hoping to claim the full manuscript of Austen's final work, The Watsons.
While posing as a wealthy brother and sister, Rachel and Liam are able to slip into Jane's social circle due to an introduction to Henry Austen, a connection that proves to be more than a simple means to an end with Rachel.
Things get more complicated as Rachel's bond with the Austen family gives her a bit of guilt regarding Jane's future, not to mention the romantic tension that develops between Rachel, Henry and Liam. This time traveling tale sounds like the kind of lively and imaginative diversion that many of us present day Austen fans love to indulge in(May):
Author Sarah Shoemaker shows us a different side to Charlotte Bronte's classic Jane Eyre by introducing us to Mr. Rochester, who we meet at age eight when he is sent away from his beloved Thornfeld Hall to school.
His father makes it clear early on that the estate is intended for older brother Rowland and that Edward must find his fortunes in Jamaica. While there, he finds more heartbreak and betrayal, not to mention a doomed romance with Bertha Mason, a relationship that becomes nearly impossible to break free from.
This background development of such an iconic figure in literature is no easy task and while those who already adore Jane Eyre may be more drawn to this book, it should offer some interesting insights for the uninitiated that might find this new take on the classic novel a welcoming sight indeed(May):
MAIDENS OF MIGHT: For a new look at comic book lore, Hope Nicholson showcases The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen, where leading ladies of comic art are given their just due.
Yes, Wonder Woman,Bat Girl and Super Girl are highlighted but many other not as well known female characters get their time in the spotlight such as Torchy Brown, one of the first African American comic strip stars who was created by an African America artist, Miss Fury, whose costume may remind you of a certain feline heroine, and Gwen Dylan, a zombie heroine who now has a hit TV show.
With a timeline that reaches back to the 1930s, genre focus that includes graphic novels and online comics and beautiful illustrations, this tribute to comic book women of all ages is an excellent addition to any comic book fan as well as a good guide to learn more about fierce females such as Amanda Waller before the next big movie adaptation(May):
DOMESTIC DRAMAS: In All The Best People by Sonja Yoerg, a legacy of emotional problems is passed down to more than one generation, starting with Carole LaPorte, who feels that she has a good regular life with her family in Vermont of 1972.
Everyone sees her as a perfectly content wife and mother but when Carole starts to show signs that the mental illness which lead to her mother being institutionalized is upon her, she does her best to hide what is happening.
However, her eleven year old daughter Alison is aware that something is wrong and seeks answers via Tarot cards and a glass box that once belonged to her grandmother. Can this cycle of denial and inadequate coping be broken and hopefully, for the better? An emotional journey for the women of one family that perhaps offers comfort to many readers as well(May).
Edan Lepucki follows up her amazing futuristic novel California with another intriguing dark tale in Woman No. 17, The title refers to an artistic photo taken of Lady Daniels, who is working on a memoir about raising her unusually gifted son Devin and needs a nanny to look after her new toddler while doing so.
The nanny in question, known as "S", has a hidden agenda of her own and while the two women develop a friendship, that bond is not enough to get beyond the upsets that occur as each of them attempts to take the reins of family power. Sounds like a smart slow burn that promises to make this story a riveting must-read(May):
WEDDING BELL BLUES: The heroine of Sarah Dessen's upcoming novel is Louna, a girl whose regular summer job is helping out in her family's wedding business. Trouble is, she is getting sick of dealing with lovelorn clients and wants to focus on more serious matters as she prepares for college in the fall.
Yet fate keeps throwing a certain someone her way, Ambrose, a charmer with the ladies who finds himself considering sticking with just one person, namely Louna. Yet, despite his sincere attempts to win her over, she has plenty of reasons to hold off on having a summer romance, including the sorrowful memory of a past love.
If you're in the mood for a rom-com type of story that has those bridal trimmings, this may be the sweetheart read to make your heart skip a beat there(June):
There will be many more books to choose from this summer season, no doubt. The trick is to stay focused on what you want and not be distracted by all of the other options for amusement out there. Not easy to do, especially these days but turning that last page of the really amazing book in your hand will make it all worth it:
Cinema snark fans rejoiced this spring holiday weekend, as Netflix gave us a basket full of giggleworthy goodies(and songs!) with Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return.
Fourteen new episodes of the classic camp fest are now available for your viewing pleasure, with a new cast and crew but the same old flair for movie mockery. Joining bots Crow and Tom Servo is Jonah Heston, the latest Gizmonic employee to be snatched up for bad film duty by a new generation of Dr. Forrester(Felicia Day) and henchman(Patton Oswalt).
While the sets are a bit more snazzy and a slew of celebrity cameos pop up when least expected, the show wisely keeps true to the mission of making awful movies tolerable with endless jokes, pop culture riffs and sheer goofiness. I watched three of new MST3K episodes over the course of the weekend and boy, were they ever MST-ie worthy:
REPTILICUS: A Danish monster movie,re-edited for the American market, from 1961 is the initial outing for the Satellite of Love crew and there's plenty of comedic material here, from a slow moving open to a monster that makes the puppet work of Kukla,Fran and Ollie look like Jim Henson.
With heavy dubbing, an overabundance of blonde women who seem to do nothing more than hover around the youngest man on the monster hunt team and backgrounds so fake that Jonah and the bots sing "Xanadu" more than once, this sad attempt at a European version of Godzilla is rightfully put in it's place:
CRY WILDERNESS: The second feat of endurance for Jonah and his robot friends was this bizarre 1987 film that has an annoying kid named Paul share a bond with Bigfoot. He gets a mystic message from his forest dwelling buddy that his park ranger dad is in danger and heads out to save the day, mostly by whining.
Why is Paul annoying? Well, he does tend to ignore any attempt by an adult to avoid danger and gets easily frustrated when they refuse to believe him about Bigfoot, even though he has a magic necklace that can summon the badly costumed guy, which would clear up some of that nay saying there!
Of course, the only grown-up who does listen to him is a sleazy bounty hunter type,eager to make money by bagging Bigfoot as the ultimate trophy. This would be a simple plot, if not for the over reliance on stock footage of animals and odd tonal shifts from laughing at raccoons to dealing with cranky locals. Quite a challenge indeed but Jonah and company manage to get through this movie without sobbing in despair:
STARCRASH: I skipped ahead to episode six, as any sci-fi flick from 1978 that has Christopher Plummer and David Hasslehoff playing father and son must be given top priority.
You do have to wait until halfway into the movie before either one of them shows up(Plummer arrives first,btw) but there's plenty of science fiction cheese spread to make those patience cracker snacks munchable fun.
We have an action heroine named Stella Star who dresses like Vamperella at times, a robot helper with a country western accent and a sidekick with unexplained magical powers who fights cavemen with a not-an-official light saber.
The intermission skits, where Jonah dresses up like some of the characters from the film, are great fun and personally, I could have done without the Jerry Seinfeld bit. One of the best running jokes was that the gang kept thinking the movie was over during any major explosion onscreen and trying to leave, which you could hardily blame them for:
All in all, I think this new take on MST3K is great fun and I look forward to checking out the rest of the bad bunch, which includes such gems as The Christmas That Almost Wasn't, Yongary:Monster From the Deep and The Loves of Hercules with Jayne Mansfield.
Plenty of pop culture misery to feast upon here and who knows, maybe Netflix will allow for some fresher fare to be featured as well? We shall see but in the meantime, let's repeat to our selves that it's a just a show and we really need to relax, so welcome back, Mystery Science Theater 3000, welcome back indeed:
A sure sign that winter has ended for me is the announcement of one of my favorite readathons from Seasons of Reading, Spring Into Horror which begins on April 17 and runs until the 30th.
Sign-ups have already begun, with the hashtag #SpringHorrorRAT ready for use on social media. If you haven't done this particular one before, the guidelines are easy to follow. You have to read at least one scary book, whether it be a cozy mystery,Gothic thriller or straight out horror story, in order to join in.
So far, I have three books lined up and each one covers the sinister spectrum on more than one fear front, in my opinion. Here's what I have on my terrifying TBR at the moment:
THE DEAD ZONE: It has become a habit of mine to reread Stephen King novels for this readathon and this season's pick is rather timely to say the least. It was the basis for one of the better film adaptations of King's work and a long running TV series to boot.
The leading man of TDZ is Johnny Smith, a school teacher whose life seems to be perfectly ordinary until the night he and his serious girlfriend Sarah are in a car accident. Johnny winds up in a coma for five years,awaking to a new world and a new set of psychic powers.
At first, he uses his abilities to help solve crimes and prevent terrible disasters but the emotional toll that it takes on Johnny(not to mention unpredictable outcomes to his actions) make those choices harder and harder to make. When he happens to shake the hand of up and coming politician Greg Stillson, Johnny is faced with a decision that could not only affect their lives but the future of the world as well.
This is a book that I haven't read in a good long while and revisiting this story in the times we're living in now makes TDZ all the more chilling there. However, I do feel that this is a look back worth taking and maybe I'll even re-watch the movie,we'll see:
MISS TREADWAY AND THE FIELD OF STARS: I've been looking for the right time to read this interesting mystery and this particular readathon seems to be picture perfect.
Miranda Emmerson's debut novel is set in London during the 1960s where theatrical dresser Anna takes it upon herself to search for missing American actress Iolanthe Green. She was the last person to see Iolanthe that fateful night and even though official interest in the case has waned, Anna is bound and determined to find her and the truth as well.
She picks up a few offbeat allies along the way,all of whom have one thing in common-each has left their past behind in search of a better life in London. As their mutual path takes them into some treacherous territory, Anna and her new band of friends must embrace their own haunting secrets as preparation for what's to come of their investigation. This certainly sounds like what folks use to call a "thumping good read" and should go well with a strong cup of tea:
A LONG FATAL LOVE CHASE: This unsung classic from Louisa May Alcott has been on more than one of my TBRs over the years and it's high time that it joined the other LMA titles on my "have read" shelf.
The plot has hapless bride Rosemond fleeing from her charismatic yet cruel husband Phillip Tempest, adapting a number of disguises along the way and finding a new love as well. Think of it as an old school version of the Julia Roberts thriller Sleeping with the Enemy.
This book was actually written two years before Little Women was published, yet held back from the literary world until 1995, when many of Alcott's "blood and thunder" stories started to become more well known. I know full well that Alcott and Jane Austen were not contemporaries but I do think that Jane would've appreciated this Gothic adventure of LMA very much, given her own taste in terror reading:
Since this is a two week readathon, I'm leaving a little room for perhaps another book or two, depending on my page turning pace. Seasons of Reading always makes these bookish events fun and engaging while not tiring you out too quickly as a dance marathon ultimately does. Granted, the one dance marathon I know best is from Gilmore Girls but unlike Babette and Morrie, I don't intend to tap out early:
One of the pop culture highlights of this year is the fact that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is celebrating it's 20th anniversary.
When it first began in 1997, this series about a young woman learning to live with her destiny to destroy vampires(and other evil creatures) gave inspiration along with entertainment not only to the teen audience it was supposed to target but to many of us "grown-ups" as well.
It was a show that flipped genre norms while addressing many social issues relevant to more than one age group,along with some romance, action and tons of good humor. As a way of reliving that small screen magic, I've selected a few of my favorite Buffy throwdowns, those one-on-one battles that showcased the Slayer at her best. So, in no particular order, here are five of my personal picks for "Buffy Vs..."
BUFFY VS. DRACULA: It was smart of the show's writers to wait until Season Five for our Slayer to face off against the most iconic vampire of all time.
Not only was Buffy's mode of attack well established by that time, she had enough perspective to figure out how best to deal with Dracula, whose method of enthralling his prey threw her off her game at first.
Once she got a real taste of Drac's power, that jump started her inner warrior goddess skill set into hyper drive. And of course, she was savvy enough to remember that he was fond of repeat appearances:
BUFFY VS. SPIKE,DAYTIME EDITION: Out of all the vampires that Buffy has gone up against, Spike has remained one of her best sparring partners, so to speak.
From their first encounter in "School Hard" onward, William the Bloody was tops in landing those instinctive blows, verbal and otherwise, that made any fight between him and Buffy worth watching. This particular one from Season Four has the distinction of being their only daylight battle due to Spike finding a certain magic ring that made him invulnerable to sunshine, among other things.
If that wasn't bad enough, he used his most vicious weapon during the fight, that sharp tongue of his as he mocked Buffy's current romance troubles. That wound up backfiring on him, as Buffy was pushed to the breaking point and willing to risk getting a bit burnt in order to take Spike down:
BUFFY VS. ADAM: Personally, I've always thought that Adam from that same season was one of the underrated Big Bads of the Buffyverse(the other being Glory in the following season).
Sure, he didn't fully mesh into the overall scheme of things in that first year of college for Buffy and the gang but then again, in a way he did. The focus of that season was keeping true to family, even if your paths in life were diverging and a mutual threat like a demon human robot hybrid was as good a reason as any to get the band back together.
To ultimately defeat him, Buffy and her friends performed a bonding spell that combined all of their best abilities into one, giving her nearly god like powers. True, a price was paid in order to work that magic but it was well worth it just to see Buffy in Matrix mode:
BUFFY VS. DARK WILLOW: I know that Season Six didn't always go over well with fans, as it's take on Buffy trying to deal with the dullness of the real world after returning from a blissful afterlife had it's ups and downs.
However, once Willow lost control of her magic, due to the death of her beloved Tara, everyone was on board for that wild ride. Upon taking out Warren, the leader of the nerd herd that been trying to be the local Big Bads in town, she went full on Kill Bill to wipe out the remaining members of that sad trio,regardless of their innocence in Tara's demise.
Attempting to save her friend as well as the hapless henchmen, Buffy had no choice but to get into a full on fight with Dark Willow, which was a big deal in more ways than one. In the end, that showdown only managed to stall the wrath of Willow until she found a more suitable target to take down:
Of course, the all-time champion of Buffy fights is Buffy Vs. Angelus in the Season Two finale, where even when his soul was restored, she had no other alternative to delivering that final blow in order to literally prevent hell on earth.
That mix of intensity with heartbreak became the trademark of any Buffy season and what made that show stand out from the crowd of other supernaturally themed TV series that followed in it's wake. There's talk of a revival and/or a reboot yet I truly don't know if that's really necessary.
Granted, that never stops anyone from doing so but in this case, we really don't need to wrap things up anymore than they have been(with the comic book series filling in nicely there). With Buffy proving that she stands the test of time, maybe just this once we could let her legacy rest in peace:
While we still have a bit of wintery weather lingering about, my sister and I had a nice headstart on spring by checking out a new movie(Power Rangers and it was okay) and doing some shopping.
My shopping included a couple of books, one of which was inspired by a library haul. I so enjoyed Lauren Graham's memoir,Talking as Fast as I Can, that picking up her debut novel was a must for me.
Someday,Someday,Maybe takes place in NYC during 1995 as hopeful actress Franny Banks is on the last leg of her life goal to be a successful actress within three years. As the deadline grows closer, she is desperate to find a part that lasts longer than a thirty second commercial.
With pressure from her father, difficulty in getting her agent to return her calls and a possible romance with a cad of an actor, Franny has a hard time juggling all of these balls in the air but when the chance at a breakthrough role comes along, she isn't sure if this is the brass ring worth grabbing for. Graham has such a light and lively style that this book should make for a charmingly relaxing read as the warm days of spring and summer approach:
I paired that purchase with Warleggan, the fourth book in the Poldark series by Winston Graham. As I'm a fan of the new TV adaptation that airs on PBS, this was also a must-have although I still have to read Jeremy Poldark(book three) first.
For those unfamiliar with Poldark, Warleggan is the last name of the family that regularly harasses leading man Ross and friends, whether trying to frame him for a crime he didn't commit or stealing his former love interest Elizabeth. George Warleggan acts like a frenemy at times and insists that Ross is the one against him due to his family being new money.
However, the real reason that Ross and George are always at odds with each other is that one man feels he has to prove something to the other and that morals are for lesser people. Granted, Ross has plenty of flaws of his own to shade his character but at least he has some character to begin with. Warleggan is one of those classic villains that you just love to hate, on or off the page:
I did a little book borrowing as well, since I had a book due back at the library that could not be renewed. The Excellent Lombards by Jane Hamilton is set at a family apple orchard in Wisconsin, one that has in been in the family for about four generations and daughter Mary Frances,aka Frankie, is determined to continue that tradition.
However, the failing health of her father and the failing finances of the farm are making it increasingly hard to hold onto that dream. As she grows up and is encouraged to go out into the world, Frankie has to choose between keeping the home fires burning or seeking a new path in life to explore.
It's been awhile since I read Jane Hamilton but her style of subtle tones and gradual emotional shifts I do remember fondly,so this should be an interesting read to engage with:
Before I left the library, I was happy to find that Jennifer Weiner's Hungry Heart was readily available. As a fan of her novels, I've been looking forward to reading this set of personal essays about her life, with such topics as her family relationships, the art of writing and dealing with social media to dive into.
The latter subject has gotten Weiner both positive and negative attention over the past few years but at least she does make amends for her mistakes(unlike some people in positions of power out there). I started reading the book as soon as I got home and can't wait to go back for more. Her heartfelt style and lively energy that makes her fiction so engaging also works well in the nonfiction side of the publishing pool as well:
All in all, a pretty good book haul there yet I still have to get used to library due dates again. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate being able to have access to such wonderful books and want to share them with others. It's just the whole getting them back there at a convenient time that's a tad tricky. Then again, there are worse problems to have and I'm happy to have such a minor one to deal with, in times like these:
A report of an alarming nature has reached me,as well as many others, of late about a new set of Jane Austen admirers, with their attentions and intentions being less than admirable.
The "alt-right", as they call themselves are insistent that the works of Jane Austen validate many of their erroneous viewpoints, one of which being that she would be a proponent of "traditional marriage."
Clearly these people have not read her books or know anything of the social standards of that time period. A traditional marriage in Austen's day was one based on social and financial compatibility instead of love, a system that she clearly bucked at every turn in her novels, not only Pride and Prejudice but even in later works such as Mansfield Park and Emma.
One of the best known sections of the book has Mr. Knightley and Emma quarreling over the martial prospects of Harriet Smith and while Emma interfered with that relationship for her own selfish reasons, some of her points do make sense in regards to how women were viewed during that era:
Later on in the story, Emma declares that she has no intention of being married herself as she "neither lacks fortune or consequence", a rather revolutionary statement there.
I suspect that many of these wrong headed folk are quick to assume that because a strong portion of Austen's audience is female and her stories take place in a long ago England(during the Georgian/Regency period and not the Victorian era as an infamous lout has mistakenly claimed), that her writing is of the Mary meek and mild category.
Those of us,all around the world, I might add, who have taken the time to thoroughly read her work along side enjoying the numerous film and TV adaptations of her stories, are fully aware of the sharp jabs at society she makes under the guise of a romance, touching upon the role of women in society and abuse of power by others. Her points may be subtle ones yet they are there, if one only looks at the full picture she paints.
Also, her leading ladies, for the most part, are women who know their own mind and when push comes to shove, will stand up against unasked for aggression and hold their own. Elizabeth Bennet comes readily to mind here and as well mannered as she is, Elizabeth refuses to be bullied by anyone regardless of "rank":
In fact, Austen was such a forward thinker for her day that it's no surprise that not only have her six novels and other writings have aced the test of time but that they adapt well to modern times.
From Clueless to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Austen's themes of people being pigeonholed by social hierarchy, intolerance of others from different walks of life and disrespect of women's rights are sadly as relevant today as they were in her time.
Even her most obnoxious characters, such as Lady Catherine, Aunt Norris and the toadying Mr. Collins, seem all too true to life and much like we're doing these days, their follies were coped with through humor and holding firm when necessary:
Hopefully, some of these narrow minded people will actually read Austen's books and perhaps expand their political and social horizons there. Any truly good book can do that, if you only let it.
In the meantime, I would strongly advise against misusing the excellent name of Jane Austen by such short minded opportunists as her devoted readers will feel honor bound to #FreeJaneAusten from their clutches. Certainly any future leadership that holds true to Jane Austen's sterling examples of the greater good will be more generous to all members of society than the current one appears to be:
As the spring into summer movie season begins, the usual batch of blockbuster fare is set to arrive at multiplexes everywhere and while many of those big budget action packed films will be worth watching, some smaller yet sinister cinema will be waiting in the wings as well.
Those thriller flicks will also offer a slow burn in their story lines as several of them are based on books such as The Dinner by Herman Koch. The plot setting is simple as two families(made up of Richard Gere,Rebecca Hall,Steve Coogan and Laura Linney) get together at a prestigious restaurant for more than just a meal.
As it turns out, each family has a teenage son,both of whom got into serious trouble that could affect not only their futures but the political aspirations of one of their fathers and the social standing of the other. With the dining atmosphere getting more toxic with each course, some ugly truths are placed on the table for all to reluctantly savor.
This novel is translated from the original Dutch and I hope that the American film version does as good of a job adapting to the big screen. We shall soon see as the movie is due to hit theaters this May and if not, the book will certainly be around for some page turning dark delights:
Next, we have Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach(best known for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) which takes us back to Amsterdam of the 1630s. The title flower is the hot ticket item amongst the well-to-do folk yet merchant Cornelius Sandvoot(Christoph Waltz) finds his young bride Sophia(Alicia Vikander) to be more of a prize worth displaying.
To that end, he commissions a portrait of her by up and coming artist Jan Van Loos(Dane DeHaan) that also features the popular flower. However, Sophia and Jan wind up falling in love and their plans to be together take a rather deadly turn. With Tom Stoppard adapting the screenplay, the tense story telling should make for a smartly steamy late summer treat:
To go forward into more modern times, Dave Eggers' The Circle has an eager young heroine, Mae Holland(Emma Watson) who is excited to be taking her first job at a major league internet company.
That company, run by the charismatic Eamon Bailey(Tom Hanks), seems to the ideal work place that treats it's staff like family. As Mae rises through the ranks, she gets more of an inside look into how certain policies are enforced through online surveillance and cutting off actual family ties.
As Mae grows disenchanted with the company and worried that their influence could actually threaten the world, she joins forces with a fellow co-worker(John Boyega) to find a way to break the growing power of The Circle. Quite a few real world issues are touched upon here, which ought to make both the book and film a little extra eerie to say the least this spring:
While it'll be fun to watch some of our favorite superheroes(I am especially looking forward to Wonder Woman) and science fiction epics at the movies this season, it is nice to know that a few down to earth chillers will be available on the cinematic menu.
Even a remake like My Cousin Rachel is a welcome sight to see. Based on the Daphne Du Maurier novel, it was first adapted into film in 1952 and starred Richard Burton and Olivia deHavillard as the leads. The movie received several Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe win for Burton.
This new version has Sam Clafin playing Phillip, a young man who is wary of his recently deceased cousin's wife(Rachel Weisz) who may or may not have contributed to her husband's death. How well it will stand up to it's adaptation ancestor remains to be seen yet one thing is true both then and now-that the book itself is the true winner for audiences of every generation:
Since I live within the path of the snowstorm named Stella, I went out more than once yesterday to stock up on the necessary provisions.
The important stuff,of course-milk,bread,snacks and a stack of library books. The latter was of immediate concern, as I had a return to make and a book on hold to be picked up.
That must-have read is Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk by Kathleen Rooney, a novel with a very NYC state of mind to it. On New Year's Eve of 1984, Lillian is bound and determined to walk all the way to a party, not an easy task considering her age(85) and the rough nature of modern Manhattan from when she started her career in advertising during the 1930s.
As she makes her way around town, encountering all sorts of folks and possibly perilous situations, Lillian thinks over the choices she's made in life and how well they went. Her night journey turns into a walk through the past not only for herself but for Manhattan.
The book is said to be inspired by real life ad-woman Margaret Fishbeck and based on the reviews I've read and heard, this story is more than an apt tribute to her. Me personally, I love reading about feisty females,especially the New York City type who never let the topsy-turvy nature of life get them down:
Speaking of feisty females, I was delightfully surprised to find that,in addition to Lillian Boxfish, another book that I had placed on hold was available for me to take home.
Talking as Fast as I Can is a set of autobiographical essays by actress Lauren Graham,aka Lorelai Gilmore. She not only chronicles the making of Gilmore Girls(both the original series and the revival) but talks about her early days in acting, dealing with Hollywood and gently mocking trends.
My nonfiction reading has been on the slow side lately, so I started
this book last night,hoping to jump start that section of my TBR. Well,
it's working out splendidly as Graham's writing style is as quick paced
and clever as the TV role she's best known for. I haven't read her novel
Someday, Someday Maybe but I think I should, as clearly her literary
muse is not clad in monkey monkey underpants(watch the following clip
for clarification):
Before leaving the library, I took one last look over the shelves to see what else would tide me over and wound up adding a book that I've been meaning to get to for quite some time.
Anne Tyler's A Spool of Blue Thread tells the story of a family, the Whitshanks, who have been together in good times and bad for at least three generations. As their parents Abby and Red are getting on in years, conflicted siblings Amanda,Jeannie,Stem and Denny have to decide what to do about the house, along with the family business.
While the kids are working that out, Abby often flashes back to the past, remembering the days when she first fell in love as well as other Whitshank family stories. Anne Tyler is one of those writers that I've read on and off for years, enjoying her warmly written brand of story telling when I do pick up one of her works. Such readable radiance is something I really need to embrace the coming of spring:
And looking forward to spring I am, even while appreciating what is hopefully the last blast of winter. Being snowbound may not be ideal but while the flakes are flying, let's make the best of things with a good book and a warm drink or two. Remember, snow days aren't just for kids, you know!:
Ryan Murphy took pop culture watching to the next level with his American Crime Story miniseries, The People vs. O.J. Simpson, last year and for our shiny new year, he's launching another multimedia sensation with Feud, that looks at celebrated bouts between famous folk.
For the opening season, Feud is subtitled "Bette and Joan" as in Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, who did only one movie together and clearly once was more than enough.
As played by Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange, both former leading ladies were at a decided low point in their acting careers. Most of that was due to their growing older and the lack of quality for women of a certain age(the more things change, the more they stay the same sadly). Crawford was particularly motivated to work again as her widow's pension from Pepsi-Cola wasn't as massive as many assumed it was.
So, she went in search of a script for herself and came across the novel Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? by Henry Farrell, a story about two sisters who were once entertainers and now at each other's throats. Crawford jumped on that property hard and fast, recruiting Robert Aldrich as the director and Davis herself as the demented title character.
While the making of the movie became a cutthroat competition between the two leading ladies, as Davis took a more of a theatrical approach to the part while Crawford wanted to maintain some of her movie star glamor, the completed film was a box office success and even earned Davis an Oscar nomination for Best Actress:
That success,however, didn't take either actress down the road towards better roles. Instead, Hollywood went with a spree of Gothic thrillers featuring older women known as "hagsploitation".
Bette Davis was able to make cinematic lemonade out of those casting call lemons,however. She was set to team back up with Crawford for another Aldrich fear flick called Hush...Hush,Sweet Charlotte but her co-star backed out at the last minute,claiming illness.
Crawford was replaced by another former diva, Olivia de Havilland, and that movie went on to critical acclaim and several Oscar nominations. Davis kept on working for many years after that, in whatever part she could, some of those parts being notable such as The Whales of August and Death on the Nile. The last movie that she did work on,Wicked Stepmother, had to use stock footage as Davis passed away during the production.
Crawford , on the other hand, made a few low budget horror movies on her own and then did a little TV work before withdrawing from public life. A sad end for both talented women yet in the grand scheme of things, you could say that at least they did their damnest to keep that spotlight shining on them for as long as possible:
The on-set rivalry between Davis and Crawford was a key selling point for the movie and is the focus of Feud, but not in a catty camp way. Instead, the show gives a nuanced portrayal of what it meant for these women to try to revive their careers amidst sexism, ageism and their own egos.
I saw the first episode this past Sunday and am truly eager to see more. Sarandon and Lange fully embrace their performances here, bringing out the humanity as well as the diva power that these screen legends wielded like a double edge sword:
Feud: Bette & Joan is airing in eight parts on FX and is already getting rave reviews from both audiences and critics, much like the real life cinematic collaboration that Davis and Crawford made Hollywood history with.
I do hope that this show does lead to a revival of interest in both women's careers as they did create some of the greatest film roles of all time. From Mildred Pierce to Margo Channing, these powerhouse ladies paved the way for many future film stars in their wake. It's just a shame that they never realized that together, they could have been a major force to reckon with against all who stood in their artistic way:
The past two weekends, I've been lucky enough to go out to the movies with my sister(we saw Logan on Saturday,which was amazing) and do a little shopping as well. Most of my focus on the latter was book buying, which has gotten me an interesting quartet of new reads to enjoy.
A book just beckoned me to pick it up was 1Q84 by Haruki Murakmi, an epic novel set in an alternative universe within the year 1984. One of the people who has noticed the shift in time is Aomame, a beautiful hit woman in Tokyo.
As she tries to unravels what this new world has in store, an old childhood friend,Tengo, crosses her path unexpectedly and the two of them need to connect before the myriad of outside forces(including a bizarre cult,a wealthy widow who has abusive men assassinated and a bodyguard fond of quoting Chekhov) tear them and this new reality apart.
I've never read Murakami before yet I know of his literary reputation for writing oddly themed books with interesting characters such as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and Norwegian Wood, both of which are way shorter than this book. Perhaps starting with one of those is the more sensible route but this was the book that got my attention and sometimes your first instinct is your best one:
I also picked up Fredik Backman's A Man Called Ove, which was the basis for one of the Best Foreign Film nominees at this year's Oscars. It's translated from Swedish and tells the story of the title character who at first appears to be your typical grumpy old man.
What he is is tired of life, now that his beloved wife has died and along with being made to retire, is not satisfied with berating his neighbors over their violations of local protocol. Ove plans to join his wife but a new family that has just moved in winds up urging him to stay alive.
I've started this book already and despite the plot description, it's a charming read. The humor is dark at times yet smartly done, plus Ove's backstory is slowly revealed and you get more of a sense about why he is the way he is. I plan to see the movie as well (via Netflix) and probably read more of Backman's works, which are fortunately readily available in the U.S..
Discovering a new author is great, especially when you've heard plenty of good word on their work and find that it was all true. Sort of like making a new best friend, only I wouldn't break up so quickly due to the car they drive like our determined leading man feels he has to:
A current read of mine is The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan, which is such a delight that I had to get the follow-up to it this weekend.
Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery has our leading lady Polly Waterford doing well in life and love at her seaside bake shop. However, when the property changes hands, she is forced out of the building yet is not about to give up on her business.
With the help of her friends, including beekeeper boyfriend Huckle, Polly sets up a food truck but there are more hurdles on the horizon to overcome. Jenny Colgan really has a nice knack for engaging lighthearted fare, which is just as tasty as the recipes she includes in some of her books. I have high hopes that this summery read will be as refreshingly sweet as the lemon posset that Colgan insists is a lovely seasonal treat:
I paired that purchase with The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, a book that I've been meaning to try and what better time than now?
The Pulitzer Prize winning novel has a lonely teenage hero living through his geekish pursuits in New Jersey yet the scope of the book is so much more than that. Oscar's family back in the Dominican Republic went through some incredible drama of their own, particularly under the regime of dictator Rafael Trujillo that affected the course of their life and perhaps cast down an ancient curse upon them as well.
There are touches of magical realism, along with intense bursts of footnotes and heartfelt narratives that mix and match genres as they go forth. In addition to the many honors that this book has won, it's also a nominee for the One Book, One New York reading campaign that will announce it's winner soon. Even if it's not chosen for that program, this certainly is a novel worth reading this year indeed:
As I said earlier, A Man Called Ove is the first book that I've been reading out of this bunch. However, I am still not sure of which one of these to take up after that. Such a fun problem to have, deciding what to read next-if only all of us could have such a positive choice to deal with! Then again, maybe we can:
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