Welcome to my book blog, friends and bibliophiles! I'm feeling exhausted and uncomfortable due to Crohns and ultra high temps during this last part of summer, so I will attempt to keep the reviews brief in this post.
This sounds like a fascinating series, so I will be on the look out for it.
TV: Y: The Last Man
A trailer has been released for Y: The Last Man https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz49370981, an adaptation of the post-apocalyptic science fiction comic book series by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. IndieWire reported that all episodes of season one, which premieres September 13 on FX on Hulu, "will be directed by women and the production has a significant number of female department heads, including both DPs, the production designer, costume designer, casting director, editors, stunt coordinator and more."
The series stars Diane Lane, Ashley Romans, Diana Bang, Olivia Thirlby, Juliana Canfield, Marin Ireland, Amber Tamblyn, Paul Gross and Elliot Fletcher. Louise Friedberg and Eliza Clark serve as director and writer on the first two episodes, respectively. Clark is also the showrunner and an executive producer, along with Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force, Mari Jo Winkler-Ioffreda, Louise Friedberg, Brian K. Vaughan and Melina Matsoukas. Nellie Reed is producer.
I love Jeff Goldblum, and I have always adored the delightful Stephen Fry, so I'm really looking forward to this movie, based on one of his very clever books.
Movies: The Liar
Jeff Goldblum will star opposite Asa Butterfield in The Liar https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz49372352, a film adaptation of Stephen Fry's semi-autobiographical novel that will shoot in the U.K. next month, Deadline reported. The project will be directed by Tony Hagger, who also wrote the adaptation. Fluidity Films' Guy de Beaujeu (Journey's End) is producing.
"I hiccupped with delight when I heard that Jeff Goldblum had accepted the role of Donald Trefusis," Fry said. "That uniquely perfect mixture of authority, eccentricity, intelligence, humour and charm is just what the character calls for... hurrah."
I laud Good Housekeeping for launching this project to celebrate young women, but I wish there were also prizes celebrating older, more mature women writers. Once a woman is past the age of 45-50, she tends to become invisible in society, which is shamefully misogynistic.
Women's Prize for Fiction Launches 'Futures' Initiative for Writers Under 35
The Women's Prize for Fiction is partnering with Good Housekeeping magazine to launch the Futures project https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz49372356, which will celebrate women writers of fiction 35 years old and under who have published at least one full-length work of fiction in the U.K. or Republic of Ireland by December 31. The Bookseller reported that the initiative, coinciding with the magazine's 100th anniversary in 2022, "will see 10 writers promoted and interviewed in Good Housekeeping, receiving a photoshoot, online publicity and participation in virtual events."
The Futures judging panel is looking for "excellence, originality, ambition and promise." The Women's Prize team will compile a confidential list of 20 authors from the nominations received, then a panel of five judges will decide a final list of 10 authors; the Futures 10. A public vote will run throughout 2022 for readers to select an overall winner from the Futures 10, crowning the victor in the magazine's December 2022 issue.
OOOOh, historical fiction adaptations and YA trilogy adaptations! SWEET!
TV: The Serpent Queen, One Word Kill
Beth Goddard (Manhunt) will be a series regular opposite Samantha Morton in Starz's The Serpent Queen https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz49402839, an eight-part period series based on Leonie Frieda's book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France, Deadline reported. Alex Heath (Home) recurs in the series from writer and executive producer Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road), Francis Lawrence & Erwin Stoff. Stacie Passon will direct multiple episodes, including the premiere. The Serpent Queen is produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.
Holly Phillips (Get Even) is adapting Mark Lawrence's One Word Kill https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz49402840, part of the author's Impossible Times YA trilogy, as a TV series for The Cry producer Synchronicity Films and Wild Sheep, the production company set up by former Netflix executive Erik Barmack, Deadline reported. The two companies will co-produce the adaptation. One Word Kill "was first published in May 2019, followed by Limited Wish and Dispel Illusion later that year," Deadline noted.
Yet another reason I'd love to visit Scotland, Edinburgh in particular!
Rare Birds Book Shop, an independent bookseller dedicated to women's writing, opened https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz49404181 recently at 13 Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland. The store is owned by Rachel Wood and was born out of her "desire to center and 'celebrate' words by women," the Bookseller reported. Wood launched the Rare Birds Book Club https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz49404182 and subscription service four years ago, and considers the bookshop an extension of that online community.
"The success of the book club certainly made it possible to make this dream a reality," she said. "I had a vision of a headquarters for us; where we could work from and run the subscription, host events and showcase the books and authors we love."
Rare Birds Books is a trans-inclusive celebration of women's writing. Wood observed: "I'm sure I'm not alone in my experience of studying English literature at school--the reading lists were dominated by male authors and I became conscious of the fact that the male perspective of the world was basically the default lens we were viewing the world through.
"At some point I started thinking about what would happen if this were the other way around--what if the default point of view was female? What themes would come up? What would we notice? It was an interesting idea for me and I started making a point of seeking out female authors in my own reading."
When she launched Rare Birds, Wood said she "wanted to shine a spotlight on all the interesting books women were writing and bring them to the notice of our readers, and then I wanted to completely neutralize the tedious conversation that's so often attached to women's writing."
I bet this score for the book will be "knock your socks off" fantastic!
Dune's 'Making Of' Book to Have Its Own Score
Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel Dune "is going to be a movie with a massive scale, but it seems that even our wildest imaginations of just how big it could be might be selling it short," io9 reported. "It turns out this movie is going to be so epic, so sweeping, so regal, even its making of book will have its very own Hans Zimmer score https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz49405430."
The Oscar-winning composer of Dune's soundtrack "was so inspired when he looked at the upcoming behind-the-scenes book from Insight Editions, he decided to write some musical accompaniment," io9 noted. The Art and Soul of Dune by executive producer Tanya Lapointe, which "will be available both in standard and jaw-dropping limited editions," is going to have a dedicated Zimmer score available to download and stream upon release on October 22, the same date as the film's debut.
Hannah's Dream by Diane Hammond was an ebook that I purchased for a special low price for my Kindle Paperwhite. While the quality of ebooks has been, in my experience, spotty, this particular ebook was worth it at twice the price. The prose was beautiful and the plot masterful, and I genuinely got so caught up in the story that I read it straight through, without stopping to eat or drink. Here's the blurb:
An elephant never forgets . . . but can she dream?
For forty-one years, Samson Brown has been caring for Hannah, the lone elephant at the down-at-the-heels Max L. Biedelman Zoo. Having vowed not to retire until an equally loving and devoted caretaker is found to replace him, Sam rejoices when smart, compassionate Neva Wilson is hired as the new elephant keeper. But Neva quickly discovers what Sam already knows: that despite their loving care, Hannah is isolated from other elephants and her feet are nearly ruined from standing on hard concrete all day. Using her contacts in the zookeeping world, Neva and Sam hatch a plan to send Hannah to an elephant sanctuary—just as the zoo's angry, unhappy director launches an aggressive revitalization campaign that spotlights Hannah as the star attraction, inextricably tying Hannah's future to the fate of the Max L. Biedelman Zoo.
A charming, poignant, and captivating novel certain to enthrall readers of Water for Elephants, Diane Hammond's Hannah's Dream is a beautifully told tale rich in heart, humor, and intelligence.
I completely agree with the blurb, I found this novel captivating and poignant, and I was a weeping mess by the end of the book. I'd hazard a guess that most people will be crying by the end of this heartfelt novel, especially animal-lovers. Personally, I also enjoyed learning more about elephant behavior, diet and how their bodies are constructed (for example, I was not aware that they can't lie down for long without crushing their internal organs, which is why they sleep standing up). That said, I felt there was an undercurrent of size-ism and judgement of elephants based on their size, when in reality, they are supposed to be enormous animals! Just like whales and pigs and sea lions and other large critters, being big is just how they're made, so judging them to be greedy or lazy or some other stereotype is just cruel and ignorant. At any rate, I enjoyed this tale and would give it an A, and recommend it to animal lovers everywhere.
The Steal by MJ Rose and CW Gortner was another ebook deal that I snapped up, as I'm a huge fan of MJ Rose's delightful magic realism-infused novels about gems and perfumers and other artistic, glamorous women in France of various eras. This book was a delightful combination of a noir-ish mystery/thriller with a historical romance set in 1950s, post WWII France. In tone and style it reminded me of an old Audrey Hepburn movie, starring some cool blonde like Grace Kelley. Be prepared, however, for a certain amount of sexism and misogyny that comes with that era. But even that couldn't dim my thorough enjoyment of this swiftly-paced novel. Here's the blurb: They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend—until they’re stolen. Ania Throne is devoted to her jewelry company. The daughter of one of the world’s most famous jewelers, she arrives in Cannes with a stunning new collection. But a shocking theft by the notorious thief known as the Leopard throws her into upheaval—and plunges her on an unexpected hunt that challenges everything she believes.Jerome Curtis thinks he’s seen it all, especially when it comes to crime. Until he’s hired to investigate the loss of Ania Thorne’s collection, his every skill put to the test as he chases after a mysterious master-mind responsible for some of the costliest heists in history—and finds himself in a tangled web with a woman he really shouldn’t fall in love with.From the fabled Carlton Hotel to the elegant boulevards of Paris, Ania and Jerome must race against time to catch a thief before the thief catches them. With everything on the line, can they solve the steal or will the steal take more than diamonds from them? Set in the late 1950s, THE STEAL is a romantic caper by bestselling authors C.W. Gortner and M.J. Rose.
Though the ending seemed a bit cliche'd, (SPOILER) with the daughter having to face the fact that her father is a thieving narcissistic rat, (and completely falling apart emotionally because of it--seems a bit too naive for a woman who has been smart and savvy in saving an international business from ruin) and deciding to go after him, I was enthralled with the glitz and glamor and behind the scenes machinations of the characters. I'd give this delicious short novel an A-, and recommend it to anyone fascinated by jewelry and the golden age of Hollywood.
The Lost and Found Necklace by Louisa Leaman seemed like a YA, almost phased into adult romantic fiction novel that would have had some of the same elements of MJ Rose's fantastic jewelry laden novels about historic or antique jewelry and the romantic stories behind them. Sadly, this novel, though the prose was clean and refreshing, had one of the slowest plots I've ever encountered. The female protagonist doesn't even know her own mind and heart until page 300, which is within 20 pages of the end of the book! I kept waiting for Jess to get it together, only to have her encounter yet another person, place or thing that sends her scurrying back to her "wee timorous cowering beastie" hole with her boring, creepy boyfriend and her controlling sister.UGH. So frustrating! Here's the blurb:
A charming story of a wayward family heirloom, second chances, and true love. A perfect, feel-good summer read!
Jess has always loved taking chances, but after a terrible accident, she's ready for a quieter life. No more unsuitable boyfriends or unsafe adventures. More time with Tim, her dependable boyfriend who seldom surprises her.
More time with family, like her ailing grandmother, Nancy, who wants Jess to bring home the lost vintage necklace that has been in their family for generations. The delicate moonstone pendant features a flutttering butterfly, and some say it has a history of leading its wearer to her soul mate. Jess isn't sure about that, but the necklace belongs to the Taylor women, and she's determined to bring it home.
All Jess has to do is bid on it at a local auction. But when a rival bidder outplays her and sweeps the necklace off the table, Jess finds herself face-to-face with a charming stranger who has his own reasons for wanting the necklace. He might be willing to part with it, if Jess will have dinner with him...
Desperate to bring back the necklace before her grandmother's health gets worse, Jess has no choice, even if her boyfriend objects. She has to bring the necklace home, no matter what it does to her own happily ever after.
First of all, the charm of this book wears off about 1/3rd of the way in, and secondly, Jess's sister Aggie is a monster who needs therapy before she crushes everyone she knows in her mad desire to be the ultimate control freak. I felt so sorry for her meek and wussy husband and her miserable teenage daughter who has to deal with her mothers constant interference and dominance and need for control. I'd be out there trying to find a way to emancipate myself from this sh*tty family and abusive parents if I were Steph. If she doesn't leave, her spirit will be crushed and she will never be anything but her mother's puppet. Finally, all this lauding of the "stable" and boring people in the book,coupled with Jess's crippling mental fears slows the plot to a crawl for chapter after chapter. Any decent editor could have pared back the nonsense and indecision of this book by about 75 pages. Therefore I'd give this novel a C+, and only recommend it to very patient people who don't mind waffling, spineless protagonists.
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff is a historical mystery/thriller/romance that uncovers a group of female spies who were dropped into France during the last year of WWII to try and sabotage the German army. The prose is precise and the plot moves along at a swift and decisive pace. Here's the blurb: “Fraught with danger, filled with mystery, and meticulously researched, The Lost Girls of Paris is a fascinating tale of the hidden women who helped to win the war.” —Lisa Wingate
A remarkable story of friendship and courage centered around
three women and a ring of female secret agents during World War II.
1946, Manhattan
One
morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to
work, Grace Healey finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench.
Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she
discovers a dozen photographs—each of a different woman. In a moment of
impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station.
Grace
soon learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg,
leader of a network of female secret agents who were deployed out of
London during the war. Twelve of these women were sent to Occupied
Europe as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they
never returned home, their fates a mystery. Setting out to learn the
truth behind the women in the photographs, Grace finds herself drawn to a
young mother turned agent named Marie, whose daring mission overseas
reveals a remarkable story of friendship, valor and betrayal.
Vividly rendered and inspired by true events, New York Times
bestselling author Pam Jenoff shines a light on the incredible heroics
of the brave women of the war and weaves a mesmerizing tale of courage,
sisterhood and the great strength of women to survive in the hardest of
circumstances.
First of all, kudos to whomever designed this book. From the gorgeous cover to the rag-end pages and the beautiful typeface, it's a wonder to behold. Secondly, excellent storytelling and fascinating characters kept me turning pages into the wee hours. I was especially enamored of the later protagonist, Grace, as she proves indefatigable in her quest to discover what really happened to these women who were recruited for what were often suicide missions to help the allies win the war. Though it was sad that so few survived their missions, it was amazing to realize that so many women were ready and willing to give their lives for their country. Overall it was a well done book, though sad, in the end, that many women never got the recognition that they deserved for their war work.I'd give this outstanding historical novel an A, and recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the role of women in combat or resistance roles during WWII.
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