Lots of little bookish bits lately that I have not been able to share, so it is time for another of these catch-up posts, I think. Maybe this will help me clean out my gettingfartoofull email inbox as well. So, where to begin?
Should I have known that Irene Nemirovsky's Suite Francaise was adapted to the screen? It will air (or maybe at this point already has) on Lifetime soon. I plan on reading it later this year. I have read a few of her other books, but not that one yet and I look forward to it.
The newest issue of Granta is their "best of young American novelists" round up, which they only do every ten years. I am looking forward to picking up a copy! I really like Granta and should really subscribe to it some day. I am happy to see Yaa Gyasi there as well as a few other familiar names and more than a few new-to-me authors as well.
The Anthony Award nominations have been announced so there is a new list of books to explore! A few books I recognize, more that I don't and none that I have yet read. The winners will not be announced until October (doesn't that sound really far into the future), so maybe I can at least find the five short stories and read them, and maybe even a book or two. (Always wishful thinking when I say things like that).
I didn't realize that next year marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It appears there is not just one but three new adaptations in the works! I have read the book at least twice, and seen one of the older adaptations (the one with Winona Ryder). It will be interesting to see what the new "interpretations" are like. Just today I was looking at the Susan Cheever biography of Louisa May Alcott--serendipity. I think LMA was a most interesting woman. I think I am more curious about her real life than interested in another reading of the classic. If I can be honest I liked parts of the book very much but I admit that the latter part was a little too moralizing for my own tastes. Of course knowing how much I like to turn a simple book reading into a big project--there is lots that could be read in celebration of the anniversary!
Since we are on the topic of literary/film adaptations, I plan on seeing the new movie about Emily Dickinson this weekend. I have not heard anything about it, but I do like the look of it going by the preview! Maybe I will feel inspired to read some of her poetry after seeing the film?
Has anyone watched the PBS Masterpiece presentation of King Charles III, which is apparently adapted from the award winning play? I only caught the tail end of it, but I might just have to re-watch the first episode and pick up with the next one. Did this cause controversy in the UK, I wonder? It seems to shed a very critical light on the monarchy (but then I didn't see the beginning in full). I have to say I really like that it is all acted in blank verse--very Shakespearean! I love the way the dialogue sounds and may watch it for that alone!
From Shakespeare to Tracy Chevalier . . . I always mean to read (and have a few on my shelves) some of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. Tracy Chevalier's New Boy is on my list, as is Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed.
I am going to read some (one at least?) short stories this weekend! I have the newest by Penelope Lively in my hot little hands as a matter of fact. Here is a list of the best collections to read now for a little more inspiration. And I will leave you with a little weekend homework assignment: here are 15 "stellar short stories you can read for free this month", choose one, read, and report back. I'll read one too and tell you all about it on Monday!
Happy weekend reading everyone!