Most every newsletter I open and article I read related to books usually leads to adding something to some pile somewhere. I've accepted that I'll never be able to read and watch everything that I want to and I'm o.k. with that. I learned yesterday that there is a previous Time Travelers Wife movie and from what I heard, avid readers and those that really loved the book, say the movie was horrible. Hopefully, this new one will be better. I'm excited for Daisy Jones. I tried reading the book, but had to DNF, I have the audiobook, but I haven't listened to it yet. I want to listen to it before the movie comes out though.
Great list, and some of these new books are also on my list, especially Honor. And of course I'm always looking into new Austen retellings and screen adaptations - and this new year brings some exciting ones, including a new retelling of Emma, The Emma Project, by Sonali Dev, and also, a new screen adaptation of Persuasion starring Cosmo Jarvis, Henry Golding, and Dakota Johnson. I am also reading and writing about Persuasion, and January seems a good time to tackle what for me is Austen's saddest, bleakest story. Meanwhile, perhaps the dead of winter might also be a great time to get into the lightness and brightness of Alexander McCall Smith series (who also has a retelling of Emma) - any advice on whether that's a good idea appreciated! Happy new year, Gayla and book friends.
I will admit that I have never read any of Austen's 6 books; I've tried a couple of them a few times, and DNF'd each time. I was just approved for the The Emma Project by Sonali Dev and since it's publication date is in May, my plan is to go back and read the first 3 books of Dev's before reading this one. I enjoy reading your newsletter and you make Austen's writings sound so good, but it never feels that way when I try to read the books. In the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club, Anne always does Austen in August, an entire month focused on Austen's books with guests and classes about and adjacent to Austen. I always enjoy the offerings in August. Happy New Year to you too.
Thank you so much for reading and engaging with the Austen Connection, Gayla - so gald to have you there. And that is exactly my hope, that the conversations are interesting for all readers, whether they read Austen or not. Her stories are in the ether, especially for anyone reading or watching films! I totally get it. It took me until I was in my 30s, more like even my 40s, before I got "into" the books.
My advice for getting into is, is twofold: 1) give it about 75 pages and see if you're hooked bc it takes a while to acclimatize to the complex langauge/writing, and 2) keep in mind that Austen is wickedly sarcastic, funny, sly, and she's sending us readers secret messages that we won't necessarily decipher right away! Read and look for the clues!
Anyway, Gayla, thanks for all you do - I'm enjoying your newsletter, and thanks for the reminder about Modern Mrs Darcys Austen August - I'll keep a lookout for that! Have a great weekend - Plain Jane
I'm sure I will eventually get to Becoming the Ricardo's and I'm glad you said that Nicole grew on you. There is hope then. lol. I have been hearing about Anxious People but I haven't watched it yet. What is your opinion on if I should read the book before I watch the Netflix adaptation? I always have mixed feeling about movies/series made from books, which should I do first.
I have followed your blog for a couple of years now and I enjoy your blog posts because you do an actual review of the books you've read. You tell your reader about the book, but you don't give away the plot points. You critique the book with very helpful information about what you liked and didn't like. You offer up insights on structure and the writing of the book and tidbits on other books the reader might like if they like the one you are reviewing. You write great reviews and it is obvious that you have read the book. You would never be able to write the detailed reviews you write if you hadn't reviewed the book. Of the few actual "book reviews" I've done, I've read the book. However, writing book reviews is not my strong suit, that is why I don't write many actual "book reviews". I admire people like yourself that can write a helpful review with the detail that you do through a critical lens. I know we have had several classes about this in the MMD Book Club and try as I might, I'm just not very good at "book reviews" and that's o.k. I mention many books throughout my newsletters and always try to indicate if I've read it or if I'm writing about the book from the publisher's information or many other reviewers information. I do understand the need for bookstore employees to be able to recommend books that they might not have read yet. It's unfortunate that there is not enough time to read everything that we want to read. Thanks for your comments, I appreciate you.
Oh thank you so much for your kind comments! Your feedback means the world to me! Much appreciated Gayla! I like how you are finding your own way…..finding what works for you! Although, like with everything, book reviews become easier with practice! I have the most difficulty reviewing books I really, really love!
I think it’s usually always helpful to have read the book first! Most of the characters in Anxious People looked different from how I imagined them. But now I can’t think of them in any other way! The book has more depth than the movie…especially as it relates to the suicide aspect. But I felt like the movie captured what Backman was trying to say. The themes came through well.
I wasn't nuts about "Becoming the Ricardos." I thought it was well done, but it was hard to relate to Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; I never saw them as anything other than actors playing those parts. But I'd have to give them credit for having the courage to take on the role of two people we feel we know so well through "I Love Lucy," even though we don't. I think my enjoyment was also tainted by having just listened to a really excellent podcast series about the life of Lucille Ball, "The Plot Thickens" on TCM. It follows her life from beginning to end in multiple episodes that begin from her origin story in Jamestown, NY. Desi's story is an intricate part, and he's amazing in his own right, responsible for the success of the show and of Desilu Studios. Anyway, worth checking out--as is the movie despite its flaws.
Ruth, thanks for the podcast information about Lucille Ball. I'm a podcast junkie, I added this to my every growing list of podcasts to listen to. And, thanks for the info about Becoming the Ricardo's. It's good to know that it was well done, even if the two actors maybe aren't the right people to play those parts. As long as it's well done, I'm in to watch it at some point.
I've gotten behind on my Newsletters. The reality of New years Resolutions means still adapting to new stuff on the docket. I love your Newsletter because I always learn something. I have only read two of the NYPL list so I have some work to do. I have heard mixed reviews of "Becoming the Ricardos"
I get behind on my newsletter reading every week. I spend the weekend getting caught up just to get behind again by mid-week. I went through and deleted my subscriptions to several newsletters that I had been subscribing to. I found that I was just "skimming" at best and deleting most by the first paragraph. I'm sure they are worthwhile, they just didn't interest me anymore. I feel a little less behind now. :) I haven't watched the Lucy/Desi show yet.
Didn't love I Love Lucy. I like Nicole Kidman but she was miscast. And The Time Traveller's Wife is terrific!
I've read more than once that Nicole was a miscast in that role. I'll probably watch it at some point.
I need to see being the Ricardo’s, darn, another to add to my list.
And I didn’t know daisy jones was being adapted with Riley keough, so that’s exciting.
Time travelers wife was a movie I never saw but Rose Leslie is a treasure (GoT alum) so I’ll be checking that out.
Gayla look what you’ve done! The to be read/watched/experienced just keeps piling on
Most every newsletter I open and article I read related to books usually leads to adding something to some pile somewhere. I've accepted that I'll never be able to read and watch everything that I want to and I'm o.k. with that. I learned yesterday that there is a previous Time Travelers Wife movie and from what I heard, avid readers and those that really loved the book, say the movie was horrible. Hopefully, this new one will be better. I'm excited for Daisy Jones. I tried reading the book, but had to DNF, I have the audiobook, but I haven't listened to it yet. I want to listen to it before the movie comes out though.
Great list, and some of these new books are also on my list, especially Honor. And of course I'm always looking into new Austen retellings and screen adaptations - and this new year brings some exciting ones, including a new retelling of Emma, The Emma Project, by Sonali Dev, and also, a new screen adaptation of Persuasion starring Cosmo Jarvis, Henry Golding, and Dakota Johnson. I am also reading and writing about Persuasion, and January seems a good time to tackle what for me is Austen's saddest, bleakest story. Meanwhile, perhaps the dead of winter might also be a great time to get into the lightness and brightness of Alexander McCall Smith series (who also has a retelling of Emma) - any advice on whether that's a good idea appreciated! Happy new year, Gayla and book friends.
I will admit that I have never read any of Austen's 6 books; I've tried a couple of them a few times, and DNF'd each time. I was just approved for the The Emma Project by Sonali Dev and since it's publication date is in May, my plan is to go back and read the first 3 books of Dev's before reading this one. I enjoy reading your newsletter and you make Austen's writings sound so good, but it never feels that way when I try to read the books. In the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club, Anne always does Austen in August, an entire month focused on Austen's books with guests and classes about and adjacent to Austen. I always enjoy the offerings in August. Happy New Year to you too.
Oh and yes, will look for your thoughts on The Emma Project!
Thanks, I'll let you know when I get to it, if I get to it. lol
Thank you so much for reading and engaging with the Austen Connection, Gayla - so gald to have you there. And that is exactly my hope, that the conversations are interesting for all readers, whether they read Austen or not. Her stories are in the ether, especially for anyone reading or watching films! I totally get it. It took me until I was in my 30s, more like even my 40s, before I got "into" the books.
My advice for getting into is, is twofold: 1) give it about 75 pages and see if you're hooked bc it takes a while to acclimatize to the complex langauge/writing, and 2) keep in mind that Austen is wickedly sarcastic, funny, sly, and she's sending us readers secret messages that we won't necessarily decipher right away! Read and look for the clues!
Anyway, Gayla, thanks for all you do - I'm enjoying your newsletter, and thanks for the reminder about Modern Mrs Darcys Austen August - I'll keep a lookout for that! Have a great weekend - Plain Jane
We watched Becoming the Ricardos and enjoyed it! Nicole Kidman grew on me so give it a chance!
We also watched the Netflix adaptation of Anxious People! It was well done!
Lots more adaptations to look forward to this year!
For the record, I never review a book I haven’t read or attempted to read!
I'm sure I will eventually get to Becoming the Ricardo's and I'm glad you said that Nicole grew on you. There is hope then. lol. I have been hearing about Anxious People but I haven't watched it yet. What is your opinion on if I should read the book before I watch the Netflix adaptation? I always have mixed feeling about movies/series made from books, which should I do first.
I have followed your blog for a couple of years now and I enjoy your blog posts because you do an actual review of the books you've read. You tell your reader about the book, but you don't give away the plot points. You critique the book with very helpful information about what you liked and didn't like. You offer up insights on structure and the writing of the book and tidbits on other books the reader might like if they like the one you are reviewing. You write great reviews and it is obvious that you have read the book. You would never be able to write the detailed reviews you write if you hadn't reviewed the book. Of the few actual "book reviews" I've done, I've read the book. However, writing book reviews is not my strong suit, that is why I don't write many actual "book reviews". I admire people like yourself that can write a helpful review with the detail that you do through a critical lens. I know we have had several classes about this in the MMD Book Club and try as I might, I'm just not very good at "book reviews" and that's o.k. I mention many books throughout my newsletters and always try to indicate if I've read it or if I'm writing about the book from the publisher's information or many other reviewers information. I do understand the need for bookstore employees to be able to recommend books that they might not have read yet. It's unfortunate that there is not enough time to read everything that we want to read. Thanks for your comments, I appreciate you.
Oh thank you so much for your kind comments! Your feedback means the world to me! Much appreciated Gayla! I like how you are finding your own way…..finding what works for you! Although, like with everything, book reviews become easier with practice! I have the most difficulty reviewing books I really, really love!
I think it’s usually always helpful to have read the book first! Most of the characters in Anxious People looked different from how I imagined them. But now I can’t think of them in any other way! The book has more depth than the movie…especially as it relates to the suicide aspect. But I felt like the movie captured what Backman was trying to say. The themes came through well.
Thanks for the recommendation to read the book first. I will try to do that in the coming weeks and then watch the movie.
I wasn't nuts about "Becoming the Ricardos." I thought it was well done, but it was hard to relate to Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; I never saw them as anything other than actors playing those parts. But I'd have to give them credit for having the courage to take on the role of two people we feel we know so well through "I Love Lucy," even though we don't. I think my enjoyment was also tainted by having just listened to a really excellent podcast series about the life of Lucille Ball, "The Plot Thickens" on TCM. It follows her life from beginning to end in multiple episodes that begin from her origin story in Jamestown, NY. Desi's story is an intricate part, and he's amazing in his own right, responsible for the success of the show and of Desilu Studios. Anyway, worth checking out--as is the movie despite its flaws.
Ruth, thanks for the podcast information about Lucille Ball. I'm a podcast junkie, I added this to my every growing list of podcasts to listen to. And, thanks for the info about Becoming the Ricardo's. It's good to know that it was well done, even if the two actors maybe aren't the right people to play those parts. As long as it's well done, I'm in to watch it at some point.
I've gotten behind on my Newsletters. The reality of New years Resolutions means still adapting to new stuff on the docket. I love your Newsletter because I always learn something. I have only read two of the NYPL list so I have some work to do. I have heard mixed reviews of "Becoming the Ricardos"
I get behind on my newsletter reading every week. I spend the weekend getting caught up just to get behind again by mid-week. I went through and deleted my subscriptions to several newsletters that I had been subscribing to. I found that I was just "skimming" at best and deleting most by the first paragraph. I'm sure they are worthwhile, they just didn't interest me anymore. I feel a little less behind now. :) I haven't watched the Lucy/Desi show yet.
Your perspective is great. I try to add more Newsletters but there is only so much time I am afraid. Yours I always get something from reading.