What we loved: December 2024
Cosy books, comforting music and captivating things to watch
Welcome to 2025! Although a new year of wonderful books awaits, we first need to reflect on what we enjoyed in December.
Michelle:
It was, of course, an incredibly busy month as anyone who works/has worked retail will know. But amidst the hours of bookselling, I managed a magical weekend in Manchester seeing Paul McCartney perform. It’s 7 years since I saw him in Brisbane and this time I was only a few rows from the front. It was an incredible evening belting out my favourite songs.
While at work I was delighted to be able to hand-sell a lot of my favourite books, including previous podcast guest Josh Silver’s Happy Head and nutritionist Emily English, whose So Good cookbook has become a firm favourite. I still enjoyed some festivities and some absolutely brilliant festive TV.
Caitlin:
My summer Christmas included an outdoor movie night showing How The Grinch Stole Christmas, a night at the cricket (the fun version: Big Bash), a couple of swims, many ham sandwiches, a round of mini-golf, cuddling my sister’s mini dachshund, ice-cream & fruit sorbet, and LOTS of board games.
What did you enjoy reading, watching and listening to in December? Leave us a comment and tell us what you can’t stop thinking about!
*denotes review copy
Reading
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
This is a book I’ve been hearing about on and off all year. The fact it was crowned Waterstone’s Book of the Year was the nudge I needed to finally read it. Butter defies genre the way so much translated Asian fiction does. It follows Rika, a young journalist who is determined to get an interview with a woman accused of killing her lovers. But this doesn’t feel like a crime book. The accused killer was an amateur chef and urges Rika to try new foods in exchange for an interview. The food writing is scrumptious, while the novel mediates on the role of women in Japanese society and the way body image is viewed. I found it truly fascinating, although perhaps a little longer than it needed to be.
– Michelle
The Wedding Forecast by Nina Kenwood
The calendar turned to December and I decided it was time for summer reading, it was time for Aussie romances. The Wedding Forecast is (delightful previous guest) Nina Kenwood’s first adult novel, following Anna who is a bridesmaid at her bestfriend’s wedding opposite her ex, Joel, who is a groomsman. He’s there with his new girlfriend and drops a bombshell the day before the ceremony. Anna needs a distraction, cue the cute photographer, Patrick, but also the other groomsman, Mac? While the first chunk surrounds this wedding weekend, I was pleased that the novel has some small time jumps in two other sections. Following Anna and the other characters for longer was fantastic, I fell in love with everyone.
– Caitlin
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
The perfect charming cosy read for anyone who grew up watching Sabrina The Teenage Witch! We all know I’m not much of a fantasy reader, but I’ll try something that’s adjacent and this book is just my cup of tea: magic existing (mostly benevolently) alongside day-to-day life.
Our main character Belle is a bookseller, living with her best friend and scarcely using the magic powers inherited from her mother. Although she does have quite a few handy little spells to help run the adorable little bookshop she works in. As she turns 30, Belle must face her coven as they decide whether she’s used her powers wisely enough to continue holding them. Cue a lovely journey of self-discovery and some found family love.
It was a delightful, relatively low-stakes read that was absolutely perfect for me during the craziness of working at Christmas. I think this will be the sort of hug-in-a-book I’ll happily return to each Autumn.
– Michelle
Love, Unleashed by Melanie Saward
Back-to-back summer Aussie romance reading! I was so delighted and surprised by this novel, it was such a joy to read. Brynn moves from Brisbane to New York City for a fresh start, dreaming of a glamorous job in publishing and a cinematic city life. The reality is she starts working in a doggy daycare with an awful boss and is starting to doubt NYC’s magic. But armed with a list of ‘NYC missions’ from her late mother, Brynn explores the city, makes new friends, grows into herself, and has adventures worthy of the TV shows and movies set there.
– Caitlin
Watching
SAS: Rogue Heros (season one)
I was finally prompted to watch this because the second season was imminent and I’m so glad. It’s such a rip-roaring, action-packed drama all about the creation of the SAS in World War Two. It’s based on a book by Ben MacIntyre – I’m reading another of his now, about an incident in the ‘70s and I can see why the cinematic way he writes non-fiction was inspiration for the drama. Like any war series, there is a lot of emotion here and some graphic fighting scenes. But there’s also an enormous amount of heart and humour. Highly recommend!
– Michelle
Better Man
This movie is excellent! Musical biopics are hard to do well - maybe they skim over some of the bad things, maybe you didn’t learn anything new, maybe you feel like everyone has the same story. Better Man feels really fresh and it’s a) because of the CGI monkey, and b) because it’s treated like a musical and was directed by Michael Gracey who did The Greatest Showman. It’s also really raw and honest, there’s some real emotional moments in there! (The mums are crying in the cinema) Also the music ROCKS. My Mum loves Robbie Williams and I’d kind of forgotten before this movie entered my orbit, I haven’t listen to his music for years. The day after seeing this movie, my whole family was singing along with him on New Year’s Eve in Sydney.
- Caitlin
Midas Man
A latecomer for my film of the year and a properly underrated gem. Midas Man tells the story of Brian Epstein, the person who discovered The Beatles in a dingy Liverpool club. The rest is (well worn) history. But, trust me and the Beatles-loving friend I watched this with: there are few other films that have so perfectly captured the look, sound and mannerisms of each of the Beatles and producer George Martin. This is a beautiful film and one I’d recommend to people who don’t even necessarily love the band. It focuses more on Brian as a man struggling with the band’s unprecedented fame and trying to hide his sexuality during a time when homosexuality was still illegal.
– Michelle
Shrinking (Apple TV)
I’m late to the party, but I finally watched Shrinking with Jason Segel and Harrison Ford late in 2024 and didn’t have to wait long for season 2! Funny, quirky, full of heart, interesting characters, great friendships, talented cast, and wonderfully created and written by the team behind Ted Lasso. Literally what else could you want in a TV show? What took me so long?!
- Caitlin
Listening
Paul McCartney & Wings
Of course a lot of my listening this month was Paul! It was such a delight to see him perform in Manchester and I kept the vibe going with some of my favourite Beatles, solo and Wings hits from Paul. There’s not much more to say really, except that it was just so much joy.
– Michelle
Playlists
I’m sorry I literally have no listening recommendations! In December I alternated between my Christmas playlist, my Spotify Wrapped Top 100 playlist, and my personally curated 2024 playlist. For years I have made new playlists about quarterly and then one for the whole year, it’s a great time capsule to jump into. So this is my lukewarm recommendation, for those of you who felt Spotify Wrapped was inaccurate - make your own playlist for the year, add the songs and albums you liked, or make one for the concerts/gigs you went to this year. But my 2025 New Years Resolution should be to broaden my listening habits.
- Caitlin
Unmasked by Ellie Middleton
Something I’ve been exploring lately hiswhether I may have ADHD .I’m on the waiting list for an assessment., and sincethat waiting list can be ridiculously long ,I’ve also been trying to read a few things aaboutthe subject that might be helpful. I found listening to this audio really comforting. Ellie has approached the subjects of autism and ADHD in a really helpful way ,and it gave me a much better understanding of myself.
– Michelle
Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore*
I knew I wouldn’t have any new listening recommendations! I listened to The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore last month and knew I’d be enjoying this festive romance in December. But the big update in my Dream Harbour reading is that Christmas Tree Farm is my favourite so far. I liked the grumpy x sunshine dynamic, the obstacles to the characters getting together were totally believable, and the holiday season in the adorable fictional town with the cast of characters we’ve gotten to know was very fun.
– Caitlin
Something else
Umberto Giannini Weather Proof Hold
I cannot believe I’ve gone this long without this spray in my life! The last few weeks I’ve been particularly annoyed by how quickly my hair became a frizzy mess after walking to work in the drizzle and stepping from the cold into the hot. After my shift one day, I had a browse around Boots and thought I’d try this spray which works as a heat protector and hairspray. After several walks in the rain and sweaty work hauling books at work, I can confirm it really does hold well. Highly recommend if you’re a habitual hair straightener like me!
- Michelle
Allison Bornstein’s Three Word Method
I heard about American stylist Allison Bornstein’s ‘three word method’ on the Style-ish podcast and read her book, Wear It Well, in November. Her wardrobe editing method and this three word style method are great tools and guides to help refine and define your personal style. I followed all the steps and have chosen my three words, I found it really helpful. She’s got lots of videos on her Instagram and YouTube about these methods as well, so if polishing your look or clearing out clothing you never wear fits with your New Year’s Resolution/2025 goals/January energy etc. I recommend checking it out!
- Caitlin