Some may remember what it was like in the olden days, when television studios took the summer off and aired reruns for three months. Waiting to see the Fall lineup was a big deal, especially for fans of a continuing series, kept in suspense by a season-ending cliffhanger. Now, with streaming services and binge-watching, we have become fairly spoiled by immediate gratification and infinite choices. Since there are so many shows available, speed to release tends to lead to diminished quality. There are some shows, however, that stand out, with devotees ravenous for more episodes or similar fare.

Many of the hottest shows still take a hiatus at this time of year, subjecting viewers to a wilderness of TV mediocracy while they wait for their favorites to return. Since books take longer to consume, may I suggest some books with similar vibes that might serve to tide you over instead?

May's Featured Review

Hop on the Holds List

With a Vengeance – Riley Sager

King of Ashes – S.A. Cosby

Emperor of Gladness – Ocean Vuong

Murder Takes a Vacation – Laura Lippman

Kill Your Darlings – Peter Swanson

Quote of the Month:

"I find television very educational. Every time someone turns it on, I go into another room and read a good book." - Groucho Marx

Bookish News and Links:

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Love Lists? Try these:

The New York Public Library offers a longer list of books for White Lotus fans to read before season 4.

Collider has released this list of books that their editors think should be made into movies or TV Shows.

On the flip side, The Independent has a list of adaptations that they think should never have been made.

Adaptation News: Upcoming movies and shows based on books:

Miss Austen, based on the book by Gill Hornby will air its first episode on PBS on May 4.

Netflix has an adaptation of Judy Blume's Forever airing on May 8.

Campy horror fans will flock to theaters on May 9 to see the movie based on Adam Cesare's Clown in a Cornfield.

All Systems Red, the first book in Martha Wells' Murderbot series will arrive on Apple TV+ on May 16.

Alafair Burke's The Better Sister will be available on Prime starting May 29.

Recent Reads

I have recently finished reading Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman and Please Be Advised: A Novel in Memos by Christine Sneed. I also just finished listening to Magpie by Elizabeth Day.

I am currently reading The Collected Stories of Lorrie Moore and King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby. I am also listening to the audiobook of Undone by Karin Slaughter.

How do you keep yourself busy while waiting for the next episode or season of your favorite shows?: jnmegan@gpl.

Until next time: Be safe, be well, and be well-read!

Joelle

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So, who am I, anyway? I am a resident of West Groton, with a husband, 3 children in college (and one at GDRHS) and a Samoyed that keeps my vacuum well-employed. I am currently working part time at the Groton Public Library and writing monthly reviews for Bookllist Magazine. In a former life, I was a Director of PR/Marketing at a high-tech consulting firm. My BA is in Psychology, but most of my time was spent in college earning a Concentration on the Novel. That is all to say that I make no claims at being an expert of any kind and my thoughts, opinions and mistakes are solely my own. I am just a person whose passion for books has continued to grow from the moment I was first able to grip and gnaw on them. I have been devouring them ever since.