What I’m reading, watching, listening to

I’m sure those of you in lockdown in VIC are well and truly up to date on reading and watching shows and after having the school holidays here I have a few bits and pieces to share with you about what I have been up to. Lots of reading and TV, a little podcasting and music in between. Let’s do this!

Reading

I have managed to get 4 books in since my last update at the start of June. School holidays are always the best time for me to get stuck into reading, less work during the day means that I pick up the book and as it’s been so cold and miserable at home being July, I have been heading to bed super early to get stuck into a few chapters before bed. Plus! Going to be super early means I don’t drink during the week…win win for my brain and liver.

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

This book is like a fairy tale for grown ups and I LOVED every minute of it. A magical tale about a mute girls who appeared to have drowned on the Thames and comes back to life. Magical, whimsical and utterly delightful in any way and so different to the styles I have been reading that it was like a refreshing tonic.

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

You can’t beat a Liane Moriarty for a page turner can you. It’s like a good rom com movie that you can just let wash over you. Loved this story about Alice who after a knock to the head loses the last 10 years of her memory and she thinks she is just pregnant with her first child. She awakes to find her and her husband about to get a divorce, kids she doesn’t know and strained relationships with many of her friends and family. Loved thinking about the those first 10 years of marriage and how we grow and change and the people we turn into. Really enjoyed this.

A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson

This was most definitely NOT a favourite of mine and it should have been much better than it was. Following the bohemian lifestyle of Leonard Cohen, George Johnston and Charmian Clift living in Greece in the 60s I found the writing frustrating, the plot non existent and way too many characters that do nothing but frustrate. Really disappointed in this one.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This was one of the best books I have ever read. Following the lives of twin sisters who live two completely different lives: one as a black and one as a white woman. Such beautiful writing, amazing characters and story that I will be sure to read again at some stage and so timely given the BLM movement which gave insights into American life. Really REALLY loved this so much it’s up there in my top 3.

Watching

I binge watched this one in a day on a weekend when I saw that it was on Foxtel. Loved every minute of this following Amy Schumer’s 1st pregnancy (dear LORD was she so so sick). Great viewing, funny, insightful, sweet. Defo watch it.

Another doco on Foxtel that Rob and I watched with Harper last week over a few nights this shows a true crime story in America in the early 2000’s where there was someone stealing the game pieces in McDonalds Monopoly. This was like a good podcast – great characters too. Enjoyed it a lot.

My beloved Housewives are back after a few weeks break (which had me in a panic). I am not loving NY as much as I normally would as they just seem even more revolting and badly behaved than normal. But of course it’s train wreck viewing and I cannot look away!

Beverley Hills is getting REEEEEEEAAAAALLLL good with Brandi now on the picture. Like I said, this is my guilty pleasure that I will be not shamed for loving. When you know, you know. You know?

Finally got around to finishing off Season 3 of The Crown after initially watching it and losing interest in it (I know, even me the Royal fruitloop!). I found it very slow to start with and found myself falling asleep every time I watched it so one weekend when Rob was away I focused on it and got it finished…loved the tail end of the series with Charles and Anne and of course Margaret at the end – glad I stuck with it and of course will be keen for the next series as it edges very closer to the times that I remember. Imagine when they get to Haz & Megs!

An isolation watch for me over the past few weeks has been Kath & Kim. I found it on Netflix and have pretty much watched the entire series by myself sniggering and laughing as I went. Gosh it reminded me of when I was living back with my Mum when I was 26 and recently single, as Daisy said to me “Mum it you and Grandma!”. Give it a bone Daise, is what I have to say about that. So funny and silly and perfect for when the world is falling apart around you.

Listening to

I have been listening to LOW KEY WEEKEND playlist on Spotify over and over again and two stand outs for me are these songs which I can’t get enough of. I have also looked up Leif’s album and had a listen which I really enjoyed. Touch of the Tom Petty’s or something…it’s a yes from me. Maybe this song I love so much because I spend so much of my time with Hot Tears rolling down my cheeks from one thing or another.

And then this one too. His album wasn’t the best though as all the songs sounded the same. It may need revisiting.

Another great artist I discovered through Spotify was Jordan Rakei, an Aussie living in London. Really enjoy his albums and playlists…this is one of my faves…

You can also not go wrong when listening to UNWIND 70’s, 80’s, 90’s or 00’s on Spotify. Solid gold friends.

Podcasts I have just been tapping in and out of Conversations, No Filter with Mia Freedman etc but no new series as such…always on the look out.

So that’s me. Told you I have been busy. But enough about me…you guys know where it’s at and so you must teklkl me and everyone else…

What have you been reading?
Watching?
Listening to?

Comments

  1. Wow, how early did you rise to make this post, which I’m reading at 7am? I’m particularly grateful for the book recommendations. As you say, we’re all reading a lot and I’m glad to have more to add to my list! What a full service you provide – recipes, books, TV and podcasts – a true multi-media guru 😉

  2. Janine Y says

    I love your updates Beth, always on the lookout for recommendations and I particularly love yours, i’ve recenty started Schitts Creek (i know, late to the party), love it, so mad but so funny, Davids my fav.

  3. Love Leif! Was listening to Into the Ether and thinking Jeff Buckley-esque?

  4. I loved What Alice Forgot. It was the first Mortiarty book I listened to. Have you read Nine Perfect Strangers? I couldn’t get into that one ;(

  5. I’m loving the book Girl,Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo. One of the best books I have read. Also, thoroughly enjoyed High Fidelity on abc iview. I Am a huge fan of the book, And was very impressed by this remake ( with a twist).

  6. I can’t wait to start The Vanishing Half. Two friends and I both subscribed to Well Read and that was our first book. I’m finishing The Henna Artist, the current book club book. It is SO good. I think you’d enjoy it. I loved Expecting Amy too. Poor woman. They managed to cover so much on the show. I don’t listen to a lot of music but The Chicks’ Gaslighter has been I high rotation. Oh, I also enjoyed Indian Matchmaker on Netflix.

  7. The Bureau on SBS on demand (French spy thriller), very addictive!

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