Well then. Here we are.
First times are always a little awkward, aren’t they?
I am always wanting to share random things with random people and it seems this space is no different. A short list of books you might like, or articles you might find interesting, or an interview or podcast that you might find inspiring.
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Let’s get started then…
3 things to read:
–This book sat on my bookshelf for the longest time. So long, in fact, that I had forgotten why I’d even selected it in the first place. Was it recommended? Or did it just sound appealing. I am a big believer that books find you when you’re ready, and this one was no different. It was absolutely beautifully written and combined a little history, a little romance, and a little mystery all tied up in a wonderful tale about ambition, passion, ego and a woman’s role in society. I just loved it.
– If you ever watched the TV series Family Ties, then you’d be familiar with Justine Bateman (personally, I loved her most in the movie Satisfaction which also starred Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts and Debbie Harry and from memory got fairly shitty reviews). Going against the Hollywood grain, Bateman has been an outspoken advocate for the beauty of an ageing face. Her book ‘Face’ is a compilation of essays or short stories based on interviews with other women about how they feel about ageing, surgery, their face and their place in this world. I found it insightful, heartbreaking and fascinating. I hope books like this continue to generate the conversation and remind us that we are perfect just the way we are!
– I really enjoyed this short article from writer and creative Austin Kleon. It’s easy to get disillusioned with people that we once looked up to, but I love this take on it: perhaps we are just ready to move on to our new teacher?
2 things to listen to:
– I absolutely binged this incredibly well-researched podcast. Nine episodes in total with a possible Season 2 on the way, Jo Piazza is a journalist looking to understand this new ‘influencer’ culture that is taking over social media. From understanding the power of women making their own money on their own terms, to the evolution of the family-journaling Mormon moms who discovered blogging; from perfection to messy and back again; and from Instagram smoke and mirrors to TikTok viral performances, this fascinating podcast offered such interesting insight to the behind-the-scenes life of social media fame. Loved it.
– It’s been a few months now and I am still loving Miley Cyrus’ entire album. It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to an album from start to finish, multiple times, and not skipped any tracks. Sitting in the category of ‘future nostalgia’ this part rock, part punk, part pop sound is fresh and also like all my faves from the 80s and 90s. So good.
2 things to watch:
– I was annoyed that various lockdowns meant I missed this movie at the cinema. Written by one of the showrunners from Killing Eve (which I think is fab), I had high expectations. It wasn’t what I expected (action packed with a crazy, kick ass female lead) but it’s still a movie I think people need to watch. There’s a lot of important conversation that will follow a viewing. It actually was a lot less out there and less gruesome than I thought it would be. I can actually see this entire storyline playing out in real life, and that’s not really a good thing. In fact, it’s shocking and tragic and so very sad that victims aren’t believed, that men get away such horrid behaviour because they’re ‘good blokes’ and that we are still having issues around this narrative that we were having when I was in my 20s. Still, despite those sombre thoughts, this movie is visually stunning, the soundtrack is fab and the acting wonderful. It’s a great film and deserves the accolades.
– I think you’d have to have lived under a rock over the past 20 years to not know this song…the intro alone is enough to start humming along. I loved this short film about how the song came about, and also about the challenges and blessings that come along with being a ‘one hit wonder’.
1 thing to think about:
It’s pretty safe to say the last 12 months have left us all feeling a little left of centre. The lack of control, or even anticipation of good things to come, has left everyone in a weird funk that is unlike anything I’ve certainly ever experienced before.
I saw a friend post about this unknown world recently, with a quote saying “when nothing is certain, anything is possible” and reading that did something to my soul. It is such a wonderful way to look at things, at a time when you’re feeling lost, scared, tired and overwhelmed. Who knows what wonderful things will come out of the confusion? There’s bound to be challenges, I am sure, but I think there will also be great things too.
Have a lovely week, and I hope to see you back here soon.
