One of the best things about the start of a new year is that there are plenty of new books, shows, and movies to keep you entertained during those cold winter months. Whether your resolution was to read more books or support local artists, these new releases by local creators will help kickstart your month.
Book
Red Clay Suzie by Jeffrey Dale Lofton
This debut coming-of-age novel, set for release on January 10, follows Philbet, a young, gay, “physically-misshapen” boy living in rural Georgia as he struggles to overcome bullying and ignorance. The author himself grew up in Georgia before relocating to DC, and used his own experiences as a source of inspiration for the story.
Music
X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X by Anthony Davis
The Boston Modern Orchestra Project has unveiled a new recording of this operatic retelling of civil rights activist Malcolm X’s life, featuring Davóne Tines — an opera singer from Warrenton who has been making waves in the classical music scene — in the title role.
Book
We Are Your Children Too: Black Students, White Supremacists, and the Battle for America’s Schools in Prince Edward County, Virginia by P. O’Connell Pearson
After the passing of Brown v. Board of Education, one Virginia county chose to close down its public schools rather than integrate. In this new nonfiction book for young readers (out January 10), Fairfax author P. O’Connell Pearson breaks down a complex history of racism and segregation in Prince Edward County.
Movie
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Not one, but two stars with NoVA ties (Christina Hendricks and David Arquette) make appearances in this touching drama based on Gabrielle Zevin’s novel of the same name. In a charming small-town setting and surrounded by an endearing cast of characters, watch as a down-on-his-luck widowed bookstore owner regains hope in the face of grief.
TV Show
Quantum Leap
Set 30 years after the original sci-fi drama’s finale, this action-packed sequel features a whole new cast — including Fairfax native Mason Alexander Park — working to uncover the mystery of a time-travel experiment gone wrong. Keep an eye out for the second half of season one, which is set to return to PBS January 2.
This story originally ran in our January issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
