Lovely roundup, Matthew. I see a lot of Steinbeck and Murakami this month haha, and oh yes, you did touch on one of the reasons I don't like Murakami so much: all the unnecessary sex. Looking forward to your reviews. I just got sucked into Eleanor Anstruther's writing, thanks to you. Thanks for sharing my article!
Thanks Tiffany. Yes, Steinbeck will continue to be a dominant presence throughout this year as I make my way through his complete works. Some sexual content in art is fine if it makes sense for the piece but Murakami tends to go overboard. It is really my only complaint about his work. Glad to introduce you to Eleanor. She is really amazing.
What a reservoir of riches, Matthew! Thank you for sharing -- and thanks, of course, for that very generous and unexpected referral!
Since you asked, I am a major fan of True Detective, season 1. Season 2 disappointed me as others. Season 3 was sold out of the gate by almost all the preliminary reviewers as back to form for the show, and I think they were either on the take or on drugs. Jody Foster, as always, was compelling, and other actors were very good, too, but otherwise, I liked even season 2 better. I could go into detail, but I'll spare you!
Thanks Jay. I am almost finished with Season 3. I was chatting with a buddy of mine and told him that I like the story from Season 3 but the acting wasn't great. I haven't heard hardly anything positive about Season 4 other than remarks about Jody Foster. My buddy and I agreed that when you start off a series with Woody and McConaughey you set such a high bar that it will be hard to meet in the future.
Oops. My bad. Maybe because I never saw it, I confused season 3 with season 4. I'm a great fan of Mahershala Ali, so remain tempted on that score, but 3 seemed in atmosphere so much an attempt to imitate 1 that I passed after the disappointment of 2. (Is this getting confusing? :) My comments were actually about season 4. I don't know anyone who like it, but early professional reviews right before its start were as I described.
Thanks Matthew for the book recommendations. I’m looking forward to your April Steinbeck reviews. I’ve read East of Eden (twice) and Travels with Charley. Loved them both. Got a few more of his on my to-read list.
As for your question about True Detective…somehow my husband and I started with season 4 (our teenage son thought that was hilarious for some reason) which was SO good. Then we went back to the beginning. Season 1 was good. Could not get into season 2 so we skipped to season 3 which was also really good. I’d have to pick season 4 as my favorite though.
I did the opposite of you. I’ve got David Copperfield on my to-read list for this year. I loved Demon Copperhead.
Thanks Noreen - really appreciate your being here to read and comment. Great to have your voice in the conversation. East of Eden is my favorite book of all time so I am looking forward to reading it again, probably in May. Travels with Charley is also great but it has been a few years since I read it.
You are the first person I have heard say Season 4 is your favorite! Most folks stick with Season 1. I am about halfway through Season 3 so I will keep you updated with my thoughts as I progress.
Love the photo of your family! So many great recommendations, thank you. I have watched Young Sheldon and sometimes it's funnier than the original. It is wrapping up the final season this year.
Great recs and reads. I do love True Detective. The latest Jodi Foster season had these fantastic moments and possibilities, but it felt to me like they had edited out 2-3 episodes that would have completed it. I wanted to know a few of the characters more. Let me know what you think when you get to it!
Enjoyed this quite a bit. Looking forward to reading your take on Cannery Row. (Did you see the movie as well? I’d be curious to get your take on that.)
It is definitely growing on me. I have finished the first two seasons now and I am hooked.
Keep up the good work, Matthew! 😎
Thanks Don.
Thank you, Matthew, for all the links, but especially the one on obstacle blessings!
Priya - you are welcome. There are so many great things to read, it is hard to select just a few.
Lovely roundup, Matthew. I see a lot of Steinbeck and Murakami this month haha, and oh yes, you did touch on one of the reasons I don't like Murakami so much: all the unnecessary sex. Looking forward to your reviews. I just got sucked into Eleanor Anstruther's writing, thanks to you. Thanks for sharing my article!
Thanks Tiffany. Yes, Steinbeck will continue to be a dominant presence throughout this year as I make my way through his complete works. Some sexual content in art is fine if it makes sense for the piece but Murakami tends to go overboard. It is really my only complaint about his work. Glad to introduce you to Eleanor. She is really amazing.
I also spent yesterday listening to your writing playlist. Thanks for sharing! Found a couple new songs to add to my own.
What a reservoir of riches, Matthew! Thank you for sharing -- and thanks, of course, for that very generous and unexpected referral!
Since you asked, I am a major fan of True Detective, season 1. Season 2 disappointed me as others. Season 3 was sold out of the gate by almost all the preliminary reviewers as back to form for the show, and I think they were either on the take or on drugs. Jody Foster, as always, was compelling, and other actors were very good, too, but otherwise, I liked even season 2 better. I could go into detail, but I'll spare you!
Thanks Jay. I am almost finished with Season 3. I was chatting with a buddy of mine and told him that I like the story from Season 3 but the acting wasn't great. I haven't heard hardly anything positive about Season 4 other than remarks about Jody Foster. My buddy and I agreed that when you start off a series with Woody and McConaughey you set such a high bar that it will be hard to meet in the future.
Oops. My bad. Maybe because I never saw it, I confused season 3 with season 4. I'm a great fan of Mahershala Ali, so remain tempted on that score, but 3 seemed in atmosphere so much an attempt to imitate 1 that I passed after the disappointment of 2. (Is this getting confusing? :) My comments were actually about season 4. I don't know anyone who like it, but early professional reviews right before its start were as I described.
Thanks Matthew for the book recommendations. I’m looking forward to your April Steinbeck reviews. I’ve read East of Eden (twice) and Travels with Charley. Loved them both. Got a few more of his on my to-read list.
As for your question about True Detective…somehow my husband and I started with season 4 (our teenage son thought that was hilarious for some reason) which was SO good. Then we went back to the beginning. Season 1 was good. Could not get into season 2 so we skipped to season 3 which was also really good. I’d have to pick season 4 as my favorite though.
I did the opposite of you. I’ve got David Copperfield on my to-read list for this year. I loved Demon Copperhead.
Thanks Noreen - really appreciate your being here to read and comment. Great to have your voice in the conversation. East of Eden is my favorite book of all time so I am looking forward to reading it again, probably in May. Travels with Charley is also great but it has been a few years since I read it.
You are the first person I have heard say Season 4 is your favorite! Most folks stick with Season 1. I am about halfway through Season 3 so I will keep you updated with my thoughts as I progress.
Love the photo of your family! So many great recommendations, thank you. I have watched Young Sheldon and sometimes it's funnier than the original. It is wrapping up the final season this year.
Thanks so much Cherie. I am almost finished with Season 2 and it just keeps getting better and better. It is definitely growing on me.
Great recs and reads. I do love True Detective. The latest Jodi Foster season had these fantastic moments and possibilities, but it felt to me like they had edited out 2-3 episodes that would have completed it. I wanted to know a few of the characters more. Let me know what you think when you get to it!
Will do. Finishing up Season 3 now which is better than 2 in my opinion.
Agree 100%. It’s one of the few seasons of prime TV that I wish actually was longer!
Enjoyed this quite a bit. Looking forward to reading your take on Cannery Row. (Did you see the movie as well? I’d be curious to get your take on that.)
Glenn, I haven't seen the movie yet but I might check it out if I have time. Glad you enjoyed the article.