Thursday, August 4, 2016

Bookish Things On My Mind

  • I was thrilled to hear about Print Bookstore, soon to be opened in Portland, Maine, by Josh Christie and Emily Russo. I've known Josh from here and there for a few years now and I can't wait for the store to open so I can go visit. They are both tremendous booksellers and I know their store is going to be amazing. For now you can follow them on social media (@PrintBookstore on Twitter) and sign up for their newsletter from their website, http://www.printbookstore.com
  • I'm really excited about Alex Garland's adaption of Jeff Vandermeer's Annihilation after reading this interview on Tor.com. I only dabble in science fiction but I really enjoyed the book and since the interview came out I started reading book two in the Southern Reach Trilogy, Authority. I'm very intrigued by the thought that he's adapting Annihilation without having read the other books; it means his version won't include references or hints or connections, making the experience of watching the adaptation more like the experience of reading the first book, where you can't reference anything outside the first book itself. Neat!
  • On that note I love all the upcoming adaptations- Justin Cronin's Passage trilogy is in the works, Margaret Atwood's MaddAdam series as well as a remake of The Handmaid's Tale. Now when are we going to get Amitav Ghosh's Ibis trilogy adapted? It would have to be almost as long as "Game of Thrones" but can you imagine, like an old-style PBS series along the lines of "The Jewel in the Crown" and I bet it could be as wonderful as that series too. Are there any upcoming adaptations, whether for TV or the movies, that you're excited about? 
  • Speaking of "Game of Thrones," now that it's over for the season, what literary adaptations are you watching? I'm thinking of dipping my toes into "Outlander." Thoughts?
  • One last comment on adaptations. I heard the Broadway adaptation of Alison Bechdel's wonderful Fun Home is closing in September. I'm really sorry to hear this as it's a great show and a moving, beautiful book, but I'm glad I did get to go see it for my birthday last year. I don't see many Broadway shows but I am grateful we made time for this one, and that I took the opportunity to re-read the book afterwards. Whatever happens with the show I do highly, highly recommend the book.
  • The Man Booker longlist was announced recently. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I haven't read any of them but I'm pleased to see Paul Beatty recognized. I loved his book Slumberland (my review here) and I've got The Sellout in my TBR pile. And it's great to see perennial favorite and two-time winner J.M. Coetzee listed again too. The Man Booker people have so many awards now it's hard to keep track, but this is the original and my personal favorite award to watch and read from.

1 comment:

Lisa C. Hayden said...

I am also super-excited about Print Bookstore! And you'll have to let me know when you come to visit so we can meet up for coffee! :)