What we loved: July 2023
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What we loved: July 2023
These two Barbies officially live on opposite sides of the world again.
Have you seen those memes with the Barbie movie, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) and the caption ‘this is my entire personality right now’? That’s me (Caitlin) this month. I’ve stayed cold in Sydney’s winter, but all the pink and purple content has made for a fun month.
Michelle’s month has been VERY eventful. After the farewell weekend getaway we mentioned last month, it was a lot of packing, driving, goodbyes, and flying before landing in the UK in mid-July. Since then, the first few weeks are being treated like a holiday with lots of reading, time with friends, and very important admin - such as joining the local library.
*denotes review copy
Reading
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
This was the first Kate Morton book I read via audio seven or eight years ago. It felt like the right story to dive into again on our long-haul flight from Australia to the UK. I was again immediately hooked by the opening scene, where we meet teenage Laurel in 1961 as she witnesses a shocking incident between her mum and a stranger. 50 years later, Laurel’s still haunted by that day and starts to look for the truth. Morton then takes us back to the late 1930s and through war-time London, with the parallel stories building to a moving conclusion. I’m itching to re-read Morton’s other books, but I’m sure this will always be one of my favourites.
– Michelle
We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis
A dual narrative that follows two teenage boys as they try to find themselves, deal with familial and cultural expectations, and come of age in Sydney. Harvey has no ambition, he’s dropping out of high school and moving to Sydney as his Dads’ are getting divorced. Sotiris has a lot of ambition, with his first novel published at 17 years old and a new relationship developing with a cute bookseller. It’s a beautiful novel about the meaning of born and chosen family and what success and happiness means to each of us. I really enjoyed spending time with both Harvey and Sotiris in their different worlds.
– Caitlin
Wild Things by Laura Kay
This book was just absolutely joyful. We’re big fans of Laura Kay, having interviewed her about her debut novel and in our re-read season. In Wild Things, we meet Eleanor – stuck in a job she hates, a depressing flatshare and feeling like she’s in need of a change, she’s doing one wild thing each month of the year in a big to change up her life. Also because it was an idea from Ray, the woman El has been in love with for years who is also her best friend. Things get interesting when Ray and El move to the countryside with their best mates Will and Jamie in a queer commune. I immediately fell in love with all the characters and just adore Laura’s witty writing style – this is my favourite of her books so far.
– Michelle
Can I Steal You For A Second? by Jodi McAlister
The second in the Marry Me, Juliet series following Here For The Right Reasons - which I adored! I highly recommend both. Here For The Right Reasons follows the first contestant ‘sent home’ (COVID) during filming of reality TV dating show ‘Marry Me, Juliet’ as she falls for the Romeo while technically not in the running for his heart. Can I Steal You For A Second? is set during the same season and follows Mandie, who goes on the show to get over her toxic ex and falls for a fellow contestant. PLUS in January the third book in the series comes out, Not Here To Make Friends which will follow a contestant and a producer. Jodi is an academic who specialises in romance, pop culture, and love - there is no one more qualified to write romance books and this series is incredible.
– Caitlin
Watching
Funny Woman
There’s nothing like a 14-hour flight to binge a great TV show, right? Funny Woman is set in ‘60s England following Blackpool lass Barbara as she heads to London, determined to make it as an actress (and not just for her looks). It’s fierce and funny and absolutely brilliant. I was googling the possibility of a second season as soon as we were off the plane!
– Michelle
Deadloch
A crime recommendation? From Caitlin?! I know, this feels like a real outlier for me. Deadloch is a new Australian crime comedy streaming on Amazon Prime. A small town in Tasmania, a rising body count, and a serial killer on the loose. An outsider detective comes to town to work on the case with the local cops whose personal and local relationships complicate the case. While catagorised as a comedy, I would say it’s more a show that has funny moments and a funny cast. But it is compelling, mysterious, and will keep you guessing.
- Caitlin
Robots
This was a fun rainy afternoon watch – AI has got to the point where robots genuinely have taken a lot of jobs. And two people (Jack Whitehall and Shailene Woodley) have created their own clone robots to make their lives easier – highly illegal. Jack Whitehall’s character uses his to be an absolute arse, while Shailene Woodley uses hers to scam rich dicks out of money. But then their robots fall in love with each other and decide to run away, blackmailing their creators in the process.
– Michelle
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Gosh I love these dramatic teenagers. Last year I watched season one out of curiosity and ended up so invested and emotional. So far the second season has been a lovely and slightly cheesy watch at the end of the week, with new episodes dropping on Fridays on Amazon Prime. #TeamJeremiah
- Caitlin
Listening
Yellowface by Two Girls One Book
I knew I couldn’t recommend Yellowface as a reading recommendation the month after Caitlin but holy moly, what a book. I want everyone to read it so I can discuss it in depth. Which is why I enjoyed this discussion from Two Girls One Book podcast. They touch on some really interesting elements – and it’s all spoiler free if you haven’t read it yet.
– Michelle
The Guilty Feminist watches And Just Like That
I have never listened to a regular episode of The Guilty Feminist podcast, but was recommended their episodes recapping And Just Like That. It’s excellent. It’s everything I needed to process this TV show. We all have complicated feelings about the show - it’s not exactly what we wanted, but then sometimes it’s great, we adore some new characters and despise others. But I’m watching it. If you’re watching, or even if you’re not but curious to hear how this beloved franchise is evolving, I highly recommend listening to these recaps.
- Caitlin
Chicago with Natasha Hodgson by Sentimental Garbage
I’ve been meaning to listen to Sentimental Garbage for so long and when I scrolled through the feed I decided Chicago was as good a place as any to start. This just made me want to watch this masterpiece musical again and had me humming along to all the songs. But it’s also an interesting look at the behind-the-scenes of writing a musical, something I haven’t given much thought to before.
– Michelle
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
Expected, I know. But it was released this month. I have barely listened to anything else. Speak Now has a few of my all-time favourite Taylor Swift songs (‘Long Live’, ‘The Story of Us’, ‘Sparks Fly’), but as a whole it’s probably #8 in my overall ranking. At first listen I loved ‘Electric Touch’ and ‘When Emma Falls In Love’, but ‘Foolish One’ and ‘Timeless’ have really grown on me!
- Caitlin
Something else
Climbing
Now we’re back in England I’ve returned to bouldering/climbing – I’ve even bought my own pair of climbing shoes. I’ve surprised myself with some of the routes I’ve been able to do, but I’m still very much in the beginner’s stage and looking forward to growing in strength!
- Michelle
Tabby Cat
This adorable little Google Chrome extension has provided me with ‘a new friend in every new tab’ for probably two years now. Choose your pet, they get new accessories sporadically because you open so many new tabs. It’s adorable and it’s fun. Enjoy!
- Caitlin