September catches me by surprise every year. It’s as though one minute I’m splashing with my kids in the pool and the next I’m standing in the aisle at Target looking at a half-empty shelf of school supplies. It comes so quickly and I’m never quite ready for it. And even though it still feels like summer in my part of the country (temperatures were over one hundred degrees today) my mood shifts toward fall. I think of falling leaves and sweaters and finally being able to wear jeans again. I think of curling up on the couch with my pumpkin-spice coffee and reading. Which of course brings us to this month’s book club selection: THE MERYL STREEP MOVIE CLUB.
Like many people I grew up watching Meryl Streep. She embodies everything that is good about Hollywood and everything that is noble about storytelling. I was young (probably too young, actually) when I first saw Sophie’s Choice. And though I’ve watched Meryl in countless movies since, that is how I still see her in my mind. Beautiful and tragic and compelling. I can’t think of an actress I’d like to meet more. Thus my instant curiosity when I first heard about Mia March’s debut novel.
Mia’s publisher, Gallery Books, has kindly provided our prizes this month. The first is a tote bag filled with novels, including THE MERYL STREEP MOVIE CLUB, and a DVD of Out of Africa (Mia’s favorite Meryl Streep movie) to one person who leaves a comment on this post. (Perhaps tell us your favorite Meryl Streep Movie?) And a second tote bag filled with novels, also including THE MERYL STREEP MOVIE CLUB to one participant of our online book club. It’s free to join and there is no long term commitment. Every comment you leave on the forum will count as another entry to win. I hope to see you there as I’ll be leading the discussion again this month.
A bit more about the novel…
In the bestselling tradition of The Friday Night Knitting Club and The Jane Austen Book Club, three women find unexpected answers, happiness, and their way back to one another, with Meryl Streep movies as their inspiration.
Two sisters and the cousin they grew up with after a tragedy are summoned home to their family matriarch’s inn on the coast of Maine for a shocking announcement. Suddenly, Isabel, June, and Kat are sharing the attic bedroom—and barely speaking. But when innkeeper Lolly asks them to join her and the guests in the parlor for weekly Movie Night—it’s Meryl Streep month—they find themselves sharing secrets, talking long into the night—and questioning everything they thought they knew about life, love, and one another.
Each woman sees her complicated life reflected through the magic of cinema: Isabel’s husband is having an affair, and an old pact may keep her from what she wants most . . . June has promised her seven-year-old son that she will somehow find his father, who he’s never met . . . and Kat is ambivalent about accepting her lifelong best friend’s marriage proposal. Through everything, Lolly has always been there for them, and now Isabel, June, Kat—and Meryl—must be there for her. Finding themselves. Finding each other. Finding a happy ending.
Mia March
Mia March lives with her family in a small village on the coast of Maine. THE MERYL STREEP MOVIE CLUB is her debut novel. Her next novel, FINDING COLIN FIRTH, will be published by Simon & Schuster in the summer of 2013.
Twitter: @March_Mia
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, storyteller, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
How can I choose a favorite, when I would choose them all? Okay, I guess it would be Bridges, but I’ve also watched Dalmations a gazillion times with the little ones. Hope Springs is on my list for next week, just hope I can squeeze in a trip to the show. Then there is Julia – an amazing role for Meryl!
I never saw Sophie’s Choice so I will have to agree and say The Bridges of Madison County with Clint Eastwood has to be my very favorite, both novel and movie.
This looks like a great book! I have heard a lot of good things about the author.
What a fabulous idea for a book! I love Meryl Streep. How to pick a favorite movie of hers, though. That’s really hard. Sophie’s Choice and The Hours still haunt me with her incredible characters. But she has such a fun side, too: Mama Mia, The Devil Wears Prada, Julie/Julia. How to pick? I guess The Bridges of Madison County, but I’d probably give you a different answer tomorrow.
This book sounds very intriguing and also the next one…Finding Colin Firth! I’d love to win a copy.
Love Out of Africa and went to the farm a few years ago!
Fell in love with Meryl in Sophie’s Choice, but also loved Kramer vs. Kramer. It was also great to laugh with her in It’s Complicated. Too many I haven’t seen as well.
Have always loved Meryl Streep. She is one of the most diverse actresses in Hollywood. Liked the scene in The Devil Wears Prada where she has no make-up on, gray hair and is in her bathrobe.
Hard to choose a favorite Meryl Streep movie. She is such a great actress. Mia’s book sounds like a winner.
Thanks for this opportunity to win the book along with many more.
Thanks for the giveaways! Would love to win a copy.
This mother of three sweet daughters definately has to choose Mama Mia as the favorite movie. I do adore Meryl in all of her movies! Seeing her tender yet strong heart in Mama Mia has blessed me as I wander through the beauty of Mother/Daughter Heaven.
My favorite Meryl Streep movie is “The Devil Wears Prada”. Love how diverse an actress she is.
Did anyone say Prairie Home Companion? Goodness I love that movie. When Meryl Streep sings Softly and Tenderly in the dressing room–wow.
(If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. Garrison Kellior, Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Lilly Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones. It’s the final airing of The Prairie Home Companion before a big company takes over the station. Wonderful!)
I have not seen all of Meryl Streep’s movies but she is certainly a very versatile actress. I would welcome receiving the gift tote with books and movies.
Love Meryl Streep! The book sounds great!
After reading the book, I want to look into more of these movies. Don’t want to say more because I don’t know what happened to my last post.
Love how Meryl just takes on each new character and transforms into them.
Oh, I want to see the movies too! And, I would love to see them with my daughters. This book is inspiring me with hopes to connect in new ways with women in my family and, really, all women.
I would have to say Bridges would be my favorite with her in it. Prada and Kramer are 2nd and 3rd respectively. She is what I call a timeless actress, not many in the entertainment field can and will be remembered. Thanks so much for all the leads to new books!
Loved Prada! Loved the Dalmations as well–she was the best!
I love Meryl’s movies and this book sounds great – would love to have it.
From Devil Wears Prada to Dalmations to Out of Africa and Hope Springs… Meryl’s talent and versatility keeps her in the limelight and in our hearts!
Who doesn’t love Meryl Streep? I also love reading first novels so sounds like this one is for me. Can’t wait to read it and discuss it with like minds.
My would definately be Bridges Over Madison County! I loved it so much I traveled from Birmingham, Al to Iowa to take the tour of where the movie was shot, and walked over the bridge where a lot of the scenes were. It was a trip I’ll never forget!
Kelly, I would really like to take that trip to Iowa. Maybe my daughters and I will one day! Thanks for the idea and inspiration!
“It’s Complicated” is my favorite Meryl Streep movie! Real life, real comedy. I can hardly wait to read the “Meryl Streep Movie Club”!!
Truthfully, only because I recently rewatched it on TV, my favorite Meryl Streep movie as of this day is Julie and Julia (or is it Julia and Julie?). Either way – she was terrific! While Julia Childs’ voice did get on my nerves, the way Meryl embodied her spirit and actions and joy of life made her come to life for me. I loved that movie! Now, ask me in a week which one is my favorite and I’ll have a different answer, because I can assure you, I will have watched another Meryl movie by that time!