What we loved: February 2024
The Era's Tour (Aussie version) and one of our most-anticipated reads of the year.
The most important thing this month is, obviously, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Australia. It’s been a long time coming, I (Caitlin) have never ever seen Taylor in concert before and had the BEST time. I was lucky enough to go twice, sitting just rows from the very top and back of the stadium both times but having a blast singing, dancing, and of course screaming. I had made the friendship bracelets but I didn’t really think about how fun trading them would be. Everyone made such different and creative bracelets, and I loved going up to younger tweens and kids (or having them come up to me) and asking if they wanted to trade. Shout out to Kameron Saunders, one of Taylor’s dancers, who gifted us with amazing Aussie versions of ‘like never’ during We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - my faves are ‘tell him he’s dreaming’ and ‘bugger off’. Also hearing 83,000 people chant ‘SYD-NEY’ during Blank Space was awesome.
(Michelle here: Is there anything like seeing your besties live the night of their lives? I’m so excited for every Taylor fan who finally got to enjoy Eras in Australia and will be enjoying them in the UK. Can you also take a moment to appreciate that Caitlin MADE THIS DRESS?! A genius!)
What did you enjoy reading, watching and listening to in February? Leave us a comment and tell us what you can’t stop thinking about!
*denotes review copy
Reading
Long Island by Colm Tóibín*
If you listened to our 2023 wrap-up you’ll have heard this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Waterstones booksellers were lucky enough to receive advance copies and I couldn’t resist diving in, even though it isn’t out until May (when I’ll inevitably re-read).
Long Island carries the same emotional depth, tenderness and exquisite characterisation that makes its predecessor Brooklyn such a superb novel. This isn’t a happily ever after and twisted my heart in many ways, but it was so beautiful to read. From the opening pages, I felt at home with Tóibín’s writing. It is so evocative, yet not a word is wasted. I loved getting some insight into the emotional aftershocks of Eilis’ decision at the end of Brooklyn, as well as the more nuanced portrayal of being an outsider in a hometown that’s no longer home.
You don’t necessarily need to have read Brooklyn to appreciate Long Island, but doing so undoubtedly adds to the experience. I couldn’t stop thinking about the ending for days.
– Michelle
The Lido by Libby Page
What a warm, hopeful and uplifting book. I have read Libby’s books, but never actually read her debut novel, The Lido. Here’s your exclusive announcement: next week our Re-Read interview with Libby about her new book, The Lifeline, will go live. But how could I look forward to the next Libby Page book, which follows on from The Lido, if I had never read it? Thankfully, that’s all fixed now and I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful novel about swimming, friendship, and community. Now I’m properly prepared for The Lifeline’s release in April!
– Caitlin
Piglet by Lottie Hazell*
I raced through this. The writing felt sumptuous – I could almost taste the food Piglet was devouring – but never verged into the excessive. I didn’t think I’d ever be so enthralled by someone trying to create a croquembouche, but I was gripped by the writing, our main character Piglet (a childhood nickname that’s stuck) and the way her life was cracking apart. A darkly comic literary page-turner we’ll be discussing in detail with Lottie during our upcoming episodes.
– Michelle
Never Ever Forever by Karina May
Another friend of the podcast, I had so much fun reading Karina May’s newest book this month. Never Ever Forever follows Rosie, who’s recently moved from Sydney to Mudgee for a fresh start hosting a local radio show. With her new co-host, TV vet Dr. Markus, and with her ex-boyfriend, Wes, back in town - there’s a lot going on. Rosie’s adventures in radio, India, country life, and romance are action-packed and delightful. The cast of characters in this novel are so lovable. I missed spending time with Rosie as soon as I turned the last page.
– Caitlin
Watching
The Newsreader (season 2)
I am in love with this Aussie newsroom drama and delighted to find both seasons available on BBC iPlayer – even more so because I didn’t realise there was a second season! Set in a Melbourne TV newsroom in the late 80s, we get all the relationship and workplace drama alongside the team reporting on real historical incidents.
– Michelle
Upgraded
Camila Mendes is an assistant who gets upgraded on a flight from New York to London. In a classic case of miscommunication, the British man sitting next to her in first class ends up believing she has her boss’ job. This movie is a week of shenanigans as the British man and his fabulous mother believe Camila Mendes to be delightful and successful, while she’s working from the basement of the building and trying to impress her boss. Like The Devil Wears Prada and Cinderella and The Lizzie McGuire Movie all mashed together. Available to stream on Amazon Prime.
- Caitlin
Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix series)
I remember watching episodes of the classic Avatar animated series after school on Rollercoaster TV back in the day. During the first lockdown, we watched the whole series again. I didn’t realise they’d done a new adaptation for Netflix (because every fan collectively refuses to acknowledge the terrible 2010 film). When it dropped last weekend, we filled the coffee table with snacks and snuggled up to binge the series. It’s brilliant and it’s clear the producers have worked hard to maintain the integrity of the original series. The casting feels pretty spot on and I’m so glad they’ve retained most of the humour in the animation. Bring on season two which, while it hasn’t been confirmed, is reportedly already in development.
– Michelle
One Day (Netflix series)
I haven’t finished watching this series yet, and I’ve never seen the movie or read the book. But I love it. So engaging, beautiful, moving. For those unfamiliar, the story follows Emma and Dex over 20 years but we only see the one day each year. I have heard from some people who found it boring and personally I cannot comprehend how they feel that way. I really want to read the book now, and I don’t think I want to watch the movie (I’ve seen one clip this week and it just doesn’t hit the same way).
- Caitlin
Listening
The Rest is Entertainment
Hosted by author/TV producer Richard Osman and writer/columnist Marina Hyde, this podcast is a fascinating insight into the world of book publishing and TV and film production. They do two episodes each week – one a deep dive on topics then another dedicated Q&A. It’s well worth digging back into the older eps as I always learn something new – both hosts give so much interesting background to different industries.
– Michelle
The Taylor Swift series on Scandal by Shameless
If you’re a newbie Swiftie, wondering what all the fuss is about, or looking to learn more - this five part series covers everything. The Shameless girls did part four & five at the start of Feb to catch everyone up on what’s happened since Taylor announced Midnights in August 2022. I had almost forgotten how much had happened, and I was paying close attention the entire time!
- Caitlin
Evil Genius podcast
I love this podcast and a new season is always wonderful. The premise is simple: comedian Russell Kane shares three ‘fact bombs’ about a dead celebrity with a panel of fellow comedians and at the end they must decide ‘evil’ or ‘genius’. You’ll be surprised by some of the discussions!
– Michelle
Taylor Swift’s discography
A constant recommendation, obviously. But in all honesty apart from my regular podcasts I was just listening to Tay Tay in Feb. I listened album by album in the lead up to the concert.
- Caitlin
Something else
Easy gnocchi recipe for mid-week meals
This simple and bloody delicious gnocchi recipe has been in our meal plans several times over February. It’s super quick to put together and the sauce becomes so creamy once you add the cheese. Make sure you follow Lucy on IG @lucyandlentils
- Michelle
Letterboxed
I created an account and started using this app in the last days of 2023. I love it, it’s so fun to track what movies I’ve seen and rewatched when. I love reading everyone else’s reviews as well, for example here are a couple for Upgraded, which I recommended above: ‘I just love British men’, ‘the devil sells art’, ‘can I be given first class seats’, and ‘I’d probably do the same, ngl’.
- Caitlin
Adding Piglet to my TBR!